Chapter Seven
"Your plane landed hours ago," Oscar said pointedly (feigning more annoyance than he actually felt).
"We went out for dinner," Steve told him, a little too quickly.
Oscar didn't miss the conspiratorial glance that passed between Steve and Jaime....and he smiled, deciding to let it go – for now. "I need to tell you how proud I am – of both of you."
Jaime looked puzzled. Did he know? "Huh?" she asked.
"You both did a wonderful job in Greece. Interpol rounded up the three who got away, so the case is closed with a bright red ribbon on top. Nice work – you two are a great team."
Steve smiled and gave Jaime a wink. "I think we've finally figured that out," he said.
"Babe," Oscar concluded, "I do need to talk to Steve for a few minutes..."
"He just got back!" Jaime pouted. "Have a little mercy, will ya?"
Callahan was at her desk when Jaime left Steve and Oscar alone in the inner office. Grateful for the company, Jaime gave her a joyful hug. "How was the anniversary dinner?" she asked.
"We put it off 'til tonight," Peggy explained. "Things got a little crazy around here and Russ had to stay late, so...." Peggy looked more closely at her friend. "Jaime – you are positively glowing! Did something happen in Greece....with you and Steve?" She blushed. "I mean...."
Jaime smiled. "Nothing happened in Greece," she answered truthfully, "except work."
"Jaime Sommers, there's something you're not telling me!"
"So tell me about tonight," Jaime insisted – completely changing the subject. "Where are you going?"
"Russ won't tell me. He says it's a surprise." Peggy eyed Jaime curiously. "Are you waiting for Steve?"
"He's my ride home." She turned as the door to the inner office opened again. "Speak of the devil," Jaime said happily. Callahan noticed that she seemed drawn to Steve like a magnet. A pair of magnets, they were!
"Peggy," Steve began with a gallant bow, "I hope you don't mind if I steal this pretty lady away from here."
"Not at all," Peggy told him. "Jaime...we'll talk tomorrow, okay?"
When she and Steve were alone in the elevator, Jaime slumped back against the wall. "So....when do you leave?"
"He wanted me to go right away," Steve answered. "I told him I'd be more than happy to help him out -"
"Steve!"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Well, that's a little better," Jaime agreed, settling into his arms for the brief ride down. "Did you...tell him?"
"Of course not."
"Maybe we should...." Jaime wavered.
"We will – but not right now." When the doors opened, they took a step apart and walked casually through the lobby, hand-in-hand. Once they reached the fountain out front, Steve couldn't resist the urge a moment longer. He pulled Jaime close and kissed her with all the passion he'd had to hold back for the last few months.
Jaime responded eagerly, hungering for him, needing his touch....then suddenly pulled away.
"What's wrong?" Steve asked. "You think he's looking out the window?"
"Probably not....but Callahan probably is. She knows something's up."
"What'd you tell her?" Steve wondered as they headed toward the car.
"That absolutely nothing happened between us in Greece," Jaime answered, grinning mischievously.
"Excellent answer. What's up with her and Russ?"
"Six week anniversary dinner tonight....so they won't be popping in unexpectedly." They got into the car and Jaime ran her hand across the muscles of Steve's chest, leaning over the stick shift for one more kiss. "We'll be all alone..." Steve might be slated to leave for who-knows-where in the morning, but tonight Steve and Jaime had business of their own to attend to....
- - -
They stretched out on a thick fur rug with a bottle of their favorite wine, savoring their victory. "To us," Steve toasted.
"And to secrets," Jaime added, clinking his glass.
"Not all secrets are bad ones," Steve agreed. "Besides, we'll tell them someday -"
Jaime nodded. "But maybe not for awhile. It's safer this way and besides....I kinda like it. And I love you."
"I love you, too....Mrs. Austin."
END OF EPISODE SEVEN
