********************
They sat quietly together on the plane; each lost in their own thoughts. They'd spoken earlier about the way it was all going to go down: openly checking into a hotel together, leaving in the morning with a public show of affection before going their separate ways, the "accidental" meeting in the small museum where Jack was to meet with their target, returning to the hotel where they'd spend the rest of the weekend holed up like the lovers they were pretending to be. And with all that settled, they'd found themselves with nothing else to say.
Or rather with far too many things to say - none of which they dared to voice. What do you say to a man who has haunted your dreams for more years than you cared to count? She glanced surreptitiously over at Jack, who was staring straight ahead with a complete lack of expression on his face. She'd tried to make small talk with him before and had received a withering stare in response.
After that, she'd retreated to the safety of a book, grateful that she'd been smart enough to stick one in her carry-on bag at the last moment. Not that she was going to remember a word she'd read, unfortunately. She kept catching her mind wandering, comparing Jack to the man from her dreams. When she realized she'd been staring at the same page for over twenty minutes she finally gave up. She closed the book, turned her head towards the window and pretended to sleep.
Good. She was sleeping, Jack thought. Nothing about this situation had gone the way he'd intended. He couldn't stop thinking about the reams of paper covered with sketches of himself - and that incredible, incendiary kiss. How had that happened? He always kept himself under very tight control - except perhaps in matters relating to Sydney. But this morning with Ree. What he'd planned to be a brief perfunctory kiss - strictly for show - had turned into something hot, wet, and entirely mind-bending. Thinking about it he could remember the taste of her lips, the feel of her breast in his hand, the soft whimper when he'd put his mouth on her. His body tightened uncomfortably at the memory and he shifted uneasily in his seat.
Get yourself under control, Jack, he thought harshly. God knew he hadn't been celibate since Laura's death, but the women he'd had were few and far between. And impersonal. Almost businesslike, he reflected with some dismay. Had he really become that closed off and hardened?
Yes. And for good reason, he reminded himself. After Laura's betrayal he had sworn never to let someone - anyone - close to him again. Not even his beloved Sydney. He'd succeeded in keeping her away for a long time, until circumstances had forced him to act or watch her be killed. And once that door had been opened he found he wanted more. Wanted more and feared it at the same time. Had that contributed to his current predicament?
It didn't matter, he thought dismissively. He'd do what he had to do and deal with the rest of it later. He turned his head away from Ree and pretended to sleep himself.
As they disembarked from the plane Jack reached out and took Ree by the hand - steeling himself mentally against the contact. She looked up at him in surprise and he forced a smile. "From here on in we need to assume we could be under surveillance at any time. We don't drop the cover unless we're alone in our hotel room."
Ree nodded and smiled hesitantly up at him. He squeezed her hand and held his own smile. "I'll get you through this," he said with quiet assurance.
She was surprised at how. right. it felt to be walking with him like this. She could almost pretend she was in one of her dreams. In fact, that might be a good way to get through the next couple of days.
Decision made, she looked up again and gave him a real smile before glancing around to see where they were headed next. She had no idea how strongly that simple trust - freely given - affected him. He closed his eyes for a moment against the wave of protectiveness and desire flooding through him, then guided her over to Customs.
********************
She hadn't slept well - the time change, the length of the journey, and a strange bed all combining to create a restless night. Well, that and knowing that Jack was sleeping only a few feet from her. She lay awake with her eyes closed, trying to run over the plans for the day. She found it hard to concentrate. A part of her mind insisted on listening to the evenness of Jack's breathing and wondering what it would be like if he were sleeping in the bed beside her. She found herself remembering the feel of his hands on her, his dark intensity. What would have happened if the phone hadn't rung and interrupted them?
Her face flushed both with the memory and with the embarrassment of knowing that she wouldn't have made any attempt to stop him - regardless of how far things had gone.
"Are you awake?" Jack's deep voice interrupted her musings, embarrassing her even further.
"Yes," she said huskily, finding herself pulling the covers even more tightly up around her neck - as if she had not been fully covered by the sweatpants and T-shirt she had slept in.
"Good," he said shortly, swinging his feet around to sit on the edge of the couch where he'd slept.
He looked even more attractive and somewhat vulnerable with his hair tousled from sleep and without his ever-present suit. The plain white T- shirt set off his powerfully muscled upper body and left her mouth a bit dry. She couldn't seem to pull her eyes away from him.
"Is there a problem?" he said, noticing her stare.
"No, no," she said, hastily dropping her eyes. "I was just thinking. You should let me sleep on the couch after this. You're so tall. It can't be very comfortable for you."
"Unnecessary," he said bluntly. "I see no need to alter the sleeping arrangements." He rose and started for the bathroom, but hesitated at the door, "Unless you wanted to go first?"
"No, no," she said again. "That's fine."
He nodded and disappeared inside, closing the door firmly behind him.
Ree slipped out of bed and quickly gathered together the things she would need to get ready. The sound of the shower stopped her and she couldn't keep herself from imagining Jack standing naked under the spray, water running down his -
She put the brakes on her wayward imagination and made herself go back to straightening up the room.
She bundled up the blanket and tossed it to the bed. The pillow held traces of his scent and she couldn't resist burying her face in it. The shower shut off with a creak causing her to jump. She quickly returned the pillow to the bed and busied herself remaking it.
When Jack reentered the room a few minutes later, looking elegant in another suit, Ree was sitting in one of the comfortable chairs trying once again, without success, to read the book she'd brought along. He raised one eyebrow at the neatened room, but clearly approved.
"It's all yours," he said and walked past her to retrieve his briefcase and lay it on the table.
"Thank you," she murmured, "I'll just be a few minutes.
Jack made a non-committal sound without even glancing in her direction. She watched him for another minute then closed herself into the bathroom.
When she emerged about fifteen minutes later, Jack looked up from his PDA in surprise. "I told you I'd be quick," she said lightly.
"Indeed." He made a last entry then tucked the PDA away inside his suit jacket. "Well, let's get going then. You won't have a problem finding the Musee D'Or?"
"2PM. First floor, northwest corner. I'll be there."
He nodded his approval. "Good. Then if you're ready?"
"Of course."
********************
He took her hand while they were in the elevator. And Act One begins, she thought to herself. She found she was much less nervous about interrupting the meeting with one of the CIA's most wanted than she was about sharing a "tender moment" in public with Jack. Especially since the original "attempt" had turned very quickly into something not fit for public consumption.
Jack cleared his throat and she realized that the elevator doors were about to open. She pulled herself together and looked up at him with what she hoped would read as a loving smile. She was surprised to see a similar look on his face, though she noticed the smile did not quite reach his eyes.
They walked out of the elevator together, hand-in-hand. With her peripheral vision she saw a scattering of people in the lobby - both staff and clientele. Just before they reached the door Ree slowed as planned, causing Jack to turn and look at her quizzically. "I just wish you didn't have to go to those meetings today," she said wistfully.
His entire face softened and he took a step toward her. Even knowing it was all an act, her heart melted. "Darling," he said quietly, letting his free hand reach out to stroke her face, "it's just this one day and then we'll have the whole weekend to ourselves." He tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger. "But I know what you mean. If there were any way."
She nodded in resigned understanding and he moved in even closer, tipping her chin up with one finger. "I'll be done by 3:30, 4:00 at the latest. I'll meet you back here afterwards and we'll go for a stroll, have a romantic dinner, and then later." He dipped his head to take her mouth gently, but with great intensity of feeling, and she found herself responding in kind.
When he drew back she could tell by the look in his eyes that he was as caught off guard by the power of it as she was. Despite his own uncertainties he continued with the act. Taking her face in his hands, he looked deep into her eyes and gave a small smile. "Do you have your maps? Enough money?"
She nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak. He'd looked at her just that way in so many of her dreams - loving, protective.
"Good," he said softly and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. "Get yourself some breakfast - there's a wonderful little café down the street - and I'll see you here by four, okay?"
"All right," she murmured and stretched up to kiss him gently on the cheek.
He smiled again and walked smoothly through the doors into the bright sunshine.
She watched him go and foolishly found herself wishing that this pretense was real.
********************
They sat quietly together on the plane; each lost in their own thoughts. They'd spoken earlier about the way it was all going to go down: openly checking into a hotel together, leaving in the morning with a public show of affection before going their separate ways, the "accidental" meeting in the small museum where Jack was to meet with their target, returning to the hotel where they'd spend the rest of the weekend holed up like the lovers they were pretending to be. And with all that settled, they'd found themselves with nothing else to say.
Or rather with far too many things to say - none of which they dared to voice. What do you say to a man who has haunted your dreams for more years than you cared to count? She glanced surreptitiously over at Jack, who was staring straight ahead with a complete lack of expression on his face. She'd tried to make small talk with him before and had received a withering stare in response.
After that, she'd retreated to the safety of a book, grateful that she'd been smart enough to stick one in her carry-on bag at the last moment. Not that she was going to remember a word she'd read, unfortunately. She kept catching her mind wandering, comparing Jack to the man from her dreams. When she realized she'd been staring at the same page for over twenty minutes she finally gave up. She closed the book, turned her head towards the window and pretended to sleep.
Good. She was sleeping, Jack thought. Nothing about this situation had gone the way he'd intended. He couldn't stop thinking about the reams of paper covered with sketches of himself - and that incredible, incendiary kiss. How had that happened? He always kept himself under very tight control - except perhaps in matters relating to Sydney. But this morning with Ree. What he'd planned to be a brief perfunctory kiss - strictly for show - had turned into something hot, wet, and entirely mind-bending. Thinking about it he could remember the taste of her lips, the feel of her breast in his hand, the soft whimper when he'd put his mouth on her. His body tightened uncomfortably at the memory and he shifted uneasily in his seat.
Get yourself under control, Jack, he thought harshly. God knew he hadn't been celibate since Laura's death, but the women he'd had were few and far between. And impersonal. Almost businesslike, he reflected with some dismay. Had he really become that closed off and hardened?
Yes. And for good reason, he reminded himself. After Laura's betrayal he had sworn never to let someone - anyone - close to him again. Not even his beloved Sydney. He'd succeeded in keeping her away for a long time, until circumstances had forced him to act or watch her be killed. And once that door had been opened he found he wanted more. Wanted more and feared it at the same time. Had that contributed to his current predicament?
It didn't matter, he thought dismissively. He'd do what he had to do and deal with the rest of it later. He turned his head away from Ree and pretended to sleep himself.
As they disembarked from the plane Jack reached out and took Ree by the hand - steeling himself mentally against the contact. She looked up at him in surprise and he forced a smile. "From here on in we need to assume we could be under surveillance at any time. We don't drop the cover unless we're alone in our hotel room."
Ree nodded and smiled hesitantly up at him. He squeezed her hand and held his own smile. "I'll get you through this," he said with quiet assurance.
She was surprised at how. right. it felt to be walking with him like this. She could almost pretend she was in one of her dreams. In fact, that might be a good way to get through the next couple of days.
Decision made, she looked up again and gave him a real smile before glancing around to see where they were headed next. She had no idea how strongly that simple trust - freely given - affected him. He closed his eyes for a moment against the wave of protectiveness and desire flooding through him, then guided her over to Customs.
********************
She hadn't slept well - the time change, the length of the journey, and a strange bed all combining to create a restless night. Well, that and knowing that Jack was sleeping only a few feet from her. She lay awake with her eyes closed, trying to run over the plans for the day. She found it hard to concentrate. A part of her mind insisted on listening to the evenness of Jack's breathing and wondering what it would be like if he were sleeping in the bed beside her. She found herself remembering the feel of his hands on her, his dark intensity. What would have happened if the phone hadn't rung and interrupted them?
Her face flushed both with the memory and with the embarrassment of knowing that she wouldn't have made any attempt to stop him - regardless of how far things had gone.
"Are you awake?" Jack's deep voice interrupted her musings, embarrassing her even further.
"Yes," she said huskily, finding herself pulling the covers even more tightly up around her neck - as if she had not been fully covered by the sweatpants and T-shirt she had slept in.
"Good," he said shortly, swinging his feet around to sit on the edge of the couch where he'd slept.
He looked even more attractive and somewhat vulnerable with his hair tousled from sleep and without his ever-present suit. The plain white T- shirt set off his powerfully muscled upper body and left her mouth a bit dry. She couldn't seem to pull her eyes away from him.
"Is there a problem?" he said, noticing her stare.
"No, no," she said, hastily dropping her eyes. "I was just thinking. You should let me sleep on the couch after this. You're so tall. It can't be very comfortable for you."
"Unnecessary," he said bluntly. "I see no need to alter the sleeping arrangements." He rose and started for the bathroom, but hesitated at the door, "Unless you wanted to go first?"
"No, no," she said again. "That's fine."
He nodded and disappeared inside, closing the door firmly behind him.
Ree slipped out of bed and quickly gathered together the things she would need to get ready. The sound of the shower stopped her and she couldn't keep herself from imagining Jack standing naked under the spray, water running down his -
She put the brakes on her wayward imagination and made herself go back to straightening up the room.
She bundled up the blanket and tossed it to the bed. The pillow held traces of his scent and she couldn't resist burying her face in it. The shower shut off with a creak causing her to jump. She quickly returned the pillow to the bed and busied herself remaking it.
When Jack reentered the room a few minutes later, looking elegant in another suit, Ree was sitting in one of the comfortable chairs trying once again, without success, to read the book she'd brought along. He raised one eyebrow at the neatened room, but clearly approved.
"It's all yours," he said and walked past her to retrieve his briefcase and lay it on the table.
"Thank you," she murmured, "I'll just be a few minutes.
Jack made a non-committal sound without even glancing in her direction. She watched him for another minute then closed herself into the bathroom.
When she emerged about fifteen minutes later, Jack looked up from his PDA in surprise. "I told you I'd be quick," she said lightly.
"Indeed." He made a last entry then tucked the PDA away inside his suit jacket. "Well, let's get going then. You won't have a problem finding the Musee D'Or?"
"2PM. First floor, northwest corner. I'll be there."
He nodded his approval. "Good. Then if you're ready?"
"Of course."
********************
He took her hand while they were in the elevator. And Act One begins, she thought to herself. She found she was much less nervous about interrupting the meeting with one of the CIA's most wanted than she was about sharing a "tender moment" in public with Jack. Especially since the original "attempt" had turned very quickly into something not fit for public consumption.
Jack cleared his throat and she realized that the elevator doors were about to open. She pulled herself together and looked up at him with what she hoped would read as a loving smile. She was surprised to see a similar look on his face, though she noticed the smile did not quite reach his eyes.
They walked out of the elevator together, hand-in-hand. With her peripheral vision she saw a scattering of people in the lobby - both staff and clientele. Just before they reached the door Ree slowed as planned, causing Jack to turn and look at her quizzically. "I just wish you didn't have to go to those meetings today," she said wistfully.
His entire face softened and he took a step toward her. Even knowing it was all an act, her heart melted. "Darling," he said quietly, letting his free hand reach out to stroke her face, "it's just this one day and then we'll have the whole weekend to ourselves." He tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger. "But I know what you mean. If there were any way."
She nodded in resigned understanding and he moved in even closer, tipping her chin up with one finger. "I'll be done by 3:30, 4:00 at the latest. I'll meet you back here afterwards and we'll go for a stroll, have a romantic dinner, and then later." He dipped his head to take her mouth gently, but with great intensity of feeling, and she found herself responding in kind.
When he drew back she could tell by the look in his eyes that he was as caught off guard by the power of it as she was. Despite his own uncertainties he continued with the act. Taking her face in his hands, he looked deep into her eyes and gave a small smile. "Do you have your maps? Enough money?"
She nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak. He'd looked at her just that way in so many of her dreams - loving, protective.
"Good," he said softly and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. "Get yourself some breakfast - there's a wonderful little café down the street - and I'll see you here by four, okay?"
"All right," she murmured and stretched up to kiss him gently on the cheek.
He smiled again and walked smoothly through the doors into the bright sunshine.
She watched him go and foolishly found herself wishing that this pretense was real.
********************
