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Michael's Search

By: SW_MO_Hermit



Michael Fielding was a strange duck his peers all agreed. He had manners, a superior intelligence, could think on his feet, analyze a problem and decide on a course of action faster than anyone they knew. He was handsome, fit and had that something that caused men to follow his lead and women to flock to his side. He was the man many other men liked but hated at the same time. Mike was not a bad boy but he had that self confident attitude, that little something that made women decide HE was the one or at least the one for right now. Women flocked to his side and almost begged him to take them to bed—or a car or stock room or anywhere just so long as he took them. Other, lesser mortal men could only grimace and take his rejects.

Michael was not a predator, he was an honorable man but he was a man. Like other young men he wanted, he needed, he searched for sex and hopefully love. He did not move in on other men's women but just by being in the same room with them they seemed to pay their men less attention. Many times he had to gently remind women they were with another man and were paying too much attention to him. He never knowingly "took" or moved in on a woman who was married or in a relationship. In fact a time or two he dropped a woman he was with when he found out she had taken up with him while she was still in a committed relationship. He was once heard to tell a woman who had done this "I believe in fidelity to your partner. I am a one woman man and I expect my woman to be a one man woman. I demand honor, ethics, kindness and consideration from my friends and from my lovers. If it is over, end it then move on but never, never will I accept anyone who is in a relationship and begins dating me while her other man still thinks they are exclusive."

Michael had told the woman that while she was surrounded by her friends. When he left her she was running after him begging him to reconsider. She cried out, "But Mike, I needed to date you first to find out if you were a better choice before I told Jason. You're the one I choose. PLEASE come back."

Mike stopped, turned to her and said, "I'm sorry but I just can't do that. I'm not built that way. When we started dating I understood you were not in a relationship. You lied to me and to your boyfriend. How do I know you won't do the same thing to me? The trust is broken but truthfully, I was beginning to think dating you was a bad idea before I found out about this. You were always too eager to flirt and to run around evenings without me. When I marry I want a woman who wants to spend her life with me, not just live with me and be with me when she can't find anything more interesting to do."

All her friends gathered around her and made comments to each other about how much an asshole Mike was. One wrapped her arms around the crying woman and led her toward the restroom. She said, "Come on Honey. Forget about him. He's just another Navy Asshole. You can do lots better than him. I don't think Kevin knows you've been seeing Mike. I'm sure you can get back with him."

Michael was different in other ways also. While he was not personally rich his family was and he stood to inherit significant wealth in the future. The family expected each young member to stand on their own two feet, to obtain an education, a position, a life, based on their own abilities. That many of the members of the family at least started their working life in the military was a well known and respected fact. The name was known for miles around the small southwest Missouri town they called home. Their family name was also well known in the Army and to a lesser degree in the Navy.

Just the relationship helped the young succeed and for Michael it was no different. What was different for him was the path he chose for success and the criteria he used in selecting his path in life. First off Michael chose the Navy over the Army when he went to college and got his commission through Navy ROTC. He became one of the approximately fifteen percent of his family to go into the Navy instead of the Army. His other criteria for success, for living his life resulted in his career choice. Even before he left active duty in the Navy he became known as a hatchet man, one it did not pay to cross. Like many of his family members he had studied business in college taking a degree in Management. He then was selected for the Supply Corps in the Navy where he further refined his skills. His last Navy posting had been as Supply Department Head on an Aegis Guided Missile Cruiser.

Michael, like many other young men enjoyed the hunt. He was constantly on the lookout for "the one". He had seen many relationships over the years and used his above average brain to analyze them; sifting thoughts through his head until he had his picture of the perfect female, the one he wanted to marry and live his life with. He had watched his family and friend's marriages and romances. In his view his Great Grandfather had a marginally successful relationship. He had seen him and his Great Grandmother together and felt the slight tension. He could see there was only minimal trust. As he aged he found out the reason—his Great Grandmother Ann had cheated and they divorced only to remarry years later. He wondered if that had been wise. He wondered if they had ever had the kind of love he and others wanted.

In Michael's opinion his Father Jeffery and Mother Abigail and his Uncle Charles and Aunt Amanda had the type relationship he wanted. They did not live in each other's pocket but each and every action, each decision any of them made was taken only after considering how it would affect their spouse. They all tried to minimize time away from their spouse and actually seemed unhappy when they were separated for more than a few hours. Their work was more unpleasant because of the enforced separation. Their faces would light up and they would stand straighter even after an exhausting day as soon as they came within sight of their spouse. Touch was important to the two couples; they were demonstrative in their love but NEVER lewd and NEVER made inappropriate public displays. You could see the sexuality, the lust and desire simmering under the surface however. THAT was what Michael was waiting for, what his whole body was crying out for. Oh, sure, he had some short romances and many sexual flings but he had only once come close to finding his match.

CHAPTER 2

Michael Fielding rolled from his bed when the alarm rang. Duty called once again. This day would be a milestone of sorts. It was a Friday and in addition to being a workday it was also the day he would be promoted to full Lieutenant, Supply Corps, USN.

When he threw the covers back on the bed he inadvertently hit the hips of a very beautiful female lying beside him. Tamara moaned and said, "GOD, can't you be a little quieter and more careful in the morning? This is the third time this week you've wakened me getting out of bed."

Mike grinned and leaned down to kiss the tussled head peering over a shoulder at him. "Sorry Honey. I don't mean to but you know I have to get up and to the ship by 0630. I try, I really do." He gazed at the beautiful sight of her bedhead and the gentle swell of her exposed breasts. Her nipples were hard little pebbles and he wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed with her for a morning romp. He knew he didn't have time for that however so gave her one more admiring glance before he got on with his day's business.

Mike stood and then said, "Don't forget, formation is at 1300 today and you need to be there at least by 1130 if you're going to dine with us." He looked worried and continued, "You are still coming aren't you?" He looked at the pout on Tammy's face and read her feelings like she had spoken them. All she really wanted was for him to go away and leave her alone so she could go back to sleep. She habitually stayed up late and slept until nearly noon since she had been laid off from her last job. Her whole attitude screamed at him that she could care less. He wondered why he had thought this time might be different and quietly sighed. He was afraid their relationship was on its last legs.

Tamara sighed and said, "Of course I am dummy. I don't really look forward to all the rigmarole and climbing all over your dirty ship but I will be there for my man's promotion."

Mike frowned at her response. He knew there were many ways for clothing to become soiled on the ship. It probably wouldn't happen to Tam however because she would not be anywhere near the dirtier areas. He had tried in the past to give her a tour and she had declined. Mike knew some of the Navy's traditions were sort of silly but it was expected of a spouse or seriously significant other to be there for his or her sailor at certain functions. They were in port and this was promotion day ergo Tammy should be there for him since they were engaged. He felt once more her reluctance, almost resentment of the required social obligation to be there and it bothered him. Truthfully, in the last two months there had been several instances when he became worried about his relationship with Tamara. 

When they had first met she had been like many other women and had almost rushed to his side. He was prepared to treat her like he did most women; with courtesy and respect but aloofness also. Even at first glance he had categorized Tamara as a party girl, high maintenance. She had been the pursuer for the first couple of months of their relationship. Every time they were in the same place together whether she was with someone or not she made a point of stopping and talking to him, touching him repeatedly to emphasize her points. She was flirty and made a full court press whenever she was able to get near Mike.

As he showered, Mike thought back to the beginning of his and Tamara's relationship. He was comparing his feelings then and now. He stopped soaping his under arm as the thought hit him. Tamara was displaying the same indifference now that he had seen at the party where they had first met. He had seen her enter the Officer's Club with a Lieutenant from the base and remembered how she acted. She had almost immediately begun casting around the room as if looking for someone. When their eyes met he had been mesmerized by her smile and felt his heart lurch when her gaze lingered on him before moving on. He remembered how she had licked her lips as if she could almost taste him.

It had only taken about ten minutes before Tammy had managed to walk near him and once again catch his gaze with hers. She was supposedly on her way to the Ladies room but she had not taken the most direct course. On her return she had once more walked past him, this time gently brushing him as she passed. When they touched she jumped as if in shock and turned to him. Her eyes were round and she stammered out an apology.

Mike grinned and assured her it was no problem. They introduced themselves and she drove the conversation. He had no memory of how long they talked but it must have been some time because her date came looking for her. When he walked up to them his face showed anger. He was not terribly mollified when Tammy explained why they were talking but seemed to accept it. Quickly thereafter he held her arm and guided her away from Mike. Even at the time Mike thought he was rougher than he needed to be.

After that evening Mike found himself thinking about Tammy. He remembered she had said she was there with a friend. She had never indicated the LT was her boyfriend. He remembered how much fun she was to talk to and how beautiful she had been. From time to time while out on the town he had seen her. Sometimes she was with several female friends, sometimes with the LT she had came to the party with, other times with another man. 

A couple of times his friends told him she was asking about him. She wanted to know who he was, where he was from, his education and likes and dislikes. She made it known to his friends she was very interested in Michael. After he did a very little research on his own he decided she had been telling him the truth and she and the LT were just friends. Her girlfriends had told him she dated around and didn't have a steady boyfriend. They told him she was still looking for Mr. Right. Michael made his decision. He would give her a try. She was the most exciting woman he had seen or talked to for several months. The next time they met and talked she laid her hand on his forearm to emphasize a point. Michael felt himself harden. He decided to go for it and asked her for a date. She accepted and they were off.

The romance was hot, exciting and they seemed very well matched for a while. After Tammy agreed to move in with him though it seemed to Mike as if their romance began to sour. He found Tammy moody many evenings. She began to complain they didn't go out enough. She was unhappy with the way their social life was going. She began to run around with her friends alone at night more often. After several months she would receive a phone call and immediately walk from the room to take it. On those instances she talked softly. Mike felt as if since they were now exclusive they should spend the majority of their non work time together. Tammy thought she should be free to bar hop with her single friends two or three nights a week. Now Mike was beginning to wonder if he was seeing a repeat of what had happened when he and Tammy hooked up.

Later that day Mike was called to the Quarterdeck to escort Tammy to the Wardroom where his promotion was to take place. She seemed underwhelmed and was extremely careful not to soil her short thin summer dress. Mike was disappointed in her attire. When she stood in front of the sun her dress was translucent. She looked as if she was trolling for a man instead of celebrating her man's promotion. Her dress was totally inappropriate for this type ceremony and Mike made a mental note to tell her when they got home. He would have to talk to her about the proper way for Officer's women to dress.

After the ceremony there were hors d'oeuvres and non alcoholic drinks. There had been three officers promoted this day so the small reception continued for a couple of hours. The wardroom was very crowded. To Mike's chagrin Tamara spent a lot more time than he thought appropriate visiting with his brother officers. She spent a minimal amount of time with the women and married officers and the majority of her time flirting with unmarried ones. She seemed especially interested in the Chief Engineer (CHENG) who was a Lieutenant Commander. Mike was once again reminded of the day he met Tammy. He found himself moving to her and demanding she accompany him away to visit with his friends and the married folks in a different part of the wardroom. Tammy gave him a frown and he saw the Chief Engineer smirk as they departed the area he and Tammy had been in.

Three days later the engagement came to an end. Tammy was supposed to be with her friends from work once again. Supposedly they were going to a baby shower. He decided since Tammy was not going to be home he would stop at one of the local clubs for a drink and meal. His brother officers kept raving about the food served and the reasonable prices. Since he had not felt like going home, cooking and eating alone Mike went out of his way to try the place. He intended to take Tammy there if it was as good as he had been told.

Mike was sitting at the bar eating his admittedly very good meal when he heard Tammy's unmistakable giggle then her voice was raised in that playful way of talking she had. Mike turned from the bar and his meal to search out the sound. He finally saw Tammy, the Chief Engineer and one of the other Surface Warfare officers and his girlfriend in a dark booth in the rear corner of the building. Tammy was leaning on the Chief Engineer looking up at his face with a look of adoration as she fed him an appetizer.

Michael felt an instant surge of anger and stood without thinking. He had taken two steps toward the two couples intending to hit the Chief Engineer when reason returned. His situation was not the same as it would have been in civilian life. There if he fought in a bar he might be prosecuted and fined or given a suspended sentence. If he fought with the Chief Engineer who was a Lieutenant Commander he would be sent to prison and kicked out of the Navy for striking a superior officer and perhaps for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman.

Mike stopped and took a picture instead with his cell phone. Over the course of the evening Mike made several more pictures, some of which were very lewd. The Chief Engineer actually took Tammy to his car and screwed her in the back seat like a teenager. Mike got some pictures of that. Unfortunately, the flash of the camera alerted the couple and he barely made his getaway. He was not sure if he had been recognized or not.

Mike barely made it home before Tammy. He had just gotten into the shower when she rushed in. "Honey I'm home. Where are you," she caroled as she came into the bedroom. 

Mike stuck his head out of the shower and said, "Where do you think I am Tam? Surely you can hear the shower cant you? You're home pretty late aren't you?"

Tammy looked guilty and stammered, "Uh, yeah I suppose. We just got to talking and having such a good time we all lost track of the hour. I'm sorry honey. We got to drinking and partying and before we knew it we were late."

Mike said nothing more, just pulled his head back into the shower and finished. As he walked toward the bed he said, "Well, it's late and I have duty tomorrow. I have to be in earlier than usual and I need to sleep. We'll talk more Wednesday when I get home."

Tammy sighed to herself and rapidly walked into the master bath. She was sure if it had been Mike or one of his friends watching her and Charlie that he would have been angry and yelling when she came home. She was going to have to be more careful in the future. She didn't want to mess up with Mike until she was sure she had Charlie convinced he wanted her. She might even marry him if he asked. She had been scared she would have to settle for a mere LT. Charlie was the most senior officer she had been able to snag in almost two years of trying. She would have ignored Mike except her research had turned up his connection to several senior officers. She had also gotten a hint that his family had money so she had made her play for Mike. She was now glad she had gone to Mike's promotion when the Chief Engineer had begun flirting with her. He would be a much better catch if she could snag him.

Tammy washed her pussy especially well in case Mike tried to screw her. She had no intention of letting him but if he played with her she wanted to be as safe as she could be, as sure as possible he would not find Charlie's spend in her. While she was washing herself she smiled and caught herself gently rubbing her clit. Her hips were undulating gently as she remembered her evening. GOD it was sooooo exciting when she found and enticed a new man into her pussy. Doing it in the parking lot with a man Mike knew was just icing on the cake.

The next morning Mike was especially careful not to wake Tammy when he left. He had his phone and the USB cord for it. He had already come up with a plan to exact his revenge on the Commander and Tammy. All it needed was a little bit of luck. The Navy was 'Hell on Wheels' serious about Sexual Harassment, Adultery and other types of improper sexual conduct. Items such as that had been codified in the Uniform Code of Military Justice for years and years but poorly enforced. For the last several years however, the military had been more careful about enforcing those regulations. In spite of his anger and hurt Mike caught himself smiling when he thought of his plan.

At first he was just going to ask to speak with the Executive Officer then lay out what he had discovered. He knew that would work and solve his problem. In fact, that was the proper way to do things but Mike wanted more revenge than that would entail. He knew his plan was not as ethical but he decided this once he was going to be a little unethical. He was hurt too much to do otherwise.


Michael's Search



Late on his duty day the opportunity to place his plan in motion was given. He had to make a run to the Supply Depot on base. Mike detoured across post and parked in the BOQ parking lot. He reached under the seat of the government sedan he was driving and pulled his old computer out. He had placed it there earlier that morning when he had ducked out into the parking lot supposedly to get something from his truck. Quickly he opened an e-mail account he had established on Yahoo.com for this purpose. Of course the entire account was bogus, fake name, fake address etc. He prepared a message, attached the pictures he had taken Monday evening and sent it on its way. The message went to the Captain, Executive Officer, Mike's shipboard account, Tammy and to four offices on base, the Base Commander, Commander of his Ships Task Force and their Executive Officers. The message was simple. It merely said, "I find it disgusting and extremely inappropriate that a Naval Officer can sink to this level. I know for a fact the little 'Lady' getting his inappropriate attention is engaged to another junior Officer. See the attached photos to see what I mean."

Within three minutes Mike was finished and rushed to his meeting arriving on time. His detour had only taken 9 minutes and he felt safe in taking that short amount of extra time. If it was even suspected he had sent the message the time he logged off the Quarter Deck and into the Supply Center should be close enough together he would be safe. Of course his whole plan would have fallen through had he been caught speeding. He could only pray no one had gotten his plate number and turned him in because he had been doing 50 MPH in a 30 MPH zone for several blocks through a residential district. He had taken the care to mostly obscure the plates on the government vehicle he had driven for the trip.

Later that evening Mike opened his e-mail account and 'found' the pictures. He immediately called the XO (Executive Officer) and reported the 'find'. He had not even had to fake his anger when he unloaded on him. It was with difficulty that Mike curbed his temper when the XO ordered him to calm down and speak more respectfully to him and about the Chief Engineer (CHENG).

Within 45 minutes the XO had returned to the ship and opened his e-mail. After he saw the pictures he called the Captain and CHENG. These two officers came to the ship also, arriving about an hour later. All met in the Captain's cabin. When he entered with the XO Mike felt his lips tighten and he snarled at CHENG, "You Bastard! I ought to"

The XO grabbed his arm and yelled, "Lieutenant! That's enough! Control yourself or I'll have YOU on report." 

After he had seen the e-mail pictures the Captain asked several questions to get preliminary information on the incident. Since the pictures were very plain and he could not deny the event the CHENG admitted to having carnal knowledge with Mike's fiancée. He glanced at Mike once more and smirked. After his questioning the Captain sent CHENG and Mike away and ordered them to stay away from each other. He further ordered CHENG to stay away from Tammy and not contact her in any way.

Three days later the Task Group Commander approved a Court Martial for CHENG based on the Captain's recommendation. He was being brought up on charges of Conduct Unbecoming an Officer as well as Moral Turpitude. Even if he beat the charges his career was, for all intents and purposes over. He was relieved of duty pending the action. 

Wednesday after he returned home Mike broke the engagement and told Tammy to leave his condo. She had tried to argue against that but had no success. Mike was adamant, he could never forgive and forget disloyalty and infidelity.

For the next year Mike merely did his duty, went home and studied. After Tammy and he broke up he decided to work on his Masters Degree so enrolled in classes. A little over a year later Mike was awarded an MBA. Four months after receiving his degree he was separated from active duty in the Navy and transferred to the Navy Reserve. He returned home to Steelville, MO and the rest of his lonely life.

CHAPTER 3

When he arrived back home Michael built a small cabin on some family land. He was deeded five acres on the river near his parent's home. He did most of the work on the cabin himself. It was 25 by 35 feet and had a large bedroom and bath suite with combined kitchen living and dining area. He installed a small wood stove for auxiliary heat. His cabin was on a rise above the river. He could sit on the deck and watch the river flow past. There was a very nice, deep tree shaded hole in which he swam. He did build a three car garage attached to the cabin by a glassed in breezeway that included a shop area.

After his home was completed Mike began looking for work. He had a standing offer to work for the family but he was not sure he wanted to do that. One day his father, Grandfather and Uncle came to his cabin with an offer he accepted. One of the family businesses was losing profitability rapidly. Things looked fine on paper but there were constant inventory problems and quality problems with the finished product. Jeff explained the problem as he saw it then said, "We would like you to take a job in the manufacturing area of the plant and see if you can figure out where the problems are. Take as much time as you need but the sooner you complete the investigation the better. Right now we are just barely profitable and we stand to lose some major contracts if we don't get quality up."

Mike left the next day and travelled to the plant. He rented a small inexpensive apartment then went to the plant to apply for work. The job had already been set up for him and the application was just a formality but he had to make it. The personnel manager had been told by one of the managers outside the factory to hire him because the manager owed an old friend a favor. He told the Personnel Manager Mike was the son of an old friend who he owed.

When Mike arrived at the factory he was not met with friendliness. The Personnel Manager made it known immediately he was not welcome. Mike was hired, filled out the necessary documents as Mike Field. He was then rushed to the factory floor where he was given the job of "gofer". He ran for parts, cleaned, stacked parts and generally was given every unpleasant job his supervisors could think up.

As the days went by Mike could be seen nearly everywhere on the production floor, the warehouse area and the shipping docks. He was always working and always complaining about how he was being mistreated. Some of the other employees began to talk to him, to even befriend him. Even they could see Mike was being dumped on. All throughout his day Mike kept his eyes and ears open. He watched and made notes of those employees who were sloughing off. He watched the managers and supervisory personnel as they did their jobs. Soon a pattern became apparent. There were some employees who just did not have the knowledge or desire to do their work. They were careless and made mistakes. They produced subpar products. Mike took names.

As he wandered around the plant Mike would naturally visit with other employees as did everyone else. One of the female clerks who kept records in the warehouse was especially helpful. After Michelle became comfortable with Mike they began to talk about more than the weather. One day Mike found Michelle sitting at her station with tears in her eyes. He stopped and asked, "What's the matter Michelle?"

Michelle bit her lower lip and the tears ran harder down her cheeks. She just shook her head 'no' and turned from Mike. He felt a pulling in his chest and walked up to her. He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks and without thinking he pulled her to his well muscled chest. Michelle was quietly shaking and sobbing. Finally she got control of herself and pushed Mike away. She looked up at Mike and tried to smile but couldn't. Her eyes looked haunted and she whispered, "Thanks Mike. I'm sorry you caught me doing that. I just...I'm having trouble making my counts balance again. Every day this week I've been off on product and shipping numbers. A lot of times it takes me a couple of days to balance when this happens."

Mike looked at her strangely and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't know what I do but it seems like I get crazy or something and my numbers don't balance like they should. I know I'm better than that but for the last year every few weeks I just seem to lose it and screw up the totals. I seem to get over counts on product or undercounts on sales or something. Then when I go back sometimes for the third or fourth time I find I have the right numbers but for some reason I entered the data wrong in the computer. If I didn't know better I would think someone was fucking with me." Her eyes got big and her mouth dropped open and she continued, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that word."

Mike smiled and said, "No problem Shelly. I've heard it before and said it myself too."

"Yeah but ladies shouldn't use language like that and I'm sorry."

While Mike was listening to Michelle his mind was racing. He wondered if this discrepancy could account for the missing raw material inventory and completed product inventory? What if the original completed product sheets Michelle saw were right and someone changed the numbers lower then replaced the correct documents with altered ones showing lower production. They would then have completed product to sell elsewhere like they did the returns. He was preoccupied as he said, "Well, I gotta go before we both get in trouble for loafing. Catch ya later."

Mike also found that products were shipped to certain customers where they would be tested and the entire shipment returned as being subpar. When it returned it was segregated in the warehouse and later that evening a warehouse manager and the senior floor supervisor would sort through it. They separated the shipment into two piles. One pile went into another box and was loaded into the warehouse manager's panel truck after all other employees left. There would be an entry going to accounting showing the rejected products were sold for scrap for pennies on the dollar. The warehouse manager and the floor supervisor then resold the good products for full wholesale price and split the profits. The actual defective parts were legitimately sold for scrap with the income being placed in the company bank account showing an actual sale from a reputable salvage yard documented by their purchase order. He did find it strange that the weight shown was always obscured and the amounts did not usually tally up to the amount he felt should have been paid for material.

Mike reported to his family and they had outside investigators follow the shipments after they left the Warehouse Manager's hands. The investigation had been going on three months by this time. Mike was almost ready to act but he wanted to check out Michelle's problem first.

Mike hid a camera in the warehouse rafters and trained it on Michelle's desk. Several days after she had alerted him to the discrepancy in her records he hit the jackpot. The floor supervisor walked up to her desk and began searching through her pending work. He quickly found a document and removed it from the pile. He substituted one he had been carrying and quickly left. Mike had taken several pictures as he did that. He also got pictures of the warehouse manager loading two cases of 24 automotive alternators into his panel truck before he left that evening.

The next day mid morning Mike once again walked up to Michelle's desk to find she was upset again. "What's wrong this time Shelly," he asked.

"My damn count is off again. The freaking computer records are 48 units off from the paper documentation. I just don't understand it. I KNOW I balanced yesterday but when I matched shipments of completed product, warehouse stock, shipped stock and manufactured product added I came up 48 alternators off for yesterday. I found the paper production report the floor supervisor left and the production number is smudged to where I could barely read it. I know it was clear when I put it in my in basket last night before I left. Mike I'm beginning to think someone is either screwing with my head or..." 

Michelle got a shocked look on her face and said, "Oh my gosh. I wonder...NO they wouldn't do that would they?"

"What?"

"Mike what if the numbers are being changed and some of the alternators are being stolen?"

Mike felt his stomach lurch. He wasn't sure what to do now. He and Michelle had become very close friends over the last several weeks but did he trust her not to blow his cover? What could he do about her conclusion? He looked as skeptical as he could and said, "Oh, come on Michelle. Who would want to do something like that? You can't really believe that can you?"

"Yeah, I think I do. I'm going to tell... Oh, heck who can I tell? I don't know who's in on it if that is what is going on. I could tell the wrong person and ruin things. Oh crap. Now I don't know what to do."

"Well, let's think about this a day or two and see if we can come up with something before you do it. If someone's stealing alternators and falsifying records you could get hurt and I wouldn't want that."

"I don't care. This isn't right and this company gave me a job when I got out of college. I was desperate. I couldn't find anything and finally I talked the Personnel Manager into trying me in this job even though I was over qualified for it. My degree was in Business Administration and I thought if I did well here I might move up in the company so I took the job. Guess that isn't going to happen now though. I'll probably get canned for this. I've been down here while this went on under my nose and all I did was change my numbers to match the false ones." She smiled a sick smile and continued, "I guess I wasn't as smart as I thought I was but we have to tell someone about this now even if it does cost me my job."

"Well, promise me you'll wait a couple of days and I'll try to come up with something for you."

Michelle looked at Mike strangely and said, "Mike what do you mean? You know we've talked a lot over the last several weeks and you just don't seem like you belong in this job. You're smart and you don't talk like someone who would do the kind of work you're doing. Sometimes you sound like an uneducated hick then when we are talking about other things you sound like a very educated person. Now you tell me to not report this and you'll come up with something for me? Mike are you hiding something from me? You're not really a 'gofer' are you?"

Mike became even more worried after Michelle said that. He knew from the look in her eyes that he had given even more away with his change in expression. He didn't know how to handle this now for sure. Michelle was staring at him. Her face had a serious, hard look he had never seen her show before.

"Ok Mike. I don't know why but I'll wait a few days before I say anything about this. You'd better not be putting me on though. For some reason I feel like I can trust you but I won't wait forever so you can come up with something either. This is costing the company money it can't afford to lose. I hired on to do my best for this company and I intend to do that. I promised to do the best job I could for the pay and I intend to do that too. If I find out you're messing with me..." 

Mike raised his hands shoulder height and interrupted Michelle. He said, "Whoa there girl. We're friends and I promise I'm not messing you around. I NEVER mess with my friends and I always try to do what is right. I just don't want you to get in trouble. Just give me a day or two to see if I can come up with a good idea for you. Ya know, like maybe just an anonymous tip or something. Just let me think about it a while Shelly."

Mike and Shelly talked a while longer then he wandered off. He moved slowly as did most of the other employees taking as long as he could to do his work, not a care in the world. When he turned a corner he looked back and Michelle was still watching him with a quizzical look on her face. 

That evening Mike contacted his family, the corporate attorney and the investigators. They all agreed to meet and discuss his new problem with Michelle. The next morning Mike called in sick and they all met at the attorney's office. At the meeting they decided they had enough to go on to bring in the police. Mike and the Attorney went to the local prosecuting attorney's office with documentation of the fraud and theft going on in the plant. After he looked it over the prosecutor agreed they had a case and thanked them for tying it up so nicely for him.

The prosecutor asked Mike hold off on doing anything at the company until he could get a force together to arrest the men Mike had identified as being involved in the fraud and theft. Mike and the company attorney returned to the attorney's office where they once more met with family representatives of the company. Mike was given letters authorizing him to take over as Plant Manager any time at his discretion.

The next day Mike returned to work as usual. It was difficult for him to maintain his normal work patterns. On his first trip past Michelle's desk he stopped to visit as he usually did. Michelle looked at him and said, "Mike what's the matter? You look tired and upset somehow."

"Yeah, I guess I am. I had to take yesterday off because I didn't feel well but I didn't get much better overnight. I've been worrying about your problem too and not sleeping for thinking about it." Mike started to move on then turned back to Michelle and said, "Hey Michelle I've been thinking about what we talked about. Would you like to go out for supper with me tonight so we can visit more?" He looked around as if he wanted to be sure no one was listening and continued, "You know, about what we want to do, ya know just to see where we're going?"

Michelle frowned and looked at Mike for a moment. She wasn't sure what he was asking her. Was he asking her out on a date or did he want to talk about her problem? She liked Mike and trusted him somewhat but even after nearly six months she wasn't sure she knew the real Mike. Finally she said, "I guess I can. What were you thinking about?"

Mike smiled and said, "Oh, I don't know, just a nice meal and somewhere quiet where we can talk and maybe, (he saw the floor supervisor watching them closely and continued speaking a little louder) well, get to know each other a little better?"

Michelle was surprised at the way Mike worded the request then she, too, caught a glimpse of the Supervisor and went with the flow. She forced a smile and said, "Ok. That sounds fine."

The couple rapidly settled on a time and Michelle gave Mike her address so he could pick her up. As he was finishing the Supervisor walked up to them and said, "What's going on here? I pay you two to work, not stand around flirting and making dates. Get back to work before I have to do something you'll both regret."

That evening Mike picked Michelle up as planned. She was dressed nicely but not ostentatiously. When Mike arrived he was in dress slacks and sport coat. Michelle looked at him strangely. It was obvious Mike had spent several dollars on his clothes. She was sure the clothes cost more than a minimum wage worker would spend on them. Mike's vehicle was a nearly new smaller SUV and again was just slightly more costly than she thought he could afford on his salary.

Mike took her to an Olive Garden for supper and she relaxed somewhat. She felt like that would be the top end of what he could afford on his salary. Then she was shocked when he ordered a higher priced bottle of wine to go with their meal. Finally she said, "Mike what are you doing? You can't afford all this on your salary. You don't have to do this."




Michael's Search



Mike smiled and said, "I know I don't have to do this but I want to. I save a little along so I can splurge from time to time and I wanted to splurge with you tonight." They visited until after the meal was finished and Michelle was beginning to wonder if Mike had intended this to be a date or what was going on. She became even more worried when he ordered dessert and coffee. 

After the waitress left with that order Mike reached for her hands and held them while he looked into her eyes. "I guess we need to talk about your problem now. I have a couple of ideas for you but I really don't want to ruin the evening with business. I've really enjoyed tonight and don't want to spoil it thinking about work.

"Shelly I think I may have an idea on what to do. Why don't you make copies of all the inventory papers that come through your desk for a while then when the next discrepancy occurs copy the changed papers too. When that happens we can take the copies to the Plant Manager and tell him what we found. We could even mail them to him anonymously."

"I guess I can do that but he'll know who had to send them if we just mail them. I mean I would be the logical person you know." Of course Mike didn't care about that because he planned on stepping in and 'dropping the hammer' before Michelle got in trouble for sending the copies. This was just the best he could come up with to keep her from reporting things before he was ready.

"I know but if you do that and keep copies for yourself too if you get in trouble you can find out who Pennington's boss is and go to him." Finally Michelle agreed to do what Mike suggested.

It was almost two weeks later when Michelle once again found a discrepancy in her numbers. She told Mike and also told him she had been making copies like he suggested. Mike smiled to himself when she told him that because he and the police were ready to move in. They had finished their preliminary investigation two days before. Warrants for the arrest of 7 people had been issued by the courts. They had decided to make the arrests before the weekend. Mike convinced Michelle to wait until the next day to report to the Plant Manager. He even convinced her to let him go with her when she made the report.

The next morning just after work began Mike, the company attorney, the Prosecuting Attorney and a task force of police descended on the company. Mike led them straight to the shop floor where he pointed out the men who were to be apprehended. Within minutes they were in custody and Mike and the attorney made their way to the Plant Manager's office. They found the Manager and his assistant already in his office. They walked into the office without knocking. They had heard the assistant telling the manager what was going on out in the shop. 

When the two men walked into the office the Plant Manager turned his wrath on them. "Who the hell are you and what is the idea of just walking into my office like you own the damn place?" The Plant Manager looked more closely at Mike and said, "Hell, I know you. You're that damn dumb Gofer old man Fielding made us hire. What are you doing running around here like you own the place? You're fired. Now get out of here."

Mike looked at the attorney and said, "Tell George to stand by. It looks like we may need him here too." He turned back to the spluttering Manager and continued, "I am Michael Fielding and I DO own the place, or at least my family does. I've been here now over five months investigating the problems at this plant. Problems you should have found and rectified."

The manager blanched and began to splutter when Mike walked up to his desk. His assistant also turned white then red when Mike handed the Manager a copy of his authority to take over then continued, "This is a letter appointing me Plant Manager. If you had been doing your job instead of just sitting up here collecting your salary I wouldn't have to be here. Until a week ago I thought I might be able to keep you here in some capacity. After I went through some of your files the last several days and listened to some of the recordings I made of your meetings I have decided you are too incompetent to keep on. We can't prove you are involved in the theft going on at this plant; at least we can't prove it now but your lack of oversight, your failure to identify the problem and solve it is almost criminal by itself. I've decided you are too incompetent to keep on in any capacity."

The manager was just sitting there in shock. His mouth opened then closed. He looked around with a sick, haunted look then slumped in his chair a defeated man. Mike raised his voice and said, "George I think you need to come in here and assist Mr. Pennington. Help him pack his personal belongings. Personnel will be up shortly with his severance papers. After he has been out processed please escort him home and return with the company car he has been using."

One of Mike's security team walked into the room. He was very large and very black. He looked at Mike quickly then stood staring at Mr. Pennington. "Yes Sir. I can do that."

"I knew you could. When you get back please look me up. I may have more for you to do."

"Yessir."

Mike looked at Josie Sloan, Pennington's assistant. She was standing in shock. Her face was white. She looked scared, beaten. Mike frowned and said, "Ms. Sloan why don't we go to your desk while George takes care of Mr. Pennington. I need to begin going over correspondence and records I didn't have access to before."

After he had been there for almost three hours Mike pushed his way back from the desk he was using. He had been watching a frantic Josie scuttle around trying to find papers as he asked for them. Many times she could not find the paperwork and or could not answer questions he put to her that had a direct bearing on her job. She had tears running down her cheeks as she struggled with his requests. She was nervous and scared and it showed.

Mike sat back in his chair and watched her for a moment then he said gently, sorrowfully, "You have no idea what to do or what has been going on here do you Josie?"

Josie slumped down into her chair and began crying. She shook her head no.

"How did you get this job Josie? You don't appear to have either the education or the capability to do the work. Who was doing this job?"

Josie continued crying as she talked, "I've only been here less than a year sir. I've been trying but..." She took a deep breath and continued, "I'm Alfred's Sister in Law. When my husband lost his job Alfred hired me to help him here. He said all I had to do was answer the phone and keep appointment lists for him. If we needed anything else done we had one of the other secretaries do it. I typed some of his letters and filed some things but I guess I didn't do much more than that. I'm sorry sir."

Mike leaned back in the chair once more and sighed. "Is your husband working now?"

Josie shook her head no.

"Well I'm sure you know I can't let you stay on as my assistant. Frankly you don't seem to have the education to even work as a secretary. I really don't know what to do with you. Why don't you go home for the day while I try to figure out what to do about all this?"

"Yes Sir."

"Wait. Before you go I need you to go to the warehouse and find Michelle Howerton. Tell her to report immediately to the Plant Manager's office but DO NOT tell her my name or that I am here. You got that?"

Josie nodded her head 'yes' and departed. Just before she left the room Mike said, "Josie. I'll see you back here tomorrow morning at your regular time OK?"

Josie stopped for a moment and looked over her shoulder. She quietly said, "Yes Sir" then continued on her errand. 

When Josie found Michelle she was working at her desk. Most of the employees on the floor and in the warehouse were working slowly if at all. Many were just standing around talking about the arrests. No one seemed to know Mr. Pennington had been fired. 

When Josie told Michelle to report to the Manager's office she said, "What? Why does he need me?" She became scared. "He doesn't think I had anything to do with the mess down here does he?"

Josie shook her head no and said, "I don't know. All I know was I was told to find you and tell you to go to the Plant Manager's office immediately."

Michelle sighed and shut down her computer. She stacked her paperwork neatly on her desk. She moved rapidly but hesitantly toward the administration section of the building. Her fear was building rapidly as she walked. She felt many eyes on her as she walked past people toward the Plant Manager's office suite. When she arrived she saw Josie had not returned yet. She wasn't sure what to do. Should she wait or should she knock on the closed door to the inner office? Why was she here? Were they going to fire her, or worse, were they going to arrest her too?

Finally Michelle decided to knock on the door. When she did she heard a familiar voice say, "Come in." She hesitated a moment. The voice sounded like Mike's but that couldn't be; could it?

Michelle pushed the door open then looked up at the desk. She stopped in shock when she saw Mike sitting behind the desk in an expensive looking suit. She then glanced at the name plate on the desk. It said Michael Fielding. Michelle felt her face heat up as she remembered all she had told Mike over the past several months. Now she was sure she was going to be fired.

Mike couldn't help it. He had to tweak her a little. He smiled and said, "Well Michelle you look surprised for some reason. Is something wrong?"

"Yes! Unh NO."

"You know you caused me a lot of problems the other night. Did you ever think you might be too smart for your own good? I had to make some decisions and we had to take some actions a little faster than I had intended to because of you. Now I'm afraid it's going to cost you."

"NO! Please Mike, uh Mr. Fielding. Don't fire me. I explained it wasn't my fault. I told you I thought someone was messing with the numbers. PLEASE!"

Mike began laughing and Michelle felt herself become angry. She started to talk once more when Mike raised his hand and said, "Whoa there Shelly. I never said anything about firing you but this DID cost you your job. I can't have someone like you working at a piddling little job like Inventory Control Clerk when they are as sharp as you. I had to fire Alfred today and I'm afraid I have to find a new Administrative Assistant now too. It seems Alfred hired his Sister in Law as his assistant and she has absolutely no idea of what to do. She's been in the job almost a year and still has no idea what to do or how to do it. I need a new Administrative Assistant and I'm afraid that's going to be you."

Mike looked at the shocked expression on Michelle's face then continued, "Well, that is if you want the job. I'm afraid it doesn't pay much right now but I'm sure it will pay more than you were making."

Michelle slowly sank into one of the chairs facing Mike's desk. Her mouth was slightly open and her eyes were big. She slowly nodded her head 'yes' then seemed to find her voice. She said, "Yes. I think I'd like to try that but I'm not sure I know what to do either."

"I think you'll do fine Shelly. Now, let's get down to business. First off, what do you know about Josie? I found out her husband isn't working and she needs desperately to keep working. I told her she couldn't do this job. Do you think she could do yours or is there something else in the plant she can do. I hate to just fire her if I can help it. It isn't her fault she was hired for something she was incompetent to do."

"I really don't know her too well at all Mike, uh Mr. Fielding. I've"

"Hold on their Shelly. I've been Mike to you for months and that's what I want to be. Call me Mike unless we're in a business meeting please. Then Mr. Fielding is ok. Now, what were you about to say about Josie?"

"Well, I really don't have any knowledge about her. I have spoke to her occasionally in the lunch room and I have listened to her talking there too. I don't think she has any education past high school and I got the impression she didn't do well there. She might do ok in the warehouse but I'm not sure about my job."

"Well why don't you take her down to your old workstation tomorrow and spend the day showing her what she needs to do. If she can do that job it will be easier on her than warehouse work. She doesn't look too strong to me. Besides, I think it pays a little better than she would get on the floor."

Michelle smiled at Mike and said, "OK. You know you're really a good buy aren't you? You didn't have to do that for her."

The next morning Michelle did take Josie to her desk. To her surprise Josie seemed to catch on to the requirements better than she expected. She spent the morning with her showing her what to do and made arrangements to drop by just before closing that evening to help if needed. For the rest of the week Michelle dropped by a couple times a day to check on Josie. She found very few problems and only had to correct Josie twice for a repeat error.

On Friday evening just before he left Michelle knocked on Mike's door. She entered when he told her to. "Mike how did you know Josie could do my old job?"

Mike looked at her and said, "Well, I really wasn't sure if she could or not but I wanted to give her a chance. I take it from this that she's doing ok?"

"Yeah she is. I was actually surprised. The first morning while I was trying to teach her what to do and how to do it I was sure she would be either fired or out on the floor by now. She tried to take notes and her writing is horrible, her spelling worse. I couldn't even read some of what she wrote and she asked the same question over and over. I finally just had to stand with her and tell her over and over what to do as each item came in. I've gone down two or three times a day to check on her. Each time I go down I find fewer errors so yes; I think she may work out."

"OK. Let's leave things like they are for another week. If she's still doing ok next Friday we'll drop our checks for the next week to see if she can work completely on her own. Tell her to call you if she gets into trouble then we'll do spot checks for the rest of the month."

After Josie had been in her job for a little over three weeks Mike walked past her desk while he was going through the plant checking on things. He did his walk around routinely but this was the closest he had ever come to Josie's work area. She watched him come up to her with fear on her face. She turned white when he said, "Hello Josie."

"Hello Mr. Fielding."

"Josie Ms. Howerton tells me you're doing a fine job here in inventory control. How do you like your new job now that you've learned it?"

"She does? OH! I'm sorry Sir. I like it fine."

Mike smiled and said, "Great. Glad to hear that. Just keep up the good work." He began to walk away to visit with someone else when Josie said, "Mr. Fielding."

Mike turned back to her and saw her wringing her hands. She blushed and said, "Mr. Fielding I never thanked you for keeping me on. I don't know what my husband and I would have done if I had lost my job too. You know I don't have much schooling and most of the jobs I could have gotten wouldn't have paid minimum wage even if someone had hired me. We're grateful Sir and if I can ever do something for you I will."

"Your husband is still out of work then?"

Josie nodded her head yes.

"What kind of work did her do Josie?"

"Well Mr. Fielding he was just like me. He just barely got through high school. He mostly did unskilled work. He did some construction and warehouse work and I mostly did waitress work. His last job he got promoted to forklift driver but then he got laid off."

"Josie we still have a few jobs we haven't filled after we fired the bad apples. Has he applied for work here?"

"Yes Sir, he has but they haven't called him or nothing."

"OK. Well, I'd better move on. See ya later."

When Mike got back to his office he called the Human Resources Manager. "Hey slick. This is Mike Fielding. Say, do we still have any unskilled jobs to fill in the warehouse?"

"Yes Sir we do. I have two left but I wouldn't call them really unskilled. We need a forklift driver and a loading dock foreman. I have one applicant I think may make a good foreman but I'm sort of stuck on the forklift operator. I have tried one guy off the street and he didn't last a week. We've been letting some of the parts pullers do the work as an additional duty but none of them want to do it full time."

"Check in the applicant files and see if you find an application from Seth Sloan please."

"Sure, just a moment." Mike heard some rustling and a drawer slamming closed. "Yeah, I have it Mr. Fielding. Jesus. Is this guy for real? I can hardly read his writing and I think every word is misspelled."

"Bring it up to my office would you please. Let's see what we have there."

Mike and the HR Director spent almost thirty minutes trying to decipher the application. They found where Seth had listed his past work experience. One of the jobs he listed was as a "Forker"

Mike laughed and pushed his chair back from the conference table they had been sitting at. "Hell with an application like that I'm surprised he was ever hired anywhere. You know he's Josie's husband don't you?"

"No, I didn't. Crap I thought she was as dumb as they come but he may be worse. I was sure surprised when she worked out in inventory control. I suppose she's still doing OK isn't she?"

"Yes, Michelle says she's doing fine. A little slow but her numbers are matching. If we ever have a problem like before though she'll never catch on like Michelle Did.

"Well, anyway, I like to take care of our employees if we can. She told me Seth had worked as a forklift driver at his last job. Do you suppose that's what a Forker is? Why don't you call him up and offer him the job. Put him on a month's probation. If he does the job OK make him permanent at the end of the month. Don't cut him any slack but don't make things too rough on him either."

"I can't read the phone number here. It's in the cell block and there isn't a number listed for a home phone. Would it be OK if I just have Josie tell him we want to see him when she goes home tonight or have her call him?"

Mike laughed and said, "Yeah that's fine. Just get him in here and let's give him a chance."

The next day Seth Sloan was hired when he came to work with Josie. Shortly after ten a.m. Josie ran past Michelle's desk and directly into Mike's office. She darted around his desk and wrapped her arms around him. She was crying and he felt her tears on his cheek when she gave him a kiss. She stepped back and said, "Oh, Thank you Mr. Fielding. I don't know how Seth and I will ever repay you but thank you for giving him a chance. I know he'll do a good job for you. He'd better or I'll make him regret it. Thank you so much. We were about to lose our house and how maybe we can get caught up on our bills and keep our home. Oh, thank you so much."

Michelle was standing just inside the door staring at Mike and Josie. She watched as Josie wiped her face with her hand and walked out of the office heading back to her work area.

"Mike what was that about? She was already past my desk before I could stop her. I'm sorry."

"Don't let it bother you Shelly. She told me a day or so ago that Seth was till out of work. He used to operate a forklift. We needed a forklift operator so I had HR give him a try is all."

Michelle gave Mike a strange look. As she was turning to return to her desk she muttered, "Oh, that's all huh?"

Michelle didn't know what to think about Mike. He was absolutely ruthless rooting out the thieves and incompetents in the company then he saved one of them by giving her an easier job. When he found out her husband needed work he found a job for him. She wasn't sure what to think about Mike at all.




Michael's Search



The next three months seemed to fly by for Mike and Shelly. They moved into a super tight working relationship and Michelle turned out to be an outstanding Administrative Assistant. At the end of six weeks she knew as much as did Mike about running the plant. Between them they eliminated the dead wood, those employees who were lazy, careless or stealing from the company. Efficiency and production per employee skyrocketed, waste and unacceptable product plummeted. Factory profitability shot up to near its historic highs. The employees that remained were fiercely loyal to Mike. Seth and Josie Sloan were perhaps the most loyal of all. They looked at Mike with almost worshipful glances whenever he was in their sight. Seth had actually gotten into a fight when one of the people who had been fired began cursing Mike.

CHAPTER 4

One day Mike got the phone call he had been expecting. Jeffery said, "Well Mike it looks like you've done a superb job down there for us. Do you want to move on, stay or quit and come back to Steelville?"

"I've enjoyed the last several months but I don't think I want to stay here indefinitely. Why don't we search for another Plant Manager to replace me? I think I want to come home for a while and decompress then if I can't find a short Active Duty tour with the Navy I could do something else for the family for a while."

When he looked up after the phone call Mike saw Michelle standing in his doorway. She looked sad and flustered. She was carrying a stack of papers. When she saw him she gave him a half smile and walked to his desk. She placed the papers in his in box and said, "I probably shouldn't have listened to that call should I? I'm sorry. I was already headed this way with the mail and just stopped. When are you thinking about leaving us Mike?"

"We didn't set any definite date. We need to find a good replacement first. Why don't you pull up a chair and we'll talk for a while about the job."

Mike and Michelle discussed the few people in the plant that might be eligible for the job. They were neither one sure if any of them were ready for the added responsibility. Of course Mike did have one person in mind that they hadn't discussed. He decided not to mention that candidate. He ended the meeting by telling Michelle to write up an advertisement for them to send to the local paper and to the trade journals. He also told her to place the ad on the employee bulletin board.

Over the course of the next month thirteen people submitted resumes and applications for the job. Mike and Michelle read and discussed each of the applications as they came in. They ranked them in order of desirability. At the end of the application period after they had made an order of merit list they held a meeting with the Family Management Team. Each of their top seven picks was discussed. Mike and the family spent a lot of time asking Michelle questions about the plant, her ideas on what was needed to run it properly and her assessment of the different applicants. Finally the list was narrowed down to the top three individuals. Mike and Michelle returned to the plant to set up interviews with them.

One of the applicants removed his name from consideration. After the other two were interviewed Mike and the family Managers met to finalize the choice and make the successful applicant an offer. It was decided to offer the job to the Assistant Plant Manager. He had been an outside hire after the house cleaning so was not tainted with the scandal Mike had come in to clean up.

Mike called him into the office for the offer. When she announced his arrival Mike said, "Michelle I need you to sit in on this meeting too please."

After Michelle and the Assistant Plant Manager had taken their seats Mike said, "Sam we have decided to offer you the job as Plant Manager if you still want it."

Samuel Taylor broke out in a large smile as he said, "Yes Sir. I surely do still want the job. I think I can do it right and I know we can keep quality and profitability up now that you have us all straightened out."

"Well good. You've probably noticed I have been shifting more of my work onto your shoulders for the last two weeks. I'm sure you may have suspected why I did that. Call it a little test of you ability if you will but I've been pleased with how you handled the extra work and with the decisions you have made. Your performance just reinforced the decision that you were the right man for the job. Frankly it came down to almost a tossup between you and one other applicant. There WAS one person we considered for the job that did not complete the application process. We finally decided you just had a better grasp of the situation at this time and went with you.

"I'm afraid you'll have to find yourself another Administrative Assistant though unless you want to bring your assistant over with you now?"

Mike was watching Michelle and Sam when he said the last. Sam gave Michelle a sharp look then he turned to Mike and said, "Well, if she wants the job I would like to have Brenda come with me but why? I thought Michelle was doing a great job for you?"

"She was Sam but I don't think that would be her proper niche." Mike looked at Michelle and her face was mottled. He could see her holding in her hurt. He realized his little surprise was going awry and spoke hurriedly. "I can see I've blown it again. I'm sorry Michelle. I wanted to surprise you. I DO think your talents are wasted here as the Administrative Assistant. You remember all the questions we asked you during the selection process and interviews of the applicants for the job as Manager?"

Michelle nodded her head yes and Mike continued, "We were considering offering you the Plant Manager's job but in the end Sam just edged you out. I think you might have been a good choice if Sam hadn't been in the picture. Having said that though, we thought we would offer you the job as Assistant Plant Manager...That is if you want it?"

"Damn you Mike. Why do you always do this to me? I should know by now that you're a total asshole whenever you get ready to offer me something better or when you get ready to lower the boom on someone. I just don't seem to be able to differentiate what you have in mind."

Sam looked shocked when Michelle called Mike an asshole. He even started to say something when Mike cut him off. Mike smiled and said, "Yeah I know Shelly and I'm sorry. I just can't seem to help myself sometimes. I, no WE have been impressed with your knowledge and ability here as well as your loyalty to the family and the business. We wanted to reward you and to take advantage of you capability. So, DO you want the job or do you want to stay on as Sam's Administrative Assistant?"

Michelle smiled and said, "Oh, I think I can take the promotion. Just as a favor to you though."

Everyone laughed and Mike stood. He walked around the desk and shook hands with Sam, then Michelle. He held onto Michelle's hand for a moment too long then, without thinking he pulled her into his arms. At first she stiffened then seemingly without a thought she relaxed into his grip and laid her head on his shoulder. The two almost guiltily separated as they realized what they had done. Mike smiled at his two subordinates then said, "Well Sam. There's the desk and the in box has papers in it so have at it. I'll stay around through the end of the week to ease the transition. Of course you and Shelly both have my cell number if you need to call after that. Why don't you call Brenda and have her come over so you two can settle in at your new desks?"

Mike turned to Michelle and said, "Now, as for you...Why don't...No, Sam I'm sure you want to let Brenda know the good news personally. Michelle why don't you and I take off for an early lunch while Sam begins to settle in? It may be a long lunch so unless there's something pressing why don't you just plan on getting back late or even tomorrow morning?"

The rest of the week went by rapidly for all management. Michelle settled into her new job well and found a great assistant for herself. About noon Friday Mike made the rounds and left for his home.

The next few days allowed Mike to decompress. He began to get restless and called his detailer to see if there were any jobs the Navy could bring him onto Active Duty for. He found a short month long job and applied. He was selected and off he went. Unfortunately there was something missing, he enjoyed the work and he definitely enjoyed his duty station but he was happy when he got back home.

Mike had been home three weeks when once again Jeffery came to visit. "Mike we have another problem we'd like you to look into. I don't think it's as bad as the last one we sent you out on but it is sort of an emergency. The manager and assistant manager of one of our warehouses were in a boating accident with their families last week. Third level management at the warehouse just isn't up to filling in until they recover and come back to work. In fact, the Manager may never be able to return to work. Would you like to fill in for us until we can see what happens?"

Once again Mike found himself on the road stepping into a new position. By the second day he began to worry about the warehouse. People who should have been working to support him were standoffish and not very forthcoming. Common workers seemed to avoid him and refuse to talk to him. He began to ask questions of his secretary and she looked uncomfortable. Documents he asked for eventually showed up but slowly. He found the inventories to be out of date. He could not find evidence of theft but he did find evidence of slovenly work practices. The warehouse and offices were not as clean as he felt they should have been, people worked slowly and ineffectively. He made comments and gave instructions that were followed grudgingly.

After two weeks of spinning his wheels and getting farther and farther behind Mike became angry. He held a staff meeting and unloaded on the senior staff. They in turn became angry and confrontational. All the changes he suggested were met by the comment that's not the way we do things here or a variation of that response. Many times he just got a harsh statement that his proposed change 'would not work here'.

Mike adjourned the meeting and called Jeffery. He explained the problems he was having and proposed a solution. Jeffery gave him permission to proceed if Sam Taylor had no objections. When he completed his call to Jeff Mike picked up the phone and called Sam Taylor at his old plant. After the pleasantries were out of the way Mike said, "Sam I have a favor to ask. I'm almost in over my head here at this damn warehouse. Our inventory control systems are outdated and I'm sure the inventories are off. The mid level management is surly and confrontational. Would you loan me Michelle on an open ended Temporary Transfer if she's willing to come down and help me? She was a hell of an Inventory Control Clerk there as well as a great Administrative Assistant. From all I've heard she is stellar as your assistant. I could really use her down here my friend."

Sam began laughing and said, "Ok you old horse thief. If she'll come I don't have a problem. She HAS done a great job for me but I think you should know she's been a different woman since you left. Something happened in her personal life I think. She won't talk about it but she's not the cheerful fun loving girl you worked with. Maybe the change will do her good."

Mike visited with Sam a while longer then they transferred his call to Michelle's office. Her assistant asked who was calling of course so when Michelle picked up the phone Mike heard her say, "Mike? Mike Fielding? Is that really you? I heard you went back into the Navy."

"Hi Shelly. Yes it's really me. I just took a short month long tour for the navy and went to Vicenza Italy to help them out. So how are you?"

"Oh, OK I guess. How about you?"

Mike and Michelle visited for a short time then he asked her about coming to help him out. "Oh, Mike I'm not sure. I mean I would have to ask Sam and I hate to leave him with all this to do..."

About that time Sam poked his head into the office and said loudly enough for Mike to hear him over the phone, "Michelle it's fine with me. Sounds like Mike needs the help and I can get one of the supervisors to fill in for you sort of as a training session for them. Hell, go on unless you'd rather not?"

Michelle smiled and turned back to the phone. She said, "Fine then. I'll do it. Now where and when do you want me?"

Michelle arrived in the city in which her new job was located mid afternoon Sunday as she and Mike had agreed. When she arrived at the hotel she was to stay at and checked in she was treated like royalty. The desk clerk smiled and bowed and scraped worse than she had ever seen before. Her room was on the top floor of the seven story building. When Michelle opened the door she found she was in a very large living room of a luxurious suite. There were bottles of liquor and wine on the wet bar and the kitchen area had a slightly lived in appearance. Michelle heard the door close behind her as she heard the nearly inaudible background music coming from the stereo in the entertainment center. There were papers spread out on the small dining table in front of the window. An open briefcase sat on a chair beside it and an open notebook computer was on the table.

Michelle was still standing taking in the suite when she heard a toilet flush. Shortly afterward the door to her left that had been closed opened and she saw an unmade bed within the room. Then she saw Mike come out the door and walk toward her with a large smile on his face. "Michelle. It's great to see you," he said. When he reached her he held his hand out to shake hers. She let her suitcase handle drop and stood watching him. Her heart was fluttering more than it should have been.

She started to reach her hand out to shake his partly raised one when, almost without volition she took another step toward him and wrapped him in her arms. She laid her head on his chest and said, "God it's so good to see you again Mike. I've really missed you."

Michelle felt Mike hesitate a moment and felt a surge of unease go through her body. What had she done? This wasn't any way to greet her boss. In fact it was highly unprofessional. She was about to step back and apologize when she felt Mike's arms wrap around her and felt his face against the top of her head. He buried his nose in her hair, took a deep breath and pulled her tightly against his body. They just stood holding each other tightly and enjoying how the other felt.

Finally Mike gently pushed her back and placed his hands on her shoulders. He stared into her eyes, took a deep breath and said, "Damn. I didn't expect that Shelly. There has been something bothering me for the last several weeks; I've been out of sync since I turned the plant over to you and Sam but I never realized... Crap, all at once I feel so relaxed. All at once, oh, hell I don't know what to say."

Michelle smiled and stepped into Mike's space once more. She stood on tip toes and gave him a gentle kiss, the first kiss they had ever exchanged, and said, "You know I think I know what you mean Mike. I've felt empty since you left and I couldn't put my finger on it. Sam and some of the other managers have asked me several times what was wrong and I told them nothing. I knew I was out of step slightly but I just thought it was because of my new job. Oh, I would think of you from time to time and think how I missed seeing you but I... Well we only knew each other for such a short time..."

"Shelly I had planned on you using that other bedroom so we could work here in the suite but..." Mike took a deep breath then continued, "I'm not sure that would be a good idea now. I'm afraid this may get out of control. Looking at you now the last thing I want to do is think about work. I'll try if you want but it might be better if you found another room."

Michelle felt her emotions surge when Mike spoke. She felt... How did she feel? Not rejected exactly but frightened? Slightly hurt maybe? She looked at Mike and saw the worried expression on his face. "Mike I know this sounds uh, unprofessional maybe but I don't want to stay somewhere else. I would like to use that other room and work here with you. I want to get to know you better. I just feel so right here with you today I don't want it to end. Can we just try it for a while with us both sharing the suite?"

Strangely Mike felt himself relax when Michelle agreed to stay in the suite with him. He smiled and said, "I would like that Michelle but I still feel like I will have trouble staying professional. If I overstep my bounds please let me know."

Mike and Michelle spent the remainder of the day in the suite. After she had refreshed herself from her trip they dove into the paperwork he had with him in an effort to familiarize her with the operation. They did take a break for room service supper but even that was a working meal. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, they spent a fair amount of time getting to know each other too. There were many moments of personal questions and statements mixed in with the business chatter. Finally shortly after ten p.m. Mike pushed himself upright and said, "I'm bushed Shelly. Let's call it a night and get an early start in the morning."

Michelle yawned, stood and smiled at Mike. She said, "Sounds good to me. I'm really tired also. What time do I need to be up?"

The next morning Michelle heard Mike banging around in the kitchen just before her alarm went off. When she came out of her bathroom she smelled coffee. She quickly dressed and wandered into the common room. She found Mike sitting in an easy chair drinking coffee. He smiled at her and said, "Good morning Shelly. There's coffee made. I have some frozen breakfast croissants and some sweet rolls we can heat if you're ready for breakfast or we can stop somewhere on the way to the warehouse."

"I think first thing I just want some coffee. I'm not much of a breakfast person so whatever you have here will be fine with me. In fact some mornings all I have is coffee."

"Great. I usually have coffee then just before I go to work I have a croissant and if I'm really hungry a pastry too. I have several types of croissants in the refrigerator freezer and the pastry is in the refrigerator. Whenever you're ready just get what you want and we'll nuke it."

"I guess I'll just fix a pastry. Can I do something for you too?"

"Yeah, a Ham, egg, cheese Croissant please."

Instead of discussing work while they had their breakfast the two friends sat staring out the window watching the day brighten while they ate. When they talked it was personal, getting to know each other better. Michelle sat her coffee cup on the table beside the chair she was in and asked, "Mike I know it's none of my business but why... I mean, well, you're not married and I just don't, well, you seem to like women and I know a lot of the women at the Plant did everything but do the bump and grind with you... I just wondered why you hadn't gotten married." Michelle blushed and looked Mike in the face a moment before she turned her head away.

Mike took a deep breath and said, "I guess I'm too picky for one thing. I've dated a lot and I even had one woman I was engaged to but that just didn't work out at all. I suppose I want a perfect match and I just will not settle for less. I know there are a lot of women out there that I could be compatible with. I have met several that I could have a good relationship, perhaps a good life with but I don't want that. I want the whole enchilada. I want a friend, constant companion, lover, and a confidant. I want that one woman who is just perfect in every way for ME. I don't want a woman who I just love, who gets along with me, who was a good choice.




Michael's Search



"I want a woman who I am uncomfortable away from, who I can't wait to get back to, one who I am so in tune with that I KNOW what she is thinking and feeling. I want a woman who is smart, witty, educated, and likes almost everything I like, someone who is an integral part of me. I want to be the same thing to her. I don't want a woman who only comes home with me because that is where she lives or she doesn't have something else to do that evening. My fiancée just before we broke up was always going somewhere with her girlfriends. If she wasn't doing that she went to visit family or friends without me. She claimed I was trying to hold her back. One evening she was supposed to be at a baby shower. I didn't feel like cooking my own supper so I went to an out of the way bar and grill.

"When I got to the bar I heard her laughing and talking in the back of the room and found her on a date with a superior officer and one of his friends. A little later I followed them to the parking lot and watched her have sex with him in the back of his car. I broke the engagement of course and have tried to move on but so far I've not found anyone who even comes close to my ideal."

Mike looked over at Michelle and got a quizzical look on his face. He continued, "You know I might have just misspoke. I may know someone who was even a better fit for me than anyone else I've met. I'm not sure though. What about you Shelly? I don't understand how the men could have left you single for so long either."

Michelle smiled at Mike and said, "Well Mike I think I'm sort of like you are. I've dated a lot and met some really nice men but none of them have really clicked with me. Oh don't get me wrong, I've been in puppy love before and I've even lived with a couple of boyfriends but when it came right down to it none of them could go the mile. I never felt that spark, that deep seated need, the yearning, that FEELING that that man was the other part of my soul. I had almost given up until..." Michelle blushed and looked around the room organizing her thoughts again then she continued, "I mean before you came to work at the Plant I had just about stopped even dating. I had dated all the men I had met around town and at work that I thought might stand a chance and none of them were what I wanted. Some of them were great guys but they weren't MY guy ya know?"

Mike smiled and said, "Yeah, I think I do." He glanced at the clock and said, "Well, I guess we'd better get to work."

As the two walked down the hallway without thinking Mike placed his hand in the small of Michelle's back to gently guide, to protect her as they first walked up to, then entered the elevator. Michelle turned her head and gently smiled up at Mike. In the elevator she unconsciously leaned into his embrace. They said nothing to each other and when the doors began to open into the lobby they reluctantly pulled away from each other. They exited the elevator as any other business couple would have done. Inside each of them was singing. They felt alive, in tune with each other on levels they had neither felt before.

Michael had not told anyone in the business he was bringing in reinforcements. As soon as work commenced for the day he had his secretary call a meeting of the entire management team down to the shift foreman. He had her inform the foremen that their lead man was to run the operation throughout the meeting and if asked she was to say he had no idea how long the meeting would last.

Within minutes the first three men, strangely the senior remaining employees, burst through the door into the conference room. One of them had barely stepped through the door before he burst out in speech. "What's the meaning of this crap," he yelled. "We don't have time for more of your damn stupid useless meetings. My men have work to do and this isn't getting it done."

Michelle had been turned toward Mike talking when the man began yelling. She stiffened and turned rapidly toward the angry trio. She cringed back slightly in the face of their anger. Mike watched with pride as she seemed to stiffen in her resolve. Her back straightened and she glared at the three. She started to open her mouth when Mike placed his hand on her arm. She looked at him and he shook his head no.

Mike waited until the men were about five feet from him then he yelled, "That's enough. Speak politely to me or don't speak at all. Where is the rest of the management team?"

"I told you we didn't have time for this meeting crap. I told them to stay on the floor that we would handle whatever it is you seem to want."

Mike glared at the man then picked up his phone. He punched a speed dial number and when it was answered said, "George I think we have a situation here. Please come in with your team."

The three men looked slightly worried when they heard Mike say that. Before they could do or say anything else George walked into the room with a team of five other men nearly as large as he was. He walked up beside Mike and said, "Yes Mr. Fielding?"

"George this man here has just been terminated for a bad attitude and disobeying instructions. Please have one of your men escort him to his locker to obtain his personal gear then to the HR section for the necessary paperwork. Leave one of your men here with us and send the rest of your team onto the floor and bring all management employees above lead man rank to this room. I want them here within ten minutes. If anyone argues get their names and escort them to HR for termination also."

George said, "Yes Sir" once more, turned and gestured. As he did so he said, "Wally you stay here with us. Terry, you escort this gentleman on his little errand. The rest of you go get the rest of the persons who are supposed to be in this meeting."

The three would be tough guys were standing staring at Mike. They looked shocked. The loud mouth tried to bluster his way out of trouble as he was being led out the door. He said, "You can't do this. You're not even the Manager of this warehouse. If you give us any hassle you'll have to run this dump by yourself."

"I think you will find I CAN do this. Not only does my family own this facility but I have been given written authorization to operate it as I see fit for as long as I see fit. Anyone who doesn't like that or refuses to follow my instructions can quit or I will fire them. You know as well as I do that in this economy I can replace you all three times over within a couple of days."

The man slumped and you could see he was defeated. He allowed Terry to escort him from the room. About that time a large group of men could be heard coming down the hallway. When they got to Terry and his charge one of the group asked, "What's going on here Joe? I thought you said for us to stay away from the meeting. Why are these goons pushing us around here?"

Terry looked at the speaker and said, "Your friend here just lost his job because he told you that then didn't order you here after Mr. Fielding told him to do so the second time. I suggest you get your asses into that room and let Mr. Fielding tell you what's going on unless you want to lose your jobs also."

A very quiet group of men entered the room to see Mike, Michelle, George and the other guard watching them. They gathered just inside the door and stood watching Mike. He stared at them for a moment then said, "OK. Everyone have a seat and we'll get this meeting started."

Mike introduced himself once more then Michelle, and George. For the next few minutes Mike discussed the problems he had already identified in the operation of the business. He informed the men that Michelle was an expert on inventory control and he was a Logistician. If Michelle told them to do something they were to do it immediately just as if the instruction had came from him. She was to be considered his Assistant Warehouse Manager. 

Over the next three days Michelle and Mike watched, made the corrections they could on the fly and took note of the corrections that would take more time, effort or money. On Friday another meeting was held and Mike told the remaining managers they would be installing new inventory control procedures, new computers, scanners and software as soon as they could get it purchased and shipped. They were also given a list of employees to fire at close of business that day. Human Resources already had the names and had the paperwork ready. The individuals concerned were to report to HR as soon as the meeting was over.

That evening after the last employee left the security team, Mike and Michelle returned to the conference room. They quickly ate pizza that had been delivered and relaxed for a few minutes until a secret inventory team arrived. The warehouse and grounds were locked and a 100% inventory began. The team worked in shifts and they concluded the inventory just before noon on Sunday. Many items were found in the wrong bins. Many more outdated, obsolete parts were found to be on the books as current parts. Some counts were drastically off either under or over, very few were spot on. Many items were not found on shelves or in bins during the inventory. Many items listed as in stock were found in boxes stacked in out of the way places. Some had been there for over a year. Many items were found in incorrect locations. 

After the team left Mike and Michelle said good bye to George and his team. They wearily trudged off to their hotel. Neither felt the need to talk on the short drive. The only conversation during the trip was when Mike asked if she wanted to eat a late lunch in their room. When Michelle said she did Mike asked her to phone the order in and told her what he wanted. From time to time one or the other would turn their head slightly and look at the other. If their glances met they would smile. Once Mike reached out without thinking and gently patted Michelle's thigh. 

When Michelle felt Mike pat her she turned her head and smiled at him again. She felt her heart flutter and her pussy became moist at just his short touch. She bit her lip and stifled her moan. Mike heard her gasp and rapidly pulled his hand back. He didn't know whether to apologize or ignore what he had unconsciously done. He knew it was unprofessional and could lead to a harassment claim if Michelle didn't like it. He decided to wait and see what she said later. He almost apologized but decided to let sleeping dogs lie. She didn't look upset and he knew from past experience that if she was upset she DID let people know.

When Michelle called the hotel she made sure they knew they might not be back yet when the meal was delivered and that it was to be left in the suite anyway. Mike had ordered steak and lobster; Michelle had a pound of King Crab. The waiter was just leaving the room when they arrived. Mike quickly gave him a nice tip then turned to Michelle. He said, "I'm just going to wash my hands and eat. The shower can wait. I'm starved."

They each quickly went into their bathroom, washed their hands and then returned to the feast. They drank two bottles of a very nice white wine with the meal. As tired as they were the alcohol almost put them to sleep.

Mike looked at Michelle and felt sorrow. He reached his thumb out and gently rubbed the large dark spot under her eye while his palm cupped her cheek. "You are so exhausted you have dark spots under your eyes. I'm sorry we had to work so long this weekend. Let's clean up and have a shower then catch a few Z's."

Michelle smiled tentatively, nodded her head and almost staggered to her room. After his shower Mike collapsed into his bed and slept until nearly 7:30 p.m. He wandered out into the living area of the suite and opened another bottle of wine. He ordered room service hors d'oeuvres and sat back sipping his wine while he waited for their snack.

The room service waiter woke Michelle up. He was just leaving when she wandered into the room rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Both of the friends sat on the couch beside each other as they drank wine and demolished the snack. After they finished they leaned back to relax. Michelle leaned into Mike and laid her head on his shoulder. She said, "That was really good. I didn't know I was that hungry. After what I ate for lunch I can't believe I needed more food." She sat a moment longer then said, "I'm still so sleepy I can hardly hold my head up but I'm sure glad that inventory is done."

For the next two hours they sat and visited and sipped wine. Occasionally they talked business but mostly they just visited getting to know each other better. Sometime during that period Mike's arm went around Michelle's shoulder and he pulled her closer. She sighed and relaxed into his embrace. She stretched up and gave him a kiss. He pulled her tighter to him and deepened the kiss. She moaned and pulled back. She started to stand and Mike realized what they had done. He started to pull back from her and apologize when Michelle turned from him and sat on his lap. Her arms went around him and she bent forward for another kiss.

Instead of apologizing Mike returned the kiss and let his hand run under the hotel robe Michelle was wearing. He felt his cock getting harder. Michelle pulled away from the kiss and looked down at his lap. She turned her head toward Mike again, wiggled her butt slightly and smiled before she bent toward him for another kiss. As Mike's hand ran under her robe she spread her legs slightly allowing him easier access.

Mike felt moist heat as his fingers neared her pussy. He grinned when he felt her hips subtly thrust toward his questing fingers. When he found her slit it was wet, wet, wet. He rubbed up and down it dipping his fingers slightly into her hole to scoop up more lubrication then he slowly, gently moved them back to the top of her slit where he found a hard little pebble. Mike stroked her clit gently and Michelle moaned louder. Her hips once again thrust toward him. She pulled him closer and gave him a deeper kiss as she continued to writhe in his lap. She struggled to twist her torso toward Mike and finally succeeded. They both moaned into a kiss as she rubbed her breasts against his toned chest.

The two lovers continued to kiss, to titillate each other for another fifteen minutes before Michelle stood smiled down at Mike and pulled him to get up. "Mike, Honey, I'm ready to take this to bed if you are," she said.

Mike hesitated a moment and she could almost see the gears twirling in his head. He said, "Are you sure Shelly? I admit I'm more attracted to you than I have been any woman I can remember, even my ex fiancée, but I need you to be sure this is what you want. I don't want to hurt you, mess up our friendship OR our working relationship."

"Oh, I'm sure," Michelle said. "In fact I'm surer of this than I have been any other time I let a man get me into bed. I have felt more alive, more peaceful and relaxed since I arrived here last week than I have been since you left the Plant months ago. I knew I missed our talks and meals together, I knew I missed you too but I really hadn't thought about the romance aspect until I got here Sunday."

Michelle blushed and said, "When I saw you in the room and we hugged I got soooo wet. I was embarrassed and soooo excited at the same time. I've wanted to do something like this all week but I knew we needed to work first so I didn't. You don't know how much I have wished you would make a move on me!"

Mike smiled and pulled Michelle to him. He wrapped her in his arms and gave her a deep kiss. During the last several minutes both their robes had come undone so he felt her unfettered, naked breasts pressing against his abdomen. Her nipples were drilling into him like little pebbles. He groaned when she rubbed her belly against his hard on.

Mike pulled away from Michelle and pulled her hand as he started toward his bedroom. "Come on. I think you're right. We need to take this to bed right now."

Mike and Michelle continued to operate the warehouse as a management team for the next three months. The Assistant Manager did return to work but the Manager had died from his injuries. As time passed they did less and less of the daily work and watched the Assistant Manager. He learned the new systems well and seemed to know exactly what to do. Finally Mike decided to keep him on as an employee and promote him to Manager.

During the time after Mike and Michelle first slept together they became closer and closer. She never slept in her room after that night. They ate together, worked together and even took in some of the local sights and some shows together. Surprisingly neither of them even thought about returning home on any of the weekends. The long July 4th weekend the two of them picked up one of the canoes from the family resort and spent the whole weekend floating on the river and camping on the banks during the night. They floated about 56 miles during the four days and had a blast. The only drawback to the entire trip was the crowd. They couldn't properly love each other because of the people all around them.

The last day they were to be at the warehouse Mike sat staring at Michelle. They both were at their desks and looked like they had lost their entire family in some horrible accident. Mike's eyes looked haunted and Michelle looked almost physically ill. Mike pushed his chair back from the desk finally and said, "Michelle I don't want to leave you. Why don't you come home with me and spend some time at my cabin?"

"Mike! I have to go back to the Plant Monday and you know that. You know I'd like nothing better than to spend more time with you but I have to work. Why don't you come home with me if you aren't working somewhere else right now?"

"I suppose I could but my cabin is a whole lot more fun and private than your apartment in the city. If it's your job you're worrying about I know I can get you more time off..."

"Mike I couldn't. I know. I can take a week vacation if you want. If I did that there is nothing I would rather do with the time than go home with you."

Mike and Michelle returned to his small cabin and spent the next week fishing, swimming, laying in hammocks and loving. Except in public they never wore clothes and neither of them even considered going anywhere or doing anything without the other. They were in a constant state of arousal. Just the sight of the other and they could not keep their hands or lips off each other. They were joined at the hip and at every mental point possible.

At the end of the week Michelle was crying as she packed to return to her job. Mike walked up behind her and pressed his hard cock into the crack of her ass. He placed his hands on her hips then ran them up her sides and around to cup her breasts. He smiled as he felt the hard pebbles of her nipples. He bent to give her a gentle kiss on the side of her neck. Michelle sighed and relaxed back into Mike's embrace.

Mike gently turned Michelle toward him and wiped her tears from her cheeks. "Honey I can't stand the thought of you leaving. Please stay longer. Please stay with me the rest of your life Shelly."

Michelle hugged Mike to her tightly and smiled. She said, "I would love to do that but I have to eat and I have to work to get the money to eat and pay the rest of my bills. I can come back next weekend though if you want me to."

"NO! I don't want you to leave at all. Shelly please stay. Marry me Shelly. I don't want to ever be away from you again. We make a good team. If you want to work you can go with me when I go to family businesses. Hell if you don't want to work you can still come with me but please stay and marry me."

Michelle hugged Mike tighter and shook her head 'yes' then said, "Oh, yes. Yes Michael Fielding I'll marry you but I still need to go to work tomorrow. I need to stay until Sam can find someone to replace me at least. I owe him and the family that much and more."