John Casey was getting ready for another day undercover at the Buy More. He was sitting at his table, drinking coffee as he read the morning paper, when General Beckman appeared on his television screen.

"Major Casey, good morning."

Casey stood. "Good morning, ma'am."

"I'll need to pull you away from the intersect project for a while. We have an agent, Victoria Adams, undercover in Los Angeles. She's living with Michael Suthers," Beckman said as the man's photo and information appeared on the screen, "posing as his girlfriend. We suspect he's trying to make a name for himself in the arms trade. Her job is to collect information on who he contacts and does business with. Both legitimate and illegal."

"So, what do you need me for?"

"She's asking to escalate the investigation."

"Her reason?"

"Suthers has proposed to her, and she would like to avoid marriage if possible. We've issued an anonymous threat on her life in hopes that Suthers would look for extra security, and it's worked. We want you to go in. We've created a background for you with military service, questionable discharge, and work in private security. Go in for the interview and we'll make sure you get the job."

They worked out the details and she gave Casey the time of the interview. He arrived early to make a good impression. A man escorted him to a large study and asked him to wait. Casey knew that the man was armed and would be waiting right outside the door, so he sat and waited. A few minutes later, a tall, lean man in his mid-thirties entered the room. Casey knew from his picture that this was Suthers.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said as he walked around the desk. Casey stood, but Suthers waved his hand. "Please, have a seat. I don't go for any of that formality."

Casey nodded and sat. 'Okay,' he thought, 'the guy's not a total douche... yet.'

"You," Suthers said, "come highly recommended by the looks of it. You're aware of the situation?"

"Not the details," Casey said. "I was just told you need security, and I need a job."

"Well, it's more like a personal bodyguard. My fiancé has been threatened, though she doesn't know it. I'd prefer not to alarm her, which is why I'm looking for outside security."

"Won't she realize she has a bodyguard at her side?"

Suthers smiled. "She would. That's why I'm asking that you pose as her driver. You can be with her wherever she goes, and she won't worry about her safety." Suthers watched John for a reaction, and continued when he didn't get much of one. "I know that some might find posing as a personal driver to be a bit... demeaning, but-"

"What kind of car?"

Suthers smiled again. "We have a few to choose from, but I think the Lincoln would be best suited for a chauffeur."

"Agreed," Casey said. "Well, if you're offering, then I'm accepting."

"Well, I'm offering."

Suthers stood and offered Casey his hand. Casey also stood and shook it.

"I should probably warn you," Suthers said, "that she really doesn't want a driver. She's quite independent, and may make a fuss."

Casey shrugged. "I won't take it personally."

"Good. Let's get you two introduced." Suthers checked his watch. "She should be home now."

Casey followed him past an open living area into a short hallway. The dining room opened to the right with a table that would seat up to ten. A few steps more brought them to the kitchen. Two women stood at the kitchen counter, facing away from them. Casey watched as Suthers walked over to the brunette and wrapped his arms around her waist. She was tall, at about 5"7' without heels, Casey guessed, and fit. Lean and thin, but not skinny. Ample curves in all the right places.

"I've got a surprise for you," Suthers said.

"You know how I feel about surprises," she said.

"Okay. It's not actually a surprise, anyway. I've hired your driver."

"I told you I don't need a driver."

As she turned around in Suthers' arms, Casey felt his eyes wanting to bulge out of their sockets. He managed to keep himself in check as Suthers turned around and introduced them.

"Victoria, this is John Casey. Mr. Casey, this is my fiancé, Ms. Victoria Adams."

Casey nodded. "Ma'am."

"Mr. Casey. I don't know what Michael has told you, but I don't need a driver."

"No one really needs a driver, Victoria," Suthers said, "but you should have one. For me. Let me feel like I'm providing a good life for my future bride."

Victoria sighed, "Fine. I'll have to get over feeling like Jessica Tandy."

Suthers put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently. "That's my girl." He kissed her on the forehead then turned back to Casey. "Let's go iron out the details, shall we?"

Casey nodded. As Suthers walked in front of him, Casey risked a glance back at Victoria, and he caught her eye. The look he saw there left no doubt. She remembered him.

Suthers began talking again as he sat behind his desk. "You can officially start tomorrow morning. We have a small apartment above the garage. Since she'll need you at any time of day, we will provide that apartment as part of your payment. I'm sure you have things you'd like to get moved here, so you can have the rest of the day to do that."

"Thank you, though I don't have much."

"Well, that will make the moving easier."

They worked out a lot of other details, such as payment and benefits, that made no difference to Casey. They would have if this were a real job, but it was just a cover. A cover that could have gotten blown in the first two seconds of meeting Agent Adams, had Casey not been a master at burying his feelings behind a well-honed poker face.

He likely wouldn't see her again until the next morning. He went back to his hotel to check out. He collected the few personal items he had, along with some essential spy gear he brought along, and made his way back to Suthers' house. One of the men on Suthers' security team showed him to his new apartment and he made himself at home.

Victoria was going through her routine for night, getting ready for bed. What were the odds of the CIA sending in Agent Casey? Why would they send in an NSA agent at all?

And he recognized her. He hid it well, but she knew the look. You don't work with someone for six months and not learn even their most subtle facial expressions. Not if you're a good spy.

She climbed into bed, where Michael was already propped up, reading a book.

"Is there any way I can talk you out of this driver business," she asked. Part of the plan was for her to act annoyed at the idea of a driver. It matched with the personality she had portrayed so far. She wasn't into the idea of servants and hired workers to do things for her that she could do herself. To keep any suspicion of Casey being someone other than his cover, she kept that going.

"I could think of some ways you could try to persuade me," he said as he put down his book and turned to her, "but they wouldn't work. I won't stop you from trying, though."

"I'm serious, Michael."

"So am I. Look, we've been through this argument before. I want you to have a driver. End of discussion."

"End of discussion," she repeated, slightly shocked.

"End. Of. Discussion. You're going to be my wife. I'm going to need you to trust me and do as I ask."

Victoria turned her back to him and lay down on her side. Michael let out a breath and put an arm over her.

"Don't be mad, baby," he said.

"Is that an order?"

"Look," he said as he kissed her shoulder, "the people I do business with... they expect me to live a certain lifestyle, that's all. I'm just trying to-"

"Fit in?"

Michael chuckled, but it held an aggravated tone. "Your mouth, I swear. Yes, I guess I'm trying to fit in. Happy?"

"Not really," she said as she turned to face him, "but I'll make do."

"That's my girl."