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Constance sat back, folding her legs beneath her. "When is Nick returning?"
"I'll call him and ask." Mason pulled out her cell phone and the numbers he gave her, starting to dial. "He said he was going shopping."
Constance rocked back and forth a bit, muttering, "I hope he gets what he was looking for."
Mason nodded, asking if she knew what it was as she finished dialing and let the phone ring. Constance remained silent, smiling her only reply.
The phone rang twice before Nicholas picked up, sounding out of breath, as if he'd been jogging. "Black Ball Security Systems, Nicholas speaking. How may I help you?"
Mason frowned, concentrating on the phone conversation. "It's Mason, Nick. Constance asked me when you'd be getting back?"
There was a slight crackle in the phone as he answered. "On my way back now. I should be entering the apartments in approximately five minutes. Is anything amiss?"
"No, she just wanted to know." Mason turned to Constance. "He says he'll be back in five minutes. Do you want to talk to him?"
Constance nodded, extending her hand to retrieve the phone from Mason; her voice took on a more winsome quality. "Hey, baby… what'cha up to? Oh good. Yes, I'm feeling much better. Still have my headache though… did you get the medicine?" She sighs, an expression of profound relief washing over her features.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou. I'll see you in a few minutes? Right, three minutes now. I love you… Yes, I'll be sure Mason gets everything she needs. Yes, she is very sweet; you were right. Yes. Okay… Bye-bye."
Constance handed the phone back to Mason, smiling. "Thank you."
"You're welcome…" She hung up the phone, watching Constance with cautious speculation. "What kind of drug did he get you?"
"Tylenol, I think." Her smile wavered a bit. "He didn't say."
"Constance… please don't do that. People don't get anxious over Tylenol." Mason tilted her head, gazing at her… friend… "I'm in no position to judge you, I already share an addiction with you. But, I need to know." She turned and looked toward the door, figuring the three minutes would have passed by now.
The woman on the bed sighed, rubbing her forehead as she quietly whispered, "Cocaine." She slumped inward, dejected humiliation dulling the light in her eyes.
Mason looked at Constance, wondering if this was another, more convincing lie; she sighed softly, almost inaudibly. "Thank you."
From down the hallway, the dogs lifted their heads, responding to the shifting hum of the security system as the door opened. They snarled menacingly right up until they recognized Nicholas, who paused to scratch them affectionately, praising their response.
Mason smiled at Constance gently, then stepped out of the bedroom into the hall. "Nick?"
Constance rose from the bed, following her. She touched Mason's hand, very softly, the terror of having been discovered almost overwhelming her while she waited for Mason to turn around. Her voice wavered slightly as she spoke. "There are some things worse than death. I'm sorry I lied – I was afraid if Ms. Semingworth found out, she would stop … requiring my assistance. I don't want to die, Mason; I just want to be happy." Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to hold back threatening tears as she continued, "And forget. I'd give anything to forget."
Nicholas joined the pair, a bright smile on his face. "Constance must be feeling more herself… she is up and about!" He glanced at Mason with depthless gratitude, which quickly melted into confusion as the tension became apparent – he looked from one to the other, trying to locate the source.
Constance dropped her eyes, turning her face away as she spoke. "Go ahead and tell Mason what I'm addicted to, Nick."
Nicholas blinked a few times, surprise working it's way through his system as the animation left his face, returning quickly as he answered the question with childlike honesty. "Ahh. Oh. She fights the demons away with cocaine, Ms. Weston." He dropped his eyes as well, fidgeting, a sudden fear clenching he as well, not for himself – not directly, but for his mate.
"And you got her some? Can I see?"
Nicholas looked up again. "Yes. Of course." He fished the small plastic bag from his pocket, handing it to Mason for her inspection.
She studied it for a moment, then handed it back to Nicholas. "Okay… thank you for being honest with me finally. Is your connection to get this stuff totally safe? Knowing you, it is…"
"Quite secure… May I still call you Mason?"
Mason smiled at him softly. "Yes, please do, Nick."
Nicholas stuffed the bag back into his jeans distractedly. "Thank you. It was not my intent to be dishonest, Mason. Not ever."
Mason nodded. "Okay, not dishonest. But evasive." As she looked at Nicholas, her hand rose of its own volition, without her meaning to. She turned the gesture into an awkward wave, dropping it to pet the nearest dog soon after.
"Evasive. Yes. I'm very sorry… Are you leaving so soon then? Oh. Well, you are welcome any time please. Here…" He handed her a slip of paper with the security codes written on it in tiny, precise handwriting. "Please don't keep it long… Memorize it, if you can." He smiled warmly, with a look into Mason's eyes.
Mason suppressed her reaction to this look as best she could, glancing down at the dog she scratched. "It's okay, now. Is there anything else either of you need?" She accepted the note, tucking it away.
Constance watched silently, studying the interaction between the two, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. She squelched the urge to laugh, trying to catch Nicholas' eye instead.
"No, nothing at all. We are quite well taken care of by yourself and Ms. Semingworth." He hesitated, realizing Mason wasn't looking at him any longer. "Have I offended you?"
"Oh no, Nick… you haven't offended me. Never, not once since the moment I met you."
"Oh good. It would disturb me deeply if I had." Oblivious until just this moment, Nicholas glanced at Constance while Mason continued looking down – a silent question was posed and answered between them, and he hurried to fulfill her request.
"Mason? May I ask a favor of you?"
"Oh… sure? Anything."
"Would you come by again to keep Constance company? I really am away quite a bit, and … she seems so much better now. It would be quite wonderful if you could come by and visit her."
"Oh, sure I will. Constance…either of you just call me and I'll come up. It's a short elevator trip, you know."
"Oh, thank you. This is the first time I've seen her up and about in days… you have no idea how overjoyed I am. Ahhh… but, I must be keeping you." Nicholas stepped out of the way, reaching over and tabbing in the standby command. He opened the door, holding it. "It was a pleasure."
Mason smiled at them both as she made a hasty retreat, figuring Nick would reset the security system. She returned to her apartment and studied the codes until she felt they were memorized, then ripped the paper into tiny pieces, and dropped them into her sink disposal. Sighing, she leaned down to retrieve Brutis' water bowl while she was at it, her mind playing over the night's conversations.
At the same time, Nicholas was asking Constance what had happened, in his usual completely open way. "Did you sleep with her?"
Constance shook her head. "No, but I wanted to. I will..." She considered her options, and her goals, carefully. It was good to have a goal to work toward again, good to have a social situation to orchestrate. It would keep her busy. She began carefully leading Nick to where she knew he was headed anyway...