Gun Brooke - Course of Action

Helen laughed, put an arm around Carolyn's shoulders, and squeezed. "That she is, honey. That she is."

***

Annelie looked down at the lithe form gliding through the water like an eel. Carolyn had used the endless swimming pool almost every day. Annelie checked her watch and realized her lover had lost track of time again, since she didn't have to count laps in this pool.

She flipped the off switch, watching the water stop and the body in the black swimsuit reach the wall unexpectedly, then sink below the surface.

Spluttering, Carolyn emerged, glaring at Annelie. "Good Lord, are you trying to drown me? All of a sudden the current was gone and…" She coughed. "Stop laughing, woman."

Annelie tried her best to get rid of the grin on her face. "Sorry."

"No you're not. What's up?"

"Nothing, other than you've been swimming for more than forty-five minutes straight. Look, you're shivering."

Carolyn looked down at her waterproof watch and her trembling arms with genuine surprise. "Oh. All right. I better come out, then."

Annelie watched her move toward the ladder and then noticed that her arms were so weak she couldn't climb it.

"Here, let me help." She extended a hand and Carolyn grabbed it but slipped and fell back into the water. It only took Annelie a second to realize Carolyn's watch clasp was hooked on the end of her sleeve, pulling her down too. Water closed over Annelie's head as she fell in, fully dressed.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, are you okay?" Carolyn gasped in a throaty voice laced with mirth when she surfaced.

Annelie pushed the drenched hair out of her face. "I think so." She coughed. "Was this revenge?"

"Not really." Carolyn tucked Annelie's dripping hair behind her ears. "It was an accident. You look delicious in semitransparent clothes, though."

Annelie, obviously braless, glanced down at her shirt. "God." Looking back up at Carolyn, she immediately felt warmed inside by the mischievous gleam in her lover's eyes. "You like that, eh?"

"Mmm." Carolyn pulled Annelie closer, nuzzling her neck. "Delicious."

"I'd stay here and explore this unexpected use of the pool, but you're still shivering, Carolyn. We better get you into a hot shower."

"Or bath. Together."

"Could be arranged. Hey. Let's not undress in the pool."

"All right, Annie. If you say so."

"What do you mean, all right? Did you think I wouldn't see my shirt floating away from me?"

"Don't worry. You can get it later. It won't get far."

***

Darkness settled around them, only a small night-light casting a faint glow. Carolyn relaxed against Annelie who, as usual, curled up behind her, warming her back, one hand on Carolyn's hip.

"I just can't figure out what he's thinking about," Annelie whispered.

"Who…oh. Your father."

Annelie sighed. "Why didn't he call or come see me? And why tell such obvious lies?"

"Probably thought you wouldn't risk a scandal—you'd pay him off."

"Or does he resent me?" Annelie's voice was hardly audible as she inched closer, wrapping her arm around Carolyn's chest. "Maybe my mother did or said something…or…maybe I did."

Carolyn turned and looked at Annelie. "Don't even go there. Nothing can justify what that man's done. Nothing."

"For a long time after he left, I blamed myself. I was afraid to ask my mother because she just made excuses for him. I thought he'd come back. When he didn't, I knew it was my fault. You heard Margo yesterday. My mom was a saint."

Carolyn turned over and hugged Annelie. "Listen. I'm sure your mother was wonderful. Just look at you, her daughter. But she couldn't see your hurt or your guilt. And she hurt you by excusing the bastard. I'm sure she didn't mean to. But nobody's a saint. She was human, with her own faults and fears. What happened between your parents had nothing to do with you."

"She never said a bad word against him."

"Commendable, but I bet she said a few things in her mind. If she had an ounce of your fire, she did."

"I owe it to him to take care of him now. Without him…"

"You don't owe him anything, love. He threw it all away when he deserted you. Margo agrees with me. But it's your decision. I'll support you no matter what."

"I know, Carolyn. I just can't stop thinking about him. Maybe I somehow…" Annelie's voice trailed off.

"Triggered this? Oh, Annie, of course not. Both of us have reevaluated our lives lately. We've taken a chance on each other against all odds, which gives past demons a great opportunity to dig their claws into us. Your father saw you on TV and decided to take a chance."

"I wish I knew what to do."

"Give it a few days, love." Carolyn put her leg around Annelie's hips, trying to wrap herself around her. "We'll know more tomorrow. Here. Let me hold you."

"Okay." Annelie sighed. "Oh, Carolyn…" Burying her face in Carolyn's hair, she finally began to relax again.

As she cursed the man who was harassing her lover, Carolyn slid her hands under Annelie's T-shirt, feeling nothing but soft skin.

"There you go, just relax. That's my girl." Carolyn kept her voice a low purr, which seemed to work. Not caring how her arms ached, she talked her lover to sleep. After only a few minutes, Annelie slumped closer to her, her breath deepening. That's right, love. Go to sleep. I've got you. Nobody will be able to hurt you while I'm here, guarding you. I love you so much. Carolyn inhaled deeply. I have to harness my anger toward this idiot or I won't be much help to her. Holding Annelie close, she was determined to protect her.

***

Carolyn's head ached, a dull foreboding pain, making her reach for her bag.

"Excuse me. I'll be right back." She rushed out of the room where she'd been sitting with Helen, Harvey, and several other actors, reading the first scenes.

In the privacy of the ladies' room, she used her nasal spray, grimacing at how it stung but hoping it would stop the headache. Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed hard. While running cold water on her wrists, she noticed she was pale, but not gray and sweaty as happened during her worst attacks. Checking her watch, she was relieved to see it was almost noon.

When she returned, everyone was breaking for lunch. "Are you okay, Carolyn?" Helen looked concerned.

"I'm fine—just hungry, I guess. I…" Suddenly her phone rang, and Annelie's name flashed on the display.

"Annie, what's up?"

After a pause, her lover spoke. "Am I interrupting? I was hoping you were on your lunch break."

"We're just heading out."

"I'm on my way to the office to talk to Margo. Could I swing by and pick you up?"

Carolyn thought she could detect a slight tremor in Annelie's voice. "I've got an hour. Is that okay?"

"Should be. See you outside the studio in five minutes."

"See you soon, love."

Helen cleared her throat. "Carolyn, I couldn't help but overhear. If you need more time, just call. We can work around you."

Eying Helen suspiciously, Carolyn nodded. "Thanks. But I hate to be the diva on the first day."

"Don't worry about it, Carolyn." Helen winked. "Go take care of your girl."

***

Annelie sat in the middle of the couch, motioning for Carolyn to sit next to her. Margo sat down on her other side and clasped both of Annelie's hands.

"What are you going to tell me?" Annelie whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please, Margo." She felt Carolyn's arm circle her waist.

"This isn't easy," Margo said, her voice serious. "I've waited until I was certain. I need to hold another press conference, and then our troubles will be over."

"Then why are you looking at me like that? What did you find out?"

Margo's stormy eyes were unreadable.