The incessant knocking was really starting to get on her nerves.
   Groaning, and rolling out of her bed, Emma stumbled through her apartment rubbing at her eyes and managing to stub her toes trying to round the couch.
   Cursing, violently she wrenched the door open. "What?!"
   Taylor jumped a foot in the air. "Geez, girl!" He screamed breathlessly, holding his hand over his heart. "What'd you do that for?"
   The angry set of his face was comical to Emma and she laughed before stepping back and letting him inside. "Now what do you want, Taylor?"
   She raised an eyebrow; "I'm not putting in a good word for you with Gracie. So if that's why you're here you can leave now."
   Taylor shook his blonde head slightly before settling into the springy armchair. He shifted, trying to find a position where a spring wasn't pushing into him. Finally giving up, he stood and sat on the arm. Moderately more comfortable.
   Emma was waiting, the picture of patience as she sat back against the couch and crossed her legs, her hands folded in her lap. "Still haven't said anything." She informed dryly.
   Biting his lip for a second, Taylor stared at her in curious wonderment. "Ike seems to like you, or have more respect for you, or more something for you." He announced grudgingly.
   She nodded slowly, "That's great." She smiled and started to stand, 'that it? You're leaving now?"
   Taylor shook his head again, and Emma groaned before sitting back down. "Now what?"
   Tensing under her bitter words, Taylor straightened under her stare. "If you're both still playing the game, you need to stop. Someone's going to get hurt. And I'm not just talking about some fractured heart; I'm talking deeply hurt here. And Ike's my brother and I love him, and I don't want him hurt. And I know you don't care about something like that, but I do, okay?!"
   The rush of words that leaked almost incoherently because it was so fast from his mouth left them both stunned.
   Quickly though Emma smiled at him again. "We're big kids, Taylor. If you brother wants to end the game, he can come let me know. Otherwise, it's still on." Her smile turned malicious. "And I think its sooo sweet that you care for him and everything." She shrugged though and lost her smile. "But it doesn't change a thing. Either he or I breaks the game, or we see it though. And I'm not quitting."
   Hanging his head, Taylor accepted the answer he knew it would be. "I tried." He murmured as he started to rise.
   Turning and walking to the door, he stopped with his hand on the doorknob. "Would it help if you knew Grace agreed with me? And she asked you to concede as well?"
   Emma's fists clenched at her sides, and schooled her voice to sound as nonchalantly as possible. "I do not tell Grace what to do or how to think. She does not do the same for me either."
   "You wouldn't listen anyhow, right?" Taylor asked harshly.
   Emma shook her head this time. "No, I wouldn't."
   Nodding, he turned the knob and pulled hard a couple times to get the door unstuck and walk out.
   Taking a deep breath and then collapsing on the couch, Emma rubbed at her temples. Things were getting far too complicated for a simple game that would be over all too quickly anyway.
   Sighing, she grabbed for her phone and stared at it before tossing it back down.
   Getting back up and heading for her room, Emma threw herself down on her bed. She'd sleep some more so she wouldn't be so bitchy, and so she could handle the day better.
   Right now things were too messy to deal with. In a few hours it'd be okay to wreak more hell and clear up a few things. For now she'd just rest and see what happened and changed while she slumbered.