"I think for the 'Importance of Exercise' pamphlet, we should use those shots from the exercise group with the PD patients," Kaiwe said to Lucas as they sat at a table in Snap Shot's back studio.

The two men had several printed photos spread out all over the table plus Lucas's laptop opened to a mock pamphlet file.

Yesterday, they had gone over to Vanville Hospital, to take photos of patients in exercise groups who were benefiting from using tools made by O.T.O. They decided to start with the information packets with one of the easier topics before diving into the actual pamphlets about individual disorders and how Oak Tech's research labs had helped patients.

Lucas turned his gaze away from the shot he had taken of one elderly man stretching on a mat. "PD?"

"Parkinson's Disease," Kaiwe said. "Since PD is a movement disorder and exercise actually does help the patients, those would be the best ones to include, don't you think?"

The photographer grinned and shrugged. "Hey, I'm just the camera man. I don't really know what's what in the medical world." He pointed to a stack of photos. "I think these are the ones from that particular exercise group."

Kaiwe picked up the first photo in the stack which was of an elderly couple. The husband was stretching out a yellow resistance band, the muscles in his thin arms pulled, the blue veins and red arteries visibly popping up against his pale freckled skin.
His wife sat beside him, one wrinkled hand resting on his shoulder. Despite the physical action clearly depicted in the photo, it was the facial expressions that really stood out. The man's face was screwed up in intense concentration and determination to keep the band stretched for as long as possible no matter his illness, while his wife's adoring gaze and encouraging smile looked on.

"I see why my boss chose you," Kaiwe said, finally tearing his gaze away from the touching scene.

Lucas raised an eyebrow and Kaiwe held up the photo.

"Look at this. You've managed to capture the pure essence of these people. I have no idea who they are but from this, I feel like I sort of know them." He pointed to the old man's face.
"He's got issues controlling his movement and is probably eighty years old but refuses to give up."

Lucas's finger moved to the old woman's face. "And her. She loves her husband and is willing to do whatever she can to support him. If it were me taking the pictures, I would've just randomly aimed and shot some group pic, not really getting a story in the picture. But you got the story."

All while Kaiwe spoke, Lucas listened in fascination, a small smile slowly forming and now he was grinning. "Wow. You give me too much credit Kaiwe. But, you're right that a picture is supposed to tell a story. That's probably why I love photography."

"You like stories?"

Lucas leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. "Well, yes. And, I guess, I sort of connect with people better through my lens. When I was in high school, I had trouble understanding people and their emotions. Girls were always getting mad at me because they thought I was 'insensitive' for not connecting with them. But when I pick up the camera, it's like, everything is so crystal clear to me. Does that make sense?"

Kaiwe nodded. "It makes sense." He grinned at his partner.
For a man who said he didn't know people, he sure had no problem talking to them. So long as the topic was on photography, Kaiwe quickly learned that Lucas had a difficult time shutting up.

After the initial meeting on Monday and revealing to Lucas that he and Dawn were "dating," the other man hadn't really reacted past the stiff cheeks. In fact, he had been nothing but friendly and respectful towards Kaiwe, which made him wonder if this scheme was worth the work.

So far, Dawn hadn't done anything. Not that she had had time.
Monday Lucas had sent her to make some deliveries and yesterday the men had been busy taking pictures at the hospital. But today, they were in the studio. Dawn had called in that morning to say she would be late, only giggling mysteriously when Kaiwe had asked her why.

Which made Kaiwe very afraid.

He knew Dawn. When she wanted something, she did not give up. Kaiwe couldn't help but feel sorry for himself and Lucas.

"So this one for the front?" Lucas asked pointing to the photo Kaiwe still held.

"Definitely. But just to be fair, let's go through the rest of the stack."

They viewed the remaining photos for a few moments when suddenly the sound of instruments playing softly.
Kaiwe looked up to see Lucas just as mystified as he was.

"Did you leave the TV on?" Kaiwe asked.

Lucas shook his head. "No. And I turned off the radio too."

"Is that the instrumental for...My Heart Will Go On?"

His question was soon answered as Dawn swayed into the room, one hand carrying a basket, the other holding a CD player. But it wasn't what she held that caused both men's jaws to hang wide open in shock and drop the photos that were in their hands.

Dawn hair was out of its normal ponytail. Instead, soft curls framed her face trailing down her exposed back. She wore light makeup, the blue sapphire eye shadow works perfectly with her outfit.

Kaiwe couldn't tell if it was a dress or another layer of skin that covered Dawn body from the shockingly low neckline to where it stopped just above her knees.
He watched as she wobbled on blue heels closer towards the shell-shocked young men and could faintly hear the warning signals in his brain telling him to get up and run.

But for some reason, his legs wouldn't move to make the escape.
Kaiwe felt like he was trapped in a badly made romance movie.
In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if his cousin were lurking around somewhere holding a camcorder.
He should have just left Shauna at home. She was the one who suggested.

Kaiwe focus zoomed back to the woman before him as she placed the CD player on the table right atop the photos and the basket on the floor beside Kaiwe.

Before Kaiwe could ask what she was doing dressed like a walking blueberry, she deposited herself on his lap and threw her arms around him.

"Darling!" she exclaimed. "I missed you so much!"

"Um," Kaiwe managed to get out before her hair found its way into his mouth. He cringed as he tasted hairspray and tried to push Dawn back but she didn't let go.

Instead, she held him even tighter and hissed into his ear, "Hug me back!"

He lightly signed and obeyed, lifting his arms to wrap them around her lithe form, Slender thin body.

"Now tell me you missed me too," she demanded.

"I missed you too...honey," Kaiwe said loudly.
He slowly started to drop his arms but a squeeze around his neck from Dawn in warning made him stop. "I see you brought lunch?" he tried.

Finally, removing her arms from around him, Dawn nodded and lifted the basket up.

"Homemade with love!" she squealed and then turned her head to face Lucas as though he had just appeared.

"Oh. Hello Mr. Luc! Sorry for coming in to work late today. Hope you don't mind but I just couldn't help making my Kaiwe lunch!"

"No problem," Lucas said flatly. "But lunch break isn't for another hour."

Kaiwe peered over Dawn's shoulder to look at her boss who's earlier friendly expression had melted into a mask of pain and hardship.

Dawn shrugged and extracted herself from Kaiwe's lap with a giggle."Oops I forgot! I just wanted to see my dear as early as possible. I guess I'll get to work and later, you and I are gonna have a picnic!" Dawn said, her voice more high-pitched than Kaiwe remembered as she tapped him on the nose.

He nodded mutely, wondering who this person before him was. The Dawn he knew prided herself in her individuality and feminist values, always claiming she would never stoop to flirtatious tactics and feminine wiles. Did she like this guy that much?

Besides that, Kaiwe thought as his 'girlfriend' walked away towards her office in the back, the Dawn he knew never had such a model-like figure.

Wait!. What was he thinking? This was Dawn for cryin' out loud! A woman who was like another sister to him alongside Shauna and Serena.

Kaiwe shook his head, clearing away the sudden thoughts of his friend's attractiveness and now turned his attention back to the owner of Snap Shots.

Lucas had busied himself by typing away on his laptop. The instrumental music was still going until Kaiwe pressed the 'stop' button. He lifted the CD player off the table and placed it on the floor beside the basket, shooting a sheepish grin at Lucas.

"Sorry about that man. She uh...gets a little excited sometimes," he said, hoping that he was doing this 'boyfriend' act right so that Lucas would hurry up and get jealous.

Lucas nodded without glancing at Kaiwe. "Yeah. I know."

Kaiwe forced out a laugh. "Of course you do, of course you do since you work with her. She's a spunky one."

"Yup," Lucas replied then handed Kaiwe a stack of photos, still not meeting his eyes. "Here's the photos from the exercise group with the rehab patients."

Kaiwe took them. "Thanks."

The two men resumed their work in silence once more, only this time, the cheery atmosphere had disappeared. Kaiwe sighed and imagined ways get the girls back for ruining his freedom.