Once In A Dream
By Mary ILP & Joni

                            31

   Sarah's eyes sprang open as the phone rang in the hotal room.She 
could feel his arms around her as she began to push him away.Her 
thoughts were not of the phone but of who was holding her."Its 
ok....its me..."Paul said trying to calm her as he let go of her and 
reached for the phone.Sarah relaxed as she realized that she was in 
Paul arms."Paul....."she said softly as she heard him 
say "hello....."Paul sat the phone back in its cradle."Time to catch 
our plane....."Paul said as he let go of her."How....I mean...."Sarah 
asked as she sat up next to him."You had a bad dream.....its ok."Paul 
said as she saw her blushing as she turned away from him.Sarah wanted 
to bury her head in the covers she was so embarrassed.He must think 
I'm so childish,she thought as he walked over and pulled his boots 
on."I have to get my suitcases....."Paul said as he walked towards 
the door."Why don't you order room service and I'll be right 
back."Paul said as he looked over at her.Sarah was sitting up and 
clutching the sheet over herself.Sarah nodded as she watched him walk 
out the door.Sarah quickly got out of bed and rushed to the 
bathroom.She looked at her face in the mirror.....my God I just woke 
up in the arms of one my idols.....the thought came to her as she 
looked at herself.A crush....my God she had a crush on him when she 
was a kid.....a song floated through her mind as she stood there.'My 
mind was burning.....looking back on all of my memories.....my mind 
was dreaming like it does.'Sarah could hear his voice in her head as 
she began to shake....what wasent he telling her....what was it she 
needed so much to remember.....whare had she come from....was someone 
besides Brian looking for her.Sarah splashed some cold water on her 
face.My name is Sarah....my name is Sarah....what else has happened 
to me.She wondered as she dried her face.

Paul opened the door to his hotal room.He steped inside and began to 
gather his suit cases.He had held her in his arms last 
night...comforted her in her sleep,kept her nightmars away.It almost 
seemed as if they had known each other all there lifes......they had 
once in a dream long ago.....he had known her."This is crazy!"Paul 
said outload as he gathered his things and sat them by the door.A 
soft knock at the door snaped him from his thoughts."Who is it?"Paul 
asked as he walked over to the door."Its me....let me in."Gene's 
voice called through the door.Paul unlocked the door and Gene steped 
inside."Are you about ready?"Gene asked looking at the suit cases by 
the door."You came by to ask me that?What are you my mother?"Paul 
joked as he looked at Gene."No.....look I came by to talk about 
Sarah."Gene said not beating around the bush.Paul rolled his 
eyes."Look....she is coming with us....."Paul said as he walked away 
from Gene."Hey...I know your minds made up.....I was just wondering 
why your so protective of this woman?I mean come on you just met 
her....its like she is your girlfriend or something."Gene 
said."Gene....she is all alone.....my God,I'am human you 
know....."Paul said as he ploped down in a chair."This is just so 
strange.....I mean we don't know anything about her....what if she is 
faking it?"Gene said raising his eyebrow."Thats enougth Gene....I'm 
not talking about this anymore.....my minds made up."Paul said as he 
got up and walked to the door.Gene shook his head as he walked to the 
door that Paul was now holding open for him."Look...all I'm saying is 
please becarful..."Gene said as he walked out of the room.Paul was 
angry as he slamed the door.Paul knew that if he told Gene how he was 
feeling Gene would think he was crazy.


                           32

   Paul and Sarah boarded the private jet with the rest of the band 
members and some of the crew.Paul held Sarah's hand as he found a 
seat.He let Sarah in first giving her the window seat.She some how 
felt like she was leaving her home as she buckled her seat belt.Even 
thoe this town held not one good memory for her it still felt like it 
was her home.Paul curled his hand around hers as the plane fired up 
its engines and took to the air."Are you doing ok?"Paul asked looking 
over at her with concern."Yes,I'm fine.....I just wonder if there is 
something I'm leaving behind."Sarah said softly.Paul smiled as he 
gave her hand a squeeze."I promise if there anything or anyone you 
remember,I'll send you right back here."Paul said.Sarah nodded as she 
gave him a smile.In the back of Paul's mind he knew that someone 
would be looking for her a mother,a sister, a friend.He had a feeling 
that when the day came to give her up it would be very hard for 
him.Sarah looked around the plane at the rest of the band.Gene and 
Peter were deep in conversation as Ace folded a pillow and leaned 
back in his seat closing his eyes.Some how the rock and roll life 
seemed a little less glamorous then Sarah remembered reading 
about.Paul sighed as he leaned his own seat back."Its going to be 
couple of hours before we land......I think I'll try and catch a 
nap."Paul said.Sarah nodded as she turned to look out the window.Paul 
never let go of her hand as his eyes closed.Sarah watched him 
sleeping next to her his breathing even,his eyelids fluttering every 
so ofton.She smiled slightly as she let her mind drift to what she 
had remembered that morning about the song.If she looked at him maybe 
she would remember something more about her childhood,her parents or 
sisters and brothers.Sarah stared at him,he was so handsome,his dark 
hair just touching his coller.His lips were slightly apart.His free 
hand was laying across his chest.His shirt was unbuttoned at the top 
showing the swirl of dark chest hair.Doc starteled her as he walked 
past and touched her shoulder."Can I get you a soda or something?"Doc 
asked smiling down at her.Sarah shook her head "No thankyou."she 
murmmered.Doc nodded as he continued to walk by.Sarah eased her own 
seat back and lay her head back letting her own eyes close.She felt 
Paul's finger curl slightly around her's in his sleep as she looked 
over at him.He was still sleeping as he said something in a low voice 
in his sleep.Sarah couldent make it out as she looked over at him.She 
shrugged her shoulders and let her own eyes close.


Sarah was in his arms......he was making love to her in his 
dream......she was so beautiful."I love you"she said as they became 
one in his dream......"I love you too....."Paul said as he held her 
close to him.It wasent sex he was dreaming of it was love ,a love he 
had always known but only in his dreams.........Paul heard the ding 
of a bell over his head as his eyes sprang open and the pilots voice 
telling them they were about to land.He looked over at Sarah he was 
still holding her hand,she rubbed her eyes as she gave him a small 
smile.Paul let go of her hand as he sat his seat up."Did you have a 
nice nap?"he asked."Yes....how about you?"she asked shyly.Paul smiled 
at her."It was very nice....."he said as he reached for her hand 
again as the plane touched down.

 
                           33

   Jack sat in front of his sons school waiting for the boys to come 
out.He was used to being a single parent.It had been a month sense 
Sarah had left him.He hadent heard a word from her.She had vanished 
without a trace.What the hell was she doing,you would think she would 
have tried to at least gotten in touch with him by now.Jack lived day 
by day as he waited for a phone call or a letter.The police had given 
up telling him it was a case of his wife leaving him.The bell rang 
and children burst out of the doors of brick building.Jack smiled as 
Jordan and Branden climbed into the back seat."Have a good day?"Jack 
asked as the boys buckled in for the ride home."I have to get back to 
work,but Carols at the house."Jack said as he looked in his rearveiw 
mirror at the boys."Ok Dad."Jordan said as Jack pulled out of the 
parking lot.The boys had stoped asking about there mother weeks 
ago.They seemed to accept the fact that she wasent coming home.Jack 
pulled into the drive way of the house ten minutes later.Carol was 
standing in the yard almost like she was waiting for him.Both boys 
hopped out of the car and called hello to Carol as they walked 
towards the house."Jack......"Carol said as she hurried towards the 
car.Jack alway droped the boys off and rushed back to work,it must be 
importend he thought as he rolled the window all the way down.Carol 
griped the side of the car and knelt down to talk to Jack face to 
face."Sarah's friend Grace called......she was wondering why Sarah 
hadent been answering her e-mails......"Carol said.Jack cleared his 
throat as he griped the steering wheel.Jack had thought that Sarah 
would go to one of her kiss friends if she had left him."The woman 
was really worried....she said that Sarah hadent called any of the 
people on the kiss message board sense the exspo.....Jack did you 
hear me?"Carol asked in a panic.It was so much eaiser to think of 
Sarah being safe somewhare."Jack you should call the police 
again....I really don't think Sarah left you."Carol said.Jack 
nodded "Yes......I'll call them when I get back to my office."Jack 
said as fear and hope griped him all at the same time.


Jack looked at the photo on his desk.He picked it up and studied his 
wife's image.She was smiling at him as if everything in the world was 
right.Jack sat the photo down and reached for the phone and 
dialed."Police department" the voice on the other end of line said as 
Jack held the phone to his ear......


                            34

  Sarah looked around the new hotal room.It was comfortable and 
inviting.She looked out the large window that over looked the 
city.Paul was in the room right across the hall.He had even left her 
a key card in case she needed to get into his room for something.The 
band was at a sound check.....Sarah had declined to go.She got the 
feeling that Gene wasent to pleased at the thought of Sarah hanging 
around while they were working.Sarah rubbed the back of her neck 
trying to work out some of the kinks.She was tired it had been a long 
day.Even thoe Sarah wasent really doing anything she was still tired 
from traveling she could only imagine how Paul and the rest of the 
guys felt.Sarah sighed as she sat down on the couch.She clutched the 
throw pillow to her chest as she sat there thinking about the past 
few weeks.Still nothing had come to her......only that song....it ran 
through her head all the time.It was almost as if it were haunting 
her.Most nights she awoke to find Paul holding her close to him,in 
her bed.Her comfort,her strength was what he had become.He was tender 
and kind to her,they hadent done anything more then kiss,yet he held 
her in his arms everynight as she slept,chasing away her dreams of 
Brian.As hard as she tried to push him from her mind she 
couldent,everytime she felt or saw the scar on her back he would come 
into her mind.Sarah began to sing softly as she rocked back and 
fourth to the tune in her head."Once in a Dream a long time ago....We 
fell in love....."Sarah sang growing a little loader as she 
remembered the song.

Paul stood at the closed door ready to knock.....He cocked his head 
to the side.He could hear her singing.....My God she sang like an 
angel.So soft yet powerful and clear.Paul placed his head aginst the 
door straining to hear her better.She could sing...she sounded like 
she had been singing all of her life.Not only was she singing,but she 
was singing the song he had written for her so long ago.....the song 
from his dreams.Paul knocked softly on the door.He heard her stop 
singing quickly as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

Sarah bit her lips as she looked at the door.He had to have heard me 
she thought as she felt her face flush.Sarah hurried to the door and 
opened it to see Paul standing there smiling at her."Sarah....do you 
think that maybe you might have been a singer?"he asked as he looked 
at her.Sarah hung her head down and stared at the floor."I'm 
sorry...."she said in a shaky voice.Paul knited his brow as he lifted 
her chin up to look at him."Sorry for what? That was beautiful."Paul 
said as he looked into her eyes.Sarah swollowed over the lump that 
was forming in her throat."Do you think so?"Sarah asked in a low 
voice.Paul let out a chuckle."Yes I do!"he said as he held her face 
in his hands.Paul tilted his face bringing himself closer to her 
face.His mouth covered her in a sweet and gental kiss.Whenever there 
lips met it always felt so right for them both.Everytime they pulled 
away Paul always wanted to tell her how much he loved her,he wanted 
to tell her the truth,that he had dreamed of her long ago.


                            35

    Sarah looked into Paul's eyes as there kiss broke.He held her chin 
as he stared into her eyes."How did the sound check go?"she asked 
soflty trying to think of something to say.Paul smiled at her there 
minds werent on the sound check.There minds were on each other,there 
feelings for each other were becoming harder and harder for them to 
fight.They both wanted so much to take it further then the kisses and 
small caresses."It went fine......Sarah....can I get my guiter and 
have you sing a little more?"Paul asked as he let go of her 
chin.Sarah could feel her face flushing at his request."Oh....Paul I 
couldent!"Sarah said as she walked further into the room.Paul 
followed her over to the sofa."Sarah your singing is beautiful!
Please....I'd love to hear how you sound with background music."Paul 
pleaded softly.Sarah could tell that he really did like her 
singing."Paul....I just couldent.....I'm way to shy."she said shaking 
her head.Paul knelt down in front of her and took her 
hand."Sarah....give yourself a chance.....I heard you singing and it 
was amazing."Paul said giving her hand a squeeze.Sarah could tell by 
his dark eyes that he was telling her the truth,he really liked her 
singing.Sarah nodded shyly as Paul's face broke into a wide 
smile."Great....I'll be right back!"he said as he walked to the 
door.Sarah shook her head,what if her voice cracked what if he found 
out he dident like as much as he had thought!she wondered as she 
curled her legs under herself.Paul returned a few minutes later with 
his acustic guiter in hand.Paul ploped down on the sofa next to her 
and quickly tuned the guiter."Ok.....just like before I knocked on 
the door ok?"Paul said as he began to strum the cords of the haunting 
tune.Sarah swollowed over the nervous lump and opened up her 
mouth."My eyes were burning looking back on all of my 
memories......and my mind was dreaming like it does......."Sarah sang 
the song perfectly as if she had been singing the song all her 
life.She ended the song as Paul held his hand down on the still 
vibrating strings."My God!Sarah that was great!!You should make a 
record."Paul said shaking his head.Sarah whinced at how exsited he 
seemed to be.Her face turned crimson at his complament."Oh stop...I'm 
not that good."she said shaking her head."Yes you are.....Sarah your 
very good....."Paul said as he sat his guiter to the side.Paul 
reached across the sofa and gathered her into his arms."Sarah stop 
selling yourself so short......Your beautiful and your voice is so 
clear and sweet....."Paul said as he looked at her.He held her there 
not giving her a chance to look away.Without a thought there lips met 
in a deep kiss.Paul could feel her relaxing in his arms as he held 
her.Her lips warm and sweet aginst his.Stop.....dama it stop....Paul 
could hear a small voice inside his head saying as he let his hands 
roam over her shoulders and back.Sarah was responding to his kiss as 
she ran her hands over his chest....reaching into his shirt to feel 
his warm skin."Ohhhhh....."Paul grouned as he pulled away from there 
kiss.His head was thrown back as she looked at him.Her dark eyes were 
wide as she exsplored his skin boldly,curling her fingers in his 
chest hair."Sarah...oh Sarah."Paul said.Sarah didnet want this stop 
as she let his lips claim hers once more.....How far could they go.....
Guilt flooded into Paul mind. A load knock at the door made them pull 
away from each other.Paul caught his breath as Sarah pulled back 
quickly."Hey curly!ya in there?"Ace's voice yelled through the 
door."Yeah....."Paul said in a shaky voice as he looked at Sarah."I'm 
sorry...."Paul said softly.Sarah nodded as she looked away 
quickly.She hated to see it end as much as he did."I'll be back in a 
second...."Paul said as he got up to answer the door."Hey 
Ace...."Paul said trying not to sound upset."Hey Paul.....Doc wants 
to see us in his room for a meeting."Ace said with a nod."I'll be 
right there."Paul said as Ace turned to walk away.Paul closed the 
door."Sarah....I have to go....I'll be back in a little while."Paul 
said as he walked over to the sofa.Sarah nodded looking up at him as 
he picked up his guiter.He placed a soft kiss on her lips.He lingered 
there looking into her eyes.He was wanting so much to take her back 
into his arms as he strightend up."Bye...."Sarah said softly as she 
watched him walk out the door.


                            36

   "Gene come on....just listen to her....."Paul said as Gene shook 
his head."Paul come on.....she is woman you picked up along the way 
on this tour.If you've fallen in love with her I understand....but 
I'm not going to listen to her sing!"Gene said.Gene had been sitting 
in the dressing room listening to Paul try to convince him to hear 
Sarah sing for the last hour."I'm not in love with her!"Paul said 
defiantly.Ace shook his head as he listened to Gene and Paul talk.The 
whole band and crew knew that Paul had fallen and fallen hard for 
Sarah."Come on Geno!Give her a chance.....maybe she is good."Peter 
said as he pulled on his boots.Gene shook his head."No way....lets 
get our minds back on this....you know the band."Gene said pointing 
around with his finger trying to make his statement."Hey you've 
helped other people in the past with there careers and so have I! Why 
is this so differnt?"Paul asked."Because this is just some chick you 
found....she isent a singer!"Gene said waving his hand at Paul."Ten 
minutes guys!"Doc called as he came into the dressing room."Will talk 
about it later."Paul said as his guiter tec handed him his 
guiter.Gene shook his head as he walked behind Paul."This is 
over.....now lets rock and roll!"Gene said.The four walked down the 
hall to take the stage.Paul looked over at Gene as the curtin fell 
and the announcer said the famous words "You wanted the best...You 
got the best KISS" This wasent over.....Paul was determind that Gene 
was going to hear Sarah sing.


                            37

  Paul knocked on Sarah's door.He knew it was late but he knew she 
wouldent go to sleep until he had returned from the show.He still 
couldent convince her to go to the shows with him."Who is it?"she 
called through the closed door."Its me."Paul said as a smile tugged 
at the corners of his mouth.Paul heard the click of the lock as the 
door swung open.Sarah smiled at him.His hair was still damp from the 
shower he had taken after the show."Hey...."Paul said as he steped 
inside."How was the show?"Sarah asked as she looked away.Paul still 
could bearly get her to look at him.She was so dama shy."It went 
great!There was only one thing missing."he said as they walked to the 
sofa.Sarah looked over at him as he took a seat next to her."You 
werent there......I missed you."Paul said not leting her guess what 
he was missing.Sarah looked at him as a small smile spread across her 
face.Paul reached over and cupped her face in his hands."You know how 
much I love too see that."Paul said as they locked eyes."See 
what?"Sarah asked shyly."You smiling at me......You have a wonderful 
smile......I guess it goes along with your voice."Paul said as he 
leaned in a planted a soft kiss on her jaw line.Sarah could feel the 
chills run down her spine from the feel of his lips on her.He had 
kissed her so many times yet she never tired of it.Her minded drifted 
to this afternoon when he had heard her singing.The way his hands had 
felt on her body after she had finished singing to him.Paul's lips 
lingered on her jaw line as he smelled her scent."I was thinking that 
maybe you should sing a song for Gene and Doc."Paul said as he looked 
up at her.Sarah could feel herself blushimng just at the thought of 
singing in front of Gene and Doc."No.....no way,I could never sing in 
front of them."Sarah said in  a whisper.Sarah pulled away from him to 
look right in his eyes."Sarah.....your really a good singer....you 
have a voice that needs to be shared."Paul said softly as he reached 
out a stroked her cheek."Its to.....oh Paul I just couldent.....what 
if they hate my singing!"Sarah said as she looked away."What if they 
love it!"Paul said with a smile.Sarah shook her head as she thought 
about it."Sarah.....you'll never know if you don't take a 
chance......Please....just one song.....will you do it for me?"Paul 
said never takeing his eyes off of her.Sarah looked at him she could 
tell that he meant what he was saying."Sarah.....your to good of a 
person to sell yourself so short.I've spent a month with you....You 
are so shy.....you seem not to trust anyone.I know you have been 
through hell and all I want to do is help you.Please,Sarah let your 
walls down......let me in,let me help you."Paul said in and even and 
gental voice.Sarah felt tears forming in her eyes."I want to trust 
someone.....Paul I trust you....."Sarah said softly.Paul smiled at 
her as he warpped his arms around her.He held her in his arms 
smoothing her long dark hair."Come on lets go let Gene hear you 
sing...."Paul said as he pulled away to look into her eyes.Sarah 
smiled  as she nodded "Alright.....I'll do it for you...."Sarah said 
as she let him lead her towards the door."Do it for yourself baby,not 
for me."Paul said as he put his arm around her shoulder.


                           38

   Gene sighed he wasent in any mood for this crap.He wanted to find a 
nice woman to spend some time with and then get some sleep before 
they had to leave for the next town on what seemed to be a never 
ending tour.Doc shot Gene a dirty look as he made him self 
comfortable in a chair across from whare Sarah and Paul were sitting 
on the sofa.Sarah looked nervous as Paul tuned his guiter."Are you 
guys ready?"Paul asked as he looked at them.Gene nodded as he sat on 
the arm rest of the chair."Ok.....ready Sarah?"Paul said as he began 
to strum the cords to the song from his solo album.Sarah could feel 
her face growing hot as she cleared her throat.She shook her head and 
looked at the floor."Its ok....We will start again."Paul said 
softly.Gene crossed his arms over his chest trying not to let his 
anger show.Sarah nodded as Paul began to play the tune again.Sarah 
swollowed over the lump in her throat and began to sing."My eyes were 
burning looking back on all of my memories,and my mind was dreaming 
like it does.She wore white and in the night we made 
love........Together I remember together as one......."Sarah sang 
load and clear.Gene's face broke into a slight smile."Yesterday is 
far away so take me out to sea......I'll live in memories......"Sarah 
could see Doc and Gene nodding at each other as she sang.A confidence 
that Sarah had never felt before seemed to come over her as she 
sang."Far away I'll live what never will be.....the drifts begin the 
dream of it sets me free....."Sarah finished the song as Gene and Doc 
both started to clap."Dama.....Sarah you have a set of pipes on 
you!!!"Gene said as he stood up and came over to her.Paul smiled as 
he put his guiter down."See.....I told you guys she could sing!"Paul 
said proudly.Sarah shook her head as she looked down at the floor.She 
wasent used to people saying anything nice to her about anything and 
she wasent sure how she was supposed to react."See Sarah....I told 
you that they would love your voice!"Paul said as he stood up and put 
his arm around Sarah shoulder.Sarah smiled as she looked at him."So 
have you ever thought of a career in music?"Doc asked with a 
wink.Sarah shook her head "I'm not sure...."she said with a slight 
laugh as she wondered if maybe she had thought of a career in music 
once.Gene and Doc seemed to become exsited as they talked to each 
other."Sarah......are you tired?"Paul asked as he gave Sarah's 
shoulder a squeeze."A little....."Sarah said with a nod."Hey guys I'm 
going to take Sarah back to the room....she is a little tired"Paul 
said.Gene and Doc both nodded "Thats a good ideia Sarah you should 
rest your voice....We will talk tomorrow!"Doc said as he gave her 
another a wink."Yes...my dear...rest up so we cane talk about how we 
can use that amazing voice of yours!"Gene said as he kissed the back 
of Sarah's hand.Sarah blushed as Gene let go of her hand."Take care 
of her Paul....."Doc called as Paul and Sarah walked to the door.Paul 
nodded "Don't worry.....I'll look after her."Paul called as he closed 
the door."See....now was that so bad!They loved you."Paul said as 
they walked back to her room."Are you sure Paul.....they may have 
just been trying to be nice."Sarah said shyly.Paul chuckled "You 
don't know much about the music biz! If Doc and Gene dident like you 
they would have thrown you out of the room.Honey you can sing....With 
Doc's help....I think you could be a star."Paul said as they stoped 
in front of Sarah's door."Oh....Paul do you really think so?"Sarah 
asked as she handed him the key card to the door.Paul inserted the 
card and the door swung open."Yes....Sarah...I think you can do 
anything you want too."Paul said softly as they steped inside the 
room.Paul suddnley realized he hadent asked Sarah if she wanted a 
career in mucic.Paul turned to look at her as she closed the 
door."You do want to sing?"Paul asked as she turned around to face 
him.Sarah shrugged her shoulders."I'm not sure......I mean....I'm 
just so shy."She said as she looked at the floor."WE can work on 
that.....I mean,I'm pretty shy myself sometimes....."Paul said.Sarah 
laughed softly."Whats so funny!I'am shy!"Paul said in a teasing voice 
as he came over to her.He grabed her around waist and looked at 
her."Your not shy....Look at the way you get up on stage and 
sing!"Sarah said as she looked into his dark eyes.Paul narrowed his 
eyes."Well maybe I'm not as shy as you are,but there are times that 
I'am shy."Paul said teasing her.Sarah shook her head as she smiled at 
him."I can't imagine you being shy....you always seem to know what to 
say and do."Sarah said as he held her playfully in his arms.Paul 
winked at her as he held her."There are alot of things you don't know 
about me."Paul said his dark eyes danceing as he looked at her.Sarah 
boldly reached up and stroked his cheek."I'd like to learn everything 
about you."she said softly.Paul's face grew serious as he studied her 
face.There were so many things he wanted to tell her about 
himself....she was still trying to find out about herself thoe.In 
Paul's mind he could hear himself saying 'I love you....I've alway 
loved you.'But he held those thoughts to himself....at least for now.


                            39

Carol was in a hurry as she talked to Jack. "Theres left overs in 
the fridge......I'll be back in the morning...Before you leave for 
work.Have a good night."Carol said as she gathered her things to 
leave.Jack was only half listening as he sat down at the kitchen 
table.He was thinking about what the cops had told him."The case is 
closed......they said the best thing for me to do is start looking 
for Sarah on my own......"Jack said staring into space.Carol sat her 
purse down on the counter."Oh.....Jack....maybe the police are 
right....I mean this is a big city."Carol said trying to give Jack 
some comfort."How Carol?I mean the cops are saying that they have her 
classified as a runaway....I thought only kids ranaway."Jack said 
shaking his head.Carol moved to sit down at the kitchen 
table."Jack....call her friend Grace.....maybe she can tell you 
something....her number is on the fridge."Carol said patting his 
hand.Jack nodded "The cops told me that they just don't have the man 
power to look for every woman that takes off.....Maybe I should hire 
a PI...."Jack said as the thought popped into his head.Carol 
nodded "I'll help you find one tomorrow.....maybe we should have 
hired one in first place."Carol said almost angry at herself for not 
thinking of it sooner.Jack nodded as Carol got up to leave."Good 
night Carol.....and thanks"Jack said.Carol nodded as she walked out 
the back door.

Jack held the phone against his shoulder as he looked at the 
number."Yes....is Grace there ,please?"Jack asked when a man answered 
the phone."May I ask who's calling?"the nan asked."Yes.This is Jack 
Moodey....I'm Sarah's husbend."Jack said hopeing the man would let 
him speak to Grace."Hold on a minute...."Jack could hear the man 
shouting for Grace to pick up the phone.Jack needed to know if maybe 
just some how,some way if Sarah had said anything about leaving him 
to her.Jack knew she talked alot to this woman."Hello....I've got it 
Todd hang up."he heard the woman say.Jack heard the soft click of a 
phone being hung up."Hello Grace....this is Jack Moodey....Sarah's 
husbend."Jack said as he sat down on the sofa in the 
den."Jack...please tell me you've heard from Sarah....We are all 
worried about her."Grace said."I was hopeing that you would be the 
one to tell me that you had heard from her....."Jack said in a tired 
voice.Jack could hear a long sigh from the woman on the other end of 
the phone."Jack....the last time I saw Sarah was at the exspo.....I 
was on my way over to say hi to her and then I lost track of her.All 
I did was wave to her from across the room."Grace said sadly.Jack 
felt a small spark of hope."You did see her there then!"Jack 
said."Yes....I saw her but only for a second....then the place got 
crazy.....you know those anti kiss people or what ever they are 
started there crap......then we all kind of got shoved to the back of 
the room and I lost track of her.I figured she would call me the day 
after the exspo.....but she hasent called she isent answering her e-
mails and she hasent been posting on the boards.None of us girls have 
heard from her."Grace said she sounded frantic by the end of her 
speech."I havent heard from Sarah sense the exspo either....she 
dident come home after the exspo...."Jack said in whisper."My 
God....have you filed a missing persons report?"Grace asked in a 
scared voice."Yes....nothing she has just vanished.....I thought 
maybe she had left me.....but I'm starting to wonder if something 
happened to her."Jack said with a heavy sigh.Grace was silent as she 
thought about what Jack had said."Grace.....did Sarah ever say she 
was unhappy....you know that she wanted to leave me?"Jack 
asked."Well....you know how women talk.....She said the normal 
stuff...but I don't think she would ever leave.....not without 
getting in touch with someone....Besides Sarah would never leave 
those boys."Grace said in convicing tone of voice.Jack closed his 
eyes.....he knew that this woman ,this stranger who knew his wife 
very well,was right....Sarah would have taken the boys.


                            40

  Sarah and Paul sat on the floor of the hotal room sharing a late 
dinner after her singing debute.Paul was telling her about the first 
time he was ever been in a recording studio."I dident have a clue 
what I was doing!"Paul said with a chuckle.Sarah smiled at him as he 
spoke."Hell I was only fourteen years old....I wrote the song while I 
was standing there waiting to record."Paul said shaking his head at 
the memory.Sarah nodded "Wow you were young!"Sarah commented as she 
took a bite of her saled."Well...it was a start.....so do you think 
you would like to record something?"Paul asked as he took a sip of 
his wine.Sarah shrugged her shoulders."Paul....I'm not sure....I mean 
what could I record.I don't write songs."Sarah said shyly.Paul nodded 
as he sat his fork down."No you don't,but I do.....I could help you 
write a song."Paul offered.Sarah sighed as she thought for a 
moment,everything was happening so fast."I don't even know if I can 
play an insturment...."Sarah said as she looked away.Paul nodded he 
was pressing her to much....he could feel her pulling away from 
him.It had taken him so long to get her to open up."Sarah.....listen 
if this isent something you want just say so...."Paul said as he 
reached for her hand.Sarah looked up at him studying his face in the 
dim light of the hotal room.His eyes so warm and understanding."Paul 
I don't want to disappoint you or Gene or Doc.....What if I screw it 
all up!"Sarah said softly.Paul smiled at her as he held her hand in 
his "Sarah.....your going to do fine.....Just say the word and we can 
get you into a studio and lay down a few demos......I'll help you 
write a few songs."Paul said.Sarah blushed as she looked 
away."Ok....We can try"she said softly.Paul laughed as he leaned 
closer to her."Baby....with your voice you don't have to try!"Paul 
said as he quickly kissed her lips.Sarah and Paul pulled away from 
there kiss and looked at each other."I should be going..."Paul said 
softly as he looked down at his empty plate.Sarah nodded as she stood 
up.Sarah wanted so badly for him to stay with her.Some nights she 
just wanted him to hold her in his arms.Paul's dark eyes locked with 
her's as he stood there not making a move for the door."Good 
night,Paul."Sarah said as she looked at him.Paul wraped his arms 
around Sarah as his face leaned in for another kiss.A simple good 
night kiss was all Paul meant to give her.His eyes were closed as his 
arms held her close to him.Her soft lips parted slightly as his 
tongue entered her mouth.There kiss was deep and sweet as Paul held 
her close.There kiss broke and he looked at her.His hands cupped her 
face.God all he wanted was right there before him.She was so 
beautiful and sweet.She wasent as scared as she had once been.She was 
getting stroger everyday and so were there feelings for each 
other."Hold me Paul....."Sarah said as she leaned aginst him.Paul 
wraped her into his arms as he closed his eyes."I'll stay with 
you...if you want me too."Paul said softly.Sarah nodded aginst his 
chest."Stay and just hold me.....You make me feel so safe."Sarah 
said.Paul nodded ,safe,she would always be safe as long as he was 
around.