Two weeks later, and there was still no sign of Siobhan or her scumbag boyfriend.  I can’t describe into words how I felt, but it felt as though my heart were breaking.  And that’s putting it ino the simplest of terms.  Lara had been the most understanding person I could ever ask for, aiding me in my contact of everyone I knew who knew Siobhan.  I had called her office, but she apparently hadn’t been working there in over a month, which meant she was either acting and didnt tell me…or she was with Laurence for a lot longer that I had originally anticipated.

“I just don’t get it.  It’s like…she dropped off the face of the earth.” Alice said, munching slightly on a muffin.
I looked around the table of women who, up until now I had barely known, and gave a soft smile. They were doing their best to help out, and I appreciated it more than I was letting on.  There’s that shy and quiet trait again.
“She doesn’t want to be found.” Shane said giving me a faint glance.
I sighed heavily and nodded as I drank my tea.  I couldn’t sleep as it was, so I had to cut back on my caffeine intake.  Herbal tea wasn’t my favorite thing in the world, but it was better than being up until all hours of the morning worrying.

“I think I just have to wait it out.” I said finally giving up all hope of finding my best friend.
“Shane’s right, Siobhan doesn’t want to be found, and this search isn’t doing anyone any good. I want to thank you guys for all your help but…I think it’s all a moot point by now.”  my depraved sense of hope and wishful thinking had fled.  The women at the table gave me half hearted smiles as I stood and exited the planet.  I really just needed to be alone right now.

When I got back to my apartment, Lara had beat me there.  I walked, not in the mood to sit in hours of traffic in west hollywood.  Lara had temporarily moved in with me while I went through ‘Siobhan withdrawls’.  She gave me a faint smile as I sat next to her on the couch, leaning my head against her shoulder with a heavy sigh.
“I can’t believe I drove her away.  I miss her.”
“I know baby.” Lara said as she moved to kiss me on the forehead.
I sighed again and wrapped my arms around her, clinging like a newborn baby as I started to sink lower into the mass of guilt and angst that hadbeen my staple emotions the past few weeks.  Lara stroked my arms gently with her fingers as I again let out a slight whimper and shut my eyes.  I loved my little chef with all my heart.  At least I still had that.

_____________________________________________________________

Lara had left Jake asleep on the couch, quietly sneaking out to meet up with Dana, Alice and Shane at the planet.  Despite Jake’s wishes, they weren’t going to give up on finding the prodigal roommate. 
Lara entered with a forced smile as she took a seat at the table. Dana and Alice broke from their smoochfest, and Shane gave Lara a grateful look for ending the PDA she had obviously been enduring for too long.
“How’s Jake doing?” Alice asked.
“Not so good.” Lara said with a sigh, leaning back into her chair.
“I know she had her reasons for flipping out…but ***** like that ruins relationships.  Maybe Jake’s right..maybe she does just need to wait it out.” Shane said defeatedly.

Lara shook her head.  She had gorwn very close to Siobhan since she started dating Jake, and she didn’t want to see her in a relationship like that. Not to mention the fact it broke her heart to see Jake droning around the apartment like a dog who’d lost its tail.
“No. Jake’s just about given up hope.  And she shouldn’t.” Lara said with a nod.
Dana nodded slightly as she took a sip of her beer, Glancing at Alice and Shane who had looks of disenchantment on their faces.  The table was split.  Lara sighed and looked at Dana pleadingly.  The athlete was about to respond when Alice nodded casually to the door.

Sure enough.  In walked Siobhan on the arm of Laurence.  Lara’s face fell as she looked back at her friends.  Shane shook her head and set her beer down before standing, much to the surprise of the other three women at the table.
“This needs to stop.” she said as she walked over to the pair who had just entered the PLanet.

“Excuse me.” She said with a smile walking up to them. “But, can I borrow Siobhan for a moment?”
“Who the ***** are you?” Laurence snapped as he moved to stand in front of Siobhan.
“I’m a friend of Jake’s and, well I’d really love to talk to Siobhan alone for asecond. If that’s okay with you.” she said giving Larence her best fake smile.
Siobhan glanced from Shane to the table she had come from.  She bit her lip, glancing away.  Shane could tell she wasn’t happy. And so could the others sitting down.  The hairdresser gave another smile and looked at Siobhan, hoping to exploit the emotion she had just shown.
“Siobhan, please? Look/…Jake’s too proud to come up and admit when she’s wrong, but believe me she knows she was wrong to snap at you like that.  She misses you.”
Siobhan moved her mouth to speak but Laurence was already in Shane’s face at this point, talking through gritted teeth.
“Tell Jakey to back off. Siobhan wants nothing to do with her.” he spat.
“I think you need to let her decide that.” Shane spat back.
Laurence glowered.  Siobhan moved to push him away as she started to speak.
“Tell jake I’ll call her….”
“You’ll do no such thing you little *****.” Laurence snapped his attention to Siobhan, who, like a puppy, curled right back into herself.

Shane looked from Laurence to Siobhan then back again.  She gave a nod and proceeded to turn around and sit back down, glancing over at the pair once more.  Siobhan caught Lara’s eyes and gave what Lara deemed a sad and apologetic look, giving the same to Shane before Laurence said something that snapped her attention back.
“Think she’ll talk to Jake?” Alice said watching the pair intently.
“Not unless she can manage to steer away from Cowboy Cal over there.” Shane said looking at Lara.
Lara sighed and nodded, glancing over again.  She caught siobhan’s glance once more, giving a slight frown before turning her attention away.  Lara frowned deeply. she had no idea how to handle the situation anymore.
————————————————————————————–

When I finally woke up, it was morning and Lara had left for work.  She left a note on the refridgerator, as she did every morning.  I myself had a pitch meeting with a producer at Lions Gate.  I rushed to my closet and searched. I had nothing to wear.  I always borrowed clothes from Siobhan on occassions like this, stressed about my nerves and listened as she ever so calmly would put me in my place.  I had no idea how to handle an interview without her support and calm guidance.

I sighed and dug out an old pair of black slacks and a white blouse from my days as a caterer and pulled them on. Plain, but professional at least.  I sighed and scribbled a note on the one Lara left in case I wasn’t home before she was. Unlikely, but I had to go to the grocery store, seeing as I had run out of food and put it off for the last four days.  I grabbed the keys from the bowl and walked out.  I had a major interview, and it was the furthest thing from my mind.  I wanted nothing more than to come home and share the good news with my best friend, and at this point. I couldn’t even do that.


I finally arrived back home at about 9 pm.  The pitch session went over by a good few hours, as we discussed the project in full.  It seemed as though within a year, I’d be making a feature length film with a decently sized budget.  I was elated as I walked in the door of my apartment.
“I was starting to worry.” lara said with a frown.
I smiled widely and ran over, pulling her from the chair as I pulled her into a hug.  I proceeded to dance around the living room, all the while Lara giving me a slightly confused look.  Yes, for a short period of time, my woes with Siobhan were out of my mind.
“What’s with the celebration?”
“I…yours truly…just got signed to direct a full length feature of my short film!” I screeched. 
It took the news a moment to settle in Lara’s brain.  But once it did she hugged me tightly.  We jumped up and down in glee for a few moments before I kissed her fiercely.  I was so ecstatic at this point.  The kiss toned down as she leaned into me, our celebrating replaced with that soft gentle caressing you only got from the person you loved.

I ran my fingers through her hair as we stood there, her hands on my hips as we kissed.  I moved my kisses to her neck, licking the salty skin before pulling away with a soft smile.  I hadn’t been very affectionate towards Lara lately, and that was all going to change…right now.
“I love you so much.” I whispered, my lips barely brushing hers.
lara’s breathing grew ragged as she closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against mine.
“I love you too.” she whispered.
I kissed her again, moving the both of us back towards my bedroom door.  I wanted her more than anything right now.  To feel her fingers against my back as we made love…to kiss every inch of her body until the sun came up. 
Lara shuddered as we finally made it to my room.  I kicked the door closed and pushed her against the wall, trailing my kisses from her mouth to her collarbone, so appropriately exposed in her green tanktop.  She moaned softly as I moved my way back to her mouth, kissing her softly before pulling her away. Staring at her.  Lara smiled as she ran her fingers along my face, a contact I leaned into with a gentle sigh. 
“I was beginning to think you’d taken a vow of celebacy.” she jested.
“No…I’m just finally thinking a little bit clearer….” I kissed her again before moving her to the bed.  I was in love.  And I know I’ve said it before.  But that moment defined it for me in all its depths.
I was in love, and in return I was loved.  Suddenly, nothing else seemed to matter.