"For this momentous occasion, however, I think we will have to resort to an old Denby family tradition. Ever have breakfast for dinner, Diane?"

They stood side by side at the stove. She scrambled the eggs and he tried to time each pancake perfectly before flipping it. They chatted about nothing in particular and learned to dance around each other in the kitchen without anyone getting stepped on or poked with a hot spatula. Harry brought out his stash of real maple syrup from Vermont and they sat down to eat on the floor in front of the fire.

"Oh, I almost forgot," he said as he made a final trip to the kitchen.

Harry came back with a bottle of green Tabasco. He opened the bottle and took a whiff as if it were fine wine. Dangling the bottle over her plate he said, "It's new. You must try this on the eggs."

Diane looked at the green stuff nearly dripping onto her perfectly fine dinner and said firmly, "I do not like them Sam I am."

He grinned devilishly and began seasoning his own plate of food.

After dinner, they left the dishes on the hearth and sat together on the floor. Harry sides were aching and he found that sitting up with his back against the couch was the most comfortable position. He hadn't taken his pain medication yet, for fear it would put him to sleep. Diane lay on her side across from him, stirring the cup of tea she had set on a magazine in front of her.

"How are you feeling now?" she asked.

"Never better."

His arms rested on his drawn up knees, but he looked as if he were ready to pounce. Diane watched him and tried to read his mind.

"What?" she said finally.

"Fair's fair, Diane. I believe in reciprocation."

Harry unfolded and crept over to Diane. He picked up her beverage and placed it on the coffee table, then said in tones that made her heart race, "On the floor, Detective."

She rolled onto her stomach, and before she had a chance to breathe he had slipped his hands under her white sweater and pulled it up over her head. He straddled her up on his knees, and placed her arms along her sides just as she had done to him. When he began the massage she found herself lost in the strength of his hands.

"Harry?" she said in a dreamy voice.