3.12 Diana - What Should Have Been

Author's Note: This is Diana Bennett's story of what should have been before Jennifer messed up the time line. Colt Critchley  was made by Rosessupposesmanythings for my story. We'll see more of Lisa in the next chapter. Thank you Rosessupposesmanythings for allowing me to have Colt in my story.

"Terrell you coming tonight?" Diana asked her cousin.

"Wouldn't miss it," he told her.

"Great there's someone I'd like you to meet," she told him with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Is that the  old bald guy I've seen leaving your apartment?" Terrell asked "you're not serious about him are?"

"Eew gross,"she protested "but he is the guy I want you to meet. He's the producer I've told you about. The one whose interested in dad's novels."

"Yeah you've mentioned him to me a time or two. I didn't think the old guy and the producer were the same," Terrell laughed "honestly Diana the way you talk about him I'd think you had a crush on him."

"That's so gross," she screwed up her face in disgust "I'm just flattering his ego."

"Whatever," Terrell laughed "I'll meet him but I won't promise to like him."

"You don't have to," sighing into the phone she said "I've got a million things to do before the party. I'll see you soon."

Looking around the room Diana tried to imagine where everything should go to take advantage of the small space to best advantage. She wanted to impress the producer. She needed someone to take her seriously. He just might have the connections she needed.

***

Nudging Jennifer "I'd pay attention to what's happening here," Chase said directing here attention to the scene before them.

Shrugging she turned lifeless eyes to the scene "what am I looking at other than  a bunch of snotty people boring each other to death."

"Half of them are stoned out of their minds. Pay attention to the bald guy," Chase pointed to the one he wanted her to watch.

"What is he? A perv?" she asked.

"You'll see," Chase told her refusing to divulge anything else.

***

Taking an uneasy step back Diana tried to redirect the producers thoughts back to her dad's novels. "So what needs to be done to my father's manuscripts to get them ready for film?"

Leering at her the man placed a hand on her back "this is a party Diana you need to learn to relax."

He slid his hand across her back drawing her close to him letting his hand rest against his hip. "If you want to talk shop come to the office. Tonight is for fun and relaxation."

Feeling his hands caressing her thigh and hip she tried to move away uncomfortable with the unwanted attention. "I think I should go check on...on the refreshments."

"It's fine," he leaned in close to....

"Excuse me," Terrell said tapping on the older man's shoulder "I'm Terrell Olivia. Diana's cousin. You must be the producer she's told me so much about."

Diana stepped away relieved when she felt his hands fall away from her. She made her way to the kitchen checking on things as she went.

As the evening faded to morning and the last guests made there way to the door Diana came face to face with the producer. "Good night Darren" she said holding the door open for him.

Smiling he firmly pushed the door closed "now that we're alone we can discuss terms for producing one of your dad's novels."

"It's late," she protested "I think we should discuss this in your office...."

"I think now would..."

"Diana do you need any help cleaning..." Terrell looked up frowning as he saw the sleazy producer guy still in the apartment. "I think you should go..."

Stiffly the man nodded turning to Diana handing her his card "tomorrow. My office. Six p.m." He glared at Terrell before letting himself out of the apartment.

"Diana I don't like that guy," Terrell told her once the door closed behind him.

"He's the only person whose shown any interest in Dad's novels," she protested.

Shaking his head "i have a feeling he's interested in seeing how far you'll go to get what you want."

Lifting her chin "you're wrong," she protested.

"Am I?" he asked "do you seriously think that guy was acting professionally pawing you all night. If I wasn't in here, what do you think he would have done?" Shaking her head she wiped a tear away. 

"Find someone else. Someone legitimate," Terrell pleaded moving towards the couch. "Do you have an extra pillow and blanket?"

Exasperated she opened the storage closet and tossed him what he requested "goodnight" she said going into her bedroom.

***

"Diana listen to her," Jennifer pleaded to the scene. Turning to Chase "tell me she doesn't go to meet that guy."

"You have to watch and see," Chase told her not missing the look of concern in her blue eyes. "Don't forget that everything we're seeing now may have changed..."

"I know. I know," she muttered "why do you like to torment me?"

"I don't but this seemed to be the only way to reach you," Chase explained.

"Who says I've changed my mind?" she snapped sitting up glaring at him.

Shrugging Chase resumed the scene.

***

Terrell spent several hours helping Diana clean up from the party. He tried several times to broach the subject of the producer only to be glared at. Shrugging he gave up. What more could he do?

"Call me when you home?" he requested.

"Sure. I'll let you know how it goes," she smiled at him despite her misgivings of the intentions of the producer.

She arrived a few minutes early. As she waited she paced the sidewalk in front of the building trying to convince herself that this was what she wanted. She turned towards the door when a voice behind her said "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Frowning she turned toward the source of the voice. A young man sat with a guitar beside him. "Why?" she asked approaching him.

"That guy is a real sleaze" came the response.

"How do you know?"she asked moving closer.

"He'll tell you anything to get you into bed," the young man told  her.

"Speaking from experience?" she smirked.

"As a matter of fact I am," he stood up "the guy's a perv. He don't much care what be beds as long as he's getting some. When I realized what his proposition was I left. I may be fresh from the farm but I'm not stupid. It's a bad deal whatever he's offering. Don't go in there."

Looking over her shoulder she sighed. Terrell had been right the guy had just wanted in her pants. Nothing more. Why ha she let herself believe he was on the up and up? "Hey" she turned calling after the boy who was in the process of leaving "thank you."

Stopping "that's what I'm here for," he said shrugging "doing my part to prevent young dreamers like myself from being taken advantage of."

"Really?" she asked walking up to him.

"It might sound silly but I figure he schedules his special meeting at about 6:00. I try to discourage anyone I meet from going inside. If I succeed I feel I'm doing something to help."

"What about the police?" Diana asked.

"It's just my word against his," he said "since that guy has clout they don't even listen."

Hearing his stomach growl she asked "would you like to join me for dinner?" then added "my treat."

Looking down at her he shrugged "don't mind if I do but it'll be my treat."

Shaking her head "no it's the least I could do for being saved from making a terrible mistake."

"Sense you put it that way I'll let you treat me to dinner if you'll let me take you out tomorrow."

"Like a date?" she asked sounding surprised.

"Of course," he replied following her towards the bus stop "what no car?" he asked.

"Who needs a car in the city?" she laughed adding "beside they're too expensive."

"I know I sold mine as soon as I moved here," he glanced at her extending his hand "I'm Colt Critchley."

Blushing she took his hand "it's nice to meet you. I'm Diana Bennett."

***

"He seems nice," Jennifer said "I hope she gives him a chance."

"Are you talking to me?" Chase asked.

"Um no," she looked at the scene "Diana and I used to be close. I don't know what happened..."

"Could it be you spent too much time going into the past that you forgot to live your life?" Chase asked her.

"I....I never thought about it," she turned to face him "all I wanted to do was save my dad. I didn't think about anyone or anything else."

"Don't you think it's time you did?"

"I...I don't know. Maybe," she turned back to the scene.

Trying not to hope to much Chase found himself thinking he was starting to make headway.

***

Six months late Colt found himself moving his stuff into Diana's apartment. Coming up behind her he wrapped his arms around her "how did I let you talk me into this?"

Leaning into him "I was wondering the same thing. How did I get myself in this situation?" Turning in his arms she looked up at him "I could stay like this forever."

Leaning in he nibbled on her lips "I love you," he murmured against her cheek.

"Mmm I love you too," she squeezed him tight. "I'm so glad you came into my life."

"Not half as glad as I am," she said kissing the end of her nose. "I almost didn't go that night."

"Really? Why?" she asked looking into his eyes.

"I had a audition lined up. They canceled at the last minute. So I decided to go and do my good deed." Kissing her again "what would you have done if I hadn't been stopped you?"

"I'd have gone in," she told him looking down "I was so desperate to have someone take me seriously and make one of dad's novels into a movie. I was flattered by all the attention that producer showered on me." Shaking her head she turned away "it would have been the worst mistake of my life."

Putting his hands on her shoulders "it's ok I understand that drive. That desire to see one's dreams come true. Don't give up Diana. Someone out there is going to appreciate what you're trying to do. If nothing else I'll soon be raking in the dough from my recording contract and world tour you'll be able to produce them yourself."

"Do you think so?" she asked turning to him "are my dad's novels any good?"

"Hey don't doubt yourself," he lifted her chin "no matter how long it take it'll be worth it. I'm not just saying that either. I've read your dad's books. They're good. Believe me once you find the right person they'll see it to. Don't give up."

"Easy for you to say," she said turning to look out the window "your dreams have already started coming true."

"I've been working at longer then you have too," Colt told her pulling her away from the window. "Tomorrow why don't we brain storm what producers to see next."

Eyes brightening Diana asked "why not now?"

"Because I have other things on my mind right now," he said pulling her close.

***

 "Ugh," Jennifer covered her eyes "I think I know entirely too much about my siblings sex lives."

Smiling at her "what's the matter? Jealous?"

"No of course not. It's just..." her voice trailed away "it's been a while."

"If  you let go of your obsession you'll have time for a relationship..."

"Are you offering?" she asked staring at him an unreadable gleam in her eyes.

"Depends," he said as she leaned in close "will it have any affect on your decision? Will you stop messing with time?"

"Why does everything keep coming back to that?" Jennifer asked pouting.

"Because that's the whole reason why I'm here. Why I'm showing you these things," Chase said standing up.

Crossing her arms pouting "I want to do something else. Something more fun." She stood up following Chase. Leaning in close she planted her lips on his.

For a moment Chase felt himself give in to the pleasurable sensations of being kissed.  Putting his arms up he pushed her away from him "no Jen I can't."

"Why not?" she demanded scowling at him. "Don't you see? With your help I could change everything that went wrong. You have the knowledge I lack."

Staring into her beautiful blue eyes he felt drawn to her. He wanted to help her. Wanted to make everything right for her.....

[Author's note: The next chapter will be the what is chapter and we'll finally find out what Jennifer's decision is. Will she continue to change the past? Will she stop? I hope to have the next chapter out in the next couple days.]