Gwyn’s POV
I knew Adam would be calling soon. It was so much fun messing with him and it took away from the boredom of being on tour. I can't believe Penny is upset that she can't be here. My phone rang.
“Hi Adam! I didn't expect to hear from you today!”
“You fucking evil bitch! How could you do that? What if Penny hadn't called me?”
“Wow, somebody is rambling on. I knew she'd call you, she would never disobey the great Doctor's orders. I also knew she would want to drink it. I could have sent her chocolates; she's allowed to have those.”
“Do you think that makes it okay because you knew she would call me and you knew I'd stop her??”
“It wasn't poisoned, idiot. I just wanted to make sure you knew that she will never be out of my reach. I also wanted to see what you would do. So, tell me, what happened?”
“I had to drop the bottle and hold her as she broke down in tears. It was heart wrenching.”
“That's good! You were there for her; you are getting closer!”
“Yes we are, but I don't need your tricks to move that along.” He said.
“This is great, though. Brian is starting to trust me and we are getting closer. If you break them up, I will be able to help Brian pick up the pieces.”
“So you want to flip this? I said I wasn't going to try to break them up. I am supposed to be the one picking up the pieces.”
“Yet you keep getting in between them.”
“But I'm not purposely trying to cause trouble.”
“This needs to happen; I don't care who does it or how.”
“It may not happen and you will need to accept that and keep your promise.”
“Do you really think that the tour is going to end, they are back together and I'm going to give up?”
“I will turn you in, I won't care if you expose my past. The deal was that I kept her here, I have.”
“The deal is that I end up with Brian. If Penny is an obstacle, I will remove her. If you are an obstacle, I will remove you. I have enough to at the very least make you look guilty.”
“You aren't going to threaten my life, so I stand by and let you kill Penny. I'm not going to do that.”
“Then I suggest you get her into bed or at the very least fall in love with you.
“It's funny that you think that being in love is less than having sex. You are a heartless bitch. I will do what I can, if I do then what happens?”
“Then none of this will be an issue. You would be with Penny and I will be there for Brian and he will realize I am the one for him. If it doesn't happen, I would hate to have to hurt innocent people, especially a child.”
“Look, he has nothing to do with this. Don't touch the boy. I will break them up, but then that's it. You promise you will leave Penny alone, even if Brian doesn't go to you?”
“Yes, I promise. It's not going to be an issue; he will be mine. Once she is out of his life, I don't care what she does or what you do with her.”

Just then there was a knock on my door, it was Brian.
“Adam, I have to go.” I hung up.

Brian’s POV
As I walked to Gwyn’s suite I was getting more and more pissed. I decided that it was her fault that this happened. I went storming in once she opened the door.
“Gwyn, Why the hell did you send Penny a bottle of wine? Were you trying to upset her?”
“Of course not, I thought it would cheer her up, I've been so worried about her since you told me about her depression.”
I told her what happened after she received the wine.
“I didn't realize it would bring her and Adam together.” She seemed genuinely sorry.
“Well it did, my wife is having having fucking “slumber parties” with a man.” I was still mad.
“I'm sorry for what happened Brian, but I don't think I'm who you are really mad at.”
“I guess,not, I'm sorry. I just can't believe it; it makes me furious! I can't believe on top of everything, she refuses to cool things off with this guy.”
“I am 100% positive it was innocent. She will calm down and realize she needs to respect your feelings. You need to remember that she is coming from a very emotional and lonely place right now.”
“That is true. I hope she does realize that I'm right, before it tears us apart.”

Gwyn’s POV
I had never seen Brian so angry. At first he directed it toward me and I convinced him he was mad at Penny (beautifully and rightfully so). I played the wonderful understanding friend, calming him down. We were having a great talk and then out of the blue he had a crazy horrible idea.
“We have 3 days off after tomorrow, I am going to fly home and see her.”
“Brian! You can't do that!” I knew I needed to turn this around without showing that I didn't want him to go.
“Why?”
I regrouped. “Think about it, by the time you got there you would barely have 24 hours before you had to fly back.”
“I will do anything for even 24 hours with Penny. I'm pretty sure she feels the same.”
“I'm sure you both do and for you it would be a great thing. I am not so sure that it is best for her right now.”
“Why would it not be?”
“The pain, the hurt of saying goodbye again after such a short visit. She would feel abandoned a second time. She's upset with you right now, but she's in a better state than she was several weeks ago.”
“Yes, thanks to Dr. G.”
“I understand why that bothers you, but he is all she has right now. Why don't you suggest some boundaries? Perhaps instead of him coming to the house all the time, they talk on the phone, go out to lunch.”
“She's not interested in any of that.”
“Maybe you should change your approach, sounds like you were a little possessive.”
“I guess I was. What do I do? I hung up on her, I know she's mad as hell.”
“Send her some roses, purple of course. Put a note with them, something that conjures a memory of being together. Apologize for being possessive and let her know that you trust her.” I said. “Then after she's calmed down, explain how you feel and calmly come up with some boundaries that you are both okay with.”
“I don't know, wouldn't it be better if we were together and talked? One day is better than just sending roses.”
“I'll tell you what, why don't we go grab a bite to eat and brainstorm on the best way to do this. Give Penny some time to cool off.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Let's go.” He smiled and we decided on where to go eat. It was a great time, laughing and joking. Brian and I were getting close. The more Penny screwed up, the more he turned to me.
I was relieved that I could talk him out of going home. I lied when I said I thought it would be worse for Penny if he came home. I think it would heal some of the rift I’ve worked so hard to create. I can’t let him go home. I would have had to do whatever was necessary to stop him.

Penny’s POV
He hung up on me! I was so mad that there was no way I could sleep. I needed to talk to someone. I had already bothered Adam enough for one night, so I called Chloe.
“Mom?”
“Hi Chloe.”
“Isn't it 4:30 AM there, are you okay?”
“Health wise, I'm the same. But my marriage isn't okay.”
“What happened. Did you two have another argument about the Doctor?”
“Yes. Brian is being ridiculous and trying to tell me what to do.” I told her about what happened.
“I think you're both being a little ridiculous.”
“What?”
“First, I'm pretty sure you've hung up on him before. If this is the first time he's done it, then he's a saint.”
“Wow, thanks for the support.”
“Try to see his side. He’s not stuck at home like you are, but think about all the times he felt like he didn't protect you. I agree with Brian too; I think this guy has feelings for that go beyond friendship. You continue to have this man over to the house, even though you know it drives Brian crazy. I’m not saying you shouldn't be friends with him, just not at the house all the time. There are places you are able to go to, you need to get out of the house anyway.”
“I don't see what is so bad, I'm not having an affair. Brian doesn't trust me.”
“Mom, I love you so don't take this wrong. I think that subconsciously you are doing this to hurt Brian.”
“That's crazy.”
“You are upset with him for being gone, even though you know he has to.”
“I don't see it.”
“Okay, please try to see Brian's side and at least try to respect his feelings.”
“You've given me a lot to think about. Brian and I need to talk; I'll consider what you've said. I love you baby girl.”
“I love you too Mom. Let me know how it goes.”

After talking to Chloe, I realized I hadn't been very fair to Brian. I decided to sleep on it and call him later and apologize. He was right, we needed to figure this out.
I must have been more tired than I thought. At 10:00 AM, I woke up to the delivery of three dozen purple roses. The card read.
“I’m sorry Penelope. I love you.”

Brian's POV
I hoped Penny would call soon, the flowers should have been delivered. Finally, I had a FaceTime call.
“Hi Penz.”
“Thank you for the roses, they're beautiful.”
“I wish I could've been there to give them to you myself. I'm sorry I was so possessive.”
“I'm sorry that I have been selfish and not considered your feelings.” She said.
“You're not mad at me for hanging up on you?”
“I was at first, but Chloe helped me realize I deserved it. But, I am not ready to shut Adam out. He is my friend and I need him as my Doctor. But I'm willing to set some guidelines that will make you more comfortable.”
“What do you propose?”
“Adam will not be in our house, unless it's an emergency.”
“What's constitutes an emergency? A bottle of wine that you know you shouldn't drink in the first place?”
“Wow Brian, I'm trying to work this out and you’re going to be a smart ass?”
“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm not trying to be an ass or be possessive, I love you and I hate that we're not together.”
“And you're jealous?”
“Yes, I'm jealous. He is there for you, he's a very important part of your life. He's protecting you.”
“Brian, no one is as important to me as you are. Yes, Adam is helping me through this. He's not what keeps me going, it's you. Knowing that you'll be home in a month is what I focus on.”
“That's what keeps me going too. Can we just agree that you and Adam don't hang out together at all hours of the day and night at the house? He can still be support on the phone, out to eat etc.”
“I agree to that, for your sake.”
“Thank you Penz for understanding.”
“We have to work together to get through this. I love you Haner.”
“I love you too, I have to get going. We’ll talk later?”
“Of course we will. Just call me when you can, I'll be here waiting.”

I was glad that Penny and I could agree. But it still bothered me, I didn't trust the guy. I needed someone to go there and see what this guy is up to. I knew just who to call.

Jay’s POV
I was surprised one day when I had call on my cell phone and saw it was Brian. I answered the phone quickly afraid he had bad news about Penny.
“Hi Brian. What's up? Is Penny okay?” I didn't even give him a chance to speak.
“Penny is doing well physically. But I'm worried about her.”
“Worried? Why?”
Brian told me that Penny had went into hermit mode once she was in California and how her Doctor brought her out of it. He told me about all time she was spending with this guy and I wasn't surprised it had started problems between them.
“You’ve mentioned this guy before and I met him briefly the last time Penny was in the hospital. I can see why you're concerned.”
“I was hoping you would say that.” Brian said. “I need your help.”
“Sure man, whatever I can do.”
“I know it's a lot to ask, but can you go to California, try to help Penny see that he wants to be more than a friend?”
“How would I do that?”
“Talk to her, she’ll listen to you and that jerk will have no excuse to hang around her while you're there.”
“I could only stay for about a week.”
“That's okay, she needs to at least get away from him for a couple of days. Maybe she'll step back and see. Penny trusts you and will listen to you. It needs to be a man that goes and Allen would probably just go off on this guy.”
“Okay, let me see what I can do.”
“Just don’t let her know I have anything to do with your visit. We never had this conversation.”
“Understood. What should I tell Penny as to why I'm there?”
“Just tell her you wanted to come see her and make sure she's okay.”
“That's something we all should have been doing. We've all neglected her, we should've been going there to see her.” I confessed, feeling ashamed.
“I understand how hard that is, you all have lives. I need your help getting this jerk out Penny’s life and my marriage.”
“I'll keep you posted and I will try my hardest to do that.”

Notes