Without waiting for her response he went on； his voice low but
relentless； his gaze intense。 He put his hands on the table。 〃When was
the last time you saw a flower child？ Hmm？ They've vanished。 Disbanded。
Lost the war。〃 The pause he took was for a deep breath。 〃Well； I haven't
lost。 I'm working from within to change things。 Did that ever occur to
you； Chloe？ You've been so quick to label me first one way； then the
other。 Did it ever occur to you that your impression wasn't even skin
deep； that there's a me under it all？〃
It was a while before Chloe was able to speak。 She certainly didn't know
Ross。 This speech presented a new side of him。 And he was right。
〃I'm sorry；〃 she said。 〃It was wrong of me to do that。 I'm not always
that way。〃 She tried a smile in apology。 To her relief； it seemed to
work。 His features relaxed。
〃Only with me； eh？〃 He inhaled deeply and stood tall； holding his breath
for a minute while his head fell back； then releasing it as his eyes met
hers。
She felt suitably contrite and suddenly drained。 〃You have a knack for
bringing out my extremes。 I guess I'm just tired。 It's late。〃 A glance
at the bold face of Ross's watch told her exactly how late。 〃Oh； Lord！
It's two in the morning！〃 She caught her breath； looked at the ceiling；
and whispered； 〃Do you think we've woken anyone up？〃
Ross's chiding was gentle。