It had been two days since the Christmas party and Garrett had treated Cora with his usual consideration just like he always had. It was as if it had never happened. She had tried to talk to him the following day, wanting to explain exactly what had happened, but he had been insistent that he didn't have the time and that she was free to do as she chose.

The fact that he thought so little about her bothered her, she had hoped that he had gotten to know her better and come to realize that there was no way that she would ever do such a thing. She looked down at the pad that lay in her lap. She had drawn Garrett in shadow, it was how she saw him. She shivered a little as she remembered the coldness in his eyes when he had found Shane holding her.

It had made her see why he was such a success in business. To her he was always kindness itself but there was an edge to him, and she didn't doubt that he used the edge in his business dealings and that was why he was such a success. Shane had caved and dropped her quick enough at his cold stare that was for sure.

There was a sudden bang from the floor below and it cut off her thoughts. She looked over at the clock. It was past midnight and it was unlikely that Garrett was still up and moving around. She threw off the covers and reached for her bathrobe while sliding her feet into her slippers.

Opening the door, she peered into the hallway, everything seemed quiet so she ventured further out onto the landing. There was a warm glow coming from the bottom of the stairs. Remembering that she had turned out the light before bed she ventured slowly down the stairs, guessing it was Garrett pouring himself a drink. It would be the perfect time to talk to him about what had happened with Shane. He couldn't say he didn't have time in the middle of the night.

The hallway was unusually warm and as she rounded the banister she heard the crackling of the fire. She was sure she had banked the fire for the night. She walked to the living room and walked into a wall of flame. Her eyes grew wide as she watched the flames lick at the Christmas tree and the drapes behind it.

She had to get everyone out!

She ran to the phone in the study and dialed 911 reporting the fire as quickly as she could before hanging-up on the still talking dispatcher who was trying to get more information.  She didn't have time, she had given them the address she couldn't do anymore.

Racing up the stairs she knocked on Garrett's door, he could help get Aunt Mable down the stairs while she got Margie and Leon. She threw open his door but he wasn't there, but she didn't have time to worry about the fact that he wasn't home because it meant she was on her own. She raced across the hall to Aunt Mable's room, threw open the door, and slammed on the lights. "Aunt Mable wake up there's a fire!"

She grabbed Aunt Mable's dressing gown and slippers, doing her best to remain as calm as she could while the groggy lady took her time. All she could think about were the flames licking at the wall beneath her. Where was Garrett? Why wasn't he here? She needed him.

She finally got Aunt Mable up and on her way, her eyes darting around her to make sure there were no other threats. Halfway down the stairs she raced ahead and slammed the door to the living room. The knob burned her hand and she let out a cry as she held it protectively to her chest, knowing that the action probably wouldn't do much good. But she had felt the need to try to do something to keep the smoke, which was black and thick, to a minimum as Aunt Mable moved through the hall.

"We should call the Fire Department," Aunt Mable insisted.

"I already did, they're on their way."

Aunt Mable gave a chuckle just before she started to cough. "Luck always was on my side." Her coughing grew worse and Cora did her best to hurry her along but a little less gently as she pushed her through the kitchen doors.

"Margie, Leon," she yelled. "Margie, Leon!" She threw open the door to the street gulping in the clean air while pushing Aunt Mable out of it. She could hear the sirens in the distance.

She raced back across the kitchen and banged on Margie and Leon's door. "Wake up! Fire!" the door was thrown open and Margie stood before her blinking at the sudden light. "Hurry, you have to get out, the living room is on fire.  I think it was the Christmas tree. Get Leon."

Cora looked around her wondering what she could save when she remembered Roxi. Racing back into the hall she started to call for the dog, ignoring Margie and Leon's call.

"Go, direct the firemen, I'll only be a minute!"

Running to the study she threw open the door and found Roxi huddled under the desk looking frightened. The fire was easily smelt and felt; the house was like an oven and the smoke was so thick she could hardly see.

"Come on Roxi, sweetie, you have to come with me." She bent down and grabbed the dog by the collar, tugging. Roxi had no interest in moving, her eyes were wide and she was panting heavily. She was sure she had found the safest place in the house.

"You wanna go for a walk?" Cora asked in her best sing-song voice but Roxi wasn't buying it. She tugged again looking around her for a way to move the dog, she didn't want to scare her any more than she already was but she might not have a choice since she couldn't lift the dog.

"Come on Roxi, you have to move!" She could hear the wall behind her start to groan at the pressure. "Please, Garrett loves you, I have to save you." She was coughing and crying in frustration while pulling on the dog in desperation.

Suddenly a pair of strong arms pushed her out of the way and scooped up Roxi. "Keep ahold of me!" Garrett instructed as he led the way though a house thick with smoke. Cora grabbed his waist and buried her head in his back more than willing to follow him to safety.

The front door was impassable so she was led out through kitchen and as she reached the fresh air she began to gulp it. Immediately, there was a paramedic who led her over to an ambulance and put her on oxygen, asking her if she was alright.

She breathed deeply waving her hand at him that she was fine. Garrett caught the hand looking down at it with a look of such anger she swore he was going to hit someone.

"It's fine," she said, trying to pull it from his grasp, upset that he was so angry. She couldn't blame him. He had just bought the house and now it was a total loss.

"No, it's not." He showed it to the medic who frowned and nodded. "You'll have to go to the hospital.

Aunt Mable was lying on the stretcher behind her laughing. "I always was lucky!" she crowed again as the medic started to bandage Cora's hand.

"You already said that Aunt Mabel." Cora winced as the dressing came in contact with her burnt skin.

"Do you know why I'm so lucky?"

Garrett was typing something into his phone, probably telling Teddy what was happening.

"No Aunt Mable, why are you so lucky?" Cora was too exhausted to worry about whatever game she was playing.

"Because I sold the house to Garrett last week, bet you didn't know that." She laughed again. "Not that it matters, your precious house is in ruins my dear. Whatever will you do now?"

"She'll move in with me Aunt Mable, she is my wife after all." Garrett paused, taking in the shocked expression on Aunt Mabel's face and gave her a smile that made Cora's skin crawl, "I bet you didn't know that."

Aunt Mable's face was turning a deep red.

"I think the important question is, what will you do now Aunt? It's a good thing that you have a nice little nest egg saved, you'll need it to pay for the nursing home. You will have to go into one my dear, your Doctor made it very clear, to all of us, that you need around the clock nursing care and there just isn't room for you with us."

Aunt Mable was sputtering as incoherent words fell from her mouth.

"Are there any other relatives you could live with?" At her continued sputtering Garrett gave the chilling grin again. "That's a shame."

Then, all of the sudden, he was considerate Garrett again as he turned to the medic and helped Cora to sign all of the necessary paperwork, insisting that he would drive her the hospital himself.

The rest of that night was a blur to Cora as she was hustled through the emergency room, driven to Garrett's apartment, and then tucked into bed.  She reeked but she was too tired to care. She did find time to ask about Margie and Leon and she was told that they would stay with Leon's sister until something was figured out.

She dreamed that Garrett slept next to her that night, holding her in his arms and keeping her safe. It was the only thing that kept the horrible memory of what she had been through at bay.