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Date Posted: 19:35:51 03/05/01 Mon
Author: Kelley
Subject: Crossroads--Chapter 33

Hope yall don't mind but I decided to go ahead and post another chapter of my fanfic along with the rest of them here
:) Enjoy and have a great weekend :)

Kel

Chapter 33

They walked quietly for a half a block, merely enjoying one another's company until Mike decided to break the
silence.

"So would you like to go for a drive?? The night's still young." he asked.

"Sure Mike. I'd love to. We can go see some of the Salem Sights and maybe stop for some ice cream or something."

"Great. we'll take my car and I'll drive you back here and follow you home."

"Sounds good. Lead the way Dr. Horton." Mike smiled at her with the amazing smile she had seen so many times
before.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Driving along in the silence, they listened to the radio, enjoying the night breeze nipping at them.

"I have a surprise to show you." He didn't know whether to tell her or not but he decided to go ahead.

"Oh Really? What is it? Or should I ask where is it?" she inquired.

"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise now would it Miss Brady?" A mischievious grin spread across his face.

"Alright fine be that way but don't pester me with whatever it is that I get you for your birthday, got it?"

Mike laughed at her comeback to him. The last few months he had noticed she had become more calm and more
together than he had seen her in months. He believed she was coming full circle. He remembered back to the days
when she was so lost and unsure of herself, never knowing what to do or where her life would take her. She seemed
to have direction again and the spirit in her eyes had returned.

They drove in silence for awhile longer until they pulled around a corner and into a driveway of some sort. It was pitch
dark except for Mike's headlights in front of them. He got out and went to open her door. As she got out, she smelled
that rain wasn't far off. A nice thunderstorm would be coming through soon, she was sure.

He took her hand and led her up a small hill where they came upon an abandoned Victorian House. She couldn't see
it very well but could tell it was Victorian by the shadows that her eyes adjusted to in the night sky.

"Mike.. it's.. beautiful. How did you find this place? I've lived in Salem practically all my life and never knew it existed.
You know a lot of secret hideaways." She looked over at him, looking at the house. He looked back at her.

"Well.. Sometimes when I used to feel everything in the world was against me I'd get out at night and just drive
aimlessly all over Salem. My friends were just immature idiots that didn't understand sometimes, so I would get out
and just drive and think about what I wanted to with my life. I felt like I owned the world out here on the open roads
at night when the rest of the Salem was asleep."

Mike realized he was rambling and looked down, feeling rather foolish. He didn't give her a chance to say anything
and led her up the steps to the porch where they sat in a very old worn swing that still appeared to be holding. They
sat in the darkness, content in knowing they were only the two people around.

He slowly rocked them, swaying back and forth in the soft light wind. She had closed her eyes a bit, enjoying the
moment. Mike looked over at her, seeing her soft face illuminated in the moonlight. He reached over, and simply took
her hand and pulled it over to his knee. Nothing was said, nor did he think about it, he just wanted to hold it.

She sat there, rocking back and forth with her eyes closed, just soaking up the time spent with Mike. Things had
completely changed for her since her mother's accident months ago. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder and wish
sometimes that her mother was there to help her when she needed it. Sometimes there were only times that a mother
would be the only one you could tell or ask for help with something. Then, she just merely let herself let go of
everything. She felt Mike take her hand and pull it to him and for the first time, it felt.. okay. She didn't say anything,
just let it happen.

They sat there for awhile longer enjoying the silence. Finally after about a half hour she decided to break it.

"Mike.. " the voice startled the quietness that surrounded them.

"Hmm??" He had his head back on the swing, so peaceful looking and calm.

"Do you.. think... you will ever fall in love again?" It was just something she was curious about. She put her feet up on
the swing in the space next to him and turned towards him, reclining against the side of the swing. He took her feet
and places them in his lap, smiling at her.

The question threw him off guard. He wasn't quite sure how to answer it considering he was falling in love with..... her.


"Yes.. I do."

"But.. you sound so sure. How do you know for certain?"

"I really don't know how. It's just a feeling deep within me that you just sort of.. know. I believe God has a plan for
everyone and if it's meant to be for a person to find someone I think their heart will tell them. Why do you ask?"

He looked at her, seeing the look in her face. She was questioning whether she would fall in love again after Austin.
He knew it in his heart but didn't say anything. He waited curiously for her response.

She got up out of the swing and went over to the banister to look out at the darkness.

"I don't know. I hear so many people say they love being single and that it's the greatest feeling in the world. I enjoy it
but I don't think I want to stay single forever. I just sometimes.. want to be close to someone. I want to fall in love and
be in love with them. I just sometimes wonder when and if it will ever happen for me again." A single tear escaped,
making it's way down her soft cheek.

He stood and walked over to her.

"Carrie.. look at me..." he took her chin in his hands and pulled her to face him. The moment he saw her tears, his
heart fell.

"I think.. if you believe in your heart it can happen, it will. Don't look for it. It's cliched but it's true when people say
that love will find you when you least expect it. I know you want that feeling again Carrie, but don't rush yourself."

"I know.. I just wish.." She stopped, not knowing if she could continue.

"You just wish you could find the man you would spend the rest of your life with, right?"

"yes. but how did you???..."

"I've thought the same thing, only with the woman of course.. " He half smiled.

She laughed and looked up, wiping her tears away.

"Thanks Mike, you always know how to make me feel better."

"Good.. that's what doctors are for isn't it? To make people feel better." She smiled slightly.

The quietness once again enveloped them as he took her hands in his. Their eyes met. Something was beginning to
shift between them but neither one could explain it, and neither wanted to.

He slowly inched towards her, wanting to kiss her but backed away, not wanting to put his feelings for her on top of
her. He could feel a pull to her though, something he hadn't felt before. Could she be .. having feelings for me???? He
wondered but put the thought out of his mind.

Mike led her off the porch and back to his car before they had any more time to think about it. Thinking made things
too complicated.

Carrie was breathless as she felt him so close to her but when he backed away she found her breath again. Why am I
feeling this way??? he would think you're the worlds biggest idiot Carrie. Forget it. but.. why did I just feel.. that he ..
wanted to .. kiss me????" Before she had anymore time to consider the answer, he took her hand and led her back to
the car.

They drove back to the hospital in silence, neither knowing exactly what to say and also just enjoying each other's
company. The silence between them never seemed awkward, but more comfortable. Back to the real world it was.

She was always grateful to Mike for taking her on these little adventures. She always found herself surprised by what
he does, where he takes her. And he was always mystified by the woman Carrie Brady was. Just when he always
thought he had her pegged she did something that threw his certainty about her off.

The rest of the drive they just drove. Mike took her hand and just held it for the remaining drive back.

He got out of his car and opened the door for her. As she got out he held her coat that she had given him. He helped
her into it and afterwards pulled her into a hug.

"You will find him Carrie." She smiled at his remark.

"Thanks Mike.. I certainly appreciate all that you've done for me. Oh and thanks for dinner. We will have to do it
again soon.. if that is .. you're not too busy."

"You just got yourself a date Miss Brady. There will be lots of meetings about the fundraiser I'm sure. I am quite
excited about the idea you thought of for it. I would love to meet some of those kids soon."

"Great! I’d love to introduce you to some of the kids I’ve met.” Carrie looked down, not knowing quite what else to
say. The awkwardness returned once again. It was such a strange feeling.

“So um.. I guess.. I’ll see you at work tomorrow???”

"Of course.. I don't have anyplace else I'd rather be than working to save people's lives. Oh by the way do you want
me to follow you home??"

She slightly laughed and refused his offer.

"No that's okay Mike, I know you're pretty tired and I'll be fine but thanks for offering." She smiled.

"Okay if you're sure Carrie." He waved as she started walking to her car.

"I'm sure. See you tomorrow." she opened the car door.

"Bye!" He waved to her as she got in her car and drove away. He got back into his own car, eager to start yet
another day, seeing her. He smiled at that last thought and drove towards home.

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