[chapter ten]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
A/N: I know this chapter is a tad short, but the next chapter should get going. ;-)
**
(The Following Monday)
Casey strode through DEI's front doors and headed directly for Jade's office, smiling and saying good morning to several staff members. She had made tremendous progress on his "file folder", writing what felt like hundreds of letters and returning phone calls - when she wasn't watching the race or practice from her couch at home. It felt odd, after always being at the track on the weekends to watch from home. She was hoping it wasn't something she would ever have to get used to. But Casey knew it was a necessary evil this week if she wanted Junior to concentrate fully on his race, figure out what his problem was, and give Casey a little breathing room to figure herself and her feelings out.
Casey took the stairs two at a time the knocked on Jade's door. She heard a very distracted-sounding "C'mon in" from inside and opened the door.
"Hey boss." She said gently, noting the explosion of paper on the floor. "Rough morning?"
"Hey Case." Jade said, running a hand through his hair. "Could say that, yeah. I'm not even sure where to start with all this."
"What can I do?" Casey said, closing the door behind her. "Put me to work."
"Okay, that huge pile over there is for … "
**
Junior knew Casey was in the building. He could feel it. He slid out from under the car he was working on and stood up to stretch. He shouldn't be surprised, he surmised. After all, Casey had a job here. But still, she hadn't even stopped by to say hi.
Of course, the last time she had seen him, he'd spent that time pissing her off and accusing her of cheating on him.
'Slick, real slick', he reproached himself. Junior silently debated on whether to go upstairs and find Casey or not. He didn't want to interrupt Jade or his work, but then again, he wanted to see Casey, but then maybe he should just stay away from them altogether … His thoughts swirled as he began walking towards the staircase when the decision was made for him. Casey came bounding down the stairs, yanking on her jacket with one hand and holding a large stack of papers in the other.
"Hey." Junior said from behind her, causing Casey to spin around. The half-smile she had been wearing was wiped off her face immediately, and she eyed him cautiously.
He felt like dirt.
"Hi." Casey replied.
"How … um … how are you?" Junior asked, silently berating himself for sounding like such a bonehead.
"Sorta busy, actually. I gotta go." Casey said, pulling her jacket on fully and turning towards the door.
"Casey … " Junior pleaded, reaching out to touch her, then pulling back as she made no move towards him.
"You're not my favorite person right now." Casey said levelly. "Okay?"
Junior nodded, feeling like his heart was being ripped apart. "I know. I'm sorry, I just … when can I see you?" His sapphire eyes pleaded with her, and Casey felt her chest tighten with emotion, but vowed to keep her steely resolve.
"Later." She said evenly.
"I would prefer sooner." Junior countered.
"I'm sure you would, but we don't always get what we want." Casey said, closing her eyes to avoid his beseeching gaze briefly. "But I promise, later."
She turned again towards the front door when Junior's voice stopped her again. "How's your head? Are you okay? Really?" He asked tenderly.
Casey half-glanced over her shoulder at him before pulling open the front door. "I'm okay. Fine in body, just bruised in spirit." And with that, she walked out the front door, leaving Junior staring after her.
**
"Okay, where should we lock them up?" Denise asked eagerly and Jimmie laughed. They were holed up in a deli downtown having lunch and praying that no one would see them scheming to get Casey and Junior to kiss and make up.
"I'm not sure. I was thinking maybe my house would be easiest. I can ask Junior over for a beer, and you can get Casey over somehow. Maybe promise of a movie or a game of pool or something?" Jimmie suggested.
"Then what?" Denise questioned. "We just lock the doors and run like hell?"
"Um … yeah. Something like that. I guess." Jimmie flashed his million dollar smile and Denise laughed.
"Okay, we'll need supplies." Denise said seriously. "We need good grub, lots of candles, maybe some flowers … "
"And some sort of plan to keep them in there." Jimmie said, nodding. "When should the lock-down happen?"
"When do you guys leave for Bristol?" Denise asked. "Thursday sometime?"
Jimmie nodded. "Better be before then. Think tomorrow night is too soon?"
"The way Casey has been acting, it better be sooner rather than later. She's so sad, Jimmie. Just … sad. She misses him." Denise said sympathetically.
"I know." Jimmie said. "Okay, tomorrow night. You get the romancin' supplies, I'll work on the plan."
"It better be good." Denise warned. "Or … "
"We're dead." They said in unison.
Jimmie nodded gravely. "I know. Alright, let's get Operation Get Casey and Junior to Make Up on the road."
"I think we need a better
title." Denise laughed.