Disclaimer: I do not own Sue Thomas F.B Eye or any of the characters mentioned in this story.

I originally wrote this story in 2007 and I have now decided to archive it here.

Sairs

"Morning," Tara cheerfully greeted her colleagues as she entered the Bullpen early on the chilly, but sunny Wednesday morning. She dropped her purse in her chair, booted up her laptop and then headed for the coffee machine.

"I wouldn't touch that unless you've coated your stomach with Pepto Bismol, Bobby made it," Myles retorted as he poured his cup of coffee down the sink.

Bobby rose from his desk and walked over to the coffee pot, "I did bring doughnuts to sweeten my offering, but if you're complaining, Harvard, there's no need for me to save you one, is there?" Bobby took the box of doughnuts from the counter and took them back to his desk.

Tara shook her head, "Children, children, can't you play nicely in the sandbox?"

"I can play perfectly nicely, thank you," Myles stalked back to his desk opposite Bobby and sank into his chair with a sigh, before suddenly leaping into the air. Searching his chair he pulled a pencil and waved it menacingly in the air, "Koala Boy, have you lost something?"

Bobby looked up from the file he was studying, desperately trying to control himself from laughing at the pained expression on his colleague's face. "Ah! I wondered where that pencil had gone."

"Well I appear to have found it!" Myles tossed the pencil at Bobby, who managed to catch it before it bounced off his forehead.

"Good morning, children," Jack greeted as he walked into the Bullpen a manila file clutched in his hand, "When we're quite ready we can start on our new case, that is if you can leave your childish behaviour at the sandbox."

Tara chuckled at the looks on Bobby and Myles' faces; she walked over to the whiteboard and leaned against Sue's desk. "What have we got?"

Jack turned towards his team who had gathered around him, their faces filled with curiosity. "Something different to what we're used to, but I'm sure we'll handle it with our usual professionalism."

Bobby and Myles turned their gazes away from Jack's; it was going to be a long time before this morning's argument was forgotten.

Jack attached a picture of a man dressed in a suit to the whiteboard, "This is Jonathan Price, he is a lawyer in the city. His practice focuses on family law; however, it appears Mr. Price is branching out into a possible sideline of illegal services."

"What kind of services?" Lucy asked as she made notes on her pad.

"We believe that Mr. Price is supplying private adoption services," Jack replied.

"Technically that isn't illegal, is it?" Sue asked.

Jack turned to look at Sue, "It depends where he sources his babies from and how much he charges his client."

"And we think Mr. Price is making more money than he's supposed to?" Myles asked.

"Isn't it unusual for private adoptions, especially illegal ones to make it into our domain?" Tara asked as she twiddled her fluffy Winnie he Pooh pencil between her fingers.

"Usually they are on a need to know basis and we really don't have any hard evidence on Mr. Price, just a very good suspicion that he's not just dealing with family law anymore. A check of his bank records shows a very sudden increase in the last twelve months as well as his name appearing on an increased number of adoption certificates."

"So how do we get friendly with Mr. Price?" Myles asked as he fidgeted on the edge of his desk.

"Well that's where Tara comes in," Jack replied, smiling at the startled look on Tara's face.

"Why? How? Me?" Tara replied flustered.

"Well according to your file you gained a teaching certificate before being accepted to the Bureau," Jack waved a manila file in the air.

"I might have gained a teaching certificate; it doesn't actually mean I used it…" Tara explained, her arms waving furiously in the air.

"But that's more than anyone else has in the room," Jack replied "and we need a teacher."

"You do," Tara squeaked.

Jack nodded, "Yes. Mr. Price's wife, Elizabeth is a classroom aide at Takoma Park Elementary School."

"Elementary School!" Tara exclaimed, "They're little and they cry a lot and… and… and…"

Jack couldn't help but chuckle, "But you have a teaching certificate."

"For middle and high school, not elementary!"

"It can't be that different," he replied.

"Well I don't see you offering to go and work with a group of elementary children," Tara closed her eyes, "What grade?"

"Elizabeth is currently the aide in one of the Kindergarten classes."

Tara deflated on the desk, her head hanging forward and she began to mumble something under her breath.

"Is everything okay, Love?" Bobby asked, shocked at Tara's sudden change in demeanour.

"Kindergarteners are worse than any other children, they don't sit still, they don't listen and they don't know how to blow their noses…" Tara explained, her tone filled with horror. "They argue, tell tales and only share germs! There was a reason I got my teaching certificate for older children, you can hold a conversation about something halfway intellectual instead of Barney, Power Rangers and whatever else is popular with today's child. Isn't there anyone else?"

Jack shook his head, "Nope, you're our only choice."

"Only choice… How long have I got to be teaching kindergarten?"

"Until we've got enough evidence against Jonathan Price or we prove he's innocent," Jack gave her a folder. "Here's your background information. You're a substitute teacher, you're happily married and unfortunately just over a year ago your baby daughter died of cot death. Due to complications at birth you're unable to have any more children and you're thinking of looking into adoption."

"That sounds plausible," Tara looked through the information in the file. "Who am I married to?" She looked from Bobby, Myles to Jack.

Jack grinned, "Tara I'd like to introduce you to your husband, Robert Manning, wealthy banker with DC international."

Bobby grinned, "Couldn't ask for a better wife, could I?"

Myles shook his head, "I'll offer my condolences now, Tara, you're going to need a miracle if you're going to survive Bobby's culinary skills, and you've tasted his coffee!"

Bobby pushed Myles' shoulder, "No fair! I just can't make coffee, she hasn't tasted my other delicacies," he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Tara.

Tara couldn't help but blush, "I'm sure I'll be fine, Myles. There's usually a good supply of take out if we get desperate."

"Now we've worked out the details of your background, we have some preliminary work before you move into your new home," Jack walked towards his desk and plucked another file from it. "You both need to report to the photographic room."

Both Bobby and Tara glanced at Jack with a look of confusion, "Why?" Bobby asked.

"Because you need to have some family snap shots. We want you to get close to Elizabeth, build up a friendship. If they come round for dinner they're going to expect to see wedding photos and of course baby photos."

Tara shook her head, when she had woken up this morning she had hoped it would be a straight forward Wednesday, it was turning out to be a rather frightening one, marriage, babies and kindergartners. It was something nightmares were made of!

Tara walked into the photographic room, the photo tech, Tim was engrossed fiddling with a very high spec camera, she coughed to announce her presence. Flustered at the sound of Tara's cough, Tim nearly dropped the camera on the floor; he lurched just in time to cradle the falling piece of equipment.

"Sorry, Tim. Jack asked me to report for photographs, Bobby will be here shortly."

"It's okay, I just wasn't expecting you right at that moment. I was just checking her to make sure she was ready. Good job I've got quick reactions, isn't it?"

She smiled, "Very impressive save. Perhaps you should join our team when we play football next?"

Tim looked aghast at her suggestion shaking his head as he spoke, "Me… football… No not a good mix, I'm a technician, I need my fingers and hands intact."

"No worries, just thought I'd offer. I don't play, I cheer!"

Tim smiled, relaxing again. "Jen's in the room over there, she's got some outfits for you to try on."

She shook her head, "Outfits?"

"Jack said you needed the works, wedding, celebrations, baby."

"Baby?"

"Yep. Sam in the typing pool is bringing her daughter down from the crèche."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

"That's good old Uncle Sam for you, no detail too small."

"Okay. I'll go and get ready. What's our first scene?"

"Wedding. Thought we'd go for a nice summer snapshot, I've chosen just the background image. I'll be ready when you are."

Tara smiled at Tim as she headed into the small room which contained a myriad of costumes for such occasions. As she stepped into the room she looked for Jen she could hear rustling from the back of the room. "Jen!"

A head popped up from behind a clothes rail, her blonde hair ruffled and dishevelled, "Hey Tara. I've got your outfits over here; I was just looking for the finishing touch."

"Finishing touch?"

Jen grinned, "Wait and see."

Tara looked at herself in the full length mirror; she gently smoothed the satin skirt of the dress and took her reflection in. As a child she'd dreamed of her wedding day, cream coloured ponies pulling a fairy tale coach, pink rose petals and bridesmaids dressed to match. The dress was almost like the one in her dreams; however, she hadn't planned for it to be a fake wedding for an undercover operation. In her dreams she was going to find her Prince Charming and live happily ever after. In reality, however, she'd met many a charming man, but they turned out to be frogs rather than princes. She thought she'd never find the right one and if she did, knowing her luck, he'd think she was the frog and walk right past!

Lost in her thoughts she didn't hear Sue walk up behind her, she jumped at the sound of her voice, "Are you ready?"

Tara looked over her shoulder in the mirror and smiled at Sue, "Just didn't expect this when I arrived at work this morning."

Sue smiled, "I guess none of us did. You look beautiful, you'll bowl Bobby over.

"I'm not sure that will happen, are you joining the wedding pictures?" she asked noticing Sue's dress.

"I've been charged to play your maid of honour."

"Is Jack the Best Man?"

Sue beamed, "Maybe he'll take the hint and ask the maid of honour out on a date!"

Tara grinned, "Well if he does that's one good thing that's come out of this assignment."

"Plus saving the babies and their mothers," Sue pointed out. "Now how about we go and have a wedding!"

"I guess so."

Tara followed Sue back out into Tim's photographic room, he'd erected a large blue screen on one of the walls and he was busy fiddling with another camera. She noticed Jack and Bobby standing in the corner of the room, their backs towards them, they were both wearing morning suits.

It was Tim who noticed their arrival first and turned to them, "Well, ladies you look lovely. If you'd like to stand in front of the blue screen, our dashing groomsmen will join you. Now remember it's the happiest day of your life, I want to see fantastic smiles."

At the sound of Tim's speech Jack and Bobby turned around, Bobby couldn't believe how beautiful Tara looked in the long white dress, her hair tied up with a few loose tendrils framing her face. He watched her shift nervously under his gaze, "You love beautiful, Love."

She had felt his eyes sweep up and down her and couldn't help but shift nervously, when he told her she looked beautiful she'd felt her cheeks redden, why did he always manage to make her nervous? How was she going to survive living with him? "Thank you," she whispered.

Jack looked at Sue, she looked stunning in her dress, and although he couldn't help but be rather disappointed that he wasn't getting the opportunity to marry Sue, even though it was only for an undercover operation. He'd revelled his time with Sue the last time they had pretended to be married, it had given him a taste of what his life could be like, he just hadn't got around to being brave enough to pursue her yet. He shook his head, he wasn't getting any younger and one day someone would realise just how special Sue is and he'd lose her forever.

"Jack!" Sue implored, gesticulating at him.

"Sorry, I was miles away," he apologised.

Half an hour the wedding photographs were over and Tara was changing into a different outfit. Once again she found herself standing in front of the mirror, this time she was wearing a more casual outfit.

"Tara, are you ready?" Jen called from the other room.

Tara headed into the other room and noticed Sam from the typing pool, a small baby cradled in her arms. She slowly walked over to her and smiled nervously, "She's beautiful, Sam."

Sam looked at Tara and beamed, "She is pretty cute, isn't she?"

"She is. Does she mind strangers?"

"Emily's quite easy going; would you like to hold her?"

Tara hadn't held a small baby since her cousin Jane's christening when she was ten, and then she'd been forced to sit on the sofa with a cushion in her lap to help her cradle the weight of the infant. "Sure." She nervously moved her hands and accepted the baby Sam offered her, she looked down into the infants face, she marvelled at her perfectly formed features. For a moment she wondered how anyone could part with anything as special as a baby.

"Okay. Let's get the family photo shoot on the road before Emily decides she wants lunch," Tim suggested.

Tara moved over to the white rug that was now draped over the floor in front of the blue screen. She carefully sat down the baby cradled in her arms.

"Okay, Mommy shots first," Tim called, "Smile Tara!"

When Tim was satisfied with Tara and Emily's shots, Bobby was brought into the group and sat nervously on the edge of the white rug. "Bobby," Tim admonished, "You're supposed to be a happy father, not a stuffed teddy, now move in closer to your wife, put your arm around her and look at the baby."

Bobby followed Tim's direction, attempting to push the butterflies that were dancing in his stomach to one side, he moved next to Tara and draped his arm casually over her shoulders and looked down at the tiny baby. He had never imagined being responsible for a child, it was something other people did, like D., he'd never considered becoming a father. Perhaps the responsibility wouldn't be too bad if he found the right woman to share it with. One thing for certain, though, Darcy D'Angelo would never be the right woman for him, Los Angeles was welcome to her.

"Okay, time for Daddy to hold the baby," Tim commanded.

Bobby looked up at Tim, had he just heard him correctly? "Me hold Emily?"

Tim grinned, this was the best photo shoot he'd worked on in ages, much better than the usual I.D. photographs he worked on, "Daddies hold babies, and it's what they do. Now you're a big F.B.I. agent, you're not scared of an itty bitty baby, are you?"

"I'm not scared of anything," Bobby stated his voice filled with bravado. He heard Tara's voice in his ear.

"It's not too hard, just hold her head. She's quite friendly, I promise," she explained as she carefully placed Emily in his arms.

Tara watched Bobby's face as he cradled the infant in his arms, eventually she saw him relax as Emily gurgled contentedly, "Your dimples win over the damsel again," she teased.

"I bet it doesn't last long, though, she'll soon realise that she needs her Mommy," Bobby stated as he shifted Emily gently in his arms.

Tim brought their attention to the camera, "A few more shots and we should have enough snap shots to create a believable history. Smile everyone."

Tara walked up the steps following Bobby to the door, he unlocked it and she followed him into the hallway, she turned around on her heels admiring the galleried staircase, "Wow!"

"This must be costing a fair bit, I think we should make the most of it," Bobby replied as he opened a set of double doors, "Guess this is the living room."

Tara crept round in front of him and peered into the large room, decorated tastefully in cream with two large sofas and an ornate fireplace, "Wow…"

"At a little loss for words?" He chuckled, bemused by Tara's reaction.

She nodded, "Yes, guess you're doing really well in the banking industry, 'cause a substitute teacher certainly wouldn't enjoy a pad like this, nor a government employee!"

"Well I know two government employees who are going to enjoy their time in these very nice surroundings. Shall we explore the rest of the house?"

Tara began to hurry towards the door, "Race you!" She charged up the stairs, "Winner gets to pick their bedroom!"

Bobby watched Tara hurry up the stairs and finally gave chase, but he wasn't quick enough, he pouted when he reached the top of the stairs, "That wasn't a fair race, Love."

Tara wasn't swayed by the look on his face, "Life's not fair, Bobby. Now come on lets explore."

He followed Tara into the first room; he couldn't help but whistle at the size of the bedroom, "Guess this is the master bedroom?"

"If it isn't the master bedroom then I dread to think what the master bedroom looks like. This room's nearly the same size as my whole apartment!"

"Same here, Love."

Tara stood on the steps of Takhoma Park Elementary School and inhaled deeply; she counted silently to five and then briskly climbed the steps before she changed her mind. She opened the bright red door and entered the hallway, the sound of her heels echoed as she walked towards the office area.

She knocked on the door and entered an office area where a woman sat behind a desk typing furiously into her computer, the woman looked up as Tara approached her a smile brightening her face, "Can I help you?"

"I'm Tara Manning."

"Ah, Mrs. Timms has been waiting for you, you're our Kindergarten substitute teacher."

Tara smiled, "Yes, that's me."

The woman stood and offered her hand, "I'm Anne Wallace, I'm the school secretary."

"It's nice to meet you, Anne," she replied shaking the other woman's hand.

"Follow me, Angela's in her office," Anne walked towards a door at the back of the room, she knocked briskly and waited for a reply before entering.

Tara followed Anne into a brightly decorated office with a variety of pictures drawn by children hanging on the walls. Tara couldn't help but smile at the bright colours that welcomed you into the Principal's office.

"This is Tara Manning," Anne stated as she pointed at Tara. "I'll go and get a map of the building and a staff handbook for Tara."

"Thank you, Anne," Angela Timms said before turning to Tara, "Please have a seat."

Tara took the seat directly opposite Angela's; she briefly fidgeted in the seat before making herself comfortable. "Now, Tara, I understand that you've recently moved into the area, but you're resume is quite impressive. You're an experienced kindergarten teacher, it looks like your last school was sorry to see you go."

Tara smiled sadly, "I was sad to leave too, but I was leaving for a good reason, a new baby…"

Angela noticed the change in Tara's face, "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, your resume tells me everything I need to know. We're lucky to find you to cover Julie's class, she was taken ill very suddenly and we're not sure when she'll be coming back."

"Thank you. I didn't think I'd be returning to teaching so soon, but my circumstances changed and I need to do something and I've always loved teaching. I registered with the Education Department when we moved here and they contacted me about the position. At the moment I need the flexibility of being a substitute."

"Well we're pleased to have you on staff. I'll show you to your room, the children will arrive in about an hour, your aide, Elizabeth Price has been with us for several years, and she'll help you with the children and their routine." Angela stood and headed out of her office, Tara following her.

The corridor was brightly decorated with children's artwork and Tara couldn't help but admire it whilst she was following Angela.

"We're really proud of our children and their achievements and we like to share it with everyone who visits us." She paused at a bright blue door, "This is your classroom."

She opened the door and waited for Tara to step into the large room filled with books, toys and other necessities for young children.

"You'll hopefully find everything you need; Julie's planning book is on the desk. If you have any questions please feel free to come and speak to me or any of the other staff. We want you to be as happy as we are; a happy school is a wonderful place for learning to happen. I'm sorry to leave you, but I have an appointment with a parent, here's a copy of the staff handbook, a map of the school and your class schedule."

"Thank you," Tara replied quietly, the realisation of what she'd let herself in for finally hitting her.

Angela left the room, closing the door behind her.

Tara wandered around the classroom her stomach churning in panic; she was suddenly in charge of eighteen children and their education. Surely teaching eighteen five year olds couldn't be that difficult? She had played her part in catching hundreds of criminals during her time in the Bureau, teaching was going to be a breeze, wasn't it?

She walked over to the desk, placed her bag by the side and hung her jacket on the back of the chair. She picked up the planning book and began to read, her stomach plummeting even further as she read the schedule for the day. Jack was going to pay, she would find a way.

She sat at her desk and studied the schedule; it didn't seem that complicated English and Maths centres and some creative activities. As she looked over the class notes and assessments in the planner and her mind wandered back to her days at college when she'd taken the course on child development to supplement her teaching certificate. She remembered the college professor instilling in her students that play was a crucial developmental tool. Tara hoped that her professor had been correct, 'cause play sounded like a good place to start.

She got up from the desk and wandered around the room choosing activities that she thought would be appropriate and set them out in the different areas of the room. She set out the children's names ready for them to register themselves and glanced at the clock. The children would be arriving in less than ten minutes, at the realisation her heart began to pound in her chest. The sound of the door opening distracted her from the panic she felt swirling in her stomach, she turned towards it and found a woman in her early forties smiling at her.

"You must be Tara Manning our substitute teacher, I'm Elizabeth Price your aide." She appeared to glance around the room, "It seems that you've found most things is there anything I can help you with?"

Tara smiled warmly at Elizabeth, "I hope I'm ready, each school and class is completely different so any help you can give me along the way will be really helpful."

"I'm sure you'll be fine, they're a great class. Julie has got them trained really well, although they don't do change very well. So I'm not sure how they'll react at Julie not being here this morning. Julie's illness was really sudden."

Tara walked over to Elizabeth, "Well you're here to soften the blow slightly and I'm sure your friend will be fine. She probably just needs time, working with little ones and feeling ill really takes it out of you."

Elizabeth smiled, "They don't give you a moment to yourself, which is why I love working with them. They help you forget the outside world."

"Is there anything I should be aware of?"

"All of the children are on the whole really well behaved, there's a little girl with a nut allergy, but her medical information is in the file on your desk."

A sound of a bell ringing indicated the start of the morning.

"They'll be here in a minute, I'll just pop my purse and coat in the cupboard and I'll help them settle, we usually start with our calendar." Elizabeth explained as she hurried to the store cupboard and placed her belongings inside.

Tara felt like she was frozen to the spot, she said a silent prayer that she wouldn't stuff up her first day or lose any of the children. The sound of the door opening and chattering voices brought her out of her reverie, her day was about to begin.

Tara sat on a small chair with eighteen pairs of expectant eyes staring at her. She smiled and hoped they wouldn't sense the nerves she felt, "Mrs. Smith is ill and she can't come to school at the moment, so Mrs. Timms asked if I would come and teach you until Mrs. Smith feels better. I'm Mrs. Manning and I'm really pleased to meet you."

A small girl with long blonde pigtails raised her hand in the air, "Does Mrs. Smith have chickenpox? 'Cause Jenny had it last week and my mom said it's con… con… contag… You can catch it."

Tara smiled, "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"I'm Ellie."

"It's nice to meet you Ellie. Mrs. Smith does not have chickenpox. You can catch chickenpox, but hopefully we're all going to stay healthy."

Another child raised their hand, "Your skirt is pretty."

"Thank you. Now shall we start with the calendar?"

A voice piped up from the small crowd, "Is it Zero the Hero day?"

Tara's stomach sank, who on Earth was Zero the Hero?

"Josh, you know it's not. Have you looked at the calendar, does the day end in a zero?" Elizabeth asked.

A small brown haired boy looked at the calendar and studied it for a moment, "No," he replied shaking his head.

"Then it's not a Zero the Hero day, is it? Who can tell me when Zero is due to visit us?"

Three children suddenly flung their hands in the air, Elizabeth looked over the children and picked one, "Lucy."

"On Friday Mrs. Price. It will be our thirtieth day of school."

"That's right, Lucy. I wonder what surprise Zero will have for us?"

The children whispered and talked to each other.

"Well I'm looking forward to seeing what surprise Zero has for us," Tara replied joining in with the enthusiastic chatter, making a mental note to ask Elizabeth about Zero the Hero.

Tara surveyed the classroom; the children were busily working on a range of activities. She headed over to a child who was sitting by themselves in the book area; she was fiddling with her shoelaces and appeared to be trying to be invisible to everyone else in the room. She sat down beside her and picked up a book and began to look like she was reading it. She giggled after a moment at the picture of a brightly coloured elephant in a jungle. Tara felt the small child move closer to her so that she could see the picture in the book. "Would you like me to read you the story?"

The little girl nodded.

Tara began to read.

As Tara finished the last page of the story, she handed the book to the child. "Did you like that story?"

"Yes."

"Why were you sitting on your own?"

"Lucy said that my hair was messy."

"That was an unkind thing for Lucy to say. I think your hair is pretty, it's curly and wavy just like mine."

The little girl smiled.

"You're Toni, aren't you?"

She nodded.

"How about we go and speak to Lucy and then find you a job to do?"

"Okay," Toni stood and held out her hand to Tara.

"That's very kind of you to help me," Tara replied as she stood.

"You're welcome. Mrs. Smith tells us it's important to have good manners."

"Mrs. Smith is right, Toni. Good manners are very important."

The bell rang at three o'clock and the children filed out of the classroom with their things, as Toni passed Tara, she briefly hugged her legs. Tara's heart soared; her first day in the kindergarten hadn't been too bad, all she had to do now was prepare for tomorrow.

"You're really good with them," Elizabeth stated warmly as she began to tidy up the painting table. "Julie never quite managed to connect with Toni, but it seems that you have. She's a very quiet little girl who has taken a long time to settle."

"She reminds me of myself as a child," Tara explained, "I never quite fitted in. I was always a little different."

"Well you've made a difference to Toni's life at school she'll come in happier tomorrow."

"Thanks," Tara replied helping Elizabeth with the clearing away.

Tara unlocked the front door and walked into the hallway, dropping her bags on the floor, before hanging up her coat.

Bobby sauntered in from the living room, "How was your day, love?"

Tara turned towards him and smiled, "Not bad. Although the novelty of a new teacher might wear off."

"You're being quite pessimistic, love."

"I'm being a realist. I've seen it happen. You think you've got them where you want them and then they push the boundaries and they've got the upper hand."

"They're children."

"Yes, indeed they are and they learn how to manipulate adults at a very early age. Babies learn that they get attention when they cry and it's a skill they continue to develop. You know yourself how to manipulate your parents, don't you?"

Bobby grinned, "You have a point, love. I could always get my mum to say yes eventually."

She returned his grin, "My point is made! Now what have you decided we're having for dinner?"

He waved a menu in the air, "Chinese."

"Sounds good to me," she turned to pick up her bags."

"Tara, love did you have paint out today?"

"Yes, why?" she turned to look at him curiously.

"I think you're wearing it, love," he pointed at her skirt where there was a pair of green handprints half way down.

Tara glanced over her shoulder and grimaced, remembering Josh and the incident at the end of the after afternoon. "I guess I'll be dressing down a little tomorrow, this will cost a fortune to dry clean."

"Expenses."

"Do you think Randy will believe me when I claim for green handprints on my skirt!"

"He might not believe you, but his reaction will be interesting."

Tara huffed, "I'm going to change."

"I'll order dinner."

Bobby walked into the bullpen and sat at his desk, he absently shifted pieces of paper from one to another. He couldn't help but smile to himself, sharing a house with Tara was fun, she certainly had a unique perspective on life.

"Morning, Crash. How's Tara doing?" Jack asked as he walked towards his desk.

Bobby dropped the piece of paper he had in his hand and watched it as it floated down to the floor. "She's surviving. I'm sure she might even be warming to the idea. Although, she has dressed a little more casually today."

Jack's eyebrows rose questioningly.

Bobby noticed Jack's reaction and chuckled, "I had to drop the suit she wore yesterday at the dry cleaners this morning."

"Any particular reason?"

"She didn't think that two green handprints on the skirt would give a good impression at the Hoover Building."

Jack laughed, "They didn't?"

"Oh yes, the little ankle biters made her feel truly welcome and left a lasting impression."

"I take it Tippy Toes is settling well?" Myles asked as he looked at Jack and Bobby who were both laughing.

Bobby nodded, "She's found her calling."

Tara sat in front of the eighteen expectant faces that made up her class.

"Okay, children. Today we're going to go on a bear hunt."

There was a collective sound of the children oohing and ahhing, except for Josh who raised his hand in the air.

"Yes, Josh," Tara stated.

"We aren't looking for a real bear, are we?"

Tara shook her head, "No we're going to read a story and then I thought we cold go outside and pretend to go on a bear hunt."

The look of worry on Josh's face seemed to fade.

Tara held up the book, "Now can everyone see?"

The children nodded.

"She opened the first page, "We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one…"

Tara opened the door to the yard and the children suddenly ran out into the open space chasing and playing.

"Children!" Tara called trying to make herself heard over the noise the children were making as they played.

The children continued to play, oblivious to Tara's voice. Tara chastised herself, she had forgotten to give them specific reminders about her expectations before letting them out. Trying to work out her next step she didn't notice Elizabeth approaching, until she saw a small whistle on the end of a lanyard.

"Try this," Elizabeth suggested.

Tara took the whistle, "Thanks," she placed it between her lips and blew.

The piercing sound of the whistle cut through the noise in the playground. Amazingly the children stopped playing and walked towards Tara making an orderly line.

"Well done, what a fabulous line," Tara praised them, "Who's ready for a bear hunt?"

The children jumped up and down eagerly.

"Okay, here are the rules of the game."

Bobby parked on the street outside the elementary school. He stepped out of the car and walked along the pavement. He could hear the sound of children and then he heard a familiar voice that stopped him in his tracks.

Curious he walked towards the sound of the voice and found himself watching as Tara led a line of children around the playground acting out something. He couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm Tara displayed in front of the children; they seemed to be thoroughly enthralled in the game they were playing. After a few minutes the game seemed to be over and the children waited patiently for Tara's instructions before following her into the school.

Bobby approached the desk in the office and waited as the woman sitting behind the receptionist's desk finished a phone call. When she replaced the receiver in the cradle she looked up at him and smiled, "Can I help you?"

"I wondered if it was possible to speak to my wife, she's a teacher here?"

"I'm sure that will be fine, lunchtime is about to begin. May I ask who your wife is and I'll take you to her room."

"My wife's Tara Manning, she's teaching in kindergarten."

The lady smiled, "Tara's settled in really well. I'll take you to her room."

Bobby waited in the corridor for the lunch bell to ring; he couldn't help but watch Tara interacting with the children. She had a smile on her face and seemed to have the children following every instruction, but then she'd always managed to wrap the team around her fingers, especially him. He'd do anything for her, he always had, and her energy and enthusiasm seemed to rub off on everyone she met. The sound of the bell ringing made him jump and distracted him from his thoughts. He watched the children line up and as they did, several of them hugged Tara on their way to the line.

The door opened and the children filed out a small woman leading them along the corridor leaving Tara alone in the room. He noticed that as soon as they left she sat down in her chair releasing a sigh from her lips. He knocked on the door, she turned towards him a smile lighting up her face when she saw him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I thought I'd surprise my wife with lunch," He held up two brown paper bags.

"I hope you called in somewhere and didn't make anything," she teased as she got up from the chair and walked over to him.

"No a deli special," he gave Tara one of the bags. "Did you want to eat in here or go outside to the park; the weather's really good for this time of year."

"It would be nice to get some fresh air," she replied grabbing her jacket from the coat peg.

Bobby held out his arm and Tara linked hers through it, "Let's go to the park."

As they were leaving the room Elizabeth returned from the dinner hall, "Heading out for lunch?" she asked.

"Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet my husband, Bobby. He's decided to rescue me and take me to the park for lunch," Tara explained.

Bobby held out his hand, "It's nice to meet you Elizabeth."

Elizabeth took his hand and shook it, "It's nice to meet you too. I hope you both have a lovely lunch. Is there anything you'd like me to prepare for this afternoon?"

"No, I think we're ready to go. Have a nice lunch and I'll see you in a little while," Tara replied.

"Bye Elizabeth, nice to meet you and I'm sure we'll meet again," Bobby stated as he led Tara out of the room.

They walked arm in arm to the park and wandered along the path until the found a bench nestled beneath a large tree. They sat down and began to eat their lunch.

"How's it going?" Bobby asked genuinely interested in Tara's day.

"We're getting there. Although I nearly lost them when I forgot to give them specific instructions."

"I'm sure you got them back."

Tara smiled, "Yep, Elizabeth proved invaluable."

Bobby looked at her and grinned.

"What?" She asked, wondering if she had something stuck on her nose or face. They hadn't painted this morning so she was certain she hadn't got paint anywhere she shouldn't have.

"What exactly were you doing in the playground with the children?"

Tara felt her cheeks redden, it's one thing acting a fool in front of a group of five year olds, but completely different to be seen by a colleague, who happened to be an agent with the F.B.I. "We were playing a game."

"A game, hey? It looked like a very involved game, swimming, snowstorms, marshes, grass, mud and a bear if I recall correctly," his grin spread across his face exposing his dimples.

"We were acting out a story book for our English class. We're going to make bear masks this afternoon," she explained as she examined her sandwich.

"The ankle biters looked like they were really enjoying themselves. I wish I'd had you for a teacher when I was at school."

Tara looked up from her sandwich and met her eyes, "You do?"

"Yep. You certainly made English interesting for them. None of my teachers ever took me out into the playground and went on a bear hunt."

Tara grinned, "You poor deprived baby."

He shook his head, "If only you knew."

"You can tell me all about it over dinner. I'm going to call in at the grocery store on the way home, would you like Italian for dinner?"

Bobby grinned, "You're going to cook?"

"Well it might surprise you that actually I can cook, it is another one of my hidden talents and we're going to get sick of take out."

"I've never managed to get sick of take out or eating out."

"But is that out of choice?"

"Nope. If it doesn't come in a packet and can be reheated in a microwave then my culinary skills are limited to toast."

"Maybe I'll be able to teach you some skills in the kitchen whilst we're on our assignment. It would bode well with future girlfriends if you can cook."

"I'm not sure I'll learn very much, my mum tried for years to teach me to cook and she eventually gave up."

Tara giggled, "Well we'll see how we go." She glanced at her watch. "We're going to have to get going lunch finishes in ten minutes and I can't be late."

Bobby took her brown paper bag and popped it into a trash can with his own, "Well then, Mrs. Manning we'd better walk back to the school." Once again he held out his arm and she linked hers through his.

They walked together in comfortable silence back to the school.

Tara placed her bag on her desk and hung her jacket up; she was checking her planner when a voice from behind her made her jump.

"Did you have a good lunch?" Elizabeth asked.

"I did thank you. Bobby and I went to the park."

"Tell me to mind my own business but have you and Bobby been married long? It's just that my husband was only ever that attentive for the first couple of months after we got married, we'd often meet for lunch," she paused to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "now I'm lucky if I see him for dinner. His business recently has really taken off."

Tara smiled, "I don't mind you asking. Bobby and I have been married nearly four years. He's always been really sweet but I know he's just being anxious as it's my first jobs since…" Tara's voice broke with emotion.

Elizabeth's face clouded with concern, "Are you alright, Tara?"

Tara nodded her head, "It's still hard to talk about Emily."

"Emily?"

Tara reached for her purse and pulled out her wallet opening it before showing Elizabeth the photograph of herself holding a baby. "Our daughter."

"She's beautiful," Elizabeth replied whilst looking at the photograph.

"She was, we lost her to cot death when she was seven months old."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any pain."

The bell for afternoon session rang and the sound of children's footsteps in the corridor echoed in the quietness.

"You didn't, you're the first person other than Bobby I've spoken to about Emily. I think it's helped, if it's not too much of a burden I'd like to tell you more about her. Would you like to go for coffee after work, my treat, to say thank you for all of your help so far?"

Elizabeth smiled, "I'd like that."

The afternoon passed in a flurry of pieces of fabric, glue and glitter. Tara sagged down in her chair a few minutes after the last child left the classroom.

"Would you still like to go for a cup of coffee?" Elizabeth asked as she finished straightening a pile of paper.

Tara smiled, "I'd love too. Let me just straighten my desk, sort out the tables for tomorrow and then you can show me where a good place for coffee is?"

Tara followed Elizabeth into Maddie's coffee house on the opposite side of the park to the school; Elizabeth chose a table next to the window. After they had been sitting for a few moments a friendly looking waitress came over to them, "Hello Elizabeth, how are you? It's been a while since we've seen you."

"I've been busy with work; I just haven't had the time. I've missed your tea cakes though and I really ought to introduce my new friend to your delicacies, they're a great treat after a busy day. Maddie, this is Tara she's teaching at the school."

"Nice to meet you," Tara smiled warmly.

"It's always nice to meet a friend of Elizabeth's. Now what would you like?"

Elizabeth and Tara placed their order with Maddie and she hurried over to the counter to fill them.

"This is a really nice coffee shop, Maddie seems really friendly too."

"It is. I found it soon after I started working at the school I'd come here a couple of evenings a week, Maddie and I started talking and we've been friends ever since. Although, I haven't made time recently to come over, been wrapped up in my own life."

"Sometimes that happens. Thank you for bringing me here though. Bobby and I haven't been in D.C. long and I haven't gotten to grips with where the more interesting off the tourist list things are."

"Where were you before D.C?"

"Bobby and I met in Los Angeles and just after we got married he was transferred Brisbane and we stayed there for over two years, that's where Emily was born. There were complications and she was going to be our only child. It didn't matter because she was perfect, but then we lost her." Tara looked intently at the pattern on the tablecloth. "It was awful finding her lying in her crib, I couldn't wake her. I needed time after that, I didn't return to teaching after Emily's birth. I enjoyed being a Mom and then all of a sudden she was gone. Bobby was brilliant through everything and he was worried that returning to teaching would be too much, especially after we've just moved here. Although I think it's one of the best decisions I've made in a while. I forgot how much I missed working with the children. Each day is certainly very different."

Elizabeth chuckled, "Yep, you never get two days the same. Have you made many friends yet in D.C.?"

"No. Bobby and I arrived stateside a couple of months ago but we only moved into our house three weeks ago, it took us time to find the right place. I decided to register as a substitute teacher and luckily enough I got a position at Takhoma park."

"I'm pleased that things are beginning to work out for you. Although I can't imagine the pain of losing a child."

"Do you and Jonathan have any children?"

"We have a son, he's fourteen and at boarding school. I get to see him holidays and weekends. I thought I'd really miss him, well I did at first, but he settled in really well and he's happy there. Jonathan is busy with his law practice, he works in family law. He tries his best to reunite families and create new ones."

"Does he deal with adoption?"

"Yes. Are you and Bobby thinking about it?"

"We've talked about it. We miss having a child about the house. Although we'd rather adopt a baby, or a toddler, because they'll adjust easier."

"I can understand that. Would you like me to talk to Jonathan?"

"I wouldn't want to impose. It's something Bobby and I have talked about but we're not sure about the procedures."

Elizabeth smiled, "How about we arrange dinner and Bobby, you, Jonathan can talk about adoptions and I'll cook a fabulous dinner."

Tara laughed, "How could I possibly say no."

Tara opened the door and dropped her bags on the floor, before hanging up her jacket. She collected the grocery bags and headed for the kitchen, take out food was becoming boring, and so she'd decided she was going to cook. She emptied the bags and began; she glanced at her watch Bobby would be home in a couple of hours.

Bobby opened the door and was taken aback by the delicious aroma that hung in the air. Shrugging off his jacket and hanging it up he headed to the kitchen where he found the source of the delicious aroma. Tara was busily stirring a pot on the stove, her back to him, engrossed in her work she hadn't noticed he was home. He tiptoed over to her and gently leaned over her shoulder, "That smells delicious, love."

Tara jumped, the spoon she held dropping back into the pot, splashing sauce over the stove. "Bobby! You nearly gave me heart failure. Don't you ever sneak up on me again, other wise you'll never sample any of my cooking again!" She turned around and glared at him.

Bobby held his hands up in surrender, "Sorry, love. I just wanted to surprise you. Guess I didn't think through my plan very carefully."

"It's a good job you think through operations more at work, otherwise we'd all be in a sorry state of affairs."

He grinned, exposing his dimples, "Well my plans are always better when you give me a logical perspective. I do tend to rush in."

The sight of his dimples made her anger melt away, "Well, just don't sneak up on me when I'm cooking!"

"I won't do it again, Scout's honour."

"Well take your Scout's honour and wash up for dinner, it's just about ready."

"What have we got?"

"Patience is a virtue, go wash up. You can wait for the surprise."

Bobby followed her instructions and headed upstairs to wash and change for dinner.

Tara finished setting the table; she stood back and admired her handy work. She was relishing the fact that she had a dining room with a huge dining table. It was the kind of room she'd dreamt of as a child, imagining herself serving dinner to her husband and her host of children. However, the dream stood little chance of becoming a reality; her chances of finding Mr. Right were diminishing rapidly. She'd literally have to trip over him she thought, 'cause when she thought she'd found him, he managed to break her heart. She shook her head, pushing the thought from her mind, she wanted to enjoy dinner with Bobby and catch him up on her day at school.

Changed he returned to the kitchen and found Tara organising plates, "Here, let me take them, Love. Where are we eating?"

"I thought we'd use the dining room. It suits home cooked dinner more than take out."

"I thought you liked take out?"

"I do occasionally. But there are only so many times you can bring take out home before you feel the need for home cooked dinner."

"Well, that depends on whether you can actually produce home cooked food. The only time I get home cooked food is when I actually return home."

Tara shook her head, "Cooking not in your vocabulary then?"

"Well not cooking, but burning definitely is."

She chuckled, "Well as I think this assignment is not going to be a short one, how about I teach you some culinary skills?"

"That teaching certificate has gone to your head!" he grinned, "You've mastered kindergarten and now you want to take a hopeless cook and turn him into a gourmet. You're certainly setting yourself a challenge."

"I like a challenge and I didn't guarantee gourmet outcomes, how about not burning things?"

"Sounds good to me. Now what's for dinner, my stomach thinks my throat's been cut!"

"Bobby!" she chastised as she shooed him from the kitchen and followed him to the dining room.

Bobby pushed his empty plate away from him, "Wow! Tara that was delicious, nearly as good as my mum's casserole."

Tara beamed at the compliment, "Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it."

"I'll eat anything you cook anytime, you're a fabulous cook. Although it shouldn't have been a surprise 'cause the cookies you bring in occasionally are delicious."

She grinned, "Well I might bring cookies in more often to work; now I know you enjoy them."

"You can bring cookies in any time, Love."

"Well maybe after I've finished teaching you the basics, perhaps you'll be bringing us cookies in to work to taste."

"If you work your magic, I might. Although, Myles might want to give his share to Levi first. Have him test if they're going to poison him."

She chuckled, "I can see Myles doing that too."

"Now, Love. Tell me about your afternoon, did you find any bears on your hunt?"

"No, but we did make some. I never thought glue, cartons and tissue paper could be so much fun."

"I bet the ankle biters enjoyed it too."

"Definitely. Tomorrow we're going to make a cave out of cardboard cartons and paper machė."

"Wearing casual clothes, tomorrow, then?"

"My F.B.I suits are staying in the closet for now. I don't want to have to buy a whole new wardrobe when I return to work."

"I don't think Randy would be too forthcoming giving you expenses to cover a new wardrobe."

"He struggles to give us office supplies. Elizabeth and I went for coffee after work. I explained our situation, she's going to talk to her husband to see if he can help us."

"You found your in, then."

She nodded. "Elizabeth mentioned dinner with her and Jonathon. She suggested Friday."

"Friday's good for me. Do we need to bring anything?"

"Nothing as far as I know. All we need to do is turn up and talk about our past and hope they can help us move on. Although if you're just your charming self and bring your unique sense of humour I'm sure we'll do fine."

He shook his head, "There is nothing unique about my sense of humour, and I'm just a little out of my comfort zone! Now how about I set the dishwasher up, whilst you go and rest?"

"I don't need to rest, I'm perfectly fine," She felt herself bristle, then remembered he was just trying to be helpful, "But I wouldn't mind time to catch up on some preparation for tomorrow."

"You go prep, I'll go wash!"

"Thank you," she smiled.

"No, thank you. I could get used to this."

Me too, she added quietly to herself.

The week passed quickly and before Tara knew it, her second week as a Kindergarten teacher had flown by. In a way her life at the F.B.I was becoming a distant memory, she was enjoying her undercover assignment more than she'd expected to.

She picked up her bags and coat and left her orderly classroom, chuckling to herself that in ten minutes after school started on Monday morning, the order would be nothing but a distant memory as the children in her class enjoyed exploring the new activities she planned on creating this weekend. Teaching certainly stimulated her mind and it was in a totally different way to her job with the bureau.

She couldn't help but smile as she walked down the corridor of the school, the children in the school viewed life with an awe that disappeared as soon as they became jaded with the reality of life. The children in kindergarten enjoyed life and still believed in the magic of childhood; Tara hoped they cherished it, because often reality was far too difficult to deal with.

"Have a good weekend, Tara," Anne Timms, the Principal called as she walked past the office.

"Thank you, you too!" she replied before heading out of the main doors into the front yard. She bounced down the steps and grinned as she saw Bobby's car parked outside. Bobby was leaning against the car and waved as soon as he saw her.

"I thought you might like a lift home after a busy week in Kindergarten," Bobby said as he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"You're a mind reader, I didn't really want to make the walk home with my bags, they're rather heavy."

"Lesson preparation?"

"Yes, we're looking at Brown Bear, brown bear, next week."

"You've got a bit of a fascination with bears, haven't you, love?" he replied as he took her bags and placed them in the trunk of the car.

She poked her tongue out at him, "I can't help it if the curriculum this month focuses around bears. At least they're fictional and not real ones!"

As he pulled away from the kerb he said, "Remind me; love, if we're ever in Australia to introduce you to our native bear."

"You mean the koala bear?"

"Yep, small furry, impeccably good manners and rather cute, too."

"I always thought koala bears were quite ferocious."

"That depends; the ones I've met are rather friendly, although if you get in the way of their Eucalyptus, they might get a little antsy."

"I'll remember that should I ever take you up on a home tour of Australia."

"I hope you do, love, 'cause Australia's a great place."

"It always looks good in the movies."

"It's a thousand times better than the movies."

"And I bet it's even better to have someone who knows and loves the country to show you it, I'll perhaps take you up on the offer, when we've both got some leave."

"Sounds good to me," Bobby parked the car in their drive and pulled on the parking break, "How about we unpack the car and have some coffee before we head out for dinner."

"Sounds good to me, are Jack and the others coming over before we leave?"

Bobby nodded, "They have some surveillance equipment for us to utilise on our dinner date."

"As long as its nothing too bulky, the broach I was given last time was so heavy I had to save it from a swan dive into my champagne."

"At least you caught it, could you imagine the surveillance guy's ears as the electronics fizzled and fried in the champagne!"

"It would have made his evening a little more memorable. Although the bill that Randy would have served on me would have knocked out most of a month's salary. I would have been eating bread and water." She followed him into the house and hung her coat on the hook. "I'll put the coffee on, whilst you check in to see what time our equipment team is arriving."

"So, how is life with Bobby going?" Sue asked as she fastened Tara's necklace.

Tara faced the mirror so that Sue could read her lips, "Better than I thought it would be. We seem to have really found some common ground. I've really enjoyed having someone to talk about the day with," she paused, "to cook for."

Sue smiled, "It's nice when you find someone who you can share things with. That's one of the reasons why going home with Jack is great, 'cause we can talk about what's happened at work and we know how the other one feels. We understand. That's hard to find with people who aren't in the job."

Tara nodded, "But Bobby and I aren't like you and Jack, and we're just friends."

Sue rolled her eyes, "Jack and I said the same thing for years before Jack finally lifted his head out from the sand and did something about it."

"But Bobby could never feel the same way about me as Jack does about you… it's impossible."

"Tara, when Jack announced you were going undercover and needed a husband, Bobby's face filled with hope. He's never looked so relieved until the moment when Jack mentioned he was lucky enough to get the job, I think he was petrified Myles would have the opportunity to spend time with you and he'd miss out."

Tara's eyes opened wide as she listened to Sue's speech as far as she had been concerned Bobby and she could never be anything more than friends. He'd said as much after the concert.

Reading the look of disbelief on Tara's face Sue continued, "The photographs you had taken for the assignment should prove it too, just look at them, Tara. The look on his face as he watched you with baby Emily was more than friendship, trust me."

"Why hasn't he ever said anything?" Tara whispered, still unsure whether to believe what Sue was trying to tell her.

"If you want more than friendship with Bobby, Tara, you're going to have to be the brave one, 'cause Bobby and Jack are from the same school of thought. The, I'm too scared to act on my heart school of thought, one I hasten to add, Jack graduation with distinction from. I'm sure Bobby got a distinction too!"

Tara chuckled, "I'm scared."

"Take it slowly; you've got a prime opportunity in this assignment. Don't waste it."

"You and Jack were married before," Tara nodded.

"Yep and I didn't encourage him to act, did I? I waited another two years before the penny finally dropped, and those two years were wasted, because I could have been happier earlier if I'd been braver, or listened to Lucy."

"Lucy put you up to this, didn't she?" Tara asked suspiciously.

Sue laughed, "No, this is entirely my own doing, although I have a feeling Lucy would be very proud of me, don't you agree, Levi?"

Levi grumbled from his position at the foot of Tara's bed.

"I promise to take every opportunity and see where it leads, but I'm not going to ruin what we have."

"You won't ruin anything, trust me."

"I could never do anything but trust you, Sue."

Tara pressed the doorbell and stood nervously next to Bobby, she hoped that they could pull tonight's dinner off without any hitches, she ran through their story once again in her head. Lying had never been one of her strong points, which was why undercover assignments were always a challenge.

"You'll be fine, love," Bobby said quietly, gently squeezing her shoulder with his hand.

She smiled, sometimes it was as if he could reach inside her mind and pluck out her thoughts, maybe Sue was right, maybe there was something more than friendship between them. "Just getting my thoughts straight."

The door opened with a creak and Elizabeth appeared a huge smile on her face, "Tara, Bobby, it's lovely to see you, please come in."

They accepted her invitation and walked into the large hallway that had several doors leading off from it. "Please let me take your coats," Elizabeth offered after she had closed the door.

Bobby helped Tara with her coat before handing it to Elizabeth, then quickly he shrugged off his own jacket, "This is a lovely home you have, Tara and I were admiring it from the driveway."

Elizabeth beamed at the compliment, "It's always much tidier than it used to be, when James was home his toys would be everywhere, now he's at boarding school I manage to keep everything more orderly."

Tara smiled, "I bet you love it though when he's home and leaves his toys around."

Elizabeth grinned, "I might not sound too happy when I trip over something, but secretly it makes a home feel more homelike."

Bobby grinned, "That's what my mum says…"

Tara reached out and touched Bobby's arm, "Elizabeth knows about Emily." She turned to look at Elizabeth, "Bobby's Mum was particularly heartbroken when we lost Emily, she had been babysitting for us the night before and in a way I think she felt guilty, even though there was nothing any of us could have done."

Elizabeth's face clouded with concern, "I can't imagine how anyone could ever get over losing a child. I can understand why Jonathon loves his job, because it is a way of creating families where hurt and desperation were only there before."

"Did I hear someone mention my name?" a husky voice asked from behind them.

Elizabeth smiled, "I'm sorry, Darling, I haven't introduced you to Tara and Bobby. Tara's the teacher I'm working with and this is her husband, Bobby, he's an investment banker."

Bobby reached out and shook Jonathon's hand, "Pleased to meet you. Tara's done nothing but rave about your wife since she took over the position at Takhoma Park."

Jonathon smiled, "Elizabeth's been exactly the same, it seems that they've become good friends in such a short time."

"Sometimes the best friendships are formed that way," Bobby replied.

"Shall we go through to the living room and I'll get us some drinks," Jonathon offered.

"Sounds great," Bobby enthused as he followed Jonathon into the living room.

"Tara and I will go and check on dinner if you boys want to get acquainted," Elizabeth called leading Tara down the corridor, to the kitchen.

"Dinner smells delicious," Tara commented as she followed Elizabeth into the kitchen.

"It's just a little something I rustled up," Elizabeth replied as she opened the oven and peered inside. "You wouldn't believe that when I first married Jonathon I couldn't even cook toast, well I could cook it but it usually looked like it was cremated! Fortunately my mother in law bought me a cookery course for my birthday, she thought it was a most suitable present after she came to a dinner party and I managed to give everyone food poisoning!"

"Bobby can't cook to save his life. Before we met he relied on take out or dinner with his colleagues. The only time he ever got a home cooked meal was if he went home and when you're in the States, Australia's a long way to fly home for dinner."

"Have you managed to teach him any culinary skills?"

Tara shook her head, "Not yet, although we have made a promise to spend more time together since we moved back here. It's time to start rebuilding our lives again."

"Well you seem to be on the right foot, 'cause you've certainly made a great start with the kindergarten kids and I think we're going to be very good friends."

"I hope so."

"So, you're in banking, Bobby?" Jonathon asked as he handed him a glass of Scotch.

"Yep, worked my way up from the bottom. My company's sent me all over the world, although they've relocated me here to bring the D.C. branch up to scratch. If it hadn't been for my job I'd have never had the opportunity to meet Tara," he took a sip of his drink. "Tara tells me you're a lawyer, family law, right?"

"Family tradition, law, although family law is a new thing for the family. My father and grandfather were renowned District Attorneys, my choice to practice family law disappointed them for a while, but they eventually got over it."

"Families are funny things; I certainly didn't follow in my father's footsteps."

"Didn't fancy the family business?"

"My father's trade was hardly legitimate or shall we say legal. I saw the hurt and pain he caused my mother and I vowed I would never hurt anyone like he hurt her and me. He left us when I was six, my Mum remarried and my stepfather is the best thing to ever happen to us. His line of work is carpentry; unfortunately I have two left hands when it comes to using any power tools, so that career choice was taken out of my hands."

Jonathon laughed, "Families are funny creatures aren't they? Liz mentioned that you and Tara lost a child, I can't imagine the feeling. Our son has brought us so much joy, that's why I enjoy my job so much. I recently began taking on adoptions, helping to create new families. I work with an adoption agency that specialises in providing homes for abandoned babies and babies whose mothers can't or won't keep them. I help provide the legal work for approved couples to adopt babies and make families. There is nothing better at the end of a busy day than to know I've helped create a family."

"Sounds like you enjoy your work very much."

"I do. Have you and Tara ever thought about adopting?"

"We've only just begun to think about it. We were in a very dark place for a long time. It took us a long time to forgive ourselves, even though it wasn't our fault. We blamed ourselves for not being there that night, for not recognising any signs, even though there weren't any signs to see. We were very hard on ourselves and each other. But we made it through and the move to D.C. has helped us start afresh and I know Tara would love to have another child and adoption is the only option we have left, but I haven't a clue where to start."

"Well, Bobby, if you'll let me I'm sure I'll be able to help you both. In fact the adoption agency I work with has a baby due anytime and they have yet to find a suitable couple to adopt. The couple that were going to adopt have pulled out at the last minute. If you like I could speak to them and perhaps we could test the waters and see if you and Tara could be a suitable couple."

"I'd need to talk to Tara, but I think we'd both be very interested. It's something we have started to talk about and a home is certainly not a home without a child once you've had one."

"I agree."

"What are you two talking about?" Elizabeth asked as she entered the room.

"We were just discussing work, dear," Jonathon replied, placing a chaste kiss on his wife's cheek.

"I hope he wasn't boring you too much, Bobby?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, in fact Jonathon has given me something to think about."

Tara walked over to Bobby and slid her arm around his waist, "What?"

"Liz, why don't I help you finish the table, Bobby needs a word with Tara," Jonathon stated as he ushered Liz out of the room.

Tara turned to look at Bobby, "What?"

"How would you like to adopt a baby, Love?"

"A baby? From where?"

"Jonathon has a baby whose looking for a home, the couple that was going to adopt it have pulled out. He said he could look into arranging the adoption for us."

Tara looked up into Bobby's face, "Do you think we're ready?"

"We're as ready as we were the day Emily arrived, maybe a little more." Bobby leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Just the opportunity we were looking for, looks like we're going to find out one way or another what's going on."

Tara stretched to whisper into Bobby's ear, "Guess we tell them yes and follow through on the deal."

"How about we go and find Elizabeth and Jonathon and take them up on their offer?" Bobby asked, taking Tara's hand and leading her out into the corridor. They found Elizabeth and Jonathon in the dining room laughing as they finished setting the table.

"Did you two come to a decision?" Elizabeth asked excitedly.

"We did, we'd really like to take you up on the offer. What do we have to do?" Bobby asked, his hand draped protectively around Tara's waist.

"Why don't we discuss the details over dinner?" Jonathon asked.

"Sounds good to me, what about you, Love?" Bobby asked, looking at Tara.

"I don't want to get my hopes up," Tara stated quietly.

"Don't worry, Tara, the formalities won't take long and if everything goes to plan you could have a baby in your arms by this time next week," Jonathon smiled.

"Next week!" Tara blurted out, "We don't have anything ready, we left everything we had in Australia when we moved back."

"An excuse for shopping," Elizabeth smiled warmly, "I do so love baby shopping."

Tara smiled, "I guess we'd be prepared."

"Now sit down, I'll get the food and you and Jonathon can start discussing details!" Elizabeth said exuberantly as she left for the kitchen.

Bobby unlocked the door to the house and followed Tara inside. After he had closed the door he turned to Tara, "I think we might be on to something. Although I'm hoping that Jonathon isn't involved in anything dodgy because I really like him and Elizabeth. They're the kind of people I would choose to associate with and become friends with."

Tara finished hanging her coat on the peg and then went through to the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of orange juice, "Would you like a glass?" she asked him, responding to the shake of his head, she poured herself a glass of juice, before returning it to the refrigerator. "I really like Liz and after meeting Jonathon tonight, I agree with you, I'd hate for him to be involved in something illegal. It would absolutely devastate Liz; they seem such a together couple. Maybe his side of the partnership isn't illegal; maybe it's the adoption agency? At least now we know which agency he works with. We can get the rest of the team onto researching the agency tomorrow and then we can proceed from there."

"Sounds good, Love. It's a frightening thought though."

"What?" Tara asked at Bobby's bemused look.

"That if the money's right and you have the right contacts you can buy a baby."

"I hadn't thought of it from that perspective, Bobby. I guess it is like shopping on some level, if you've got enough money you can buy anything you want, even if you're not suitable. There are often more restrictions in re-homing a dog than adopting a child. And that just doesn't make sense to me."

"It doesn't make any sense to me, Love either. I'm going to get changed, why don't you choose something for us to watch on T.V."

Tara grinned, "My choice?"

"I think I can handle any movie you pick tonight, even if it is a chick flick!" He grinned, exposing his dimples.

Tara's heart melted at the sight of his dimples, they were as lethal to her as Jack's brown eyes were on the majority of the female population.

Noticing the distant look that had crossed Tara's face, "Are you okay, Love?"

The sound of his voice jolted her from her reverie, "Sorry, mind just wandered for a second trying to decide what movie we were going to watch."

He chuckled, "If you're sure that's it, Love. I'll be back in a minute."

She watched him leave the kitchen and sighed, how was she going to tackle how she felt about him? She asked herself quietly. She needed to approach this as she would approach any other operation. She needed a plan. She rinsed her empty glass out before heading to the living room to choose a movie.

When Bobby returned from changing, he found Tara curled up on the sofa ready to watch the movie. He stood in the doorway for a few moments just enjoying watching her; she was genuinely the most beautiful person he knew, not only on the outside but also the inside. Her inner qualities continued to stun him on a regular basis. She was kind and generous and never used her intelligence to make him or anyone else feel inferior. He couldn't believe how blind he had been, spending more than five years working closely with her and never noticing how perfect she was, he certainly was Jack's best friend, because Jack had struggled with telling Sue how he felt about her since he met her. Maybe it was built in the male F.B.I agent's gene to be completely useless at romance.

"Hey, what have you chosen for us to watch?" he asked finally leaving the doorway and entering the room and sitting next to her on the sofa.

"Well I checked the T.V. guide and you'll be pleased to know there isn't a chick flick in sight. The only movie I've found is a teen horror film, something that I wouldn't ordinarily choose, because scaring myself out of my wits is not my choice of entertainment."

"Not usually mine either, Love, but I'm willing to give it a shot and if it's too scary I have a very broad shoulder to hide in," he couldn't help but grin at the thought of Tara snuggled into his side watching the movie.

"That's handy to know, I haven't got broad shoulders, but I do have a shoulder you can lean on if you need to curl up into them during the movie."

"So what's the title of the movie?"

"A teen classic that I happily avoided whilst at College, 'I know what you did last summer'."

"I don't think I saw that either. Well I'll give it a go and if it's not any good I'm sure we can find something else to occupy us."

Tara got up and turned off the lights, "If we're going to go for full effect, I guess we ought to turn out the lights."

"Whatever you say, Love. You do realise it is fiction."

"But what we deal with on a regular basis is a fiction writer's bread and butter."

"Good point. But we are two highly trained F.B.I agents and we're both armed."

"Yes and to a certain extent that is reassuring," She returned to the sofa.

Bobby noticed that as she sat down she had moved along the sofa slightly closer to him than before. "Okay, then, let's get started."

Tara couldn't help but hide her face in the warmth of his chest as the tension mounted towards the end of the film.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, concern evident in his voice.

"I'm fine, thank you," Came her muffled reply from his chest.

"Not scared then?"

"No definitely not scared, just don't like the thought of blood. I don't handle blood onscreen very well. Can't watch Bones or Grey's Anatomy for the same reason."

Bobby chuckled, "But Bones is about the F.B.I."

"And lots of very decomposed dead bodies…"

"Although, David Boreanaz is worth watching, he makes a very watchable F.B.I agent," she had lifted her head from his chest and was studying him intently.

"Although he's not as good as the real F.B.I agents you're surrounded by on a regular basis, is he?" A hint of nervousness tinged his voice.

She grinned, enjoying his reaction, "Well, he has a lovely grin, he's protective and just hmm," she allowed herself to draw an image of him, "If I was Doctor Brennan, I wouldn't be dancing around their relationship, I'd be heading in and worrying about the consequences later."

"That doesn't sound like you, diving in head first. I always thought you were very logical about your relationships."

"And logic hasn't got me very far, has it? I've made a decision."

"What kind of decision?" He asked his curiosity piqued and the movie forgotten.

"That I'm not going to wait for love to find me I'm going to grab it with both hands and hold onto it tightly."

"Sounds like a very good idea to me. Do you have anyone in mind?"

She smiled coyly at him, "Other than David Boreanaz?"

"Well, I was thinking of someone who maybe is a real F.B.I agent and not an actor trying to be one," Bobby replied.

"Oh you must be thinking of Stanley."

"Well Stanley is a real F.B.I agent, so I guess that's close. How is Stanley by the way?"

"I don't know, last I heard he was out in the Los Angeles Office. I think he'd found another tech to share his life with."

Bobby swallowed, "You mean you and Stanley aren't together anymore?"

"No, we broke up not long after we went to the concert. We weren't going anywhere so we decided to cut our losses."

"So you're not dating anyone at the moment?"

She shook her head, "Nope happily unattached."

"Oh."

"What about you and Darcy?" she hated the saying that name, but she needed to know.

"She's in L.A. chasing her career. We realised that we weren't on the same page and we were unlikely ever to be on the same page."

She changed to look over his shoulder at a picture on the wall, "But you said that you realised how much you loved her after the concert."

Bobby noticed her look change and realised once again how stupid he'd been that evening and how much he'd hurt her, "I'm sorry for what I said that evening." He reached out and gently grasped her chin turning it towards him. "I made the biggest mistake of my life."

She met his eyes, "What mistake was that?"

"Letting you go. I didn't realise until I watched you walk away with Stanley that night after our conversation in the park that I had been a fool. I wanted to be Stanley, the one who got to share time with you, but I blew it."

A small smile appeared on her lips, "You may have blown it then, but it doesn't mean that you won't get a second chance."

He smiled hopefully, "You'd give me a second chance?"

"Possibly," she teased, her fingers playing with the edge of his sweatshirt.

"Possibly," he echoed, enjoying the sensation of her fingers gently touching the skin on his stomach as she fiddled with his sweatshirt.

"Maybe a little more than a possibility," she replied leaning forward slowly so that the distance between them disappeared until their lips were nearly touching.

"Are you sure?" he whispered, his eyes locked with hers.

"Never been surer of anything in my life," she replied moments before her lips gently met with his in a tender kiss filled with more emotion than either had felt previously. As their kiss intensified the world around them seemed to melt into the distance, the need to be in contact with the other more important than anything else.

Tara virtually skipped down the stairs into the kitchen the following morning; her life had suddenly improved tremendously since last night. She couldn't believe she'd been forward enough to kiss Bobby, she grinned as she thought about the moment. She jumped at the sound of Bobby's voice.

"I hope you're grinning because you're thinking of me?"

She looked over to the kitchen table where he was sitting, smiling over the top of the Washington Post. "Might be," she teased as she walked over to the coffee pot and poured a cup. "At least Myles will be relieved when we return to work."

"Why's that?"

"Your coffee making skills have improved tremendously."

"Why thank you. What would you like to do today?"

"I don't mind, although I have got some preparation for school to do at some point."

"What great adventure are you planning on taking the children on this week?"

She sat at the kitchen table and placed her cup in front of her, "Well we've been on a bear hunt." She reached over and picked up the business section of the newspaper. "I was thinking we could go on a pirate adventure."

Bobby giggled, "Long John Silver?"

"Maybe, if I do go on a pirate adventure I need to get a few things. So I think shopping will be a priority."

"What kind of things?"

"A trip to a toy store or two, I need some pirate accessories."

"I haven't been to a toy store in ages, not since Jack gave me the job of choosing Tanya's fifth birthday present."

"Did it not go well?"

Bobby shook his head, "Apparently Tanya was not impressed with the Power Ranger I chose her."

Tara chuckled, "You picked a Power Ranger for a five year old! What about Barbie?"

"There wasn't any way I was going to buy a pink Barbie, and the Power Ranger looked much more fun."

"If you ever have a daughter you're going to have to get over the macho not being seen buying Barbies, I think it's a prerequisite for a father of a daughter."

He grinned, "I guess I could get over it if my daughter had your smile."

Tara couldn't help but blush at the thought of a little girl with Bobby's eyes and hair.

Bobby leaned forward and gently grasped her hand, "I don't want to rush anything, but I would really like to think that one day maybe we could have a family."

The sound of the phone ringing interrupted their conversation.

"Continue this later?" he asked as he stood and answered the phone.

She nodded as she watched him walk away, she slowly sank forward her head resting on her hands, and life was definitely getting better.

"I think our shopping trip might be a little delayed and a pirate adventure might definitely be off the agenda for next week."

"It is, why?" she asked raising her head up from her hands to look at him.

"That was Jonathon, if we can make it to his office at noon we can meet our daughter."

"That was quicker than anticipated. I thought it would be next week at the earliest."

"Apparently Jonathon contacted the agency and he has a friend at one of the judges offices and we have temporary custody of the baby until final papers are signed next week."

"I guess we're going baby shopping then?"

"Enough to see us through the next couple of days until we have time to check everything out," Bobby stopped in his tracks.

"What?" Tara asked suddenly noticing the look of horror on his face.

"Well do you actually know how to look after a baby?"

Tara felt her stomach sink a little, "Well other than a little babysitting in high school and seeing the odd film on T.V. not really. I guess it's a trip to the book store to find a copy of Doctor Spock."

"Isn't he a little outdated?"

"I guess there's a modern author out there with some superb ideas. Anyway if we were having our own baby it wouldn't come with an instruction manual, it can't be that hard, can it? D survived."

"But he does have some horror stories about Tanya as a baby."

"And as a toddler and child and teenager," Tara gulped, "Maybe we're not ready for this."

Bobby walked forward and pulled her into his embrace, "Well we'll give it our best shot and we can always call Uncle D for advice."