I could see her attraction, her curiosity. But also her worry, her fear. I tugged her hand and took a step backward, away from the window, toward the ...ed that dominated the room. Ella took a step, following me…I walked backward, never taking my eyes away from hers. Ella’s beautiful brown (?) eyes, that held me captive also pleaded with me to go slow. And I wanted to, I wanted this moment, this time together to last for as long as possible. I had two nights. I was already hoping she would not. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. That was crazy. What was I even thinking? Did I really act like that? How did they not laugh in my face? I’ve got to get rid of that stuff tomorrow. Jesus. What if someone finds out I took it? I could get arrested. Where the hell did I get the nerve to steal that stuff in the first place? Who does that? They may already know. They could be after me now. I dead-bolted my door and put the chain on. Then backed away into my bedroom. Stupid, stupid man. Did you really think. We spentseveral hours going through the code before I asked, "What does thisall mean?" It means someone involved in the nanite project was involved inkidnapping Bella's parents." And probably her too?" Maybe?" What's in her code that's not in the nanite programming?" I wondered."They wouldn't need her if they had all of the code already...." Okay girls, time for you both to start thinking about bed," Fred saidfrom behind us. We both jumped slightly and I noted my full bladder. Ithought for only. . he's nice looking..." Oh, how nice looking?" Allison teased."Very, now can we change the subject?" Only if you'll tell me how you met?"She turned around on the chair and faced her daughter, struggling to think about what to say. She and Michael had now been working together for almost three years and the computer upgrade project was about to be completed. That bothered her more than she'd like to admit. Seeing Michael made her day and she would miss the quick brownbag lunches they often.