Turn for Home

by Lara Zielinsky

  "That is good news." Brenna took her seat.

  Cassidy watched as something intangible passed between Brenna and Will, then Brenna dipped her chin in acknowledgment of something he said quietly. Will took his seat next to her with a light brush of his hand over hers. Cassidy flashed back to Brenna's revelation that the two had a brief affair a little more than eighteen months ago.

  Forcing her mind from the disturbing thought, Cassidy was sitting down when she heard Brenna's voice again, this time filled with great warmth and surprise.

  "Max! Brady?"

  Cassidy glanced at Brenna and saw her face light up. Unable to resist, Cassidy turned around to study the two men, new faces to her, now standing in the doorway.

  "Good to see you again, Bren." The older man, dark-haired and redwood-tall, quickly circled the table and enfolded Brenna in a bear hug as she came to her feet.

  "No one told me you were in this one, Max."

  "When I won the casting call, I asked them to keep it quiet so I could surprise you."

  Cassidy noticed how Brenna patted him affectionately before she turned to the younger man, also dark-haired but leaner in build. His facial features were similar to Max's. He stepped up to Brenna, who had to look up about six inches to meet his gaze. Brenna's next words caught Cassidy off guard again.

  "My God, you're your father twenty years ago. James and Thomas would love to see you." Brenna wrapped both arms around Brady's neck, hugging him while kissing his cheek. "You both have to come to the house." Turning to Max, she asked, "Did Mary come with you?"

  Max shook his head. "I'm afraid I'm at the mercy of the commissary or take-out this time. Mary's with her mother on a cruise in the South Pacific."

  Brenna could not seem to take her eyes from Max for very long, nor from Brady next to him. She asked after Brady's studies, surprised to hear small parts like this guest role weren't a lark, but that he had chosen to go into acting. "My old man has so much fun at it," he finished, "I thought I'd check it out."

  "Do you like it?" Cassidy asked.

  Brenna beamed at her as Brady turned to answer Cassidy's question. "I've only done a few roles. Dad's helped pick them out, and advised me a couple of times, but overall, yes, I do."

  Max and Brady circled the table shaking hands, trading greetings and introductions. The social conversation ended as the director and the episode's writer appeared. It was Cassidy's turn to be startled, though not in a good way. "Cameron?"

  Cameron Palassis, one of the studio's writers, had been moved off the series early in December. She had ended her intimate relationship with him at the same time.

  The last time she had seen him, he had pawed her in public and made them both a spectacle at the studio holiday party. Now he did not look at her. Instead he kept a guarded expression trained on Will Chapman and Terry Brown, who both had stood as he entered the room.

  Either ignoring the standoff, or oblivious to it, director Jackson Tierson pulled out the chair at the head of the table. "Let's start."

  The cast settled around the table to begin reading through the newest script. Across the table, Cassidy found Brenna's gaze, watched her smile fade into an uncertain frown as she looked at Max before following the page as Terry's voice started on the opening line.

  Chris: Lieutenant, I thought I was taking the point position.

  Susan: Heatherly was spotted this time. I'm going.

  Chris: Creighton?

  Creighton: The commander is joining us.

  Chris: Right.

  There is a Vortex effect and briefly everyone vanishes from sight. Raycreek is standing aside with a smile. Luria at the console reacts to a bad reading.

  Luria: Interference at the reception site. I'm going to reverse the stream, bring them back.

  Raycreek: You will not, Lieutenant. Wait for the recall signal.

  A console light begins flashing.

  Luria: Damn it!

  Luria performs the recall protocol. The Vortex effect is radically different and when it clears, there are four people on the platform: Chris, Creighton, Susan lakes (prime) and Susan lakes (alt), who is considerably older.

  Max let out a low whistle. "Two of you," he said to Brenna. "Yum."

  "And you won't get either one," she teased.

  "Damn," he said with a laugh.

  Cassidy's stomach flip-flopped as Brenna laughed along with him. It was good to see her lover happy, but she was surprised at her own spurt of jealousy. She wondered who, exactly, was Max.

  "So, wanna do some blocking?" Max asked.

  "Cass?" Brenna looked at her.

  "I'm just going to my trailer to work on my lines." She wondered whether Brenna would come with her. After all, it had been a week since they'd been together.

  However, Brenna didn't pick up on her unspoken invitation, or was declining, since she looked up at Max and then answered Cassidy, "All right. I'll see you when we're done."

  Cassidy watched in surprise as Brenna put her hand on Max's offered elbow and walked away. All the while, she tried to tell herself that Max was obviously an old friend, and Brenna probably wanted to spend time catching up. It didn't cure the ache, but it did galvanize Cassidy into moving off in the other direction.

  Chapter 3

  A reporter stopped Cassidy outside, requesting "a few minutes". Taking him at his word, she led him to her trailer steps, sat down, and gave a simple interview.

  Finally she entered her trailer to get some memorization done. Just nearing the end, she heard her stomach rumble, suggesting she find some lunch. Before she could leave, Cassidy heard a knock at the door. She hoped it would be Brenna.

  Cassidy definitely wanted them to do something together off set, like get something to eat, just not too far away. Maybe doing some clothes shopping afterward. And then they could come back to the lot and pick up Ryan from Karen.

  However, the visitor at her door proved to be a Peter Murray, who said he was with the Virginia Dispatch newspaper.

  "Ms. Hyland?" he asked.

  "Yes?"

  "I'd like to ask you some questions about the series and the final wrap. Do you have a few minutes?"

  Hoping it would be only a few minutes, she didn't invite him inside. Leaning against the railing alongside her trailer steps, she said, "All right."

  He started off by asking whether she had been enjoying the work. She answered by rote until a question came out of the blue.

  "Do you have a favorite designer shop in the mall?"

  Since she had just been thinking about clothes, she wondered whether she had said something out loud. Cassidy gave him her full attention. "Excuse me?"

  "I was picking up gifts for my kids at the mall, and I spotted you at the food court."

  "Me?"

  "You are quite recognizable." He gestured toward the set. "So is she."

  "Lanigan?"

  "Yes. This is her, right?" He held out a small photograph. It had been taken at the food court at the mall when they all were there the day after Christmas. Centered in the frame, she and Brenna were leaning over a table, passing out food. "Who are the kids, yours or hers?"

  "The two teens are hers," she supplied evenly, knowing lying would be stupid. She began thinking of ways to convince him to give her the picture — and the negatives. "The youngest is mine." She hadn't even seen a flash go off. Well, she reasoned, I was distracted. At least it wasn't when they had their heads bent together, quietly discussing Thomas and James.

  "Ms. Hyland, the general belief is that the two of you hardly speak. I'd like the scoop if that's changed."

  "Working hard together creates friendships in the toughest situations, Mr. Murray." She vaguely recalled Brenna saying something similar months ago.

  "So you were just Christmas shopping together?"

  "Yes," she answered. "Mind if I show her the photo?"

  He stepped back from her outstretched hand. "That's all I needed," he said hastily. "Thank you for your time."

  Cassidy watched hi
m leave then, feeling a presence, spoke to the shadow behind her left shoulder. "I was waiting for the right moment to get the picture," she said. She did not have to turn to know the hard look Brenna had shot the reporter went slack.

  "Picture? All I saw was your face go pale—"

  "How can you tell under the makeup?"

  "You're not wearing any, and neither am I." Brenna's expression turned tender as her voice became softer, private. "I learned to pay attention. I care."

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap." There was silence as their eyes met. Cassidy swallowed. "I was thinking about doing something with you, now I'm not so sure."

  "Why?"

  "I didn't get the pictures from him."

  Brenna raised an eyebrow in query. "Pictures of...?"

  "Us at the mall with the kids."

  "We can explain that easily, right?"

  "But how many more are out there?" Cassidy fretted.

  "Would it really harm anything to be seen out shopping together? Or having dinner?"

  "Bren..."

  "Why don't we go out after work? It might be fun. Nothing intimate, just shopping, a little dinner. Someplace nearby." Brenna shook her head, her hair in such disarray around her features that when she looked up, she had to brush the locks behind an ear to see Cassidy.

  "Why don't we go back to the set, work on some walk throughs, and then call it a day?"

  "I'd like that."

  "You need to meet Max," Brenna said.

  "Do I?" Cassidy asked, hoping her jealousy wasn't evident in her voice.

  "He's got a wicked sense of humor."

  Cassidy smiled at Brenna's gaze, all for her. "All right. Let's go-Hours later, Cassidy understood a little of what Max was to Brenna. They'd been walking through several different scenes, and though Brenna hadn't memorized her lines, her interactions based on Max's cues were spot on, and he had the uncanny ability to pull spontaneity from Brenna. Out of the corner of her eye, Cassidy saw someone walk through carrying a coat. It made her think of the time. Looking at her watch, she said, "It's after four."

  Immediately Brenna stopped talking to Max. Cassidy resisted the desire to smile broadly as Brenna turned to her. "You ready?"

  "Been ready," Cassidy answered.

  Brenna said to Max, "I'll catch you for dinner another night. I've got a date."

  "Really?"

  Brenna couldn't contain her pleasure. "Yes."

  Cassidy saw the surprise on his face, but if Brenna was unconcerned about his reaction, she decided she could be as well. She casually followed Brenna out of the soundstage.

  Once they were outside, Cassidy pulled out her cell phone and dialed Karen Grinaldi, letting the caregiver watching Ryan know they would be off the studio lot for a few hours. Karen assured her everything would be fine, and Ryan would be waiting for them whenever they were finished.

  Chapter 4

  "I do. I think it's a good script." Cassidy lifted her glass of chardonnay to her lips. A light smile touched Brenna's bow-shaped lips and the candlelight from the small tea light between them on the table flickered in the darkening blue. Cassidy blushed. In a low voice, she commented, "You're staring."

  Brenna shrugged. "You're beautiful."

  Brenna's voice was pitched just as soft, but its huskiness rolled over Cassidy with palpable effect as her groin convulsed.

  They had found this little jazz place only a few blocks from the studio and after their afternoon spent perusing shops without anyone interrupting their time together Cassidy had begun to relax. No one seemed to be following them. She was still concerned about Mr. Peter Murray and those like him, but it was hard to worry when Brenna seemed so happy.

  The musical interlude from the band made their words private, even if their looks and touches couldn't be. "When you talk like that," Cassidy said, "this is the perfect setting."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Your voice, it makes me...actually made me from the very beginning, think of smoky jazz clubs."

  "You'd be the torch singer," Brenna corrected. "God, when I recall 'Hold Tight'..."

  "You liked that?"

  "Loved it. I think I half fell in love with you. The looks you gave me didn't help."

  "I liked the song, too."

  "It felt like you were singing to me. I checked to be sure you hadn't rewritten the lyrics."

  "I hadn't, but I felt something then, too," Cassidy admitted.

  Brenna shook her head and Cassidy found herself watching the firelight dance among the brown and red strands of her hair. Apparently she was quiet and thoughtful too long, as Brenna broke the silence with concern.

  "Cass?"

  "Yes?"

  "Something wrong?"

  "No, everything is right." She started to reach across the table to clasp Brenna's hand resting just to the outside of her wine glass, but stopped. Looking up again, she added, "I'm glad we decided to do this."

  Brenna nodded. "Me too."

  The music stopped and there was a commotion as the vocalist headlining the evening at the tiny jazz club took the stage after her break. Cassidy shifted her chair around the table so she could watch the performer; it was no coincidence that it also gave her an excuse to sit closer to Brenna. She caught Brenna's smile and returned it as their hands joined under the table.

  The floor before the stage slowly filled with couples as the sultry voice began with a danceable jazz standard. "I wish we dared to dance." Brenna's breath brushed over Cassidy's throat as she spoke close and very low in order to be unheard by others.

  "Should we finish our drinks and go?"

  "Not just yet. It's still early. Maybe after this set."

  Leaning back a little, Cassidy saw Brenna move closer, then freeze. Slowly Brenna moved again. She lifted her left hand awkwardly between them and shifted a lock of her own hair as if she was putting it back in place, though it hadn't moved. Cassidy realized that Brenna had just barely stopped herself from resting her head against Cassidy's shoulder.

  "More wine?" Brenna asked, reaching forward to fill her glass from the bottle in an ice bucket at the table.

  "If I have any more, I won't be responsible for my actions."

  Brenna groaned as Cassidy accompanied her words by easing her right arm onto Brenna's lower back. She looked around quickly then let out a breath, hopeful the low lighting was keeping their intimacy unnoticed.

  Cassidy leaned back and sipped on her wine, letting the music and the ambiance wash over her. Brenna's weight gradually eased against her body.

  A small frenzy erupted at the entrance, drawing their attention as well as everyone else's when a couple popular with the paparazzi entered. The club's security quickly stymied the press, but the flashes continued from outside for several minutes.

  Brenna moved away, and with a sidelong glance, Cassidy could see that Brenna had drawn in on herself. She herself was also concerned about the possibility of them being caught in the attention. "Do you want to go?" she asked.

  Biting her lip so long that Cassidy wanted to kiss it and make it better, Brenna finally nodded and said, "I'll go get the car."

  "I'll pay the tab and meet you across the street at the garage in about five minutes."

  Brenna stood quickly and ducked past a waiter walking by their table. The next sighting Cassidy had, Brenna was beside the short corridor leading to the rest rooms. She was able to track her to the front door, approaching it from the opposite site of the club. Cassidy shook her head and discreetly waved down the next waitperson. "I'd like my check, please."

  The young brunette nodded and disappeared briefly. When she reappeared, she wore a small frown. "There are two dinners here."

  "Yes. Thank you." Cassidy did not explain, simply handing over her credit card.

  A slight frown still marring her features, the waitperson stepped away, returning in a few minutes with the credit slip. Cassidy signed the slip and withdrew a few bills as she put the credit card in her wallet. She handed the money to the young w
oman. "Thank you for a pleasant evening."

  "You're welcome."

  Cassidy made her way outside with only a brief stop at the front door by a reporter who noticed her despite his tracking of the other couple inside. "Have a nice evening, Miss Hyland?"

  "Very nice. Always excellent service," she added, though this was the first time she had been to this club, which was why she and Brenna had chosen it.

  As she gained her bearings, looking up and down the street, another question came.

  "Out on your own this evening?"

  Past the flash of his camera, for which she automatically froze, Cassidy spotted Brenna's Mountaineer about a block away. "Yes, of course. Good night."

  The hasty retreat unfortunately drew more attention as the single reporter started after her and his flurry of motion drew other eyes. She quickly crossed to the other side of the street, hoping to lose herself in the shadows between the streetlights before crossing back to meet up with Brenna.

  The Mountaineer was stopped at a light and Cassidy wondered if Brenna could see that she was being followed. When the light changed, the SUV went on through instead of turning down the street toward her. Cassidy exhaled as her heart rate increased. It would be up to her to catch up to her ride.

  She ducked into the parking garage, searching through the darkness for the way to the other street exit. Crowd noises and shouted questions behind her drew her gaze backward. The security guard for the garage, meaty and fit for the job, looked small against the wall of surging reporters. Cassidy ducked around a support post and found her solitary way to the other exit.

  The SUV door was already open, Brenna leaning toward the passenger seat.

  "Everything all right?" Brenna asked with a frown.

  Her question turned Cassidy around from looking over her shoulder.

  "Yes." Cassidy pulled herself quickly into the vehicle and shut the door. "Let's go."

  Brenna's hand on hers gradually slowed her heart rate as the SUV moved them further and further away from the scene.

  Brenna had also nearly relaxed by the time she pulled the SUV into the Pinnacle Studios lot. The gate guard nodded them through, and she parked outside of the pool of illumination provided by a light pole.