THE FBI ACADEMY - QUANTICO, VA

The dirt trail was well worn, but crooked and jagged with rocks. Kate would need to keep an eye on the path, she didn't want anything to trip her up now. She was so close to coming in first place for the women's side of the "Yellow Brick Road", the final fitness challenge for trainees. It was grueling, 6.1 miles of scaling rock faces with ropes, climbing over walls, running through creeks and crawling under barbed wire. Kate was determined to win this, her heart was pumping fiercely and she felt like she was soaring. She then heard the crackle of dead leaves and pebbles being kicked up right behind her. Kate ran faster, the person behind her ran faster too. She could see the finish line and that made Kate put more speed into her legs. She was breathing heavy now and was only a few yards away, but her moment to rejoice was cut short by the sight of a long blond ponytail waving now in front of her.

Kate came in second … again.

It was all coming to an end, in the next two days she would attend her last classes and then take final exams. The graduation ceremony would then follow and it was all but a given that Juliet would earn the top honor and receive the Director's Leadership Award. Kate would have to settle for an achievement in either academics, firearms, or physical fitness. Her parents were going to be in attendance and witness her swearing in and be presented with her badge and credentials.

During the past twenty weeks, Juliet Carlson, a fellow trainee had become her confidante, friend and chief rival for the coveted top spot. Kate graduated from Northwestern University and earned her Master's of Science in Forensic Psychology. She had applied for the five year program, allowing her to begin her graduate studies during her senior year of college. She returned home and joined the Des Moines Police Department and, yes, it had been surreal working for her father, Sam Austen, the Police Chief.

When she turned twenty-four and became eligible to apply to the FBI, she didn't waste a moment. But due to budget shortages and a hiring freeze, she would have to wait another year before she would hear back. She had learned a lot in those three years in Iowa, but everyday she eagerly waited for that invitation to join the FBI. Wanting to explore and learn more about law enforcement. As it would turn out, it would be her job as a cop that permitted her to apply for the assignment she wished for.

There was no question which division Kate wanted to work in, the Behavioral Analysis Unit - crimes against adults. For Kate, it was this or nothing at all. Since high school it had become her singular mission, even though her parents had tried to dissuade her, fearing that it would always keep Kate living in a painful and gruesome past.

It should have been mathematically impossible, but it happened … Juliet and Kate were assigned to the Boston Field Office AND in the BAU. But Kate would shortly find out that Juliet was sleeping with a senior agent in the Training Division - James Ford. At Juliet's request, he pulled some strings and called in some long overdue favors.

It was their last day at the Academy and they would have one week before their office assignment began. Kate and Juliet were in the process of picking up their firearms and ammunition.

"Special Agents Carlson and Austen." They both turned to look at Miles Chang, another fellow graduate. "So, you ain't gonna believe this, but I was just booted out of the Chicago office and would you take a guess where I've been assigned?"

The women rolled their eyes.

"No way, Chang." Juliet said. "How did this happen?"

"Well, BAU - crimes against children in Boston had a last minute spot to fill and well the rest is history."

They were an unlikely trio of friends. Kate and Juliet were an obvious friendship, but Miles was less apparent to the outside observer. Fellow trainees didn't understand why the eggheads would hang around with the wisecracking, doing just enough to get by Chang.

Juliet smirked, "Jeez, I can't shake you. But don't expect me to hold your hand anymore, you're a big boy now and you'll have to be on your own."

Chang knew she was kidding - sort of. But she had saved his ass by helping him with final exams. If he wasn't such a decent detective for the LAPD, he would never have landed in the BAU.

Kate then added, "And you better find your own place, because you're not crashing on my sofa."


BEACON HILL, BOSTON, MA

Jack paused at the entrance of the bar. He shouldn't go in, instead he should go to the gym in his building, do thirty minutes of rope-jumping, a thousand ab crunches and an hour of lifting weights. It's what his old friend Rick would tell him to do: Stay out of the bars, they only cause trouble.

It's been a while though, four months, five, maybe even six? He was just promoted, didn't he deserve to celebrate? Granted, it didn't feel like a promotion, a transfer was more like it. But, yes, on paper, it was a promotion.

Jack walked in and made his way to the long counter. He looked at his watch, it was only 6:00 pm, the bar was saturated with the Friday happy hour crowd. He briefly thought about leaving, but he remembered that once the drink specials ended, the place would clear out quick enough. He climbed onto a stool, settled his briefcase by his feet and ordered a drink, his usual … scotch on the rocks. His eyes roved the expanse of the bar. It was a younger collection of career men and women in their twenties, early thirties. His eyes then settled briefly on one figure, a woman with long brown hair, fair skin peppered with freckles. Swept back, very pretty … young. She was standing against the far windows, accompanied by an attractive tall blonde and a man. The girl had one hand casually thrust into the front pocket of her jeans and the other holding a glass.

And. She was looking at him now. Straight at him. Then just as quickly, her eyes went back to her company.

Jack dropped his eyes back into his drink and shrugged his shoulders in silence. He then murmured under his breath, something about not fucking around anymore. A reminder. No more meaningless sex.

Kate's face colored, she had glanced right back at the handsome gentleman sitting alone at the bar. He was wearing a slim-fitting charcoal grey pinstriped suit, the knot of his tie was pulled loose. The dark hair at the back of his nape, brushing against the shirt collar. Kate wasn't sure, but she judged him to be in his late thirties. She had never been attracted to the older "suit" types, but this man had definitely caught her eye.

She looked back at Juliet and Miles, trying to catch up with the conversation after being distracted. They were out celebrating their graduation and new assignment which was starting on Monday. By the time 7:30 pm rolled around, Kate's friends were ready to leave.

"Are you ready to head out, Kate?" Juliet asked. Miles was antsy for a change of scenery and cheap booze.

Kate looked around and the man was still at the bar, but now there was an attractive female sitting next to him, talking to him. She felt a little disheartened, oddly, feeling like she blew an opportunity. But she still didn't want to go to her empty apartment either. "No, I'm gonna have another drink and then head home."

"Are you sure? We can stay with you, if you want."

"I'm good. Seriously."

Juliet quirked a curious brow at her, "Are you going to conduct your "field study?"

Kate laughed, "Am I that obvious?"

Juliet shrugged at her hopeless friend and whispered into her ear, "I think you should try and get into a man's pants instead of trying to study his brain. You're focusing on the wrong head. When is the last time you got some?" Juliet enjoyed teasing her about her strange "study/hobby" and non-existent sex life.

Kate smiled, "I'll see you later." She watched them leave through the door and then looked for an empty seat at the bar. Juliet was probably right, she was a little pathetic, a bit of a nerd. But she couldn't help it, she enjoyed studying human behavior, honing her ability to notice subtle cues during conversations or simply observe how people interact. Especially, when they weren't aware that they were being examined. She reached into her bag, pulled out her book so she could begin taking "field notes."

Meanwhile, Jack had been polite and firm in turning down the woman's offer to go home with him. He hadn't even talked to her for very long before she propositioned him. Women came easy to him, perhaps too much so. And not too many months ago, he would have left with her. No questions asked. But that kind of pleasure wasn't what he was looking for tonight. It was what he was trying to avoid.

The woman looked offended and almost snarled at him before leaving him alone - thankfully.

Just as he predicted, people had begun trickling out of the bar once the half price drinks were no longer discounted. He preferred the quieter atmosphere anyway, it was easier to get lost in his own thoughts and drink. He looked up again and was slightly disappointed when he didn't see the pretty girl in jeans standing in her spot anymore. Not that he was contemplating anything, but it was fun keeping the potential thrill alive in his imagination.

He released a low sigh and turned his head and he paused. He had to crane his neck for a better look, to make sure he wasn't imagining it. She hadn't left. As a matter of fact, she was sitting only one seat over at the bar. She looked busy though, writing into some journal or the sort. Wearily, he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger and decided to order another drink.

Jack stirred the ice in his glass while studying a pair of men in their late twenties eyeing the pretty brunette with obvious appraisal. Even though they found hopeful pleasure in paying attention to her, she repaid them by rejecting the drink they tried to buy her. They both laughed and gave each other a mocking high-five before moving onto someone else. Jack shook his head and held in a chuckle. For whatever reason, he liked what he perceived to be her no nonsense attitude. And that made him wonder even more.

What was she doing here alone, in a bar, on a Friday night? What the hell was she scribbling?

For the last half hour he had seen that she had barely taken her eyes from her book, busy jotting down notes and taking a few studious glances at the unrecognizable faces surrounding her.

Kate was beginning to feel her hand get tired.

"Excuse me, would it be okay if you could take that seat," a male voice asked referring to the empty spot between Kate and the handsome guy, "So my wife and I can sit together?"

Kate set down her pen and lifted her head to look up at the man. "Excuse me?" She asked. But she had heard his request, her mouth was just slower to react, "Of course. No problem," she answered before allowing him the chance to ask again.

Kate slipped her notebook back into her bag and moved to the next stool to allow the couple to huddle together. She reached over and dragged her drink across the smooth surface so that it was again nestled in front of her. She looked straight ahead, but could feel the raw masculine heat radiating from the man now sitting a few inches away from her. Why was she even noticing that he had an earthy smell, she couldn't place it, but it made her start to think about sex. She felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. Now that she was closer to him, with half-lidded eyes, she snuck a better look at his handsome features. He was even better up close. And more than ever, she wished she was a practiced flirt. She wanted to be the kind of woman who was sure of herself and her attraction for men.

Jack licked his bottom lip, enjoying the whiskey taste lingering there. She had green eyes, a feature he hadn't quite been able to discern from the distance. The color, the shape … they were beautiful and further accentuated by the green silk blouse she was wearing. Jack knew that he wouldn't be able to continue this charade of silent disinterest much longer. She wasn't just pretty, she was stunning.

"Are you a writer?" His voice was a little raspy.

Kate turned to him and she wore a puzzled expression.

He tipped his chin to her bag that contained the notebook. "I noticed that you were busy writing before, so I was just taking a wild guess."

Kate drew in a deep breath, she was caught off guard, not just by his voice, but by his eyes. They wore a tender, but intense expression at the same time. Kate got the impression that he was very private maybe even moody at times, but buried deep underneath there was a vulnerability to him.

"No, I'm not." She knew she should try to continue the conversation, but she didn't want to tell him what she did for a living either, so she would lie. "I'm in sales, fixed income products for institutional clients." Kate wanted to make it sound dull and not worthy of discussion, yet on second thought, it may have been a bad idea. He looked like a banker and would be able to call her bullshit. "How about you?" She asked before taking a sip of her Chardonnay.

"I'm a lawyer." He studied her face again and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying, but did it really matter? "So sales, huh? Sounds exciting." His voice was light and teasing.

Kate smiled back, "Very."

God, he was hot. He was so good looking that she was willing to ignore the fact that she hated attorneys after having had to always deal with them back home in the Des Moines Criminal Courthouse. After dating one that turned out to be an asshole.

"Oh, your career sounds as exciting as mine. Perhaps we should just pretend that we're international spies or something. My name's Kate, by the way."

A big smile stretched across his face, he extended his hand to shake hers, "I'm Jack. And, yeah, no shop talk." He paused again before asking, "So why are you here alone? Jotting your October sales figures into that notebook, on a Friday night?"

Kate chewed the inside of her cheek and she was guessing that he didn't believe her cover story, "No shop talk remember? You're alone too … and on a Friday night."

With a playful tone, and with added arrogance for affect, he answered, "It's different, I'm a man -"

"Oh please, don't tell me I just heard you say that." Her eyes were sparkling now, she may even be flirting.

Jack chuckled, "So I got a reaction out of you, Kate. I was teasing, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm still curious."

Kate felt herself relaxing, enjoying this banter. "As a matter of fact, I was out celebrating my new position with some colleagues."

Jack's eyebrow rose skeptically, "Let me guess, they're in 'sales' too?"

Kate bit her bottom lip and smiled, "Of course."

"But they left and you stayed …." He trailed off, trying to coax her into finishing his thought.

"If I went out with them, I'd probably get really drunk and be hung over tomorrow. And it was just too early to go home and be by myself." She watched the way he was studying her, his expression clearly indicating that he was listening to every word she said. It was almost unnerving. "So enough about me, why are you here alone Jack?"

Jack was about to tell her that she didn't have to go home alone tonight if she didn't want to. But he stopped himself, remembering that he was not going there, not tonight.

"Actually, I was on my way home to exercise and I got distracted and decided to come in for a drink. Had a stressful day, stuck in meetings … you know what I mean. And the rest is history."

Jack noticed her empty glass and then asked, "Can I offer to buy you a drink or will you shoot me down too?"

Kate giggled, knowing what he was referring to, "You saw that?" And then her voiced lowered, "Were you watching me?" She wasn't accusatory, if anything she sounded curious and flattered.

Jack's eyes darkened and he trained them on her lips. He glanced back at her eyes, looking at her with a raw intensity and his voice was heavy, "I think you know I was looking at you, Kate."

Kate's tongue was too thick to help her formulate a response, a shiver ran down her spine, while a bead of sweat collected in between the hollow of her breasts. And so help her god, she wanted this man to ravish her this second.

"Oh." She squeaked out.

Jack saw the bright heat travel across her cheeks and it was beautiful. For a brief second, he wondered if he was imagining her and she wasn't real. Because, surely she couldn't be.

He ordered them another round, to give them the excuse to keep talking, to bump their shoulders, elbows or knees against each other.

Two drinks later, Jack and Kate both simultaneously looked across the bar at the pair of men that had tried to pick her up earlier. Apparently, they were able to score after all, as they were each seen leaving with female company.

"Ahhh, I see your admirers didn't leave empty handed after all," Jack shook his head slightly in subtle amusement and looked for Kate's reaction.

Part of her, so badly wanted to be that person, the kind of person that would accept a no strings attached proposition. She wanted to finally experience sex that way.

She sighed and without thinking, she said "I've never had a one-night stand." And why did she just tell him that?

Jack's brows rose at her unpredictable confession. That disclosure - was it an invitation? Hopefully? The eroticism of the vision that flashed across his brain made him catch his breath. The slight buzz of conversations being had by other patrons around them seemed to fade even further into the background. He lifted his glass, swirled the liquid and listened to the ice clink. He rolled his shoulders and turned to look at her.

"Why not?" He asked simply, but the words lingered in the air. And he was curious now because there was no way in living hell she didn't have the opportunity to get laid every night of the week if that is what she wanted. With every passing second, she managed to intrigue him further.

Kate glanced at him again, found him watching her intently, and felt herself begin to blush again. He was staring at her in a peculiar way, not judgmental, but with a certain intensity that confused and … excited her.

Absentmindedly, she dragged the top of her forefinger along her bottom lip as she tried to select her words carefully. He could't possibly understand. "I'm not sure really. I guess … I don't think I'd be any … good at it."

Jack pulled back for one instant as if to look at her again, as if to make sure he heard her correctly. Who was this girl? And she couldn't be serious. I mean …. LOOK at her.

He chuckled and took a hard gulp of his drink. He watched her from the corner of his eye, paused again, "I'm sure you would be great."

After another moment. Silence.

On second thought. His curiosity getting the better of him, he narrowed his brows and wondered, "You're not a virgin are you?"

Almost unconsciously, Kate squared her shoulders, "Uhm … no." There was rhetorical sarcasm in her voice. Yet, she felt insecure now, did she come across as so … inexperienced? For some reason, she didn't want this particular man to think she wasn't …. sexual. Absolutely NOT! No way!

He caught the way her little nose crinkled in annoyance and he tried to take his comment back. "Hey, I was just checking." He was smiling warmly now. And he caught how the ends of her luscious lips lifted then. It was official, she was exquisite. How he didn't see that immediately would remain forever a mystery to him.

"I've had a couple of boyfriends."

"Just a couple?" There was amusement in his voice. He liked this girl. And it ran deeper than her fetching exterior. He couldn't pinpoint it, but she seemed to radiate from the inside out. And it's been a long time, a very long time since his cynical self saw anything that wasn't tainted or spoiled in some way. His job, his history, him … all of it. All of it was fucked up, broken and damaged. But when he looked at her, she was … new. A kid. And his heart sunk, he ought to slip away now. Leave before he allowed himself to give in to what he wanted and would fuck up.

"Yes. Two." She bit her bottom lip and made a small sound of exasperation. "And why am I telling you all this? I'm either very drunk or out of my mind."

"You don't seem drunk."

"I'm … not."

So, she hadn't known many men. And that thought stirred up a burning desire, a need to be a member of that small fraternity that did know her.

And, without realizing it, he felt a connection with her and it went beyond just the physical. There was something sad and pained about Kate and he understood it on some level. He didn't know why, but when he stared at her mouth and he noticed that she did the same, he got the impression that they both wanted to kiss each other's loneliness.

Jack shrugged. He let out a long slow breath, shaking his head a little before adding, "Sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers."

And they were strangers, with nothing and everything to hide from one another.

He really should go.

He looked at his watch, it was only 10:00 pm. He really should go. He looked at Kate, "It's getting late, I better head out."

Kate's stomach flipped, she looked at her watch. "Why? It's still early for bedtime. How old are you?" She tried to sound like she was teasing him, but she didn't want him to leave. Somehow, she was sure that he would take her question as a form of encouragement.

"Old enough to not enjoy being asked." He winked. And then looked at her expectant and searching face, before asking, "How old are you?"

A knot of desire formed in her belly and when she found the response of unfettered desire in his eyes, she knew her self-imposed sexual abstention was about to end. Deprived so long of not only sex, but any physical contact. She didn't know why she felt this, but all she knew was that if she took this stranger home tonight, she would let him use his hands in a thousand ways. Yes, she … needed this.

She paused a second, her eyes locking on his. "Old enough to not have to be asked."

Jack studied her expression and his jaw slackened just so slightly. His mouth was dry as sandpaper.

And did he understand her, partially? Mostly? …. However much it was, it was enough. Her eyes were dark and full of sensuous meaning. He wasn't planning for this tonight, hell, he was specifically looking for this NOT to happen. And yet, he knew he was not going to turn away the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He wanted to leave the bar with her, he wanted to see her, he wanted to experience her.

Rick could go fuck himself.

"You wanna get out of here?" He asked, his voice now heavy, weighed down by the undeniable urge to discover the sort of pleasure he was certain she was able to offer.

She didn't need to answer. She watched him stand up, close out the bar tab and then extend his hand to help her down the stool. He assisted her with her coat before resting his hand on her lower back as he led her out.

It was a chilly fall evening, it held a hint of a frosty winter that would likely follow. Instinctually, Kate drew the collar up around her neck. It was only a couple of blocks to her apartment and they hadn't said much to the other during the five minute journey. Kate began her way up the stairs to the second floor of the walk-up brownstone. Jack watched her little tight ass move and he was most grateful that her jacket was short.

Kate tried not to betray her nervousness as she searched for her keys. Maybe it was his smell or the heat she felt coming off of him, but she was doing her best to stay cool. She flipped on the light switch and took the couple of steps that led into her tiny living room. She carefully took off her jacket, draped it over the back of her sofa and then slipped off her shoes. She didn't have the courage to turn around and face him. But she could feel him standing quietly a few feet behind her. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea. It was stupid … dangerous even. What would her parents think? She, of all people, should know better than to invite a stranger into her home.

Jack watched her carefully, noticing that her shoulders seemed to have tensed up. He walked up close, so that he was standing right behind her now, their bodies grazing. He took her slight hips in his hands and noticed that their span nearly circled her. Without wearing her heels, she seemed so tiny, but he enjoyed the visual contrast of her demure size next to his. He bent his head over, brushed his lips across her ear and felt her shiver and lean into him. She may have even released a tiny groan.

"Kate, it's okay if you've changed your mind and would like me to leave ...," he whispered into her ear. He gave her a gentle and hopeful squeeze. Kate's eyelids fluttered and she looked down at his large hands. She held her breath. She turned around so that she was now facing him. He looked at her, his eyes trying to read hers. His expression was easy to read, Kate saw his hungry, raw lust. The pulsating sensation in her brain immediately traveled down to gather in a liquid pool between her thighs.

Was him leaving ever an option?

Kate grabbed the lapels of his suit jacket, yanking him down to clamp her open lips on his.


**IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE (especially considering where I left it off, right?). IF THE READER FEEDBACK IS LUKEWARM OR MINIMAL, I WILL STOP HERE. **

A/N: So, I can't get this story out of my head and I had to get it out there. I really want to experiment with my writing in this story. I'll probably be more graphic with sex scenes (but, there is a characterization basis for it - I don't like being gratuitous for no reason). Oh and my characters will be OOC. I probably could have just made the characters up, but Jack and Kate are so darn pretty ;). Jack will be darker, less likable than I have usually written him, but I wanted to give this version of Jack a shot.

Oh, I know nothing about the FBI and from what I could tell, Kate wouldn't be eligible for BAU assignment without 6 years of law enforcement. But, I'm fudging things here because I really like the age differential between Jack and Kate here.

And don't expect some great murder mystery because my focus will be on the romance, of course! Anyway, hopefully I have dialed down any high expectations ;).

And please keep any theories or potential spoilers out of your reviews, for now.

No worries about FAFO and TTR, they have not been forgotten and will be finished. FAFO is pretty close and I would love to finish it within a month. TTR, I have needed a break from. I love that story, but it takes a great deal of effort to write and I have SOOOOO much left.

Your reviews are always appreciated and make me SOOOOO happy!

P.S. I borrowed Rick Grimes from the TWD. Jack's best friend is Rick - ha! I love that bromance and needed to explore it here!