If You Believe
by Ulrike

Chapter Six

Meg comes into Bens study and closes the door. Leaning at the door she waits for a reaction of Ben.

Ben: Meg?

Meg: I think we need a talk.

Ben: What's the matter?

Meg: That's what I want to know from you!

Ben: Pardon? He walks towards to her.

Meg: Ben, since I came back from skiing you haven't touched me. Oh, yes. A kiss here, a short hug there ... but there is not ... this moments before a kiss ... this feeling inside .... feeling the enjoy to wait for a kiss ... only looking at each other. - It's not the same tenderness as we shared before.

He takes her hands and pulls her softly in his arms.

Ben: Really Meg, there's no problem! I'm a little bit late at home these days and have to leave early in the mornings. That's all!

Meg isn't convinced: Are you sure?

Ben with a grin: I promise you. In a few days you find me at your side like before and you would wish back these days!

Meg smiling at him and decides to do a test: Never! I miss you. Miss to wake up in your arms and to fall into dreams in it and ... something else. With these word she slips under his shirt with her hands.

Ben stops her at once and takes a step back .

Meg now very serious: No problem, hmmm?

Ben goes back to the desk, leans on it and draws a deep breath. Meg don't take her eyes of him until he starts speaking.

Ben: Meg, I don't know how to tell you. One thing: I trust you. Believe me. I wouldn't tell you this if I did not. When I came to Sunset Beach I had to distrust everybody ... especially you. He looks up for her reaction but she looks only a little bit confused . I mean ... I came to Sunset Beach to investigate the death of Amy Dreyer ... and of course the disappearing of my twin brother Ben.

Meg whispering: Twin?

Derek: Yes, Meg. Sorry to deceive you. But it was necessary. He goes over to her and takes her hand. I'm Derek Evans, Bens twin. Kisses her hand .

Meg confused: Ben never told me about a twin brother.

Derek: That's no surprise to me. I was involved in Marias death. - I would have explained everything to him that time if Ben only had given me a chance to do it.

Meg: Where is Ben?

Derek sighs: Actually, I'm here to find out! I don't know. The Friday you all left to the mountains he showed up at the Java Web and was back home about noon. On his way to Santa Barbara he should buy wine at around 2 p.m. but he wasn't there. Do you remember anything more about his plans for that day?

Meg: I .... Ben ... Ben!

Derek leads her to a chair, lets her take place and knees in front of her, holding her hands .

Derek: Shhhhhh. We will find him, Meg!

Meg: He's my life ... I love him ... I ... I don't know if I survive if ...

Derek softly wishes her tears away .

Derek: Meg! Look at me! .... Come on, look into my eyes. We will find Ben and he will be fine. And then I have back my nerved little brother and you get your soon-to-be husband back.

Meg: Derek ...

Derek: Yeah?

Meg: .... you said you was involved in Maria's death ...

Derek: ... and you want to hear more about it!

Meg nodes .

Derek with a sigh): I had just arrived that day for visit to my brother and his wife. I never met Maria before and liked to get know my brother's wife. When Ben had left for work I went to bed because of the jetlag. After I woke up I had taken a shower when I suddenly heard a scream. I took a towel and rushed over to the studio. Maria thought she'd seen a thief in her room and was very scared. I had taken her in my arms to comfort her when Ben arrived. He had left without a word. Maria said that she would talk to him in the boat to him and went after Ben.

After the accident he had blamed me for everything and didn't speak to me anymore. I wish he had listened to me!

 

 

Chapter Seven

Ben: So do I!

Meg: Ben! She rushes in his arms .

Ben: Meg! They share a long hug . I'm fine, Meg! Answering her silent question .

Meg: Where have you been?

Derek: Yes, brother dear, where have you been!!!

Ben: Derek! The brothers hug each other . I've missed you so much.

Derek: So have I.

Ben: I wish I had to listened to you! But I was so blind because of my jealousy.

Derek: I couldn't believe that you didn't trust me not even about Maria!

Ben: Maria! There was a few things about her out of your knowledge ... It's the past. We should let things stay behind us.

Ben and Derek look at eachother eye to eye. They don't need another word .

Derek: Why don't we go downstairs and take place. Also I think we all need a drink!

Meg goes at the top and Derek manages to catch is brother at the door .

Derek whispers: Good catch! To handle Maria as sister was easy, but to pretend to be you and hold my fingers away from Meg .... laughing ... you're a lucky man, my dear!

Ben gives him a strong look, trying to hide a grin: I saw her first! Laughing . By the way, she don't like secrets in the past ... and you have more then one in yours!

Derek grins: Hmmm ... I don't mind, maybe I convince her that I look better then you! They follow Meg with laughter .

Somewhere in England .

Man: Pardon me, Miss ... he looks at the nameplate on the desk ... Grey.

Miss Grey: How can I help you?

Man: I have to verify a birth about 20 years ago.

Miss Grey: Oh, it can be though we haven't the same system now, Mr. ...

Man: ... Harris.

Miss Grey: Which person do you look for?

Mr. Harris: Actually, I don't know. She's born in May 1979.

Miss Grey: Which day, which hospital.

Mr. Harris: I don't know!

Miss Grey: Brilliant! It's Friday afternoon! With these information you only need the whole weekend to find the file! It's all in the archives but it take hours to find the right file.

Mr. Harris: Only if I hadn't to do this alone!? Could I invite you to dinner if we find out what I need to know? It's very imported .... please.

Miss Grey laughs: It has to be a all inclusive rendezvous if I should help you.

Mr. Harris: Fine, as soon we start searching as soon we start our rendezvous!

Miss Grey: Come back at 4 p.m. We close by that time and can start our own search.

Mr. Harris smiles: I will be here, Miss Grey.

At Bens place .

Ben: I was kidnapped the day I did go for the meeting in Santa Barbara. Actually, I don't know why. A man held me on a small place outside Sunset Beach as I found out today. Yesterday suddenly he left without coming back! I managed to free myself and here I am.

Meg: That's strange! Why should somebody kidnap a person, hold him for a few days with no demand and finally let him go. That makes no sense to me!

Derek: You're right, Meg. But please remember: At the same time Ben was kidnapped, Amy died!

Ben: Amy is dead? What happened?

Meg: Someone murdered her on our weekend in the mountains.

Ben: Oh my God, Meg! I'm so sorry I wasn't there! Ben pulls her in his arms and Meg is pleased to lean at him .

Derek: I think it's no coincidence that both happened at the same day. There must be a link. He sighs . But I have no idea which link it can be.

Ben: I agree with you, there must be a link. But I cannot believe that there is a thing I share ... shared with Amy. I didn't know her very well. Just saw her a few times in the Java Web and at The Deep.

Derek: We found out that she were adopted. Now my boss is trying to find out where she is born and maybe find her real parents.

Meg: Your boss? What are you doing?

Derek grins: My name is Evans, Derek Evans.

Meg: You're a agent?!

Derek laughs: I can't deny.

Meg: You Evans brothers really like surprises, don't you?

The twins smile at each other .

Ben: Do you think that the person that killed Amy and arranged for kidnapping me still is in Sunset Beach.

Derek: Yes, I do. That's brings me to my question. I know you would help me if you didn't have Meg to care about, but ....

Meg: Stop! Don't speak like this. Amy is dead and Ben was kidnapped for days! What ever it takes, I'm with you!

Ben smiles at her proudly: Yes, we are with you, Derek! Tell us your plan.

 

 

Chapter Eight

England

Ian Harris makes a long face when he finds out that the pizza was getting cold during his search .

Ian: It wasn't meant to be like this when I promised you a dinner!

Kathy Grey laughs: Thought it was a good idea to keep us alive till we get our rendezvous. It's almost 10 p.m. I take one more file before I finish for today.

Ian yawns soundly: I think you're right. We should come to an end for today.

He steps behind her to take a look on the file . She switches quickly through the pages and tries to ignore the heat of his body and the smell of his aftershave .

Ian: Stop! ... He leans towards her and points to a mark . .... What's this?

Kathy: Hmm ... let me see. The area fits ... right year. Good luck to you! There are only two hospitals in that area at that time. .... May .... May .... May. Ah, here it is! Only one of it has a gynecology. They had have 117 deliveries in May 1979, but only 52 girls.

Ian: 52!!!

Kathy giggles: No, problem at this time. You said that the girl disappeared in the first month of her life. So first of all we can take a look at the school-register. All girls that shown up there cannot be the one you're looking for, right?

Ian: How long does it take?

Kathy: Oh, that information is on my computer! Give me ten minutes.

After a few minutes at her computer she smiles.

Kathy: That looks good to you!

Ian looks at her instead of the screen: I totally agree to that.

Kathy turns around to him and blushes when she recognize that he spoke about her and not the result of their search . She turns back to the screen .

Kathy: There are only four girls left. But I can give you the address where they lived of their birth. Maybe neighbors can help you.

Ian leans forward and whispers in her ear: At this time of the night I'm not interested in neighbors but in the person next to me.

A shudder runs to her spine while she listens to his words and feel his breath. This couldn't happen to her. He is a stranger! But since he shown up at her desk she couldn't stop thinking of him. To much work, she decides silently. Her feelings are normal, she hadn't had a date in weeks and that's the result!

Kathy ignores his last words and stands up: I think we're done.

Ian turns her to face him and get close: That's what you think.

He kisses her. The kiss fasten goes more passionate and suddenly he breaks away. Ian can't believe what happens to him. He feels like a teenager in front of his first experience.

Ian breathless: It's late. I think I should walk you home.

A shaken Kathy only nodes to his word.

Sunset Beach, Bens office

Derek enjoys the feeling of the hot water running over his body. He has left towards the Deep an hour ago to give Ben and Meg a little time on their own. Thinking of Meg let him smile. She had given him a really hard time, especially as she had try to get him involved into something. You're a lucky devil, brother dear he thinks with a smile on his face, while Annie shows up in the office unnoticed to Derek .

Annie: Ben? ... Ben, where are you?

She spots Derek in the shower and smiles .

Annie: It will be my pleasure to help you clean your back.

She undresses herself an steps into the shower .

Annie: Hi, stranger!

Derek almost have an heart attack as he hears the voice behind him. Ben, Ben, Ben, he thought, there are some point we have to speak about and turn around to face the woman. There was a beautiful woman in front of him. How ever she is she looks like a little she-devil he decides.

Derek: May I ask if you mixed up the address? I hardly remember that I invited someone for a shower.

Annie: Come on, Ben. Don't tell me that you didn't enjoy a real woman after this little corngirl!

She tries to get closer, but is stopped by Derek .

Derek smiles: Little corngirl! .... Hmmm ...... I think there are a few points you don't know about corngirls.

Annie: I think that there are a few things you can learn about me!

She lays her hand on his chest and is stopped by Derek again .

Derek: Sorry, my dear. But this don't belong to you.

He turns off the shower, grabs after a towel to put it on and leans forward. Before Annie could react he throws her over the shoulder and take to the desk. Annie starts to argue but stopped by a smack from Derek .

Derek: Be quiet, my dear. You only get what you deserved!

He let her go of next to the chair with her clothes on it and goes over to his computer, try to pretend that his only interesting on the mails he get . Annie goes back to catch a towel and dries herself up. When she also finished her dressing she turns back to Derek with anger .

Annie: Next time you have to beg even if I only should say hello to you, Mr. Ben Evans!

When the door closes after her, Derek breaks out in laughter .

 

 

Chapter Nine

At Bens place

Derek: ... and the she rushes out of the office.

Meg (between her laughter, looks at Ben): Seems to me that she has still an eye on you Ben!

Ben: I can hardly believe that ... thought after all she had learnt something about me.

Derek: Since we decided that I pretend to be you while I live at your place and we try to find out what's going on together ... I think I will have a hard time ahead me to get rid of all those crazy women who only wants the best of you: your body!

Ben (try to hide a grin): Very funny, Derek! Back to topic. What did Ian find out?

Derek: They get closer. There are only four women left. He will talk to the neighbours tomorrow. If one of them can remember the child after the first month it can't be Amy.

Meg: That's a great thing to do! With a bit luck he knows by the end of the day, where Amy comes from. Poor parents! To hear that their daughter was still alive all those years and now, after everything gets clear they have to learn that Amy is murdered! At least they have a chance to know something about her!

Derek: That's not for sure.

Meg: Pardon me?

Derek: After all Amy's parents in law have to decide if they like to get in contact with her "real" parents.

Ben: ... and the "real" parents have also to agree to connect the people who Amy has lived with.

Meg: Oh, you're right. That can't be easy for all of them. But maybe they can help them to go through it.

England, Kathys place

He come close to her without saying a word. She had offered him a cup of coffee when he walked her home. Now she was watching out of the window. She told him to go home. But at the bottom of her heart she don't want him to leave. Then she feels his hands on her hips. Pulling her closer to him. She can feel the heat of his body behind her. He starts kissing her neck and his hands find their way to her breasts. Just for a moment, she thought, even if she knows she had to stop him. She could feels his tongue on the way from her neck, to her ear and towards her mouth, while his hands gives her breasts a soft message. The only thing she could realises anymore was him. Between kisses he whispers what he will do with her. She rests her head at his shoulder and turns her face to him. He guess what she wants and closes her mouth with his own. The kiss wasn't sweet and innocent. When he entered her mouth with his tongue, he demand an answer of her. When he get the responds his hand slides down her body to the place she wants him the most. Just when she thinks she couldn't stand this any longer, he started to undress her. When she is totally naked he leaves her for a moment to undress himself. She looks at him in admire. He lays her down on the bed. She wants to touch him, too, to feel his muscles, his hot skin, to taste him. But in the next second he lays on the top of her. Holding her hand above her head, ignoring her protest. He has his way with her and she can't do anything about it, but she doesn't mind either. She could feel his erection and beg to come to her. The she feels his fingers at her core and ...

Ring, ring.

Frustrated Kathy reaches for the phone.

Kathy: Who's there?

Ian: Good morning to you too, Kathy. I hope I didn't wake you up!

The object of her dreams seems awful happy this morning.

Kathy (tries to hide a yawn): Not at all! (and as excuse) But I'm not really awake till I have drunk a three cups of coffee!

Ian (laughs): Turn on the coffee-machine and take a shower. I'm with you in about 15 minutes and take something for breakfast with me.

A few hours later. Kathy is ring a doorbell.

Ian: Okay, that's the last name on the list. Let's hope we hit the jackpot now.

Woman (through the closed door): Who on earth is that!

Ian: My name is Ian Harris. Could I please talk to you for a minute?

Woman: I don't buy anything.

Ian: I really don't want to sell anything. Just a short chat.

After a moment the woman opened the door.

Woman (eyeing both sceptical): What is this all about?

Kathy: Oh, we just heard that you lived here for a very long time and that you know everybody and everybody likes you a lot. So we thought that you maybe remembers my cousin Elisabeth and her husband. We'd lost contact after they lost their child and now my husband and I like to connect them again.

Woman (pleased with Kathys words): Elisabeth .... Elisabeth ... oh, you mean Lisa Ross! It was tragically! They had been so proud of her daughter! And then they lost it ... and Lisa wasn't able to get an other child! Poor woman!

Kathy: Yes, that she is!

Woman (with an interested look at Ian): Lisa, yes... Yes, I remember her. She really was a Lady. Not like the people how live here now! You know what I mean. And since the new company at the end of the block grown faster and faster people come to live here!!! I know that this means a lot of new jobs, but ... you know the neighbourhood! While Lisa lives here only good people lives here, but now ... Oh, what did you asked?

Kathy (trying to hide a grin about Ian how starts to get impatience): You wanted to tell us where Lisa lives now.

Woman (turns to Kathy as if she didn't noticed her before): Yes, but I'm not sure about it. A few years ago we met by accident in London that was about the time she and Jay - you know her husband, don't you? - moved to Spain. The south of Spain I think it was ... yes, somewhere in Andalusia. But I didn't heard anything from her since that afternoon.

Kathy: Thank you very much. You has helped us a lot.

Woman (to Ian): Do you want to leave me your number. I could call you if I remember something I've forgot.

Ian: Thanks, but I think you helped us to make a big step in the right direction. Bye!

Kathy: Good bye.

Woman (watching them disappear, eyeing Ians back with a sign): Good bye.

 

 

Chapter Ten

"Home, sweet home" Meg thought when she arrives at home. It was a long hard day. She had a lot to do but everybody seems to try to hold her away by asking her questions or needing her advise and of course the telephone didn't stand still the whole day. At the top of it first there was this man how tried to install a new computer at her office. She told him that she already have a new one and that he must be at the wrong office, but he totally ignored her so that she finally ask the security guards to help her. Then a water main burst and nearly floated the offices. Somehow she managed to eat a sandwich that someone left at her desk at the afternoon, but it was the only thing she ate during the day and now she was tired and hungry. She walked up the stairs and headed straight to the bathroom thankful that she hadn't to care about dinner today because Ben said he would bring some take away from the Java Web.

Meg sighs in relief when the hot water hits her body. While she is enjoying the feeling of the water running through her body, her thoughts drifting away from everything that happened today like the water not only cleans her skin but also her mind. She grabs a shower gel and smiles. It was Bens favourite which forces memories of Ben soaping her all over ... - Meg smile becomes brighter, maybe ...

After she finished the shower Meg goes down finding Derek in front of the fire place staring to the flames of the fire he started. He didn't notices her and Meg thoughts went back to the evening when she finds Ben in the same position at the fire place after an excellent French dinner at the evening he proposed to her. She giggles while she remembers her behave against Ben later that night after she found the bloody sheets in the closet. How could she ever distrust the love of her life was beyond her, but there had been so many people trying to convince her to distrust him and so many secrets he didn't shared with her, that she finally was going crazy about everything around Maria Torres Evans.

In the meanwhile Derek recognise his sister-in-law to be standing at the stairs. "Magnificent!" he thought "You're a blessed man, brother dear." At the look on her face he could tell that she was dreaming of Ben. He goes over to her, gives her a kiss to the cheek and - noticing Bens appearance at the door - whispering soundly to her: "Forget about Ben. If we hurry, we can catch the last flight tonight to Paris."

Meg (laughs): That's hard to resist. If you'd said Venice if I'd could.

Ben joins them with a smile, pushes Meg against him and kisses her passionately.

Ben (while both try to come to sense after the kiss): Maybe I can help you finding one or two reasons to stay right here in Sunset Beach later on." Turning to Derek: "And you go and get you a fiancée of your own.

Derek (grins): "Didn't mom told you to share with the other kids?"

Ben: Of course she did! I will go along with it. Meg for me ... (handing him out the food from the Java Web) ... and this is for you.

They all laugh and heading to the kitchen to take the meal.

At the Surf Central, next day in the afternoon.

Meg: Hi guys.

Casey (gives her a big hug): Hey! Where have you been. We didn't see you in ages.

Meg (while greeting the others): I have a lot to do at the Liberty Corporation as and so has Ben. Actually, that's why I'm on my own here.

Jennifer: So, your husband to be is at the Deep tonight?

Meg: No, he is at the Liberty Corporation doing some paperwork.

Jennifer: I thought that I maybe can get a job at the Deep or the Java Web. Do you know if there is an offer?

Meg: Sorry, but why don't you go along tomorrow. He's at the Java Web the whole afternoon.

Michael: Even I know this is your favourite subject, Meg, I'd like to get my revenge for the last volleyball game and I want it now!

Vanessa: What to loose an other time?

She runs through the door, trying to escape from Michael, while the others smiles in their back.

Sean: Come on, let's join them.

Meg: Where is Mark?

Casey: He's on his way. Had have the shift in the afternoon. Gabi, Paula and Ricardo will also join us.

Meg: Oh, that's good. They need a bit fun. They had been through a horrified time. Good luck to all of them that Paula didn't know who to believe and finally asked both of them to go together to an psychologist. Do you think they would have found out that it was Gabis father who raped her not Ricardo if it had come to court?

Casey: I don't know at all. Let's hope that Gabi will come along with this memories. She's such a kind person.

From the back: How is kind?

Meg (laughs): Mark!! At least not you. You will scare us to death someday.

Mark (laughs too): The first thing you have worry about is loosing this game.

Paula (grins): Never!

 

BACK