by Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak

Created on: December 03, 2008

The sound of a car door slamming caught Jocelyn Turner's attention.

"It must be Vic," she murmured.

For a minute, she felt anxious, then pushed the thought aside as mere sillliness. It was so exciting to be able to sit and talk with a dear friend, even if Vic Richards WAS part of the past life she had been trying in vain to forget.

Sure enough, Vic knocked on the door.

Jocelyn opened it, smiling, and bade him enter. Funny how her heart beat a little faster upon seeing him. He had cleaned up nicely-gone was the grime that caked his face when he had put out the fire. Why would something like that affect her?

"Gosh, I'm starving! How about you?" Vic said in greeting.

"You know, I am too. Do we have a place in mind?" she asked, mentally running through the list of restaurants she knew were nearby.

"Yeah-that is, if you don't mind Italian tonight?" Vic replied hopefully.

Jocelyn chuckled softly. "Sure, no problem. I know how that goes," she said. It reminded her of when her husband Adam would come home starving after a hard day on the job. He was usually worn out from fighting fires, but hungry.

They drove in companionable silence for the short distance to Maggiano's.

Once they were seated, Jocelyn spoke. "You know, Vic, I still feel bad for not being in touch with all of you. I hope you realize it wasn't because I didn't think of everyone-it's just that...it's been difficult for me..."

Vic put a hand to hers, giving her a leveling gaze. "Hey," he said. "It's ok. We don't have to talk about all of that. I KNOW. Adam was my best friend, Josie. And I still think of him. No doubt you will always think of him-he was your husband!"

"I'm sorry, I don't want to set the evening off on the wrong foot. Wow, it's been so long since I've been out anywhere with anyone," Jocelyn admitted, slightly embarrassed at her emotions she was finding it hard to conceal.

He sighed. "Ok, first of all, you don't have to keep apologizing...if you feel uncomfortable, I can at least get you some food to go and do a plan to go out another time."

"No, no, this is fine!" Jocelyn protested, blushing. "It's not like I can't handle having dinner with a friend! I'm sure we'll find things to talk about. I guess it's just that...when I look at you, I am instantly reminded of everything I left behind in Branson."

Vic nodded, then took the opportunity to peruse the menu. Jocelyn did the same.

The waitress greeted them, took their drink orders, and gave them some time to decide on dinner.

"You know," Vic said, as he broke

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