Love Thy Enemy - Conclusion

"It does sound good, but what dining experience are you talking about? Where?"

"You know the who, not just the place. It'll be Lucia at her own home! She invited us to visit if we get up her way."

"Lucia is still in Paris? After all this time?" asked a amazed Amber.

"Yeah. She is. She works for one of the other company executives. Apparently, he and his wife appreciate her cooking as much we do."

Sighing, Amber lowered her head and walked a few paces. She really had become very good at walking on her new leg. I really couldn't tell she was missing a limb.

"Okay. I'll go, Joe. But, please don't expect anything more from me than what we have right now. Alright?"

Instead of replying right away, excited as I suddenly was, I grabbed her and lifted her up into my arms, kissing her. "Thanks, babe! I know we'll have a great time! Just wait and see."

At her giggling request, I set her back down, but instead of a joyful smile I spied a sad little smile, one I hadn't expected, to be sure, but one that didn't surprise me either.

~N~

Paris was everything I remembered of her. We even stopped by my company's Paris office to pay our respects and enjoy a bit of nostalgia. We visited several of the city's sights, enjoying the scenery and I hoped, each other's company. We also managed to visit with Lucia and her family and dine with them at their home. Most days, Amber seemed her old self. Then there were those odd times when I caught her staring off into nothing, her eyes seemingly lost, and I somehow knew that whatever had captured her thoughts it wasn't anything to do with Paris.

And then, two weeks into our stay, my phone rang.

It was early morning. The sun's rosy rays had barely risen above the horizon. I was dreaming, I knew that at the time, although now I can't remember what the dream might have been about. Whatever the dream was, the phone's ringing was a welcome respite from the dream's clutches. That I recall.

"We caught him!" shouted the voice on the other end of the phone, and for a brief instant my confusion ran rampant. And then, it struck me.

"Richards?"

"Yeah. It's me. We caught Gary Strausberg!"

"Wha- How- I mean- Great!" I said enthusiastically, with a wide yawn. "Have you talked to him?"

"No, we haven't questioned him, yet. We apprehended him about two hours ago. He's still being processed. I called you as soon as I returned to the precinct. And here, I am!" he explained with what I swear sounded like laughter in his voice.

"Thanks, Lieutenant Richards. I appreciate the call and the news even more." I said sincerely, stifling a impending yawn.

"Sure thing, Joe. Sure thing. I'm off, you enjoy your vacation. And-" began Richards as made to disconnect.

"Wait! What about that other guy? Uh- Trey Pooley." I asked in concern.

"What about him? He's clean. We questioned him extensively, and he admitted Strausberg was trying to get him to kidnap Amber and take her to him. And, Strausberg was willing to pay a lot of money. About fifty-thousand."

"What?" I shouted, all shrouds of sleep instantly gone.

"Take it easy, man. Strausberg didn't have a chance. Poole played as if Strausberg was slowly wearing him down, but in reality he was already cooperating with one of our other detectives. Poole was working as a CI."

"A what?" I asked, dumbfounded by the news.

"A CI. Confidential Informant."

"Okay. I knew what that meant. Just sounded strange coming from a real cop and not some actor playing a cop."

Sighing, Richards, said, "If that's all, Joe, I've got some sleep to catch up on."

"One more thing. Why didn't Poole take the money and go through with Strausberg's plan?"

"Why would you ask that? He didn't. Leave it at that." Richards was becoming irritated, I could tell, as I'd caused it often enough.

We went back and forth for about a minute before Richards, with a heavy sigh, said, "If you want to know

that bad, go ask your girlfriend." I heard the distinct click of disconnection.

~N~

It was the day following Richards' phone call that I told Amber about it.

We had just left the Louvre, although I don't understand a lot of the work displayed, Amber seemed to enjoy it, so I enjoyed it as well. Afterwards, we had stopped at a nearby café to rest our feet and enjoy a surprisingly good cup of coffee. The time I'd previously spent in Paris had taught me several things and one of the most important of those lessons was that the French couldn't brew a decent cup of coffee to save their lives. Times had changed tho.

I watched for a moment as a Amber bit her pastry, chewed, and then sipped at her coffee. I tried to photograph that moment in my mind for ever more.

"Amber, this has been one of the best times of my life. Us here. Us together."

"That's so sweet, Joe. I've enjoyed our time together too." Amber replied in a soft voice.

No use sugar coating it or beating around the bush.

"Amber, Richards' called yesterday."

She was about to take another bite of pastry when she stopped and looked up at me in startlement.

"What did he want?" asked Amber in a near whisper.

"They caught Gary Strausberg."

Something flickered in her eyes, what that might be, I wasn't sure, although I assumed it was relief, but her face hadn't changed expression.

"That's great, Joe. I'm glad they got him. I know you're feeling the same."

Nodding, I said, "I am."

Without hesitation, Amber replied, "There's more. Isn't there, Joe?" Was she now acting apprehensive?

I nodded once more. "Your physical therapist, Trey Poole, he was involved."

Amber winced, then sighed. "What happened to Trey?"

"As far as I know, nothing. He helped the police."

This time, Amber's relief was evident as her face softened and her shoulders slumped.

I looked at her, or tried to, but she turned away from my gaze.

"What's going on, Amber? What is Trey Poole to you?"

She raised her eyes, but didn't meet mine, saying, "What do you mean? He's my physical therapist."

"Please, Amber. Be honest. What's going on here?" I swallowed as I braced myself for her reply. But all she did was turn her head to stare across the street.

My head was beginning to pound, but I pressed on. "Do you and Poole have something going on, Amber?"

Amber looked at me in shock, while shaking her head. "No! Nothing. He- He's been very helpful in teaching me how to cope with my- Disability." she said with a wry grin.

"Okay. So-" and I began to tell her of my conversation with Richards before leaving New York city. When I was done, Amber was quiet, perhaps contemplative.

We sat in mutual silence for about a minute, our coffee growing cool.

"He likes me. He even says he loves me. Even so, I'd never go behind your back, Joe. And yes, Trey told me all about what Gary wanted of him. I trusted him so I told him I'd help him and the cops to capture Gary."

"Do you love him, Amber?" I finally asked the simple question that had become my fear.

Amber stared at me, her eyes moist, as she said, "Yes, Joe. I do."

Her words had stopped time. Just like that, all the sounds of the people, the cars and the animals had become silent. And everything came to a standstill as the words filled my brain and heart with their meaning and intent.

"But, not in the way you might think. I love him for being a true friend. For helping me learn to accept my condition. And for teaching me how to use my new leg. But, I could never love him in the way he wants and I would need to, to be with him."

As a torrent of heavy rain plunges down from the sky, her following words hit me with a flood of sensations with such force that I was deafened by the sudden calliope of sound and blinded by the scenes around me.

My heart pounded in my chest with both fright and relief. My head felt like a balloon about to pop. My body trembled with tension, and yet I couldn't remember ever feeling better than I did at that moment.

My world was whole once again.

~N~

One Year Later

The man strode purposefully across the busy street, his arms swinging easily. His face was both stoic and authoritative in its look. His eyes darted constantly as if looking for hidden snipers. His clothing, a three piece suit, was smartly donned and fir like it was tailored. Not that the suit was custom fit, as he had the build that

lent itself to looking good in anything the man wore.

The man was neither in a hurry nor slacking, but anyone noticing could tell he walked with a definite aim in mind.

His path took him down a short but well packed assemble of various New York eateries along the sidewalk. In one of those establishments sat a young blond haired woman. She was enjoying the local cuisine in the form of a fully loaded hot dog. As she prepared to bite down she happened to look out the window and see a man she recognized.

Without thought, she leaped to her feet, hot dog in hand and rushed outside.

The man was already past the entry door and all the woman saw was his quickly receding back. He would soon be lost in the crowd that milled to and fro on the sidewalk. Instead of running after him, she screamed.

"JOE! JOE PLEASENT!"

The man walked a few more feet before coming to a stop. He looked around with a quizzical expression before he began to stride forward once more.

"JOE! PLEASE STOP!"

This time the man turned completely around, at that action, the blond woman began to excitedly wave with her freehand above her head. "JOE! HERE! I AM HERE!"

The man looked at her with a strange expression before walking toward her.

As the man drew near, the young woman ran forward and hugged him.

"Joe! I am so happy to see you!"

The man tried to extricate himself from her embrace while scanning the crowd that passed by them.

"I'm not-" started the man before the woman interrupted him.

"How have you been, Joe? Have you been- uhm- ill? You look different." rattled off the woman, as she let go of the vastly relieved man.

"I'm not-"

"Come with me, Joe. We can sit and talk about things. How do you say? Catch off on things?"

Grinning at the woman's accent and use of English, the man said, "Please. Come with me. We can catch up on things somewhere else."

"Okay. You lead and I will follow.' agreed the young woman. "How wonderful and so amazing we see each other in a city with so many millions of people. Is it not?"

Laughing, the man said, "I can't argue with that. It's almost a miracle."

"Yes, a miracle! It is a miracle. I like that, Joe. Almost a miracle."

The woman kept up a chain of chatter while the man kept his amused silence, and before long they entered a rather posh eating establishment.

"Joe! This place is so nice. But, I brought my food from the other place." The woman explained while displaying her hot dog to the man, who burst out laughing. He hadn't noticed what she's been carrying.

"Come on. We're almost there." said the man as he once more moved with purpose.

"But, my food-" said the woman.

"Keep it. You might need it. It's probably better than the stuff they serve here." guffawed the man.

"There he is! And he brought someone with him." spoke a sharp dressed, also blond haired, woman.

The younger woman approached the table slowly, unsure of herself. Joe had moved forward and now stood next to the seated woman. There was another man sitting at the table, but his back was to the younger blond woman.

"My apologies, dear, but as you can see, she followed me here. Can I keep her?" asked the standing man with a dead pan expression.

The seated man chose that time to turn and face the new comer.

"Bergit? My God! How- Where- My God! How did you find me? And how are you?" he said in astonishment while jumping to his feet.

The young woman addressed as Bergit, looked utterly confused and a little amazed as her eyes went back and forth between the two men.

"Joe? Is this you? Or is that you?" she asked pointing to the man nearest her.

"Yes, it's me! That other one is a only a close facsimile." he said with a warm smile.

"Joe! It is you! Oh- I hugged the wrong man!" admitted a embarrassed Bregit.

Joe and the seated woman turned to look at the other standing man.

"Hank?" said Joe and the woman in unison.

Somewhat uncomfortably, Hank explained, "I tried to explain I wasn't you, but I didn't get the chance before she hugged me."

A moment of silence reigned as the two absorbed what he'd said.

"A nice hug it was too!" added Hank with a wide grin.

Everyone laughed, except Bergit, who felt as if she were the butt of a secret joke.

Joe turned back to Bergit, saying, "This is my cousin Hank Pleasent and his wife, Rita. Please, Bergit, join us. We were just going to order lunch."

Agreeing, Bergit was seated by Joe, who then promptly sat next to her.

Lunch passed pleasantly enough for Bergit, who was told all about the cousins and their uncanny likeness to each other. In turn Bergit explained how she ran into Hank and they all had a good chuckle at the hot dog story. An hour passed before Hank and Rita stood, excusing themselves, explaining they had to return to work.

Finally alone, Joe, turned to Bergit and asked, "How have you been?"

"I am good, Joe. How are you?"

"I'm well. So, what are you doing in New York?"

"I work for the same company as before. They needed a assistant director. They offered me the job. Now, I am here! Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes, it is, Bergit. I'm happy for you."

A few more minutes of exchanged amenities passed before Joe plunged onto a more personal track.

"What happened with you and your fiancée? I would have thought you'd be settled in as a wife and mother, living the happy dream of married life."

A delicate frown creased Bergit's features as she thought on how to answer that, or if she even wanted to answer.

"I went home. I was very ready for being married. Then he was promoted with his job. He went away for many months, and when he came back, he did not want marriage anymore. I was very hurt and I cried a long time. He was very sorry. He tried to explain- To tell me why he was not good for me. I was thinking he found another woman."

Bregit looked up, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"He is a good man. Like you. He had no other woman. He said he would travel much and did not want to be a- How do you say? A gone away husband."

Joe didn't know the phrase Bergit referred to, but took a shot in the dark. "A absentee husband?"

"Yes! A absentee husband! Thank you, Joe!" exclaimed Bergit in sincere appreciation. "I understand his thinking. I did not like it. I left and went back to France. I got job with same company. Then I come here."

Each was silent for a moment while they looked at each other, weighing multiple thoughts and wondering about their last night. How would it have turned out if she'd stayed?

Bergit broke the silence. "How about you, Joe. Are you divorced? Married?"

Joe filled her in on all that had passed since their last time they saw each other.

"When Amber and I returned from France, she had made up her mind. She wanted some time to decide things away from any influence. Including my influence. For a time, I was certain she was in love with her physical therapist, but as it turned out, it was a one-way street."

"I am sorry to stop you- Interrupt you, but what is it you mean with one-way street?"

Chuckling at the question, Joe explained. "It's when only one person of two people involved is feeling something that should be mutually shared and felt, or is the sole beneficiary in the relationship. Do you understand?"

Nodding her head vigorously, Bergit said, "I think so. Only one person is happy? Right?"

"Close enough." agreed Joe.

"Anyway, Amber left to stay with her parents. She didn't want me contacting her, so I didn't call or try to see her. A couple of months passed when she called and told me she wasn't returning to New York. Despite her love for me the memories she had of Shela and herself were too much. Also, being with me would remind her constantly of Shela, and the guilt she felt at abandoning her."

"She not abandon her friend! Her friend go crazy. Amber try to help." said Bergit in obvious agitation, her eyes glistening.

"I know. I said as much. But, Amber- Well, she'd made up her mind, and to make a long story shorter, she said it was over between us. After all we'd been through, it was over. That was nine months ago."

Bregit asked a few more questions and Joe filled in some bare spots. When he was done with the story, Bergit had tears in her eyes. A few had slipped out, rolled down her cheeks and dropped down to her blouse.

"I am sorry. Very sorry for you. I know you love your wife. Later you love Amber."

"Thank you, Bergit. I did love them both. But, it is what it is."

Sniffling a bit, Bergit asked, "What happened to the man, Gary Strausberg?"

Sighing, Joe replied, "He was waiting to go to trial, when they found him dead, hanging in his cell. The official cause of death is suicide, but Richards thinks he pissed off the wrong someone and they killed him. That happened a couple of months ago. Although I like the idea he's dead, I find his death unsatisfying. He should have been brought to trial, gotten the death penalty and felt the fear of impending death as he waited to be executed."

"JOE! That is very bad thought! He is dead. He has pay for his crime. I do not like idea of the death penalty. I do understand a reason for death penalty, but I do not always agree with reasons." cried out Bergit in anger.

"Sorry. It's just how I feel. Both Shela and Amber suffered greatly at his hands. He grievously injured and killed one, and maimed the other for life. For what? Because he was spurned? How could I feel otherwise?"

Relaxing from her agitation, Bergit apologized. "No, I will be the one to apologize. I know you loved your wife and this other girl, and you are a good man, so you are very angry. Very passionate at all this that happened. I understand. So I apologize for my- burst out."

Smiling, Joe corrected her gently, "That word is, outburst. And, apology accepted."

With a huge happy grin, Bergit said, "I accept, too." They laughed together in a joyous manner neither had felt in some time.

Several seconds of silence ensued as they gazed at each in wonder.

"Joe, can I be your enemy, too?"

"What? Why would you ask that? Do you want to be my enemy?" said a surprised Joe Pleasent.

"Yes. If you love me." replied a suddenly uncertain Bergit.

With a grin that slowly widened, Joe Pleasent sat back in his chair, as he thought about Bergit's unexpected admission.

"As the Good Book says, love they enemies. I guess I would have to love you, wouldn't I?"

Bergit's grin matched his own for a moment before the same delicate frown of earlier creased her smooth forehead. "Joe, what is good book?"

Laughing, Joe Pleasent spontaneously knew his life was forever changed and nothing could ever bring back what he once had, but change wasn't always bad, and maybe, just maybe the future would bring something even better than what he'd known.

Looking at Bergit, Joe decided it would definitely be better.