ECHOES OF THE PAST

"Echoes Of The Past"
by Debbie Nockels

RATING: R
DISCLAIMER: None of the characters are mine (I wish!). They belong to Ron Koslow, who created them, and I'm not sure who else at this point in time.

SUMMARY: Lena meets someone from her past.

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�� "Catherine?" Lena called out as she approached, stopping outside the doorway as Tunnel courtesy dictated.

�� "Come in," answered Catherine's voice from inside the chamber. Lena entered and stopped cold at the sight of Catherine getting up from Vincent's lap, where she had obviously been enjoying a marital cuddle.

�� "I-I'm sorry," Lena stammered. "I hope I didn't interrupt anyth - I mean, I don't want to disturb you . . ."

�� "You're not," Vincent said quickly, rising. A light flush stained his cheeks, Lena saw. She also noted that his hair was rumpled, as if loving fingers had recently passed that way, that he wore no vest, and that the first two laces of his shirt were untied. "That is...Catherine and I were only - "

�� "Discussing something," Catherine put in smoothly. Lena caught her mischievous glance at Vincent and couldn't resist a secret smile at his flustered state, even though the knowledge that she had interrupted a moment of intimacy between the two increased her own embarrassment.

�� "Well, this will only take a moment," she said. "I just wanted to remind you, Catherine, that tomorrow is the day we're taking the children to the zoo."

�� Catherine chuckled. "As if I could forget! If Jacob hasn't reminded me every day for the past week, then Luisa or Sean has!"

�� "It's a big treat for the children," Vincent said, no doubt grateful to have attention diverted away from whatever he and Catherine might have been doing before she entered the room. "It's very kind of you and Catherine to take them on this excursion, Lena."

�� Lena shrugged. "I've always loved the zoo. It'll be fun showing it to the kids. Sorry again for the interruption, guys. Catherine, I'll see you tomorrow morning at eight. Goodnight." On that last word, she ducked through the doorway and out into the corridor. A few feet away she stopped and leaned against the wall, breathing a rueful sigh.

�� "Do you think she noticed anything?"

�� The words were so quiet that at first they blended in with the tapping and other normal background noises of the Tunnels. It took Lena a few seconds to realize that it was Vincent who had spoken, and now she was hearing Catherine's voice.

�� "I don't know. Does it matter if she did?" A very soft, throaty laugh was followed by an equally soft rustle of clothing. Lena didn't need to stretch her imagination very much to figure out that Catherine had slipped into Vincent's arms. Feeling like an eavesdropper - which she undeniably was - Lena left with all haste.

�� Back in her chamber she checked on little Katy, sound asleep in the alcove just as she had left her. The covers had fallen away from her - pushed, no doubt, by an impatient arm - and Lena tucked them back around her daughter, then brushed strands of damp hair away from the closed eyes. Time to trim those bangs again. A wave of great tenderness suddenly filled her and leaning forward, she kissed the flushed cheek nearest her.

�� "I love you, baby," she whispered. The little pucker which seemed permanently fixed between Katy's delicate eyebrows relaxed as the child shifted and sighed in her sleep. Quietly Lena rose and went over to her own bed, where she undressed. Reaching for the plain white cotton nightgown she usually wore to sleep in, Lena hesitated. Then, moved by an impulse she didn't fully comprehend, instead she took out of the drawer the gown that had been Catherine's birthday gift to her three months before. She shook it out and laid it across the bed, staring at the delicate silk-and-lace creation, remembering how bewildered she'd been at its presentation.

�� "Catherine, it's lovely!" she'd told her friend, "but why - "

�� Catherine had interrupted. "Because it's beautiful and so are you, and every girl should have something like this handy. Just in case."

�� Thinking of this, Lena smiled a wry, sad little smile and came to a decision. Since there was little chance of this gorgeous gown being needed for a purpose like Catherine had spoken of, she would just wear it tonight. After all, she might as well enjoy it; no one else ever would. Lena slipped the gown over her head. The smooth fabric rippled down her body with a sensuousness that made her shiver. God, she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to wear something like this, to have cool silk swirling around her legs and ankles!

�� Lena moved to the mirror over her dresser and surveyed her reflection as well as she could in the small oval of glass. The deep rose of the negligee enhanced the slight flush on her cheeks while emphasizing the fairness of her skin everywhere else. Lena sighed then resolutely turned toward the bed. Better get to sleep; I've got a busy day tomorrow.

<><><><><><><><><>

�� Zach's voice rang out. "Okay, everyone, listen up! Make sure you all stay together. The zoo is a big place and we don't want anyone getting lost. You've already chosen your buddies, now just remember: if anyone gets separated from his partner or from the group, you'll be having to explain to Father and Vincent exactly how that happened. In detail!"

�� Lena bit her lip. "That ought to be a sufficient threat," she muttered to Catherine, beside her, who grinned and murmured back, "Hey, it'd work for me!" They both smothered laughs as Zach turned to them.

�� "Everyone's ready now," he informed them.

�� "Thank you, Zach," Lena said gravely, then looked at the group of eager faces around them. "Well, what do you want to see first?"

�� "Monkeys!"

�� "Wanna see tigers!"

�� "Effalants!"

�� "The snakes!" This from nine-year-old Sean, a suggestion which brought a mixed chorus of groans and enthusiastic agreements. "Yeah, snakes! Let's go there!"

�� Catherine looked at Lena. "The Reptile House is close by."

�� Lena shuddered dramatically. "That's fine, Catherine, if you don't mind taking them through it without me. I'm sorry, but those things give me the creeps. Look." She nodded toward a large enclosure off to her right. "There's some birds or something, why don't I go there with whoever doesn't want to see the snakes?"

�� "Sounds good to me," Catherine agreed, and turned to the children. "Everyone who wants to go see the snakes and lizards come over here by me." Seven of the children instantly crowded around her.

�� "Hey, Nat," Sean called out to a younger boy of four, who had stayed with Lena's group. "You have to come with me - I'm your partner, remember?" Nathaniel raised big, dark eyes and shook his head. "Don't like snakes," he said stubbornly, clutching at Lena's hand. "Don't want to go."

�� Catherine looked at Lena, who grimaced. "Hmmm," she remarked. "We better redo our buddy system, don't you think? Let's see . . . Catherine, maybe you better take Zach with - Katy, what are you doing?" She broke off as her young daughter stepped forward to tug at Catherine's sweater.

�� Catherine knelt down. "Yes, Katy?"

�� The four-year-old looked at her, wide eyes the color of dark honey, blinking solemnly. "I'll take care of Jacob," Katy said.

�� Catherine smiled at the grave little girl, then turned to Jacob. "Jacob, which do you want to go see, the birds or the snakes?"

�� "'nakes!" her three-year-old declared emphatically. Catherine looked at Katy. "Do you want to see the snakes, Katy?" The girl merely reached for Jacob's hand. "I'll go with Jacob," she repeated.

�� Catherine glanced up at Lena questioningly. Lena only smiled and shrugged, silently reminding Catherine of something they both were well aware of: that little Katy was crazy about Jacob, and always had been. Catherine stood up and said to Zach, "I think you better come with me, Zach, if you don't mind."

�� The teenager was agreeable, so Catherine and Lena quickly designated new, temporary buddy pairings and arranged a meeting-point. Lena watched Catherine's group head for the reptiles, Zach and the older children slightly in advance of Catherine, who was matching her pace to the shorter legs of Katy, Jacob and one other child - DruA'nn - who couldn't quite keep up with the bigger kids. Not for the first time Lena envied Catherine's seemingly effortless ability to be both friend and authority figure to the children. She sighed then turned her attention to the expectant faces upturned to hers.

�� "All right, everyone," she said cheerfully, "let's go see the pretty birds. And no running!" - as three-year-old Daniel broke away from the group at a fast trot. Instantly he stopped and waited for them to catch up.

�� Three frenetic hours later, Lena looked up, grinning, as Catherine collapsed with a groan beside her on the wooden bench. She and the youngest children had earlier retreated to the shaded refreshment area, unable to keep up with the older group. Sean, Nathaniel, Milton and Luisa capered around them, as fresh as though they hadn't just completed a long and quite arduous trek through the zoo grounds.

�� "Didja hear the lions roaring at us, Lena? They were loud!"

�� "Aw, they weren't so loud. Vincent coulda done it better than that!" - a remark which brought snorts of amusement from both women.

�� "Can we get something to drink, Catherine? I'm thirsty."

�� "I'm hungry and thirsty!"

�� "I'm starving!"

�� "Where's the bathroom; I've gotta go!"

�� Lena instantly focused on this last statement. Judging from the anguished look in Nathaniel's eyes and the way he was hopping around, his need was pressing. She looked around and pointed to one side. "The boys' bathroom is over there, Nat." Scarcely were the words out of her mouth than he shot off in the indicated direction.

�� "Zach," she said urgently, turning, "go with - " but Zach had already started after the boy. Lena sighed with relief and turned to deal with the remaining kids. She held up a hand; instantly the clamor subsided.

�� Catherine spoke. "You know we brought sandwiches and things with us for lunch, but since this is a special day Father agreed that afterward you could all have an ice cream." A cheer went up and while everyone rushed to help unpack the backpacks, Catherine went up to the counter and bought several bags of potato chips. An excited buzz ran through the group when she returned. Potato chips too! This was a real treat! About then Zach and Nat rejoined them and the meal was consumed in record time, with Zach having to rescue Milton from choking as the boy tried to stuff half his sandwich in his mouth at once in order to get to the ice cream faster.

�� "See what happens when you try to hurry? All you did was waste the food," Lena reproved him as she carried the napkins containing the regurgitated remains over to a nearby trash basket. "You're lucky we brought some extra sandwiches; otherwise, you'd have to wait until dinner. Not to mention not getting any ice cream," she added, eyeing him sternly.

�� Milton nodded silently, much chastened and still hoarse and teary-eyed from coughing. Meekly he ate the new sandwich Catherine handed him, taking decorous bites and chewing carefully, while his peers watched with impatience. When he was finished, the circle of expectant faces immediately swiveled to look at Catherine, who smiled.

�� Running a quick check of the prices listed on the board above the refreshment stand, she opened the pouch secured around her waist. Selecting Sean as the oldest, she handed him a twenty-dollar bill.

�� "Here, Sean, you're in charge of the money." The boy puffed up with pride and Lena saw Catherine conceal a smile. "Remember your manners," she called after the group as they sprinted for the counter, with Zach close behind. A few yards away, Luisa stopped and returned.

�� "Catherine, don't you and Lena want anything?"

�� Catherine shook her head and looked at Lena, who looked back at her. "Come on, Catherine," she urged with a sly twinkle, "we can forget about calories - just this once."

�� Catherine grinned. "Go ahead, twist my arm again." She turned to Luisa. "Thanks, Luisa; I'd like a small chocolate cone, please."

�� "Same for me," Lena said, "and thank you, Luisa." She watched the kids throng around the counter and smiled. "They're good kids."

�� "That they are," Catherine agreed, keeping a sharp eye on Jacob. Vigilant and caring though Katy was, she knew only too well how quickly her intrepid son could get into mischief. "But I think I must have been out of my mind when I agreed to do this, Lena. I am worn out!" She sighed. "Just getting old, I guess."

�� Lena laughed. "You, old? Never. You'll be one of those disgusting women who - " A shadow fell across the table and they both looked up. A young man stood there gazing down at Lena with a tentative, inquiring look on his handsome face. Her smile froze then vanished.

�� "Lena?" the man said. "It is you, isn't it?"

�� Lena nodded dumbly.

�� "I thought it was, but it's been a long time and you look . . . different." He smiled down at her, revealing perfect teeth, noticeably white against the light tan of his face. "How have you been?"

�� "Derek - hi," Lena replied, releasing a long breath. A wave of delicate color tinted her face then suddenly receded, leaving pallor in its wake. "I'm fine. What . . . what are you doing here?" With disgust, she heard herself stammering like the tongue-tied child she had been once upon a time.

�� Derek nodded toward the crowd at the food counter. "I'm here with my nephew, my sister's boy."

�� "I mean, I didn't know you were back in town." Lena's heart slowed and started to regain her poise.

�� Fair brows swept upward; bright blue eyes widened in exaggerated consternation. "What?" he exclaimed. "You didn't know? How could you possibly have missed all the publicity?" His tone was amused and gently mocking - directed not at her but himself.

�� "I don't . . . get around like I used to," Lena said quietly.

�� Derek raised an expectant eyebrow. When Lena offered no further explanation he looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then turned his brilliant glance on Catherine. "Won't you introduce me to your friend?"

�� Lena quickly looked at Catherine, not certain whether she would appreciate such an introduction. Catherine smiled her reassurance and held out her hand to Derek. "I'm Catherine," she said, with a cool smile and an appraising look.

�� "Derek Donovan," he said, taking her hand in a brief, friendly clasp. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Catherine." Catherine nodded but made no reply. The man turned to Lena. "Lena, when can I see you? Are you free tonight?"

�� Lena felt the color once more heating her cheeks but was mercifully saved from the necessity of an immediate reply.

�� "Hey, Catherine! Here's your ice cream!" The children were back, en masse. Seeing a stranger at the table, they fell silent. Relinquishing Jacob to his mother, Katy moved to Lena's side, her eyes wide and unblinking. Lena's arm came around her protectively. Derek eyed the group, a confused frown creasing his forehead.

�� "What is this, some kind of school outing?" he asked. His eyes fell on Katy and Lena, and widened slightly. He blinked.

�� "Yes, it is," Lena said, never more thankful for Zach as that teenager efficiently seated the children at the table, passing out napkins and wiping at sticky mouths and hands - all with a minimum of fuss and while maintaining a wary watch on the unknown newcomer in their midst. She was also glad that Catherine had insisted they all wear Topsider clothing, which made them much less conspicuous.

�� "I see," Derek said thoughtfully. His eyes moved from Katy's face to Lena's, with a questioning look. Lena nodded. A slow, warm smile lit Derek's face. "I see," he repeated, nodding his head. He took Lena's hand and brought it to his lips, looking her in the eyes.

�� "Congratulations," he said, simply and sincerely. "And the best of luck to you both - you deserve it. I'll miss you, my dear." With one last smiling glance around the group and a nod for Catherine, he joined a young boy of about ten just leaving the food bar, relieving him of some of his load of food and drinks. The boy headed toward a nearby table but stopped as Derek said something, and the two started off for parts unknown.

�� "Are you all right?" Catherine asked Lena, pitching her voice low to keep the children from hearing. Lena nodded. "I'm okay," she said softly. "It was just a shock, running into someone I'd . . . known . . . before."

�� She met Catherine's close scrutiny with a reassuring smile - at least, she hoped it was reassuring - then became busily engaged in trying to capture melting trails of ice cream from both her cone and Katy's before the chocolate dripped on their clothes. A few moments later she realized that her eyes had strayed in the direction Derek had taken, and knew this had not gone unnoticed by her friend.

�� "Derek seems very nice," Catherine ventured after a minute, when Katy had gone in search of a napkin, leaving Lena with the soggy remains of her cone.

�� "He is," Lena replied simply, adding, "there aren't many out there like him. He was always one of my fav - " She stopped. "I mean, I've always liked him."

�� "What did he mean, about the publicity?"

�� Lena smiled a little. "Derek's one of the Chippendale dancers. They travel all over the country - you know, the male strippers?"

�� Catherine's eyebrows shot up. "Yes, I know." She looked thoughtfully in the direction Derek had taken. "I always used to wonder what those men were like, in real life I mean."

�� Lena shrugged. "Most of them are conceited jerks. At least, the ones I knew were. Derek is one of the rare exceptions." She quirked a mischievous eyebrow at Catherine. "Don't tell me you've gone to see their shows."

�� Catherine colored. "A few," she admitted, adding hastily, "Several years ago, when I was in college."

�� "Oh, 'way back then?" Lena made no effort to hide her disbelief, pleased at this opportunity to tease the imperturbable Catherine.

�� Catherine flushed even more. "Oh, maybe a few times after that," she said airily, with a poor attempt at composure. She looked at Lena, who allowed her smile to widen, and suddenly laughed. "Okay, you've found me out! Yes, Lena, I went to the Chippendale's shows for several years, even after I graduated from law school."

�� Lena grinned. "Why did you stop?" she wanted to know.

�� "I'm not sure." Catherine shrugged and frowned. "It was strange. I was at one of the shows one night, and about halfway through I looked around me at all the women yelling and whistling and stomping their feet, and it was as if a switch turned off inside me. I watched the way the emcee - and the dancers themselves - manipulated the audience, and I just got totally turned off. I remember one dancer who went down into the audience and practically dragged one woman up onto the stage with him, using her like a prop for his routine. He stripped down to his G-string and started his pelvic gyrations about six inches from her face . . . the poor woman looked like she was in her fifties and was obviously embarrassed to death. I remember thinking that if I were her I'd be giving him a punch where it would do the most good."

�� She laughed ruefully. "That was when I realized I probably should leave and not come back - so that's exactly what I did."

�� "I know what you mean," Lena told her. "I've been tempted to hand out a few punches myself in the past." She smiled grimly then looked over at the kids. "Is everyone finished now?"

�� "Almost," Zach answered, gathering up the last of the wrappers and napkins. "We just need to clean everyone up." He took the boys into the boys' restroom and Lena and Catherine did the same with the girls. Before long everyone was headed for the exit. A few yards away from the gates, Lena spotted Derek strolling toward them, hand in hand with his nephew, bent over to listen. Her heart beat faster as they approached. Suddenly Derek looked up and saw her.

�� "Well, hello again!" His smile seemed restrained, as if he were unsure of his welcome.

�� "Hey, we've got to stop meeting like this," Lena said with a casual grin. She looked down at the boy. "Is this your nephew, Derek?"

�� "Yes, this is Max." He rested an arm around the boy's shoulders. "Max, this is Lena. She's an old friend of mine."

�� "Hello, Max, I'm glad to meet you." Lena extended her hand toward the boy, who took it briefly. "Hi," was all he said in reply, his large, dark eyes wary - or shy, Lena was unsure which. She introduced Catherine and the children to him. Max nodded to everyone and murmured hello, but remained somewhat aloof.

�� "What grade are you in?" This from Luisa, bounding over like a friendly puppy, her brown eyes warm and beaming.

�� Derek ruffled Max's thick black hair. "Max is in fifth grade," he said. "How about you - is it Louise?"

�� "Luisa," the girl corrected him. "I think I'm in fourth grade." She turned a questioning look at Lena, who nodded. "Yeah, fourth. We're reading Swiss Family Robinson in class; have you read it? It's great!"

�� Max had; his solemn face brightened a little, and he and Luisa began exchanging comments about their favorite parts.

�� "She's not sure which grade she's in?" Derek asked Lena in a low voice, puzzled. "What kind of school is this - Montessori or something?"

�� "Not Montessori," Catherine cut in glibly, "but it is a private school, run by people who care not only about the quality of the education the children receive, but also about each child personally. The students are encouraged to stretch themselves academically, but no one is pushed to achieve more than they are capable of. That's why there are no arbitrary grade levels assigned."

�� "Sounds too good to be true," was Derek's rejoinder. He sounded a little strange, Lena thought, glancing at him. He clapped a hand on Max's shoulder, interrupting the children's conversation. "Sorry to break this off, Max, but if you want to see the rest of the zoo we better get going. Catherine, it was nice meeting you. Lena, I hope we run into each other again soon."

�� Lena took a deep breath and gathered her courage. "When's your next show?"

�� "Tonight," Derek said, giving her a measuring look.

�� "Would it - would you mind if I came to see you?" The words came out in a rush. Lena felt Catherine's startled glance but all her attention was fixed on Derek.

�� He continued to study her, but answered promptly, "I would like it very much - if you're sure." Mutely, she nodded, and Derek reached into his back pocket, bringing out a sheaf of tickets. "Here," he handed her a couple. "It's a date, then. Bring a friend if you want. The show starts at ten." Another searching look, then a slow, warm smile.

�� "I'll see you tonight, Lena."

END OF PART ONE

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