--- I wrote this months ago. I have been sitting on it this
long! Although I haven't seen today's show, I thought I
should share this little one chapter fiction. I wrote it
before Alex learned that Dimitri was alive, before Edmund
proposed, and before Dimitri faked his death to Edmund this
last time. I had written my own version of how that happened.
Needless to say, wrote a very ticked off Alex out of the
story. Here's how Edmund dealt with it all. --Lori

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     "You know, it's been hard." Edmund sniffed as he sat on
the couch of his office. The sun had dipped behind the
horizon nearly an hour ago. "Keeping the secrets. I didn't
know how much it would hurt." Brooke sat next to Edmund. She
reached over and grasped his hands as he kept his eyes
focused on the floor. "You did it out of respect and love to
your brother, your first loyalty. You have to realize Alex is
deeply hurt." I understand those lies, Edmund. I feel that
hurt. Brooke thought silently. "I know. I mean, I guess I
have been there, for her." Edmund looked up momentarily into
Brooke's eyes. Her sympathetic manner felt comfortable, not
an ounce of pity. "She really did the same thing to me." "So
did Dimitri." Brooke grinned. "I know." Edmund chuckled,
breaking some of the tension in his shoulders. "But, with
Dimitri I can understand. He was only trying to…" Edmund
suddenly stood up and anxiously rubbed the back of his neck.
Mentioning his brother brought back some of the tightness.
"He wanted me to be happy." "Do you think you would have
been?" Brooke sat back, and crossed her legs. She knew it was
a loaded question.

     "No, I don't know." Edmund shrugged. "She's gone. That's
her choice, and it is obvious to me she doesn't want me. And
if she comes back, I know who her choice will be." Edmund
couldn't help but wonder about the mistaken diagnosis of
Prion Disease and how much pain his brother went through.
Yet, he figured her love for her patient kept her from
accurately making the correct diagnosis. "Her husband."
"Exactly. That's the choice it should be." Edmund walked back
over to Brooke, speaking rapidly. "She and I were never meant
to be. It wasn't natural, or proper-for lack of a better
word. You can't start off hating or not trusting each other."
Edmund shook his head, trying to downplay the passed few
months. "We never hated each other." Brooke smiled as she met
Edmund's gaze. He kept his eyes locked on hers, refusing to
stray. He found calmness in her cool blue eyes. He sat back
down beside her. "No, we're too close as friends." Edmund
placed his hand lightly on her knee, covering it completely.
The warmth sent an impulse through her body, a familiar one;
a forgotten one. She swallowed. "We are." Brooke finally
muttered, breathlessly. "Thanks Brooke," Edmund leaned in
closely and kissed her cheek, his eyelashes lightly brushed
her temple as she drew in the soft spice smell of his after-
shave. "I needed to unload everything."

     "Uh-huh. That's why I'm here." Brooke shifted nervously,
and abruptly stood up. "I-um, I have that last editorial to
proof, um, later you want to grab a bite to eat?" "That
sounds good." Edmund grinned, as he nervously put his hands
in and out of his pockets, he frowned. "I have to be here
too." "Great." Brooke couldn't hide her excitement. "Um,
Brooke? Wait a minute." Edmund jumped up and walked over to
her. Hesitant at first, Edmund stared down at her; his eyes
focused resolutely on hers. "What…" Her words were lost as
she felt him grab her by the elbows and pull her close.
Suddenly, her feelings were pulled out of her with a
passionate kiss. Tears rolled down her face. "I…just need
someone…" Edmund whispered as he kept his lips near hers.
"Someone I can trust…to" His voice faltered, filled will the
trill of his emotions. "You trust me, don't you Brooke?"

     "I always have." Brooke looked up at his doleful eyes.
Impulsively, she pulled him close and held him, his head
resting on her shoulder. His strong supporting arms engulfed
her as he returned the pressure. Firmly, clinging to each
other for support both mentally and physically. Suddenly
Edmund stiffened and pulled away. "What?" Brooke looked up at
him, as if wounded. "I am so sorry." Edmund bowed his head,
trying to hide his face. "We…I don't know…about this." "There
is nothing to be sorry about." Brooke reached out and took
his hand. "I know that I'm not sorry you kissed me." Brooke
led him to the couch. "We can do this. I think it was meant
to be." "But the past…" Edmund whispered, afraid to utter the
warning too loudly. "I can't…" "Edmund, so many things kept
us apart then. None of those obstacles exist today." Brooke
sniffed and dabbed her eyes with the back of her hand. "I
haven't been able to have a healthy relationship with any man
since I turned you away." She watched as the tears rolled
down Edmund's cheeks. He made no effort to brush them away as
he sat down on the couch and pulled her down beside him. "The
dumbest thing
ever did was let you go. I was a damned fool."

     Slowly, his warm hands cupped her face, his thumbs
pushing the tears back. All of her weight suddenly fell into
those familiar hands. "Not a damned fool, just an ill-timed
one". Edmund smiled through his still lingering tears. Slowly
he stroked her face and moved his hands down to her
shoulders. Brooke gasped as Edmund leaned forward, rubbing
his face against hers. His kisses started under her earlobe
and traveled down her neck. A fire that hadn't burned in
years ignited. Recently, they emitted a fondness for each
other, which was only obvious as friendship. Now, with both
of their loves betraying them, they longed for that sanctity
they needed so desperately. Something they both knew they
once shared. Together they found peace and security in the
late hours, huddled together in the Tempo office. Calmness,
common and cozy encompassed them both. A subtle hue emitted
from the small desk lamp, as the night slowly faded.

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end