Frederick's eyes were hardly focused on his cards but trailed from one face to the other as the tension started to build and the game began.  Beth played as though she was working out some sort of business deal, while George possessed all the grace and stoicism of a veteran card shark.  Vicki looked thoughtful, as if her mind was wandering between her emotions and the rigid playing cards in her manicured hands.  Fred glanced down to the horrible hand he had been dealt and suddenly felt vulnerable again, that old familiar feeling of being the underdog and wanting to go to ground resurfacing.  But, it was but a mere flicker before that tranquility and removal of inhibition returned, wrapping about his insecurities and obfuscating them from the others.  He relaxed his shoulders and sat back, tossing his cards down on the table when the time came to call.<br/><br/>He had lost, but as it was Vicki who had won... had he really lost anything and not gained what it was he really wanted?<br/><br/>Fred tried to appear defeated, but the smile that danced upon his lips and the excitement, the anticipation in his bright blue eyes was too much to shut out.  He was as easy to read as an open book and he was quick to shuffle to the side and to grab Vicki's hands, pulling her close.  A moment hung between them as his face hovered close to hers, their breath intermingled.<br/><br/>"I've wanted to do this for a long time."<br/><br/>The whisper was low, barely a breath in itself and was forgotten as their lips met in a heated passion that had been left to burn alone in Fred's heart for well over a decade.