Monte Carlo, Monaco

"So this is how I'm going to die. Going over a cliff and drowning in the ocean."

"Oh don't be so dramatic." Anna shifted and accelerated out of the turn.

"We are supposed to be driving to a casino not winning the Grand Prix."

The growl of the Ferrari F430 F1 Spider accelerating around the next curve was the only response he received.

"Well if you ever wanted to quit the spy business, you could have a good career as a race car driver."

He saw her expression change ever so slightly as she flinched at his words. Something he said had struck a nerve.

"You are not the first person to make that observation." She said tensely. "Listen, it's been a long time since I've driven these roads and even longer since I've done it while not being chased or in pursuit of someone. Let me enjoy myself, while you sit back and enjoy the ride."

The roar of the V8 engine prompted Finn to check his seatbelt one more time and braced his arms against the center console and the armrest. He tried to look out the window to enjoy the views of the Cote D'Azur, but all he could think about was careening into the picturesque Mediterranean ocean. He didn't relax until Anna brought the car to a screeching halt at the front entrance of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. The glamorous Belle Epoque building loomed over them, aglow with light and activity. Once he was done being thankful that he was standing on solid ground, Finn surveyed the architecture trying to classify the ornate style of the building.

"Neoclassical?" he asked

"Close." Anna answered "Beaux-Arts style."

"That's it." He snapped his fingers.

She handed the keys to the valet and reached to take the arm that Finn offered her.

"See? You made it in one piece," Anna teased. "You really should learn to trust me."

They walked up the stairs and through the heavy doors made of polished wood and gleaming glass. They passed by the Salle des Amériques, the sound of slot machines merrily rang out, serenading the gamblers that were sitting at them. Anna seemed to know her way around the complex, as she deftly guided him towards a room of impressive proportions.

"Welcome to the Lounge Bar Salle Europe. Please allow me to check your coats for the evening." The lounge host greeted them warmly.

Finn looked appreciatively at the opulence of the setting. His gaze was captivated by the gilding, the vibrant paintings, sculptures, and bas-reliefs. The effervescent atmosphere around the gaming tables made the Salle Europe Bar the perfect location to take in the sights. The lounge offered a cozy area in which to sit back and watch the casino floor, perfect for soaking up the atmosphere. The live piano music only added to the charm.

Finn tore his eyes away from the lounge's polished interior to help Anna out of her long black overcoat. As she shrugged out of it, Finn's eyes widened. The sight of what was being revealed made him forget about the decor altogether. The short, red silk cocktail dress she wore skimmed her body like a second skin. It had a high neckline but draped low in the back, exposing the long line of her spine. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and glinted in the bright lights of the casino floor. Finn was speechless for a moment. Anna was usually so buttoned up that seeing her like this made his jaw literally drop. He told himself not to stare and instead fiddled with the buttons on the sleeves of his dress shirt.

Anna turned to him and smiled as she placed her fingers on his tie, smoothing a small crease. She made a final adjustment and slid her hands slowly to rest on the lapel of the perfectly fitted dinner jacket she had selected for him. Anna thought he looked quite handsome. She hoped that she could help assuage the sadness that still lingered in his eyes. She still felt terrible for her insensitivity earlier in the evening at the Brasserie. Talking about her family after the loss he experienced had been callous. She was already pushing him far past his comfort zone to catch Cassandra Pierce she didn't need to top it off with cruelty, unintentional or not. "Your ability to read a person is slipping Devane," she chastised herself internally.

"Try to have fun tonight, yeah?" She looked up into his face and gave a small smile, and he nodded in response while letting out a deep breath. The sight of a figure walking up to them caught Finn's attention, and Anna turned to follow his gaze. Unexpectedly, she gave a little squeal, jumped and clapped her hands together. Finn blinked in surprise.

"Mademoiselle Devane! We have not seen you in so long, Cherie! What a pleasure for you to be with us tonight." A man Finn guessed to be in his late 50's was walking towards them his arms wide. He was graying around the temples and was clad in a white tuxedo jacket. The red geranium at the lapel gave him a rather rakish look.

Anna clasped her hands to her heart before holding them out to the man. "Jacques! It's been too long." They kissed their hellos and then Jacques took her hands in his and looked her over.

"You are as beautiful as ever."

"And you are as charming as ever."

"Now what brings you here to Monaco? Business or pleasure?"

She looked behind her shoulder at Finn. "Perhaps a little bit of both."

"And who do you have with you tonight?"

"Oh, of course, where are my manners. Jacques this is Dr. Hamilton Finn. Finn this is Jacques, he is the floor manager here at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. He has been a dear friend to me over the years."

"If I am your dear friend then you were my angel. Come! Drinks are on the house tonight. What can I get you, Anna? A Kir Royal? Or champagne? We have the 2006 Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle, your favorite year as I recall." He snapped his fingers to signal the bartender.

"You have an excellent memory but…,"She glanced at a rather uncomfortable looking Finn who stood with one hand in his pocket and rubbed the back of his neck with the other. "I think tonight calls for something stronger. I think a scotch on the rocks will do nicely."

"And you sir?" Jacques asked politely

"Club soda with a twist of lime will be fine."

"I'll leave you to enjoy yourselves and your drinks while I find you room in the VIP salon." With that, he kissed Anna on the cheek and hurried away. Finn looked at her incredulous.

"Really? A Secret Agent in Monte Carlo, isn't that a little cliche?"

"Mmm, maybe it is." she acquiesced.

"Next you are going to tell me you had Baccarat lessons as part of your training, right after poisoning."

She arched her brow at him. "Oh yes, that's right. It was right after Poisoning 101 and before the Seminar on Enhanced Interrogation Techniques."

Anna turned and leaned back against the bar looking out on the busy casino floor. Finn noticed that her eyes were scanning the faces in the room and she seemed to take special note of all the entrances and exits. Anna picked up her glass and walked to a small table that gave her an unobstructed view of the gaming tables. Finn followed and pulled out the chair for her, and she nodded her head in thanks as she sat down.

"Looking for someone?" He asked.

"Not in particular, but this is the sort of place where one might run into old friends." A faraway look filled her eyes for a moment.

"Why do I get the feeling that old friends is just spy-speak for enemies."

Her eyes snapped to his, and she gave him a withering look. "I think you've watched too many James Bond films." She took a sip of her scotch. She tasted caramel, toasted oak with a smoky finish and a note of dark honey. It was sublime.

"Besides," She leaned forward in her seat and leaned her chin on her hand so she could look at him directly, "I'm too high profile of a target. They would have to be foolish to attempt an assassination in such a public place. They would wait till we leave."

A look of horror covered Finn's face, and he looked all around in a panic. Anna tried to contain her mirth for as long as she could, but then her laugh rang like a silver bell through the casino floor which turned heads in their direction. Anna barely registered the stir she was making as her laughter made her breathless. Once she composed herself, she leaned in over the small table between them and smiled widely at him. Her smile seemed to brighten the whole room. Finn realized that this was the first time he had really heard her laugh and it was delightful. It took him off guard and before Finn could help himself, and he was joining in her laughter until his face hurt from smiling.

"So how do you know that Jacques guy? Ex-boyfriend?"

"Hardly. No, I helped break up a card counting ring that was using international casinos as a means to launder money from illegal arms deals."

"Impressive."

"It sounds more exciting than it was," she said dismissively

"Somehow I doubt that."

"Well, it's not like what you do." Anna raised her glass towards him in salute.

"Like what I do?" Finn was perplexed. "Look at slides through microscopes?"

"No, being an Infectious Disease doctor." Anna slapped him lightly on the shoulder, and he looked down in surprise then back at her.

"Excuse me, how is that exciting? I don't think I have heard anyone use that term to describe me ever. I'm probably the least exciting person on the planet."

"Oh come on, you're joking." she rolled her eyes, but when he continued to look at her uncomprehendingly, she sighed and sat up straighter so she could explain.

"It's exciting because of the risk you take in treating your patients every single day. Most doctors simply treat their patient's condition. Take Griffin, for example, he's a talented neurosurgeon, but he doesn't have to worry about contracting the tumor he's removing from his patient. But you...you have to treat the patient and contain any threat there might be to the population at large. What you do doesn't affect just one life; you might protect hundreds if not thousands of people. And then there is the risk to yourself from being exposed to dangerous infections that you face head-on every day. It takes courage to do what you do." She raised her glass to her lips and swallowed the remaining liquid. Then she signaled to the bartender for another drink.

Finn was stunned by her words. He had never thought of himself in those terms before, and courageous was definitely not an adjective he would have applied to himself...ever. He had spent the last month in seclusion barely keeping himself afloat and this woman, who took down international weapons dealers for a living, was talking to him like he was some sort of a hero.

He took a moment to really look at her. The single candle on their table reflected its light off the angles of her face. The hollow of her throat stood out in relief at the base of her neck. Her warm brown eyes smiled at him, and her sleek dark hair shone glossy in the candlelight. He felt an unexpected tightness in his chest when he looked at her, and a feeling he couldn't quite place filled him. Gratitude wasn't the right word. Maybe the right word was honored.

He cleared his throat and reached for this club soda. "I guess...I guess I never really thought about it like that."

Anna nodded and took another sip of her drink. She tapped her glass against her lips and seemed lost in thought. Finn wanted to ask her what was on her mind but before he could the lounge host approached their table.

"Pardon me, Sir, Madame, but a place has been found for you in the Baccarat lounge, please follow me."

Finn stood up and offered her his arm. She nestled her hand in the crook of his elbow, and they walked towards the Salle Médecin, ready to try their luck.

"So do you think the Baccarat gods will smile on us tonight?" Finn asked

"I'm hoping you will be my lucky charm," Anna answered.