Thanks to messyhead for her wonderful comments and suggestions.

Chapter 1

Jaime had just flown into Washington from Ojai after a long school year. After a long hard term with a demanding new principal, Jaime was just glad to have a few months to relax before the fall semester began. She and Callahan were planning a "ladies only" cruise that Saturday with Sarah and a couple of other women from the OSI. Apparently, she wasn't the only one with a crabby boss and the need to get away from it all. Callahan had complained to her that Oscar had been incredibly bad tempered recently. "He must hate the summer or something, he always gets like this in June when the heat starts to kick in."

Jaime had only known Oscar for a few years, and hadn't noticed his tendency to become an old crab at this time of the year. He usually seemed quite nice and personable, if somewhat detached. In fact, she had developed quite a crush on Oscar. Maybe it was the way he smiled at her when she was with him, or the gentle way he would greet her when she flew in from California, but something about him made Jaime want to be with him more and more. His eyes were filled with compassion, his voice with tenderness when they were together, but that was all. As Jaime thought about their relationship, she realized that she really didn't know that much about him, yet he knew almost everything there was to know about her – her file was at least 4 inches thick.

But Oscar…she knew he had been in the Navy before the O.S.I., but that was about it. He didn't seem to date much, didn't really have any friends outside of work. He attended most of the Washington parties and functions and seemed well liked by all. He was friendly and outgoing, but reserved emotionally. He never truly seemed to let anyone inside – except maybe Rudy. Even Steve didn't seem to know the real Oscar. Jaime had tried to pry some information out of him last year on their way back from a mission in Budapest, but Steve admitted that he was somewhat in the dark when in came to the mysterious Mr. Goldman's past. He had met Oscar about 6 years ago when he was still with the Air Force. He and Oscar had become good friends, but Oscar seemed reluctant to divulge any real personal information about himself.

Jaime left her hotel room and drove over to the O.S.I. with the pretense of seeing Callahan to discuss the details of their upcoming trip. As she drove into the parking lot, she saw Oscar's car, parked in his usual spot. She never knew if she would see him or not. Oscar was a busy man – if he wasn't in a meeting with the Secretary or a group of generals, he was on location with another agent trying to save the world from itself. She flashed her badge as she entered the building and took the elevator straight up to the 3rd floor.

"Jaime – hi! Are you ready for some fun in the sun?" Callahan was delighted to see her friend. Their cruise wasn't for several more days, and she hadn't expected Jaime to show up until the end of the week.

Jaime gave Callahan a hug and sat down in the chair nearest the door to Oscar's office. "Sure am. I could use the break. I tell you, that new principal – she's a real bear."

Callahan shook her head. "You've got nothing on me - I feel like Grizzly Adams himself with this one in there." She jerked her thumb in the direction of Oscar's office. "At least he'll be getting a little R&R himself – he could use it." Callahan had a look of frustration on her face. "I don't know how he does it Jaime. All the man does is work, …except… when you're here."

Jaime could feel Callahan's eyes on her, studying her as if she was figuring out a puzzle. She tried to change the subject. "Yeah, well I feel like that's all I've done for a semester…work. I am looking forward to soaking up some sun and starting a good book."

Callahan sensed Jaime's discomfort with her observation about Oscar, and went with the new change of subject, but she hadn't forgotten her own comment. Oscar did always seem happier, lighter when Jaime was around. Heck, he even smiled. "Oh, Jaime, you're not going to read the whole time are you? With all those young men in tight little Speedos prancing around you at the pool? Just make sure you save one or two for me will you?"

As she said this, the door to Oscar's office had opened. "Hi babe, I didn't know you were here. Sounds like you draw quite a crowd – huh?" Oscar walked over and kissed Jaime on the head. He couldn't resist teasing her a little. He didn't know much about her love life, but he knew Jaime well enough to know that a pack of men prancing around her wasn't her idea of a good time – Callahan's maybe, but not Jaime's. Jaime seemed more the one man type of girl.

Jaime could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, coloring them a sort of bright salmon. "Uh...no, we were just talking about….never mind." She rolled her eyes playfully - wanting to get off this subject – and quick. "I hear you're due for a vacation too – going anywhere fun?"

Oscar's eyes looked downwards as he stared at the floor. "No, nowhere special. Just getting away." His demeanor had changed in an instant. No longer playful, he seemed sullen and pensive. Almost out of courtesy he asked, "Would you like to have lunch with me? I'm not leaving until tonight."

Jaime looked at him longingly. She had hoped he would be around during the week, that was one reason she came out so early. "I'd love to Oscar, but I promised Callahan I'd have lunch with her so we could discuss our plans for the cruise – you might say we're the cruise directors."

"Oh Jaime, we can do that tomorrow. Go have lunch, I'll just drop by Sarah's and see if she'd like to go." Callahan could sense Jaime's desire to have lunch with the boss.

"No, no, that's alright. I'm really busy anyway. We'll catch up another time. I've gotta run to a meeting across town. Maybe I'll see you before I go. It was good to see you babe." Oscar let his hand slide across Jaime's shoulder as he briskly left the room.

Jaime was disappointed she wasn't going to get to spend any time with Oscar, but she had a nice lunch with Callahan, and they were able to work out the details of their trip. After they returned to the office, she stopped by to see Rudy. At least one of the men in her life wasn't always running out on her.

"Anybody home?" she asked as she knocked on Rudy's partially opened door. She could see Rudy busily studying some computer printouts – there was no telling what experiment he was working on now.

"Jaime! What a nice surprise! I didn't expect to see you until Friday." He trotted across the room and gave her a hug. Rudy had a special place in his heart for Jaime. He had figured himself for a confirmed old bachelor, and she was the closest thing to a daughter he would ever have.

"I just thought I'd stop by and see my favorite doctor." Jaime returned the hug affectionately.

"Nothing's wrong I hope," said Rudy, a slight note of fear in his voice.

"No, no…nothing's wrong – except that I'm going on a Caribbean cruise and you still don't have any decent suntan lotion for me to use." She had been joking with Rudy about this for years. It was difficult to explain though, and she got tired of the old "arm out the window" excuse.

"Well, Miss Sommers, it just so happens, I've just finished up a little concoction that I think will do the trick. It's not exactly suntan lotion, but you can put it on and it will stain your bionic limbs depending on how much you put on. Then, there is another lotion to remove the color. It's a bit of a hassle, but at least you won't have so much explaining to do." He had enjoyed working on this project, it was a bit of a distraction from his usual tedious work.

"Rudy, you're sweet! I was just kidding with you though, but thank you. I'll try it out when we leave. "

"Yeah, it looks like I'll be all alone here next week. You, Callahan, Sarah – even Oscar – you're all running out on me. What is this – a conspiracy?"

Jaime laughed. "Well, you're welcome to come with us ladies, though I think we may get a little too wild for you. Where's Oscar going? Maybe you could join him – a regular boys weekend." Jaime tried to sound casual as she inquired about Oscar's trip. It really wasn't any of her business, the man had every right to take a vacation.

Rudy stammered, "No, I don't think so. Oscar needs some time alone. Besides, I'm watching his cat for him."

This was a surprise. A cat? Oscar? He didn't seem like the type to have a cat. When was he ever home to feed the poor thing? "Oscar has a cat? You're kidding me. What does he do with her when he's out of town – like all the time?"

"Well, he usually has his housekeeper watch her – the poor cat has practically adopted her, but she's out of town as well for her daughter's wedding, so he asked me to come over and take care of her." Rudy wished he hadn't gotten into this whole discussion. He could see Jaime was developing feelings for Oscar – he'd have to be blind not to. But he knew it was going to be an uphill battle for her, and she wouldn't even know why. It wasn't his place to say anything, and Oscar would kill him if he did. But he had watched Oscar drown in sorrow and guilt all alone long enough. He needed someone to care about besides that cat. Someone who could love him for what he was – someone who would love him whole heartedly. For 12 years, Rudy had watched women parade in and out of Oscar's life, but none of them was Jaime. None of them had her fire, her compassion, her zest for life. If anyone could get through to him, Jaime could. Then he had a thought.

"You know, if you're going to be around a few days, maybe you could do me a favor. I really wanted to go to this conference in Philadelphia. Do you think you could feed the cat Wednesday night for me? I'd be back the next morning, so you shouldn't have any problem with your cruise." He knew this was probably not a good idea, but he had put it out there now. Jaime had an undying sense of curiosity, and this offer would be enough to send her over the edge.

Sure enough, Jaime leapt at the chance. "Sure, I'd be happy to. What's the address?" She had never been to Oscar's house. She thought she sounded casual, but Rudy saw right through her.

He suppressed a chuckle at her eagerness. "Thanks." He scrawled out the address on Woodlawn Drive in Northwest D.C. "He keeps the food in a container under the sink. She gets 1 can a day, and the litter box is in the bathroom out by the butler's pantry in the back. There are trash bags under the sink, and the garbage can is in the garage."

"Butler's pantry? I always assumed Oscar lived in an apartment somewhere. " Jaime was intrigued. She knew D.C. quite well, and that part of town was pretty swanky.

Rudy was already second guessing himself, but he knew Jaime well enough to know that once the - cat was out of the bag – so to speak, there was no going back. He gave her the key to Oscar's house as they finished chatting. "Oh, I forgot. Sometimes she gets stuck in the upstairs bathroom. If she does, you'll have to go up and get her." Rudy could see Jaime was puzzled. "Don't ask me. But the last two times I've watched that stupid cat, I've found her trapped in the shower."

"What's her name?"

"Kitty."

Real original. Jaime couldn't believe Oscar came up with a name like Kitty on his own.