The silence continued once they made it back to the house and moved their finds into the house. Isabelle stalked off to her room and slammed the door.

Brenna took her packages to her room and changed into some plaid pajama shorts and a tank top. She made herself a cup of hot cocoa and hobbled, using one crutch, to the couch where she commenced to change the bandage on her foot.

Slowly the other tenants of the house began to trickle into the common area as she worked. Soon everyone but Isabelle lounged about in the living room. The conversation started off slowly but eventually became jovial and light.

"It's been great but I can't wait to get home to my baby!" Derek patted his wife's leg in agreement.

"My garden and the grass are going to be out of control! The neighbor is watering them but I didn't ask her to pull weeds or mow," Brenna grimaced. "I'll probably spend all afternoon after we get off the plane weeding. I don't know what I'm going to do about mowing just yet."

"I'm just hoping I really did get every piece of perishable food out of my house. I missed some potatoes last time and walked into the most disgusting smell ever!" Becca looked ill just remembering the memory.

"I didn't think about that at all," Mac confessed. "There will be a couple of science experiments waiting for me in the fridge."

"Gross!" Derek lightly swatted at Mac who only shrugged sheepishly.

"Well I'm glad all my so called friends have recovered so well from not assisting me as I was being assaulted." Isabelle walked into the room her face a mask of scorn. "You would all probably be just as pleased had I been killed."

"Oh get off the pity pot and stop being such a drama queen!" Pete rolled his eyes. "You weren't really battered. You were kicked out of the store by an angry wife. Likely for being trampy if I had to guess."

"Oh of course it's my fault I got assaulted! Leave it to Pete to call me trampy!" Isabelle was flinging her arms wildly and yelling now. "Would you be saying that if it was dear sweet perfect Brenna who'd been thrown out onto the street by that woman?"

"Well, number one, Brenna is too smart to go flinging her body around to try and get what she wants and thus doesn't get herself into situations like that." Pete took a breath. "Number two, if the shoe fits, wear it!"

"Don't make this into something it isn't Isabelle. No one is out to get you. We are just stating the facts. If it had been the guy I'd have jumped to your defense but it looked to me like the woman objected to your behavior and showed you the way out. The Village was circling and we needed to get out of there." Her face showed no change. Only stubborn anger. "Do you ever think of anyone but your self?"

Derek and Pete both threw their hands up in disgust when she simply crossed her arms and gave them all a disgusted stare. "And all you guys call yourselves cops. Pathetic!"

Brenna could listen to her insults no more.

"When I walked into that shop you had yourself plastered to the top of that case. You were leaned over with that guys face practically planted in your cleavage. I don't know what you think you were getting there but you were seriously pissing off his wife." She took a breath. "Don't play victim here. You play your games and those games have consequences. She didn't really hurt you she just put you in your place. The only thing injured was your pride!"

"Don't you even think about talking to me that way Brenna! You on your damn pedestal! You're no better than me. You use your little injured bird routine to keep the men sniffing after you and then you don't even want them! Maybe it's because you know they would eventually see your scarred up, disgusting body!"

Mac stood up. "Isabelle stop. You're just lashing out at anyone you can because you're angry and you are going to say things you'll regret."

"Screw you Mac!" She rounded on him like a viper. "Just because you are panting after her you think you have to put on your cape and come to the rescue. I've seen it before. She'll just keep you at arms length, pining after her until you eventually grow a pair. You're just another Mark!"

"That is enough! Isabelle get out of here if you can't stop. Go for a walk or to your room, I don't care but your just picking a fights and making yourself look like a b*tch!" Derek placed himself in between Isabelle and the others.

"Great! I'm sick of being here, sick of you people! I won't see you again until the airport and that will be too soon!" She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room.

"And I'm done!" Pete pulled himself to standing. "I'm tired and we have a long plane ride tomorrow. No more drama, just sleep. You coming babe?" Becca nodded and pulled herself up as well.

Derek turned to his wife. "Shall we?" The couple stood.

"Do you need me to help you with anything Brenna?" Tammi stretched and yawned at the same time.

"No I'm good. Thanks thought."

"Ok, well don't listen to anything she said ok. She's just angry and jealous and insecure."

"I know. Good night guys."

Mac gathered all the dirty mugs and took them to the kitchen. Brenna had made it to her feet and gathered her medical supplies when he returned.

"She was wrong about a lot of things" he began abruptly as he leaned against the entryway, "but she wasn't wrong about my interest in you. It isn't the product of some hero complex. I enjoy your company and I think we have chemistry."

The silence drew on at the end of his declaration. He looked up tentatively and met her eyes. "I am willing to go very slowly. I understand your position and I respect it. The ball is in your court."

He turned and disappeared down the hall leaving Brenna leaning on her crutches in shock in the middle of the living room.

Parts of her were numb. Parts were screaming in fear and to be honest, there was a piece of her that was exhilarated. The real problem was that she had no idea what part was in dominance or how she was ever going to sort it out.

***************************************

When the sun started creeping over the horizon Brenna gave up the fight for sleep and got up in search of coffee. Her bags were packed and waiting by her door. She'd had plenty of time to get everything put away while she'd moved restlessly about the room thinking too much.

She found it easier to walk with one crutch and had left the other behind. She only had a week more of the stitches and looked forward to their removal back in the States.

It was a beautiful morning and Brenna settled herself into a lounge chair with her mug to listen to the sea. As she watched the waves ceaseless surge and retreat Isabelle came into view walking along the beach with her heels in hand. She didn't look up as she approached the house and didn't see Brenna until the last minute.

"Oh great. The princess." She spat sarcastically when she caught sight of the other woman.

Brenna let go a heavy sigh. "Isabelle I don't know what the source of all this hate is. I have never done anything to you. I don't even really know you."

"No you don't. None of you do but you're all so quick to judge and condemn." She sneered in disgust.

"I don't judge you. Neither do they. We simply see your actions and we have no idea why you act the way you do. Then your mean and nasty to people which doesn't help the matter."

"I draw attention and I like attention. There is nothing wrong with that."

"Is that the kind of attention you want? Really? Sure you got guys at your beck and call but do they really care about you? The you inside that you don't think anyone really knows? Maybe that is because no one can see that person behind the person you put forward." Brenna had inched forward in the chair as she spoke and sat at attention with both hands wrapped around her mug.

Brenna couldn't be sure but she almost thought there were tears threatening the edges of Isabelle's eyes. Her face was hard as stone. Without saying a word more she turned and walked into the early morning gray depths of the house.

Brenna sat back in the chair. She knew Isabelle was troubled and it was the source of all her nastiness. She felt sympathy for the woman. She was obviously desperately in need of something although they had differing opinions on what that would be. She was sure Isabelle would claim it was a need for love and acceptance. Brenna felt it was more along the lines of self esteem and a sense of self worth.

With a sigh she returned to her coffee. They only had few hours until they needed to head to the airport and the others would be waking up shortly.

She'd spent hours mulling over Mac's confession and hadn't come to any firm conclusion. Then the friend who was scheduled to pick her up from the airport had texted her to apologize that her car hadn't started that morning and she was taking it to the shop but it didn't appear she'd be able to pick Brenna up.

She wasn't too worried. Someone would be willing to drop her by her house. Her mind returned to the man who'd been occupying her thoughts all night.

As if she'd drawn him in with the force of her musings the man himself appeared from the side of the deck. He was shirtless and sweat in a pair of basketball shorts and tennis shoes. Reego trotted by his side with his tongue lolling happily.

The sight of his body was certainly something to behold and she felt her face warm instantly at the thoughts flitting through her mind. A warm liquid yearning sensation pooled itself at her woman's core. It has been over two years since she'd been touched by a man. Greg had been the last and there had only been two before they'd met.

Mac stopped short when he spotted her and let a slow lazy smile cross his face.

"Hey."

"Hey." She replied. "Last morning run on the beach?"

"Yep. Anymore of that coffee left?"

"Half a pot in the kitchen." Reego moved to her side and she absent mindedly rubbed his ears as she watched his owners shapely butt disappear into the house. She imagined running her hands down his muscled back, across the tattoos, and down to that firm butt. Brenna let go a heavy sigh.

In a moment he was back with a towel draped over his shoulders and a mug of his own in hand.

"Mind if i join you?"

She motioned for him to sit.

"You're up early?"

"I couldn't sleep." She couldn't meet his eyes afraid that he would know why she had had trouble. "Then my friend text me her car is broken and she can't pick me up from the airport."

"Well if you are comfortable with it, Reego and I could drop you off. I stored my truck there."

Brenna took a drink of her coffee and studied his face. It was open and honest in the soft morning light and she realized she wasn't afraid anymore. Suddenly she made a decision.

"Sure, that sounds great."

"Well ok then." He smiled widely and stood up. "I have to go get cleaned up and pack the rest of my stuff up. I'll see you a little later."

She lifted her mug in salute and watched his backside as he left again. Feeling at peace with her decision she leaned back and snuggled deeper into the chair.

She would forever love Greg and no one could ever take his place but she was beginning to wonder if her heart wasn't bigger than she'd thought and containing space enough for more.