Where There's Smoke There's Fire

Risks

"So, this is New Zealand." Frank took a breath of fresh air.

"I thought there would be more sheep." Freddy joked as he unloaded the bags.

Frank came over to me.

"Cozy little place, eh? Quiet, secluded. I wouldn't mind spending a holiday here,"

"I would. Not enough books,"

"That's why you bring your own," He pulled out Homers Odyssey from his bag.

"Ooh, got anything in there for me?"

"Nope. You'll have to read it with me," He grinned and swooped me into his arms once Freddy and Jeff were inside.

"Will I?"

"Yes." His whisper was almost inaudible. His nose brushed mine as he stooped to my height to kiss me.

"Whoa! My eyes! Get a room, will ya?" Our heads turn towards Freddy's voice. Frank gives him a crippling frown.

"Hee hee, sorry. I'll just put Lola's bags in the bedroom." He turned to go, then stopped, "Would you guys like me to put both your bags in the bedroom?" He gave us the suggestive eyebrow raise and left laughing.

Frank turned to me and smirked. "He's got a point, you know?"

"Oh, shut up."

"Honestly though, you have to give me something to work with,"

"I have," I make him let go of me and enter the house.

"Not nearly enough. A few kisses and satisfied sighs aren't much," He followed me into the house and then into my room where I sorted through my clothes.

"You haven't asked for much more,"

"I shouldn't need to ask. You should just know what I want," Frank was starting to get more agitated.

"It's not as if we're a couple," I said as I put some of my clothes into the dresser.

"I never said we are. But you get my point don't you? You told me to convince you this is a good idea. How can I do that if you never give me an opportunity?"

"Let's cut to the chase, okay?" I face him with my arms crossed. "I don't want a relationship, even a fling, with an operative that I'm working with. It's just not a good idea,"

"Is that you speaking or your moralistic ideals?" He laid on the bed on his back, his hands underneath his head.

"What's the difference?"

He scoffed. "What you want isn't the same thing as what is right. I think you do want me, that's just nature. I have an affect on you, and you'd be lying if you said I don't."

'You have no idea what you do to me,' I said to myself. "Can you say anything without being arrogant?"

He laughed. "Arrogant? I'm just stating facts, sweetheart." He grinned at me, "Facts that you seem to be ignoring,"

"I'm not ignoring anything-"

"Yes you are," He interrupts. Frank paused for a moment, his face grave. Then he smiled with genuine humor. "It doesn't even really matter, does it? Nothing does in the end. It all seems like a dream sometimes. A nightmare that we hope to end, one way or another. Don't you agree, sweetheart?"

This notion of his scared me. I could sense his need for control over me, the way he is trying to manipulate my emotions and thoughts. I need to get away from him, but I can't.

"I don't agree at all. I think that every life matters and that we should make the most of the time given,"

"You and your old-fashioned, dead values," He laughed. "I can't wait to see what you do when you realize that the world isn't so cut and dry,"

His implication that I was uneducated in the ways of the world was starting to get on my nerves.

"Perhaps I do know, but prefer to be optimistic,"

"Optimism is just an illusion that people use to divert the shocks of everyday life. It's a sign of weakness and the inability to take the brunt of life's problems," He stopped just as Jeff opened the door and poked his head in.

"What are you guys up to?" Jeff said as Freddy pushed his way past the door ad into the room.

"If you two lovebirds are done arguing, supper's ready. We're having Cheetos and Kraft dinner,"

"Delicious! We've got to eat healthy if we want to stay sharp," Frank lifted himself off the bed. "We'll talk later, okay?" He whispered to me as he walked past.

'We definitely will,' I thought.