"That would have been cowardly too. I needed to say this in person, face-to-face."

"How'd you know where to find me?"

"I went to the TV station. Talked to Gully, who also asked me to deliver a message." A small bob of her head indicated that she was listening. "He said, Tell her I ain't dense. I just figured out the meaning of complicated.'

Does that make sense?"

She laughed. "Yes."

"Care to explain?"

"Maybe later. If you're staying."

"If you don't mind my company."

"I think I can tolerate it."

He returned her wide smile, but his faltered, and his expression turned serious again. "We're both pretty intense when it comes to our work, Tiel."

"Which I believe is part of the attraction."

"It won't be easy."

"Nothing worthwhile is."

"We don't know where it will lead."

"But we know where we hope it will. We also know it will lead to nowhere if we don't give it a try."

"I loved my wife, Tiel, and love can hurt."

"Not being loved hurts worse. Maybe we can find a way to love each other without it hurting."

"God, I want to touch you."

"Doc," she murmured. Then she laughed. "Bradley?

Brad? How do I call you?"

"A simple 'Come here' will do for now."

Then he closed the distance separating them.