Exiting the closet, Minnie walks away on trembling legs. She needs a shower before the afternoon, even though she would dearly love to wear Harry's scent on her thighs the rest of the day. Thank goodness she got a suite for her and Xavier. Heading there now, she feels tears spring to her eyes. That was some of the most amazing sex she'd had with anyone. Twice now. It can't be a sign. No. She won't have it.

Wilhelmina Olivia Wakefield is a strong woman who needs no man in her life to make it fulfilling.

At the room, she inserts the key card in the lock, hearing laughter from the other side. Opening the door, she sees Xavier playing a videogame with Meg. They're giggling as they race each other around the track on an old racing game.

"I'm going to take a quick shower," she calls to them, heading into the second bedroom with its attached bathroom.

"Yeah. Okay. Whatever." Xavier gruffly responds.

It's only when she's stripped off her sweater dress, tossing it to the side that she realizes her panties are still on the shelf in the closet. Fuck. Some maid is going to get quite the surprise when she fills up on supplies. Maybe Minnie could sneak in on her way back and snag them.

But there's no time and no privacy. After a brisk (and tasteless - to Minnie anyway; Meg and Xavier rave over it) lunch from room service, the three step out into the hall together. Minnie has put on slacks this time, lest she be tempted to crawl onto Harry's lap during the afternoon sessions. She really can't figure out why she is so horny these days. For crying out loud, one good fuck is usually enough to last her a month or more. And it's not that Harry isn't good at this. He's brilliant at it. So why is she even now not feeling sated?

Wistfully, she gazes at the closet door as they walk past it. Upon arriving at the press room, Minnie wonders if she can sneak out on some excuse. Restroom maybe?

Heading towards the door swiftly, yet stealthily, she's stalled by Harry who has magically appeared in front of her. It appears she's not the only one who took a shower and changed clothes. He's now wearing patterned slacks with a black open-necked shirt. Leaning close to her, he whispers, "I have something of yours," and gives her his best smirk.

Minnie is equally relieved and horrified. Mouth gaping, she wonders how to get her panties back from him. Quirking his eyebrow, he teases, "And they're staying with me."

Before Minnie can respond, Xavier explodes behind her, "Get your fucking hands off me!" Whirling around, panties forgotten in her worry, Minnie makes her way towards Xavier where a crew member is attempting to adjust his microphone.

"Stop!" Minnie sternly orders, "His rider stipulates that only his personal assistant can touch his person. What do you need her to do?"

Meg steps in, following the instructions of the sound engineer who is standing to the side with his hands in the air, clearly pissed that he's not allowed to touch the talent. Finally, the interviewer is ready. Minnie can't focus through most of the questions, though, as the only thought swirling in her mind is, 'Fuck. He's got my favorite panties.'

Luckily, Xavier is in the groove from the morning. Plus, it helps that Meg just had her hands on him to adjust the microphone. The afternoon rolls by without another hitch. As they wrap up, Jeffrey removes Harry quickly and efficiently, exiting through a side door to avoid the fans and press while Minnie gathers Xavier to do just the opposite, marching him proudly through the fans out front to show how docile and calm he is these days.

The next time Minnie has a moment to think about her encounter with Harry is when she's climbing into bed that night. And all she can think as her head hits the pillow is, "Please let that be the last time I get horny around him." She falls asleep to her standard mantra, "I am all that I need. I am all that I need. I am all...."

Saturday morning dawns bright and early. Too fucking bright and early for Meg who wants to sleep in, but her sweet 3-year-old son Titus is jumping on the bed the moment the sun comes up. This is the problem with California, she thinks. Morning comes too early most of the time, with sunshine streaming in every window. And all Meg wants is to sleep in.

Corralling her boy against her chest, she tries to encourage him to go back to sleep so she can get a little more shut-eye too. But Titus bounces in the bed, playing with his toy airplane, making flying noises. "Shhhhhh," she whispers, but he ignores her, happily flying his plane around her face. With a sigh, she flips on the television, thinking about how it makes her a "bad mother" to turn on media stimuli whenever she needs a moment of peace. BUT....she just needs a little more time to sleep --- or to process her feelings towards Xavier. And cartoons distract Titus so she can do just that.

When she started working for Xavier, she knew it was going to be a challenge. One she was willing to take on. For her interview, she was exactly on time, professionally dressed even though the job is pretty basic. The woman before her left the interview in tears, and as Megan entered the room, she saw a shadow of regret cross Xavier's face. That was the moment she knew she had to work for him. Oh, she'd heard about how difficult he was as a boss. Demanding. Rude. A true asshole. Except that little touch of humanity she'd seen made it clear to her that he was redeemable.

There were days when she shook her head at her naiveté, kicking herself mentally for taking the position, especially when she went home in tears. Those days, Titus would stay close to her side, knowing something was wrong but unable to articulate it. He would say, "Mommy sad? Be happy, Mommy." Then he would curl into her side and make her feel like a million dollars because she had the kindest, most empathetic son on the entire planet.

Then there were times when Meg's heart would simply soar. She would see a shift in Xavier's behavior, an example of how he could be. The first time was when they were filming early in the shoot, before Harry Styles' joint scenes with Xavier. She'd had a rotten morning because Titus wasn't feeling well. He had croup, and she'd been up most of the night with him, holding him in the rocking chair in his room, snuggling him close to her body so that he could sleep sitting up. It helped the crud in his chest settle so he could sleep. His wheezing breaths broke her heart, and she dozed off and on as best she could.

Then in the morning, Titus was mad because she had to go to work, and he cried loudly when Meg handed him off to her mother for the day. He'd thrown his sippy cup of juice at her, and the lid had come off, covering Meg in orange stickiness. But she was determined not to be late for work, so she'd gone in anyway. Xavier had been difficult to awaken that morning; she could smell the booze wafting from his clothes and his pores. Must have been a late night. When she gently shook his shoulder, he knocked her hand off and told her to "Fuck off, bitch."

Meg had taken the moment in stride, as those were his normal waking words. But when she'd pushed him to get up, he'd growled louder and practically pushed her as he climbed out of bed in his blue boxers.

"Why're you all wet?" he barked.

Sheepishly, Meg had said she'd spilled the juice she was bringing him on herself. No way was she going to tell him about Titus. He would never be able to accept that she had a child. Xavier had looked at her in confusion because she never spilled anything. Then he did the most thoughtful thing. Reaching into the duffel bag on the shelf next to the kitchen, he'd pulled out a shirt. Smelling it first, he tossed it to her. "You can wear that," he mumbled, crossing to the shower.

That was a good day, Meg thought: the first time he'd done something nice for her. She'd worn the shirt with pride all day long, and then slept in it. At some point she was going to have to return the shirt. She knew this rationally. But there was something about keeping it around, having it to wear. It wasn't like it smelled of him anymore, as she'd washed it multiple times since the first day. But around her apartment, she loved to wear it. In fact, if it was even remotely clean, she was wearing it. Her favorite thing of all was to feel the fabric brushing against her bare boobs. It made her feel a little like Xavier was touching her intimately.

The other night -- at Harry's party -- Meg had been crushed seeing Xavier with those girls. They were skanky and beyond rude. She couldn't believe that Xavier would choose them over her, and yet she watched as he allowed them to rub against his body. When one of them kissed him, shoving her tongue in his mouth, Meg looked away, choosing to spend time talking to other crew members. She made connections with a few of Hollywood's greatest celebrities at the party, and she knew she would have work anytime she wanted it. That was promising. As a teen mom, Meg was relieved to have finally been able to move out of her parent's house and into her tiny one-bedroom apartment with Titus. Typically, she slept on the sofa bed while Titus got the bedroom to himself although Meg did use half of the closet for her clothes and other belongings.

When Xavier had needed help getting home from Harry's party, Meg and Olivia had teamed up to provide the support he needed. She'd been astonished when he'd drunkenly asked her to cuddle with him, and it was still the best night she'd had in ages. Sleeping with her head on his chest while his breathing evened out and his arm was wrapped tightly around her, Xavier had made her feel safe. Yes, it was weird. Why should she feel safe around this man who threatened everyone's sanity? Yet that was exactly how she had felt bundled in his arms.

Today, Meg is saddened that her time with Xavier will end when promo ends. She was, quite honestly, shocked when he asked her to stay on during the downtime between filming and the release. Readily, she'd agreed, leading Xavier to think she didn't have another job lined up, when truly she had to cancel her next job so she could stay with him.

"I hungry," Titus' stomach growls, and Meg hugs him close, laughing. She would have to tackle the issue of Xavier another time. Right now her boy needed to eat.

========

Saturday mornings don't start until nearly noon for Minnie. Mostly because she spends the first three hours that she's awake in bed. Reading the trades. A girl has to keep up on the industry to maintain business these days. After her second cup of coffee and a luxurious breakfast of some baked treat she picked up on Friday night, Minnie forces herself out of bed.

The windows on the 12th floor look out onto the city, but no one can see in, so she opens the curtains the first time she's awake, letting the bright sunlight in. For a while, she'd tried sitting on her balcony in her peignoir set with the magazines, newspapers, and her coffee. But it just wasn't quite the level of opulence she wanted. So now she sits cross-legged in bed, sipping the bitter brew and making notes about this celebrity or that director.

It's a bad habit, she thinks. Sitting in bed alone until noon every Saturday. She should be out and about. Making friends. Except Minnie knows herself. She doesn't make friends. She makes acquaintances, and there are none of them that she would like to give up her Saturday morning to spend time with. This -- this is pure heaven. Well, this plus her Sunday morning ritual of eating Belgian waffles with fresh berries and cream, delivered from Le Pain Quotidien while she watches one of her favorite romantic comedies. But that's for tomorrow. For today, she's happy to just enjoy climbing into her jetted tub to further relax.

Dressing comfortably in black leggings and an oversized sweater, Minnie packs a bag with her workout gear. Pulling on her sneakers, she's ready to face the day. It's cool, but not cold. After all, it's LA. When is it ever cold?

Her first stop on Saturday afternoons is the West LA Animal Shelter. Katie at the front desk greets her when she comes in, "Minnie! So good to see you today! Taking Powerpuff for a walk again? I wish you'd consider adopting her. She loves you so much! And no one else seems to want her."

Sighing, Minnie smiles at the young, idealistic woman. "You know I would adopt her if I had time to care for her, Katie. But I travel a lot, and I don't have a yard for her and it just wouldn't be fair to her. Any others you want me to take out today?"

Katie looks over the list on her computer, running her finger along the names of dogs who haven't been adopted for a while. Every Saturday that she's in town, Minnie takes a dog or two for a walk at Virginia Avenue Park, in the hopes that someone will see them and want to adopt one of them. For the last two months, she's taken Powerpuff out for these walks. Of course, Powerpuff is a ridiculous name for the poor dog, so Minnie has renamed her Daisy and calls her that when the two are alone together.

Katie calls for someone to bring up Powerpuff, and the moment the dog sees Minnie, she starts barking, her whole body wiggling. The other worker can barely hold onto the pet as she squirms to get out of his arms. Once the volunteer stoops to place her on the floor, the dog runs to Minnie on her three legs, bouncing along as happily as can be. She's a Terrier mix with a mostly-black coat on her torso and white legs. Her tail is bushy as can be, and she wags it like crazy as she runs and jumps with her one front paw onto Minnie's leg, begging to be petted.

Minnie attaches the leash and nods to the workers, promising to bring her back in the next couple of hours. "Come on, girl!" She encourages the dog who excitedly leaps after Minnie down the front steps.

At the park, the two of them walk for a while and then rest when they come to an empty bench. Daisy is the nicest dog and she gets around great on her three legs, but it tires her out to walk too much. Short walks with frequent breaks help. The first time they stop, Daisy plops on the ground next to Minnie, watching some boys play soccer in the field. After the game, a couple of them come over, asking to pet Daisy, and Minnie smiles at them, nodding. Tentatively, the children reach out to her, and her tail wags even harder.

"Awwww....she's so cute! Mom! Look at her!"

The boy's mother agrees that Daisy is very adorable.

"She's available for adoption," Minnie throws in.

"Oh....well...." the woman starts, "I'm sure she's lovely, but we can't take care of a three legged dog."

"But Daisy doesn't need anything more than any other pet! Some food, water, a place to sleep, and people who love her," Minnie tries her best sales tactics, but rather half-heartedly. After all, if this family adopts Daisy, who will walk with Minnie on Saturday afternoons?

"We'll think about it," lies the lady, "Come on, boys. We've got to get some chores done."

When they leave, Daisy looks at Minnie and hauls herself up with a sigh. "Ready to walk again, Daisy?" Minnie asks, standing from the bench herself. "Don't worry about those people, Daisy. They just don't know what they're missing. Someone lovely will adopt you. The perfect owner who loves you for you. Promise!"

The pair wander the park for another 20 minutes before Minnie can tell Daisy needs to rest. Sitting on the bench, Minnie is startled when Daisy hops onto the bench next to her, resting her head in Minnie's lap, whining slightly.

"Don't look at me like that, Daisy," Minnie admonishes the dog, "You're too big to sit in my lap." But when the charming terrier mix cries a little more, Minnie gives up, "Okay, fine. But there's really no room for you. And you're going to get dog hair all over my sweater."

Daisy doesn't care. She crawls into Minnie's lap, her front paw on one side of Minnie's legs while her back paws hang over the other side of Minnie's legs. It's probably comical to anyone passing by, but Minnie doesn't mind. Stroking the fur, she talks to Daisy, spilling all of her problems, "Hey, you're a lady. Don't look at me like that! I didn't call you a b! You ARE a lady, and I have a question I would only ask a lady friend."

Quizzically, Daisy shifts one eye to look up at Minnie, then lifts her head and plants a sloppy wet kiss right along Minnie's jaw. "None of that, sweet girl. We're ladies. We don't kiss in public." When Daisy snorts and puts her head back onto Minnie's thigh, Minnie continues, "Okay, my lady friend. Here's the question. Why is it that I cannot seem to put Harry Styles out of my mind? I mean, he was a good fuck and all...." At this, Daisy looks at Minnie accusingly, "Fine! He was a great fuck. But still. Why haven't I gotten him out of my system yet? And if word were to get out that I am boinking him during the press junket? I'd never live it down. My reputation would be in shreds." When Daisy appears to disagree, Minnie retreats, "Maybe not that bad. I suspect my good name will survive. But is that a reason to keep, uh...doing him?"

Daisy starts snoring, and Minnie realizes the darling is asleep. She continues her dialogue, though. "Of course it isn't. You're absolutely right, my friend. I will stop bumping uglies with him. No more will I be turned on by his incredibly sexy body. I will behave like a lady around him and pretend that he doesn't melt my insides. It's too risky otherwise. Thanks, Daisy."

At her name, the dog lifts her head, sitting up to look Minnie in the eye. She leans forward and licks Minnie from her chin to her forehead. "Ewwwww.....I mean, thanks, my dear!" Surreptitiously wiping off her face, Minnie gathers her things. The two walk back to the car on a direct route because it's clear that Daisy is exhausted and ready to get home to her bed, and Minnie needs to get to her spin class. Home. Not really the right word, but for now, the shelter is the best home possible.