Chapter 7: The Loner and The Recluse Come Together

While I sat with the hostages, Angel had made phone calls to politicians on the council. Apparently, she had been doing her homework in her spare time and found dirt on many of the politicians. Of course, with this dirt now in her hands, many agreed to "readjust" their city sector budgets to include outside the domes. Angel had wanted to save this tactic as a last resort to achieve results, but the night's events had forced her hand. Thankfully, funding the budgets had not taken place yet, so there was still time to review them.

For the other politicians that didn't have dirt, perhaps it was by a stroke of luck that they had family being held hostage or were hostages themselves. They were willing to agree to anything for their safety. I fostered negotiations with hostage takers so they could talk to Angel and make a deal with her.

When it came time for Davidson and Angel to talk over the phone, I was brought in as a mediator. Angel mentioned programs she was wanting to do and thanked Davidson for his passion to protect the people and helping her get some things done. The budgets, now freed up, could go to other areas outside the domes related to these projects. However, Angel stated to Davidson that he would have to pay for his actions as she could not ignore him putting innocent lives on the line. She offered a better deal than I ever could. Surrender peacefully and their lives would be spared from orders of execution. Davidson stated he would take the brunt of the sentence, asking for his men to be spared from the time. When Dastun gave me his profile while investigating him, he was noted for his leadership skills and ability to bring people together in the MP. I found myself briefly thinking it was a shame he could not have put his talents to better use and wonder what pushed him to his extremism. But for now, the case was at least closed.

In the end, Angel's fast thinking and my own saved the lives of everyone in the restaurant that night. Negotiations concluded at 1 a.m. with me negotiating with Dastun the terms in which Davidson would surrender. Davidson and his men would walk out first, followed by myself. Once his men surrendered, Dastun stormed the building, making sure all weapons that were missing the MP weapon's cache were secured and back in MP hands, as well as to make sure the building was also secured.

Roger saw Davidson being escorted in handcuffs to an MP paddy wagon. Dastun shook his head.

"I understand why he did it, but at the same time, I feel like…" Dastun took off his cap, rubbing his bald head.

Roger shook his head and looked up at the dome, glad that the night was finally over. "You feel like he could've gone down a different path getting his point across?"

Dastun nodded. "Even with things starting over, it seems the conflict with those inside and outside of the domes is deteriorating even faster than before. Roger, I'm not sure we'll have enough time with the President's case if this keeps up."

"If Angel promises to follow through on those reforms, she may be able to hold the situation back for now and buy us some time to continue our investigations. From what she did tonight, I was impressed."

"She said she's been using Big Ear to collect dirt on people. She told me to tell you that."

Roger sneered. "Well, I guess I need to watch my Ps and Qs then."

Roger sighed, leaning back on Dastun's vehicle. The date night in which he had wanted to be a wonderful surprise for Dorothy, had fallen into shambles, possibly with no hope of saving it. Dorothy was busy assisting the hostages with finding their families while Roger debriefed Dastun on events that happened on top of the dome. Dorothy had given her account to Dastun, but Dastun needed Roger's account of what happened after he went back across to take on the two men that had followed them.

"You got lucky, Roger," said Dastun, nodding over to Dorothy.

"Mm? How so?"

"Dorothy takes her job seriously. I mean, she's always been smart, logical, and level headed. But tonight, her determination won me over. If I were you, I would never piss her off."

"Huh? What did she do?"

"I don't know what you've been teaching her, but compared to the time I saw her when we had that meeting at your house, Dorothy was very assertive that I better not do anything stupid to jeopardize you or the hostages. The way she said it, well, your butler saw it too. I did recoil a bit."

Roger chuckled. "That's definitely Dorothy for you. She's not afraid to say what's on her mind."

Dastun snickered. "I can see why she appeals to you."

"Knock it off, Dastun. My personal life is none of your business."

Dastun held up his hands in the air as he turned to walk away. "All I'm saying is, Roger, you got a good one. You had a good one before she was human. Don't waste this."

Roger crossed his arms, annoyed. There were some things he did NOT miss working with Dastun, and Dastun's annoying observations about facts or feelings he was wrestling with was one of those things. However, Roger exhaled his annoyance and looked at his watch. Perhaps… maybe there was still time to save the night. Roger gingerly brought his arm to his mouth, still sore from the sudden stop with the grappling hook.

"Norman, come in."

"Yes sir? It is quite hard to hear you over the crowd. But rest assured, Dorothy is nearly done with assisting everyone."

"Actually, this is about a different request…"

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Norman pulled the Griffon into the hangar. Roger and Dorothy stepped out of the back, too tired to wait for Norman to assist. However, Norman mentioned something he needed to attend to in the kitchen and ran off to the lift, leaving Roger and Dorothy alone in the hangar as they waited for the lift to come back down.

"If I hadn't done all that running in heels tonight, I probably would have strength to go up the stairs. But…" Dorothy yawned, "What a night. You really do know how to show a girl a good time, Mr. Smith."

Roger laughed. "I mean, all we were missing was the lunchbox full of missiles to make it a party."

"Cute, but no thank you. The last time you had missiles, I got singed hair and a singed dress. Oh shoot!"

"What is it?"

"Do you mind if we stop by the entry way? I need to get the flowers and gift you gave me earlier."

Roger nodded. They both heard the lift sound off and turned to it. Norman had sent the lift back down for them. Roger gestured for Dorothy first, Dorothy getting on the lift. Roger followed and pressed the button for the entryway, shutting the gate.

"Dorothy, I'm really sorry about tonight. I can understand if you don't want to go out after this…"

Dorothy turned to Roger, mildly annoyed. "Roger, it's okay. I do want to go out with you, I really do. Tonight was not your fault. If anything, thank you… for protecting me."

Dorothy blushed at the last part and looked away, smiling. Roger noticed, but looked away all the same, smiling. The lift stopped at the entry way, and Roger held the gate open as Dorothy went to get her flowers and gloves Roger had given her earlier in the night. Dorothy stepped back into the lift, smelling the roses deeply. Even though they were not full-size roses, their scent was still amazing and very aromatic.

"I would like to grow roses in the spring," she said, as Roger pressed the button for the top floor.

"Norman does have a gardening area out back. You should let him know. I know plants are hard to come by, so he may have to talk to someone now so they can start looking for one."

"Plants are just like dogs and cats then?"

"Real plants are rare. You can get the synthetic ones, but they don't last. You can try putting these in water to see if they'll take root, but…" Roger felt his anxiety creeping up.

"Wait… these are real roses?"

"Well… yeah…" Roger rubbed the back of his head nervously.

Roger got me real roses, but they're expensive. And the colors… they're two-tone. I remember the colors have significant meanings. Red is romantic. Yellow is friendship, and orange is… what does orange mean again? Isn't it a combination of yellow and… red?

Dorothy turned bright red at the sudden realization. No, that couldn't be right, but… She felt a strong elation wanting to escape from her, but maintained her composure. However, she felt her face going red once again. She hid her face in the roses, not wanting Roger to see her. But out of the corner of her eye, she caught Roger looking at her. They both look quickly away, but then looked back at each other, each giving one another a nervous laugh.

The lift finally came to a stop and the gate opened. Dorothy and Roger stepped off and went to the living room. However, Dorothy gasped at what she saw.

Norman hadn't gone to the kitchen. He had gone to the main living area and rearranged the furniture to make a large open space. Medium paced jazz music was playing on a record player and filling the room soft saxophone, piano, cello, and bass notes. Norman himself was a holding a tray, beaming.

"I can take these to your room, Miss Dorothy, if you so wish."

Dorothy had no words. Was this what she thought it was? No it couldn't be… She slowly turned to Roger.

"Roger, what's going on here, exactly?"

Roger was kicking off his shoes, his feet sore from the night, but he still had strength for the activity he had promised Dorothy at the restaurant. "You had asked me for a dance at the restaurant, if I remembered right. I know it's late, but would you care to have one dance with me, Dorothy Wayneright?" He walked out to the middle of the space, extending his hand for her to take.

Dorothy set the gifts and her purse on tray, she too kicking off her shoes. "Yes, I would be more than happy to."

Dorothy beamed and walked to Roger, curtsying before accepting his hand. Roger brought her in close, Dorothy putting her left hand around his waist, raising her right arm up. Roger draped his right arm around her waist. Norman gave a short bow, before exiting to go to Dorothy's room to drop off the items.

Aside from the night's events, this was the closest they had been all night. Roger took the first step, breaking into a fox trot to the beat of the music. Dorothy moved with him, letting him steer. The beat picked up its pace, and so did they. Roger looked down at Dorothy, smiling. Dorothy returned his smile. They broke away briefly, Roger still holding her hand, Dorothy twirling, facing him as Roger closed the gap.

At this point the dance evolved into something of their own. Roger connected with Dorothy once more, but Dorothy taking lead and moving at her own pace. Her pace, while keeping with the beat, was quicker. Roger had to pace himself with her, but he gave a small laugh. He was enjoying himself. Dorothy giggled, having mutual feelings. But then she broke away, finding her own rhythm, twirling round and round, the skirt of her purple dress shimmering in the light of dome, which bathed the living room. She got to a moment where she felt couldn't go in circles anymore, her arms falling gracefully to her sides, but Roger took her hand bringing her close again. They resumed their movements together, Dorothy's smile growing, Roger admiring her beauty and grace.

Norman returned from putting Dorothy's belongings in her room, but quickly excused himself to the kitchenette. However, the pair didn't take notice. Both were lost in their world, the events of the night fading away. The present was what matter to the both of them. Once Norman was in the kitchenette in the dining room, out of sight, he did a small fist pump in the air, straighten his jacket, and prepared their nightly tea with a large smile on his face.

The song finally slowed down, coming to an end. Roger finally stopped moving. Dorothy looked into his eyes. His hair was still undone from the night, the lump on his head, now smaller. Roger stared back into Dorothy's eyes. His feelings and her feelings, had risen to the surface in their eyes, their feelings the same for one another. In this moment, both wanted the same thing. Roger pulled her closer, Dorothy resting her one hand in his chest, her other interlacing fingers with Roger's. The distance between them growing smaller as they both leaned in, their eyes closing, their faces flushed from the moment they knew was going to happen, and not be interrupted for a second time.

They met halfway, kissing. Their eyes closed, their smooth lips slightly open meeting each other. Dorothy responded by moving her hand around his face, brushing his bangs out of the way, Roger tightening his arm around her waist in return. Then they broke away for a moment. Roger opened his eyes to find Dorothy's still closed, still savoring the moment that had just taken place. When she opened them, they were filled with happiness and admiration. Her heart pumping hard, Roger's chest rising up and down at the same pace at her heart. Roger found himself looking at her in deep awe.

And then realization dawned on them. They had both kissed each other. Dorothy felt a minor moment of panic, but at the same time, she didn't want the moment to end. Roger gently grabbed her chin and raised her face to see his. He studied her face for moment, but Dorothy broke free, and this time met him first on the lips once more. Roger, surprised at first, closed his eyes, enjoying the sweetness and softness of Dorothy's lips, enjoying the moment.

A loud clinking made them break away and look in the direction of the sound. Norman had brought their tea for the evening, but had walked into them, kissing. He was in the middle of turning to head back to the kitchen.

"My apologies! I did not hear you dancing and thought you were finished. I'll leave…"

Roger looked at Dorothy and found she was looking at him. They both chuckled at Norman. Roger took Dorothy's hand and led her to the couch.

"You're fine, Norman. Just set the tea on table," he said as sat on the couch. Dorothy followed him, still holding Roger's hand.

"Of course, sir. If there's nothing else?"

Roger shook his head. Norman did a short bow and left back to the kitchenette. Roger took the tea pot poured Dorothy and himself a cup. Dorothy accepting gratefully her cup, taking a sip, and setting it back on the table. Roger let his cup cool for a moment and leaned back, their moment still on his mind. Dorothy leaned into him, and he extended his arm around her, holding her.

"So, about just now… that was nice," Dorothy murmured, snuggling close to Roger.

Roger smiled and closed his eyes.

"Where do we go from here, Roger?"

"Hm? I guess, take it day-by-day. You feeling okay?"

Dorothy nodded and stood up.

"I hope you don't mind, but I would like to go to bed. The night is finally catching up with me. I wish I could dance some more. But, this was lovely and I would love to do it again. Minus the hostage part."

Roger chuckled and stood up as well. "Agreed."

They both leaned in confidently and kissed one another once more. Dorothy broke away, taking her teacup with her.

"Good night, Roger."

"Good night, Dorothy."

He watched Dorothy walk away into the hallway leading to her bedroom, Dorothy taking a pause to look and smile at him once more, Roger returning the smile, before he heard the door shut.

"YES!"

Roger fell back into the sofa, his arms behind his head, grinning about the night's successful moments. However, he winced in pain from the night's events. Perhaps Norman had something for him in the kitchen or could at least look him over to make sure everything was normal.

Roger finished his tea and placed everything on the tray to take back to the kitchenette, where he found Norman cleaning up.

"Good evening, sir. I was just tidying up. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Could you take a look at me when you get a moment? That jump with Dorothy and that punch are still hurting."

"Of course, sir." Norman stopped what he was doing to grab a medical kit from the cabinet, "Where's Miss Dorothy?"

"She went to bed. I didn't want to alarm her. She seemed to enjoy herself."

"Indeed, sir. Shall we check on you here or…?"

"Let's go the bedroom, just in case if she's still up and comes back out. Don't want to worry her."

Norman nodded and walked back with Roger to his room. Once inside, he helped Roger take off his suit jacket and shirt.

"Arms up, sir," and Norman began conducting a physical of Roger's injured left arm. Roger grimaced as Norman completed the checkup.

"Pulled muscle sir. Not much we can do except rest and pain management. Anywhere else?"

Roger took off his undershirt to reveal a bruise from the punch Davidson had given him. Norman dug a stethoscope out from his medical kit and began placing the receiver around the area. Norman had Roger breath a few times, but did not detect any abnormalities.

"Considering the night's events sir, you're very lucky," Norman said as he packed the stethoscope away and pulled out some ibuprofen to give to Roger, "Rest and relaxation are your main treatments. Is there anything else I can assist with?"

"Not tonight. Thanks Norman."

"Good night, sir."

Norman closed the door to his bedroom as Roger got up to go to his shower, and then bed for the night.

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Dorothy was leaning on the back of her door, reliving the moment. She had kissed Roger three times. Three times! She finished her tea and set the cup on her dresser.

What are you doing Dorothy Wayneright? Three times? Isn't that a bit much? But he didn't seem to mind. Oh dear, what am I doing? What am I doing? We haven't… we shouldn't be focusing on a relationship right now, especially with everything going on. It's too much of a distraction, we're not free of this curse yet, but at the same time… I can't help myself. It was… nice.

Dorothy's eyes fell onto the bouquet of roses Roger had given her for the evening. Norman had set the vase on her dresser along with her gloves.

I remember now. Orange… means you would like to pursue a romantic interest in someone. Have we gotten that close to one another? Where has the time gone? And, will this evolve into something more? I'm so nervous and such a mess… This isn't like me…

Dorothy began to undress to get ready for bed, putting on her pajamas. However, the journal on her desk, the one Roger had bought her, beckoned her forward. She wrote down her feelings from the night until tiredness began creeping in on her. Despite all of her questions, she felt strangely calm and at peace. For the time being, as she crawled into bed, she would put the questions out of her mind and take it day-by-day, as Roger had said.

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A woman, clad in a black uniform jacket and skirt outlined with purple thread and gold insignias on her lapels, wearing knee high jackboots pulled up to a nice mansion in Union Central Dome. She was fuming. Fuming that she had to be out late to deliver a message from her bosses. The rep for Union Central Dome had messed up and now, she had to do clean up duty. How she hated clean up duty. She was fair skin, but the hat that she wore, crested with golden angel wings at the top, casted a shadow over her face, that appeared darker in the night. But the beautiful face she had was carved with an ugliness from her anger. Her features were rigid, unmoving, her almond shaped eyes almost looking distorted from her rage. Her hair was long and blonde, braided into a single ponytail. She stepped out of the car and pulled out a Ruger Standard Model pistol from inside her jacket. Although slender and with curves in all the right places, she moved with purpose. She had more important things to do than playing mailman. She began walking up the marble stairs and banged on the door loudly. A butler answered the door and she forced herself in, knocking the butler down in the process.

"Where's your master of the house?" she demanded to know.

The butler shaking gestured to the room across the hall, but the Union Central Dome council member, by the name of Thomas Cavanaugh, had got up to use the restroom. He looked shocked seeing the woman in his house.

"By Jove, what are you…"

He did not get the words out of his mouth as the woman ran across quickly and knocked him to the ground. He held up his hands as she pointed the gun at him.

"Please, have mercy. I… I… I… I've been trying… It's just that…"

The woman pointed the gun away from him, surveyed the house, finding a beautiful vase covered in ivy. She shot at it, the vase crumbling into pieces. The council member flinched at the sound of the gunshot. His family, cowering in the corner of the living room, began screaming.

"Please, please… spare them… they had no part…"

"We agreed that you would stall the President. We agreed that if you do your job and made her job harder to do, we would bring you into our inner circle. But what's this that I'm hearing that she literally has found dirt on everyone, including you, and used it to blackmail you? My bosses are very displeased with your progress. It seems the President has outwitted you and now you cave because you can't keep your nose clean."

"Please I can fix this!"

"QUIET! My bosses have sent me to deliver a message. You have one more chance. If you screw this up, you're done. Stop her meddling. Stop her winning the people over. Make up slander, win over the people who love her, find her doing something illegal, I don't care what it is."

"I…. I… I… I've been trying. You see, she's very clever…"

"THEN BE CLEVERER THAN HER! Or is that too hard for a politician like yourself?"

She turned to leave, walking across the granite flooring that shined, her boots clacking with every step she took. She stopped at the entrance where the butler remained cowering on the floor. Without a second thought, she aimed her Ruger and shot him between the eyes. He laid dead on floor, blood pouring from the wound, the screaming now getting to hysterical levels from the family, still in the living room. Without looking at the rep, she spoke once more.

"Consider this a warning, Mr. Cavanaugh. The next time, it WILL be your family and you, especially if I have to come out this late at night again."

The figure that had barged into the home now went back to her car, vanishing quickly into the night.