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PARADISE FOUND By Cruise and Stoley

Disclaimers: Are the same for all other parts.

You can contact the authors at: cruise1313@aol.com, stoley@hotmail.com.

PART IX

Bly lay with the pillow covering her face wondering how everything had gone so wrong. She wondered why in the hell she was being such an emotional wreck...it was so unlike her. 'Maybe it was because she loved Jordan with every ounce of her being and she was Bly's entire life', she thought as she remembered how relationships were easier before Jordan entered her life. She would just drop the woman whenever there was any conflict or she just wouldn't allow the relationship to go very far, but she couldn't do that with Jordan....she didn't want to do that with Jordan.

Bly loved Jordan too much to do that, but it absolutely killed her what Jordan had said to her. She couldn't be mad at Jordan because it was true. She felt extremely guilty and just couldn't get over it, but Bly knew she had to and fast if she didn't want to lose Jordan. Bly pushed the pillow off her face and wiped the tears away before glancing at the clock realizing she was running late.

"Shit!" She exclaimed as she jumped up and scrambled off the bed. She ran into the study and grabbed her attaché case before heading to the master bedroom to say good-bye to Jordan. Bly found the door to be locked. 'Damn!' She thought with agitation at the locked door. "Jordan...I'm late for work...I aah...just wanted to say good-bye." Bly stammered, as she heard no reply from Jordan. "Jordan?" Bly asked worriedly still not hearing a response from Jordan and was about to break the door down until she heard the shower turn on. "And to say I'm sorry." Bly replied softly and regretfully before leaving the Penthouse.

'This is not a good day for this to happen...but then again what day is a good day for something like this to happen between two people who love one another?' Bly thought on the elevator ride down. Along with the Medicare hearings she had today, it wasn't looking good already.

'I think Medicare pulls this crap just to piss everyone off!' She thought angrily about her upcoming meeting and how Medicare loved to play a sick game of denying payment and treatment for a patient. Once the bills were resubmitted for reconsideration they would call a hearing to decide if they would pay or approve more therapy, if it was medically necessary.

Unfortunately, the patient is usually the one who suffers from their tactics because if Medicare deems their treatments not medically necessary, than the patient receives no therapy. 'Medicare can bite me!' Bly thought annoyed at their system as she climbed into her car and floored the accelerator leaving rubber and smoke behind her.

Bly arrived slightly behind schedule, which was extremely unusual for her. She rushed into the crowded and busy Physical Therapy center, agitated at the entire situation, not to mention her tardiness. Even though she was only five minutes late, it didn't help her already dismal mood.

"Good morning Bly." Patty, her secretary, greeted happily as Bly blew by her in a rush towards her office. She hated feeling rushed when she arrived for work. Bly always came early to have coffee with the girls in the office and to read the sports page before work. Bly was not fond of her morning routine being altered, but what could she do about it today?...Nothing!

"Send Mrs. Garcia back Patty I'll be right there." Bly threw over her shoulder as she entered her office quickly depositing her attaché case in the chair before grabbing her lab coat, fighting with the sleeves as she attempted to slip it on and walk toward her first patient. Bly wasn't particularly fond of wearing her lab coat...actually, she hated wearing it and only did so if she was treating patients with open wounds or patients she saw in the hospital.

"Good morning Mrs. Garcia...I'm sorry I'm running late today." Bly apologetically replied as she grabbed a stool and a pair of rubber gloves before sitting down before her patient.

"Hectic morning dear?" Her patient asked with a smile.

"Too hectic." Bly answered with a chuckle as she slipped her gloves on. "Okay...let's take a look at the wound on your hand and see how it's healing." Bly replied as she carefully removed the bandage and examined the wound. "Well...it's healing beautifully...I've done a wonderful job." Bly teased cockily as if she really had something to do with the healing process and shared a laugh with her patient.

Bly was glad the mood was lightened despite the fact that she couldn't get what Jordan said to her out of her mind. She was in no mood for what she had to face for the day and would rather not even be at work. Fortunately, she thought, she had Mrs. Garcia and then the hearings allowing her to be finished with work by noon.

"Bly...the people from Medicare are here." Patty advised Bly.

"Oh, goodie...now, my day is complete Patty. I don't know if I can stand the excitement I feel right now." Bly replied sarcastically as she looked up at Patty.

"Yep...I knew you would be just as excited as I am with their presence. I would really love to be able to tell them where to stick it." Patty answered equally sarcastic causing Bly and her patient to laugh.

"Have them wait in the break room while I finish up with Mrs. Garcia please."

"No problem." Patty answered before walking away to speak with the Medicare people.

"Thanks." Bly replied as she finished redressing the patient's wound. "Okay...you're all set. I'll see you on Monday and have a good weekend. You try to behave yourself too young lady." Bly teased with a smile, which was quickly shared by her patient.

"You too Bly...thanks a lot." The elderly woman answered before leaving the treatment area.

Bly slowly cleaned up her mess, purposely making the Medicare people wait. She considered the hearings such a waste of time, but she also understood they had a job to do. Because of some greedy medical personnel, Medicare had to change their guidelines to eliminate Medicare fraud. Bly washed her hands before entering the den of wolves for the hearings with a scowl etched clearly on her face.

Bly and the Medicare reviewers had been butting heads over the charts under review for over two hours agitating Bly even more. So far, they had agreed to make payment for most of the claims presented based on Bly's exemplary documentation in the patient's medical charts. Bly breathed a sigh of relief that her documentation was very detailed so she could prove that the patient's were making progress in therapy and there was no need for them to be denied treatment. 'What a stupid game these people play.' Bly thought to herself with obvious disdain for the whole system, but she knew a lack of documentation in a patient's progress notes could deny them for the therapy they needed.

It was just their sorry excuse for denying payment and something as simple as leaving out a birthdate could do it. 'Payment...what a joke that is...they want us to do all of this documentation and follow their guidelines for a very minimal reimbursement.' Bly thought angrily as the discussion began on the next patient.

Bly looked up and saw the green eyed blonde who captured her heart and soul enter the gym. She was captivated by Jordan and watched as Jordan greeted everyone with her radiant smile as she made her way through the gym.

Bly had tuned all the chatter of the meeting out as she watched Jordan intently. Jordan took Bly's breath away as she thought about how much she loved her. Jordan turned and looked at Bly with emerald greens met piercing blues, Bly snapped out of her revelry reminding her of the biting words Jordan had said to her earlier that morning. It felt like an arrow pierced her heart as she heard the words all over again and Bly looked away from Jordan sadly.

"Bly...aah...Bly?" The Medicare nurse asked.

"What?" Bly snapped angrily as she turned her head towards the woman.

"Do you have any comments on this patient? We don't feel it's medically necessary for her to continue therapy." The woman answered stoically.

Bly's head pounded as she listened to what the woman had said looking at Jordan and back to the woman increasing her frustration. She couldn't take the crap anymore and fought her urge to chew the nurse out and tell her to shove the chart up her ass...sideways, but knew she had to try and be diplomatic about everything.

"Not medically necessary huh?" Bly asked sarcastically. "Let's see how that can be remotely believable." Bly answered as she opened the patient's chart. "The patient has a fractured shoulder and elbow with health compromises which slow the healing process down considerably of her dominant upper extremity. She has had 18 visits to date and her range of motion in her shoulder is all of eighty degrees and fifty degrees for flexion in her elbow. Now, mind you full range of motion for the shoulder is one hundred eighty degrees and one hundred thirty degrees for the elbow. The patient could get by with functional range of motion of about one hundred fifty for the shoulder and one hundred twenty degrees which would allow her to do her everyday basic activities such as grooming and feeding herself." Bly instructed them in a controlled sarcasm.

Bly looked around at the people before turning the page and proceeding. "This patient was previously totally independent and now the woman can't even feed herself requiring assistance from a caregiver.

Could you please explain to me how therapy is not medically necessary for this woman because I'm just not seeing your logic here!" Bly asked angrily in a raised tone, growing far more agitated than she wanted to be as she closed the chart.

"We have a set amount of 12 visits which we deem medically necessary for this type of an injury and that is why further treatment has been denied." The woman answered with equal agitation at Bly's sarcasm.

"You mean to tell me you expect someone with this type of an injury to be completely functional within 12 visits?...that's ridiculous." Bly responded with her anger mounting.

"Those are the guidelines that have been set and we need to follow them." The woman retorted coldly.

"Change the guidelines then! Don't you realize it takes longer than 12 visits for a person to be functional again? The main goal for everyone to achieve is their prior functional status as it was before the onset of the injury!" Bly informed them with agitation.

Everyone in the gym could hear the conversation taking place and Jordan looked on worriedly, she could tell Bly's temper was ready to blow. "I've never seen or heard Bly this mad at the Medicare people before." Kim replied with surprise and an excited feeling that the wolves where getting what they deserved...an ear full.

"Yeah...well, they deserve it...they're a pain in the ass!" Patty answered with a chuckle as she went back to filing her charts, glad that Bly was giving them the business.

"Listen...do what you want and keep your stupid guidelines, but I'm not going to deny treatment to my patient because of your idiotic rules. My Code of Ethics and my human decency won't allow that to happen to a patient who truly needs this therapy." Bly replied angrily as she stormed out of the room heading towards her office, stripping off her lab coat and becoming even more agitated as she fought to get the coat off.

"Patty...call Mrs. Shapiro and schedule her appointments...tell her she won't have to pay a thing for therapy!" Bly shouted as she finally removed the offensive coat and threw it against the wall when she entered her office effectively releasing some tension.

"Fucking people and their stupid guidelines...they can bite me!" Bly replied for only herself to hear. She gathered her belongings, seriously needing to get away from everything that was pissing her off before she went off on someone who didn't deserve it.

"Bly...are you okay?" Jordan asked with concern as she entered Bly's office.

Bly glanced over her shoulder at Jordan as she packed papers in her case. "Does it really matter Jordan?" Bly asked as she looked back down to her attaché case.

"Yes...because I care about you." Jordan replied as she moved closer to Bly wanting to hold her in her arms and make everything better for her.

Bly picked up her case and turned to Jordan. "You care about me, but you can't stand to be a part of my life right?...that's really rich Jordan, really rich!" Bly replied agitatedly as she exited the office leaving a bewildered blonde standing in her wake.

"Patty...call Dawson to give Jordan a ride home please. I'll see you next week...have a good weekend." Bly replied unenthusiastically as she walked past the counter and exited the door to the parking lot. Bly threw her case onto the passenger's side seat before sliding into her own and grabbed the handle to close the door as Jordan exited the clinic.

"Bly...wait!" Jordan yelled with Bly ignoring her and squealed her tires as she left the parking lot. 'This is all unbelievable.' Jordan thought to herself in disbelief and sadness at how her relationship with Bly was coming unraveled. What she had said this morning was true and if Bly didn't want to deal with the issues at hand there was nothing she could do about it. No, instead she just left her hanging again as if Bly's guilt was all her fault. 'I'm sorry that Cindy had ever entered my life and had the chance to cause this trouble, but why is Bly's inability to deal with it my fault? Heck, maybe it is. If it hadn't been for me, Cindy wouldn't be in the picture, there would be no accident, and Bly wouldn't have to face dealing with something she is obviously not prepared to deal with.' Jordan stood alone in the parking lot with her thoughts and looked up towards the sun for warmth as a shiver rippled through her body. Sadly, she turned and slowly walked back into the Clinic.

"Patty, please don't call Dawson, I already have a ride. Can I use your telephone?" Jordan asked stiffly, it was taking all her energy just to maintain her calm façade.

"Sure, no problem. Are you okay?" Patty asked with concern as she could see Jordan was visibly upset.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Jordan didn't make eye contact but took the offered telephone and made her own arrangements. 'If you can't give me your love, I don't need your charity.' Jordan thought sadly.

Bly drove on, picking up her car phone and dialed her buddy Jill. "Jilly...two words for you...batting cages." She replied with a smile as she thought about hitting some baseballs to take out some of her aggressions.

"I'll be there in ten minutes!" Jill answered excitedly as she hung up the phone.

Bly pulled into the parking lot of the Grand Prix Race-o-Rama where the batting cages were located and changed into a T-shirt, shorts and her sneakers, which she always kept in a gym bag in her car. Jill pulled her big, red truck up next to Bly with a silly, happy look on her face as Bly finished tying her shoes.

Jill exited the truck and approached Bly's open door. "What's up bud?"

"Majorly bad morning dude...hey, did you deliver all of your packages early or are you playing hooky from work?" Bly asked with a laugh as she stepped out of the car.

"Playing hooky...needed to rest. UPS can bite me today!" Jill answered in a shared laugh with Bly.

"Let's go crush some baseballs then." Bly replied with a laugh as she grabbed her bat and helmet before heading off to the cages.

Bly and Jill spent the remainder of the day hitting baseballs, playing putt-putt golf and riding the go carts before deciding it was time to venture somewhere else. "Let's go over to 'Playoffs' and catch the Red Sox game on satellite along with a few drinks and dinner...my treat." Bly offered as they headed to the cars.

"Sounds good to me, but I buy the first round." Jill demanded as they jumped into their cars.

"I'll meet you there." Bly replied as she closed the door to her car before heading over to the sports bar.

They both took a seat next to the big screen TV and requested that the Red Sox game be put on. Fortunately, for them they were the only one's in there and were able to get the game of their choice. "Good thing we beat the crowds Bly."

"Most definitely...I'll have a Jack and Coke please." Bly ordered, as the waitress approached, not wasting anytime getting the weekend started off right. She knew that taking some batting practice would take her mind off of her worries, which it did, and she was actually having fun but, then again, she always had fun when she would hang out with Jill.

"Damn...check it out...three tropical storms are brewing out over the Bahamas Bly." Jill replied with agitation at the impending storms that could hit the eastern coast of Florida.

"I see that...I don't believe it. One of them is named Cindy...isn't that fitting!" Bly responded sarcastically wondering when that woman would ever stop interfering in her life.

"Yeah...and it looks like she might overtake the other storm Emily to merge into one hell of a storm." Jill answered with disbelief as she shook her head at the TV screen.

"That's Cindy alright...overtakes others and causes mass destruction in their lives...the fucking bitch. Let's hope that storm heads out to sea!" Bly answered agitatedly as she downed her drink. "I'll have another please." She ordered before the waitress was able to put Jill's beer down on the table.

"Sure...it's happy hour so, you have one coming free would you like me to bring another one other than the one you just ordered?"

"Yeah...I could deal with that nicely." Bly answered with a devilish laugh and a wiggle of her eyebrows as she looked at Jill.

"Dude...two fisted tonight huh?" Jill answered with a laugh as she sipped her ice cold draft beer.

"Oh, yeah...hell, the way I feel...I should just tell her to bring me a pitcher of drinks!" Bly answered with a laugh, as her two requested drinks were promptly delivered.

"Hey, I'm getting psyched about the new baseball season...did you send in your application yet?" Jill asked enthusiastically as she finished off her beer just in time for her second one, which the waitress placed in front of her.

"Oh, yeah...sent it in the day I got it. We have to talk Vinny into getting the name of our team changed...I don't like the Diamondbacks." Bly answered finishing off one of her two drinks. "Aah..." she replied as the last part of her drink went down totally satisfied with the taste of her cocktail. "We need to change the name to either the Red Sox or the Yankees, but not the Diamondbacks. Besides, I'm tired of wearing those stupid purple thick socks with our uniform." Bly answered with a chuckle as she looked at her friend with a smile.

"Yeah...purple just ain't me honey!" Jill retorted with a laugh. "Oh, Vinny is so psyched about this season and is ready to start it now!" Jill answered with a chuckle.

"Me too...I think he's going to be an excellent coach and we should do pretty good this year." Bly answered encouragingly as she waved to the waitress for another round.

Linda followed Jordan up to the penthouse and listened while Jordan relayed the morning events to her. She held her sister and cried with her and hoped that Bly would come around. She knew these two were meant to be together. After talking Jordan into taking a nap and promising to hang around for awhile, Linda called Julie. Julie arrived before Jordan got up and the blonde found the two women in the kitchen talking.

"What are you two plotting? Hello, Julie." Jordan greeted and looked outside frowning. It was into evening and Bly was not home yet.

"Hey, Jordan. Come and sit down here and have a cup of coffee with us." Julie replied knowing where the blonde's mind was at the moment.

"Has Bly called?" Jordan looked up at the clock and frowned, it was already 8 PM and Bly still wasn't home.

"No, not yet." Linda answered and looked at Julie for help.

"She'll be home shortly." Julie answered, knowing that wasn't necessarily the case. If Bly wasn't thinking straight, Julie knew she could get herself in a world of trouble.

"If it is because I am here, maybe I should leave so she can come home to her own place." Jordan didn't really want to leave, but she was feeling scared, angry and frightened all at the same time. She couldn't think rationally at the moment, but if she wasn't wanted, she wouldn't stay.

"No! Don't even think that. I tell you what, let me go and see if I can't find her. She is probably just down at the batting cages working off her frustration of the Medicare people. She gets this way when she has to deal with them." Julie offered and stood up to leave.

"It's more than Medicare." Jordan whispered and went to look out over the darkening ocean noticing the flash of lightening far off in the distant indicating an impending storm front moving across the turbulent Atlantic Ocean.

Julie softly replied, "I know," and turned to Linda. "I'm going to go see if I can't bring her home. Stay here and try to keep Jordan from running away or anything okay?"

Linda nodded and easily slipped into Julie's arms for a warm hug. Sighing, she looked up at her Italian lover, "What are you going to do?"

"Try to knock some sense into my best friend before she totally screws up the best thing that has ever come into her life. See if you can calm that one down." Julie motioned her head to the blonde in the other room. "I don't want to get Bly back here to find that she has left."

"No, she isn't going anywhere tonight." Linda walked Julie to the elevator and rode down with her. On the trip down she had an overwhelming urge to kiss Julie and she did so until the elevator hit the lobby.

"Wow!" Julie replied happily pulling back as the doors opened. "I'm glad that we are not fighting like those two."

"So am I." Linda replied with a relieved smile and a shiver at the thought of fighting with Julie.

"I've got to talk to Bly and get her over this self-imposed guilt trip. It's not like her. I know that she loves Jordan very much. She's just got to realize that she can't control everything that happens in this life! I'll bring her back as soon as I can." Linda watched as Julie walked out the front door before taking the elevator back up to the penthouse. She walked into the living room to find Jordan still looking out the window, she hadn't moved from her spot and held Ares tightly against her chest softly stroking his silky fur as he wiggled his tail perfectly content in the arms that held him.

"Hey, let's go sit out on the balcony. It's a nice night." Linda quietly offered, not wanting to startle Jordan. Jordan shrugged her shoulders and followed her sister out onto the balcony with Ares jumping from her arms before heading back into the Penthouse as they sat down to listen to the waves crash against the shore in the semi-darkness. The moon was coming out and they just caught the glint of its brightness as it sparkled off the top of the choppy waves. The soft tropical breeze ruffled Jordan's hair and she closed her eyes and breathed the scent of the night Jasmine.

"Did Julie leave?"

"Yes, she will be back in a bit. She went to find Bly." Linda replied watching her sister's profile. Her sister seemed to have aged in the last 24 hours as the lines of exhaustion edged her face. Even with her nap, she still looked tired.

"I don't know what to do Linda. I can't lose Bly." Jordan turned to face her sister as the tears tracked down her face. Linda moved her chair closer and pulled Jordan into her arms and rocked her.

"I know honey. Julie will bring her back and then you guys need to talk. Neither one of you want to lose what you have. I also know that Bly loves you very much." Linda rocked her sister quietly and prayed that Julie would find Bly and get her to see things more clearly.

"I just can't live with her walking on eggshells all the time. She thinks the accident is her fault. If it's anyone's fault it is mine for not stopping Cindy sooner."

"Just wait right there! Let's put the blame where it belongs. It doesn't belong to you or Bly. It rests solely on Cindy! She has gotten away with so much as far as you are concerned. I'm not going to let her get away with breaking you guys up too. You have to realize that neither one of you could have changed what happened. Things happen because they just do. If it's meant to be, nothing is going to change that fact. I think you and Bly are meant to be and I'm not going to let anything get in the way of that fact!" Linda stood up and faced her sister with her hands on her hips. "Are you listening to me?" She emphasized emphatically as her green eyes widened.

Jordan looked up and had to grin at the pose her sister held. "Yes, ma'am!"

Linda broke into a chuckle, happy that she had gotten through to her sister and could make her smile. "Well, you better!"

It was almost 11 PM and Jordan was wandering around restlessly when they heard the elevator open. Both women turned and went to find Julie and Jill pulling a slightly wobbly Bly into the penthouse.

"What happened?" Linda and Jordan echoed at the same time.

"I found her after searching all over Ft. Lauderdale. Fortunately, she's a creature of habit and frequents the same places all the time and I talked some sense into her!" Julie answered struggling to keep her hold on the fidgeting woman. Jill chuckled at the explanation as they continued tugging the tall woman down the hallway.

"Hey!" Bly replied agitatedly trying to pull back from the two women. "Jill and I were running the pool table...you shouldn't have made us leave!" Bly slurred agitatedly as she attempted to focus on Julie and keep her limp hand on her hip, unsuccessfully struggling to maintain her balance.

"It was more like Jill was running around the table trying to hold your drunk ass up! I think we need to get her into bed." Julie nodded and together they half dragged Bly toward the master bedroom. Jordan hesitated for a moment thinking to redirect them toward the guest bedroom and instead shrugged and walked ahead into her room and pulled down the covers on the bed.

Linda leaned over and whispered to Julie, "I think Bly's sleeping in the guestroom now."

"I know." Julie replied and continued to shuffle Bly into the master bedroom and dropped her onto the bed.

"This isn't funny guys!" Bly slurred pulling herself up. She stood for a moment touching her cheek gingerly before staggering into the bathroom.

"What the hell happened?" Linda asked as Julie and Jill stood disheveled and breathing hard.

"Let's just say she was being a little obnoxious and uncooperative and Jules here knocked her down a few pegs." Jill answered smiling widely.

Everyone turned to Julie for an explanation and the woman shrugged, "She was drinking and I wasn't going to let her drive home. She had an attitude and we had a long talk in the parking lot about things. I guess she took offense to something I said and took a swing at me. She missed and fell into the truck. It's okay her hard head broke her fall!"

"Oh God, now you two are fighting. This has just gotten way out of hand!" Jordan turned and left the bedroom. She wasn't sure what she would do next, but she wasn't going to let Bly's friendships suffer because of her.

"Wait!" Julie followed Jordan into the living room and stopped the blonde from going any further. "You didn't let me finish. We had a long talk and I think Bly is ready to talk about everything with you. Just give her a chance to sober up a little. Tomorrow is Saturday, I suggest the two of you don't plan anything but having that talk." Julie instructed Jordan assuredly.

"Are you sure she wants to talk to me now?" Jordan was hopeful, but afraid to be too optimistic for fear of being disappointed again.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Just let her get some sleep tonight and talk tomorrow. In the meantime, Linda and I are going to take Jill home. Maybe Sunday we can all meet for a drink and pick up the car and truck. " Julie motioned to Jill and Linda to get moving and Linda hugged her sister as the other two headed toward the elevator. "Just take it slow and talk. Okay, remember she loves you."

Jordan nodded and watched as the trio departed and turned toward the bedroom, unsure of what she should do. Finally, she decided she needed to check on Bly and walked into the master bedroom. She found Bly sitting on the side of the bed holding a wash cloth to her face.

"Can I see?" Jordan asked quietly as she moved slowly toward Bly. Bly pulled the wash cloth away and let Jordan check out her cheek. There was some swelling and a scratch, but nothing serious. "Do you want some ice?"

"No, it will be okay, I just wanted to get some of the dirt off my face." Bly replied embarrassedly.

"You missed a spot, do you mind?" Jordan put her hand out for the wash cloth and Bly gave it to her and let the woman gently wipe her face without comment.

Finally, Bly looked up and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Jordan looked down at her unsure if she had actually heard Bly speak, but the look in those blue eyes told her she had.

"So, am I. Do you think we can talk tomorrow?" Jordan asked hesitantly and turned to hang the wet washcloth in the bathroom.

"Yes, I think we need to, right now I'm kind of tired." Bly replied laying back on the bed.

"Okay, get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning." Jordan replied softly and closing the light she turned to leave the bedroom.

"Hey, you don't have to go. I mean you could stay here tonight." Bly's velvety voice whispered from the darkness.

Jordan's pulse quickened at Bly's offer for her to stay with her and she smiled happily as tears filled her eyes. She was glad that Bly didn't shun her and she wanted nothing more than to be close to her lover once again.

"Aah...if that's what you want Bly." Jordan stammered unsure as she moved towards the bed.

"It is Jordan." Bly replied softly as she felt Jordan sit next to her on the bed and she placed her hand on top of Jordan's before lightly squeezing it sending a rush of warmth throughout Jordan at the contact. Bly's head pounded as the room began to spin when she closed her eyes. Her stomach did flip-flops as the dizziness continued. Bly put her foot down on the floor in a futile attempt to stop the dizziness. Supposedly, if you're drunk and you put your foot flat on the floor the bed spins would stop. 'Wrong!' Bly thought as she opened her blues eyes to stop the swirling in her head.

"Aah...Jordan...what did you do to my bed?" Bly slurred questioningly.

"I didn't do anything to it but sleep in it...why?" Jordan asked confused.

"You did something to it I know it. Either you changed it into a tilt-o-whirl ride or I drank one...five too many drinks!" Bly replied laughing at her statement.

Jordan chuckled looking down at her supine lover who was in obvious distress as she inhaled and exhaled deeply in her attempt to calm the nausea that was quickly winning the battle. "I think it's the latter babe because there is no way I'm getting on any tilt-o-whirl ride." Jordan answered with a chuckle as she brushed the dark bangs off Bly's forehead.

"Well, now that I have that dilemma figured out there's only one more thing for me to do to get a grip on myself...pray!" Bly retorted as she slowly lifted herself up to a sitting position fighting the nausea that sat at the bottom of her throat.

"Pray?" Jordan asked with even more confusion reminding herself to never drink as much as Bly did tonight.

"To the porcelain god!" Bly responded as she sprinted towards the bathroom slightly off balance as the alcohol won the battle with her stomach.

Jordan watched as her tall lover headed into the bathroom and knew she was going to be one hurting puppy come morning sporting one nasty hangover. Jordan headed into the kitchen and poured a glass of Gatorade and grabbed some Advil for Bly to alleviate the impending headache that was sure to consume her. Jordan walked back into the room and sat on the bed waiting for Bly to return.

Ares strolled into the room and meowed as he looked up at Jordan. "Hey, handsome...what you up too?" Jordan replied with a smile as she watched the cat jump up on the bed next to her. He meowed again as he rubbed his head up against Jordan who ran her hand down his back much to his delight purring loudly as he lay next to Jordan, absolutely content with her smoothing out his furry coat. "Oh, you are just so spoiled aren't you? Just like your mom. You two just love to have your backs rubbed don't you?" Jordan asked as she looked down at Ares who meowed softly in reply before licking his paw and rubbing it against his face to clean it.

"What is taking your mom so long...huh?" She asked wondering why Bly hadn't exited the bathroom by now and grew concerned, as she didn't hear any noise coming from the bathroom. "Let's go check on mom." Jordan worriedly replied as Ares jumped off the bed when she stood up and placed the glass of Gatorade on the nightstand and headed toward the bathroom.

Jordan opened the door slowly and feared Bly might be indifferent towards her for entering. She poked her head through the door. "Bly?" Jordan replied softly as she noticed Bly sitting on the floor in front of the toilet with her arms resting on the side of the bathtub and her head lying against her arms...sound asleep.

Jordan chuckled as she completely entered the bathroom and joined Ares at Bly's side. Ares sniffed Bly and rubbed up against her meowing trying to get her attention. "I don't think she wants to wake up Ares." Jordan replied as she pushed Bly's hair back off her face, which completely covered her beautiful features. "Bly...honey." Jordan spoke softly and comforting as she moved the remaining hair off of Bly's face.

"Huh." A low, muffled, sleepy response came out.

"Come on...let's get you in bed. You'll be more comfortable there." Jordan instructed Bly as she moved Bly from her resting position from the tub.

"It's okay...I'm really comfortable right here...but thanks." Bly slurred as she lay her head back down drawing a chuckle out of Jordan. She knew she shouldn't laugh but it was quite funny.

"Nope...let's go honey. You'll be more comfortable in bed." Jordan answered as she struggled to lift Bly up who finally made an attempt to stand.

Bly looked down at Jordan as she put her arm around Jordan's shoulder to help support her wobbly legs. "You are so demanding." She answered with a chuckle struggling to keep her blue eyes focused on the sexy blonde.

"Yeah...but that's why you love me so much." Jordan teased as she steered her tall soulmate towards the bed.

"Oh, that's not the only reason Jordan. There are so many more reasons why I love you, because you're beautiful, you have a very sexy smile." Bly slurred listing off all of Jordan's attributes that she loved about her as Jordan led her to the bed and sat her down. "You have the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen that I love to lose myself in." Bly continued as she looked at Jordan who handed her the Advil and Gatorade.

"Is that so?" Jordan replied with an embarrassed smile. "Take those." Jordan demanded.

"Did I tell you I love you because you're so demanding?" Bly asked with a silly grin as Jordan moved her hand with the Advil up to her mouth followed by the Gatorade.

"Yes, you already said that." Jordan replied with a chuckle as she watched Bly take the medicine and finish off her drink subconsciously tucking her long blond hair behind her ear.

"Oh, I love it when you tuck your hair behind your ear too, I love your cooking, your incredibly sexy body." Bly replied with an attempt at a seductive glance which just didn't work considering her drunkenness as Jordan removed her shirt and slipped a T-shirt over her head for Bly to sleep in. "Ooh, I love how frisky you are." Bly continued as Jordan lay her on her side noticing her blue eyes struggled harder to stay awake.

"Frisky huh?" Jordan teased as she removed Bly's shorts with Bly falling asleep.

"Yeah...frisky." Bly replied after a long silent pause. "I love your sassiness, but most of all I love you because you are you and because you love me for who I am." Bly whispered before Morpheus took her away to her dreams.

Jordan smiled, as her heart fluttered with Bly's admission wondering if what she said was what she truly meant. Jordan looked down at the sleeping figure and pushed her dark hair off her cheek lovingly before leaning down to place a soft kiss on her delicate skin. "I love everything about you Bly." Jordan whispered in her ear before kissing her once more and climbing into bed lying in front of Bly on her side.

Jordan moved as close to her sleeping lover as she could who instinctively wrapped her arms around Jordan through her sleep. A smile crept across Jordan's face with her feeling safe and loved once again in the arms of her love. Jordan held Bly's hand tightly and kissed it before tucking Bly's hand close to her heart as she slipped off to sleep.

Jordan heard a wide variety of noises dancing around in her head as she attempted to loosen the hold Morpheus had on her. She heard the loud clap of thunder and the pounding rain against the sliding glass door and thought about how she loved to stay in bed during a rainstorm with her lover's arms wrapped snuggly around her. She realized she didn't feel those arms around her and wondered if what Bly had said last night about why she loved Jordan were true or if it was just the alcohol talking. Jordan slipped back into her sleep but heard a familiar, funny laugh off in the distance and a song she could faintly hear as she fought of her sleepiness.

The tune stuck in her head and she heard it more clearly now. 'Scooby dooby doo...lookin for you...where are you?' She heard the tune more clearly as her eyes opened to the storm darkened room. "Scooby Doo's on?" She thought with slight confusion until it registered in her brain. "Scooby's on!" She told herself excitedly as she made her way out of bed into the living room to find a Scooby Doo movie marathon going on. "Cool!" Jordan replied with excitement as she looked at the TV and glanced towards the couch noticing the sleeping figure sprawled out against the black leather with Ares sleeping soundly stretched out on her chest. Jordan smiled as she noticed Ares' had his paw tucked to one side of Bly's neck and had his face snuggled tightly against the other side with Bly in a deep sleep and her one foot planted firmly on the floor. Jordan laughed to herself deciding she needed a picture of this occasion and grabbed the digital camera from the den.

She clicked a couple of pictures before moving closer to her sexy, sleeping lover and sat next to the couch on the floor. Ares' head snapped up and she heard a low, warning meows come out of the overprotective cat who now looked at her sleepily. "Ssh...you're going to wake up your mom." Jordan instructed him softly as she stroked his head and leaned forward to kiss Bly on the forehead.

Jordan sat intently watching her lover sleep and listened to the rain pound against the window as two blue orbs opened and looked at her. "Hey." Bly replied sleepily.

"How do you feel?" Jordan asked with concern.

"Let's just say I'm sick of praying to that damn porcelain god!" Bly replied with a laugh shared by Jordan.

"Is there anything I can get you?" Jordan offered.

"Can you arrange for a new stomach?" Bly asked with a smile.

"Sorry...fresh out. How about some Pepto?" Jordan asked with a smile as she leaned her chin against her arm that rested on the couch staring into the sexiest blue eyes.

"Been there and done everyone of those over the counter medicines to combat a hangover with none of them working. I need some Compezene to take care of it."

"Where can I get that from?"

"It has to be prescribed. I was waiting until it was a decent hour to call my dad and see if he could bring some over."

"Honey, you should have woke me up. I would have gotten something for you and I'm sure you're parents wouldn't have minded you calling." Jordan replied with regret that Bly allowed her to sleep while she spent the wee morning hours sick.

"You were sleeping so soundly that I didn't want to wake you up." Bly answered with a smile as she lightly stroked Jordan's cheek with the back of her hand. "Besides, I needed to be punished to remind me how I shouldn't overindulge myself." Bly responded with a comforting smile.

"Well...you still could have gotten me up to be with you while you were sick."

"Jordan...I want you to know that even though I was very intoxicated...well, aah...extremely drunk." Bly answered with a laugh, which turned serious. "I remembered everything I said to you about what I love about you and I meant all of it. I love everything about you baby." Bly replied sincerely as she gazed into Jordan's green eyes and gently pulled her closer to her before hugging her. "I'm so sorry Jordan." Bly whispered in a voice filled with emotion in Jordan's ear wishing she hadn't had been such a fool by pushing the only person that she ever loved with all of her heart away from her. Bly knew exactly where she was meant to be...in Jordan's arms and she didn't want to be anywhere else. She knew they needed to talk everything out to settle their problems but she was content for the moment to just stay right where she was...holding Jordan.

"I'm sorry too Bly." Jordan replied softly as she kissed her before leaning back and looked into Bly's blues. "We need to talk honey and work everything out." Jordan replied regretfully not wanting to start another fight but they had to have a resolve with the conflict in their lives.

"I know babe, but would you mind if I called my dad so he could give me something to make me feel better first?" Bly asked as she ran her fingers through Jordan's blond hair.

"Yes, I would mind if you call him because I want you to stay right where you are. I'll call dad for you...okay?" Jordan offered with a smile.

"Yes, boss." Bly replied with a laugh as she watched Jordan head off to retrieve the mobile phone to call her father and looked down at Ares who meowed when their eyes met. "Hey, buddy...give mama a kiss and make me feel better." Bly replied as she ran her long, slender fingers down his back with Ares rubbing his face against hers.

Jordan re-entered the room as she clicked the phone off. "Dad's on his way over and you do realize he will tease you incessantly don't you?" Jordan asked with a laugh as she sat back down on the floor in front of Bly.

"I will never live this one down...that's for sure." Bly answered with a laugh as she kissed Jordan on the cheek.

"I can't believe there is a Scooby marathon and you didn't wake me up." Jordan teased as she looped her fingers through Bly's before kissing her hand and focusing on the TV.

"It's a tough call honey...I had to risk the wrath of you missing Scooby or take the wrath of waking you up. The thought of doing that just made me shake in my bare feet and I opted to let you sleep." Bly teased as Jordan placed a playful bite on her hand hearing a chuckle out of Bly.

Bly's father stopped by and administered a shot of Compezene to stop the nausea and hooked up an IV to replenish the fluids Bly lost throughout the night as Alexandra sat watching Scooby Doo with Jordan.

"Okay...kiddo. Your chow should stay down now." Chance teased as he removed the IV from Bly's hand. "Feel better now?...because you sure look it. I thought for sure the grim reaper was knocking on the door from the looks of you when we first came in here." He teased with a laugh and a wink.

"Thanks daddy...I feel a lot better. You're my hero." Bly teased sarcastically as her father leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Let's go sexy." Chance replied towards his wife with a wink and a smile who stood up.

"Are you sure I can't make some breakfast for you?" Jordan offered with a smile as Bly sat up on the couch feeling 100% better.

"No, but thanks though. Chance promised me Cinnamon nut French toast from the pancake house and I'm not missing out on that opportunity." Alexandra answered with a laugh as she leaned against her husband's shoulder with a smile as his long arm wrapped around his beautiful wife's waist.

"Wait...you mean to tell me daddy had to bribe you to come out with him to take care of your little girl who was sick?" Bly asked with a teasing pout on her face. "I see how important I am to you."

"Oh, my little pumpkin is upset." Alexandra teased with a chuckle as she sat next to Bly. "Come here...let mama kiss your boo-boo and make it better." Alexandra teased mockingly as she put her arm around Bly who chuckled and moved away.

"No, get! Go get your French toast that's more important." She teased as she pushed her mom away who laughed and wrapped her daughter in a hug as she kissed her cheek.

"Bly...I can't believe you would think that Cinnamon nut French toast is more important than you." She replied sarcastically.

"I would...that French toast is delicious." Jordan teased with a laugh as everyone joined in on the laugh too.

"Now, you too! It's a friggin mutiny around here!" Bly teased with a laugh as her mother stood up and she lay back down on the couch. "Go on...all of you go...get your French toast...leave me here by myself with only Scooby and Ares to keep me company, my two faithful buddies who never let me down." Bly teased curling up with her cat trying to get some sympathy out of everyone who laughed.

"I'll stay here and forgo the French toast...this time." Jordan teased as she walked Bly's parents to the elevator.

"Bye...honey...we'll call you later to see how you are feeling." Alexandra informed her.

"Don't bother...I wouldn't want to pull you away from your French toast or anything more important." Bly teased as she waved to her parents over the couch, who laughed.

"I don't know how we got such a smart ass daughter Chance." Alexandra replied with a laugh shaking her head.

"She takes after you babe." Chance answered with a chuckle with a slap to his wife's butt quickly receiving a slap on the arm in response. "Bye Jordan...thanks for taking care of our little girl." Chance replied with a smile as he kissed Jordan on the cheek.

"You're welcome....anytime dad." Jordan answered smiling as she hugged Alexandra happy that Bly's parents insisted she call them mom and dad.

"Bye honey...thanks." Alexandra answered as they stepped onto the elevator and disappeared as the doors closed.

Jordan approached the couch. "Look here Miss Pukey...you owe me some Cinnamon nut French toast when you recover." Jordan teased as she lay next to Bly on the couch.

"You can have anything you want baby." Bly replied softly in Jordan's ear as she wrapped her arms around her and kissed her cheek.

"The only thing I want is you Bly." Jordan answered softly as she looked over her shoulder at her lover. "It's all I ever wanted from you." Jordan replied and rolled over to face Bly. "Do you feel like talking about what is going on between us?"

Bly looked down into warm green eyes and smiled. "I'm feeling a lot better now, it serves me right for doing something so stupid. I seem to be compounding my stupidity lately." Bly answered regretfully.

"Not stupid, just misguided." Jordan replied smiling and lightly kissing Bly.

"Yeah, misguided. A lot has happened in the past few months." Bly replied thoughtfully.

"I know and a lot has been happening with you. Care to talk about it?" Jordan asked trying to get Bly to open up to her.

"When the accident happened, I felt guilty for not being there and that your being hurt was all my fault. Part of me wanted so much to be with you at the awards, but the other part thought I needed to be at the Tournament. Then, you got hurt and I guess I just let my guilt get out of hand. I let it make me believe I could have changed everything that had happened just by my mere presence. My ego took over and my brain shut down." Bly tried to explain what she had been feeling and knew that her explanation was still lacking. She needed to take the chance and to tell Jordan everything. "Then things got out of hand between us and I almost lost you. It shouldn't have taken that for me to realize that the only important thing in this world is to be with you and I almost threw that away. I know now that I can't stop everything that is going to happen to us in our lifetime, some things are just fate. They are going to happen whether I want them to or not. I have no control over the events, but I do have control over how I react to them and I reacted totally wrong, can you forgive me?"

"Let me say what I need to say first, okay?" Jordan asked without answering Bly's request. Bly nodded slowly, the concern etched on her face as she waited for Jordan to continue.

Jordan smiled and ran her hand lightly across the furrowed brow in an effort to smooth away the creases. "When you couldn't get past your guilt, I got angry and said some things without thinking. I couldn't live with you looking at me like you were the one totally at fault, especially when I knew that I was partially to blame."

"I should never have made you feel that my award was more important than your Tournament. I was being childish. We both had something important to do and why should I have felt that mine should take precedence over yours? So, if anyone should ask for forgiveness, it should be me." Jordan looked searchingly into blue eyes and waited for a response.

Bly's eyes crinkled at the edges as the frown turned into a smile and she offered, "What do you say we just forgive each other? Let's just kiss and make up and learn from this fiasco."

"Sounds like a wonderful plan to me! Especially the making up part!" Jordan replied and kissed Bly long and deep to seal the pact.

"Mmmm. I've missed you." Bly murmured hugging Jordan tightly to her. "Me too!" Jordan replied nipping Bly's neck lightly in return. Jordan pulled back and looked at Bly questioningly. "I never asked, what happened at the tournament? How did you do?"

Bly shrugged and replied, "It's not important."

"Why not?" Jordan asked curiously. Bly didn't want to tell Jordan that she hadn't been able to concentrate at the Tournament and had probably blown her chance at the Olympics. She didn't want anymore guilt between them. That was in the past and if she had it to do all over again, she probably never would have gone to the Tournament and stayed with Jordan. To stall any further questioning, Bly rolled Jordan under her and began kissing her passionately.

"Later." Bly murmured against Jordan's ear as she kissed along her jaw line to her neck. Jordan shivered in response, feeling her body respond to her lover and ran her hands down Bly's back thinking, 'What were we talking about?'

Paradise Found continues...

(Cruise/Stoley, 1999)

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