A Second Chance

[Guest]

Mel shook her head, her hair falling around the sides of her face and framing it. "No..." She barely whispered, then cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to wake you, but I had a bad dream and...I just couldn't go back to bed."

She breathed in a tremulous breath and exhailed, fighting back tears and shivering. "I'm sorry...I'll leave you alone, I just wanted to see if you were alright." She murmured thickly and tried to pull her hand away, but he held on firmly.

She met his gaze in the dark room, trying to focus on his face. "I can't leave if you're holding my hand." She said softly.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Despite her wish Daniel held on to Melissa's hand with his fingers wrapped around hers. She looked shaked by the dream, whatever it was it must have been something horrible that she had to come to check up on him and wake him up.

"Well, I'm alright, as you can see," he said with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mel, it was just a bad dream. Why don't you stay here and I'll move to the chair and watch over you while you go back to sleep, hmmm? It's a little scary to go back to sleep in an empty room. Here," Daniel moved to sit on the edge and patted the pillow.

 

[Guest]

Mel paused a minute, thinking it over as she watched him move over. Finally she slipped into his bed, the sheets still warm from where he had been sleeping. Laying back, she watched him begin to tuck her in and this time she was the one to grasp his hand. "Don't go."

He looked at her, a bit confused and curious. She gave him a small, tentative smile, "Stay with me here, in bed." A flush of embarrassement colored her cheeks and she was glad that it was rather dark in his room. "I don't think I can sleep again if you're sitting in a chair. I'd feel horrible knowing you're sleeping there. Please Daniel...I could use the comfort...if you don't mind." She murmured and waited anxiously to see if he would join her or find a way out of it. She didn't want to pressure him or embarrass him, but the thought of wrapping herself around him and falling asleep in the comfort of his arms was too tempting to pass up.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

As Mel asked him to stay in bed with her he felt his face begin to burn furiously at the unspoken implications. He knew she had nothing of the sort on her mind and she just needed someone to be close by her side to make her feel comfortable and safe again but nevertheless it made him a little bewildered. Daniel glanced at her hand holding his and bit his lip as he saw the entreaty in her eyes.

"No, I don't mind," he said with a gentle smile and liftd the covers and slipped under them.

As he positioned himself to make himself comfortable he realised she was still holding onto his hand and he squeezed her fingers reassuringly. "It's alright, I'll be here so just try and go back to sleep and I'll make sure no more bad dreams come to haunt you, ok? You can trust me on that, Mel."

 

[Guest]

"No, I don't mind," he said with a gentle smile and lifted the covers and slipped under them. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, still holding onto his hand. He squeezed her fingers and gave her a sweet smile in the dark.

"It's alright, I'll be here so just try and go back to sleep and I'll make sure no more bad dreams come to haunt you, ok? You can trust me on that, Mel."

"I know." She murmured and finally let go of his hand, but instead of just rolling over, she surprised him again and snuggled up this side, resting her face against his shoulder. "Thank you Daniel, I really appreciate all that you've done." She said, her voice already starting to soften and fade with sleepyness.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Uh, sure..." he muttered in response and stiffened as she snuggled up to him, pressing into him a bit and making him a little strange but then he relaxed a wound his arm around her shoulders protectively, willing to shield her from any dangers or bad dreams. She muttered something and wiggled a bit, probably already feeling safe in the dreamland.

Daniel closed his eyes and tried to return to sleep but with Melissa's presence at his side quite different thoughts were walking into his head and nesting themselves quite forcefully. He imagined how they must have looked to a third observer, together in bed, embraced and snuggling. He presence was so warming and comforting and Dan realised he would never let that Ted fellow steal this warmth and comfort from him.

Danny opened his eyes and looked to the side, at Melissa who was already peacefully asleep on his shoulder, her breath tickling his neck. He moved a bit and kissed her forehead, hoping she wouldn't wake up. It felt so good to have her by his side.

 

[Guest]

Mel slept peacefully through the rest of the night, warm and comfortable against Daniel until the sun rose and shifted unlight through his blinds. She shifted a little and yawned, for a moment forgetting where she was.

Cracking open her eyes, she blinket once, twice and frowned as if trying hard to process the information. She was in Daniel's bed, her arms and one leg wrapped around him securely, resting over his hips. Then it all fell back into place...the nightmare, her waking him up.

He mumbled then and shifted against her, his hips brushing up against her thigh, when she gasped in surprise, not having expected the hardness of his arousel to be pressing intimately against flesh. She froze, heat surging through her body, making her body hum with sudden desire. She was shocked by the intensity of it...how her body instantly ached and longed for him. Her nipples tightening and pressing shamelessly against her top. She went to move, afraid he'd wake up and think she had something to do with it.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel woke up warm, lazy and late... and painfully stiff! Even before he opened his eyes for the first time he was aware of his morning erection which of course meant he would have to wait until it subsided before getting up and proceeding with his morning activities. He was also beginning to register pain in various parts of his body -- the result of yesterday's game. He mumbled something to himself and turned on his side rubbing against something soft and warm, his hard penis poking it as well. What the hell was that? he tried to guess without opening his eyes and hoping he might get some more sleep.

Then he felt the soft thing begin to give way and he recalled the events of the night and his eyes flashed open making his moan as the bright light blinded him. Unmistakably though he noticed Mel moving away from the bed, pink from sleeping and her shirt slightly wrinkled.

Awkwardly Danny sat up gathering the covers to hide his stiff problem and tried smiling, slightly embarrassed. Yawning he rubbed his neck and sleepily said, "Good morning, Mel... Did you sleep well?"

 

[Guest]

Mel was sitting on the edge of the bed, smoothing back her mess of hair and blushing slightly. "Morning." She murmured softly, "I slept very well, thank you. We should share a bed more often." She stated, her eyes widening slightly at the boldness of her words. "That is...I mean, I uh..." Stupid stupid stupid! She mentally slapped herself in the head. She had never been a morning person.

"What I mean to say," She started over, more slowly, "Is that it was very comforting. Thank you. I'm um...going to go and take a shower." Feeling self conscious, she gripped the hem of her night shirt and pulled it down as she stood up, knowing all she wore other than the shirt was a pair of panties. "I'll get breakfast started after!" She called over her shoulder and zipped out of his room.

In her room, she quickly selected her days clothing and then locked herself in the bathroom. Wew! She was embarrassed. God, she'd acted so stupid. What was wrong with her? It wasn't as though she'd never felt a penis before...hard or soft. Michael had woken up many mornings all stiff. She's always giggled when he poked her and she'd teased him over it many times. But this wasn't Michael.

Sighing, she set about getting herself ready for the day, loosing herself in a hot shower before dressing and heading out to the kitchen.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

The moment the door closed behind Mel, Danny jumped out of bed and hurried into the bathroom where he relieved his bladder, brushed his teeth and quickly escaped the house for the morning jog before Melissa had the chance to leave her room. He made the run slightly faster and more taxing than usual, deciding to concentrate on warming his aching muscles and regular breathing to occupy his mind with something simple instead of dealing with his confused feelings and thoughts. It was so embarrassing to have woken up in such a situation that he felt a blush crawl up his neck. It's not like he was embarrassed of him morning erection, they were both adult and it was all to natural for a guy to have one but he was afraid she might think he had been up to some mischief while she had been asleep. That would be a BIG misunderstanding.

On his way back he picked a fast, taxing tempo and arrived home sweaty and panting. Mel was already done with preparing breakfast and invited him to join her.

"Yeah, I'll be right with you. Just a shower," he breathed and went to his room.

A shower later he emerged slightly fresher but still a bit tired and joined Melissa in the kitchen.

"It's a great day today," he began awkwardly.

 

[Guest]

Mel smiled at him over the breakfast table and nodded, "It looks like it'll be nice. I turned on the weather channel while you were out and it said it was going to be real warm this afternoon. I thought perhaps I may go out and try and catch some sun so that I don't look like a ghost at the BBQ tomorrow. She grinned and poored herself some juice. "Or my other thought was to mess around in the yard...check to see how the seedlings are doing."

She watched him chew on his food and swallow, licking his lips. She followed the small gesture and caught herself just in time before making a fool out of herself. What on earth was wrong with her!? She was having a hard time forgetting the hardness of his erection pressed intimately pressed against her thigh. A delicious little shiver ran down her spine and she quickly drowned it with another gulp of juice.

"What about you? Any plans?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Dan swallowed a piece of toast and chased it down with some juice, then nodded. "Yeah, if you don't mind I'd like to borrow the car and go check up on the garage and see what they could have come up with from the wreck. It's high time and they should have finished. Other than that I just need to rest after that game yesterday. My whole body aches," he explained and smiled apologetically.

 

[Guest]

She shook her head, "Go right ahead...I don't mind." The rest of the breakfast was more or less silent, with only a little casual chit chat. When he left, Mel busied herself with dishes and let herself ponder Daniel and the whole situation. They were doing well and yet everytime she got close to him, he seemed to be pulling away.

Frowning as she loaded the dish washer and turned it on, she moved to her room and fished out an old bathing suit and studied it. Perhaps she should just keep her distance also, she thought to herself. Maybe he didn't WANT to get that close to her. With a tired sigh, she shrugged out of her clothes and put on the bathing suit. The one piece was a dark red color, modest, but clung to her as snuggly as a second skin. An oversized t-shirt followed right over it until she was ready to go out and lay in the sun.

Grabbing her load of laundry and then fishing for Daniel's, she began doing some light house work while wondering what the best course of action should be.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

"Thank you, Mel. I really appreciate it," Danny thanked her heartilly and finished his breakfast. He put on his shoes and jacket and stuck a cigarette in his mouth. "I won't be long and then perhaps we can have dinner in the garden, I'll do some shopping on my way back and prepare something light." Seeing her nod Dan smiled a bit and left, lighting his cigarette on the porch and squinting against the smoke that tried to enter his eye as usual.

Slowly Dan rounded the house and opened the garage, finishing his smoke before antering the car and driving into the street and away from the house. What he hadn't told Melissa is that the garage he was about to visit was also a high tech accident simulaiton station and that he had had them haul the wreck of Michael's car, run the necessary diagnostics and then decide whether Michael's death was the result of the accident on the road or a failure of the car's mechanics. He'd spent some time looking around used cars lots looking for the same model of ford and then with the help of the mechanics assembled an identical set on parts, to make an exact replica of Mike's ford before the accident. Based on the police report they were to recreate the scene and damage done during a deliberately staged simulation. It's been a week after the date he was supposed to check up on them and was anxious about the results.

He pulled into the parking lot and entered the builing of glass and steel. In the reception area a smiling girl welcomed him and called Noah Jameson, informing him that Daniel was there for a meeting. Then he was asked to wait a moment please, offered coffee which he politely refused and sat in a chair. Five minutes later Jameson appeared from a side entrance, wearing a tar-soiled jumsuit, cleaning his hands with a rag.

"Ah, Mr Rikers! So good to see you," Noah beamed and they shook hands. "I have good news and I got bad news..."

 

[Guest]

With laundry in the works, Mel made the beds, ran the vacuum over the carpets in the house and then lit some scented candles in the various rooms to freshen up the place. By the time she got everything done, it was nearing noon. Glancing outside, the sun was already out and high. Peering out the window, she admired her garden and decided to take a break.

Opening her hall closet, she fished out a big beach towel and grabbed the portable phone. It had been quite some time since she had just lain around out back in her lounge chair soaking up the sun. Her skin had always been fair, burned easily, but she had loved to relax back there with a heavy dose of sun block. Today though, she opted for a light protector and hoped for good results.

Opening the back door, she stepped onto the back porch and breathed in the fresh air. With a smile, she set the phone down on a little side table and then draped her towel over the wooden lounge chair before sitting down and stretching out. "Just what I need..." She murmured to herself and closed her eyes against the bright rays of sunlight.

Enjoying the quiet time, she let herself drift off into various little day dreams. Content to have a private moment to herself where she wasn't crying or really upset over life.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel watched the report with mild astonishment and confusion, not really sure what to deduce from it as the graphs and numbers told him little and Jameson went away to fetch a video tape from the simulation they had staged. So Dan just flipped through the pages in the clipboard and tried to understand what was put in there. Ha failed, he would have to ask for an explanation.

When Noah returned he immediately put the tape inside a vcr and played it. He offered no explanation as none had been necessary. Daniel watched as a for he had bought for them drove down a street and then veered a little to both sides before being caught between a model of a mercedes driving from the left and a similar model of a honda from the right, the car almost split into to, turned into an unrecognisable metal scrape.

"So, what have I just seen?" Dan asked when he drew his eyes from the shocking picture.

"Yes, do tell me, Mr Rikers, what did you see?" Jameson replied with a question.

"I saw a ford, driving straight into a crossroads and being smashed to a piece of junk."

"Exactly! Is this typical to happen when there was red light for the ford?"

"Well, no, people usually stop."

"Exactly, and we know that your late brother was a careful driver. Therefore, after a series of test, I won't be boring you with descriptions, we came to a conclusion that in order for such an accident to happen was either running the red light or a malfunction. You saw the car veer a bit to the sides. That was a panic reaction to the lack of response from the brakes. They had been tampered with. It is impossible for the brakes in all wheels to fail at the same time and there was no sign of slowing down."

"But was the simulation and its result accurate?"

"Yes, we managed to achieve 97% accuracy of the wreck. I'm sorry, Mr Rikers, but it seems your brother had been killed."

 

[Guest]

Mel hadn't been sunning long when through her quiet time, the loud thumping of music roused her. She yawned and frowned slightly, wondering who on earth was playing just god awful loud music! Sitting up slightly, she heard the music suddenly stop and a car door open and slam shut followed by a familiar male voice. "Mmmeeel!!!"

Oh lord! It was Lance. Wrapping the towel around herself, she sat up more. "I'm on the back porch, Lance!!" She hollered back, hearing his happy whoop for a responce.

The steady thud of his shoes hitting the ground followed around the side of the house until he appeared, bounding up the porch steps and grinning from ear to ear at her. "Hey sexy."

She blushed and felt somewhat awkward. "Hey yourself...what are you doing here?"

He faked a hurt look and sat down near her feet, folding his tall frame down so she didn't have to peer up at him. "Just came for a friendly visit. Just my luck that I caught you sunning...all oiled up." He wiggled his brows at her and gave her a leering sort of smile.

She laughed at him, giving him a playful punch before relaxing back, "Shut up...you're so full of yourself."

"Yeah well...I gotta do something to make you smile." He said and took hold of one of her feet, propping it in his lap and beginning to slowly massage. She let out a small moan of appreciation and viewed him through slitted eyes. "What else do you want, Lance?"

"Nothing...I swear!" He gave her an all too innocent look. "Where is my brother anyway?"

She gave a short shrug, "I dunno...he mentioned going out for groceries. Why?"

"No reason..." He replied and began working on her other foot. Silence fell between them for a moment as he worked her feet, tickling her toes, then running her legs up to her knees and back down.

"Damn Lance...you're going to put me to sleep." She joked and yawned, "OK...enough. Why don't you grab yourself a beer and chill for a bit?"

He slanted her a cocky grin, "Nah...I gotta run. So little time, so many chicks."

She gave a snort and giggled as he moved forward and planted a kiss on her cheek. "See ya sexy...I'll visit again soon."

She grinned and nodded, "Bye bye Romeo!"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel didn't remember how he got back into the car, didn't remember leaving Noah Jameson's office, didn't remember starting it and driving away. Standing on the lights he just woke up when a car behind him honked, startling him from his thoughts and making him drive again.

Michael had been killed -- Jameson's words still ringed inside his head. He had suspected the fact for some time now but dared hope against hope that it wasn't the truth. He had no idea how to break the news to his parents but even worse, how to tell this to Melissa. He was sure she would break down again. Perhaps he shouldn't be telling her that? But he had to, she had the right to know this horrifying truth. Even with all the implications that had gone with it.

Everything was now in the detective's hands. Perhaps his men would find something incriminating in Lance's behaviour or manage to dig something up in his home or wherever else they were looking.

Lost in his thoughts he didn't even notice when he got back home and just sat there in the car, still outside the garage. A knock on the window starled him and he turned to see Melissa.

He felt guilt, he forgot to do the shopping.

 

[Guest]

Mel had noticed Daniel's return and frowned when all he did was sit in the car. With the towel securely wrapped around her body still, she walked out and made her way to him. Still he sat, seemingly out in another world.

Gently she tapped on the window. He jumped, as if startled and turned his gaze to her. She gave him a small, curious smile. "You gonna stay in the car all night?" She teased, but her smile and teasing words faltered when she gaze into his face more closely.

Ever so slowly he opened the door and stepped out, closing the car door behind and leaning again it. She frowned and stepped closer to him, looking into his face. "Daniel...what's the matter? Are you OK?"

He just seemed to stare at her, with sad, worried eyes. Gripping one of his hands, she pressed it to her heart. "What? God, don't just stand there? What's the matter?"

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Even though his hand was just an inch from Melissa's breast and he could well feel the softness and warmth of her skin, he wasn't in the state of mind that allowed him to blush cutely and be embarrassed about this. His heart and soul were in a terrible turmoil. How to break this to her? How to pass on this terrible truth?

Instead of saying anything he wound his other hand around her and pulled her close. Dan sighed sadly and kissed Melissa's cheek lightly.

"Come on inside," he said seriously but his voice was failing him. "I have something to tell you." Holding Mel's shoulders he led her inside the house.

 

[Guest]

Mel fell into step with Daniel, her heart racing. What was going on? What did he have to tell her? She practically trembled with worry as he led her into the house and sat her down on the couch. Clasping his hands in hers, she gave them a hard squeeze.

Her eyes searched his, her heart pounding and pulse racing. "Please...what's the matter Daniel. Tell me, I just can't bare to wait...what...have you found something out?"

 

[Guest]

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Daniel let her hold his hands, it was a good thing since they began shaking as he had no idea how to tackle this situation, how to break those terrible, horrifying news to Mel. Gathering his courage he looked up at her. This is Melissa, he convinced himself, it's not a corporal who would blow your ass off or have you clean the latrines. Taking a deep breath he sighed, cursing himself for such dramatic behaviour and he finally spoke.

"That crash Michael died in... it wasn't an accident. The car had been tampered with and the brakes were broken. He tried fighting it but it was already too late. I'm sorry, Mel," he said, freeing his hands and drawing her close in a tight embrace, "Mike was killed by someone."

 

[Guest]

As Daniel spoke, Mel became deathly pale. It was almost as horrible as hearing that Michael was dead...not he had been killed. It hadn't been just an accident...someone had taken him away from her without care or thought...destroyed his life.

Warm arms pulled her close, holding her against a broad, hard chest and yet she felt totally numb. Somehow her arms automatically wrapped themselves around Daniel, but with no real pressure or effort. They just lay here. Her eyes were still open, stunned. She felt as though she was drowning in water...his words seemed faint and distant and she was trembling as if in shock.

A small whimper escaped her throat, sounding strangled and strange, but nothing else...not a tear, cry, scream, nothing...she just let herself be held as she faught the innner emotions and turmoil within.

 

[Poganin]

Daniel

Dan stiffened a bit when Mel uttered the strange sound, he was afraid she would start hamering her fists on him or begin crying or wailing once more. But instead she just held on to him as hard as he was embracing her and breathed in the unpleasant silence that had fallen when he spoke the truth about Mike's death to her. Gently he stroked her head and back, trying to soothe her and calm her down. In reality though he was also struggling to control himself and think straight, not jump to crazy conclusions.

Fifteen minutes passed and still they held onto each other trying to draw and give comfort in face of this horrific fact that made Michael's death all the more gruesome. Finally Dan loosened his embrace and kissed Melissa's cheek.

"Mel, are you okay, Mel?" he asked her in a whisper, fully realising how silly his question was.