Lacey's Light Ch 1&2

Eight o'clock on a Thursday evening, the bar hadn't yet filled up. It would, though. Rickles Downtown was a popular hangout for many. Tucked off on a side street in the heart of Portland, it was a local favorite. The music wasn't too loud, it wasn't too smoky or seedy, and the food was great. You could pretty much count on getting a good plate of rings, a beer, and terrific service any night of the week. Rickles catered to the college crowd, but was also a hit with many of the 30-somethings that worked nearby.

It was their favorite haunt, the place where they had spent many hours and many dollars. There were memories tied up at Rickles. That's why she asked them both to meet her there.

The tall redhead sat alone at 'their' table, but that didn't seem to concern her. She laughed and joked with nearly everyone who walked by, had a snappy comment to make about nearly everything.

Chad Stuckey watched her from the door as he walked in. She was definitely hard to miss, he thought. You certainly couldn't mistake that laugh! Her back was to him, so she was caught completely unaware when a well-built guy grabbed her shoulder, and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

Justyn Franklin whirled around, ready to do battle. Seeing a pair of dark brown eyes that she knew and loved, she flung her arms around his neck.

"Chad! You're back. When did you get in? How long are you staying? Have you talked to Lacey yet?"

"Easy, Red, easy!" Chad laughed as he returned Justyn's hug. "Give a guy a chance to grab a beer before you start hammering him with questions."

"Hey, Jackson, Chad needs a beer. And he thinks I talk too fast," Justyn called to the bartender.

"You do, Red. But that's why we love you." The two men grinned at each other as Jackson set Chad's beer down. That was Justyn. Bubbly and effervescent and always had something to say.

"So, you've got your beer. Now spill. What's going on?

"Alright then, here's the scoop." Chad slowly took a pull on his beer, watching Justyn squirm with impatience, though she tried to hide it. She lived so much for the moment, it was amusing to keep her hanging now and then.

"Have been back only since last night. I have talked to Lacey, called her when I got in. Just to surprise her. It was good to hear her voice." Chad's eyes sparkled just a tiny bit more.

"Hmmm," Justyn thought, noticing the change, so subtle she bet he didn't even notice. "I wonder....."

"Lacey asked me to meet her down here, said she had something amazing to share. I figured she couldn't tell one of us without telling the other. So I thought I'd just surprise you when I showed up." Chad finished with a grin.

"You did. I was ready to deck you when you kissed my cheek," Justyn admitted. "I am glad to see you though. Its been a while, my friend."

"Pretty hard to pull one over on you, Red. Its good to be able to catch you off guard now and then." Chad raised his bottle, and clinked it in good humor to Justyn's.

At the opposite end of the room, a shapely brunette watched the banter as she walked towards them. Lacey St. Clair grinned as she looked at her two best friends giving each other a hard time. Some things never changed, she thought joyfully. She was fairly bursting with what she had to share with Chad and Justyn. Lacey couldn't imagine telling one without the other there.

As Lacey walked closer to the table, she caught Justyn's eye, winked, and put her finger to her lips. Chad was telling Justyn tidbits about his work as a private investigator.

"So then his wife came flying into my office, full of fury. Mike and Kelli just sat there, waiting for......" Chad stilled as Lacey's warm breath graced his ear, and she whispered "Hello stranger" as sultrily as she could. Justyn laughed out loud as Chad reached back and grabbed Lacey around the neck. Lacey's laugh pealed across the bar as Chad stood up and wrapped his arms around her.

"Girl, don't you know better than to mess with fire like that? Lick a man's ear when you haven't seen him in months, what are you thinking? " Chad chastised her as he kissed her cheek. "Good to see you, Lace. Its been too long."

Lacey hugged Chad fiercely, then wrapped her arms around Justyn. Winking at Justyn, she tossed back to Chad, "So, what, you didn't like that then? I just figured you hadn't had a woman breathe in your ear in a while, so I'd indulge you." Lacey's wicked grin said that she knew perfectly well what the reaction would be before she'd even started.

Before Lacey could sit down between Justyn and Chad, Jackson had set a glass of white wine before her. The three had been coming to Rickles so long that they rarely had to order.

"Plate of rings, bowl of spinach dip, celery, side of ranch, right?" Jackson asked with a wink. "Anything else tonight?"

Justyn grinned up at him. "Nope, that'll do it for now. Thanks, Jackson!"

As the bartender went to put their order in, Justyn turned around and sat primly in her chair with her hands folded demurely in her lap. Blinking sweetly at Lacey, Justyn simply sat. Chad could barely keep his beer in his mouth, he was laughing so hard.

"So, Red, are you trying out a new personality, or what? What's with the silence?" Chad roared between drinks.

"Well, I figure Lacey's gonna tell us what she's got to tell us in her own good time. And I also figure that you're gonna give me crap for being impatient and wanting to know everything immediately. So I thought I'd beat you to it, sit properly in my chair, and wait patiently for Lacey to share." Justyn's not-so-innocent grin belied her feelings. She was chomping at the bit to hear from Lacey, but wanted more the satifaction of proving Chad wrong.

That did it. Chad choked on his beer when he snorted at Justyn's words. Lacey simply looked over at her friend, shared a glance without words, and turned back to Chad.

"Don't know what you're laughing at, I think Justyn's being totally patient. In fact, I don't think I've EVER seen her this patient, hmmmm?" Lacey grinned from ear to ear, knowing just how much truth was in her words. "Ok, guys, you both are nearly climbing the walls. Guess I'll put you out of your misery."

Not knowing just where to start, Lacey simply blurted out her news, knowing that she would get a chance to share the details later.

"Guys, I've been asked to run for Mayor."

Outgoing and outspoken, Justyn's reaction was to fling her arms around her friend, smack a kiss on her cheek, and proceed to order up another round for a toast.

"Lacey, you will do simply awesome. I know you, and I know how hard you've worked for this step in your life. You are tactful and friendly, but don't take garbage from anyone. I would LOVE to see you as mayor." Justyn's praise warmed Lacey's heart, for she knew that it was nothing less than the truth.

More reserved than their extroverted friend, Chad's response was a smile that lit his brown eyes from within. While Justyn flirted with the bartender, Chad wrapped Lacey up in a hug that sent shivers down her spine.

"I know you will do amazing, girl," he whispered in her ear. "You have the talent, the drive, and the passion. You know I"ll do whatever I can to help your career, Lace. I can't wait to cast my vote for you." Chad winked at Lacey as he dropped his arms from her shoulders.

Lacey beamed at her friends. They both knew how much of a dream-come-true this was for Lacey. She had soared through college, majoring in political science, with a minor in American History. She had a true passion for her country, and those who lived in it. Lacey felt very strongly that given the opportunity, she could make a difference in the lives of those around her. WIth her two best friends standing beside her, Lacey felt she could accomplish anything.

Justyn couldn't contain her excitement at Lacey's news. After leaping up to hug Lacey again, she impulsively smacked a kiss on Chad's cheek as well. Just for good measure.

For ten years, these friends had shared every up and down, every good and bad, every tear and laugh. It certainly wouldn't stop now, as Lacey's career ramped up.

Chad's face shone with pride. He knew that Lacey St. Clair would be a powerful force. Not because she was pushy or aggressive. But because she wasn't. Lacey was polite and sweet, and always knew just what to say. However, she also didn't put up with bullying ~ physical, mental, or otherwise.

CH BREAK *********************************************

Their eyes met, across the room. Not much more than a brief glance, but one that carried more meaning than most onlookers would understand. Her eyes caught his, and a smile spread across her face.

"I'm glad you're here, I've missed you," Lacey's green eyes said to his.

"You know I'm always here for you, girl. I've missed you too, so much!" Emotion poured from Chad's deep brown eyes as he flashed his amazing grin. He had flown in that morning, for one reason. Chad wouldn't have missed this party for anything.

"I'm so glad you could make the gala tonight, Adrienne. Frank, thanks for covering it in the paper. Beth, some champagne?" She was the perfect hostess, smiling at everyone, sharing a word, remembering important details about their lives. Everyone wanted to be around her. That was one of her greatest strengths...making everyone feel comfortable and welcome. And tonight's gala was important. Technically, it was just a dinner party. But those close to Lacey knew it was much more. It was the "un-official" launching of her mayoral campaign.

Chad watched her glide across the room, without seeming to focus solely on her. That was his job. He was head of security for her campaign. Although no one knew that. To the casual eye, Chad and Lacey were great friends who could share a laugh as easily as they could discuss more serious things. However, those close to Chad knew that he would slay dragons for her.

Lacey looked simply stunning that night. Chad surreptitiously watched her emerald green gown grace her gorgeous curves. The shade of the dress matched her eyes perfectly, and the 40's-movie star-cut flattered her every move. Her long mahogany hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, and it swung between her shoulder blades when she laughed. Which she did often. Chad loved to see her laugh. It warmed his soul, and filled him up inside. Lord, he loved this woman so.

As Chad roamed the large ballroom, ostensibly making small talk and eating canape's, he was aware of many details that most people missed. How people interacted. Who spoke to whom. Which gossip was important, and which was simply drivel. The way Justyn watched everything like a hawk, yet walked around with a smile and a laugh for everyone. How Jessie Allen hated the champagne her husband brought her, so she dumped it into the ficus. Hm, Chad chuckled to himself. Gonna have a good laugh about that one later with The Two.

The Two. Friends forever, it seemed. Lacey and Justyn, Justyn and Lacey. The redhead and the brunette. Always inseparable. They had met Chad at a college party ten years ago, and The Two became The Three. Three friends who would go to the wall for each other. One the leader, one the warrior, and one the protector. Each with their own distinct strengths, and each meshing perfectly with the other two.

Tonight's gala was proof of that. This amazing party, planned by The Two, was led by Lacey's grace, diplomacy, and gentleness. Justyn's easy humor covered an intense stare and a spine of steel, which she used with no compunction when something threatened her friends. Chad's job was to watch over these women. He wanted no harm to come to either of them, no tears to fall, and no hearts to hurt. That meant physically of course, although both of them could hold their own (and the two of them together were a force to be reckoned with). But Chad felt there was so much more to it. As time had passed, Chad realized that the protectiveness he felt towards them encompassed every aspect of his life. Especially with regard to Lacey.

Could it really have been ten years that their friendship had run so strong? Did Lacey realize how his friendship had grown? How it had taken over his heart, how she had become the focus of his life? Did she realize that while he loved Justyn and they had a great time together, his heart was lost to Lacey? Chad sighed, as his thoughts tumbled around Lacey. He looked up to see The Two standing on the balcony. Justyn waved, and her blue eyes danced with some hidden joke. Lacey smiled and raised a silent toast to Chad, while her eyes sparked with a touch of devilment.

"Wonder what those two are up to now," Chad thought with a grin. Raising his glass back to Lacey, he shook his head, knowing he'd hear all about it later.

Lacey and Justyn had taken a break from the evening's festivities to get some fresh air, and check in with each other. They had been discussing Jessie Allen's not-as-private-as-she-had-hoped flirtation with the photographer. Nothing major, and no harm done. Amusing, none the less. It was during that little break that they had both caught Chad's eyes from across the room. Justyn watched the glow in Lacey's cheeks deepen a bit, and saw the way her smile reached to her ears.

"Lacey, that man is so into you. He has been for a while now. Are you EVER gonna tell him how you feel?" Justyn loved the idea of her two closest friends being together.

"Justyn, I can't just blurt out and tell him. Besides, now isn't the time," Lacey protested.

Justyn rolled her eyes. "Hmph. If by NOW you mean, right this precise second, well, sure, I tend to agree with you. You kind of have a THING going on. But if by NOW you mean sometime before you're ninety, then honey there isn't a better time than NOW! You've loved him forever. You think about him every waking moment. He's the reason you do the things you do. He's one of the first people you share your joys with, and one of the first shoulders you turn to when you hurt. Next to mine, of course."

Typical Justyn, she delivered the last line with a wink, a mile-wide grin, and a gentle shove with her shoulder.

Lacey just gaped at her outspoken friend. "You see all that? What HAVE you been drinking tonight?"

"Tis a secret, my friend. But maybe you should have some too!" Justyn flipped her red hair, and tossed a grin over her shoulder as she turned to go. "Food for thought, huh? Think about it as you keep watching how nicely his tux fits."

With that as her parting shot, Justyn turned and flashed her infamous "trouble maker's grin" to Lacey. She chuckled to herself, knowing she had just spun her friend's mind up. Justyn knew that Lacey was so good at what she did that nothing would stop her for the rest of the evening. She would smile, laugh, talk, make allies, file information away, and continue to play the political game. Yet Justyn also knew her friend well enough to know that behind her JOB, Justyn's words were going to spin around in her brain and her thoughts of Chad.

"Its about bloody time," Justyn thought. She'd been watching Lacey and Chad spark off each other for a while now. Neither of them quite realized what effect they had on each other, so they both danced around their feelings. Both of them did their BEST not to hurt the other person. But neither of them saw what Justyn saw.

Justyn watched Lacey simply light up when Chad came in a room. She watched as Chad's chest puffed out with pride whenever he looked at Lacey, or talked about her accomplishments in life. She watched the two of them speak volumes without ever saying a word. Justyn saw the electricity jump from their eyes when they looked at each other, nearly enough to power a small town. She had seen the way Chad nearly froze when Lacey touched his arm, or hugged him, or whispered in his ear. The way Chad casually draped his arm across Lacey's shoulders sometimes made Lacey stop moving, for fear he would move his arm.

Justyn had seen all this, and more, over the last year. She was an observer. She watched, noted, assessed, and considered. And since Justyn's extensive considerations involved the happiness of her friends, she felt perfectly justified in what she was doing. Grinning to herself, she sauntered off to check all the random details that were the job of the campaign manager. And to poke at another bee's nest.