Des opened the door and admitted Parker, scanning his outfit with a sigh. "That's your work suit."

"And I thought you never paid any attention to me."

"You were tough to ignore what with the roar of laughter from your audience."

"Oh nice, very nice." He draped his suit and shirt over the back of the couch and dropped his shoes on the floor. "I'll swallow that one and just move on."

"Hang your stuff in the closet there by the door there's a bunch of hangers in there."

"Thanks." He grabbed his clothes and turned almost knocking the lamp over then did a clumsy dance step rescuing it from smashing on the floor,

"Parker, what in god's name are you doing?"

"Trying not to get light on my feet."

Her face went blank as she looked at him then her shoulders began shaking followed by a side splitting laugh and she stumbled back against the door frame.

"Don't tell me you- you made that up just then." She snorted and began laughing again, turning into the kitchen and hunting for a tissue.

"That's what you get for ignoring me over the roar of the crowd." He hung his things in the closet and then went to the kitchen and studied Des as she finished wiping her nose and tossing the tissue in the garbage.

"What?" She looked at him watching her.

"I love you." The words hung between them like a thick cloud and both just stared at the other.

Des slipped her hands into the pockets of her jeans and wet her upper lip with a slow tap of her tongue. "Parker. . . that- that tumble we had- earlier, that was- was just a reaction to our situation, I didn't- I don't think we should be reading a lot into it."

"Has nothing to do with that. I love you, Des. I'm sorry but it's true. I know it's stupid under the circumstances but it's how I feel." He swallowed hard.

"Ah Parker I'm what, ten years older than you? I couldn't work."

He moved toward her. "What the hell does age have to do with anything, do you carry a best before date or something?" He took her arms and pulled her close. "It isn't infatuation, Des, it's love. True love."

Her eyes began watering and she sagged against him, her face pressed against his chest and she felt the message in his heartbeat.

******

Parker lay on his side staring at the dent in the pillow made by Des' head. A puffy feeling imbued his mind and his limbs felt detached. His declaration had led to more tears and comforting, which led to a kiss and from there to Shangri-La. He rolled onto his back and groaned exquisitely.

"Parker?"

He puffed a breathe and shifted up onto his elbows. Des was standing next to the window, arms clutched about her waist.

"Huh? Yeah, what is it?"

"It isn't just this is it? Just- just sex?" Her voice was small and Parker took a moment to realize it was coming from a woman, a woman nearly ten years older than him and then he recalled the little stuffed animal on her bed.

He tossed the sheet back and climbed out, grabbing his shorts and joining her at the window.

"Des, you have to believe me. This was wonderful but you are the reason. Your personality. Your strength. Your- oh shit, I don't know what to say except I love the hell out of you. You Des, not just this." He wrapped his arms about her and smelled her hair.

"I don't want to be hurt, Parker."

"Never. I would never hurt you... my jokes aside..." He felt her jerk and begin laughing as she turned and gazed at his face.

"Can I really love you back in spite of those?"

"If all else fails, Des, you can always lower your standards."

"Oh Parker." Her lips found his and they swayed together in a long, tender embrace.

******

Lester listened with a growing dislike for the caller and when the conversation paused he leaned forward on his desk and pressed the receiver tight against his face. Friday afternoon and he has to put up with crap like this?

"Listen to me you little shit. You think you can threaten me over the goddamn phone? You think you can use my nephew's whereabouts as some kind of blackmail? What the hell do I care where he is?"

"Because he's where I'll tell Grace Purcell you stashed him so she couldn't get at him."

"Gra- what the hell do you know about Grace Purcell? Lester felt his armpits begin to leak.

"Mickey told me all about your deal with her and what happened to set her off."

Lester's eyes crossed and his mouth fell open. Mickey told this guy everything! The caller was saying something but he wasn't listening. His stupid, crap for brains nephew told this guy everything! Lester checked his watch. Two o-clock! His stomach rumbled and he had to lick his dried lips.

"You hear what I said?" Donny barked.

"No, I didn't, dick-head."

"I'll let that one pass, Lester but it's the last one. When Purcell shows up you get her to call me or I shop Mick, you and the whole Barkluster affair to the cops."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Lester felt his bladder complain.

"Really? Tabor, the couple from the club that have been visiting the cops, Purcell takin' out Tabor for you?"

Lester groaned and saw his entire business flushing away. At least Grace might go easy when she gets here and Mickey doesn't show. He grasped at that meager line and acceded to Donny's demand. Donny gave him the number and hung up.

Lester massaged his face with a meaty hand and resigned himself to whatever the fates ordained. The knock on his office door jolted him upright and he reached for his desk drawer as Grace barged into the room.

"I hope that's a drink your reaching for, Lester." She crossed to the chair in front of his desk and sat-- all business.

"Ah sure- would you like a drink, Grace?"

"I want Mickey."

"He uh- he isn't here. He's uh- he's not coming."

Grace's eyebrows rose like window shades and she leaned forward. "Excuse me?"

"His schedule changed I guess." Lester fumbled some scotch into a glass and slid it across the desk.

"I don't issue warnings indiscriminately, Lester. You recall what I said?" She opened her purse and withdrew the Beretta.

"Whoah, wait a sec. Hold on, Grace. I can tell you where he is- or at least if you call that number the guy there will tell you."

"Is this some kind of game?" She screwed the silencer onto the end set down her purse and rested her gun hand on her lap, picking up the drink with the other.

Shakily pouring a drink for himself Lester told her everything about the guy she was supposed to call and his threat. Grace sipped her drink and pointed to the telephone.