Re: A Journey Home - ch. 20 & 21 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 09:29:31 03/25/03 Tue
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: A Journey Home - ch. 20 & 21
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: A Journey Home - ch. 18 & 19" on 09:24:32 03/25/03 Tue

CHAPTER TWENTY

Peter walked briskly from the elevator, eagerly expecting Sophie to be waiting for him in his hotel room, but he entered to find it empty. The maid had been in to turn on the lights and turn down the bed but other than that, all was sadly quiet.

Peter's face fell in disappointment. He and Sophie hadn't even been back from the homestead four hours yet and already things were different. Still, maybe he was reading too much into this, he sighed, throwing his backpack on the chair with a little more force than necessary.

It was late. It had been a long day and an even longer dinner. Maybe Sophie was just tired. Maybe she needed some time alone. She was entitled to that, after all, wasn't she? Just because they were together now, didn't mean they had to spend every moment together, did it?

Peter's eminently logical justifications were not easing the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach. Maybe it was simply because it was Christmas�or maybe it was because he'd spent the entire evening sitting politely across from her at dinner, longing to touch her, aching to take her in his arms, that he hoped she'd be feeling the same way. That she'd be missing the intimacy that felt so incredibly right, when they were together at the homestead. That she'd be waiting for him now with the same anticipation he felt a minute ago, his heartbeat thrilling with each and every step he took down the hotel's corridor.

Peter's hand brushed lightly against the adjoining door to Sophie's room, vividly providing him with a severe case of deja-vu. The last time he'd given Sophie some time alone she'd ended up stranded on Pike's Peak in the middle of a blizzard.

Peter lifted his hand to knock but his better judgment prevailed. This wasn't like the last time. Sophie wasn't upset. She wasn't running away. She was in bed, asleep, after a very long day, and he couldn't keep having doubts like this if their relationship was going to work.

Determined to set his worries aside, Peter headed toward the bathroom to splash some water on his face. Distractedly, he placed his hand on the doorknob, then stopped short, beginning to think he might be hearing things�

With a healthy dose of apprehension, Peter flung open the bathroom door suspiciously, and with some force, unsure of what he would find. The soft humming noise ceased abruptly.

"Sophie�" Peter's surprised grin filled the room.

There, lying comfortably amidst a sea of bubbles, Sophie was waiting for him - a silver cooler by the tub, a crystal glass in her hand, and a grin on her face that matched his own.

"Well, hey there, Mountain Man! What took you so long," she asked merrily, snatching a handful of bubbles and blowing them in his direction.

A half chuckle-half sigh escaped Peter's lips as he viewed the scene before him. Furious with himself for doubting her, Peter instantly vowed to banish any similar thoughts permanently from his mind. The love in Sophie's eyes right now was unmistakable and Peter would remember that look for the rest of his life.

"Sorry, it took longer than I thought," he explained with a guilty shrug, sitting beside her on the rim of the tub.

"So, tell me all about it," Sophie begged, pouring him a glass of sparkling liquid.

Peter raised an eyebrow as she offered him the goblet.

"It's sparkling cider," she chided, only slightly offended that he would think she'd offer him champagne. "So tell me�" she prodded again.

"I really think it's going to work, Soph," Peter revealed excitedly. "I only wish we didn't have to wait until the 28th to see if he goes for it."

"So why wait?" Sophie queried.

Her question perplexed him. "Randolph called the meeting for the 28th, Soph."

"So, why don't you call a meeting for tomorrow," Sophie countered.

"Me? Why?" Peter was stymied.

Slowly, Sophie leaned forward enticingly in the tub, tantalizing him with her closeness. "The element of surprise, of course," she whispered seductively.

The steam from the bath and the nearness of Sophie's naked body were now combining to cause tiny beads of sweat to form on Peter's forehead, only exacerbated by the heavy sweater he was wearing, and making it extremely difficult for him to concentrate on what Sophie was saying.

"Element of surprise, huh?" Peter repeated softly, leaning closer.

"Works every time," she added, lightly running her fingers inside the neckline of his sweater.

"Does it?" he asked in a raspy voice, following her lead, and brushing a few bubbles lazily from along her collarbone.

"You never know until you try," she teased, a mischievous sparkle in her eye.

Peter's imagination was spinning madly with countless exciting possibilities. Unfortunately, none of which was that Sophie would choose that particular moment to hand him the phone beside the tub.

"Call him," she urged.

"Huh?" A mixture of disappointment and confusion hung upon Peter's face.

"If Randolph turns you down, you'll still have two days to think of something else. Why wait?" Sophie's argument was solid but Peter still wasn't sure about this.

"It's Christmas and it's late, Soph," Peter hedged.

But the more he thought about it, the more Peter realized Sophie could be right. They were talking about a descendant of Preston A. Lodge III, after all. What if Randolph was stubborn enough to turn down Peter's proposal out of sheer spite? Two days was a precious commodity to waste.

Sophie smiled as she watched Peter reach his decision and dial the phone with renewed purpose.

"Randolph? Peter Scarbrow here." Sophie was amused by Peter's super-professional tone of voice.

"Sorry to bother you so late on Christmas�" Peter apologized.

"How did I know you'd be in your office?" Peter hesitated, repeated Randolph's question for Sophie's benefit.

"Well, uh, being a man of dedication�I knew I'd find you there," Peter blustered, unwilling to admit he'd taken a wild guess.

"As a matter of fact�I'm in my office, too, at the moment�" Peter fibbed wildly, hoping to impress the unimpressionable Mr. Lodge.

Hopelessly unable to let such an outrageous remark pass without comment, Sophie began splashing water playfully in Peter's direction, his clothes becoming quite wet in the process.

With a serious glare of retribution blazing in his eyes, Peter jumped up from the side of the tub, keeping a safe distance away from Sophie.

"Anyway, Randolph," Peter continued, solemnly re-focusing his attention.
"I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time tomorrow? I have something I'd like to discuss with you. It may prove mutually, and financially, beneficial�" Peter was desperately trying to sound as vague and nonchalant as possible.

Sophie held her breath and waited along with Peter for Randolph's reply.

"One o'clock at the church?" Peter exhaled, trying to control his satisfaction.

"One o'clock will be fine. See you then. Merry Chr�" Peter's greeting was summarily dismissed for Randolph saw no need to partake in holiday pleasantries.

"Yesss!" Sophie cheered, watching Peter hang up the phone.

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly, noting Peter's dour expression.

"I'm soaked! Thank you very much!" Peter rebuked sarcastically as he peeled the wet sweater off over his head and flung it on the bathroom floor.

Sophie giggled and took a sip of the cider. "I'm sorry," she swallowed, trying not to laugh, "but you deserved it!"

"Oh, really?" The humor was decidedly missing from Peter's voice.

"Your office�oh, right�" she scoffed, still entertained by the thought.

Sophie's amusement was fleeting, and became quickly overshadowed by the intense passion she saw smoldering in Peter's eyes as he walked gradually toward the tub. Wordlessly, he finished undressing and joined her in the bath, relishing the look on her face as she watched him. Anxiously, Sophie waited for his kiss, feeling her body react as he inched agonizingly nearer. Finally, his lips were so close she could almost taste them, his breath more warm and inviting than the soapy water that surrounded them. Sophie squirmed, knowing he was deliberately making her wait.

Then, gently, Peter caught her chin with his finger, nudging her back to face him.

Holding her utterly spellbound, he reassured with a husky confidence, "It is where I do my best work�"

^^^^^^^^^^^

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

"Peter, would you please stop pacing," Sophie pleaded uselessly.

"I'm the one who should be pacing," Charity huffed. "I can't believe you talked me into this."

"It really is a very sound business proposal, Aunt Charity," Chloe advised ingratiatingly. Unfortunately, Charity found little comfort in Chloe's seal of approval.

"It's a deal with the devil!" Charity barked. "Course, folks would say the Lawsons have been doing that for years."

"It's only temporary, Charity," Sophie encouraged.

"Temporary? Twenty-two years! Might as well bury me and dig the damn thing up at the same time, why don't you!" Charity was growing apoplectic at the thought.

"I didn't see you coming up with any better ideas!" Peter charged, beginning to resent his aunt's lack of support for his plan.

"Oh no�" Peter countered with a scowl. "'Save the capsule�at all costs!' That's what you said!" He chanted from memory.

"Cost?! It'll cost me my sanity, that's for sure," Charity predicted scornfully.

"Okay, kids, neutral corners�" Sophie refereed.

"Charity, you know Peter's tried his best," Sophie began calmly. "Chloe and Chip flew all the way here, at Christmas, just to help. Shouldn't you at least see if Randolph agrees?"

"He'd be an idiot not to," Charity observed grumpily. "I, on the other hand�"

"Ssshh, he's coming," Sophie interrupted.

Nervously, Peter drew himself up to his full height and straightened the tie on his brand new midnight blue Armani suit, which Reggie had secured for him at considerable effort and on very short notice.

"It has to be Armani, Reggie," Peter had specifically requested, determined to meet Randolph P. Lodge on equal footing this time.

The blue had been Sophie's suggestion, whispering privately to Reggie that a blue suit would really bring out the sparkle in Peter's eyes. Less than an hour later, Reggie appeared at Peter's hotel room door, gasping for breath.

Grinning from ear to ear, Reggie handed the treasured garment bag to a relieved Sophie and wheezed proudly, "Armani�blue�sparkle�"

Similarly outfitted in their business finery, Chloe and Chip were equally poised and ready for action. The three looked like the powerhouse New York professionals they had been for many years - saavy, formidable and just a little scary, Sophie thought to herself.

"Everybody ready?" Peter double-checked.

Chloe and Chip nodded confidently.

"Randolph, good to see you again," Peter greeted him warmly at the door.

As the two met, Sophie felt a chill of excitement run through her body. There they stood, shaking hands: Randolph in gray, Peter in blue. Sophie couldn't help but appreciate the irony. A one-hundred-year-old war was about to be fought all over again and the history of Colorado Springs was the prize.

"I was under the impression that this was to be a private meeting?" Randolph was openly suspicious as Peter led him to his seat.

"Oh, we're all family, here," Peter countered blithely. "You know my Aunt Charity and my fiancee, Sophie�"

Randolph nodded politely.

"And this is my ex-wife, Chloe Scarbrow, and my old friend, Chip Fuller. They've been visiting for the holidays."

Randolph nodded again, affecting disinterest, though his eyebrow did rise slightly at the introduction of Peter's ex-wife. Leave it to the Sullys, Randolph mused, to try and get along with everyone.

"Well, what is this 'mutually and financially beneficial' idea?" Randolph asked, quoting Peter word for word.

"It's about your hotel�" Peter began, wanting to reel Randolph in slowly.

"What about my hotel?" Randolph was exceeding wary.

"Well, I happened to be looking over the plans when Chloe and Chip arrived�Oh, did I mention that Chloe's in investment banking and Chip is in marketing and public relations?" Peter added innocently, upping the stakes.

Randolph shook his head and tried to appear nonchalant but the slight lean forward he took in his chair at the mention of Chloe and Chip's credentials was noticeable to everyone in the room.

"No�no you didn't mention�" Randolph's curiosity was definitely piqued.

"Innovative design, bold concept�" Chloe complimented, holding the architect's sketches firmly in her hands. "Lucrative investment but�"

"But?" Randolph worried aloud.

"Could be even better�" Chip whispered conspiratorially.

"How?" Randolph's voice was beginning to strain.

"The time capsule�" Chloe said softly, meeting Randolph eye to eye.

"Oh, please, not that again!" Randolph huffed, ready to leave the table.

"Wait!" Chloe commanded, placing her hand gently but firmly over Randolph's.

Randolph's attraction to Chloe was more than a little obvious and she smiled realizing her advantage. "Randolph, please," she begged. "May I call you, Randy?"

Peter was about to shake his head, concerned that Chloe's use of the nickname might antagonize Randolph needlessly. Instead, Peter shoved his hands in his pockets and bit his lip to keep from smiling as Randolph answered shyly, "Uh, yes, I suppose so�"

"This time capsule is a golden opportunity for you, Randy," Chloe
said softly, urging him back into his chair.

Charity couldn't decide which she found more revolting - the sight of Chloe flirting with Randolph or the idea that her precious time capsule was being marketed as Randolph's "golden opportunity." Either way, Charity was glad she hadn't eaten lunch.

"My bank represents several museum foundations and we are always on the lookout for worthy historical societies in need of financial subsidies. A time capsule like this is a one in a million find," Chloe assured him.

"Then you should be subsidizing me," Randolph fumed. "In case Peter didn't mention it, I own the time capsule, not the WALPOCS!"

"Yes, yes, he did mention it," Chloe glossed over the fact as quickly as possible. "But, unfortunately, our funds cannot be made available to individuals. You understand, the potential for misappropriation of funds by the more unscrupulous�"

Randolph cut Chloe off abruptly, her charm only getting her so far.

"Then, I shall have to carry on without your funds, Mrs. Scarbrow," Randolph snapped, inadvertently grazing Sophie with a verbal bullet by addressing Chloe as Mrs. Scarbrow.

Though she tried not to let it bother her, Sophie blanched slightly and Peter noticed immediately, cringing inwardly at the attack.

Too incensed to realize he'd scored an unintentional hit, Randolph exclaimed furiously, "My hotel will be built!"

"But what if you could have both?" Chip interjected smoothly, taking his cue.

"And how would I do that?" Randolph's sarcasm was beginning to exasperate even Chip, who considered himself fairly impervious to the world's more abrasive personality types.

"Sell the assets but reap the benefits," Chip intoned with more than a hint of deviousness.

"I beg your pardon�" Randolph was desperately trying to follow the bouncing ball, determined to succeed in this battle of wits.

"Right now, you're planning on digging up that capsule, tossing it in the trash and building according to these plans. Correct?" Chip asked succinctly.

"Correct," Randolph stated flatly.

"But, according to these plans, Randolph, the time capsule lies here," Chloe pointed to the sketches, "directly under this maintenance corridor and only three feet away from this area marked 'tranquility garden."

"Yes, yes, what of it?" Randolph asked.

"Well, if you were to shorten the width of the corridor, the time capsule would lie in the tranquility garden and there would be no need to unearth it," Chloe explained.

"And why would I want to go to all that trouble," Randolph charged.

"Money�profits�publicity beyond your wildest dreams�" Chip enticed.

"But�but�how�?" Randolph was definitely intrigued.

"The Colorado Springs Grand Hotel�home of one of the few remaining artifacts of our national heritage�preserved through an endowment from the Smithsonian Institute�" Gesturing, Chip splayed the banner headline across the air with all the bravado he possessed.

Randolph was speechless as he looked upwards, mesmerized by the potential value of Chip's invisible marquee.

"No other hotel in the city will be able to make that claim," Chloe urged.

"What exactly are you proposing?" Randolph sighed, his attitude beginning to soften.

"A lease," Peter answered strongly, ready to lay his cards on the table.

"For the next twenty-two years, the land comprising the tranquility garden of your hotel, including the time capsule of 1872, will be owned and managed exclusively by the Women's Auxiliary League for the Preservation of Colorado Springs," Peter began his well-rehearsed speech.

Continuing assuredly, Peter announced, "During that time, the WALPOCS will be in one hundred percent control of any and all decision-making concerning said garden and the time capsule."

"In return," Peter added, before Randolph could offer any objections, "the hotel will be allowed to use the time capsule, its storied history, and a list of all prominent museum sponsors, in any publicity campaigns, marketing brochures or print advertising that it wishes. A small garden admittance fee of ten dollars or less - subject to inflation, naturally - will also be allowed."

"Think of it, Randolph," Chip urged, practically salivating at the promotional potential. "You could hold a raffle�each guest having the opportunity to register for a free stay at the hotel when the capsule is unearthed. Be there for the unveiling�Enter every time you visit�"

Peter was smiling broadly now, remembering how infectious Chip's effervescence could be. Chip had been a good friend once and with this impressive display, Peter realized now that he, actually, still was.

Peter looked slyly over in Chloe's direction. She was grinning, too, amused to see Chip so deeply invested in Peter's cause. Peter winked furtively at Chloe and the glance they shared meant the world to her...Peter's approval meant the world to her.

Sophie watched the interaction between Peter and Chloe with cautious interest. Something was up with those two. Sophie wasn't jealous exactly. No, her confidence in Peter's love had never been stronger. It was more like she was missing a piece of the puzzle. Something Peter hadn't told her. Well, if he didn't tell her tonight, maybe she'd just have to weasel it out of him�Sophie's eyes twinkled with imagination.

"I could market the capsule myself," Randolph thought aloud. "Why do I need the WALPOCS?"

"You could�" Chloe drawled sweetly, "but without the historical clout of the WALPOCS and the indisputable reputation of any museum funding they're able to receive, I'm afraid your claims might be looked upon rather suspiciously�

"Just another charlatan claiming George Washington slept here�" Chloe sighed for effect.

In spite of herself, the corners of Charity's mouth began to turn upwards at Chloe's dramatic overkill.

"And at the end of the twenty-two years?" Randolph asked, staking his claim.

"Once the time capsule has been successfully retrieved, its contents will be exhibited on permanent display in Old Town. Ownership of the tranquility garden will then revert entirely back to you," Peter promised, pulling out the necessary documents for Randolph's signature.

"You, of course, will be free to mention the story of its unusual past and our little arrangement in any way you choose," Peter offered as added enticement.

"I see an historical gallery in the lobby, photographs of generations of Lodges proudly lining the walls�" Chip was unstoppable now.

"And what do you have to say about all this Mrs. Mitchell?" Randolph observed. "You've been exceptionally quiet throughout this entire presentation."

As he waited for Charity's reply, Randolph observed warily, "A partnership between a Lodge and a Lawson will, by its very nature, be tempestuous."

Rising as bravely as one might approach the guillotine, Charity accepted the proposal and offered her handshake, suggesting wryly, "Then the tranquility garden will have its work cut out for it, won't it�?"

And so, with a flourish of pens and signatures, worthy of any peace treaty in recorded history, the fate of the Colorado Springs Time Capsule of 1872 was secured and preserved for what was bound to be a stormy twenty-two years.

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Re: A Journey Home - ch. 22 -- dqfan, 09:46:37 03/25/03 Tue
- Re: A Journey Home - ch. 23(Final) -- dqfan, 09:51:00 03/25/03 Tue