Well it’s been a while since I posted. I hope you didn’t mind.

Anyway, last time Orla was sent home and the leader board changed. Can Mary make a come back? Or will the last day be the epic battle between Star and Ruby Mae.

Let’s get started shall we?

“I want to lodge a protest! It is highly unfair that two contestants are working together to oust another. I demand that this competition be stopped immediately!”

“Star can make any deals she wants in order to win. I think its smart ganging up against the strongest contender.”

“Hey wait a minute! What are you saying about Mary? She can still win it. Just you watch”

“Hold it! I agree that I don’t like that two of the contestants are making alliances but it isn’t against the rules. I mean it isn’t like they kidnapped the competition and held the other girls hostage.”

“Don’t give the green girl ideas!”

“Hey!”

I looked up from where I was seated between the warring simselves and saw Yakko sauntering toward the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

He just smiled and kept going without saying a word. Which was odd.

“Yakko…” I started following after him. “What’s wrong?”

“The ladies are fighting, Jo doesn’t like it when people fight. So I’d thought I’d make her a nice comforting bowl of mac ‘n cheese.”

“Where did these nice points come from?”

“If you can be mean, I can be nice. We don’t have to live up to what our stats say on paper, director-person. You know that.”

I looked out at the main room again. “Yeah, I know,” I said absently.

“So why did you follow me in here?”

“I told you.”

“Director-person. I may be silly. I may be kooky. And I may be rude. But give me some credit. I am not, and have never been, unobservant. What’s made you all nervous?”

“You caught that, huh?”

“Yep!”

“Have I mentioned that sometimes I hate that I wrote you as perceptive?”

“Nope!”

“I do.”

“And you haven’t answered my question?”

“You noticed that too.”

“Yep!”

“It’s kind of silly.”

“Silly’s what I do, director-person.”

“I know,” I said smiling fondly. “It’s one of the reasons that I love you.”

“Aww shucks. But you shouldn’t say that, I’m married.”

“I know.” I paused for a moment collecting my thoughts. “I’m worried what’s going to happen when I finish this thing. I mean, only one girl can win. I’m just afraid of letting people down.”

“Is that why you’ve had such a hard time with this?”

“Partially.”

Yakko paused in his stirring. “You shouldn’t worry about it, Director-person. If the girls out there are anything like Jo they will still like you regardless if their sims win. After all they wouldn’t have sent the girls if they couldn’t deal with the results.”

“I know. But-”

“No buts, just go back out there and watch the events. Just send the nurse back to me when you go.”

I stood in the kitchen a few moments longer gathering my thoughts then did what Yakko suggested.

“Where’d you go, Lark?” Cee asked when I sat down.

“After Yakko, you know how he is.”

“Oh yes!” Jo exclaimed. “He’s a nutter that one!”

“Yeah. Oh! He mentioned he wanted to see you, Jo.”

“He did? I’d better see what the bloke wants.”

“Hello nurse!”---

Frank checked his email right after Orla left. In it from his director person was an email with an attachment. Frowning, he opened the email and read:

“Heya Frank,

Look, I know that you can handle yourself. You did great yesterday. Here are the rules for this thing. Feel free to read it through and improvise if you feel up to it. I can help you if you need it but I really think you can handle the rest of this on your own.

Keep your chin up!

Lark.”

Frank sighed and read through the rules. They were pretty straight-forward. Maybe he wouldn’t screw this up too much.

“So did you find out what you are supposed to do?” Star asked hurling the football at Frank.

“Hey! Watch it!” Frank exclaimed then looked up at her. “Yeah, I did. “

“So what gives?”

“More of the SAME!” he replied shooting the pigskin back at the woman.

“Hell of an arm there, boyo. But as much fun as this is, shouldn’t we be scandalizing the neighbors?”

“If you mean that by hot tubbing, then the answer is yes.”

“Lead the way,” Star said starting to shed her clothes as she walked.

“You really have no shame do you, Miss Walton?”

“Nope! What do I have to be ashamed of?”

“I suppose that is one way to look at it.”

“Frank certainly is,” Star replied archly.

Frank shrugged and settled back against the smooth fiberglass. There really was no way he could respond to that wouldn’t get him into more trouble.

“So are we going to kissing today?” Mary asked, changing the subject.

“Yep.”

“Cool,” Star said.

“It still seems a bit forward to me,” Mary stated.

“It could be worse, sugar. He could be making out with us,” Ruby Mae soothed. She then shot an assessing glance at Frank. “Not that I would mind in the slightest.”

“Oh my! Mr. Warner, I do believe I shall be content with just a chaste kiss.”

“I understand, Miss Austen.”

“Hey, hands off of Frank!” Star growled splashing water on the southern woman. “If I have any say, he won’t be making out with you ever.”

“I think that is up to Frank and not you,” Ruby Mae said icily.

“Whatever!”

“Would you stop that!”

“No!”

“They’re doing it again,” Frank observed to Mary. “If they keep this up we’re going to have to move.”

“I concur.”

“Star and I promise to behave,” Ruby Mae said sweetly.

“Speak for yourself.”

The woman ignored Star and continued. “I’d rather use this time to get to know you better anyway.”

“I’m happy to hear that, Ruby Mae. I was beginning to think otherwise.”

“Why Frank how could you say such a thing! You know I love you!”

“You do?” Star asked incredulously. “The hell you say.”

“I’m honored you feel that way. I mean that’s the first time someone’s told me that they loved me. Like that I mean, my Mum’s told me lots that she loves me. But that doesn’t count, you know?”

“I get it, Frank-honey.”

“You aren’t really believing this crap are you?”

“I don’t have any reason to doubt her.”

“You’re a fool.”

“Dammit Star, I don’t need this from you!”

Star ignored Frank’s outburst and turned to fix Ruby Mae a hard glare. “You may think that you’ve unlocked the door to Frank’s heart. But I can tell you right now that I can see right through you. You’re just doing this to get your own way!”

“I don’t know what you are talking about! You are insane!”

“Maybe. But at least I am honest with myself and Frank. Unlike you.”

“Can you believe this!” Ruby Mae cried turning to Mary.

“I don’t know. But I know that this kind of display would not be seemly where I am from.”

“Same here. Star had to have been raised by wolves, I mean even her attire leaves a lot be desired.”

“Oh I don’t know, I kinda like it,” Frank interjected.

“Eyes up here!” Star ordered playfully, punctuating her words with a splash of warm water.

“What? I was just admiring the view.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, Mr. Warner, but I don’t believe I can remain in here much longer.”

“Yeah. And I’ve got to get the kissing done.”

“Well why didn’t you say so sooner?”

“You look a little tense.”

“It shows that much, huh?”

“Just a bit. Come here, let my fingers work their magic on you.”

“No beatings.”

“Not unless you ask for it.”

“Mmmm, that feels nice.”

“What can I say? I love it when a man is putty in my hands.”

“So what’s with you acting so nice all of a sudden. This isn’t like the snarky woman I’ve grown to know and love.”

“Okay you’ve caught me.”

“Oh?” he asked. “And just what have I uncovered?”

“I’m just a big softie on the inside,” Star said mock-sarcastically. “You’ve just made the sweet Star come out.”

Frank’s eyes softened. “I think that you might be actually telling me the truth.”

Star snorted. “Like hell. I’m just teasing.”

“I know you are. But I think there is more to it than that.”

“Pfft. I just like you!” Star protested throwing Frank into a twirl so that he wouldn’t see her face when she said that.

But Frank didn’t let up. “Nice distraction. But It isn’t going to work.”

“Oh?”

“I think I’ve got a good read on you now. You aren’t quite as tough as nails as you seem.”

“Shut up!”

“Make me!”

Star covered his mouth with her own effectively silencing him. So intense was the kiss, that Frank felt his knees get weak and start to buckle underneath him. He tilted backwards and Star bent over to follow him unwilling to relinquish his lips.

Frank stumbled and fell to the ground. “Whoa!”

Star smirked. “That is one way to get you to shut up.”

“Effective too,” he said, climbing to his feet.

“I know,” she purred.

“However it’s still not working,” he pressed. “I think I’ve seen the real Star Walton and what I see, I like.”

The woman turned away. “Frank, I really don’t want to talk about it. It was a slip of the tongue! A mistake! Nothing more!”

Frank saw that if he continued to push the woman that she would run away so decided to try a different tact. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m still not used to dealing with women. It’s just that I like that I can be myself with you and I want you to feel that level of comfort with me.”

Star grunted but didn’t say anything.

Sighing, Frank took a step back. “Look, I’m going to go do those kisses now,” he touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry I upset you.”

Star turned to face him. “Hey, we’re good.”

“We are?”

“Yeah. Just don’t get mushy on me. I mean you’re cute and all, but if you are an idiot that isn’t going to help.”

Frank smiled wryly. “Thanks, I think.”

“No problem.”

Deciding to start with Ruby Mae, Frank came over and gave her a warm kiss. Much to the other girl’s consternation.

“Frank, I know you said you were going to go kiss the girls now. But I thought you would start with me,” Star complained.

And Mary chimed in with, “Indeed. It is most unseemly to do this in front of the rest of us. It is a good thing that I am not the jealous type.”

“Hmph. I am not watching this.”

“Well that was nice,” Frank said stepping back.

“I’d say it was more than nice, honey.”

The man smiled self-consciously. “Thanks. So are you ready to do this Mary?”

“Who me?”

“I see you hiding behind Ruby Mae here.”

“You’ve caught me.”

“Oh good,” Frank breathed pressing his lips to Mary’s.

“I’d like to get a little repeat action,” Ruby Mae drawled.

“That felt nice.”

“Yes, it did,” Mary agreed. “I wouldn’t mind doing that again.”

“Me either.”

The two broke apart and looked at each other.

“So?” Frank started.

Mary smiled kindly. “I believe there is another woman you need to kiss. Am I correct?”

“Yeah. I just don’t know where she is,” Frank said staring off to one side.

“I do not believe she has gone far. She’s probably eavesdropping at this very moment.”

“I am not!” Star’s voice came from the far side of the veranda.

“See, I was correct. Now I will leave you be.”

“So you saw everything?” Frank asked as star clambered back onto the beck.

“I didn’t watch. But I did hear everything.”

“And?”

“I didn’t like it, okay?”

Frank could help but smile a little at Star’s jealousy. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

“You’d be-”

Frank didn’t let her say any more. Taking a page from Star’s book, he didn’t let her finish her sentence.

After the kissing was done, the four retired to the dining room where the girls compared kisses, much to Frank’s embarrassment.

After dinner it was every girl for herself with the competition heating up between Ruby Mae and Star.

First, Star cornered Frank coming out of the bathroom after taking a shower.

Then Ruby Mae swooped in with an offer of a backrub.

Star followed up with a gossip, probably about Ruby Mae who was standing right there.

Ruby Mae trumped Star’s gossip with a caress.

“Well played,” Star complimented. “But this isn’t over.”

“Oh what are you going to do?” Ruby Mae asked.

“Um, girls, I’m standing right here.”

“Mr. Warner just keep out of it!” Mary called. “It is the safest recourse!”

“Sorry Mary, I can’t do that. Okay, I like the attention and all, but while this is a competition I would rather it be a friendly one. So let’s all play mahjongg and try to act civilly.”

“But Frank-darling-”

“No ‘buts!’ Sit!”

“Yes Sergeant Frank Warner!” Star said with a mock salute.

“Damn straight. Now both of you sit your asses down. And no cheating!”

“Does that mean you too?” Ruby Mae asked.

“D’oh!”

Frank was tired after trying to mediate between Star and Ruby Mae and finally gave up and went to bed, falling into a deep slumber.

So he completely missed the sound of the lock being jimmied open and Star walking into the room.

“You awake?” she whispered as she crawled into bed.

Frank just shifted and rolled over.

“Good. Night, Frank.” Star then nuzzled the back of Frank’s neck and curled tighter around the man before succumbing to sleep.

---

The next morning, Frank confronted Star. “Did I forget to lock my door last night?” he asked knowing full well that he didn’t forget.

“Nope!” Star said cheerfully. “It was locked. But I’m determined.”

“I see that. But why did you do that?”

“I didn’t want you to sleep alone. The big scary ghosts might get you.”

“Um. I don’t think this place is haunted.”

“It could be!”

Frank reached up to stroke Star’s face. “Look I appreciate you wanting to watch over me. But it isn’t necessary. I can take care of myself.”

“But…”

“No buts. Unless you mean this one!”

“Frank!” she shrieked pushing away at him violently.

“Ack you got me! I’ll have to sing my swan song.”

“Okay you are officially nuts, Frank.”

The man shrugged pulling himself to his feet. “Yeah. I am. It runs in the family. Just wait until you meet my dad-doo.”

“You want me to meet your family? Do you really think that would be a good idea?”

Frank paused. “Yeah, I do. I’d like my mum and dad-doo to meet all three of you.”

“Oh,” Star said. “Well I’m going to go.”

“Crap I said something I shouldn’t have.”

“Was that Star I saw leaving?” Ruby Mae asked walking into the room.

“Yeah, it was.”

“Honey, you sound down.”

“I screwed up. I don’t like screwing up.”

“Awww, sugar, everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of bein’ human.”

“Thanks, Ruby Mae. You really can cheer me up.”

“I’m glad.”

“And I’m really glad you decided to come out here,” he whispered huskily.

“Me too. Although if you grab my behind I will have to intimately acquaint you with my heels.”

“Awww. Not even a small pinch?”

“Maybe a small one.”

“Yes!”

“Thank you, O lovely lady, who let me touch her butt!” Frank sang enthusiastically.

Ruby Mae laughed. “Okay, while cute. That song is really disturbing.”

“Would you rather I sing about Lake Titicaca?”

“No thanks.”

“Damn!”

Mary walked into the room as Ruby Mae left and found Frank still on his knees. “Oh dear! Were you proposing to Miss Stetson?”

“Me what? No!” Frank exclaimed. “I was just singing to her.”

“Oh.”

“Would you like me to sing to you, pretty lady?”

“I would be honored.”

“Lake Titicaca, Oh Lake Titi-”

“I believe that is enough. Thank you.”

Frank clambered to his feet and made an attempt at Mary’s behind. However, her hand caught his.

“I do not believe that is proper, Mr. Warner.”

“Awww. But I love to do it. Much like I love you.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, I do. What about you?”

“I think you are fine handsome man, Mr. Warner.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

“That is because I cannot give you the answer you want.”

“Oh,” Frank said walking from the room, dejected.

“Hey! What’s all of this sadface?” Star said the moment he entered the game room.

“Oh nothing.”

“I bet I can make you smile!”

“Oh really?”

“Yep, think fast!” she cried before pummeling him with a pillow.

“I’m gonna get you for that!” Frank said, a large smile crossing his face.

Star laughed. “See! I told you I would get you to smile. I love always being right!”

Star left Frank to go outside to watch the waves and Ruby Mae took advantage of the alien’s departure to stalk Frank.

However Mary had other plans.

“Might I have a word with you, Mr. Warner? Without Miss Stetson’s presence?”

“Well I-” Ruby Mae huffed.

“Just leave. I have something I need to discuss with Mr. Warner.”

“Yeah, what do you want?” he asked belligerently turning to face the regency woman.

“Now, Mr. Warner, calm yourself. I just didn’t want her around when I did this.”

“Did what?”

“This!”

“Ooof! Damn, woman! You are lucky I caught you!”

“But you did catch me.”

“Yeah.”

“Now let me soothe all of those muscles that I just forced to work.”

“I’d like that.”

“You are really strong, Mr. Warner.”

“Thanks. I just like playing sports. You know look good for your girls.”

“Well I appreciate the effort.”

“And I think you are a fine gentleman indeed.”

“Thanks. But I need to go. It’s almost noon.”

“I understand. But one thing, before you go. I want to let you know that I do care about you, Mr. Warner. Deeply. And with my whole heart.”

“Thank you, Mary. You don’t know how means to me.”

Noon rolled around and the girls made their way into the house for the elimination.

In Star’s case, a shower was desperately needed.

“I knew I shouldn’t have built castles in the rain.”

Frank took one look at Star and sent her to take a bath. He also decided to take one himself. The young man was really torn about this elimination. But looking things over, there was really only one girl he could choose. He cared about her, loved her even, but he wasn’t sure that she would be the best choice for him. And in the end, that is what mattered.

As quietly as he could, Frank walked into the living room. Ruby Mae and Star were sniping at each other while Mary tried in vain to mediate between the two of them. He cleared his throat and all of a sudden he had three sets of eyes on him.

“So who is it?” Star demanded.

“Ruby Mae, I’m sorry.”

“Yes! I win!”

“Star, please! You aren’t making this any easier for me.”

“Sorry,” snorted out between self-satisfied laughter.

Frank moved toward the brunette his eyes pleading. “Ruby Mae, I’m sorry. I care for you, I do. But… I don’t think that you are the right woman for me.”

“But Frank, why? I love you.”

“I know you do. I love you too. But this wouldn’t work and I think you know that in your heart.”

“But we could have made it work.”

“But you wouldn’t have been happy.”

“You’re probably right.”

“You don’t know how much I wanted to be wrong,” Frank said with a sad smile.

“Oh come here, you lug!” Ruby Mae cried.

The two hugged for a moment, until Star’s voice broke through. “Okay enough of this crap. Southern Belle you lost, get the hell out. Mary and I have some bachelor bonding to do.”

“She’s right, rude, but right. I’ll call a cab. I’ll see you, Frank.”

“Goodbye, Ruby Mae. You’re one heck of a girl.”

“Thanks.”

Ruby Mae bit her lower lip as she walked out to the waiting cab. She didn’t expect that things would end like this. She was a romance sim. Men were supposed to throw themselves at her and let her walk all over their hearts. Not the other way around.

And to top this whole horrid experience off, she had to explain to her creator why she lost. Something that she wasn’t looking forward to or really knew how to do.

She took a deep breath. She had the cab ride to figure it out. She only hoped that it would be enough time.

At the simself house, things were a little more relaxed. I had managed to convince the rest of the ladies that we needed a break from the stresses of the Bachelor Challenge with the promise to record the events for viewing later. When tempers weren’t as high.

“I’ve got to hand it to you, Lark,” Caffie started lounging back against the stones. “This is one of your better ideas.”

“Glad you approve.”

“About the only way it would be better is if we had some eye candy to ogle.”

“No eye candy, unless you count Yakko.”

“He works.”

I felt something wet and cold hit my head and I looked up. “Is that rain?” I asked.

“It is.” Fuzzy answered from the other side of the spring.

“I am out of here,” Cait said in a worried tone. “I don’t want to get struck by lightning.”

“I can fix that, you know, “ I said.

“You can?”

“Yep, with my magical creator powers I can summon up just the thing to take care of it. Yakko, I’ll let you do the honors.”

“Why me,” the man called from the lounge.

“Because I said so.”

“’Because I said so.’ What kind of reason is that? It sounds like something I would tell my kids.” Yakko paused in mid-rant. “Wait. It is something I told my kids. I never realized how stupid that sounded.”

“Yakko,” I called. “Less ranting, more weather changing.”

“I don’t get how this is supposed to work. I crank this cranky-thingy and…” Yakko stopped in mid-rant as he looked down at the keyboard. On it was a sticky note with the words ‘Do Not Push!!!’ and an arrow pointing to a large red button.

As if in a trance, Yakko stopped what he was doing and his hand hovered over the keyboard. “No! I shouldn’t!” He looked around furtively. “But, it’s so tempting! Ah screw it!”

The machine hummed and started crackling with electricity and a loud whine came from the center of the machine. Yakko took a step back away from the grinding and whirring contraption to survey what he had wrought. Unbidden one thought popped into his head…

“Oooohh shiny!”

“Lark, do you think it was a good idea to have Yakko do that?” Jo asked worriedly.

“Yeah,” Fuzzy chimed in. “He isn’t the most reliable sim. Easily distracted would be a better way to describe him.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Cee agreed.

“So shouldn’t one of us supervise?” Jo wondered.

“It’s all good, ladies.” I said with a grin. “I’ve got it covered.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Doc drawled.

“Well it’s sunny now. Shouldn’t that be evidence enough that I know what I am doing?”

“I guess… But lightning has been known to strike out of the clear blue sky.”

“Argh!”

“She’s just teasing you, Lark,” Caffie soothed.

“I know.”

A timid voice cut into the simself banter, “Excuse me.”

“Ruby Mae! What are you doing here?”

“I got eliminated.”

“What?”

“I-”

“Just a sec, I’m getting out.”

“Okay explain that to me again, slowly.”

“Well, I did what you told me to do. Be my lovin’ sweet self and everything will be all right, but it wasn’t. And Frank sent me home.”

“I can’t believe that! You must have done something!”

“I didn’t, I did everything right. If I hadn’t had that alien-woman there, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“As much as I dislike what Star did, she couldn’t have sabotaged you that much. I am just really disappointed in you.”

“Please, Caffie. Don’t be mad at me. I tried the best I could. It just wasn’t enough. I wasn’t good enough.”

“Now I didn’t say that.”

“It’s true though, isn’t it. I’m a romance sim who couldn’t get the guy, what does that say about me?”

“Hmm, that is something to consider. And maybe that was the problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were too much of a romance sim, and not enough of a woman.”

“But Caffie, I am all woman.”

“I know that. You know that. But maybe Frank didn’t.”

“So you’re saying that he didn’t pick me because I’m a romance sim.”

“I’m saying it is possible.”

“But he shoulda known that I wouldn’t have hurt him. But I am what I am.”

“That may be the problem. You are just too much woman for just one man, and Frank seems to be the kind of man who is a one woman man.”

“Oh. I’m not sure I would be happy with just him.”

“I know, dear. And maybe he did too.”

“I see. So can I go home now?”

“Let me check.”

“Lark?”

“Yeah?”

“Can Ruby Mae go home?”

“I don’t know, can she?”

“Very funny, Lark,” Orikes commented sarcastically. “But don’t you think you should give her a real answer.”

“I did. I don’t know if she can or really wants to. I mean I am going to have romance sims that would be happy to Wham-Bam-Thank-You-Ma’am her. “

“You sure have a weird way of talking.”

“You haven’t heard me in person.”

“Nope.”

“Anyway, Caffie. She can leave if she wants or stay if she wants.”

“You hear that? It’s up to you.”

“In that case I think I’ll head out of here. Maybe see about finding a nice boy to woohoo without any strings.”

“Just don’t get pregnant.”

“Oh I don’t plan on it! See ya, Caffie!”

“Bye!”

Yakko leaned back in the lawn chair looking smug. It was now down to two women. Both of them so very different from the other.

“What are you thinking of over there?” Jo asked.

The sim smiled. “Oh nothing. I’m just glad I am not our youngest spawn right now. He doesn’t have an easy choice ahead of him.”

“Posh! I know who’d I’d pick.”

“I know, Nurse. But you’re not Frank.”

“A mother knows who’s best for her son.”

“We’ll see.”-----

Well that is the end of day 5

The scores:Star – 100/100 mutual love (100/100 on her end)Mary – 100/100 mutual love (100/99 on her end)Ruby Mae – 100/100 mutual love (100/98 on her end)

One point. Day 6 will be interesting.

Until next time, Happy simming.