Collins Arch

“And with that, I think this deal can be closed tomorrow afternoon.Russ Bridges” told Doug Hudson as he closed his briefcase. Russ eyed his colleague and had the distinct feeling that he wasn’t even listening to him. “Should I reiterate everything I’ve just said?” Russ asked.

Doug shook his head. Kimberly was all her could think about. He didn’t quite know why, but she was occupying his mind a lot lately. Of course he still loved his ex-wife, but something about Ken Foster's arrival in town put him on edge. “I’ve got it all. I just have a lot going on right now.”

“Oh?”

Doug shifted through the attaché and pulled out a set of blueprints. “I’ve been working on them for weeks and I finally think they’re adequate for Bennett. What’d you think?”

Russ leaned in and gave the blueprints a discerning once over. He was defiantly impressed. “These look excellent. You put a lot of heart and soul into it.”

“And lots of sleepless nights.”

Russ looked at the blueprints once more and was surprised when he read the project number. Kimberly and Ken Foster are working on this project together, Russ thought.

Doug looked at Russ suspiciously. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…we should get these to Bennett…”

Doug sensed something more boiling under the surface. His eyes narrowed as he said, “What is it, Russ? Tell me the truth now.”

“Bennett reassigned this project to Kimberly and Ken Foster.”

Doug’s eyes widened with shock and betrayal. “Are you kidding me? Why would Bennett do something like that? I’ve been slaving over these plans for weeks!”

Russ shrugged. “Who knows why Bennett does half of the things he does? Are you all right?”

“Kimberly and I were supposed to work on this.” snapped Doug. “Now this no one waltzes into town and suddenly Bennett is giving him my assignment?! Who the hell does he think he is?!”

Russ felt for Doug, but he knew that nothing was all he could say.

Collins Manor

Vivian Collins took another bite of her sweet potoato that she was having for lunch. She had been on the Body For Life program for weeks and hadn't messed up once. Except those couple of times at breakfast with the bagels, but who was counting. She felt like she was doing a pretty good job. She found her place in The Davinchi Code and continued to read. The doorbell rang. Jessica would get it.

Ding Dong!

Again the doorbell rang loudly. Vivian looked up from her book with a confused look. That's right, she thought. Jessica went to the store.

Vivian bookmarked her spot and sprang up from her chair.

Ding Dong!

"I'm coming!" Vivian yelled. Geez, people had no patience. Vivian reached the door, put a smile on her face, and swung the door open.

Immediatley her expression went from happy to shock and surprise when she saw Wes Hudson standing not two feet in front of her holding a paper bag and flowers.

"Viv!" He shouted pushing her back and entering without welcome. He walked straight to the couch and set the brown paper bag on the coffee table. "I'm glad your home. I thought one of the servents fell asleep, but it's even better you answered. How long has it been Vivian? Twenty years now?"

Vivian looked at him with the same expression on her face. "What the hell are you doing here Wes?"

Wes laughed. "That's funny you should say that Viv. My son said the exact same thing when I showed up on his doorstep. Something must be in the water?"

Vivan put a small smile on her face. "No Wes, I'm serious, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Los Angeles. Don't you run a business there?"

"I'm expanding the business Vivian. While the only son I claim is running the business in California I am here venturing new and exciting things."

"Is that what the champagne is for?"

"Of course. I'm not my alcoholic wife." Vivian opened her mouth and gave a slight giggle in horror that he would say this. "Now I knew you would have champagne here Viv, but I know Bennett likes the cheap stuff so I decided to surprise with the real stuff."

"How dare you? Why do you want to have a drink to celebrate your business with me anyway? I'm not your alcoholic wife!"

"No, no your not." Wes said softly as walked over in front of Vivian. "My alcoholic wife is someone I had to settle for even though you should have been my wife."

"Wes, that was a long time ago. A very long time ago. You should be over me."

Wes laughed. "How could I forget about you Vivian? You were the first person I could ever love and the only person to ever take my breath away."

Vivian looked up into his sympathetic eyes. That had been a long time ago but Vivian still remembered looking into those eyes. It seemed like yesterday.

"This is ridiculous Wes. You can't expect to come in here and expect everything to be the way they were some thirty odd years ago. It's not going to happen."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that."

"Oh but I can."

Vivian turned around to see Bennett staring at the two of them with rage in his eyes.

Collins Arch

Elise Mitchell quietly eats her sandwich thinking about her new job and her new roommate and thought about how great everything was going. It was probably one of the happiest times she has ever had in her hard life. She was finally going places.

"This seat taken?

A voice from behind her made her jump. She turned around and looked up to see the face of Russ Bridges looming down over her. "No, this seat is not taken." She said smiling.

"Did I scare you?" Russ laughed as he sat down across from her.

"Oh no, you just surprised me, that's all."

"Sorry to surprise you but it is not everyday a beautiful woman like yourself is sitting alone at lunch?"

Elise looked up from her sandwich and gave a smile. "Are we in a bar?"

Russ looked embarressed. "No I guess we're not.

Elise saw a little hurt on Russ's face. "Look just talk to me like a regular person. A colleage and friend, not like some bimbo you might pick up to bring home."

Russ smiled sheepisly. "You're right. Sorry, we can start over. May I say I think you're very beautiful?"

Elise laughed. "I think that's ok and thank you."

"You're welcome. So how is the job going?"

"Great so far. I cannot complain in the slightest. Everyone here is so nice and friedly and all the architects are so talented."

"Yeah it is a great place to work. It is like my family away from home."

"Oh? Where you from?"

"Chicago.

"What led you here?" Elise asked.

"This job. I always loved to draw and I always had wanted to design for a living. I was thrilled to get offered a job at Collins Arch."

Elise smiled and looked down at her plate. "Wow, your parents must be proud."

"I like to think so. My family consists of a bunch of overachievers actually. Both my parents are very political. My dad is a senator for Illinois actually."

"Wow, that is very impressive."

"Yeah it's alright." Russ stared at her for a few seconds before speaking. "So what about you? Your parents must be proud too."

"Oh yeah I am sure they would be. They died when I was little."

"Oh I'm sorry. I bet that was hard."

Elise scratched her arm. "Yeah it was."

"How did they pass?"

Elise waved her hand in front of her. "Oh just a car accident. If you don't mind I would rather not talk about it." She snapped.

"Sure thing." Russ said softly.

There was an uncomfortable silence that blew through the air as Elise finished her sandwich. "Well I better get going. Got some work to do. It was nice having lunch."

"Hey wait Elise!" Russ called as she was standing up. "I was just wondering if maybe you would like to have dinner sometime."

Elise's eyes began to get watery. It had been so long since someone asked her out before. "Look Russ, it's not that I don't like you, I just can't."

"I'm just asking for dinner. Two adults having a normal dinner. No harm." Russ pleaded.

"No, I can't Russ. Sorry. I really have to go." Elise turned around before she began to cry in front of him and walked way. She could hear Russ calling her name from behind her.

No Elise, no, you can't do this. She told herself as she wiped the tear away from her eye.

Collins Arch

"Hi Courtney is Kimberly in her office?"

"No, sorry Doug she went out to lunch with Ken."

Courtney saw Doug make a very sour face and he nodded. She saw this as the perfect opportunity to get close to him.

"Is something wrong Doug?"

He looked at her grimly and gave a tiny smile. "Things are ok. I just have a lot of things going on."

"Well if you need anything Doug, anything at all, you can feel free to talk to me."

That seemed to make Doug feel better. "Thank Courtney. You're very sweet."

Courtney smiled the biggest smile she could ever smile. Doug Hudson was telling her how sweet she was! The only person who had told her this was her ex and he was well, she wasn't ever going to see him again.

"Now where you from Courtney?"

"Oh, a small town in New Hampshire."

"Really? What brought you here?

Courtney looked up at him, excited that Doug was taken an interst in her. "Just a change I guess. My family has all passed on so I just wanted change my life."

"Oh I am sorry to hear about that."

Courtney gave a slight grin and waved her hand. "Oh don't worry about it, my parents passed on when I was younger and my aunt just recently died so I am just trying to be a little more independent."

"Well good for you." Doug smiled. "Listen if Kimberly comes back, will you tell her I would like to talk to her."

"Of course Doug." She loved saying his name.

"Thanks Courtney. I'll see you around."

"Bye Doug. Have a good day." Doug waved goodbye as he walked back down the hallway.

Hopefully, if she has things her way, he would ask her out by the end of the week.

Collins Arch

Doug stalked down the halls of Collins Arch, when he heard Kimberly’s voice. He stopped in mid-step, only to see Kim in Ken Foster’s office. He strained his ears to hear their tête-à-tête and remain inconspicuous at the same time.

“Thanks for showing me around, Kimberly.” Ken smiled.

“It’s been my pleasure.” she cooed. “If you need anything, you know where my office is and everyone here is more than eager to help.”

Doug watched as Kimberly did her seductive head toss, a move no man could resist. How he wanted her…

“Well, I’d better get going before Daddy sends out the cavalry.” With that, Kimberly smiled as she and Ken said their goodbyes. She sauntered into the hall, just missing Doug.

Doug couldn’t believe the blatant flirting his ex-wife was acting like this. How long did they even know each other? Doug decided it was time to size this guy up for himself and he made his way into the office.

“I’m Doug Hudson.”

“I know. You’re a big deal around here.” said Ken as he rose. He extended his hand. “Kenneth Foster.”

The two men civilly shook hands.

“So I heard that you and Kimberly are going to work on that new project together.”

“Yeah. I can’t wait. I feel so fortunate that Bennett would entrust me with something of that magnitude.”

“We all were.” Doug said with a sly smile. “But I’ll bet you’ll do just fine.”

“I hope so.”

“If Bennett believes in you, you have my vote.”

Ken couldn’t quite understand the undertones of that statement, but he decided to take it at face value. “Thanks.”

“I just wanted to stop in and wish you well. I’ll see you soon.” With that, Doug gave a friendly wave as he closed the door to Ken’s office. Doug’s friendly demeanour melted away.

He knew Ken would do well at the company, but with Kimberly, he didn’t stand a chance.

Collins Manor

Vivian's eyes grew big as she saw Bennett. Wes moved away from her as Bennett came charging down into the living area like a wild bull. "Well if it isn't my dear friend Bennett? It's been quite a long time."

"Not long enough." Bennett said firmly. "The next time I saw you I was hoping it would be for your funeral."

Vivian moved to the bar and poured herself a glass of seltzer.

"Now Bennett, is that anyway to treat an old friend?"

"Get the hell out of my house Wes! There is no place for you here."

Wes put away the smile and took a few steps toward Bennett, almost face to face. "There may be no place for me in this shack you call a home, but Seattle, well Seattle is still up for grabs and you better believe I am not leaving till it's mine!"

Wes picked up the champagne and the flowers he had and turned towards Vivian. "Vivian it was a pleasure. I hope to see you around."

Vivian did not return the smile as Wes stepped around Bennett and began to walk away.

"And I want you to stay away from my family do you hear me dammit?! Don't come near any of us!"

Wes slowly turned around and faced Bennett from the corridor. "Oh that's not going to work for me Bennett. You stole everything from me. My love, my son, my business, my legacy. Your time is way overdue. Be prepared Bennett."

Wes gave an evil smile and walked out the door.

Bennett flew around and went to the bar. He poured himself a glass of brandy. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Vivian crept up behind Bennett and massaged Bennett's shoulders. "I don't know Bennett. It was just as a shock to me. He just came in. I didn't even invite him in."

Bennett turned towards Vivian. "Darling I know about you two in the past. You have to promise me that you won't be manipulated by him."

Vivian couldn't believe what she was hearing, but understood where he was coming from considering the three of them and thier past. She gave him a long, deep kiss.

"Darling, I promised you I would be faithful the day we were married. I have always kept that promise and I promise never to go against it."

Bennett smiled at his wife. "Thank you sweetheart. That means a lot to me. I am already going to have to worry about Wes in Seattle, I'm glad I don't have to worry about you."

"You'll be fine Bennett. Don't let Wes Hudson borrow you. He can't do anything."

"I hope your right." Bennett said insecurely.

Vivian gave her husband a huge hug, not even certain of how safe Bennett was.

Next Time On Every Time It Rains
--Doug gets yet ANOTHER surprise.
--Parker gets an eerie phone call on her show.
--April, Danny, Kip, and Heath return to Seattle.

Will Elise every accept Russ's offer to go out? What do you think of Wes and Vivian? How far will Doug go to get Kimberly back? Talk about this episode in our forum

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