"Listen, I know we haven't had much of a chance to talk over the last few days, so I wanted to see how you're doing."

Her expression changed, becoming a little flat, unimpressed. "You're coming to check up on me now, Kyle?"

"Not at all. Just wanted to see how you're doing."

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Why are you asking?" She said, a hint of anger in her tone as she faced him. "You've barely spoken to me since you were in here a few nights ago. You held me in your arms until I drifted off to sleep, and then you've barely spoken to me since."

He frowned. "I know. We've been really busy, and I haven't had much time to chat."

"You seem to find plenty of time with your PA. And Kara too," She added.

"Hey, you could have come and seen me any time," He told her. "This isn't all on me."

"It's not easy to just walk in to see you with Patricia hanging around all the time like some possessive jealous frickin wife," Katie said, shaking her head. "And how come you've never included me in your late night balcony talks with Kara either?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Because they're not planned. I sit out there at night and have a smoke and Kara has one too. I don't issue invites or anything."

"Why have you never come to see me again, Kyle?" She said bluntly. "Why?"

He spread his hands helplessly. "What do you want me to say here, Katie? You said we shouldn't speak of what happened. You said it couldn't ever happen again."

"And you agreed," She said quickly.

"I did. So what was supposed to happen? Was I meant to come and cuddle you to sleep every night, because that's not fucked up at all, is it?"

"Don't be sarcastic," She snapped. "That's the last thing I need."

"So what do you need, Katie? What do you want?"

"I don't know," She said a moment later. "Kara doesn't really talk to me at all. You've barely said two words outside the meetings, and I'm bored of it. You were this guy, this figure of fantasy in my head, and now the reality isn't matching up to the memory. Now I feel completely alone, and I just want to go home."

He frowned, thinking, trying to consider what she was saying. He knew he should have made more of an effort over the last few days, but he'd been so caught up in everything that was happening, and his attraction with Patricia was definitely a part of that too.

"Okay, I had this idea earlier and wanted to talk to you about it," He said, choosing his words with care. "How would you feel about us bringing some friends out here?"

"I thought it was meant to be just the three of us for the week?"

"And I'm thinking we could do with some people we know to keep us grounded, or remind us who we are, know what I mean?"

"I know who I am," Katie said bluntly. "I don't know who you are though. You're not the same guy you were three years ago though."

"Everybody changes in three years, Katie. Even you. Anyway, that's besides the point. What do you think? You could bring Margarita out for a few days if you want."

"What about Kara?"

"She can bring people out too," Kyle shrugged.

"Kyle, she doesn't have anybody."

"No friends at all?"

"Have you ever heard her mention anyone?" Katie asked. "There's no numbers in her phone book apart from ours and the work stuff."

"Then maybe she can make friends with our friends," Kyle said. "I don't know. I think it's a good idea. Would you like to see Margarita here?"

She thought for a second and nodded.

"I'll ask Lakshmi to arrange it," Kyle said, nodding.

"Not Patricia?" Katie said quickly.

"No, she's a bit.... indisposed this morning."

"Good."

"Katie," Kyle protested, chuckling at her tone.

"What? I don't have to like her, do I?"

"Just give her a chance. She's okay," Kyle said.

"I'll think about it."

"And in the meantime, how about we start again?"

"As long as you're not going to be a dick any more," She said, a hint of a smile on her face.

"I can do that. You have to be less argumentative though."

"I'm not argu..."

"Gotcha," He said, cutting her off.

"Sneaky fucker," She said, laughing.

"I have my moments," He grinned. "Now, it's breakfast time and we've got some guests. You coming down?"

"Five minutes."

"Bring the laptop. Those pictures are impressive and you should show them off."

"I might."

"You must have a great camera," He added.

"Oh, Kyle," Katie said, sighing. "Complimenting a photographers images and then saying they must have a great camera is like eating a top-class meal in a fantastic restaurant, then meeting the head chef and complimenting him on his pots and pans."

Kyle burst out laughing. "Yeah, I guess so. Sorry."

"It's okay. It happens to every photographer."

"You're coming down?" He said again.

"Few minutes," She nodded. "I need to smarten up. You sick of all the wardrobe changes yet?"

"Beyond sick." Kyle grinned. "Today I got to choose my own clothes. That was a change of pace."

"Maybe I should get Heidi drunk tonight then," Katie smiled.

"Good luck with that," Kyle replied, remembering how sober she seemed the night before when she put Patricia to bed. "See you in a few."

Kyle tracked down Lakshmi and told her about Margarita, and suggested she catch Katie and find out if she wanted to bring anyone else out, then asked her to organise for Ed and Casey to come out too.

He sat down on his balcony, lit a cigarette, called them both and felt immensely relieved when they jumped at the chance to come and see the Island. Ed called him an asshole for not getting a picture of Caroline for him, and Casey point blank refused to believe him when he said he had been hit on by Charlize Theron.

Kara drifted by towards the end of the call with Casey, so he cut it short and carefully asked her about bringing out anyone she wanted to the Island for a few days. She shrugged and said she was fine, then drifted off to breakfast as if she didn't really care. Kyle frowned and made a mental note to try and draw her into spending more time with Katie, then headed into his suite to see how Patricia was.

He found her sitting on his bed with a laptop, wearing only a black bra and matching panties.

"Wow. You look hot," He said immediately.

"Don't go getting any ideas," She replied, winking anyway.

"What you up to?" He asked, getting up on the bed beside her.

"Checking out the kiss and tell story," She said, handing him the laptop. "You recognise her now?"

"Nope," He said, seeing the photo of a brunette in a blue bikini, posing next to the article. He quickly read it and started to laugh. "I know who she is now."

"Who?"

"Some girl that Ed fucked at a college party," He explained. "He was playing some drinking game and got locked in a wardrobe with these two girls. They couldn't have impressed him because he gave them my name."

"Your name?"

"Yeah, he used to think it was funny to give girls he deemed as fugly my name and number. Sometimes Ed can be... unusual."

"You mean an asshole?"

He shrugged. "Pretty much."

"Okay, I'll let the media people know the chick was so drunk she got the wrong guy and actually banged his friend. That should make that story go away," She murmured, taking the laptop back.

"You sure you're up to working?"

"Shut up, Kyle," She said, rolling her eyes.

"You coming down for breakfast?"

"I'll be down in a bit," She nodded. As Kyle got off the bed to leave, she called him. "Kyle."

"Yeah?"

"You think I look hot in black lingerie?" He could see she was enjoying asking him that, teasing him a little.

"Want me to come over there and show you how much?"

"Nope," She said, sticking her tongue out at him.

"One of these days..." He said, grinning.

Kyle arrived at breakfast to see Kara seated between Johnny Depp and Sting who were having an animated conversation about the song he sung for the movie Leaving Las Vegas. Kara seemed to be holding her own in the discussion, which was surprising, so he took a seat a few places down, opposite Charlie and next to Neil Finn.

They talked about the impromptu concert last night, and Kyle told them how he was totally blown away by it, and how he wished he'd recorded it. After Neil promising him concert tickets any time he wanted, Katie arrived, laptop in hand.

She took a seat next to Charlie and began to show her a few of the shots, and then suddenly she was the centre of attention, with Heidi quickly hooking the laptop up to one of the big screens on the walls and Katie giving an unexpected photo presentation.

By the time Kyle finished breakfast, Johnny was making a call to a friend at GQ telling him he had to hire Katie for an upcoming shoot they'd booked with him, and Charlize was emailing copies of the shots to her agents to go on her website. Neil was sitting chatting with her about shooting an album cover for him, and Katie had a massive smile on her face.

Just as he was heading outside for a smoke, Patricia appeared. "Your schedule's changed."

"Yeah, Lakshmi mentioned that."

"You've got half an hour now before the guests start to leave. Want to meet with Mister Crowler now?"

"Sure," Kyle nodded, then remembered something. "Can you get a hold of Edwin and ask him if he's got a minute to chat too please?"

"He's in the bar just now," She replied, so Kyle nodded and walked over.

"Hi, Edwin."

"Good morning, Master Kyle," The old man nodded. "Everything to your satisfaction?"

"Yeah, everything's excellent," He nodded. "Listen, I had a question for you."

"Go ahead, Master Kyle."

Kyle closed the outside door, making sure there was no-one else in the room.

"A discrete matter, I assume?"

"Yeah," Kyle nodded. "I wanted to ask. Where's Mister Tripps safe room?"

"You mean where he keeps his valuables?" The old Englishman asked, one eyebrow raised.

"No, I mean like a panic room. I assume he has one here?"

"Actually, no," Edwin said, looking down. "It was something I brought up regularly with Mister Tripps, however he didn't like the idea of locking himself in a box. A bone of contention, I'm afraid."

"I thought he would have had one," Kyle said, surprised. "Was he claustrophobic or something?"

"I don't know," Edwin said, shrugging. "But I can assure you no such room exists, Master Kyle."

"Oh, okay."

"Was there anything else I could assist you with, Master Kyle?"

"No, I don't think so... wait, Patricia said you're waiting for a part for her shower."

"I'm afraid you must be mistaken, Master Kyle," Edwin replied, looking puzzled. "As far as I'm aware there are no faults with any of the facilities in your suite."

"Really?" Kyle replied, frowning. Had Patricia just made that up so she could have an excuse to use his bathroom?

"I'm sure, Master Kyle, however I will have maintenance check immediately."

"Don't worry about it," Kyle said, shaking his head. "I probably just picked her up wrong."

"If you insist, Master Kyle," Edwin replied, nodding his head.

"Thanks, Edwin. That's all it was."

"Have a good day, sir," The Englishman replied.

"You too," Kyle murmured as he headed outside. He was chuckling a little at the idea that Patricia had faked a broken shower so she could use his bathroom, and made a mental note to check it out himself, but then his mind drifted back to Edwin's claim that there was no safe room on the Island. Connor's note claimed there must be, and that seemed more likely.

"That doesn't make sense that Danny Tripps wouldn't have one," He whispered as he walked, and decided to bring it up again with Connor that afternoon.

When he got back to the lounge, Mister Crowler was waiting for him, so Kyle suggested they have a walk while they talked.

"You asked me a few days ago when we first met if I was your lawyer, Kyle," The old man reminded him.

"Yeah. That seems like weeks ago," Kyle replied. "It's fine now though."

"Well, the purpose of this meeting was to let you know I'm now your lawyer, and you can discuss anything with me in complete confidentiality," Mister Crowler explained. "Now, I believe my number is in your cellphone?"

Kyle nodded.

"Good. In the event of any kind of emergency or situation, you call me, day or night. Particularly if there is any potential legal impact."

"I've to call you first?"

"No, obviously if you need to call an Ambulance then you do that first. Then, you call me."

"Okay," Kyle nodded. "Hey, I've got a question for you."

"Of course," Mister Crowler nodded.

"Do you happen to know if Danny Tripps was claustrophobic?"

"No, he wasn't at all," The lawyer replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just asking Edwin if the Island had a panic room, like a safe room, in the event of an attack or something, but he said that it didn't," Kyle explained.

"That's rather unusual," Mister Crowler said, frowning.

"Why's that?"

"Well, I know his residences in New York, LA and Hawaii all have them. As does the villa in Italy, now that I think on it," The old man replied. "This island had extensive work done on it prior to the builders coming in, and that would fit with the installation of a safe area."

"You think there is one?" Kyle asked, his eyes widening.

"Allow me to check out a few things, Kyle," Mister Crowler said softly. "This is a discrete enquiry, I assume."

"Yes. I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but if there is a safehouse, then my sisters and I should know about it, and if it's there, why is Edwin keeping it from us?" Kyle frowned. "Likewise, I don't want to call him a liar if there's nothing there either, know what I mean?"

"I do," The old man nodded. "I shall find out what I can."

"Thanks, Mister Crowler," Kyle nodded.

"Kyle," The old man said, stopping him. "I think it's acceptable for you to call me George if you wish."

"George it is," Kyle nodded. "And thanks for the chat."

The next couple of hours flew by as Kyle, Katie and Kara escorted their guests back to either the helipad or the pier, bidding them all farewell, and thanking them for coming along.

It was almost surreal how they'd arrived as these famous people with reputations and impressions, yet when they left twentyfour hours later they seemed different people entirely. Johnny Depp was Johnny, a goofy guy and a bit of an oddball with a sensitive side and Charlize Theron was just Charlie, a chatty and flirty woman who cared deeply about her projects.

Kyle, Kara and Katie were then walked down to a small shooting range at the far West side of the Island to meet Connor Grant and the Islands Head of Security, Brian Kane. The 'introduction to firearms' proved to be a real eye-opener, as they saw Connor Grant in work-mode. Gone was the charismatic rogue with the scotch in hand, and in his place was a neat and tidy professional, calm and confident who demonstrated using a pistol with ridiculous accuracy.

Connor spoke to them for a few minutes about how if they were under threat they may need to know how to use a firearm, and without going into any specifics, he explained that he was speaking from experience and they should listen closely as what he was about to teach could one day save their lives.

They were taken through how various different models of pistols worked, how the safety worked, how to use the sights and then shooting stances. Katie had ever fired a gun before, but Kara had in the past, explaining she used to be friends with a biker who was a bit of a gun nut. Kyle had grown up with guns in the house as his father was a policeman, so he'd been to the range half a dozen times and had a basic grasp on firearm safety.

While Katie hit the target sometimes, and Kyle hit it most of the time, Kara proved to be the best shot of the three of them, hitting the targets centre-mass with most of her shots. Brian Kane hit the centre mass with every shot which was impressive, until Connor stepped up and hit bullseyes and eyeballs for fun.

Kyle didn't get the chance to mention to Connor about the conversations with Edwin and George Crowler as they were whisked off again as Kare and Katie were to attend appointments with the team of beautificans on the Island. Kyle was led straight into the gym for his second workout of the day, emerging exhausted and shaking as usual.

He stumbled into his suite, a weary smile on his face as Patricia steered him straight into the bath, the now familiar smell of bath salts permeating the air.

It had been a long day already, after a late night and Kyle rested his head against the end of the bath and closed his eyes, breathing slowly and deeply as he rested his sore muscles in the hot water. He mentally drifted and wondered if he'd snoozed as Patricia placed a gentle hand on top of his head. He hadn't even heard her come in.

"Sit forward," She said softly, and he groaned as he sat upright, leaning forward in the bath. He watched silently as she slipped off the white dressing gown, exposing her naked form, and with no pretence at discomfort or awkward positions for massaging him, Patricia entered the water behind him, slipping her legs round either side of his hips. Her hands rested on top of his shoulders and she slowly eased him back until he was resting on her body, his head on her chest.

"That's nice," He murmured, feeling the tension in the air.

Kyle felt her hands begin to soap up his shoulders and chest, massaging his pectoral muscles down to the side of his ribs and across his stomach and he closed his eyes again.

"You work too hard," Patricia said quietly in his ear. "I worry about how sore you are when you come back from the gym. I worry you're going to tear something, or hurt yourself."

Kyle took a deep slow breath, and felt her head resting against his. It felt comforting, intimate and he could feel her breath on his neck. Her hands slowly began to drag handfuls of water up his body, rinsing the soap off him with each gentle movement.

"Lean forward," She said quietly a moment later, but Kyle stayed where he was, feeling each rise and fall of her breathing, revelling in the contact between them.

"Kyle," She said gently, checking to see if he was asleep. As she moved her head to the side to try and check, he rolled his head around until his lips were inches from her neck and he kissed her soft skin.

"Kyle," She said gently. "Come on, sit forward."

He kissed her neck again, then dragged his lips down over her collarbone.

"Don't do this," She whispered, but he could hear the desire in her voice, could feel it in the way her arms held him in place against her.

His lips sought her neck again, and he felt her head roll back in pleasure at his touch.

"Kyle, you shouldn't...."

"Shush," He whispered, kissing her once more, hearing her sigh. He brought his left hand up, carefully running his fingers along the line of her jaw, and he felt her kiss his thumb as it moved past her lips and then her lips were on his.

They kissed, a sudden explosion of passion that had been kept at bay for too long.

Patricia's arms wrapped him in tight, her legs locked themselves around him as she slid her tongue into his mouth, kissing him with an audible moan.

Kyle pressed her lips against hers, feeling her desire explode as he felt his own, ripping through his body like an electrical recharge. His hand wrapped itself in her hair, holding her to him as he kissed her, hard and hungry.

He realised he was growling with desire, his cock erect and wanting and he could feel it pressing at her legs. Kyle knew she could too, and he felt them move, releasing him to turn.

They broke in a mad scramble, panting as their wide eyes stared at each other. Patricia's hand came up and held his head as he flipped onto his front, both of them ignoring the wave of water that sloshed onto the floor and buffeted them, caught in their own passion.