~*September19*~

Bailey woke up that morning, surprisingly, in a good mood. She decided since she had nothing better to do, she would go to the bookstore, buy a new book and lounge in the backyard. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky and a cool breeze blew, keeping the temperature comfortable.

After several hours in the sun, and achieving a golden tan, Bailey went inside and showered. She used the new bath set that Lois had given her--country apple. She dressed in a white tank top and a pair of Gary's boxers. She felt a twinge when she pulled them out of the drawer. She had really been missing him lately. Maybe it was because this was the first birthday in over 4 years that she hadn't spent with him. Part of her wished she'd stayed at the loft the other night, but she knew it would have been very awkward.

She went downstairs and started a load of laundry before she tackled the kitchen. It had been a while since she'd felt like giving the house a good cleaning, and it was in dire need of it.

Several hours later, the downstairs clean and the laundry done, she took it upstairs and began to put it away. She turned on the stereo in the room as she worked. It felt so good to not be depressed.

"You seem to be in good spirits today."

Startled at the unexpected voice, Bailey gasped and slammed the drawer shut, catching one of her fingers. She yanked the finger free as she spun around.

"Gary! You scared the living daylights out of me!" she said breathlessly.

His eyes took in the sight of her, hair pulled up, a fitted white tank top and his boxers. Lord, how he loved it when she wore his clothes.

"Sorry about that. I rang the bell. I guess you didn't hear me."

She grimaced as she shook her hand. "No, I didn't. What brings you by?" she asked, her heart racing at the sight of him.

He brought his hand from behind him and held out two wrapped packages. "Happy Birthday!"

She shook her hand again before she reached for the packages. "Thank you."

He moved the packages out of her reach and took her hand in his and ran his thumb lightly over it.
"Do you need some ice?"

She jerked her hand free. Even his slight touch sent goose bumps skidding up her arm.

"It...it's fine."

"Mmm," he mumbled as he handed her the gifts.

"You didn't have to," she said, not meeting his eyes.

"It's not much. At least not compared to the watch you got me. Thank you," he said as he took a step closer. She took one step back, not trusting herself to be this close to him.

"You had mentioned wanting a new one, back when we were....." her gaze flickered up to his eyes. "Oh, you're welcome," she finished.

"Open this one first," Gary instructed.

Bailey pulled the paper off to expose a CD of WWII songs. "I know you buy any of these you can get your hands on. I hope you don't already have this one."

"No, I don't. Thank you," she said as she looked over the song selections.

"The other one is from Gene and me. I would have given you you're gifts the other night, but I didn't have this one ready," Gary explained.

She unwrapped it and inside was a framed picture of Gary, with Gene sitting on his lap. Both wore identical smiles.

"Here, if you push this," Gary said as he pushed a button on the bottom of the frame, "it plays a message."

"Say I love you, Mommy," she heard Gary say.

"But Mommy not hewe, We caw hew."

"No, say it right in here and it will record and Mommy will hear it when she pushes the button."

"Mommy not hewe."

"I know, son. Look. I'll do it. I love you, Mommy. Now, let's do it together, okay, partner?"

" 'Kay."

"Okay, now..."
"I love you, Mommy!" They both said in unison.

"I'm sorry about all the chatter, but I was afraid if I erased it and started over, I wouldn't get him to say it again."

Bailey was still looking at the picture and pushed the button again to listen to the message.

"The picture isn't as good as if you'd taken it, but..."

She looked up at him, tears filled her eyes. "It's perfect. Thank you so much." She took a tentative step forward then reached up to hug him.

The feel of her arms around him, was his undoing. God, he'd missed her. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled the fresh scent of her. Apples, she smelled like apples.

Unconsciously he kissed her neck and he felt her body stiffen and he stepped away from her.

She looked up at him and he searched her eyes.

He took the picture from her grasp and reached behind him to place it on the dresser, never taking his eyes off hers.

Bailey's gaze dropped down to her hand and she massaged the sore finger. Gary took her hand in his and raised it to his lips.

She swayed slightly at the heady feeling of his lips on her skin. All rational thought left her brain; there were no lingering doubts as to whether they should be together. Her breathing became shallow as her heart raced.

Gary's fingertips on her wrist, felt the increase in her pulse. His lips traveled across her hand to linger on her wrist. She placed her right hand on his chest to steady herself and felt the fierce beating of his heart.

He raised his eyes to watch her as his lips traveled up her arm to the spot on her neck below her ear, that she loved to have kissed. A sigh escaped her lips as her body leaned into his.

She dipped her head slightly to nudge his lips toward hers. When they finally met, Gary wrapped his arms around her and they moaned in unison. Bailey wrapped her arms around him, pulling his as close as she could.

Breathing was labored as they began to tug at each others clothes. Their lips parting just long enough to pull shirts over their heads and toss them haphazardly.

The feel of his warm skin under her hand was heaven. Gently she ran her fingertips over the muscle of his arms to his shoulders then down his chest and up his back, savoring the feel.
He pulled his lips from hers and rested his forehead against hers. "Bailey, if you want me to stop. Now would....."

She interrupted him by placing her lips on his, gently sucking on his bottom lip. The tip of her tongue softly touched his and he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her onto the bed. He positioned his body on top of hers as he trailed kisses down her neck and across her breast.
Lacing his fingers with hers, he brought her hands above her head, his mouth moving back up her body to her lips.

His eyes opened and looked into hers. She shifted her weight and wrapped her legs around him and watched as his eyes slowly closed with pleasure.

He unlaced their fingers and placed his hand under her back, and rolled over so that she was on top. Gently he removed the clasp from her hair, so the silky waves caressed his face. He raised a hand and ran it over the dark strands, tucking one side behind her ear.

Reality began to creep into Bailey's conscious and she hesitated.

Gary's eyes met hers once again as his hand cupped her face. "Gary?"

"Love me, Bailey," he whispered.

Every thought she had, disappeared with those words, except for the thought that she wanted to be here, in his arms, loving him.

Chapter Eleven
Gary let out his breath as he looked down at the sleeping form lying next to him. Gently, he caressed the hair that fanned softly across her back. It was longer than.....than the last time he could remember them being together like this.

Had it only been two months? It seemed like an eternity since she had given herself to him, let him hold and caress her.

He ran his hand over his face. "What have I done?" he asked himself. He knew he had let his emotions and desires cloud his judgement. Yes, he'd missed her. Yes, he'd wanted to make love to her. Yes, he still loved her, but nothing had changed, really.

"Meow!" Gary heard the cat softly mew.

"What do you want?" he whispered.

The cat gingerly stepped over the strewn clothes to Gary's jeans and pawed at the paper, still stuck in the back pocket. Gary groaned, knowing exactly what it meant.

Carefully he got out of bed and dressed quietly, before carrying his shoes out of the bedroom, to the stairs, where he sat down and put them on. When that was done, he pulled the paper from his pocket and checked the headlines. Sure enough it was time for another save.

He looked down at the paper then back at his bedroom. He got up and silently walked back into the room. He looked around for a pen and a piece of paper to write her a note. He found the pen and scribbled a quick note on piece of paper he found on the dresser.

Bailey,

I'm sorry I won't be here when you wake up, but the paper is calling. I can't put how I feel onto paper. Just know I didn't want to leave you.

Love, Gary

He leaned the paper against her jewelry box then walked over to the bed and gently kissed her forehead. He walked out of the room and pulled the door closed behind him, the breeze causing the note to flutter to the ground and rest under the dresser.
~*~*~

Bailey awoke to the sound of the phone ringing. She opened her eyes and smiled. Memories from earlier, flashed through her mind. Her body still tingled from the pleasure Gary had inflicted upon it.
Her eyes shot open as she realized he wasn't there. She grabbed the phone as she clutched the sheet to her body.

"Gary?"

"Hoppy Burfday, Mommy!"

"Oh, thank you, sweetie."

"Are you hoppy?" Gene asked.

"Hmm?" Bailey asked, distracted as she looked around the room. The only evidence left that Gary had even been there was the presents and the tingle she still felt.

"Shore burfday, ew be hoppy."

"Oh, I...I..okay. Your daddy brought your gift by. I love it," she told him.

Gene giggled. "He want me say I wuv ew and ew not thewe. I say now. I wuv ew, Mommy."

Tears welled in Bailey's eyes. "I love you, too."

" 'Kay, bye now," Gene said abruptly and hung up the phone.

Bailey placed the phone back in the cradle and wiped tears from her eyes, then ran her hand over the indention in the pillow next to her. She was startled when the doorbell rang.

"Gary!" She tossed the covers back and grabbed her robe and put it on as she raced out of the room and down the stairs. She stopped at the door and took a deep breath and ran her hand over her hair to smooth it.

She turned the knob and yanked the door open.

"Happy Birthday!" Emily exclaimed.

Bailey blinked and stepped back in shock. "Oh, Em. I uh, didn't know you were coming."

"Evidently not. Am I interrupting something?" she asked as she raised an eyebrow.

Bailey clutched at the collar of her robe. "No," she blushed.

Emily narrowed her eyes. "Can I come in?" she asked as she held up the birthday cake.

"Oh, sure."
Emily walked into the house and on to the kitchen where she set the cake on the counter along with a bag containing ice cream.

"I'm, uh gonna go upstairs and dress. I'll be right back," Bailey stated.

While she was gone, Emily cut pieces of cake and dipped large scoops of ice cream on top.

She handed Bailey her piece when she walked back into the kitchen.

"Bailey, you're not having an affair are you?" Emily asked, bluntly.

Bailey choked on her cake. "No! I would never do that."

"So you and Gary are back together?" Emily asked hopefully.

"I don't know," she answered as she dropped her eyes.

"I'm not naive. Something went on here and not too long ago."

"Gary came by and brought my birthday gift."

"And some gift it must have been," Emily teased.

"Emily! It wasn't like that."

"How was it then?" she laughed, enjoyed giving her friend a hard time.

Bailey sat down at the table and chopped up her cake with a spoon. "Honestly? It was wonderful, but......well, he left while I was asleep."

Emily sat down across from her. "Ooh, that's not good."

"It certainly doesn't feel good."

"Maybe he'll call?" Emily suggested.
~*~*~*~

Gary shut the door to the loft behind him, his shoulders drooping as he flipped on the light and looked at his watch. He groaned when he saw the time. He had intended to call Bailey, but the paper kept him tied up. Then when he got back to the bar, it was packed and they were short handed, and now it was after one in the morning. "Too late to call now, she's probably asleep. I'll just go see her tomorrow," he said out loud.
~*~*~*~

Emily stayed and watched a movie with Bailey and left around eleven. It was now almost one and she had given up on Gary calling. Several times, after Emily left, she picked up the phone to call him, but changed her mind. She wasn't about to look desperate. If he came here for a.....she couldn't even bear to form the words in her head....so be it.

She yanked the covers back on the bed and climbed in. Immediately his scent assaulted her and she jumped up and stripped the sheets from the bed and put fresh ones on.

She snuggled under the covers and shut her eyes only to have images, of what had happened hours before in this bed, haunt her.

Finally she got up and went into the guest room and slept there.

Chapter Twelve
The sun rose too early and too brightly to suit Bailey. She pulled the covers over her head, hoping she could block out the new day and this heavy feeling that was pressing down on her chest.

But her wish was not to be. The sound of a jackhammer, beating insistently on the pavement down the street, nudged--heck-- kicked her out of bed. She stomped down the hall to her bedroom and into the bath where she took a brief shower. She didn't even bother drying her hair, she just pulled it back in a pony tail and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, before she began moving her belongings into the guest room. She couldn't stand to be in this room, let alone sleep in it every night. Not now, not after......

~~~

Talkin' to the mirror, whispering your name
It's just like you were here,
You'd think I was insane.
I hold these conversations in the silence of my room
Rehearsing all the things I'd say, should I run into you

Later that morning she was listening to the radio and drowning her sorrows in a big piece of chocolate birthday cake smothered in chocolate chip ice cream, when she was startled by Gary walking into the kitchen.

"Hey," he said softly, almost hesitantly.

"Hey, yourself. You could knock. You don't live here anymore," she snapped.

Taken aback by her tone, he just looked at her.

"I'm serious. I don't like the feeling, knowing you can walk in at any moment," she said as she dumped the rest of her cake down the garbage disposal.

"Last time I checked, my name was still on the mortgage," he replied.

She bristled. "What do you want? If you think you can just waltz in here any time you like and have your way with me, you're mistaken."

"Howzat?" he asked, thoroughly confused.

"I think you know exactly what I mean," her eyes flashing angrily as she spoke.

"Bailey, that's not what last night was. How can you even think that?"

"Whatever," she said flippantly as she tried to walk past him.

He grabbed her arm as she passed and she jerked it away as if she'd been burned. "Don't you dare touch me again," she spat.

"Bailey, what's gotten into you? Why are you acting like this?"

"Your conscience feeling a bit guilty?" she challenged.

How's it going, might be what I'd say
Well, you broke my heart you know
or it looks like rain today
Or maybe, God I've missed you
Since you went away
You're looking well or go to Hell
Might be what I'd say

"You have this all worked out in your head as to how you think things are don'tcha? Ya never let me talk, never let me explain, never let me in. I thought... I ..I hoped that last night meant that the woman I loved had come back. I see she hasn't, now I'm not the least bit sorry I left."

His words stung her and he knew it, and the realization gave him a perverse sense of pleasure. He was glad he'd hurt her. Now she would know what it felt like.

Gary passed her and started up the stairs.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" she demanded.

"To get my winter clothes. It looks like the loft will end up being my permanent home," he said before he jogged up the stairs.

There's times I've been so angryI could put my fist right through the wall
And then there's times I've come so close
to giving you a call
I love you and I hate you
All at the same time
Then I pray you'll come back to me
before I lose my mind

Gary was surprised as he opened the closet door and none of her clothes were there. He walked over to the chest and pulled open the drawers; they were empty. He walked into the bathroom and all her makeup and hair stuff was gone. He scratched his head, and wondered what was going on.

He walked back into the bedroom and pulled a suitcase down from the top shelf of the closet.
Once it was full he headed to the stairs, stopping as he passed the guest room. He set the case down and slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside. His heart sank as he saw her belongings in the room.

"She must really hate me," he thought to himself.

He sat down on the bed as the faint strains of the music reached his ears.

How's it going? Might be what I'd say
Well, you broke my heart you know
or it looks like rain today
Or maybe, God I've missed you
Since you went away
You're lookin well,
or go to Hell
Might be what I'd say

~*~*~*~
After dropping his suitcase off at the loft he made his way downstairs to the office. When he reached the bottom step he paused and sniffed the air. Apples.

"Bailey?" he said as he entered the office.

Disgusted with his reaction he went in search of the odor. He shoved the door to the kitchen open and found the source.

"What's that?" he demanded as Tony pulled a fresh baked apple pie from the oven.

"An apple pie, Mr. Hobson," he answered proudly.
"Get rid of it. And no more apple pie on the menu. No more apple anything. Got me?" he ordered, raising his voice.
"What's going on, Gar?" Chuck asked as he entered the kitchen.

"Nothing's going on," he muttered. "Get rid of it," he repeated to Tony before he walked back into the office.

Chuck followed and shut the door behind him.

"Hey, buddy. You seem a little worse for wear today. Things going alright?" Chuck asked as he sat down across from Gary at the desk.

Gary drummed the desk, before he spoke. "She hates me, Chuck. I messed up. And I didn't even mean to. I think it's over this time," Gary said dejectedly.

Chuck grimaced. "Man, it must be bad. What happened?"

Chapter Thirteen
~Early November~

"Did you talk to Gary when you picked Gene up this morning?" Emily asked as she sat on the edge of Bailey's bed.

"We talked, but we didn't *talk*, if that is what you are asking," she replied as she re-folded a pair of jeans and packed them in the suitcase.

"Is he still upset about you going to this wedding in California? You did explain that it was just a job. You weren't going to have any fun at all," Emily teased.

"I'm sure he is. And yes, he knows I'm going to take photographs at this wedding. He didn't mention anything about that today, really. Except to have a good time."

"Well, that's something," Emily smiled encouragingly.

Bailey rolled her eyes. "Hand me those socks, will you?"

"Can I ask you something, and you not get mad?" Emily wondered.

"If I say no, will you not ask me?" Bailey sighed.

"No."

"I didn't think so. Go ahead, what is it?"
"You and Gary have been separated over two months now. What are you waiting on? You two won't talk, won't spend any time together, so why aren't you filing for a divorce?"

Bailey's mouth dropped open then snapped shut as she closed the suitcase and zipped it shut.

"Because."

"That's no answer and you know it. You're not filing because you want him back. So why don't you get him back?" Emily asked, pointedly.

"It's not that simple, Em."

"Oh yes it is. Gary still loves you. All you would have to do is just give him one ounce of hope, just one smile and he'd be falling all over himself to get to you."

"Then what? All we do is argue," Bailey said as she sat down on the bed.

"Why?" Emily asked.

"Why what?"

"Why do you fight? Do you still love him?"

"Of course I love him. I never stopped and I really don't know why we fight. At first I was angry because of the way he acted when I lost the baby. You know, he never cried once..."

"What makes you think that?" Emily asked as she cocked her head.

"Well, because he never did. Not that day in the hospital, not after."

"Oh, Bailey. Gary cried. It flat broke his heart when you lost the baby. But he didn't want you to see him cry because he needed to be strong for you. He broke down in the waiting room after the doctor gave him the news. I've never seen a man cry like that, but he composed himself so he could go see you," Emily explained.

"I never knew," Bailey replied, softly. "But, that doesn't explain why he came by here on my birthday and left while I was asleep. I felt so....I still feel..." She got up and pulled the suitcase off the bed. "But then again, it was worth it just to be in his arms," she said to herself.

"I think when we get back from this wedding, you and Gary need to have a long talk. "

~*~*~
McGinty's was slow that night, as was the paper. Instead of sitting in the loft feeling lonely, Gary decided to play a game of pool. The customer beat him handily, which just proved to Gary he couldn't even concentrate on a simple game of pool.

He made his way across the bar and stopped when he saw Bailey walk in with Gene, lugging suitcases behind her. She was dressed in faded jeans and a white turtleneck and black wool blazer, her hair was down and framed her face in soft waves. And Gene, he looked like he'd grown a foot since he'd seen him last. Had it only been a week? It had to have been one of the longest weeks of his life. He had this nagging feeling that this was it for them; Bailey was beginning to move on with her life. She'd taken this job as photographer for an actress she and Emily had both worked with in Hollywood. He was afraid the allure of Tinsel Town would be strong enough to make Bailey long for those days and want to move back. Knowing that Emily was along on this trip didn't allay his fears, even though he knew Emily was in his corner.

"Daddy!" Gene cried as he ran to meet his father.

Gary eagerly picked him up and hugged him. "I missed you," he said as he held him tightly.

"Daddy, squishin' me," Gene complained.

Gary chuckled softly. "Sorry about that, partner. Did you have fun?"

"Mmm hmm. We see Mickey Mouse."

Gary's smile faded. He wished he could have been there. "I bet that was a lot of fun."

"Uh huh, but it be more funner wif ew," Gene confessed.

Gary looked over at Bailey. "You're looking good. You did something with your hair."

Self consciously, she touched her hair. "Oh, sun and salt water does this to my hair every time," she said, referring to the blond highlights in her hair.

"Mommy, got sick," Gene informed him.

"You did? Are you alright?" Gary asked.

"I..I'm fine. I think I must have ate something that didn't agree with me."

Gary nodded and there was an awkward silence between them.

"Well, it's getting late and we should be going. Gene insisted on stopping by to see you before we went home," Bailey stated.

"NO! Don't wanna go home. Me stay!" Gene insisted.

"Your daddy's busy tonight. So we need to go on home, you can...."
"Actually, I'm not busy. We're slow here and the Paper is taken care of. I could use the company. I was pretty bored. If..if you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind. If you're sure.."

"I'm sure."

"Well, okay then," Bailey hesitated, hoping Gary would extend the invitation to her. When he didn't, she stepped closer to Gene and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Gary caught himself inhaling the scent of her.

"Here's his bag....." her voice trailed off as she saw the look on his face. Her stomach did flip flops and she smiled up at him.

"Bailey! You're back. Is Em with ya?" Chuck greeted as he walked out of the office.

"Oh, uh, she was going by her place to freshen up first. She said to tell you she'd be by soon," she answered, not taking her eyes off Gary's face.

"Did you have a good time, kiddo?" Chuck asked Gene.

"Mmm hmm. Got to see Mickey and oshen."

"Ooh, where there any sharks?"

"No," Gene answered, disappointed.

Chuck looked at Bailey and Gary. "Hey, are you hungry, kiddo? Let's go to the kitchen and see if we can't get something fixed up for ya," Chuck suggested.

" 'kay."

Bailey nodded her head as she turned her attention to Chuck. "Thanks, Chuck. And you be good, son. I'll pick you up in the morning."

" 'kay, Mommy. Wuv ew."

"I love you, too," she said as she kissed him.

"See ya, Bailey."

"Bye, Chuck."

"Are you sure you don't mind him staying here?" Bailey asked.
"No, I've really missed him. I want him to stay."

"Okay, I'll pick him up in the morning. Do you still want him this weekend?"

"That'll be fine," he answered.

"Good, that will give me time to get some things done for his birthday. Going to this wedding has put me behind. You'll come to his party, won't you?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. If something comes up, Chuck can take care of it."

"I'll let you know what time," she said as she turned to leave.

"Bailey?" Gary called out.

She stopped and looked back at him.

"I'm, uh," he scratched the back of his head.
"I'm glad you're back."

She smiled. "It's good to be back."

~*~*~
"So, how'd it go?" Chuck asked when Gary walked into the kitchen.

Gary shrugged his shoulders. "It went."

"When are you two gonna get back together? It sure makes it hard on Em and me, for our best friends to be on the outs."

"Well, I'm sorry it's an inconvenience for you, Chuck."

"You know what I meant," Chuck replied softly.

Gary clapped Chuck on the shoulder. "Yeah, I know," he said as he sat down next to Gene.

Chapter Fourteen

Bailey walked into the kitchen to get more punch and Lois followed her.

"You and Gary seem to be getting along pretty well today," she said optimistically.

"It's Gene's birthday. I think we're both making an effort for him."

"That's good. Have you two been talking?"

Bailey sighed. "No. Part of me wants to, then part of me doesn't."

"I don't understand," Lois stated as she wrinkled her brow.

Bailey leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "This way, I have hope that things might work out. But if we talk and things don't work out, I lose that hope. I know it sounds crazy..."

"You still love him, don't you?" Lois interrupted.

"I don't think I'll ever stop."

"Well, I know Gary still loves you. Why don't Bernie and I take Gene home with us and that will give you and Gary some free time, alone?" Lois suggested.

"Oh, I don't know, Lois. In a crowd, Gary and I do alright, but we're not very good at the one on one stuff anymore."

"I guess you need to practice then."
~*~*~*~

Bailey hesitated at the door to her and Gary's bedroom. She had closed the door the day he packed his winter clothes and left, because she couldn't bear to see the room void of his belongings. But today, she needed to go into that room. Just as she'd needed to go into the nursery that had been closed up. It was time to put some ghosts to rest.

Maybe it was because the house was quiet since Gene was gone or maybe it was recent events that compelled her to want to make things right with Gary and with her life.

Slowly she opened the door. The shades were drawn, casting a gloomy facade on the room. She walked over to the windows and opened the shades, letting the bright morning sunlight filter in.

Her heart ached with emptiness at the sight of the room. It once had been a place where they shared so much. Loved so much. Now it was just a room.
She remembered back to Valentine's Day a few years back, just after they bought the house. They hadn't even moved in yet, but Gary brought a inflatable mattress and candles and set them up in the bare room. That was the first of many times they had made love in this room and Bailey was certain that was the night Gene was conceived.

A sob escaped her lips and she collapsed on the bed. She hugged Gary's pillow tightly to her, and cried. How was she ever going to get out of this mess she had created?

Through blurry eyes, she spotted something under the dresser. She got off the bed and knelt down, reaching under the dresser to grasp the object underneath. It was a piece of paper and she turned it over in her hands and sat down, leaning back against the bed.

Bailey,

I'm sorry I won't be here when you wake up, but the paper is calling. I can't put how I feel onto paper. Just know I didn't want to leave you.

Love, Gary.
~*~*~*~

Bailey stood, staring at the phone. Her heart raced as she picked up the receiver and dialed the number to McGinty's.

"Yo! McGinty's. Whatcha need?" Chuck answered.

"Hi, Chuck. It's Bailey. Gary wouldn't ha..happen to be around.....would
he?"

"I'm sorry, he's out taking care of the Paper. You can call him on his cell phone. I think he's got it with him," Chuck suggested.

"Okay, thanks, Chuck. I'll talk to you later," Bailey said as she hung up the phone.

She returned the phone to it's cradle and patted it. She'd call him tonight when he wasn't occupied with the paper.
~*~*~*~

Bailey was looking through the clothes racks in the children's department at Marshall Field's when she heard someone call her name.

She turned. "Danny! Hi! My goodness, it's been a while," she exclaimed.

"Almost three years now, I think."

"It has been a while, then. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing great! I'm married now and my wife and I are expecting our first child any day now," he gushed.

"That's great news. Congratulations!," Bailey said as she hugged him.

Gary's heart sank as he watched Bailey hug Danny Haslett, the man she almost married.

He turned abruptly and left the store.
"To heck with those two women who get into a fist fight over a sweater. They can knock themselves out," he grumbled as he left the store.

~*~*~*~
Gary walked into the crowded bar, The Hole in the Wall--a perfect name for the dive. It was dimly lit and smoky; the music played too loud.

He opened his paper again and squinted at the picture of the woman that accompanied the story. He placed the paper in his pocket and scanned the crowd looking for her.

He had let a couple of minor saves go today--he just didn't care anymore. But this one, this one would die if he didn't do something. A jilted woman would get stabbed in the ladies room by her ex's new girlfriend.

Gary decided the best course of action was to locate the ladies room and wait there. He didn't have to wait long, when a petite blond, matching the photo, walked towards him.

"Excuse me, wou...would you like to... to dance?" he asked her.

"Who? Me?" the blond asked as she looked around.

Gary nodded. She may have been blond and petite, but she really wasn't the least bit attractive. Her eyes were too close together and her complexion far from flawless.

"Is this some kind of a joke? Did Harry ask you to do this? Or did his bimbo pay you to ask me so I wouldn't...."

"No, ma'am. I'm here by myself and well, I...I was thinking I'd like to dance and here you..you are."

She looked at him skeptically, then smiled.
"Okay."

She did have a pretty smile.
~*~*~*~
Gary handed the waitress a $20 bill when she brought their drinks. He stuffed the change in his pants pocket.

"Don't you hate it when you love someone so much and they don't love you back?" Tammy, the blond, asked as she gazed at her ex and his new girlfriend dancing. Neither one had noticed she was even in the bar, they were so wrapped up in each other.

"Hate it," Gary replied as he downed another shot. He was long past feeling any pain.

"Your wife was a fool to kick you out."

"I left. Sheeeeeee me kick didn't out," Gary said as he rested his chin on his hand. "But my heart, she broke."

"Ooh, you don't look so good. Maybe we should get you home," she offered.

"Good. Shtake me home."
~*~*~*~

Gary groaned and put his hand to his head. Everything hurt--even his teeth. He opened his eyes and saw that the sun wasn't up yet. Where was he? He closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath. His eyes shot open when he heard someone next to him snore.

As quickly as his aching head would allow, he raised up and turned to see Tammy lying next to him.

"Oh, my God! What have I done?" he moaned.

Carefully, he got out of bed and felt around in the dark, till he found his clothes and as quietly as he could, he put his pants on then fumbled his way to the door.

He opened it slowly and stepped outside then pulled the door shut as quietly as possible.

"Meow!"

Gary almost jumped out of his skin. "What the hell are you doing here?" Gary snapped, then lineplaced his hand on his forehead, hoping to stop the throbbing.

The cat arched his back and hissed as Gary reached for the paper.

"Alright, I get the message. Believe me, I'm not very happy with myself either," he said as he put his shirt and jacket on. He sat down on the floor and slipped his feet inside his boots, before he walked out to the street to hail a cab.

~*~*~*~ Gary fished money out of his pants pocket and handed it to the cab driver before he got out and made his way upstairs to his loft.

Eagerly he rid himself of the smoke laden clothes and stepped into a hot shower.

He felt sick to his stomach. Why couldn't he remember everything that happened last night?
He had asked Tammy to dance, then had bought her a drink, then two, then she bought him one, then two. They left the bar, went back to her place. He remembered walking over to the bed, then nothing. He moaned, a pure guttural sound; like an animal who was in intense agony.

He had never cheated on Marcia, nor Bailey. He'd never even been tempted, but now he had broken his vow and with some stranger he met in a bar.
Gary felt the bile rise in his throat as he quickly left the shower.

Chapter Fifteen
Bailey had taken extra care dressing that morning, in her favorite pair of jeans and an olive green cardigan and brown hiking boots. She pulled the front of her hair up in a clip and left the back hanging loose.

Standing outside of McGinty's, she took a deep breath and ran her hand over her hair before she opened the door and walked in.

"Morning, Bailey. You lookin' for Gary?" Chuck greeted her.

She nodded. "Morning, Chuck. Is he here?"

"Mmm hmm. In the office. But Bailey, just a warning....he's not in the
best of moods."

Bailey's stomach flipped. Maybe she should come back later. "Thanks for the heads up, Chuck."

"No problemo. Can you tell him I'm taking the deposit to the bank?"

"Sure," Bailey said before she walked over to the office door. She paused, to gather her nerve, then opened the door and walked in. As she rounded the partition, she saw Gary, sitting at the desk, his head in his hands. A mug of black coffee and a bottle of aspirin were in front of him.

"Gary?"

His head snapped up and he groaned at the quick movement. He was pale and his eyes were bloodshot. "Bailey, wha..what are you doing here?" he asked as he rose slowly.

"You look awful. Are you okay?" she asked, very concerned.
"I'm fine," he said, not meeting her eyes. Bailey took her coat off and draped it over the back of a chair. "I um, uh, Chuck said he was going to the bank."

Gary nodded then cleared his throat.

"Did you get the messages I left on your machine last night?" she asked.

Her stomach twisted in knots. Did she just imagine the guilty look on Gary's face?

She took a deep breath. She came to tell him something and she was going to go through with it. She had to.

"Gary, can we talk?"

"Now? Well, I, uh, I'm not feeling so good this morning. Can it wait?"

"You just said you were fine," she countered.

"Bailey, please. I can't talk to you now," he pleaded.

Bailey bit her lip and hesitated briefly before she spoke. "Well, I can't wait any longer. I've waited too long as it is and I made up my mind to come here today and tell you this and if I walk out that door, I may never have enough nerve to walk back in here and tell you that I love you. I miss you and I..I..I'm..."

"Gary? There you are. You must have left in a hurry this morning. I found this on the floor," Tammy said as she held out a billfold.

Gary placed his hand on his empty back pocket. He swallowed hard and looked at Bailey. This was not good. Not good at all.

He reached out and took the offered billfold.

"Bailey, let me explain..." he began.

"I'm sorry. I'm interrupting. I just wanted to return this. I figured you might need it," Tammy said.

Bailey grabbed her jacket and ran from the office and Gary followed after her.

"Bailey! Wait!!"

She quickly squeezed past a couple walking through the door way. Gary was caught till they got out of the way. By the time he reached the sidewalk, she was in a cab, driving away.

Gary swung his fist in the air and swore. As he walked back into the bar, he slammed the door, causing the glass to rattle in it's frame. He groaned and grabbed his head as the noise caused his head to throb.

Tammy stood there, wringing her hands. "Gary, that was your wife wasn't it?"

Gary ran his hand over his face and nodded.

"I'm so sorry," she said as she followed him back into his office.

"It's not your fault, it's mine. Tammy, I don't mean to hurt you when I say this, but last night should have never happened. I never should have sle...we shouldn't have..." he raised his eyebrows and motioned with his fore fingers, back and forth. Not able to speak the words out loud.

"Gary! We didn't sleep together. I mean we slept in the same bed together, but that was it."

Gary sat down on his chair. "Are you sure?"

"I'm very sure. I wasn't near as drunk as you. I thought about bringing you here, because you had told me you owned this place, but my place was closer and..." she shrugged her shoulders, "when I got to my place, I was hoping to...I wanted to.. but the minute you hit the bed, you were out like a light. Nothing, nothing at all happened. I didn't even get a kiss," she relayed, sadly.

Gary ran his hand over his face. "What am I gonna do now?"
~*~*~*~

~Late that afternoon~

Gary returned the phone to it's cradle and ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "What was I thinking?" he asked out loud.

"Meow."

He looked up to see the cat sitting on the floor looking up at him.

"What? Are you not mad at me anymore?"

The cat dropped his head slightly as he continued to look at him. A twinge of guilt needled Gary. Nobody wanted to be around him lately. Not even the cat.

"Meow!" the cat cried before he began to carefully make his way toward Gary.

He eyed the cat suspiciously as he jumped up on the table and gently pawed at the paper.
Ignoring the cat, Gary pulled out his billfold and looked at the picture of Bailey and despite his best intentions, began to remember.
The cat meowed again, more urgently as he continued to paw at the paper. Gary put his billfold back in his pocket and turned the paper towards him. Slowly, he picked up the paper as he examined the article.

"Damn!" he exclaimed as he grabbed his coat and made a dash for the door.

Chapter Sixteen
After Bailey left the house, she walked in no particular direction. Eventually she hailed a cab and ended up at North Avenue Beach. She walked to a bench; the one Gary always went to when he needed to think. She really didn't need to think, she needed to forget. But how could she forget all the angry words, the betrayal, the child they had lost? How could she forget all the happy moments they had before everything went wrong?
She supposed that is what hurt the most. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that she and Gary would end up in this place; so distant and angry.

The wind off the lake whipped her hair wildly and she raised her hands to gather it and tuck it under the collar of her coat.

Bailey didn't know how she was going to explain this to Gene. He was too young to understand. He had seemed okay with spending time with Gary and her at different places. Right now it seemed like sort of an adventure to him, but after a while it would get old and he'd want to know why they weren't together.

There were other things that needed to be explained; to Lois and Bernie, Chuck and Emily and Marissa. Bailey raised her hands to her face and moaned. She wanted it all to go away. She wanted the last six months to disappear.

She felt someone sit down next to her and she dropped her hands.

"You're looking a bit forlorn. Can I help?" A young man, in his mid to late 20s, asked.

"No, thank you. I just needed to think and be by myself," she said, in hopes he would get the hint.

"Oh, come on. A good lookin' woman like you? The last thing you need, is to be alone."

"Listen, buddy. I'm not in the mood to be polite, so just buzz off, okay?" she snapped as she shoved her hands into her coat pockets.

Roughly, he grabbed her arm. "I was just trying to be nice. There's no need for you to go off like that," he hissed.
She tried to pull her arm free and his grip tightened.

"Let go of me, or I'll scream," she threatened.

"Go ahead, lady. Look around. There's no one here. The park's not very busy on cold, November days."

Bailey looked around and realized what he said was true, there was no one in sight. Carefully, she wrapped her fingers around the keys in her pocket.

The man leaned forward. "Not so brave now, are you?"

Bailey shivered in spite of herself.

"Cold? I can think of a thing or two that will warm you up," he sneered as he leaned closer.

Bailey pulled the keys from her pocket and raked them across his cheek. The man cried out in pain as he let go of her arm and covered his face.

Bailey scrambled off the bench and stumbled in her hurry to get away. She righted herself, but felt the back of her jacket being grabbed.

A cry emitted from her throat as she heard footsteps rushing towards her. She spun around as her coat was yanked, just in time to see a blur of denim and leather fly past her and land on top of her attacker.

"Gary," she uttered, relieved momentarily, but then became concerned as Gary began to hit the man.

"How dare you touch her? What gives you the right? If you've hurt her, I'll....," he yelled as he continued to pummel the man's face.

"Gary! Stop it! Please!" she pleaded as she tried unsuccessfully to pull Gary off the man.

She heard sirens. "Gary, please stop. The cops are coming."

Gary hit the man one final time, knocking him out cold. He let go of the man's jacket and stood.

"Bailey," he whispered. "Are you okay? He, he
didn't hurt you did he? Didn't ..."

"I..I'm okay. A little shook up, maybe."

He placed his hand behind her head and pulled her close to him.
Two officers came rushing to the scene.

"Are you alright? What happened here?" One officer questioned.

"He attacked her," Gary said as he pointed to the man who was just coming to.

"Is that correct, ma'am?"

She nodded her head.

"Cuff him, Burbank," The officer instructed his partner.

They heard other sirens as back up arrived.

"Ma'am, would you come with me to my cruiser and answer a few questions for me?"
"Certainly," she replied.

"Sir, if you could go with my partner, you'll need to answer some questions too."

"She needs to go to a hospital. They need to make sure she's alright," Gary stated.

"I'm fine, Gary."

"What about the baby?" he asked.

Bailey's eyes opened wide with surprise.

"How...how did you know?"

Chapter Seventeen

Gary walked out of the examining room, cupping his wrapped hand with the other.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where they've taken my wife? Bailey Hobson," Gary asked a nurse.

She looked down a list before she spoke. "She's in exam room 3. Right there. But I believe the doctor is with her now."

Gary nodded. "I'll just wait. Thank you."

He paced back and forth outside the room. Soon the door opened and a doctor stepped out and shut the door behind him.

"Doctor, how is she? .....And the baby?"

"Both are doing fine. She has some bruising on her left arm, but other than that, I couldn't find anything wrong with her."

Gary heaved a sigh of relief. "Can I see her?"

"She's dressing now. I see no reason to keep her, so when she's done, you can take her home."

Gary nodded his head. "They're really okay?" he asked again.

The doctor clapped Gary on his shoulder.

"Your wife told me about her miscarriage. But for now, things are perfectly fine," he said before he walked away.

The door opened and Gary turned to see Bailey standing there.

"You're still here?" she asked.

"Of course I am. The doctor said you're okay," he said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

She moved away from him. "I told you I was okay. Thank you for waiting and...and for showing up at the park."

"I wouldn't have been any place else. You...you know that, don't you?"

"Gary, I'm kind of tired. I just want to go home."

"Bailey, we need to talk."
"Gary, I don't know what to say to you now and I don't know if I want to hear what you have to say," she said before she started to walk away.

Gary hurried to catch up with her and stopped when he got in front of her. He let out a breath as she looked up at him.

"I need to ask you...I need to know.. Is it...is the baby mine?"

"What?" she exclaimed.

"It's a fair question. I saw you with Danny Haslett yesterday. At the department store. In the baby department. You were hugging."

"How dare you? Just because you have no respect for our vows, don't you think for one second I would ever do what you did." She glanced around as she noticed people stopping and staring. "Good bye, Gary." She continued on her way down the hall.

Gary flinched at the anger in her words as he placed his hands on his hips and walked around in circles. He stopped and ran his hand across his neck before running after her.

"Bailey, I'm sorry."

"Well, sorry doesn't cut it."

"You're right. It doesn't. God Bailey. Stop!"

She stopped and looked at him.

"I'm not a guy that can make flowery speeches, expressing how much I love you. I just know that I do. I never stopped and I never will."

Tears stung her eyes and she bit her lip. "I guess you just forgot that you loved me last night," she stated flatly as she walked through the automatic doors and hailed a cab.
~*~*~

She slammed the front door behind her and locked it, before she tossed her keys on the hall table. She jumped when she heard banging on the front door and the knob jiggling.

"Bailey open up. I'm not leaving, so you might as well let me in," she heard Gary yell through the door.

"Go away, Gary. I don't want to talk to you!" she yelled back.

"Dammit, Bailey! Open this door right now, or I swear I'll make so much noise the whole neighborhood will come out to see what is wrong," he threatened.

She undid the locks and pulled the door open. The look in his eyes frightened her. They were tlinewild, intense. She backed away slowly and he entered the house and shut the door behind him.

"Bailey, I have so much I need to tell you, things that I should have said long ago," he paused, "what's that noise?"

She picked up the phone and clicked the button, stopping the infernal squawking.

She took a ragged breath. "Gary, there is nothing that you can say to make me forgive what you did."

"I didn't do anything."

She whirled around to face him. "You're actually going to stand there and tell me nothing happened after I saw that woman waltz into your office as comfortable as you please, and hand you your wallet. I don't think I misunderstood when she said she found it at her place this morning after you made your hasty departure."

Gary's face turned white. "I know how it looks and
I'm so sorry I put myself in that situation."

"You didn't put yourself there. I did," Bailey stated, sadly.