A/N: This is my second Librarians story. This story was inspired by Chris Young's new album which I love! All of the songs just spoke to me and of course I had to incorporate it with Jake and Cassandra. I love reviews so feel free to leave one. Enjoy!

The most recent assignment had been wrapped up neatly and topped with a bow. Surprisingly, the thing causing people to turn into semi-conscious, moaning figures was actually swamp gas, not a zombie virus as Ezekiel had suggested; however, Ezekiel's idea of running from the mass of people was used.

Now, back at the Annex, Ezekiel had left claiming he had a craving for zombie movies, Jenkins and Baird were discussing strategies in Jenkins' office, and Cassandra had disappeared since their return, so this left Jake alone in the Annex. He didn't mind the down time after the day's events.

Noticing the books stacked on the table, Jake decided to help out Jenkins and return the books to their shelves. He divided them by upstairs and downstairs then by sections to create an easy flow. Jake mindlessly put away the books one-by-one, working toward the sections upstairs. As he placed the last book on the shelf, Jake heard an indefinable noise coming from a few rows away. He stepped toward it silently his defenses taking over.

Looking around the bookshelf, Jake saw Cassandra sitting on the floor with her head in her hands; the sound, Jake realized, was her crying. "Cassandra, are you okay?" Jake asked.

"I'm fine, Jake. Just leave me alone." Cassandra wiped at her face removing the tears.

"Come on, you can't keep things bottled up."

"Oh, that's rich coming from you," she snapped. Jake flinched at her reply and Cassandra realized how awful that sounded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's okay, Cassandra. I, of all people, should know to wait until someone is ready. Have a good night, Cass." Jake turned to leave.

"Wait!" Cassandra spoke up. "Please, will you just sit with me…until I'm ready?" She pleaded. Jake looked into her eyes and knew he couldn't say no.

Silently, Jake took a seat beside her on the floor. Their shoulders touched slightly in their side-by-side positions. Jake listened to the sounds of the Library while he waited for her to speak. She seemed tense like she wanted to spill her guts, but didn't know how to say the thing on her mind,

"It's not about my tumor," Cassandra said finally. "I assume that was your first thought." When he nodded, she continued. "It's really stupid compared to that."

"Obviously not if you were crying over it." Jake noted.

"I guess," she sighed then continued, "The reason I was crying was because my boyfriend broke up with me."

Jake couldn't hide his surprise. "Boyfriend!"

"Yes. Is it so hard to believe that I could date?" She questioned.

"No! No, that's not what I meant. I just…I didn't know you were dating. Anyone would be lucky to have you." Jake smiled slightly and placed his hand over hers.

"Thanks. I didn't tell you guys because I wanted to have a professional and private life." Cassandra replied looking away.

"I understand. We didn't need to know," he answered, "but does he know about the Library?"

"No, I'm not that stupid." Cassandra nudged his shoulder trying not to smile.

"Hey, I'm just asking for the sake of my job." He joked. Cassandra laughed and this sound was much sweeter than the sound of her crying.

"Well, he's gone, so you don't have to worry about the Library. He wasn't worth it." Cassandra sobered from her laughter and mumbled something about a text.

"What?" Jake asked leaning in to hear her better.

"I said he broke up with me over a text." Cassandra explained staring at her hands.

"He what!" Jake said, bewildered. "Hell no! You don't break up with a girl over a text especially not a beautiful girl like you."

"You…you think I'm beautiful?" She asked confused by his sudden confession.

"Uh, yeah, I…" Jake stuttered, "I mean you are. Anyone could see that. Except that jerk who sent you a text!" Jake's face began to glow red with the sudden anger he felt.

Cassandra giggled at him, "Easy cowboy." She patted his chest to stop him. Relaxing at her touch, Jake thought of ways to cheer her up. No way was he letting this scum of the Earth hurt his Cassandra.

Wait.

His Cassandra? Where did that come from? She is her own person. She doesn't need someone to boss her around. Right now she needed a friend.

He stood up suddenly." Cassandra, what are your plans for tonight?" He asked.

"Nothing-"

"Wrong! You are coming with me. You are not goin' home like this."

"What?" Cassandra thought he was joking.

"You don't have to be alone tonight. We can get out of town, so you're not sitting at home waiting for him to call. I will be your distraction. What'd ya say?" Jake studied her face as she thought over his plan.

A distraction would be nice, and Jake was always good at distractions. Maybe a night on the town was just what she needed. She reached a hand up to him. "Let's go!" She exclaimed before he pulled her to her feet. They left the Annex with Baird and Jenkins still making plans.

The bar Jake chose to spend the evening at reminded Cassandra of where Jake came from. It was a country bar with horse shoes hanging above the door, a cow skull with horns mounted to the wall, ropes were wrapped around the edges of the bar, and all the chair backs were made of leather. She smiled to herself as they found a table near the jukebox. "What'd ya think?" He asked.

"It's so…you. I mean only you would find a country bar in the Pacific Northwest." Cassandra smiled brightly. "I love it."

"Great! And you know country must be country wide." He winked.

"That sounds like song lyrics," she laughed.

"They are. It's a good song, too. I might have to make you listen to it." Jake grinned.

"Look at you, Jacob Stone. Quoting songs? Offering to share? That trip to Oklahoma did you good." Cassandra teased him merrily.

"What are you talking about? I'm always sharin' with you guys." He feigned shock.

"Maybe about art or a bar brawl-which we are not getting into tonight." She warned while pointing a steady finger at him.

Jake held up his hands in surrender and a laugh passed between them. When silence settled over them, Jake decided to get them some drinks. He brought back two beers and passed one to her. "I'm not gonna let you have some fruity, girly drink tonight," he told her, "It's part of the distraction.

"Thank you, Jake." Cassandra took the bottle.

"Cheers." Jake said raising his bottle toward her. They clinked bottles and took a sip letting the liquid slide down their throats.

Jake noticed an empty pool table and had an idea. "Cassie, would you like to play me in a game of pool?"

"Pool?" She asked uncertain. "Yeah, sure."

Jake paid the machine and set the table. "Ladies first," he said as he handed her a stick.

"It's been a long time since I've played," she admitted taking her spot at the table.

"That's fine. This is a friendly game." Jake replied.

Cassandra positioned herself behind the cue ball, took a deep breath and shot. The balls broke away from each other in a hurry, the striped fifteen-ball racing to the corner pocket and disappearing. "Oh, I got one!" Cassandra was amazed.

Jake said nothing as she sunk the ten-ball followed by the twelve then missed her shot on the nine-ball. "How long did you say it's been?" He asked.

"Probably twenty years. The last time I played was at my uncle's house." Cassandra answered. "But this is just angles and force. Simple."

"Right," Jake nodded unconvinced. When he missed his first shot on the solid three-ball, Jake knew this would be a quick game.

Three games, three loses, and a two and a half beers later, Jake was dropping Cassandra off at her house. The walk to her door was short as Jake continued to complain about the games. "I think I just got hustled."

"Oh, come on! I told you it's just angles. Besides you said it was a friendly game." She reiterated with a smile.

"That was before you sunk three straight!" He whined jokingly.

Cassandra laughed at his remark; she figured he would be a sore loser. They stepped onto her porch in front of her door. Jake wasn't sure what to say, but Cassandra beat him to it. "I had a great time tonight."

"I'm glad. I did, too. Other than being hustled in pool." He smiled.

"Oh, hush," she pushed his shoulder, "
but seriously, thank you for going out with me tonight. You were right. I didn't want to be alone." Cassandra looked up at him.

"Truth is neither did I, so we both got a good thing out of it." Jake confirmed.

They stood uncomfortably for a few seconds until Cassandra spoke up. "Good night, Jake. See you tomorrow."

"Good night, Cassie." He returned. Once she was inside, he walked back to his truck thinking how remarkable the evening had been.

You don't have to be alone tonight

Why you sittin' at home tonight

Waitin' for him to call you up at midnight, drunk

To tell you that he wants you

Lets get out of town tonight

Get lost and found tonight

'Til you don't care let me love you right

Let's go somewhere where you and I

Can be all alone tonight

Alone Tonight by Chris Young