Autumn Winds Part 1

The reporter had waited, as instructed, on that cold autumn day, huddled by an old brick wall until the funeral ended. The press had not been allowed into the cathedral, but the list of attendants read like a Who's Who of the rich and famous and his editor was eager to get some good shots as they came out. Each public face, no doubt, showing the politically correct amount of grief.

The reporter shivered, pulling up the wool collar of his jacket against the bitter wind. They didn't come more famous than the "Remarkable Williams Family". Philip Williams had been a Welsh immigrant to Canada. Through hard work and brilliant financial dealings, he had carved a place for himself among a surprised Canadian Establishment.

Always a nonconformist, at fifty three, he had surprised the conservative Canadian Establishment yet again, by marrying Alexandria Thasos the prima ballerina of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company. She was, at the time, twenty two. To everyone's greater surprise, the stormy marriage endured until Williams' mysterious and fatal boating accident at seventy six.

Alexandria gave her "Philly" three equally remarkable offspring; Roberta, Elizabeth and William. Roberta, the oldest, had won Oscars as an actor, playwright and director. She was like her father, brilliant, ruefulness and driven. As one critic wrote, "Robbie Williams could make anyone a star and all it was going to cost them was their soul!"

Number two was Elizabeth, the reclusive physicist, who had advanced our knowledge of quantum mechanics to a degree so complex that few could understand. It was accepted however, amongst enlightened circles, that only she and God completely understood the dynamics involved in the creation of the universe.

"Billy-the-Kid" Williams, the baby black sheep of the family, wild ways had won him three world cups in Formula One racing and the brushed stainless steel coffin that was at this moment being carried from the cathedral.

The reporter moved away from the protection of the brick wall and out into the biting wind to lean against the dirty yellow barricades that had been put up by the concerned police force at the mayor's request.

The crowd buzzed, anticipating the precession of celebrities. The coffin was carried by Billy-the-Kid's racing team. They wore their team colours, black with a slash of red down their pant leg.

The blue steel of the coffin was partly hidden by the black and white checker flag that had been unrolled dramatically by Alexandria on her son's coffin only moments before. The two sister's had placed his red helmet at one end. It had done its job well. Billy's handsome head was undamaged, although separated from his neck by the crash.

Descending the long flight of stairs behind the coffin was Alexandria dramatically wrapped in black mink (not the one she had worn at her husband's funeral). A brilliant red clasp at her throat emphasized her long neck and repeated the racing motif. She appeared distraught at her son's death but on closer observation through the camera lens, the reporter noted that her eyes were dry.

One step behind the dramatic Alexandria walked the surviving siblings; Roberta, tall, dark and bristling with energy defiantly sneering at the gawkers and mousy Elizabeth, bowed not in grief but in the heady contemplation of the greater universe.

Following them in quiet dignity and completely forgotten by the others, was Billy's wife, Janet. She held in her arms a baby. Billy's child. The reporter took a number of close-up shots. It was the third generation's debut. What a hell of a tradition for a little kid to live up to!

The party paused on the last few stairs watching as the coffin was slipped into the black hearse. It was then that the reporter took the picture that would appear in black and white on newsstands all over the world.

There stood Alexandria dramatically posed with Elizabeth one step behind, lost in thought and partly hidden by the black swirl of mommy's furs. Alone to the right towered Roberta. She was not looking at the coffin, instead her head was turned looking to the left, past her sister to where Bill's wife stood with quiet dignity, her arms wrapped protectively around her child. Janet Williams' strawberry blond hair was the only spot of light in the dark scene.

The expression on Roberta's face was one of calculated curiosity as if she had just become aware that her brother had left a family and was evaluating her responsibilities and options regarding them, which of course was the case.

A black, stretch limousine pulled slowly forward and the racing team, now no longer burdened with their boss's body, turned and filed down each side. Those on the left opened the doors to receive the Williams family. Alexandria and Elizabeth stepped forward and disappeared into the luxurious interior. Roberta crossed the step and took the elbow of Janet Williams guiding the surprised woman and her child down to the vehicle. All three disappeared and the racing team closed the doors, waiting for the next limo that would carry them to the grave side.

Inside there was a moment of silence, then Alexandra shifted. "Thank you, Roberta. Beautifully choreographed as always. Although, I'm not sure we shouldn't have stood longer on the step for the press."

A ghost of a smile was exchanged by the two sisters. "Nonsense, Alexandria, the light today is far too harsh. It would not have done you justice," Robbie responded practically, noting the wide-eyed shock on the face of the wife opposite her. Billy had good taste, she thought her eyes slowly traveling up the small woman's body.

Alexandria sniffed. "Perhaps; that is your field so I shall bow to your judgement, Robbie. Beth, do straighten your shoulders, dear." Beth did so immediately, a red tide washing up her neck.

"I read your paper on your observations of the event horizon of Cygnus X-1. Can I assume that you feel Schwarzschild's radius is upheld by the current data?" questioned Robbie turning her neon blue eyes in the direction of her sister. Janet relaxed, no longer under Roberta's scrutiny. She saw Elizabeth relax too as her big sister came to her aid and led the conversation to waters where she felt comfortable.

"Certainly the light wave front has failed to escape to infinity and hovers around thirty kilometers from the star. That would be expected with Schwarzchild's radius. What is interesting," the recluse continued warming to her only interest, "Is that under the principles of quantum mechanics, particles can escape from a black hole. This of course would have appeared impossible using classic mechanics."

Robbie nodded, "The uncertainly principle," she muttered as she followed her sister's train of thought.

Beth smiled. "Planck's constant comes into play where ..."

Alexandria waved a hand in annoyance. "Girls, Billy's wife doesn't need to have her mind strained to the limit with Williams' thought play! Be polite."

"My name is Janet," came a soft, firm voice from the corner. All eyes turned to look at the petite blond in surprise.

At the sound of the voice the small child on her lap beamed and reached up. "Mommy, mommy."

The green eyes turned away from the family and focused on her daughter and her face broke in to a radiant smile. "Hi, little one," Janet Williams cooed letting the tot play with the leather glove that she had removed.

Robbie stirred uncomfortably. Elizabeth withdrew into herself and Alexandria looked in amazement at the baby as if she had just realized that she was now a grandmother, which of course was the case. "I am not to be called, Grandmother!" she proclaimed.

Janet looked up with startled eyes that quickly turned cool green. "If my daughter and I should ever meet you again, Mrs. Williams, how would you like us to address you?"

Robbie's laugh exploded in the limo causing the driver to look into his rear view mirror in surprise. Roberta Williams was just as beautiful in real life as she was on the screen. He wondered if the rumours were true that she was gay. Damn pity if it was, he thought, his eyes reluctantly shifting back to the road.

Beth cringed in her respective corner and Alexandria gathered herself up for one for her more notable tirades but was forestalled by a large, strong hand on her arm. "Alexandria is not maternal in nature. We call her Alexandria to her face and anything we dare behind her back," explained Robbie, those extraordinary eyes once again focused on Janet.

Janet nodded realizing that Roberta had once again come to the rescue. "Really, Roberta!" exclaimed Alexandria. "What will...Janice think?!"

"Janet. And what do we care what she thinks?" drawled Robbie with a raise of an eyebrow.

"Why did you lead me over to this limo?" Janet asked meeting and holding those remarkable eyes as they turned back to her.

"Show," explained Robbie bluntly stretching out her long legs so that her calf touched Janet's ankle.

This time Alexandria laughed. "Robbie is always directing, aren't you dear?"

"Always," murmured Robbie looking still into Janet's eyes.

Janet didn't look away. Backing down was out of the question. She had heard rumours that she was gay and very wild. Was Roberta coming on to her? No, unlikely. She was after all Billy's widow and was carrying her two year old in her arms. That alone should discourage any interest. No, this was just a little Williams' mind game but why she wasn't sure.

"Billy failed to inform the family that he had married. You came as quite a surprise when we read about his wedding in the papers and of course the birth announcement that followed. I didn't think Billy..."

"Roberta! You go too far. She is a Williams by marriage, I realize, but we hardly know her!" interrupted Alexandria.

The limo came to a stop forestalling any farther discussion. Alexandria, followed by Elizabeth, got out one side while Robbie got out the other. "Roberta, would you mind?" asked Janet holding up the baby. Robbie blinked in confusion then rallied and stepped forward and took the baby awkwardly.

Janet got out of the limo quickly, anticipating the baby making strange with the stiff, cold woman. Much to both Robbie and Janet's surprise however, the little child looked into those blue eyes and gave a delighted squeal burying her head in Robbie's neck and her chubby little arms into her dark, thick hair. When Robbie tried to give her back the two year old crunched up her face and hung on tighter. Janet's eyes twinkled at the look of bewilderment that came across Roberta's face. Her hand rose to cover a nervous grin then touched her forehead in thought, "Listen, may be you'd better hold on to her just for a little while. This is not the place for a scene," she suggested.

Robbie's eyes narrowed. Janet stared back innocently. "Stay right beside me!" Robbie ordered and Janet nodded, obligingly placing her hand around the tall woman's elbow. They looked at each other at the touch. The wind blew their hair gently about their coat collars. Leaves rustled over head. Then they walked over to join Alexandria and Elizabeth by the grave.

The reporter captured the knot of Williams. Roberta, now holding the third generation, was clearly the head of the family. Alexandria and Elizabeth played their roles and the little wife held onto Roberta's strong arm for support as she watched the coffin of her husband being placed on the grave supports. The picture appeared on page two.

At the end of the internment service, each of the family members stepped forward and dropped a red rose tied with a black ribbon on the checker flag that covered the coffin. Robbie gave her rose to the baby first then took it and dropped it by the red helmet. The child's serious blue eyes followed it with intense interest. The last to place her rose was Janet. She leaned down and placed her rose on the coffin. "Thanks," she whispered and then straightened, tears welling in her eyes as she made her way back to Roberta's side.

Robbie instinctively wrapped her long arm around the grieving woman and wondered what her self-centered brother had ever done in his life for which he should be thanked. The family moved off. Robbie with her one arm supported the beautiful child: the other wrapped around the upset mother. Alexandria and Elizabeth followed, Alexandria a little surprised at being up-staged by her powerful daughter taking the lead.

At the limo, Robbie turned to meet her sister's eye. Elizabeth gave the smallest of nods, following her mother into the vehicle, this time sitting beside her. Janet got in next and waited to take her child. To her surprise, Roberta held on to the little girl and easily slipped in beside her.

The conversation on the way to the hotel consisted of Janet telling bedtime stories to Rebecca who sat comfortably in Robbie's lap and played sleepily with her gold chain. The little girl watched her mother's face intently as the woman wove simple but beautiful fairy tales. The three Williams sat in wonder, watching the gold headed woman radiating love for her child as she told her stories.

When the child had fallen asleep in Robbie's arms, she whispered to Janet, "Are you staying at the same hotel?"

"No, no, I plan to drive back home tonight," explained the widow.

"Where is your car?" Robbie demanded.

"Back at the funeral home," responded Janet as the limo pulled up to the hotel, "I can get a taxi from here."

Alexandria made a noise somewhere between a squeal and a snort. "My dear, there is the reception. We have four hundred guests waiting to pay their respects. Do behave! Roberta!?"

Robbie trained her eyes on Janet who looked like she was about to rebel. "You will come with me and trust me to see that things are done right. Don't worry, I will not expose you to any of Alexandria's friends." Janet's face dropped the scowl and almost smiled.

"Roberta!" protested her mother.

Robbie ignored Alexandria and turned to her sister. "Sorry Sis, you will have to run shotgun while I babysit."

Elizabeth nodded but said nothing. It was obvious that as far as Beth was concerned Roberta's word was law.

They all trooped out, Roberta keeping the heir apparent in her arms. It was important that the press see a united Williams' front. They walked a gauntlet of reporters in the lobby. Robbie wrapped a protective arm around Janet and covered the baby's face by folding up her collar as they bee-lined for the waiting elevator.

On the top floor, they were ushered by the manager into a private suite where they took off their coats and straightened their make-up. Janet used the time to play with Rebecca on the floor after she had washed and changed her. Then they went to greet their guests in an adjoining hall.

The evening was a blur to Janet who was emotionally drained. Robbie steered her around and when she saw that her eyes were no longer focused she ushered her back into the bedroom and left her to sleep with Rebecca.

Several hours later, Robbie returned to find mother and daughter asleep still, Rebecca safely under the covers with her mom's protective arm over her and Janet on top of the covers wearing only her slip. Her strawberry blond hair washed across the pillow.

For a minute, Robbie leaned against the door jamb and enjoyed the view. She was a beautiful woman, Robbie concluded - photogenic features; wonder if she can act? She pushed herself off and walked over to the bed. "Janet. Janet. Hey!" Robbie called resorting to giving the petite woman's bare shoulder a shake. The skin was warm and silky soft under Robbie's hand. Robbie pulled her hand away.

"Huh? Oh! What time is it?" the blond asked, clearly not fully awake.

"Time to go," responded Robbie. "I'll get you a coffee while you are dressing." She turned and left. Janet got up and busied herself getting washed and dressed and seeing to Rebecca.

Robbie returned some time later with a coffee, a glass of milk and some cookies on a tray. "Here, the limo is downstairs. It will take us over to where your car is parked. Then I'll drive home with you," organized Robbie.

Really, I'm okay," stated Janet hurriedly, "I can manage from here."

"Feed the kid," was Robbie's only response as she again left the room.

When she returned, she had changed to jeans and a suede jacket over a brushed cotton shirt and was carrying an overnight bag. Janet was just getting Rebecca into her coat. "This isn't necessary," Janet complained.

"Yes, it is. You are tired and emotional and you plan to drive some five hundred miles through the night with the only Williams' heir," Robbie stated bluntly.

"Damn the Williams!" snapped Janet her temper rising at this woman's clear intention to meddle in her life.

"Too late, they already are," responded Robbie calmly. "I will drive and you can take care of..."

"Rebecca," supplied Janet sharply.

"Rebecca," repeated Robbie looking at the child as she registered her name. Then she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her cellular phone. "Rowe, we are leaving the hotel now. I'll be gone two days maybe more." The phone clicked off.

"I don't need your help," Janet said with determination, an edge to her voice now audible.

"Good because you are not getting it. Rebecca is," muttered Robbie picking up Rebecca and leading Janet out and down to the elevator. They left this time by a side door and entered the limo that pulled up as they stepped out and left as soon as they were safely inside. The trip was made in silence back to the funeral home.

The limo pulled up beside the only vehicle remaining in the parking lot at the funeral home. It was an, old slightly battered, Chevy truck with an extended cab. There was a moment's silence. Then Robbie snorted, "What - is - that?!"

"My truck," answered Janet getting out with some difficulty with Rebecca, her purse and the diaper bag and walking over to the dusty, red vehicle. She shifted Rebecca to one arm and fumbled in her coat pocket for her keys. Her gloves fell out and Rebecca stirred restlessly.

Strong arms lifted the child from her. "Here, open the damn door before you drop the kid on its head," Robbie grumbled. Janet stooped and picked up her gloves then finding the right key she walked around and unlocked the passenger door. Robbie followed, her face devoid of expression. Janet placed the diaper bag inside and turned to scooped the sleeping child from Robbie's arms bringing the three of them together for an instant. Robbie's body felt very warm, that was probably why Rebecca liked being close to her. The faintest fragrance of spice drifted over to Janet as she looked up and met Robbie's eyes when the taller woman spoke. "I'm driving. You can be pissed off as much as you want by that. It is still going to happen."

Janet sighed in frustration and pulled Rebecca away and into her arms. The sleepy little child reached a hand over Janet's shoulder. "Oby, Oby come," she whined.

Janet placed the child into her car seat in the back, carefully fastening her in. She looked at her little girl wondering why she had bonded so quickly to this strange woman. She did look remarkably like her brother, Billy, but Rebecca had never met her father so it was unlikely that was the reason. Strange.

She wiggled back out and flipped the passenger seat back down, turning to face Roberta. "Thank you, Ms. Williams, for your concern. Rebecca and I will be fine," she said taking out her keys again.

Robbie stepped forward blocking Janet between her body and the door frame. Her hand folded around Janet's and she squeezed.

"That hurts!" snapped Janet, and the hand around her own relaxed a little.

"Let go of the car keys. You can't care for a tired baby and drive," ordered Robbie. For a minute their eyes held in a battle of wills. "Please," growled the director and Janet opened her hand and let the keys drop out. Robbie scooped them up and went around to the driver's side and hopped in, turning to look at the annoyed woman.

"On the rare occasions when I feel compelled to be responsible to others, it is for a damn good reason. Don't question my authority," Robbie stated calmly her blue eyes the colour of ice. Janet looked at her daughter. "Don't even think it," came the response to the plan that had barely seeded in Janet's mind, to take her daughter and walk off. The petite woman looked back at the driver, then got in and slammed the door.

"This is kidnap," she growled, staring out the front window in anger as she did up her seat belt.

Robbie leaned forward and turned the key. The engine started with protest. "Add it to my list of crimes," responded the director bitterly. "Shit! Is this the best vehicle that my brother owns?!"

"Billy and I never lived together," snapped Janet, anger making her say more than she would normally.

"Yeah, well how did you end up with the kid then?" Robbie asked sarcastically.

"That's not your concern," muttered Janet her hands folded in her lap to keep them from shaking.

The strong jaw of the driver tightened as she pulled out on the street. "Is she Billy's?"

Janet gave her a sneer and didn't answer. They drove on, Robbie expertly moving through the city traffic and then out on the highway taking them north.

Some hours later, Robbie pulled into a self-serve gas station and got out. Janet watched the famous director pumping gas and cleaning the windows. She looked as dynamic in blue jeans as she had in the black tailored coat of brushed silk she had worn at the funeral. Underneath had been a grey, wool suit, beautifully tailored and set off with a red silk blouse. Elizabeth had worn grey too with a red silk scarf as an accent. Show, Janet realized. The whole funeral, right down to the costumes, had all been arranged by Roberta to perpetuate the Williams' myth.

Robbie climbed back into the truck. "You hungry?" she asked, "It's eight o'clock and the sandwiches they served at the reception were for show not substance."

Janet considered. She was actually starving but it meant disturbing Rebecca and having to spend more time with the objectionable Roberta. Hunger won out. "Yes, something to eat would be good. Rebecca might be a bit cranky though. She doesn't like to be woken up."

"Well, if she starts to ball we'll stuff a hamburger in her mouth or something," suggested Robbie, looking back at the little bundle asleep in her car seat. She had a small, little fist balled up in her eye. She was kinda cute for a baby, Robbie thought.

Janet gave Roberta a weary look. The director clearly had no idea about children. She opened her heavy door and jumped down then flipped back the seat and undid the straps and pulled Rebecca out. Right on cue Rebecca started to cry. Janet bounced her and talked softly to her as Roberta locked up the truck and came around. The tall figure looked down at the fretting baby,

"Make her stop," she commanded.

Janet rolled her eyes. "I'm trying Ms. Williams but she is a baby and her schedule has been really upset today."

Robbie reached out her arms saying, "Gimme," and Janet handed over her heavy daughter. The director looked down at the startled baby face. "Shut up, okay," she said and much to Janet's surprise Rebecca laughed and grabbed for Robbie's chain. Robbie looked down at Janet and raised an eyebrow, a smug look on her face.

Janet laughed shook her head in disbelief, " Just for that bit of showing off, Ms. Williams, you can feed her the strained peas!"

"The name is Robbie, and no kid should have to start life on strained peas!" she growled, heading for the diner with Rebecca over her shoulder.

Janet followed not sure just how to take the unusual woman, "All children start out on strained peas. Rebecca is starting to eat solids but I thought it best to have her on the bottled foods while we were on the road."

"No wonder the world is such a fucking mess if we all started out eating that crap!" muttered Robbie, holding the door for Janet to go ahead.

"Robbie?"

"Hmmm," the tall woman responded, liking the way Janet said her name. Janet slid into a booth and Robbie slid in the other side.

"If you are going to be part of Rebecca's life you have to remember not to swear in front of her," Janet explained softly.

Robbie looked surprised, as she glanced first at Janet, then Rebecca and then back to Janet again.

"Who said anything about being in the kid's life?!" she exclaimed.

Janet smiled and looked down at her daughter, who once again had wrapped her little arms around Robbie's neck and was happily chewing on Robbie's collar. Then she looked back up at Robbie. A slow blush was creeping up her neck. "You are here aren't you? And you have taken Rebecca every chance you can."

"Hey, wait!" protested Robbie, the red now glowing on her high, defined cheek bones.

"Excuse me, would you like a highchair for your little one?" asked the waitress, looking down at Robbie.

"Agh," Robbie said, looking at the floor for the answer.

"Yes, she would," translated Janet. "Don't they look alike?" she added as a tease.

The waitress smiled, reaching out to smooth Rebecca's dark, sleep rumpled hair, "She's got mom's hair. Are you going to look just like your mommy?" she cooed.

Janet hid a grin behind the hand that was propped up on the table. Robbie buried her face in Rebecca's neck.

"Can we have menus too, please?" asked Janet.

"Sure thing," said the waitress, moving off.

Robbie looked up at Janet in annoyance. "Why'd you do that for?!" she demanded.

Janet grinned broadly and put her head to one side to observe the hot and bothered director. "This was your idea," she reminded sweetly.

Robbie scowled and was just about to respond when the highchair showed up. "Here you are," the waitress said, placing the wood highchair at the end of the table, and the menus down on the blue table cloth before she left.

Robbie looked at Janet. Janet smiled and waited. Robbie's scowl got deeper as she slid off the bench and lifted Rebecca up to put her in the highchair. Rebecca laughed gleefully and swung her legs up making it impossible to slide her into the chair. Robbie tried again. Another gleefully received aborted attempt.

"This kid has your sick sense of humour," Robbie muttered, grabbing Rebecca's legs with one hand and stuffing them gently under the highchair's table, as she lowered Rebecca in place on a successful third try. Rebecca grabbed hold of Robbie's gold chain, making it impossible for her to straighten up.

Janet decided prudently that this was the time to come to the rescue before there was one of the famous Williams' scenes. "Rebecca," she called softly and her daughter immediately forgot Robbie and let go of the chain, reaching her little arms out to her mom. Janet took the hands and kissed them. "That's a good girl," she said.

Robbie sighed and slid back into the booth, looking at the mother and daughter with confused eyes. Why the hell was she here anyway? Why should she be making Billy's family her responsibility?

"So are you going to try feeding her now you've mastered highchair?" asked Janet, leading Robbie on, as she read her menu.

"I can feed her," muttered Robbie with irritation, looking at her own menu.

"Ready to order?" asked the waitress, who had returned to their table.

"I'll have a cheese omelette," ordered Robbie, from behind the menu, "and...my daughter will have scrambled eggs."

"I'll have bacon and eggs with extra toast please," requested Janet with a smile. The waitress smiled back and went to see to the order. Janet looked over at Robbie. "Your daughter?" she inquired.

"Hey, you started it! What am I going to say now,? That I've never seen the kid before today?!" asked Robbie, leaning forward and propping her chin on her hand. "Do immature humans eat scrambled eggs?" she asked, as an after thought.

"Now's not the time to be asking," pointed out Janet, her eyes dancing with merriment at the thought of Robbie trying to feed her stubborn daughter.

Robbie looked down at the tablecloth, tracing patterns with a long, slender finger gracefully. "Listen, I'm kind of head of the family now. I feel I've got some responsibility to see that Rebecca here is okay."

"Were you and Billy close?" asked Janet looking up from watching Robbie's hand. She had beautiful hands with long artist's fingers. In fact, Roberta Williams was a knock out. One of those rare people that were very comfortable and unaffected by their incredible good looks.

Robbie frowned, "No."

"Robbie, Billy never saw his daughter. The Williams family does not have any responsibility to Rebecca. I'm quite capable of raising her on my own."

"What the hell sort of relationship did my brother have with you?!" Robbie asked in irritation. Janet was saved from answering by the arrival of their food. This time Janet noticed that Robbie deliberately did not look up at the waitress. Nor had she last time. She doesn't want to be recognized! I hadn't even thought about her being famous.

"Thanks," smiled Janet, drawing the attention to herself.

"You're welcome," replied the waitress, walking off.

"I'm sorry," Janet said, reaching over to touch Robbie's arm.

Robbie liked the touch but didn't show it. "Sorry for what?"

"For bringing attention to you last time the waitress was here. It never occurred to me...I'm sorry," repeated Janet sincerely.

Robbie shrugged and looked uncomfortable. "So you tell me about your relationship with Billy and I'll stuff these eggs into the kid, okay?"

Janet looked into those remarkable blue eyes while she considered. They seemed to glow with an inner light. "Okay," she said, wondering if Robbie would understand.

Robbie picked up a fork determinedly. Janet took it away and handed her a teaspoon. "Just put a little on and blow on it first so it is cool," she cautioned. Robbie nodded and scooped up some egg and blew on it. Then offered it to Rebecca. Rebecca grabbed the spoon with a laugh and tipped it over into Robbie's lap.

"Shit!" Robbie snapped.

Janet raised an eyebrow in annoyance.

"The kid got egg all over me!" protested Robbie. Janet said nothing. Robbie scooped up, blew on and offered egg again. This time Rebecca refused to open her mouth but one egg filled hand came up and grabbed Robbie's hair.

Janet saw the look and reacted immediately, "Here," she said, hurriedly offering Robbie her napkin, "like this." Janet took the spoon and readied a mouthful. "Here you are, sweet one, open up for mommy. That's a good girl. Do you like the eggs Aunt Robbie got you? Come on, have another spoonful," Janet coaxed, putting the spoon in her daughter's mouth then lifting it up so the egg was scraped off as the spoon was withdrawn.

Robbie watched intently, finding the exchange between mother and daughter fascinating.

"Okay, now you try," Janet smiled handing the spoon back to Robbie. Robbie repeated the action. Right down to Janet's expressions and voice tone. Rebecca ate her egg happily and Janet sat with her mouth open in shock.

"That's me!" She gasped.

Robbie smiled and wiggled her eyebrows. Rebecca burped and threw up on Robbie's hand.

Robbie lifted her hand and watched the partly digested egg drip off. "And just what expression do I use to describe what I am feeling now?" she asked quietly, pulling a face.

"I usually say, Oh dear," offered Janet trying not to laugh.

"Nope, 'Oh dear' just doesn't cut it dramatically," sighed Robbie.

"Here," said Janet softly, taking Robbie's hand and wiping it clean with her napkin. "Tell you what, you eat your dinner and I'll finish feeding Rebecca. I'm used to eating with one hand."

Robbie didn't protest. She'd had successfully stifled, for now, any nesting instinct that might have been lying dormant within her. She looked down at her cool and partly congealed omelette. Janet's eyes followed. "You get used to eating your food cold," she sighed. Robbie nodded and ate her dinner moodily, watching silently while Janet ate and fed Rebecca at the same time.

They left some time later, Janet carrying a now tired and grumpy child to the truck. Robbie gingerly held the crying child while Janet got in the rear seat and then with relief passed Rebecca over. Janet strapped her miserable daughter into her car seat while Robbie walked around and slipped into the driver's seat once again. For a while the sound of wailing pierced the air above Janet's soothing voice.

Then both child and mom went quiet as Robbie started to sing. Her songs were old Welsh lullabies and her voice was low and melodic. Soon Rebecca was fast asleep and Robbie pulled to the side to let Janet get back into the front seat. "You have a beautiful voice," she said as they started off again.

"Hmm," responded Robbie disinterestedly.

"Have you sung professionally? I don't remember you singing in any of your movies except in

'Dark Night' but that was just a few words and you were drunk then," pattered Janet.

An eyebrow went up, "No, I don't sing professionally. And I wasn't drunk. I was acting drunk.

There is a big difference," the actor clarified.

"You don't drink alcohol at all?" asked Janet in surprise. She had understood that the famous director had lived a rather wild life.

"Rarely and never to excess," responded Robbie. "Where do I turn off the highway?"

"Just north of Bartlet," Janet responded, as she studied the profile of the actor.

"Nothing is north of Bartlet," observed Robbie sarcastically, "Is there something wrong with my face?"

Janet smiled, "No, you are really very beautiful but I guess you hear that a lot. No, I was trying to understand you. You are a very complex person."

Robbie had heard she was beautiful a lot but somehow that Janet thought so made her tired spirits rise. She wasn't sure, however, if she wanted Janet to understand her. She probably wouldn't like what she found.

Janet had shifted so that she leaned against her door and was looking at Robbie. She was a strange and beautiful enigma, filled with a pulsating energy that could focus in a instant in violence or in care. Janet couldn't explain why but she really didn't dislike this woman as she had first thought she would. In fact, she found herself very much impressed by Roberta Williams.

She had found the Williams family a trying experience. What if anything happened to her? Legally, her daughter would be handed over to Alexandria. That scared the hell out of Janet. Elizabeth seemed nice, but she lived in her own world. She wouldn't have time for an active child like Rebecca. Then there was Robbie...

"Can I ask you a question?"

"I guess," Robbie sighed, waiting to hear one of the standard fan questions.

"Would you be Rebecca's guardian?"

The truck swerved onto the gravel shoulder and then bounced back on the tarmac. "What!?"

"If anything were to happen to me, I want to make sure Rebecca has someone that will take good care of her. Billy's dead and I don't have any family. I don't want Rebecca running any chance of having the childhood I did," explained Janet.

Robbie stole a look at the face of the serious woman beside her. "You were an orphan?"

"Yes."

"Who raised you?"

"My grandfather," answered Janet openly.

"Why me? Do you know anything about me?!" asked Robbie, in disbelief.

"All I've read about you was pretty negative. You are supposed to be a creative genius but a tyrant. Did you really cause Sally Gershman's nervous breakdown?"

"Most likely. So why me then?" Robbie repeated stubbornly.

"I've seen a bit of that tyrannical nature tonight, but I don't think Rebecca would be intimidated by it. I've also seen another side of you today. Elizabeth adores you. Alexandria respects you and I've learned that you have a really soft heart."

"Crap."

"Will you be her guardian?" repeated Janet, proving herself just as stubborn as Robbie.

There was a long silence as various emotions washed across Robbie's face. "Yes," she finally said.

"I'm glad," Janet said softly and leaned back against the headrest.

An hour later, they turned off the Bartlett road and bounced down a rutted dirt lane pressed in on either side by thick trees. "Do you live with the bears?" asked Robbie sarcastically.

"Only in the winter," Janet yawned, as they came to a stop outside a log cabin. "This is where we live," Janet explained.

Robbie looked at the log cabin in disbelief, "Who with? Daniel Boone!?"

Autumn Winds Part2 by Anne Azel

Disclaimer: The characters of Xena and Gabrielle are the property of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended.

My thanks to the readers who have been so kind in showing their appreciation. You are a great bunch! My special thanks to Lisa, Inga and Susan, my long suffering and hard working beta readers.

Warning: This story is alternative fiction, please do not read on if you are under age or if such material is illegal in your end of the swamp.

I like it, Robbie concluded looking around the small log home while Janet busied herself getting an exhausted Rebecca to bed. The log walls were varnished a soft honey colour and the furniture was over stuffed, traditional and comfy. The sofa and chair were in a deep burgundy plaid and the matching chair a forest green.

The focus of the room was a huge fireplace of granite stones on either side of which were large windows. Robbie looked out but the night was too dark to see the view. The kitchen was to the other side, separated by a log counter with a cut stone top. The third wall was built-in bookcases with a t.v. centre inset. And the last wall opened onto a hall, off which were two bedrooms and a bathroom.

They had entered by the side door, near the kitchen. The front door was in a small entrance hall beside the living room. The front door, from what Robbie could see out the window, seemed to open onto a front porch that ran the length of the house.

It was small but very well organized and tastefully decorated. Robbie put her overnight bag down on the chair and walked over to look at the large painting over the mantel. The artist was a well known Eastern Woodland Indian painter. The image was of Corn Mother feeding her young. The subject was simple and bold in colour. Like that too, Robbie thought then wandered across the room to look at the books.

There was a scattering of popular literature but the vast majority of the books were related to educational philosophy. Hell! Billy married a school marm!

"Sorry to leave you standing there, Robbie, but I had to get Rebecca to bed," explained Janet walking back into the room.

"You're a school teacher?! Over paid, under worked, summers off, don't care about basics or kids, school teacher?!" growled Robbie lifting the book in her hand to reveal the title, Methodology in Gifted Classrooms by J. J. Layton.

"What! Listen you..." started Janet in annoyance, the red warming her cheeks. Then she saw the sparkle in Robbie's eyes. "I bet you were a real terror in school," she laughed folding her arms across her chest and giving the tall woman her best teacher look.

Robbie's face became instantly innocent as she pointed her index finger at herself. "Me?"

"Hmmm, it explains why you turned into a rude, overbearing, ego-centric workaholic," growled Janet in her best imitation of Robbie's voice.

Robbie feigned surprise and hurt and Janet walked over to her and took the book from her hand and placed it back on the shelf. Their bodies were very close now and again Janet sensed the warm, gentle heat and spicy scent of the famous actor. It's no wonder she has such a wild reputation. Robbie Williams would be very hard to resist, thought Janet.

She turned to find Robbie very close, looking down at her. For a moment there was a silence that radiated tension then Robbie stepped back and asked, "Well, are you a school marm?!"

"Yes, I'm the principal at The Bartlet School for the Gifted," revealed Janet over her shoulder as she hurried to put the kitchen counter between her and Robbie. The way she was feeling about this woman was definitely not good. Shit! "Can I get you anything? I usually have a cup of tea around this time," rambled Janet.

Robbie nodded and moved to stand by the dark window in contemplation. "Yeah, tea would be good," she responded after a minute. Damn, I must be tired. I almost kissed her! What the hell is the matter with you Williams! Robbie thought trying to pull herself together. What the hell am I doing here?!

"So just what kind of relationship did you have with my brother?" asked Robbie going on the offensive, "You never did answer me."

Janet grimaced and put down the mug that she was holding. She looked over the counter at the tall woman who had turned to look at her. Their eyes met. Janet licked her lips. There was no point in lying. Robbie would check, she knew she would. "I needed money quickly. Lots of money, so I sold my body to your brother," she answered quietly pleased that her voice hadn't cracked with the emotion she was holding firmly in check. The blue eyes registered surprise followed by doubt.

Janet swallowed and fumbled to make the tea with shaking hands. The splash of the hot water and rattle of the china were painfully loud in the deafening silence that had followed her statement. When she finally looked up Robbie was still standing there looking at her, a shrewd and calculating look on her face.

"Would you like to put your bag in your room while the tea is brewing?" Janet asked to end the silence.

"Yes," Robbie replied meeting Janet's eyes. Janet read perplexity. Robbie saw pain in the green eyes that looked back at her.

Robbie followed Janet into a bedroom that was clearly hers. Here the large logs were hung with Navaho rugs. They weren't big but they were of a good quality, Robbie noted as she leaned on the door jamb after placing her bag on the floor. "So you sell your body, huh?" she purred and saw the shock and anger rise in Janet's eyes. "How much?" she enquired with a voice laced with steel.

"It was a one-time business deal, Robbie. Back off!" Janet warned, stepping back as Robbie stepped toward her. The tall woman looked hungry and mean and she walked like a dark, jungle cat stalking its prey. Janet reached behind her as she took the last step back.

Quickly, she picked up the wood based lamp and swung it at Robbie. Robbie stopped it with one hand. For a long minute the two women glared at each other. "What did you think I was going to do? Rape you?!" drawled Robbie, one eye brow arched in annoyance.

"Let's get one thing straight here, Williams. If you are going to be part of Rebecca and my life, you will not try your little mind games or intimidations on me!" snarled Janet.

"I want to know the truth!" growled Robbie.

"Truth?!" snorted Janet, pushing past Robbie and heading for the kitchen, "After the Williams' staging I witnessed today, I'd be hard pressed to believe that truth could survive in your world!"

She walked into the kitchen and found that her hands were shaking so hard with anger, she couldn't pour the tea. Robbie stepped around the corner and Janet jumped.

Robbie rolled her eyes and turned to pour the tea with steady hands and carry the mugs into the living room. The coffee table, she put the mugs down on, was in the shape of an old fashioned sled. Janet had unusual and creative taste, Robbie decided, as she sat down in the green chair and stretched out her long legs crossing her ankles comfortably. She raised an eyebrow at the angry woman who still stood in the kitchen and waited.

Janet came around the counter and dropped into the Burgundy chair at the other end of the coffee table. "That was a disgusting thing you did, you god-damn bitch," snarled Janet her voice shaking with emotion.

Robbie shrugged unimpressed. She'd been called worse. "And your business deal wasn't? I told you before, accept my authority. Everything you have ever heard about me is true and there is a lot you haven't heard. Now, tell me what I want to know."

"I am prepared to accept your intelligence and ability, Robbie. But you have no authority over my life and never will. We will start to get on a lot better when YOU accept an equal relationship with me," responded the petite woman confidently.

Robbie got the ghost of a smile that Janet found so sexy. "I'll give you this, school marm, you can hold your own! I don't want the press digging up any dirt that I don't know about and can't react to immediately. What you tell me will not go any farther."

Janet nodded. "There is not too much to tell. My grandfather was a gambler. As he got older he lost some of his sharpness and all of his money. He signed my name to some debts that he was not able to pay. He died and I found out I owed a fortune. The creditors would not consider payments and the bank would not give me a loan for that amount of money. I was facing a prison term.

I was desperate. I met your brother at a party. He was desperate too. He said he needed an heir but he didn't want any obligations to either the child or its mother. I said I'd have and raise an heir for him in exchange for the money I needed," explained Janet looking at the fireplace, her face white with stress.

Silence.

Robbie got up, "I'm going to bed now. Where are you sleeping," she asked abruptly.

Janet looked up, her eyes blinking at the sudden change of subject. "Here, on the couch," she stated. Robbie nodded and was gone. Janet leaned her head back on the chair, emotionally drained by the day and by Robbie Williams. The woman was impossible, an erratic blend of fire and ice.

Robbie lay in Janet's bed, her hands folded under her head, and stared at the ceiling. She was taut with anger and she had absolutely no idea why. She had got what she wanted from Janet. She had spirit, that little one. The bed had a lingering scent of hot summer herbs and honey that she knew was the chemical makeup of Janet.

Billy had got what he wanted too. Her heart jolted and a pain filled her chest, Shit! That was it! She was jealous that Billy had bedded Janet! Get a grip here, lady! This woman is nothing to you! She probably isn't even gay. You're just experiencing some latent nesting syndrome because you like Rebecca. Reb was all right. Really, well behaved for a kid. Wonder why Billy suddenly felt he had to have a child? Then an awful realization exploded on her mind. A fear gripped her heart and she rolled out of bed, grabbing her night gown.

Janet was still sitting in the chair. She looked and felt completely numb. The bedroom door opened and in a few quick strides Robbie was in front of her, "Why did he marry you? He could have got an heir without marrying you?! Why?!" she demanded.

Janet sighed and answered in a voice devoid of energy or emotion. "He insisted. He said his child couldn't be a bastard. We even waited a few months after we were married before... He wanted no doubt that the child was his legal heir. He said it was important.

Then Robbie understood and cold icicles of fear ran down her back. "This is important," she stated seriously, fighting not to show any of her true feelings, "Did he tell you anything else?"

Janet shook her head and the towering woman seemed to relax a bit. She wore only a blue, silk bed jacket tied with a belt. The jacket ended half way between her knee and her hip. Her legs were incredibly long and shapely. She must sleep naked, Janet thought and then looked away to the dead ashes in the hearth.

Robbie looked at the woman intently. No, she didn't know anymore, she reasoned and turned on her heel and was gone. Janet barely noticed her leaving she was so exhausted.

Janet woke early, to the sound of Rebecca demanding attention. For a minute, she had no idea where she was, then the events of the day before filtered back into her consciousness. She'd better get up. No doubt her damn uninvited houseguest would want a hunk of raw meat thrown in her direction for breakfast. With a sigh, she rolled off the couch onto her feet and moved blurry eyed towards Rebecca's room. "Hi sweetheart!" she called to the small child who stood in her crib holding on to the bars. At the sight of her mom, she bounced with glee. "Want to shower with mommy this morning?" More giggles of delight.

Janet stripped off Rebecca's diaper and carried her into the bathroom. The happy child played with her rubber ducky until her mom had turned on and adjusted the water for their shower. After much singing, giggling and soap bubbles the two emerged squeaky clean and with a warm glow. Janet slipped a Toronto Maple Leaf jersey over her head and a similar one over Rebecca's. Then mother and daughter headed off for the kitchen to see to breakfast.

Robbie's bedroom door was open and after hesitating, Janet moved farther down the hall and looked in. The bed had been stripped and the sheets left neatly folded at the end of the bed. Robbie's overnight bag was zipped closed and lay on a chair. It was the only indication that Robbie was still around. Rebecca squirmed to be let down and Janet came back from her thoughts and lowered her active daughter to her feet. Rebecca looked into the room. "Mommy's room," said the child pointing.

"Yes, mommy's room," agreed Janet. "Come on Rebecca, let's get some breakfast, okay?"

Rebecca giggled and ran wobbly on her feet towards the kitchen.

"What will it be partner?" asked Janet looking over the counter and down at her daughter who looked back with serious blue eyes.

"Banana, peas," came the response.

"You'd like a banana on fresh bread?" clarified Janet with a smile at her daughter's good manners.

"Yes, peas," came the response as Rebecca ran across the room and stood by the screen door. "Oby come. Oby come," the little child reported happily.

Janet felt her gut tighten but she smiled and said, "Good, Robbie can have breakfast with you, Rebecca."

Robbie kept a steady pace up the dirt road. It was nice running in the cool of the woods rather than out on the hard pavement of the city. The air smelt of pine not diesel and the ground was softer under foot. She picked up the pace enjoying the high that a long run always gave her. The road bent and Robbie caught a glimpse of the lake before she dropped back into the mottled shadows that lead back to Janet's log cabin.

Running up the wide wood stairs, she came to a stop on the large porch that over looked a long, narrow lake. The view was framed by tall pines and out on the lake a pair of loons called to each other in a lonely, plaintive cries.

"Oby!" came a voice from behind her and the director turned to see Rebecca standing at the screen door, looking at her.

"Hi, Rebel! How are you doing this morning?" Robbie asked feeling herself drawn to her brother's child by some powerful inner force. She carefully opened the door and stepped in. Rebecca looked way up and fell on her bum in the process. "Oops, you okay, kid?" asked the dark woman from way above her.

Rebecca reached up her small arms, "Oby up. Oby up," she insisted. Strong arms wrapped around her and the next minute, she shot up in the air and was looking down at Oby's face. She laughed happily and the tall woman laughed too.

Robbie swung Rebecca up into her arms and walked over to where Janet was working in the kitchen. "Morning," she said stiffly.

"Good morning," came a hostile voice in return.

Robbie smiled cruelly. "Still got our feathers ruffled have we?" she drawled. Janet gave her a murderous look but said nothing. She sliced a banana onto a piece of fresh bread, folded the bread over and passed it to her daughter who was still wrapped contentedly in Robbie's arms.

"What would you like to eat?" she asked the tall woman formally. Robbie looked down at Rebecca who was busily pulling out slices of banana and mushing them into Robbie's shoulder.

Robbie smiled wearily as a partly chewed piece of sticky fruit slipped down her cleavage. "You did that deliberately, didn't you?" she asked an eyebrow going up in annoyance.

"Yes," smiled Janet from behind her coffee mug as she watched her daughter be... well, her daughter. Rebecca laughed with a mouth full of banana and reached up with a sticky hand to grab Robbie's nose. Banana slime now dripped from the famous woman's face. Janet snorted into her coffee.

"Okay, Reb, you've given your mom enough entertainment at my expense," said the tall woman coming around the counter to place Rebecca in her highchair. The banana sandwich went on the floor. Robbie sighed and bent to pick it up. "I can't understand why the world is over populated," muttered the director looking disgustedly at the mushed sandwich before she dropped it into the garbage.

"Go clean up and I'll finish feeding Rebecca and get us some breakfast too," stated Janet looking at the woman who now stood beside her.

Robbie looked down at Janet. The petite woman had spunk and a nasty sense of humour. She was pretty and intelligent too. Her little brother had picked some good genetic stock it would seem. "So you are speaking to me now, huh?" she growled.

"It would be childish not to. However, for the record, you are not forgiven for your appalling behaviour last night," stated Janet turning away. She could feel Robbie behind her. Feel her warmth and the intense energy that always seemed to be around her. Then the feeling was gone, Robbie walked passed on the other side of the counter.

"Breakfast isn't necessary," stated the retreating figure.

Janet's eyes followed the arrogant woman in amazement. Robbie bullies her last night and then gets her feelings hurt this morning because Janet is still angry at her! The woman was the strangest piece of work that Janet had ever come across! Angrily, Janet peeled the remainder of the banana and passed it to her daughter to eat. "Here you are, Reb," she said softly. Now where had that come from?! Robbie had called her that. Damn! The name seemed to suit her fearless daughter too. Perplexed, she turned back to the kitchen and started to prepare blackberry pancakes for the two of them.

Robbie stormed into the bedroom and stripped off her sweats. Opening her bag, she pulled out her dressing gown and slipped it on and then took out underwear, jeans and a sweatshirt. She headed down the hall to the bathroom and was dismayed to find it smelt of the warm sweet herbs that were Janet. Shit! Why am I angry? Who cares if she thinks I'm a bastard? I am! Damn the woman anyway, Robbie grumbled, as she slipped out of her wrap, and stepped on a wet rubber ducky in the shower.

Janet had cleaned Reb up and was just placing her in her play pen when she heard the crash. She walked over to the hall and then hurried down to the bathroom door. "Are you okay?" she asked the door. No answer. "Robbie, are you okay?!"she repeated, her voice a little louder. There was still no answer. Janet knocked on the door. Nothing. She turned the knob and looked in. Robbie lay on the bathroom floor, half in and half out of the shower. Janet's shocked mind registered three things one after the other: She's naked. She's gorgeous. Oh my God, I think she's dead!

Robbie came round a few minutes later to find herself in Janet's arms and covered respectfully with a bath towel. Her head throbbed and her knee ached terribly. She closed her eyes and played hurt to the best of her ability. Janet held an ice pack on the lump growing on her temple and she was calling to her softly. "Robbie, Robbie are you okay?"

The actor milked the scene for all it was worth before opening the baby blues. "You left that duck there on purpose, didn't you?" she drawled, her eyebrow going up in question as she looked at Janet.

"Well, no, but I wish I had," revealed Janet with a grin.

Robbie nodded. "Are we even now?" she asked seriously.

"No," stated Janet, "I did not try to intimidate you! But I am sorry that you hurt yourself on Reb's toy," responded the smaller woman honestly.

Robbie sighed in annoyance. "Why, because I might sue?" she asked sharply.

"No, because I don't like to bring harm to anyone deliberately or by accident," responded Janet with feeling, "Even if that someone had it coming!"

"I might sue!" snapped Robbie in annoyance.

"Oh yeah, the mighty Roberta Williams is going to sue because she was laid low by a rubber ducky!" mocked Janet and the two women broke out laughing.

"Ouch, that hurts!" grumbled Robbie reaching for her temple and in doing so covering Janet's hand where she held the ice pack in place. Robbie pulled her hand away immediately. "Sorry," she said awkwardly.

For a second the two women looked into each other's eyes, then Janet said, "Listen, you want to try getting up?"

"Janet?"

"Yes?"

"My knee is twisted. I'm letting you know in case I have to lean on you," stated Robbie seriously.

"You can lean on me," came the response and both women knew that an apology had been offered and accepted and that new lines of behaviour had been drawn between them. Robbie could not remember apologizing for her actions before, even as indirectly as she had just now done to Janet. This whole weekend was turning out to have some real surprises in it!

"Janet, I am not going to your doctor!" yelled Robbie, some time later from where she lay on the living room couch.

Reb, who was sitting contented on top of Robbie looked startled and then hit Robbie's hand. "Bad Oby! Bad Oby!" she scowled.

Robbie looked at the little girl in surprise, "Shit, you are just like your old lady," she muttered.

"Robbie don't..." started Janet who had walked over to continue the argument. Robbie had a pack of frozen peas on her knee but the knee was continuing to swell by the moment.

"Shit, mommy! Shit, mommy!" Reb repeated. Robbie roared with laughter.

"No," Janet stated firmly and Rebecca looked worried. "Bad, Rebecca," Janet said and Rebecca reached up to her mommy in tears. Janet picked up her upset daughter and held her.

"Now look what you have done!" growled the actor fighting the urge to come to Reb's defense.

"I did!? Look, Roberta, your leg is getting worse. You need medical attention."

"I'll need more than that if I go sit in a waiting room. Have you any idea how aggressive fans can be?"

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that. Look Bill, that's Doctor Perkins, is a friend of mine. I'm sure if I asked him, he'd come over after work and look at the knee. Okay?" suggested Janet swinging back and forth as she soothed the worried child.

"How good a friend?" demanded Robbie pulling herself up on her elbows and scowling.

"What?!" asked the startled woman lowering her daughter to the floor to buy some time.

"You heard me, how good a friend?"

"That is not your business, Ms. Williams," stated Janet formally, going to start the breakfast dishes in the kitchen. To her surprise, Robbie was right behind her! "Robbie! You are going to damage your leg even more!"

"I want to know!" demanded Robbie getting that stubborn look that Janet was quickly learning meant big trouble.

"Don't even think about intimidating me!" hissed Janet angrily pushing past Robbie so that she wobbled back against the counter.

"I'm family! Family has no secrets," argued the tall woman rubbing her knee in pain.

Janet snorted as she wiped Reb's highchair table clean. "Your family is totally dysfunctional!"

"Don't try to change the subject," Robbie commanded, remaining focused on her goal.

Janet sighed, rolled her eyes and turned to look at this stranger who had bullied her way into her life in a most irritating manner. "A deal. I'll tell you about my relationship with Bill and you agree to do what he says," she suggested already planning to have Bill pack Robbie off back to a city specialist.

"Okay," agreed Robbie all too readily. She had some plans forming of her own.

Janet's eyes narrowed. What was the exasperating woman up to?! Leaning against the counter she said, "Bill and I have an understanding."

"What the f... What does that mean?" Robbie amended as Reb came running around the corner and wrapped her arms around her mother's leg. She had Robbie's bag of frozen peas on her head. Janet reached down and took them off placing the plastic bag on the counter. "It means that there might be a time in the future, when Bill's practice is established, that we might consider marriage," she explained awkwardly, not looking at Robbie.

Silence. She's a lousy liar, thought Robbie, "Ahhh; would he be a good step father?"

"Yes."

Robbie limped past Janet, picking up the bag as she went, and returned to the couch to work on her laptop. Janet went back to her dishes and Reb quietly went to play in the ashes of the fire.

Late in the morning, the fall day clouded over and a steady drizzle started to fall. Robbie had closed up her laptop and had flipped through a number of the books on the bookshelf. There were four by J. J. Layton. Flipping to the back jacket, Robbie was startled to see Janet staring back at her in black and white. So Janet Williams was also J. J. Layton M Ed.

Janet returned from having put Reb down for her afternoon nap. "These are yours," observed Robbie as Janet walked by.

"Yes, I know," responded the author stiffly. "Bill said you were to stay off that leg until he has a chance to see it," Janet pointed out as she went to clean the ashes out of the hearth.

"I'm bored!" grumbled the famous actor, putting the book back neatly on the shelf and hobbling over stiff legged to sit back down on the couch and watch Janet work. Janet placed the ashes in a metal pail to be carried outside and dumped in a sand pit.

When she came back in from this chore, she found Robbie sitting on the floor going through her small collection of videos that she kept in the drawer under her T.V. unit. "Make yourself at home. Feel free to go through my cupboards," said Janet sarcastically as she put away the ash bucket in the broom closet.

"Thanks," muttered Robbie ignoring the barb. "You don't have any of mine," she continued peevishly.

"No," answered Janet, heading for the kitchen to put the kettle on.

"Why?" asked the Robbie looking over at the petite woman who could barely be seen over the counter from that angle.

"They're too violent," stated Janet. "I like things with happy endings."

Robbie let her face remain still and passive. Okay so Janet doesn't like her movies, so what!

"You've got Jurassic Park. Didn't the really big dinosaurs scare you?" she asked resorting to a bit of sarcasm herself.

"Nope, I always root for the animals," Janet observed. "But I was terrified for those kids!"

Robbie nodded. Putting kids or animals in danger really heightens tension in a screen play, she thought. "Ahhh, you want to watch a movie with me?" she asked much to her own surprise, feeling a heat climb up her face.

Janet hesitated for a minute. She really did find herself liking Robbie even though she hated the way Robbie behaved at times. She did seem to be the best of the pick in the Williams family, not that that was saying much. Reb needed to know her father's family and this was the woman, for now, that she had picked to watch over her child if anything was to happen to her.

Robbie would take that job very seriously, she knew. However inappropriately she might behave, there was a sort of noble core about Roberta Williams. It was a shame she was so filled with anger. "I was just going to make a pot of tea. I think I've got some home made oatmeal cookies. Shall we have some with the movie?" To her surprise, she saw Robbie relax, as if she had been holding her breath waiting for an answer.

"Yeah, that would be good. Those pancakes you made this morning...they were good," Robbie got out awkwardly as she pretended to read the copyright information on the video case.

Janet smiled. A compliment of sorts! It sounded like the first one she has ever given! Janet made the tea and brought it over on a tray with a plate of raisin-oatmeal cookies. Robbie slipped in the video and pulled a cushion onto the floor so that she could watch lying down. She watched intently, her blue eyes moving constantly over the screen, taking in every detail.

Janet watched Robbie. She was very beautiful and in a very, real way. She wasn't the product of dieting and makeup, she was just naturally good looking and healthy. She was almost larger than life in her vitality and presence, Janet realized. The woman, however aggressive and commanding, was mesmerizing.

"I like a good adventure show, do you?" she asked the director passing her the plate of cookies.

"Adventure show!?! God-damn-it lady, this is Spielburg! Have you really looked at this film?!"

snapped Robbie making Janet jump in surprise and spill cookies over the polished wood floor. Robbie did not appear to notice; she had grabbed the remote and was rewinding the tape, a look of utter disgust on her face.

"Okay, look, the helocopter comes in low over the water. 'Copters don't do that in real life! It's dangerous and besides aviation regulations call for five hundred feet minimum. The director chose to do that," Robbie pointed, freezing the action, "See, now look, the point of view has shifted from the 'copter to the approaching island. The viewer is forced to look up. You are approaching the Jurassic World were nature dominates and humans are made small. Spielburg is setting the stage.

Watch," Robbie ordered, starting the film again, " Look how the 'copter has to go around the small island. Already nature is dominating. And look at the shape of the island! Tall, dinosaur-like!" Robbie's mood shifted from annoyance to excitement as she warmed to her subject. "Okay, this is the valley scene. Watch! See, they go down the long valley. No 'copter pilot would do that normally. It's symbolic. You are entering the world of Jurassic Park. It is a birth image."

"Now they run into trouble. Turbulence. The missing seatbelt strap. There is confusion. They can't cope. Finally, the knotted belt; it is a very human action. It draws us to the protagonist. We bond in the common experience of having to deal with the ordinary frustrations of things like seat belts. This whole section is foreshadowing of things to come. The best laid plans are all ready falling apart. And it is in that out of control state, that we go down, down into the Jurassic World. Brilliant! See how the waterfalls in the background repeats that message?!"

"Right, now, here is the meal ticket," explained Robbie freezing the action again and pointing to the screen, "The jeep door opens and there is the Jurassic Park symbol. Blatant commercialism. I bet he sold a pile of those toy jeeps! The guy not only has the heart of an artist but a damn good business mind too! That one second of film promotes the show, reinforces the title, and sells a billion toys. You can almost hear him laughing all the way to the bank!"

One long, slender finger clicks the remote and the action starts again. "Now the jeeps enter through the gates that close behind us. Foreshadowing, right? We become trapped in a world from which not all of us will escape. Note the pink uniforms. Female references are starting to appear. Rebirth. Subtle hints that nature's reproductive cycle can not be controlled."

"Right, now we move out on the savannah. Note the tall trees creating that dinosaur height again. The jeep circles around the tree. Nature dominates. The pattern the director established at the beginning of the show is now being repeated for the dim-witted. We went down the valley, now the protagonist is seen in a reverse image, rising out of the roof of the jeep. A birth image. Human trouble again. The character, so overcome by the power of nature, falls to the ground."

"Listen to the music, stirring, building. It is female music, filled with hope and rebirth. Okay, back to the action," ordered Robbie now completely lost in her work. "Listen to this line, 'They're moving in herds,' again it's foreshadowing. The dinos will work together to defeat the humans. The music climaxes and the viewpoint shifts to the world of Jurassic Park that opens out in front of us!"

"How much of the film did we look at? Maybe a few minutes and look at how much careful planning was in it to create the prefect illusion! And you say to me," snarled Robbie turning on Janet, "That you like a good adventure story! Shit!"

Janet blinked, completely taken back by the out burst. The video played on into the silence of the room as the two women looked at each other. Robbie's facial features slowly changed from anger to confusion as if she had suddenly become aware of where she was and what she was doing. "Well, it is what I do for a living. I guess I see it differently than most," she grumbled to hide the embarrassment she felt at having shown so much of her excitement and love of her craft.

Janet laughed, her eyes sparkling with delight. Robbie looked up sharply, her temper rising; was Janet laughing at her?! "That was the most fantastic experience. I learned so much! Wow! You just opened doors for me, in terms of what I can start to pick out of film now. Please Robbie, go on! I want to learn more!" Janet begged, slipping onto the floor by Robbie in her excitement and leaning her back against the chair.

Robbie gave a nervous smile. "Yeah? You liked that? Okay, let me rewind," smiled the director,'s picking up the remote again from where it lay in her lap. Janet eyes followed the action lingering on the spot where tight blue jeans covered Robbie's sex. Oh boy, this woman could really get my motor humming, Janet thought and then quickly turned her attention back to the screen before Robbie noticed where her eyes were.

For the next three hours, Robbie talked about her craft. She was encouraged and pleased when Janet asked intelligent, probing questions. When Reb woke from her nap, Robbie played with her on the floor while Janet prepared a chili for dinner and made bread to go with it. They'd have a fresh tossed salad too and she would ask Bill to stay.

She hadn't been really truthful about Bill. The truth was Bill wanted marriage and Janet didn't. She liked Bill a lot and she'd had satisfactory relationships with both sexes. But, well, she always thought that when she met her special person that it would be a woman. Some one like Robbie - only nice.

Bill arrived at five carrying two bunches of spring flowers. He gave Janet one as she opened the screen door and pecked her lightly on the cheek. Robbie rolled her eyes as she watched from the couch. The actor wore her black running shorts and a tank top of the same colour with a slash of gold down the sides. One long leg was bent up and the other out straight as she lounged back against the arm of the couch her arms spread wide. Blue eyes, almost inhuman in their intensity, slowly stroked up the young doctor's body. Come here, Robbie thought, I'm going to eat you alive.

Janet saw the look and narrowed hers in warning. Robbie flashed a dazzling white smile at the short, wispy-haired doctor and held out a graceful hand to accept her flowers. "How, lovely," she said in that famous voice that could turn a heart of stone to lava.

"Roberta this is Dr. Bill Perkins. Bill this is Roberta Williams," introduced Janet shaking her head and heading for the kitchen.

She knew as soon as she saw Robbie's face what the woman was going to do. She should be furious! To steal someone else's man right there in front of them was just damned disgusting! But instead, she found herself thinking it was rather funny.

"Doctor, do you think it is just my knee? It hurts up here too," cooed Robbie taking the stupefied man's hand and placing it on her inner thigh. "Maybe I ...pulled something."