Bad Impressions Aren't Meant To Last

[suse]

Thanks guys. I have the next few chapters all mapped out ;D.

[kate]

Awww. They're both too nice.

I like that it's quite realistic... the other halves aren't evil characters, just... clingy. Really nice chapter.

[suse]

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

He sat outside in his car for ages, trying to summon the courage to go inside. The last words he said to her echoed in his ears and he couldn’t leave things as they were. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer. He had to tell her. He had to tell her he loved her…tonight….

9 months earlier

Part 1

James raced through his front door, hot and sweaty from his run. He knew he was running late…again…and he kicked his boots off in readiness to jump in the shower. He was expecting Caitlin any minute and when there was a knock at the door he incorrectly assumed it was her.

“Oh hello,” James exclaimed when he saw Eloise at the door with a large gift.

“Hey! Sorry I wanted to bring this around now as I didn’t want it sitting around the club,” she said as he handed him the gift, “Happy birthday…again.”

“Awww thanks. You didn’t have to buy a gift,” he gushed excitedly.

“Pffft…yeah right,” she teased rolling her eyes.

He beamed at her as he sat down and opened his present.

“You are kidding me,” he said thrilled, “but you have been trying to talk me out of buying one of these.”

“Why do you think that is? So I had something good to buy you, seeing as you have every gadget and do-hickey known to man.”

He had been going on about putting his old record collection onto cd’s for ages, and was determined to get one of those turntables that connects to a computer. She thought it was a great idea for a gift and talked him out of it at every turn.

“And these cost a lot too..,” he began

“Do you like it or not,” she asked.

“Yeah I love it…I’ve wanted one for ages,” he gushed.

“Then that’s all that matters,” she smiled.

He got up and pulled her into a hug.

“Thank you,” he said softly, enjoying having her in his arms away from the studio.

“My pleasure,” she said as she enjoyed the hug…probably a little too much, “now why aren’t you ready? Isn’t Caitlin going to be here soon?”

“Yeah, she was leaving work early so she shouldn’t be too long hopefully. I am just going to shower quickly. Wait here…I won’t be long.”

He raced into the bathroom and turned on the shower but just as he did the phone rang.

“Can you get that please,” James called out.

“I suppose,” she answered. She didn’t like answering phones in other people’s houses. There was always that awkward beginning of the conversation when you had to explain who you were…what you are doing there…why you are answering the phone, all that annoyingness, and again she wasn’t disappointed as it was the worst possible person on the other end.

“Sorensen residence,” she said in a mock posh voice.

“Who’s this,” an annoyed female voice asked after several seconds of stunned silence.

Eloise knew immediately who it was.

“Oh hi Caitlin! Its Eloise,” she said trying to sound relaxed.

“What are you doing there?” she asked suspiciously.

Oh here we go, she thought to herself.

“I just dropped his present over and he has gone to get ready,” she answered matter of factly. For some reason she felt she should leave out the showering bit as she might not like the idea of him being naked in the room adjacent to her.

“Will you be here soon? James is waiting for you,” Eloise continued.

“That’s what I am ringing about. Can you put him on, I need to speak to him,” Caitlin said.

Dam, Eloise thought, now I will have to bring up the shower.

“I think I just heard him jump in the shower,” she said uneasily, “do you want me to give him a message?”

She heard Caitlin sigh in annoyance.

“Can you just tell him that I got held up at work and now I am just too tired to drive tonight? I will leave first thing in the morning.”

Eloise was stunned.

“But…Caitlin…don’t you realize how disappointed he is going to be. It’s his birthday and he is counting on you being here. You know how important it is to him,” Eloise said shocked at what she was hearing.

“It’s only one night, and he’s a big boy, I’m sure he will understand,” she said in an irritated tone.

Her flippant attitude about the whole thing was infuriating Eloise, and as she often did when she was upset, her mouth functioned before her brain.

“I have no doubt he will; he always seems to understand and forgive your selfish behaviour.”

She regretted it as soon as she said it but there was no going back now. It was out there.

“What did you say to me?” Caitlin asked, taken aback by her comment.

Eloise thought she may as well go in with all guns blazing now.

“Look Caitlin I know this is none of my business, but I’m sorry….the ‘I’m too tired’ excuse just isn’t good enough. He drives to see you after working 12 hour days, yet you can’t be bothered to push yourself that bit further on his birthday. He has been talking about this night for weeks now and even if he says he isn’t upset that you’re not coming, I am telling you he is. And while I’m at it, why didn’t you call or text him today? He was checking his phone all day for a message from you…but nothing.”

By this stage Caitlin was fuming on the other end of the phone.

“Well you have one thing right…it is none of your business, and I told you I was busy today,” she hissed at Eloise.

“Oh come on…too busy to pick up the phone for 2 minutes…that’s all it would have taken,” Eloise said incredulously, “I could tell he was really hurt.”

“You have got no idea what my day has been like, and you have no right to speak to me like this,” Caitlin said raising her voice

“I am well aware of that, but as James friend, and the one that’s going to have to see him upset on his birthday, I can’t just stand back and not say anything.”

“Friend huh,” Caitlin scoffed, “and I bet you would love to be much more than that wouldn’t you.”

Eloise felt her cheeks burning with rage, but she wouldn’t admit to herself that she had hit pretty close to the truth. She needed to end this conversation now.

“Caitlin, insecurity doesn’t become you. I will give James the message and tell him that you will be here in the morning when you can be bothered,” and with that Eloise hung up.

“Aaaargghhhh,” she growled under her breath as she clenched her fists in anger.

“So I take it she’s not coming,” Eloise jumped when she heard James voice from the lounge room door. He stood there with a towel around his waist, but he wasn’t wet.

“Jesus you scared me,” Eloise said holding her chest. She tried desperately not to ogle his perfect body, but she was finding it quite difficult. She wasn’t sure what she should tell him. Maybe a little white lie wouldn’t hurt.

He stood there expectantly waiting for an answer.

“No she’s not...she’s um…sick,” Eloise answered, proud of her last minute fib.

“Liar,” James sighed as he flopped down on the lounge.

Dam, Eloise thought to herself.

“How much did you actually hear?” she quizzed nervously as she sat down next to him.

“From ‘Hi Caitlin its Eloise’. I came out after I turned the shower on.”

“Oh,” Eloise sighed, “Well she had a bad day and she’s tired and really when I think about it she shouldn’t be driving that distance anyway, so she is probably doing the right thing.” Eloise was determined that this minor hiccup wasn’t going to ruin his birthday.

“Then why did you give her a mouthful just then?” he asked her raising his eyebrows.

She groaned loudly and buried her head in her hands.

“You really did hear everything. James I am so sorry. I had no right to speak to her like that. Once I opened my mouth I just couldn’t shut up. Now she will probably be angry with you now,” she sighed loudly before she continued, “I just think you deserve better than that…especially with all the racing around you do after her.”

James felt a mixed bag of emotions. He was annoyed with Caitlin, mainly due to the reason that Eloise had just mentioned, but he was also touched by Eloise’s concern for him and that she went into battle for him.

“Firstly you don’t need to apologise. It means a lot to me that you care so much…it really does. To be honest Eloise…I’m not surprised that she’s not coming. If anything is a bit too difficult or requires extra effort it’s just too much for her. It’s just how she is.”

Eloise was becoming annoyed again. How any woman could take this amazing guy for granted was beyond her. It made her even more determined to see him have a great birthday.

“All I can say is it’s her loss and my gain,” she said playfully.

He couldn’t help but grin at her.

“What do you mean by that…you are scaring me?”

“I am flying solo tonight. Joe has some family thing he wants to attend. This is my first night out since I had the cast off and I am going to make the most of Joe not being there telling me to behave. I am ready to party.”

She also refused to miss James birthday for a family dinner, which caused a bit of tension between them…but she wasn’t going to divulge that little fact.

James was secretly thrilled that Joe wasn’t going to be there. He turned around to face her on the lounge, making sure the towel didn’t fall open at an inappropriate place.

“Really…so are you issuing me a partying challenge,” he asked, almost seductively.

“Maybe…but there’s no point really….I can out party you any day,” she replied batting her eyebrows.

“I guess we’ll see won’t we,” he said grinning cheekily at her, “Order a taxi…we are leaving your car here.”

He raced in and had a quick shower while she called a taxi.

Neither of them could wipe the smile from their faces as they looked forward to the night ahead.


tbc.............................

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

[Bee]

ahh Suse your killing me here!

I loooove love love love love it!

write SOON i CANT WAIT for more!

[rebeccag]

aww suse that was great. loved the phone convo

[kate]

Yep such a fun fic to read as it always is. I loved the phone conversation too.

[suse]

Thanks guys. Next part is nearly ready to go.

[mellochino]

I'm really enjoying this! Can't wait to see what happens next =)

[suse]

The wait is over ;D.

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

He sat outside in his car for ages, trying to summon the courage to go inside. The last words he said to her echoed in his ears and he couldn’t leave things as they were. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer. He had to tell her. He had to tell her he loved her…tonight….

9 months earlier

Part 2

The club was pumping when they arrived. After dinner with the gang at his favourite restaurant they headed to his favourite night club which was a few blocks walk away.

Sam, Margot, Dean and Matt, walked ahead with James and Eloise lagging behind.

“Hows your ankle holding up?” he asked her concerned.

“It’s a bit sore actually,” she commented, “but don’t think that means you’ll win. I can still dance…and drink. I shouldn’t have worn these ridiculous high heels.”

“Why don’t you take them off when we get there? They almost make you taller then me anyway. I can’t be having that,” James said seriously.

She looked over at him and rolled her eyes.

“Don’t be so vain, and I can’t take my shoes off….that’s just uncivilized.”

“Suit yourself, but I feel an easy victory coming on,” he teased.

“Never,” she replied resolutely.

They managed to grab a table near the bar as another group vacated it.

“I’ve got first round,” Eloise called as she headed to get them all some drinks.

“But you don’t know what I want,” James called out to her.

“You’ll have what I give you,” she said cheekily.

She returned from the bar soon after with a tray full of shots.

“Oh my God are you trying to make me pass out so you can claim victory early,” he laughed as they all grabbed a glass.

“Oh come on…this is just the beginning you big wuss,” she giggled.

They all made a toast to James before they downed their drinks and they headed for the dance floor.

James grabbed Eloise’s hand but she stopped him,

“Hang on…I can’t do it, and I feel tipsy enough to not care anymore,” she said as she started taking her shoes off. He smiled at her as he put his arm around her waist to balance her.

He dragged her to the dance floor then where they stayed until the early hours of the morning. They didn’t leave each others side as they continued to drink and as the night wore on and the alcohol took control, their bodies inched closer and closer together until they were dancing with their arms wrapped around each other, their bodies moving together perfectly as they danced.

Eloise had her head resting on his shoulder until she felt his hands moving slowly up and down her back. His nose gently began nuzzling her neck which sent bolts of electricity coursing through her body.

She lifted her head to look up at him and their eyes locked intensely. The desire to kiss him was almost overpowering her, but what she didn’t know was that he felt the same overwhelming desire for her too.

“James…I…,” she stammered as their lips moved slowly towards each other, “I need a cigarette.”

She broke his hold on her and almost ran off the dance floor towards her handbag. She grabbed her cigarettes and high tailed it onto the balcony.

James chastised himself for letting his guard down. He had been ignoring his growing attraction to her for months. He thought he had it well under control, but having her in his arms like that and the alcohol pumping through his body made it impossible for him to fight it. And now he was sure she saw the desire in his eyes…why else would she run off like that. He had to find her and gauge her mood towards him.

Eloise inhaled deeply as she slumped against the railing and tried to calm her pounding heart.

“I have to stop this,” she muttered under her breath. She couldn’t deny her attraction to him any longer. She had been struggling with it for months. She thought if she ignored it that it would just go away…but it hadn’t…it had only grown stronger.

She closed her eyes and massaged her temples as she tried to get herself together. Her head was spinning and she wondered if James could tell what effect he had over her.

“I knew I would win,” James voice startled her and she was surprised to find him standing right in front of her. She had to put her game face on.

“Uh-uh! Not yet buster. I am just about to get a second wind.”

He grabbed the cigarettes and lighter out of her hand and she watched him light up in astonishment.

“What are you doing?” she shrieked as she watched him inhale deeply without battering an eyelid.

He laughed at the look of horror on her face. She seemed to be behaving normally which sent a wave of relief through him.

“This just goes to show how pissed I am,” he slurred.

She shook her head and laughed and they both stood looking out over the balcony in silence as they finished their cigarettes, lost in their own thoughts of each other.

“This place is closing in half an hour,” James sighed, “are you coming in for more drinks…. my shout.”

“Sounds good to me…except I’m buying. You don’t buy your own drinks n your birthday,” she instructed.

He held out his hand and after a few seconds hesitation she took it and they went back inside and drank until closing.

“They were the last to leave and by the time they snagged a taxi it was almost 4.30 in the morning before they staggered clumsily through James front door. They really hit the drink hard during that last half an hour and they were now well and truly written off.

They had their arms around each other, trying to hold each other up.

“Bed,” James muttered.

“OK,” Eloise muttered back as they headed for his bedroom. They banged into the door frame and by the time they collapsed on the bed together they were in fits of giggles.

She tried to get him on the bed but he dragged her down with him.

“You can’t drive home now in your state,” he instructed, “sleep here.”

“Ok,” she said too tired and drunk to argue.

She watched him try and take his shoes off without getting up, and he got so frustrated that he shook his leg violently and his shoe went flying off and hit the wall behind them.

They both burst into fits of laughter and Eloise nearly rolled off the bed. He managed to pull her back up and she nestled in his arms as they continued to giggle uncontrollably.

“You know this has been my best birthday ever,” James said as they finally got their giggles under control, “it even beats the pirate party I had when I was 7.”

They both burst into fits of laughter again.

“I bet you looked adorable as a pirate,” Eloise giggled as she lay on her side to face him.

He rolled over to face her and as their laughter abated he turned serious and he began gently fiddling with a loose curl that hung around her face.

“I mean it…seriously….this has been a great birthday…because of you…and I can’t thank you enough.”

“You don’t need to thank me. Seeing you have such a great time is thanks enough for me,” she said softly, struggling to focus.

He studied her intently. She was so sexy…lying next to him…in his bed. There was something about her that just made him crazy, something that he had never felt for anyone else.

“Can I tell you something,” he asked.

“What?” she enquired nervously

“You are the bestest frenemy I’ve ever had,” he said seriously.

She looked at him and they both began giggling again.

“I was kind of hoping I was the only frenemy you’d ever had…but beggars can’t be choosers,” she ribbed.

“It really is hard to believe that 12 months ago we hated each others guts isn’t it,” she continued thoughtfully.

“I didn’t hate your guts,” James said quickly.

“I hated yours,” Eloise quipped.

“Delightful,” he said as she giggled at his hurt expression.

“But look at us now hey, who would have thought that one day we would be bestest frenemies,” she said trying to console him.

“Yeah,” he sighed happily, “and who would have thought that one day we would be parents.”

She giggled at the serious expression on his face.

“I’m really looking forward to the next few weeks,” she yawned. Her eyelids were getting heavy and she struggled to keep them open.

“Hey…don’t fall asleep on me yet,” he said as he reached over and cupped her face with his hand, “there’s something I want to say to you…but you have to promise never to repeat it and forget I said it in the morning…OK!”

She suddenly felt wide awake now and a bit wary.

“OK,” she whispered apprehensively.

He took a deep breath and looked her deeply in the eyes, as he played with her hair.

“I’m glad that Caitlin didn’t come…and I’m glad that Joe didn’t come. I love spending time with you and having you all to myself.”

Her stomachs did flip flops and she reached up and slowly caressed his cheek.

“That’s sweet of you to say…but I’m sure you missed Caitlin,” she said gently, realizing that she hadn’t missed Joe at all.

He shook his head sadly.

“No I didn’t…I didn’t think about her once. But there’s more…and you have to really promise that you will forget this conversation tomorrow too.”

“James if you want me to forget these conversations maybe you shouldn’t be saying these things in the first place,” she told him uncomfortably.

“No I need to,” he slurred.

He caressed her face slowly and she was too hypnotised by him to move.

“When we were dancing tonight…I really wanted to kiss you….and you knew it too didn’t you...that’s why you ran out?”

She couldn’t believe they were having this conversation and she could feel her heart pounding out of her chest. She figured it was the alcohol, and later when she thought back on the conversation she was supposed to forget, she blamed that for what she said next.

“No….that’s not exactly why I ran out. I ran out because I wanted to kiss you too…I didn’t trust myself to resist you.”

A rush of adrenalin coursed through her. She could hear her own voice, but she couldn’t believe she had said that to him. It was like her mouth wasn’t connected to her brain anymore.

Hearing her admit that she felt the same gave him goose bumps, and gave him confidence to push further.

“Really,” he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers, “Eloise…I want you so much…I want to make…”

“Don’t,” she interrupted hastily before he could say the words, “Just don’t say it. I should leave.”

He grabbed her arm as she sat up, and her head began spinning violently.

“No…I’m sorry,” he said as he pulled her back down, “just….stay…please.”

“We shouldn’t be saying these things James…shouldn’t be feeling them,” she whispered like someone might overhear them.

“I know,” he whispered back, “but sometimes I wish that circumstances were different. I can’t help it.”

She didn’t know what to say. She wanted desperately to kiss him right then, to make love to him, but she knew that it was impossible. Not only because they were in other relationships, but because they worked together. That alone was a massive no no.

“Maybe we need to put a bit of distance between us from now on,” she told him sadly, “it’s probably for the best.”

“No,” he answered immediately, “we don’t need to do that.”

He shuffled awkwardly up the bed so his head rested on his pillow and he patted the spot next to him, beckoning her to join him.

She hesitated and shook her head, “I shouldn’t.”

“Please, I promise I’ll behave,” he pouted, “I don’t want to be alone.”

Her fuzzy head was telling her to get the hell out of there, but her heart made it impossible to leave his side. She smiled at him and crawled up the bed.

“Roll over,” he instructed gently and he spooned in behind her.

She felt so good being encircled in his arms, and they both fell into a deep sleep as soon as they closed their eyes.

Unbeknownst to them however, in a few hours they were about to experience a rude awakening.

tbc...........

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

Part 3 coming soon.

[Bee]

haha and i can imagine who this rude-awakening could be

suse i love it as always!

cant wait for more!!

[rebeccag]

ooooh i like it suse loved all the bickering/flirting ^_^

[kate]

What can I say that I haven't said a million times? Love Love Love LoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLoveLove
this fanfiction. I particularly love drunkensmokerJames. That always makes me laugh when people do that!

[mellochino]

Loved it! Can't wait for the next part.

[suse]

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

He sat outside in his car for ages, trying to summon the courage to go inside. The last words he said to her echoed in his ears and he couldn’t leave things as they were. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer. He had to tell her. He had to tell her he loved her…tonight….

9 months earlier

Part 3

As the mid morning sun belted through James bedroom window, neither of them moved. Eloise started to regain consciousness but her body wasn’t yet co-operating. For a split second she had to think about where she was, but the strong arms she felt encircling her were a reminder of exactly where she was and who she was with.

She slowly started to squirm and realized that she was nestled into James chest. But instead of pulling away in horror she cuddled in closer and she felt his arms tighten around her.

James slowly started to wake when he felt Eloise squirming. He felt like he had been hit by a truck, and as he pulled her in closer to his chest he had no intention of moving or waking up just yet. He was quite happy exactly where he was

They both drifted back to sleep then and failed to hear a car pull up in the driveway, failed to hear his front door open, and failed to hear footsteps approaching his bedroom.

Caitlin was already uneasy at the sight of Eloise’s car out the front, and now she stood there in shock at the scene in front of her. James and Eloise with their arms wrapped around each other, her legs entwined in his, a picture of contentment. A rush of jealous fury overtook her.

“You arsehole,” she screamed from the foot of the bed.

It took a while for either of them to register what was going on. One minute they were asleep, the next they were jolted awake by screaming abuse.

They slowly opened their eyes, untangled themselves, and sat up. James heart sank when he realized what was happening and Eloise just wanted to vanish through the floor.

“Caitlin,” James muttered almost incoherently, “um…I wasn’t expecting you yet.”

“Obviously…and don’t bother with the ‘it’s not what it looks like’ routine. Don’t insult my intelligence,” she hissed.

James and Eloise looked over at each other for the first time that day and grimaced as they both rubbed their heads.

Eloise thought her head was going to explode and she had to muster all her strength to start speaking.

“Caitlin,” Eloise began, but she had to lick her dry lips and clear her throat before she could carry on, “I’m so sorry, but this is exactly what it looks like. We both got the drunkest we have ever been and we passed out on the bed together, nothing more sordid than that. I mean we are fully clothed…well almost.”

She had to suppress a smile as she looked down at James one shoe.

“So you are trying to tell me that nothing happened between you last night,” Caitlin asked angrily.

“Nothing happened Caitlin, I promise you,” James said desperately.

James and Eloise looked at each other uncomfortably. Even though he was telling the truth in a loose fashion, they couldn’t help but feel uneasy about what he was saying. Nothing did happen, but it so easily could have, and it’s not like they didn’t want it to happen.

“Nothing at all,” Eloise reiterated, trying to convince herself as well as Caitlin.

“I don’t really want to hear what you have to say,” Caitlin said cynically to Eloise.

Even though she understood why Caitlin would be so angry, this remark erased any sympathy Eloise may have felt.

“Fine then,” she said shortly as she got up gingerly from the bed, “I’ll leave you to it.”

“Good…and you know what…I don’t want you to come here ever again,” Caitlin spat.

“Hang on a minute…don’t speak to her like that,” James said to Caitlin angrily.

“It’s all right James, I’ll talk to you after,” Eloise said sadly as she walked out the door.

“I can’t believe you aren’t a bit more apologetic…I mean you just spent the night in bed with another woman on your birthday,” she said almost hysterically.

“Caitlin it wasn’t like that at all,” he said in a raised voice, “And at least she was here for my birthday.”

Her face fell as he said the words.

“Now wait here…I’ll be back in a minute,” he continued gruffly as he left her standing there and went after Eloise. He knew this would make her even angrier, but he couldn’t let Eloise just leave without saying anything.

She was almost at her car door when he reached her.

“Wait,” he called out as he jogged down the driveway, still with one shoe off and one shoe on.

“James…get back in there. Things are bad enough already,” she said urgently.

“I just want to make sure you are OK. I’m sorry about the way she behaved just now,” he said gently.

“James do you blame her,” she scoffed, “How would you feel if you arrived at Caitlin’s and she was in bed with someone else…whether nothing happened or not?”

“Yeah it wouldn’t be pleasant I know…but nothing happened…did it,” he said nervously.

“No it didn’t,” she agreed quickly.

“But…,” James began.

“Don’t,” Eloise interrupted, “I should have slept on the lounge, or even better…made the taxi wait and gone home.”

“But I didn’t want you to El…and we said some things to each other…,” James ploughed ahead.

“I said don’t,” she said getting panicky.

“We both admitted that we wanted something to happen..,” he kept at her.

“James you said we had to forget what we said last night. Don’t make it harder than it already is. Nothing can happen between us…ever,” she said raising her voice.

He looked at her hurt.

“But last night…you said you wanted me…”

“Well I shouldn’t have…OK. Last night we were both so drunk...you were missing Caitlin, I was angry at Joe. Thats all it was." Eloise explained in an agitated tone.

His head was still pounding, his memories of the night before still fuzzy...but the one thing he was sure about was what they said to each other and that he meant every word. However she was making it blatantly obvious to him that she didn't want to deal with it, and he was hurt to think that maybe she didn't feel the same way about him after all.

"Fine," he said sadly,"if that's how you want to play it."

"I'm not playing at anything," she said becoming more desperate to play down the situation, "It's how it has to be...and even if there was something more between us...which there isn't..but if there was...it's impossible. We both have partners that we care about, and we work together for fuck sake. That's the first lesson they teach us in acting 101...never fall for a co-star."

James could feel himself growing more and more frustrated. Not only with her...but the whole situation, and he knew she was right. All of a sudden he regretted putting himself out there and went into damage control.

"Yes I am well aware of that, I’m not an idiot," he stated, "I guess it's best we just forget everything we said last night then. I mean as if we would ever work anyway...if there was something between us...which there isn't...it would never work. We would constantly fight and drive each other mad."

She looked at him, surprised at his sudden about face, and for some reason it made her feel self conscious. The vulnerability she felt immediately put her on the defensive. She didn't want him to think that she had feelings for him if he was re-nigging his.

"Of course we would. The idea of us together is ridiculous," she said brashly.

"You bet it is," he snapped.

"Well I'm glad you agree," she said haughtily.

"Good," he almost snarled s they eyeballed each other, trying to control their tempers.

"I'm going," she huffed, “you shouldn’t even be out here. You should be in there sucking up to your girlfriend.”

She hurriedly got in the car, slammed the door, and turned the ignition.

"Fine," he hissed and he turned and walked up the driveway without looking back and he slammed the front door behind him.

Eloise’s POV

She sped off down the street and by the time she arrived home she had tears streaming down her face.

"Did you have fun you dirty stop out...oh," Millie stopped in her tracks when she saw the state Eloise was in,"what on earth happened?"

"I really don't want to talk about it," Eloise sobbed as she lay down on the lounge. Millie went and sat down next to her and stroked her hair. She knew it would have to be about James. She never got this upset about Joe."

"I take it the birthday didn't go too well," she enquired gently.

Eloise got up slowly and pulled a tissue out of the box.

"No we had a fantastic night. My hangover is testament to that," Eloise sniffed.

This made Millie even more curious.

"Then that only leaves one other reason for the tears. You had too good a night..with James. Did you two finally give in?" she asked bravely.

James POV

James stormed inside and slammed the door. His emotions were all over the place. He knew he had to face Caitlin’s wrath, but that conversation with Eloise had really upset him.

“It’s nice to see that you are more concerned with her well being than mine,” she snapped.

“Caitlin I’m sorry. I realize that what you saw was obviously not a very pleasant experience and if the tables were turned I would no doubt be furious too, but all I can do is apologise and say again that nothing happened. We left her car here and she was in no state to drive home.”

“Well why didn’t she sleep on the lounge,” she asked icily.

James desperately tried to look for a reason that even vaguely resembled the truth, but he failed. He decided it was just easier to lie.

“Because we were so far gone we didn ‘t even know what we were doing. It didn’t really hit me that we were next to each other until you walked in,” he felt his stomach sink as he churned out the lies.

“Is that right,” she said sarcastically, “you both certainly looked very cosy.”

Eloise’s POV

"What do you mean by that?" Eloise said getting on the defensive once again, "Give in to what? If you are suggesting that James and I slept together then you have lost your mind. I don't have feelings for him and I am not in the slightest bit attracted to him OK."

Now it was all clear to Millie. She knew she was going to struggle and obviously living in denial was getting too much for her.

"Then where have you been all night?" Millie plugged away undeterred by El's mood.

Eloise looked at her guiltily.

"Well I did sleep at James place," she finally confessed.

"Oh really," Millie responded feigning surprise, "what...on the lounge?"

Eloise started concentrating intently on picking her fingernails then...she only ever did that when she was really uncomfortable.

“No…on his bed actually…but nothing happened I promise you,” she said agitated.

“Then why the tears?” Millie persisted.

“Because Caitlin arrived and it wasn’t pleasant, that’s why,” she said sitting down next to Millie.

“Mmmmm…except shouldn’t Caitlin be the one in tears?” Millie said not letting it rest.

James POV

“Look Caitlin I don’t know what to tell you. We went out, we had a great time, we got drunk, we got a taxi home, we passed out on the bed. If you don’t believe me then feel free to go back home. I’m not going to be much company anyway. I really need to go back to bed and sleep this off.”

“So I drive all the way here, find you in bed with your pretend girlfriend, and you are going to go off and sleep all day….why do I bother,” she yelled.

“Well now you know how it feels, and if you bothered to make the effort last night we wouldn’t even be in this situation,” he shouted, “now I am going to have a sleep. It’s up to you whether you’re still here when I wake up.”

He slammed the door of his bedroom, leaving Caitlin angry and confused. He stripped off and climbed into bed and he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Eloise’ POV

Eloise gave Millie an evil look and sighed loudly.

“Millie I really don’t want to talk about it anymore. I have a hangover from hell and I’m going to bed.”

Millie gave her some drugs and Eloise snuggled into bed. She quickly sent Joe a message to say that she wasn’t well and that she would see him the next day. She didn’t feel like having to deal with him. What would she tell him…would she tell him at all?

Eloise fell straight to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and she didn’t wake until after 6 that night. She was stunned when she saw the time and it made her suspicious of what drug Millie had slipped her. She would enquire about that later.

As she lay in bed her mind drifted to James. She wondered what he was doing, wondered if he was thinking about her, but then she remembered that he was with Caitlin.

“I’ll be the last thing on his mind,” she muttered under her breath, just before her phone beeped with a message.

James POV

It was late when James finally stirred. He could see the sky getting dark outside. The television was on in the loungeroom, he could hear it, so he knew Caitlin was still there. He wondered if she had calmed down or not and what the night ahead would hold. His thoughts soon drifted to Eloise.

He wondered how she felt…did she hate him now? He wished that he hadn’t said what he did. He knew that if Eloise knew how he felt she would immediatedly distance herself from him…he saw it that morning when he pressed the issue, and then of course he had to get stroppy when he didn’t hear what he wanted to hear. He couldn’t leave things like they were, he had to talk to her.

The door opened then, dragging him out of his thoughts.

“You’re awake,” Caitlin said quietly.

“And you are still here,” he remarked.

“Of course I am. We need to sort things out James, but I thought I might go down and buy us some Chinese food for dinner,” she suggested.

“Yeah that would be nice,” he smiled. He knew he had to sort things out with Caitlin, but he couldn’t help himelf, sorting things out with Eloise was his priority.

“I’ve already ordered so I won’t be long,” she said coolly as he watched her walk out, and he waited for the car to drive off before he reached for his phone.

Eloise’s POV

A warm fuzzy feeling came over her when she saw his message.

‘If you are alone please ring me now. J’

Without thinking she immediately dialled his number and he answered on the first ring.

He smiled when he saw her name flash on his screen.

“Hey,” he said sheepishly.

“Hey,” she said in turn, “You’re the last person I expected to hear from.”

“It just felt really weird how we ended things this morning. I just need to clear the air,” he said quietly.

“Where’s Caitlin,” she asked, hoping she had gone home already

“She has gone to pick up dinner, so I have to be quick. She will have kittens if she catches me calling you…but I just had to talk to you…explain things.”

“Oh,” Eloise said trying to hide her disappointment.

“I don’t want things to be weird between us El. I had an amazing night last night..with you…and I guess we just got a bit carried away. I’m sorry,” he said.

A part of her was relieved to hear him say this, but another annoying, nagging part was hurt and disapppointed. But she couldn’t let him know that…not ever.

“Yeah I’m sorry too. I think that we share such an intensity at work that maybe we let it sneak into real life last night…while we were under the influence. And like you said the whole conversation is best forgotten.

Now it was his turn to be disappointed. He didn’t want to forget it…but he knew he didn’t have a choice, and she certainly didn’t seem to have a problem with it.

“I guess,” he said as he heard Caitlin pulling up in the driveway, “Right I have to go. So you’re still my bestest frenemy?” he said cutely.

“I thought we just agreed to forget last nights conversation,” she said smiling.

“Not that bit,” he laughed.

“All right then…yes I’m still your bestest frenemy…now go,” she said happily.

They hung up with huge smiles on their faces, happy that, for now, they were back to normal…at least they thought they were. Even though they both pretended to be happy they were both in denial. They couldn’t keep up the act for too much longer, and it would soon test their friendship and threaten their careers.

tbc...............

DISCLAIMER - This story is fictional and in no way reflects the actions or day to day activites of the characters involved. In other words..ITS MADE UP!

[Bee]

fantastic suse!!

i started laughing at the start..i dunno why must have been funny!!

cant wait for more