Page 47 of Come to Me

Laurie looks at me. "I'll check on Alyssa because I care about Alyssa. But I'm not going to spy and I'm not going to give you a report."

I tamp down on my frustration.

"We have the same goal. I'm not you're adversary here."

"I do like you, Luke." She rubs at her face. "But you need to grow up. If you want to check on Alyssa, do it yourself. I'm not a tool you can use to make your relationship better. Alyssa is my friend too, and I'll do what I think is best for her."

"I would. But I have obligations here too. Making an impromptu trip right now isn't in the cards." I wish it was. "All I want you to do is check on her."

"Fine. But I would have done that anyway. And I'm not stupid. I know that if she's slipping in her recovery, I'm over my head. I would talk to you and try to work something out together."

I can work with that.

"Good."

"I wouldn't try and manipulate you into doing what I want," she says pointedly.

Zack interrupts. "Don't you spend enough time being a hard ass at work?"

"Shut the fuck up," she snaps back. "You have no clue what this guy is like."

"He seems sweet."

"No."

"It's nice that he's concerned about this Alyssa girl," Zack continues doggedly.

"Please. Like you know anything about relationships. You haven't had a girlfriend in about eight million years," Laurie remarks.

"And you haven't had a boyfriend in nine million years."

Laurie smiles. She's definitely got a thing for Zack. She looks at me. "Fine. I can see Zack's point. Alyssa does love you very much and you do appear to have her best interests at heart."

"You think?"

"See! This is why he's so difficult to talk to," she complains. "But, I do agree. We should be partners in this mission. Not adversaries."

"You two are ridiculous," Zack observes.

Laurie ignores him.

"I want her to be healthy as much as you do," she says, meeting my eyes. "And, I'll call you with my findings when I'm back in LA." Zack clears his throat. "Or sooner if there is something to talk about." She turns to Zack. "Is that good enough?"

"Perfect." Zack turns to me. "You want to watch with us? We're marathoningBattlestar Galactica."

"That's okay."

"You'd like it," Laurie says. "It's way better thanLaw and Order."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

"But it's a scientific fact," she insists. "All the lawyers on it are greasy jerks."

"Thanks," I mutter.

Laurie smirks, very proud of herself. "You should see President Roslin. She's-"

"As much of a head bitch in charge as you are," Zack interjects.