Micki and Carey spent Saturday rearranging things in the house. They brought out some extra blankets from the attic for Carey's room, and did some furniture reorganizing.

Ben Kingsley pulled into the driveway at about 6 o clock. When he knocked at the door, Carey was the one who let him in since Micki was in the back of the house. When she walked back out it was to find Ben standing in her livingroom talking to Carey.

"Mr. Kingsley," she nodded towards him, giving her now typical greeting.

"Hello," he answered evenly. Then turning to Carey he said " Carey, would you mind excusing us for a minute?"

Carey smiled, "Of course not." Who's side is she on anyway? Micki thought to herself as the younger woman walked by with a Mona Lisa smile.

Turning cool eyes on Ben, Micki waited.

He met her cool gaze head on. "Micki, if I may still call you that. I really like you. I have since I first met you. I thought last Saturday that those feelings were returned. Are they?" His expression was so earnest that Micki began to feel physically ill. Had he no shame?

"Why?" she asked him "What does it matter?"

He blinked "What do you mean , what does it matter?"

"Are we even speaking the same language, Mr. Kingsley?" Micki snapped making his name sound like an insult. "Won't Gennifer mind?"

Ben looked at her for a second and then threw back his head and laughed. Grabbing her hand he pulled her towards the door "Come on," he said.

"Come on where?" Micki protested.

"Come on and meet Gennifer. She can't wait to meet you. And from the looks of things, the feeling is mutual."

"You are disgusting!" she said pulling away

"NO I think you have me beat in that department," he grabbed her again.

Micki gasped at the gall of the man. So shocked was she that she forgot to fight him and the next thing she knew he'd shoved her into the bronco. When she regained her senses she attempted an escape.

"Micki, I suggest you sit still or I'll have to kiss you." he threatened. "On second thought ..." he said turning back towards her.

Micki felt herself becoming caught in those eyes and felt herself falling again.

"I'm not married, Micki " he whispered.

"Neither am I " Micki responded just as softly. Ben chuckled then turned serious again. "You know a guy could fall in love with you."

Her heart jumped and she lowered her eyes shyly. Suddenly becoming interested in her hands, which were becoming harder to see in the fading light.

Ben raised a hand to tilt her face up towards his. Her eyes met his again, then drifted shut as their lips met. Her head began to spin. Her arms went around his neck and shoulders. Her heart was pounding in her ears. When he released her mouth, she seemed to have lost the ability to string two words together.

"I hope you didn't mind." Ben said after a few seconds of silence.

"No I didn't mind" Micki said in a low confused voice, unable to look at him.

"Good," he said with amusement in his voice "Then, may we go?"

Micki simply nodded.

Ben closed the passenger door and crossed to the drivers side, started the truck and continued on down the street.

"I'm not dressed." Micki finally stated "Look at me, I look awful." She was looking in disgust down at her old jeans and sweatshirt and tennis shoes.

"You look wonderful to me" Ben replied.

"Where are we going anyway?" Micki asked .

"Boy, you sure do have a short memory," Ben mocked her "tell me what day it is? Do you know?"

"Very funny, Ben," Micki laughed "Now seriously, tell me where we are going?"

"Well, it's like I told you we're going to see Gennifer, she really can't wait to meet you, you know."

"O.K., but who is she? Is she your sister? your aunt? your mother? your roommate?"

Ben's smile grew with each relation Micki named. "I think I'm going to have to surprise you" he finally said.

"Enough surprises for one day," Micki said softly.

Ben was silent for a minute then he spoke, "Gennifer is my daughter."

Micki's silent "oh" hung in the air for a second and then, "How old is she?"

Micki heard the smile in his voice "She's four years old, her mother died when she was just a baby."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Micki said sympathetically. "Was she ill?"

"No," he answered. "Accident," and left it at that.

Not much was said after that for the rest of the ride. Micki wondered if he were thinking of his late wife.

They soon pulled onto a paved drive which continued on to a house partially hidden by trees, and then continued to the back and to a garage. Micki had to physically restrain herself to keep her jaw from dropping.

When they were out of the Bronco and on the steps leading to the door, Ben turned to her and whispered "once more" very softly.

When their lips met there was the same head-whirling excitement. Micki swayed toward him, and his arms went about her, gently encircling her slim form.

So lost were they in the kiss that the did not notice the sound of the door opening.

A little voice promptly began giggling.

They jumped apart. Micki was mortified. Involuntarily, she stepped behind Ben in embarrassment. This was not a good idea since it caused her to fall down the three steps to the cement floor of the garage.

Ben tried to catch her but as she was behind him his hold was awkward at best and she simply slipped from his grasp and hit the cement below, her head brushing a clay flower pot.

A sharp screamed echoed through the garage as if from a distance. Micki couldn't be sure whether it had issued from her on lips, or elsewhere. She remained down for an additional stunned second, before her brained seemed to kick back in.

"Micki, are you all right?" she heard Ben asking near her ear. His voice was full of concern.

"Sure, I'm fine," she said softly, eyes closed "Only broke my pride."

With Ben's help she got to her feet, albeit, a bit stiffly. Gazing up she saw a beautiful curly haired little girl at the top of the steps looking so worried. Working up her best smile she gave the little girl a wink.

The little one smiled back in relief, a small featured Hispanic woman stood behind her.

Micki started to say something but the muscles in the vicinity of her mouth were no longer working.

Ben, who had been watching her strangely, hurriedly spoke to the woman, "Angelina, carry Gennifer in to bed, please."

Micki looked at him in confusion. Now why had he done that? But, goodness her head itched, raising a hand to the side of her head she felt wetness. Looking at the red stained fingers she drew back from her head merely confused her. Looking up at Ben she saw a slight....panic?... in his eyes. He was speaking but she couldn't make out what he was saying as a loud rushing sound drowned out his words. There was a tingling somewhere in the back of her head then....nothing...

"Micki? are you okay?" Ben was asked for the third time. The blood on her hands was frightening him, but he needed to get her back to the truck. But she didn't appear to understand what he was saying. She merely look at him, then blinked once, twice and then on the third blink her eyes remained closed and she swayed. He caught her up into his arms and ran for the bronco.

Ben broke countless laws on the 10 minute ride to the hospital, all the while frantic over the woman whose head leaned against his shoulder. Reaching the emergency entrance, Ben simply braked in the parking lot and pulled her out of the vehicle and ran through the doors.

***

Micki opened her eyes and looked directly into those of Benjamin Kingsley. "Hey, Ben-jammin'" Micki smiled, laughing at her own humor. "Ben-jammin'", she whispered again on a heavy sigh, "are you a bad luck charm or what? Hmmm...what do you have in store for me next weekend?"

Ben frowned down at her, not sure what he should say, if anything. Did she blame him? Maybe she was right. He cleared his throat and spoke up, "Micki, the doctor's want to hold you over night for observation. I've called Carey, so you don't need to worry about anything."

"You always take care of everything, Ben-jammin' how come...how come you're so fuzzy?" giggle. "Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear, fuzzy wuzzy, fizzy, " another giggle. "You know a girl could fall in love with you been jammin" With that Micki fell asleep.

Ben stood there grinning sillily down at her sleeping form. What was it about this girl that turned his heart inside out? He couldn't figure, so he went out to call Angelina to see how Gennifer was doing.

The next morning Micki was released from the hospital with stern warnings about taking it easy. Ben and Carey both arrived to pick her up.

"Hiya Crip!," Carey exclaimed when she saw her cousin seated on the hospital bed, a large white bandage plastered to her head.

"Hello, Micki," Ben followed the younger woman. "I'll leave you two while I pull the truck around."

"Thanks Ben, you really didn't have to do this." Micki was unable to hold back the smile that pulled across her lips.

He looked back her almost shyly. "Yes, I did," he responded. Then he was gone.

No sooner had he stepped out of the door than Carey began to barrage her with questions. "What in the world happened to you, Micki?! Did this Gennifer person whack ya with a brick?"

Micki looked at her cousin and just laughed. "Oh Carey, I love you," she said, and left it there.

Oh, no you don't," Carey said suspiciously. "You're not getting off so easily. What happened? Really?"

"Why, Carey? You know the basics, isn't that enough?" "You were hospitalized for a blow to the head!" Carey exclaimed. "You worry me half out of my mind. Besides, I could black mail you. I'm sure your mom would love to know who you were with when it happened. Hell! She'd probably like to know it happened it all!" Carey crossed her arms, a smug smile on her lips.

Micki glared at her, then sighed. "All right, if you have to know. I fell down the steps because Ben..."

Carey drew in a sharp breath. "What did he do? Did he push you?!"

"No!" Micki exclaimed. "I fell because --" she paused, burying her face in her hands.

"What? What?" Carey was practically bouncing.

Micki raised both hands, fending off the younger woman's questions. Then continued. "He was --" sigh "Kissing me and someone opened the door. It scared me. I hid behind him. I forgot that there wasn't a railing. He tried to catch me but I must have been out of his reach and so I fell and crushed one of his flower pots with my head. Okay Carey? Happy now?"

Carey stood, attempting to control herself. Then, giving up entirely, she burst into unrestrained laughter. Gasping for breath, she got out a few words. "I'm glad you're okay Mick. But really, you're supposed to throw yourself at the guy, not off his porch!"

"My sentiments exactly," Ben said, stepping back into the room.

Micki's face flushed hot with embarrassment, and she threw Carey an evil look before attempting to change the subject.

Ben dropped Carey and Micki off, refusing to leave until he secured a promise that Micki would try dinner again the next weekend. He didn't have to work very hard.

"So, what's the deal between you two?" Carey asked, once inside. "If I'm not miscounting, you've known one another not even two weeks and he looks at you as if he's totally in love and you... we won't even talk about you. What's the deal, Bill?"

"I don't know Carey," Micki sighed. "I just don't know. The man makes me feel so... good. You know, I mean, comfortable, like I've known him forever. Yet so... Oh," she groaned. "I'm losing it."

"I'd say you're losing something," Carey said. "Both of you have all the signs of a very serious case. I get to be maid of honor."

Micki threw a pillow. "You, dear cousin, are nuts! I barely know the guy."

"I know you are, but what am I?" Carey shot back sticking out her tongue. "I'm not the one whose madly in love after two weeks."

Friday arrived at long last. Micki studied herself in the mirror, taking in the clingy lines of the black dressed Carey'd talked her in to buying. Her door popped open, and Carey's head appeared. "Wow, Mick, you look great! I have wonderful taste!" A knock came at the door before Micki could reply.

Carey dashed for it. She exchanged a few greetings with Ben, before stepping back to allow him to enter. She was watching when his eyes settled on Micki.

Micki barely noticed when Carey made herself scarce as her eyes were locked with Ben's transfixed ones. He took the several steps to reach her, and taking both her hands, kissed them. "You are beautiful," he said.

Micki didn't move, just stared back, losing herself in his eyes. Her hands shook uncertainly.

Ben didn't need a verbal reply. Taking her face between his palms as if she were delicate porcelain, he brought his lips softly to hers. The kiss was very sweet and gentle, causing a small sigh to escape her. Her eyes were loathe to open when he pulled away.

Then, as if through some unspoken need, their lips again met. His were firm, demanding, taking her breathe, her mind. When they pulled away this time, both were breathing a bit more heavily.

Clearing his throat, Ben asked Micki if she were ready. She asked where they were going. He said, his place. She asked if there would be any one else there.

"What for?" he asked. "Don't you trust me?" Micki smiled ruefully. "I don't trust myself."

"Yes," he nodded. "Someone else will be there."

When the Bronco pulled into his garage, Micki shot a nervous look at the door before glancing back at Ben. "I'll have to remember to take Carey's advice."

Taking one of her hands, Ben agreed. "Yes, you will," he squeezed a little. "Feel free to throw oneself when ready."

This time when they went up the steps, Micki noticed that there was a rail on the little porch. But Ben did not kiss her, he merely unlocked the door and gestured her in with an exaggerated bow. "Milady."

Micki giggled at him and entered to find herself in a short hallway. Closing the door behind himself, Ben gestured her to the left along a corridor that led through several rooms and ended in a sunken room containing a bar, fireplace and a large window which opened to the large wooded area behind the house.

"Would you like a drink?" Ben asked from the bar. Making her requested glass of water, he told her he'd return shortly and left the room.

In his absence, she wandered the well-decorated space. Had his late wife decorated it? Atop a shelf she found a statue of a black cat with jeweled blue eyes and a mysterious smile.

Fascinated, she picked it up. It was heavier than she'd expected, and very cool to the touch. Turning it, she was surprised to find gold script across the back. "For the one who swallowed the canary."

"Well, no figuring that one out," she murmured to herself, carefully replacing the object. Turning she was surprised to find Ben watching her. She hoped he hadn't heard what she'd said about his cat.

"You know you really look wonderful in that dress," he said, settling her fears, at least the ones that involved the cat.

"Thank you," she said.

"Would you like to, at long last, meet the mysterious Gennifer?"

"I'd love to," she replied and followed him up a stairway and into a room decorated in a muppets motif, with heavy emphasis on Ms. Piggy. The Hispanic woman that Micki remembered from before made ready to leave as they entered the room. Ben stopped her.

"Angelina," he said. "I'd like you to meet Nichola Dupree."

Angelina looked at him oddly, but nodded in Micki's direction before smiling warmly.

Micki returned the smile, immediately liking the petite woman. "It's very nice to meet you."

Angelina smiled more broadly, then proceeded out of the room.

"And this," Ben placed a hand on the curly head that was now looking on with interest. "Is my little lady, Gennifer Ann Kingsley." "How are you Gennifer?" Micki asked the child.

"Fine," Gennifer stated simply.

"My name is Nichola Dupree, but sometimes people call me Micki."

The eyes widened with excitement. "Mickey? Like Mickey Mouse?"

Micki was forced to press her lips together to contain her laughter. "Exactly," she said. Just as Gennifer was gearing up for another round of questions, Ben interrupted. "It's bedtime for you, little one. Perhaps you and Micki could talk another time."

"Will you read me a story?" Gennifer asked, already yawning.

"Of course, honey," Ben responded, helping her get the book. Micki remained in a chair by the door as father and daughter read "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie".

"She's beautiful," Micki was saying as they left the room.

"Yes, she is," he agreed, wrapping her arm around his, he led her to the dining room.

"So where exactly did you get the name Micki?" Ben asked over desert.

Micki looked at him and laughed. "Right. Try again."

"Still not ready to tell, huh?" he grinned challengingly at her.

"Nope," she smiled back.

"I'll bet I could convince you," he offered.

"Yes," Micki nodded, refusing to go down that path. "You probably could." Then changing the subject. "Do you mind if I use your phone. I really need to check on Carey."

"Ahh... sure," he got up and gestured her along another hall and into what appeared to be his office. He left her alone to make the call.

As the phone continued to ring, Micki felt worry growing. Carey finally picked up on the sixth sounding a little breathless. "Hello?"

"Hi. Carey? Everything okay?"

"Yeah," Carey responded, sounding vague.

"Carey?" Worry was drifting into suspicion. "What's going on?"

"Micki, just enjoy your date, okay? I'm fine." Click.

Micki stared at the receiver for a moment, before placing the device back into its cradle. Then, as if coming to a decision, she moved purposely out of the office.

"Ben," she found him back in the dining room. "I have to get back home."

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Um... I'm not sure," she answered, a trace of a frown marring her expression. "I just really need to check in on Carey."

"Couldn't you get through?" he asked, gathering their coats.

"Well, yeah, but she sounded strange. Something doesn't feel right."

"She's a big girl, now," he tried to tease. "I'm sure she can take care of herself. Or do you make her call you mom, too?"

"Look!" she spun on him. "You don't know what you're talking about, so just drop it, okay?"

"Okay," Ben said after a moment of stunned silence. "I'm ready when you are."

The drive home was silent. Micki wasn't ready to apologize for snapping at him, and she was far too worried about what she'd heard in Carey's voice to wonder if she'd overreacted. Ben, on the other hand, didn't want to set her off. So he dutifully did his part, and drove her home.

When her pulled up to hr house, there was a strange car in the driveway. "Want me to wait?" he asked.

When she looked at him, an apology just seemed to slip out of her on its own volition. "Ben, I'm sorry I snapped at you. I was just worried."

'Yeah, I know." he replied, touching her hand in acknowledgment.

"Come with me, please?" she asked.

They heard the music almost as soon as they were out of the Bronco. On entering, Micki was surprised by the scene before her. Two young men were seated on the sofa watching music videos and drinking bear. Both boys ignored she and Ben as they entered into the smoky atmosphere. Micki left the door open to allow the smoke to dissipate.

Carey was no where in sight.

Ben followed as she crossed the living room to reach the kitchen where a light burned. They rounded the corner to find Carey engaged in an intense but angry conversation with a young man with long wavy brown hair. The sound of Micki's heels on the tile seemed to arrest their attention. "Mind introducing us?" she asked stiffly.

"Micki Frank, Frank Micki, Ben Frank, vice versa," Carey said with a half-heartedly wave of her hand. Frank simply stared at them.

The young man's name clicked in Micki's mind. "Are you from Va.?" she asked him, suspiciously.

"Yeah, what of it?" Frank demanded.

Micki's brows went up. "Why don't you just go back," she spat. "You aren't wanted here."

"I ain't going anywhere till I talk to Care," Frank said dismissively.

Micki gaped in outrage, and was about to let Frank know just what she thought of he and his friends when Ben grabbed her hand, motioning for her to follow him. Finding the livingroom unsatisfactory, he asked if there were someplace they could go.

Micki nodded shortly, and led him to the spare bedroom. She sat on the bed while he leaned against the door, forcing herself to be calm. "Can you believe the nerve of that kid?!" she fumed.

Ben's brows furrowed, then, "Why not let them talk for a bit," he suggested. Ben watched her for a moment. before continuing tentatively. "It must have been pretty important for him to drive this far to see her."

"Yeah, you're probably right," she sighed. "It's just that that *kid* is so arrogant!"

Ben smiled to himself. "Micki, how old are you?"

"Twenty-two," she said in confusion. "Why?"

Shaking his head, Ben laughed. "That young man you call a kid is probably about your age."

"No!" Micki responded, jumping up and heading for the door.

"Micki," Ben stopped her.

"He's too old for her," Micki tried to explain. "She's only 17!"

"How old do you think I am?" Ben asked.

"I don't know," Micki shrugged. "Maybe 26, 27." Then she stopped, suspicious as to where he was going. "I think," she added uncertainly. He didn't look older than that. And Gennifer was four...

"I'll be 34 my next birthday," he said.

This was a surprise she hadn't quite expected. "Really?" she asked softly, her anger completely deflated.

"Am I too old for you?" Ben asked.

Micki refused to meet his eyes.

"Am I?" he asked again, touching her arm.

Confusion marring her face, Micki broke away and moved to sit on the bed again. "You don't seem 33," she said.

"A compliment," he asked, slightly sarcastic. "Look Micki, I'm not some dirty old man. I admit, I did think you were a little older, but that difference in our ages doesn't matter. You're an adult."

"So had you known, you wouldn't have done anything differently?" Micki questioned, watching closely as he formed an answer.

"Well," Ben stalled. Then continued, grudgingly. "Yes, maybe. But I still would have asked you out."

Micki, in obvious disbelief, "Right. And exactly what part would you have changed?" She fixed him with a hard stare.

"Okay, maybe our first kiss," then on thinking, "Maybe -- "

"Keep going!" Micki cut him off. "Maybe you wouldn't have at all?"

"Micki," Ben said, placing his hands up to fend off what he felt sure was coming. "We don't have to fight about this."

"Why?" she demanded. "Am I too young for that, too?"

He took a deep breath at the irritation that was welling up in him. "Micki don't --"

"Don't treat me like a child, Ben!"

"Hey! You're the one who started this age thing! Why are you yelling at me?" Ben demanded, now furious. "*I* don't have a problem with it." "Liar!" Micki countered, her eyes blazing. "You just stood there and said you did! How can you say you didn't?"

"Taking things slower does not constitute a problem," Ben countered.

"What would you call it then?" Micki asked sweetly. "Hmm?" Feigning an innocent gaze, she rose from the bed and approached seductively.

"Micki, you're playing with fire." Ben ground out as she neared.

Stepping into his personal space, gazing up into his eyes, she continued. "What? Am I in danger of you spanking my....hands?" she taunted.

Almost before she realized that he'd moved, Ben grabbed her and pulled her roughly to himself for a crushing kiss. His grip was like steel and Micki found that she couldn't move. She'd barely gotten out a muttered "NO!"

When Ben pulled away, it was to be met with her wide frightened eyes. "Oh, Micki, I'm sorry, so sorry," he whispered, taking her stunned face gently in his hands. He place soft kiss on her lips, cheeks, eyelids.

Micki drew in a shuddering breath, then rising on tip-toe kissed him full on the lips. Ben didn't resist. His arms went around her, drawing her off of her feet. Her arms went around his shoulders, her fingers clinching in the cloth of his shirt.

Ben dragged his mouth from hers, and put her gently away from himself. Micki felt a pain course through her at the action.

"I'm sorry," Ben apologized. "But you make me crazy when you look at me like that." Groaning deep in his throat, he continued. "Micki, I can't stop how I feel about you any more than I can change my age. Please, let's not allow it to come between us."

Micki simply nodded, again feeling hypnotized. Ben was drawn in. And then their lips were united again.

Ben's hands found their way into her hair, releasing the pins that held the rich waves in place. The mass fell about her shoulders, releasing the sweat aroma of her shampoo. He brushed it aside to kiss her neck. The idea of dying of pleasure crossed Micki's mind.

They were both shocked apart by a yell from Carey and the slamming of the front door.