Gun Brooke - Course of Action

***

The women on the couch listened to jazz vocalist Diana Krall and watched two logs burn in the fireplace.

Carolyn sat sideways, her back against the armrest and her legs cradling Annelie's body. Lost in thought, she combed through long, silky hair with slow fingers. To relax like this, holding Annelie in her arms, was almost unfathomable. Surreal. Carolyn inhaled the citrus scent of Annelie's shampoo. She's so quiet tonight. I hate to see her suffer. If I could get my hands on this son of a bitch, I'd…I'd do anything to protect her. Before she left, Margo asked me to look after her and, damn it, I will.

Annelie raised her head. "Carolyn?"

Pulled out of her dark thoughts regarding Stuart Clint, Carolyn glanced down at her lover, her expression transforming into a soft smile. "Yes, love?"

"Are you sure you're comfortable? Feels like I'm crushing you."

"I'm more than comfortable. Lay your head back down."

As Annelie rested her head on Carolyn's shoulder again, Carolyn kissed her lover's temple, transfixed by the clean smell of lemons. "This feels so good. Can you relax?"

"Uh-huh. I'm finally getting warm."

"Great. You're not shivering anymore. A good sign."

"I liked helping you unpack earlier, but what do you think I enjoyed the most?"

"What?"

"Watching you put the little photos of your sister and her family, and John, on the bedside table." There was a brief silence. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Things are moving so fast. Do you have any second thoughts about our relationship? Maybe feel I'm more than you bargained for? I'd understand if you do."

Carolyn gently tipped Annelie's chin back so she could look into her eyes. "Listen to me, love. Of all the places I could be right now, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. Holding you, cuddling you by the fire like this is simply marvelous. You're the most amazing person I've ever met, and you're handling this situation so well. I'm honored you've let me in. I love you."

Tears welled up in Annelie's eyes but remained unshed as she clung to Carolyn, turning on her side and burying her face at the base of Carolyn's neck.

"I love you too. I guess I just needed to be reassured. Again." "As many times as it takes, love. I'm all yours." Carolyn could feel Annelie swallow hard. "Yes." Pulling the blanket tighter around them, Carolyn nuzzled her lover's hair. "Close your eyes and relax. I've got you."

A slight tremor reverberated through Annelie before she let go.

***

"All right, let's see…Helen, wrap your arms around Carolyn from behind. Yes, like that. Carolyn, some more of that gorgeous smile. Good. You love her. Show it."

The camera clicked several times as Hernandez, the young, dark-haired photographer, shot the cast in different groupings.

"We need them closer together. They're a couple, after all," the director, Regina Carmichael, told Hernandez.

"Okay then, let's do it this way," he said. "Carolyn, turn your head a little toward Helen. Yes, that's it. Keep looking at the camera. Helen, look at Carolyn. Good."

"Now we need a picture of them embracing," Regina decided.

"All right. How about the scene at the office?"

"Oh, God, the scene," Helen murmured behind Carolyn. "The one the Maddox fans are all dying to know how we'll pull off."

"We can't hide like we did in the audio version," Carolyn whispered back, trying to keep from snickering at Helen's dry tone of voice.

"How about a black background, a wooden desk and chair, perhaps a silhouette of a window behind them, with a pale moon outside?" Hernandez suggested. "I can easily put the window and the moon in digitally."

"Sounds excellent." Regina nodded. "Try it. We need these photos for the convention in L.A. Saturday."

"Got it." Hernandez had his assistants set the scene, then called the actresses back. "Okay, ladies, how about if we try this…" He guided Helen's right arm, arranging it to support her as he made her lean back slightly. "Like this," he continued, taking Helen's other hand and placing it just below Carolyn's right shoulder. "It can either look like you're holding Maddox back or wanting to pull her closer. Tip your head back, Helen. That's it. Carolyn, look at her lips, not her eyes. Great."

The camera clicked as Hernandez took a series of pictures. Carolyn looked at Helen's mouth and suddenly saw Annelie's full lips, knowing so well how they tasted as they parted beneath hers and how they felt against every inch of her body. Feeling her cheeks blush and her eyes narrow, Carolyn held her breath.

"Wow, brilliant, Carolyn. That look's just what I need. Now, Helen, look at Carolyn. Yes. That's it. Good." When he was satisfied, Hernandez unfastened his camera. "Great work. Thanks, ladies."

Regina joined them, waving Helen and Carolyn over. "We'll start tabletop rehearsals tomorrow and take all next week. That's it for today."

Carolyn couldn't wait to see Annelie, since the press conference was probably over. She worried about how it had affected her, knowing how she despised being in the spotlight. Pulling out her cell phone, she walked back to the makeup room with Harvey and Helen.

"How's Annelie doing?" Helen asked in a low voice.

"As well as can be expected. As for the whole sordid thing…I don't know. Margo Dillon was confident about the outcome, but you never can tell."

"Just tell Annelie I said hi, and that all of us know her father's lying."

Carolyn's expression softened. "Thanks, Helen. I'll tell her. Right now, as a matter of fact." She pressed the speed dial on her phone.

When Annelie finally answered, she sounded out of breath . "Hello?"

"Annie, are you okay? What's up?"

"I'm fine. I was swimming."

"I wanted to make sure you're okay. How did the press conference go?"

"Well, first of all, both E! News and CNN covered it. Margo did great, though—she questioned the media's ability and willingness to research the situation. When she gave them copies of her documentation, you could hear a pin drop."

"I bet she gave them hell. She's a champ. Want to stay in tonight?"

"I don't know. A part of me wants to go out and show the world I don't care. The truth is…I do care." Carolyn could hear Annelie take a deep breath. "He's my father."

"I'll be home soon. We can talk about it then. Helen and Harvey send their best. They're rooting for you, love."

"Tell them hi and I'll see them Friday. I'll send them more details about the flight to L.A. tomorrow."

"Okay."

As Carolyn hung up, she hoped Helen hadn't heard the term of endearment. She smiled carefully and relayed the information.

"Great. Gregory told me Annelie's chartered a private jet."

"I think so." Carolyn grinned. "She doesn't want to waste any time. Also, I may be on Jay Leno Friday evening. They've asked the PR people several times. Since we're in town…" She shrugged.

Helen looked at her sympathetically as they walked into makeup. "Rather you than me." She grimaced. "I find those short, gimmicky interviews pretty unnerving."

"I don't mind," Carolyn said. "I rather enjoy sparring with those self-centered comedians."

Carolyn walked behind a screen and in no time was transformed from Maddox into her own slacks-and-denim-shirt self.

"You ready, Helen?"

Walking out toward the busy street to find their waiting chauffeurs, Carolyn turned to Helen. "I appreciate your loyalty to Annelie. She's going through a tough time."

"But she has you." Helen's voice was soft. "You're not your usual competitive self around her. I might even suspect you really like her if I didn't know you better."

Carolyn blushed faintly and was careful not to reveal too much. "Well, what if I do? It wouldn't hurt my image too much, would it? She's an amazing woman."