Jim made all the arrangements, checking with Catherine about what she would like to do while in New York and planning a few surprises as well. As the plans came together, she scheduled vacation time, giving herself an added day on either side of the trip for her own preparations and recovery.

All the guys at the lab gave her strange looks whenever the topic of the trip came up and she commented to Jim about it one night as they sat in his office discussing which Broadway plays she might enjoy. "I just don't get why they are looking at me like that," she complained. "I want to go see Phantom of the Opera, not sleep with him…"

Jim frowned a little. "That's the kind of looks they are giving you?"

"Yeah." Then she chuckled. "I can't decide which one of us they think the other one is taking advantage of; do they think I'm going on this trip to seduce you or is the other way around."

Jim sighed. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea," he lamented.

"No way you are backing out on this Jim Brass. No way! Besides, let them wonder…certainly can't hurt my reputation any; unless you are worried about yours?"

Jim grunted and then smirked. "I wish…guys like me would kill for the reputation of being able to score with women like you."

Catherine looked at him, perplexed. "What do you mean by that?"

Shrugging, Jim answered. "It's just….well, I'm not your type, you know. I'm the class clown and you are the homecoming queen. The two just never go together. Guys like me end up with Mary Sue from Home Ec and girls like you end up with the football jock."

"In high school maybe; but I'd like to think we cheerleader types do grow up and see men for who they are and not how they play with their balls." Jim started laughing. "What?" Catherine asked.

"How they play with their balls?" he answered, still chuckling.

"Oh," she said, giggling. "But it still fits…"

Jim shook with quiet laughter, nodding his head. "Okay…just, if those guys give you anymore grief, let me know. I'll bust their heads for it."

"Oh yeah, like I can see you landing one on Gil's jaw or taking Nick down….I don't think so."

"Gil is giving you funny looks too?" he asked incredulously.

"Not like the others, but he is wondering what's going on. I guess everything with Sara has made him more aware of human relationships."

"Not aware enough, evidently…"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she is still 'visiting her mother' isn't she?"

"Yeah Jim, and he's still waiting for her to come back. But I think they do talk, so maybe there is hope."

"Yeah, right." He paused and then spoke quietly, as if speaking to himself. "No hope until he gets off his sorry ass and goes to get her back…"

Catherine smiled. "Jim Brass, you are such a romantic; I never would have guessed."

Jim adopted a goofy grin and then with his best toothless impression, replied. "Aw shucks Ma'm, even us ole geezers get a little tingle every now and again…"

Catherine smiled and then swatted his shoulder. "Geezer my ass, Jim. You still have what it takes to light a woman's fire. Just need to get out more….get back in the game."

Suddenly Jim's demeanor grew somber. "I don't know Catherine; I've been in the game and it hurts. I had hockey pucks to the face that made softer landings…."

Catherine looked at her friend thoughtfully. "Boy, you're ex really did a number on you…"

"Yeah, she did," Jim grimaced. "And she wasn't the only one." He shifted in his chair as painful memories flashed through his mind; then refocusing on the computer screen, his attitude changed. "So, you really want to go see Phantom?"

Catherine was surprised by his sudden change, but went along. "Ah, yeah… that would be a good choice or there's Chicago. Oh, and I've heard Curtains was good. Oh and look at all the revivals….oh Jim, I never thought I would get the chance to see any of these actually on Broadway."

"Well, you realize that not all Broadway shows are musicals, don't you?"

"Well….yeah."

"There's one about Thurgood Marshall or here's one called November that seems to be about the elections."

"Oh, there's Macbeth. Gil would love that," Catherine smirked.

"Well, then let him buy the tickets."

"What Jim, you don't like Macbeth?" Catherine said in mock surprise.

"It's okay. Just more Gil than me."

They continued to scroll down the list and check availability for the dates they needed. Finally, Jim leaned back in his chair. "So, we have a list of ten shows and only two days to fit them into. So which are your top choices?"

Catherine smiled at him. "Surprise me." Then she stood up and left, winking as she turned at his door to head down the hall.

Jim sat, watching her go and wondering what he had gotten himself into this time. Then turning his attention back to the screen, he clicked a few times and the tickets were purchased. Leaning back, he smiled. Then an idea struck him and he leaned forward to plan a very special surprise.

Two months later…

"I can't believe that in two days, I'll be headed for New York," Catherine said to Gil as they sipped coffee in the break room.

"You're really excited about this trip, aren't you?" he smiled.

"I am. I've always wanted to go to New York."

"Jim seems excited too," Gil observed.

"Yeah, I think he is. He's anxious to see all his high school buddies."

Gil cocked his head and looked at her over his glasses. "Cath, are you sure that's all he's excited about?"

"What," she asked, confused.

"Well, I know if I were going on a trip like this with a beautiful woman, I'd be very nervous. And planning the trip has occupied most of his spare time for a couple of months… He's thought of little else. And most men, well they…"

"Oh Gil, come on. It's Jim. We've been friends for years. He knows that…" her voice faded as she looked across at her long time friend. "You don't really think that he might think…do you?"

"I don't know what to think. Jim's a lot smarter about these things than I am, but…he is shelling out a lot of money for this trip."

"Oh no….god, I hope he doesn't think that I …that …oh damn." She huffed and then looked across the table at him. "So why are you just now mentioning this?"

"I thought you might figure it out for yourself."

"What am I going to do? I mean if he does… well you know, expect something?"

"Be honest, I suppose."

"But I don't want to hurt him."

"He's a big boy, Catherine. I think he can handle it."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure I can."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

So we have Gil, the cluless one introducing the idea that something special might happen on this trip. Hmmm...

Oh well, reviews please. They make the little fingers type so much faster:-)