Simon sighed deeply. He was falling for her hook, line, and sinker. Sometimes being near her and not being able to reach out and love her like he wanted was driving him crazy. He could tell that she fought their attraction as much as he did. He would catch her staring at him. This island was driving them both mad, pushing them toward something…something that they were both fighting. He took a deep breath pushing those feelings away once again.

He looked at the cave entrance wondering where she was. He did not like her wandering too far by herself, especially with Celia nearby. He looked down at his makeshift towel then tied the ends in a knot. He wanted to wash his clothes. He would do that, then if Lily was not back, he was going looking for her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lily sat on the beach looking out at the sunset. If they were not stuck on this island, she would call it paradise. It was beautiful in its own way. Her thoughts were always about Oakdale and her family. She desperately wanted to get back there. She wondered what they were doing now. Were they looking for her? Surely someone would figure out that Rose was just playing a game. Or maybe they just did not care.

Lily looked back toward the path to the cave. She had left Simon to his privacy. He had become her strength. He seemed to sense what she needed before she knew sometimes. He listened to her ranting, spoke to her fears, offered comfort, and made her laugh even when she did not want to. He had become such a good friend. He was far from the person she had thought him to be.

There was also something else about Simon. She was finding it hard to fight her attraction to him. It had become a major distraction for her, and it was one of the reasons she had been gone from the cave for so long. Lily hoped by putting distance between them that she would be able to resist him for a little while longer…. until they were rescued. Then it would not be an issue anymore. She would finally be back where she belonged.

"I better get back before he starts to worry," she said out loud and slowly walked down the path toward the cave.

She saw the soft glow from the fire as she approached the cave. She peeked around the corner to see what Simon was doing. Her jaw dropped slightly when she caught sight of him with the cloth wrapped tightly around his waist. She must have made some noise because he turned around quickly. Their eyes locked. His deep green eyes smoldered with undisguised emotion.

Lily placed her hand over her heart as it beat a frantic rhythm. She could not look away. When he walked to her, she stood very still, never taking her eyes from his. Simon cupped her cheek with his hand and traced her lips with his thumb.

"You take my breath away," he whispered.

"Simon," Lily breathed as their lips hovered just a few inches apart.

"You can tell me 'no'," he told her as he edged closer.

Lily closed her eyes, moving closer to him. She tilted her head back and whispered "no" as she parted her lips and raised to meet his lips. His lips were soft yet demanding as they moved over hers. He wrapped his arms around her and they moved against each other pressing ever closer, softly caressing one another as their lips expressed their pent up desires.

Lily was shocked by her own eager response to his touch. A part of her was telling her to run, but another part of her wanted to feel every sensation he was evoking. His lips seared a path down her neck; her shoulders and Lily found herself gasping with pleasure.

Simon swept her up in his arms and carried her to the pallet that they shared. Laying her gently on its softness, he stared deeply into her eyes looking for a sign of rejection. When he saw none, his lips slowly descended to capture hers once again. He was surprised when she leaned up and met him half way.

His fingers burned into her tingling skin. Lily gasped in sweet agony as she welcomed his caresses. Their passion for one another inched through their veins as their mouths touched with open desire. As Simon's hand rested on her waist, Lily tugged at the knot of his "towel".

It was that one gesture that brought Simon back to reality. He leaned away from Lily quickly scrambling to his feet. With a tortured cry, he ran from the cave. Lily stared after him with deep confusion.

A short time later, Lily walked down to the beach. She found Simon sitting in the same spot she had come to earlier. He had his arms around his knees as he looked off into the blackness. Lily placed her hand on his shoulder as she sat down beside him. He flinched. Lily looked at him with concern.

"Simon, what's wrong? What did I do?" She asked.

Simon did not answer for a long time, continuing to stare off into the distance. When Lily started to get up, he said, "It's not you. It's me."

Lily turned so that she was facing him. "Tell me. You can tell me anything."

"I want to make love to you so badly that I feel like I'm going to explode sometimes. You were supposed to push me away, but you didn't."

Lily dipped her head so that he could not look into her eyes. "I guess we both have desires, Simon. Maybe it is time that we just give in to them."

Simon shook his head. "No, Lily. If we give in to what we both want, then we are giving up."

Lily gave him a confused look. "You're not making sense, Simon. We're not giving up."

"Yes, we are. If you are willing to make love to me, then you are giving up. Most of the time we've been stranded here, you've gone on about your wonderful life in Oakdale with your family and husband. Don't you see that being with me means that you’ve given up on ever getting back to your life?"

Simon's words began to sink in and Lily turned away from him with a cry of anguish. For a moment, Simon watched her as her shoulders shook. Then he gathered her to him, hugging her tightly.

"It's going to be all right, Lily. I promise. No matter what, I’m taking you home."

Julia Lindsey burst through the door of Jake McKinnon's office. She was a woman on a mission. She held her chin high as she looked at Jake. There was nothing he could say or do to keep her from getting what she wanted.

Jake glared at Julia indignantly from behind his desk. He had been shocked by her intrusion at first, but the stubborn set of her jaw set off alarms in his head and he instantly became incensed by her presence.

"I don't recall saying 'come in'. Oh, but then again you didn't knock, did you?" Jake spat.

Julia strode to the desk and stood her ground directly in front of Jake.

"What is your problem?"

Jake lifted an eyebrow. "You at the moment."

"What were you thinking, Jake? I thought we were friends, and then I find out that you helped track Carly Tenney down."

"Oh, that. Molly mentioned it to me and I…."

"So Good Golly Miss Molly says 'jump' and suddenly you’re her Boy Friday."

Jake stood and walked around the desk so that he and Julia were eye-to-eye.

"It's not quite that simple, Julia. I have connections in Hong Kong. I lived in the area for a little while."

"Oh would that be the time when you thought your name was Bunny Eberhart?"

Jake's face flushed and he lifted his finger. "How did you….never mind. Don't you see? It's better that all this happened now."

"'Better'? Better for whom? Don't try to reason with me, Jake. I want to know everything you know about Carly. And I want to know it now," she demanded.

Jake shook his head. "Are you doing a story for The Argus?"

"No! I have to know it for me. For me!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Simon stalled for time. He would do almost anything to keep from going inside right now. The fact was he had done whatever it took and that’s what led him here now. Thanks to Lily he had been completely exonerated of any crimes. Even now he and Lily were connected, much to her family's chagrin. She still needed him. The mess that they had come back to was bigger. Rose had been walking around impersonating Lily. Things between Lily and Holden were shaky at best. Simon knew that he could not leave her now. So that led him here. Lily had wired enough money to save the Frasier holdings, but he would not live off her charity any longer and he intended to pay every penny back.

Coming to Lucinda Walsh for help was absolutely the last resort. She was not his biggest fan though Lily had explained everything to her. His part in this whole mess weighed heavily on his mind. He cared about Lily and he would not leave her until the mess he had made was straightened out. Lily needed him as much now as she had needed him on that island.

No one else believed his apologies. They all would be happy to never lay eyes on him again. He desperately wanted to give them their wishes. He would stick around long enough to help Lily and earn enough money to take him home. That would be the end of him. No one in Oakdale would ever lay eyes on Simon Frasier again.

Simon squared his shoulders and entered the lower floor of the building. No one seemed to notice his presence. Hopefully, Lucinda would not order him removed before he had the chance to say his piece. He stepped into the back of the crowded elevator, hoping to blend in with the throng of people as he exited on the floor where Lucinda’s office was located.

Simon sighed heavily when he became the final occupant of the elevator. He walked off the elevator slowly as the doors opened on the floor of The City Times. He looked around the busy office. People were hustling, obviously preparing for the afternoon edition of the paper. He looked about pensively expecting Lucinda to swoop in on him like a mother bird protecting her babies.

When no one immediately noticed him, Simon walked around the outside office looking at the plaques on the wall. He could not help but be drawn to the conversation in the office of the editor, Jake McKinnon. The voices were raised, one female and the other male. He slowly inched toward the door trying not to listen to the conversation, which was almost impossible given its loudness.

"May I help you?"

Simon swung around slightly startled by the appearance of the woman beside him. He smiled charmingly. The secretary batted her eyes at him in return.

"Yes, I was looking for Ms. Walsh?"

"Do you have an appointment, sir?"

Simon opened his mouth to lie, then stopped himself. No, he was starting over. He was turning over a new leaf. It had come easy on the island and it had to continue now. "No, I don’t, but I think she will see me. Simon Frasier’s the name."

The secretary’s eyebrows shot up. Her face flushed with undisguised disgust. Simon sighed. By now he should be used to that reaction yet it still felt like a slap across his face. He was through explaining things to people. If Lucinda would agree to his proposal, he would be out of everyone’s lives soon enough. Everyone's…

The secretary turned away from him without another word. She walked to the phone and punched in a number. All the while her eyes remained on Simon as she talked to someone on the other end. Simon folded his arms to wait.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I'm waiting, Jake."

"Why are you torturing yourself? Take a vacation. Get away from this place for a while until everything settles down."

Julia glared at him. "Yeah, I'll just leave and forget everything. Sure. That will work!"

Jake's mouth drew into a straight line. "It would be better than walking around Oakdale torturing yourself at every turn."

"That's your MO, Jake. Right? You run away."

Jake looked as if he had been slapped across the face. Very quietly he said, "I'm going to forget you said that because I know that you're in pain, and you want everyone else to feel it, too."

Regret flashed in Julia's eyes. "Jake, I…"

"No, it's all right. If you want me to be your punching bag, go ahead. Here I am," he told her and squared his shoulders as if bracing for a punch.

"I don't need you! I don't need anyone. What was I thinking even coming here?"

Julia turned and walked briskly from Jake's office. Jake walked after her. He knew he could not let her leave in such a state.

Simon turned around so he would not have to look at the accusing stare of the woman who was contacting Lucinda. When he did, he ran into a solid object. It knocked the breath from him for a moment. Then he realized that he had run into someone and that someone was now sitting on the floor in front of him.

Julia looked up in annoyance at the person who had caused her unceremonious fall. Her eyes flashed with irritation.

Simon knelt down beside her. "I'm sorry. I didn't see…"

"Yeah, watch where you're going next time," Julia told him then attempted to get up.

Simon reached out trying to help her. Their hands touched briefly. Julia recoiled as if she had been burned with a branding iron. She stared at him in wonder startled by his closeness yet becoming hypnotized by his sparkling green eyes.

"I'm really sorry," he told her again.

His voice was smooth with a richness that struck a nerve deep inside. His Australian accent was intriguing, mysterious. Julia swallowed hard as she continued to stare at him.

Simon was equally affected by the close proximity of this beautiful woman. She was physically attractive to him, but he wanted nothing from her. He had always been a loner and he would be again. Being with Lily for so long had made him have the ache for someone to share his life with, but he knew it was a dream. He would never have his true love. That's what fairy tales were…. absolutely worthless drivel. Just like the fairy tales his father had told him about the Rose of Sharon Diamond. That particular fairy tale had brought him and his family heartache and pain. He was better off with no one.

Simon mentally shook himself then offered his hand once again. Julia reached out to him and their hands clasped. He was undeniably the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. He exuded sex appeal by just standing there. Her breath became shallow as she allowed him to fill her senses and pull her upright. For a moment, they were mere inches apart.

Simon was not oblivious to her stare. Her hands were soft and delicate. Trying to remain unaffected by her closeness was useless. His breathing had become shallow in response. Simon knew he could charm her, woo her, take her into his arms and never let her go, but he could not. That's the way he wanted it and that's the way it would be. He unconsciously reached out touching Julia's cheek.

Julia did not step away. She simply stared into his eyes becoming lost in the pools of green. Simon held his breath as her eyes softened and her mouth curved slightly. Was this what they meant by….

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The moment was broken as Julia spun around to face Jake McKinnon. Jake's nostrils flared as he stared at Simon with open hostility. He reached out and grabbed Julia, quickly pushing her behind his back. He strode toward Simon like a bull charging the toreador.

"Answer my question, Kangaroo Boy!"

Simon glared back at Jake. "I do not answer to you."

Jake poked his finger in Simon's face. "Stay away from her. Do you hear me?"

Simon smirked. "I think people in the Far East heard you."

Jake snarled. "What the hell are you doing here anyway?"

Julia watched the exchanged with avid interest.

"I'd like to hear the answer to that question myself. Care to enlighten us, Mr. Frasier?" Lucinda Walsh asked as she strolled into the middle of the fray. Her perceptive eyes looked back and forth between Simon, Julia and Jake.

"I was hoping to see you," Simon told her.

"Were you now? You have me intrigued because I cannot imagine anything that you and I have to say to each other."

"Do you want me to throw him out?" Jake asked never removing his eyes from Simon.

"Ms. Walsh, I beg for just a moment of your time."

Lucinda placed her hand on her chin as she raised one eyebrow. "You've piqued my interest, Mr. Frasier. I hope you haven't come here to waste my time. I don't have the time or the patience for your games that my daughter did."

"I promise that I did not come here to waste your time. I have a proposal for you and I hope that you'll hear me out. I think it will be beneficial for both of us."

Lucinda laughed. "Come along, Simon. I am a busy woman."

Lucinda walked away expecting Simon to follow her. Without so much as a backward glance, Simon gathered his things and followed after her.

Jake turned on Julia as he watched Simon walk away.

"What were you thinking?" He demanded.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't even play little Miss Innocent with me, girlfriend. I saw you making goo goo eyes at him. He's trouble, Julia, with a capital "T". He dragged Lily Snyder all over the place looking for some stupid diamond. She was away from her family for months. Stay away from him, Julia."

"I've heard all the stories, Jake. I don't need to hear your version. Besides why do you think I'm interested in him?"

"Don't play this game with me. I know you, Julia. Whether you like it or not. Simon Frasier is nothing but a con man. You've been hurt enough. I don't want to see you hurt again."

Julia stared at the floor trying to control her emotions. Jack had hurt her again. She had allowed herself to be caught up in the happiness never seeing that deep inside Jack was still in love with Carly. He would forever be in love with Carly. Losing him a second time had been devastating. She did not need any complications.

"I'm fine, Jake. Stop worrying."

"Yeah, well I do worry. You always fall for the wrong guy, Julia. You don't need this right now."

"Jake, get off it. I'm not interested in starting a relationship with anyone and even if I was, who are you to be giving me advice on relationships? You're the one getting all warm and tingly over Molly Conlan for godsakes."

"Hold on just a minute. I'm not getting all 'warm and tingly' over Molly."

Julia rolled her eyes. "That's great. You're in denial. Thanks, but no thanks for the advice, Jake. I'm steering clear of all men. That includes you, McKinnon."

Julia spun on her heel and stalked out of The City Times, leaving Jake to stare after her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lucinda pushed open the door to her office and walked inside. Over her shoulder she said, "Close the door behind you and be quick about it. I don't have all day to listen to your hair-brained schemes."

Simon let her sharp barbs roll off his back. He could not afford to anger her at this point in time. Her acceptance of his proposal was the key to his livelihood.

"It will only take a moment of your time."

"So you say," she told him as she sat in her chair and stared up at him expectantly.

"I have something that you need."

"I doubt that. You have given my family quite enough," she said with a humorless laugh.

"I'm not here to scam you, Ms. Walsh. The truth is that the sooner you accept my proposal the sooner I can be out of your life and Lily's life forever."

Lucinda sat forward in her chair. "Now there's a proposal I'm willing to listen to. I'm all ears, Mr. Frasier."

"Good. I'm an artist. I do graphic design," he told her as he opened up his portfolio and laid his work on the desk in front of her.

"I'm aware of your artistic talent, Mr. Frasier, but this does not tell me how I am to be rid of you."

"Give me a moment, please. I've noticed a lot about The City Times since I've been in Oakdale. I know that it is by far the best-run paper in the city and the most reliable. You rely on advertisers to help keep this paper running. Even though you already have a good thing going I think I can improve it."

"Do tell."

Simon pulled out a small computer diskette from his portfolio. He walked toward her computer.

"May I?" he asked holding up the diskette.

"Be my guest."

Simon slid the small black diskette into the drive and pushed several buttons. The first design that he had laid on her desk on paper appeared on the screen in front of them.

"I can bring pizzazz to your paper, Ms. Walsh. I know art and I know how to grab people's eyes," he told her, then pushed a button on the computer causing the picture to come alive. "Ads that appeal to the consumer are what advertising in your newspaper is all about. I can increase the number of ads and bring a new look to your newspaper."

"I already have a graphic artist on staff, Mr. Frasier. So, you see, you have indeed wasted my time."

"No, wait. Can he do this?" He questioned as the other picture from his portfolio appeared on the screen followed by a full WebPage touting Worldwide.

Lucinda leaned forward watching the display before her. She raised one eyebrow purposely keeping her thoughts to herself.

"What are you proposing, Mr. Frasier?"

Simon stepped away from the computer and faced Lucinda. "I am good at what I do. I can draw and design anything you ask. I can also transfer that design to the computer making The City Times a truly multi-media experience, bringing it and your readership into the twenty-first century. By hiring me, I could make the money I need to get out of Oakdale. In the mean time, you can watch my every move."

"So this is a mutually beneficial arrangement? Tell me what happens, Mr. Frasier, after you leave? What happens to all these beautiful designs that you create?"

"I'll teach someone else to do what I do."

"Of course, you know that I will have to think about it."

Simon nodded. "I understand."

He began gathering his things.

"No, leave them here. I want to look at these things while I think."

"Sure," he said then scribbled something on a piece of paper. As he shoved it at her he said, "Here's the number to my cell phone. I'll be waiting to hear from you."

"Good-bye, Mr. Frasier."

Simon nodded at her. "G'day, Ms. Walsh."

Simon leaned against the door as he closed it behind him. He frowned deeply knowing that she would not even consider the merit of his proposal.

"You're a fool, Simon," he said out loud and walked down the narrow hallway to the elevators.

Lucinda looked at the drawings in front of her and the multi-media presentation running on her computer monitor.

"Well, well, Simon Frasier, you are good. I'll give you that."

Lucinda thought about everything Simon had said mulling the pro's and cons over in her head. She smiled slightly and picked up the phone, dialing quickly.

"Hello, darling, you'll never believe what just happened."