Re: Ghosts - ch.58 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 15:34:56 05/08/03 Thu
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Ghosts - ch.58
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Ghosts - ch.57" on 15:42:58 05/07/03 Wed

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

"Should I get the nurse?" Immediately, Gus panicked, as Sophie winced slightly, rising from her wheelchair.

"No�no, I'm fine�" she lied, feeling pretty tired from her excursion down the hall.

"Here, lean on me." Chivalrously, Gus placed his arm around Sophie's waist and offered his shoulder for support.

Moving toward him, she paused, their eyes meeting in a decidedly intimate moment. "I won't bite�" he assured her with a smile.

Flustered, Sophie sought to explain. "No�it's not that�" she started, in a rush. "I mean�"

Graciously, Gus offered a compromise. "Maybe we should have this conversation after you get back in bed - just so you don't pass out?"

With a grateful nod, Sophie accepted his arm. But, her guilt only intensified when her hand accidentally brushed against Gus' bare chest on her way into bed. Beneath Bruno's jacket, Sophie felt Gus' heart race at her nearness. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Gus' feelings for her ran deep. There wasn't a doubt in Sophie's mind.

Though he held her for less than a minute, Gus cherished each and every second. Sophie was in his arms at last. Since their goodbye at the airport, he'd thought of little else.

But, Sophie's intuitive gaze left him rattled - and much too vulnerable. Struggling, he kept his concentration strictly on the task at hand, until Sophie was safely back in bed.

"There you go�" he breezed, covering the moment by fussing with her blankets. "All warm and safe and�"

The unspoken word left hanging in the air was - "married."

As much as Gus might wish otherwise, Sophie Becker was another man's wife.

Uselessly, Sophie explored her blame in this fiasco. She'd never intended to lead Gus on. She'd never intended for their relationship, such as it was, to go quite this far.

"Thanks�" she began hesitantly.

"Least I can do for a fellow Casablanca lover." Winking, Gus sat down into her wheelchair and swiveled.

Casablanca�

Sophie had accumulated a veritable cache of lifetime experiences associated with that movie, but none would ever be quite as memorable as her "date" with Gus. Sophie wanted to tell him that. She wanted to tell him that he'd been a good friend to her, that he made her smile�that he deserved to be happy.

Though their time together had been brief, Sophie knew she'd hurt him. Now was supposed to be her chance to make amends, to thank him for caring so much. But, what if, by asking him to be here with her, she was only hurting him more?

"I'm sorry, Gus�" Sophie said softly, grasping his hand. "I never meant to�"

"Marry Peter?" he suggested helpfully, giving his dream one last shot.

Sophie's spirits lifted in spite of her guilt. "Uh�no�not that�" she smiled shyly, enjoying his company as always.

For Gus, the look in Sophie's eyes was apology enough. None of this was her fault. True to her nature, Sophie had merely been helping a friend. Gus knew, better than any one, how easily life had a way of getting out of hand. He also knew that Sophie Becker was the most compassionate woman he'd ever met. If Sophie could care for him - even as a friend - then, maybe, just maybe, there might still be hope for him yet.

Gus was determined to make this easy, lightening Sophie's mood at every turn. Equally determined, Sophie knew precisely what she wanted to say.

"I should have told you the truth," she said simply.

Sophie's remorse was genuine. Gus had lost far too much tonight; and, the fact that he was being so understanding only made her regret her actions even more.

"You told me the truth�" he teased her, cryptically. Preferring to remember the good times with Sophie, Gus thought back to a certain time and place - and the best five-minute kiss he'd ever had.

Puzzled, Sophie waited for Gus to explain. He did so, selfishly, lowering his lips to hers for one last kiss�

Feeling she owed him at least that much, Sophie returned the kiss with tenderness, allowing Gus to bid that special night - and very special woman - a last goodbye.

Unfortunately, Peter arrived at the doorway just in time to witness their affectionate farewell. "Ahem! Hmmm!" he cleared his throat loudly.

As indebted to Gus as Peter felt, there were definite limits to this newfound friendship.

Slyly, Gus pulled away, at last reminding Sophie of the "truth" she'd told him that night.

"We'll always have Paris�" he whispered, for her ears only.

Smiling, Sophie gave Gus one last hug. Her happiness almost made Peter sorry he'd interrupted them. Almost�

Crossing his arms over his chest, Peter stepped aside. Steely, he stared at Gus as he passed by.

Without any excuses whatsoever, Gus faced Peter squarely, his eyes sparkling with mischievous delight. "I've got a hotel to run."

"Yes, you do�" Peter agreed dryly, practicing diplomacy at its finest.

Sophie waited for Gus to leave the room before breaking into laughter over her husband's exemplary restraint. "That was tactful of you."

"I'm a tactful kinda guy�" Peter grumbled, unappreciated.

"C'mhere, Tactful�" Sophie welcomed him into her arms.

"So, does this mean I shouldn't worry?" he asked, still a bit jealous.

"Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing�" Sophie was still a bit jealous, too.

Perplexed, Peter questioned her with his eyes, surprised to hear Sophie quip, "The last time I saw you, you were about to spend the night with Ivy."

"Soph�" Peter growled, for he knew she knew better.

"Yes?" she taunted him, though by Peter's expression alone, Sophie had her answer.

Exasperated, Peter rolled his eyes and exclaimed, "The bed was lumpy and she snored, okay?"

Then, before Sophie could interrogate him further, he silenced her with an extremely reaffirming kiss. "I love only you�"

Entirely satisfied with Peter's response, Sophie traced his features with her fingertips. "I love only you�" she sighed, her feelings echoing his.

Leaning back against the pillows, she succumbed to an irrepressible yawn. Concerned, Peter urged her again, "Soph�will you please get some rest? C'mon, I'll close the drapes�"

"No!" The fright in Sophie's voice startled them both, until Peter realized the obvious: Sophie had good reason to be afraid of the dark.

Daily at Horizon, Peter and Sophie preached the importance of facing your fears. Peter wasn't about to let Sophie forget that - especially now.

"It'll be all right, Soph�" he soothed reassuringly. "I'm right here."

Carefully, Peter darkened the room by lowering the blinds, instead. Turning the rod slowly, his actions afforded Sophie some time to adjust.

All the while, he spoke to her softly, comforting her as the lighting dimmed. Sophie knew exactly what he was doing and struggled to calm herself. But, it was only when Peter crawled into bed beside her and wrapped her in his embrace, that she exhaled even a bit.

Still, the tension in Sophie's body was unmistakable. Hoping to relax her, Peter reminisced about another time she'd fallen asleep in his arms.

"Kinda reminds me of the night of the Morp," he chuckled low, caressing her back in steady, rhythmic, strokes.

"We slept in each other's arms�." Sophie recalled dreamily, his presence easing her and sleep beginning to overtake her.

"Only 'cause you wouldn't let us do more than sleep�." Peter murmured, as he, too, drifted off.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It was after midnight�the night of the Morp�and Horizon's great room was littered more extensively than Times Square after New Year's Eve.

"What a mess�" Sophie grimaced, throwing paper plate after paper plate into a large green trash bag.

Her perfectly upswept hair had fallen into haphazard tangles and her shoes had been kicked off in a last desperate attempt to revive the feeling in her feet. There was a splotch of red fruit punch on the front of her dark purple dress and, after hours of slicing and serving cake, a sizeable chunk of frosting appeared cemented to her wrist, forming an interesting, edible, bracelet, of sorts.

Seeing Sophie so disheveled, Peter had to smile. This was precisely why he'd never agreed to a prom before. Yet, with only a slight bit of salsa on his jacket sleeve, Peter considered himself quite fortunate. Poor Sophie, on the other hand, looked like a walking poster child for Chaperones Anonymous.

Sympathetically, he came up behind her, placed his hands on her waist and began nuzzling her neck.

"Why don't we leave this til morning?" he tempted.

Smirking, Sophie dropped the trash bag on the sofa and pivoted in his embrace. "Something on your mind, Mountain Man?"

"Uh-huh�" Peter grinned broadly. "A dance�"

"What?" Sophie pulled back, surprised. "We've been dancing - all night!"

Seductively, Peter begged to disagree. "Not like this�"

Clasping Sophie to him, Peter relished every inch of her body next to his. The restrained kisses they'd shared earlier were gone. He seized her lips, fully and passionately. And, when the kiss was over, she melted, breathless, into his arms.

"Okay, maybe not like this�" she agreed, her fingers locking at the base of his neck.

Irresistibly, Peter swayed her to music playing only in his head. "So, did I imagine it, or did you ask me to marry you tonight?"

"I may have said something�" Feigning forgetfulness, Sophie asked coyly, "What was your answer again?"

"Yes�" he whispered low and inviting. "Yes."

Lovingly, Sophie gazed into Peter's eyes. "I like that answer."

"Come home with me tonight, Soph, please�" His voice was husky with need.

"Peter�" When he spoke to her like that, Sophie felt all the old desires, and feared all the old mistakes. She never wanted to make those mistakes again. Maybe she was being overly cautious, but rushing back into a physical relationship just didn't seem right.

Peter knew that tone in Sophie's voice all too well. Sighing, he let her go. "You're not ready�" Wisely, he said it for her.

Hoping to lessen the blow, Sophie took his hand and tugged Peter toward the sofa. Tossing the trash bag to the floor, she encouraged him to sit by her side. "I just think we should take our time right now�"

Pouting, Peter fingered the spaghetti straps of her dress, sorely disappointed. "Then, why'd you wear purple?"

Looking down at her less-than-seductive appearance, Sophie couldn't help but laugh. "It's more raspberry now, thanks to Ezra�"

"Tell me the truth," she asked intently. "Do I have guacamole in my hair?"

"Truth?" Peter repeated sincerely, brushing a stray wisp of hair behind Sophie's ear. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

With a crooked smile, Sophie curled up next to him. "You are a desperate man, aren't you?" she teased, snuggling close.

"Totally," Peter chuckled, taking a bite of the frosting on her wrist.

Happily, Sophie toyed with a button on his shirt. Nestled against Peter's chest, she could feel his heart beating beneath her cheek: strong, safe, and sure. If only she could be that sure�

"I want this time to be for keeps, Peter," she said softly, her insecurities plaguing her.

In her conversation with Shelby, Sophie had realized, you can't fool your heart. But, in her head, there was that nagging voice, reminding her there were things in her past that Peter still didn't know - her relationships with her parents, for one. Could she ever stop hiding from her fears long enough to tell him? Could she ever love him as completely as he deserved?

"I want it to be the perfect moment�" she finished helplessly, exhausted, hoping Peter could understand.

The perfect moment�

Vividly, Peter recalled Sophie using those exact same words to describe their first time together on Vashon. She'd been so afraid it wouldn't last. Was Sophie still afraid, he wondered?

As far as Peter was concerned, every moment with Sophie seemed perfect. But, he knew better than to ask. Vashon, Horizon, or Timbuktu, he'd wait patiently until Sophie's perfect moment arrived once again.

With a tender smile, he looked down to find she had fallen fast asleep in his arms. The clock on the wall was nearing 1am. Frank would have the kids up at six just to be ornery. That meant that if Peter stopped worrying about the future, he could have five blissful hours of sleep tonight, cradling a beautiful blonde with guacamole in her hair.

Laying his head back, Peter was soon asleep, too, dreaming of Sophie and their next "perfect moment."

Whenever and wherever it happened, he was sure of one thing:

It would definitely be worth the wait.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Hell of an exit you made back there�" Chuckling, Gus found Charity sitting alone on a bench outside the hospital.

Charity smiled, happy for the company. "Reggie and Bruno have gone for the car," she told him. "Won't you join me?"

"Sure." Stretching, Gus folded his arms behind his head, Bruno's jacket parting enough for Gus' bare chest to bask in the warm Vegas sunshine.

"Did you have a chance to speak with Sophie?" To say Charity was dying of curiosity was an understatement. The biggest drawback to a grand exit was that it forced one to miss everything else that happened next.

"We talked�" Gus nodded, bemused by the questioning eyebrow Charity raised at the news.

"She decided to stay with Peter," he added for clarification.

"I see�" Charity commented wryly. "I'm sure it was a difficult choice."

"Damn straight�" Gus deadpanned, bringing a smile to both their faces.

"Hey," Gus asked warmly, "Did you really mean what you said? Will you come to my poker game tonight?""

"Of course, I'll be there." Charity appeared offended that he would even think otherwise. "What time does it start? Ten? Eleven?"

Gus shook his head and grimaced. "Eight�" he admitted sheepishly.

"Eight?" Charity was certainly not one to judge, but she'd never known any self-respecting Vegas poker game that started before ten!

"We, uh, used to start later�" Gus fumbled for his pride. "But then Rosalita kept complaining that I was keeping Miguel out too late and Dolores thought we should open the Sandbox earlier in the mornings, and, well�"

"Say no more�" Charity understood completely. Consensus at a WALPOCS meeting was usually achieved only through pastry or death.

"Eight it is." Charity spotted Bruno's car approaching, with Reggie waving cheerfully from the front passenger seat.

On the drive over, Gus had ridden up front with Bruno. But, now, it seemed Reggie had usurped his place, even there. Too tired to object, Gus gallantly opened the rear door for Charity, then climbed in beside her. Squished legs and all, Gus found it hard to mind. There was just something about Charity that Gus enjoyed beyond words. The woman had been through Hell and back again last night, yet, somehow, looked strong enough to do it all over again this morning. That kind of stamina deserved to be rewarded.

Absent-mindedly, Gus fingered Lila's locket, nestled within the folds of his jacket. Determined, he realized there was something he needed to do.

"Good," he replied, pleased that Charity would be joining him as his guest. "I've got a surprise for you."

Charity smiled, intrigued, while Gus leaned back, satisfied. But, in the front seat of the car, an exasperated look passed between an exhausted Bruno and an ever-cautious Reggie.

"Just what we need�" Reggie sighed under his breath.

"Another surprise."

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Replies:

Re: Ghosts - ch.59 -- dqfan, 15:55:37 05/09/03 Fri
- Re: Ghosts - ch.60 (The End) -- dqfan, 16:12:11 05/10/03 Sat