7. The Fall Ball

The next several weeks did not go well for Oscar or Jaime. Because she was in town for a few months of training, it was difficult to avoid Oscar. She passed him the hall, in the garage, in the cafeteria. Each occasion opened the wound she had hoped was healing. Oscar too felt as if his heart would no longer be able to stand the strain. He had been working with a special ops team to try to find the members of FARC who had sent the letter. They had been unsuccessful. Not only that, another letter had come.

"Which one of the lovely ladies is yours? The blonde or the brunette? The one dearest to you is the one you will lose." He couldn't believe they had been close enough at Wolf Trap to see Jaime and Margot. The new letter stiffened his resolve to keep Jaime out of this – at all costs. I'd rather have her hate me but be alive…

He walked in that morning through the courtyard, and went to sit down by the fountain. As he approached, he noticed that Jaime was already there, lost in thought. He had never seen her looking so down. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she looked thin and pale. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. He sat down next to her. "Hi-ya babe." He resisted the urge to touch her, fearing retribution. She turned at him, and with an icy glare got up and walked into the O.S.I.

This dance of indifference they had been partners in was about to come to a head. Washington's annual "Fall Ball" was tomorrow. The Secretaries of State and Defense expected everyone to attend. In past years, they had all gone together – Oscar, Rudy, Steve, Jaime, Callahan and maybe a date here or there. This year, Rudy, Steve and Callahan all had dates. It was all too obvious that only Jaime and Oscar would be attending alone.

As Jaime walked in, she ran into Callahan. "So, do you want to come with me and Ken tomorrow? We could pick you up at 6:00 before we head over."

"Thanks, but I have a date." Jaime said this a bit too enthusiastically, and she felt bad for being a little snippy with Callahan. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just.."

"Jaime, it's okay. I know. Who is it though? How did you find…I mean, I just didn't know you were dating someone already." She bit her lip at that last remark.

"I'm not really dating him. It's Jonathan from Accounting over at the N.S.B. He's asked me every year, and I finally said yes. It's not like anyone else was going to ask me." She sighed at this last remark.

"Jaime, are you sure about this? I mean, I know you're upset with Oscar. Is this really what you want to do?"

"I don't really care whether Oscar approves or not. I'm sure I'll have a lovely time with Jonathan."

Callahan did not look convinced. "I hope so sweetie, I hope so."

There was an air of excitement at the O.S.I. the next day – at least among the female employees. Most of the men seemed somewhat indifferent to the whole affair. Steve had stopped by to see Oscar. "Hey there boss, are you going tonight?"

"Hi pal, come on in. Yeah, not that I really have a choice. I never like these things, and I am really dreading this one. Do you know if Jaime is going?" He tried to sound indifferent.

Steve saw right through him. "I don't really know. I still feel a little funny talking with her since the engagement. I know she says she's okay with it, but I just can help feeling a little awkward around her."

"Join the club. We haven't spoken more than a few words since that night." He did not need to remind Steve which night he was referring to. It had been apparent to everyone the tension that had built between them the night of Oscar's party.

Steve knew how Oscar felt about Jaime. Who didn't? He hated to see his friend so despondent. "Does all of this have anything to do with the FARC letter?"

"You mean letters, and yes it does."

"Letters? You got another one?"

"Last week. They saw her at my party Steve, I'm worried for her. "

"You're going to have to tell her. She has GOT to get protection – whether she likes it or not."

"Maybe you're right Steve. Rudy's already read me the riot act about the whole thing. I don't know. I don't know if she'll even talk with me." He had never felt such an ache in his heart before.

"Talk to her tonight. It'll be okay. You'd have to have been blind to not see how she feels about you. She used to look at me that way – I ought to know," he said with a grin.

Oscar arrived early to the Fall Ball. He wanted to make sure he got hold of Jaime as soon as he could, so he might be able to make up with her that night. He felt better than he had in weeks. Until he saw her come in – with Jonathan. He was tall, blonde and YOUNG. If it was possible, he was more beautiful than Jaime. Oh great, who is THIS guy?

He quickly ducked out of sight, his heart pounding in his chest. What have I done? Have I lost her for good? Oscar couldn't bear to greet her. Not yet. He had to compose himself. He saw Rudy come in with Lynda and made his way over.

"Rudy, Lynda, good to see you." He tried to sound casual, but he failed miserably. Rudy had already seen Jaime, and surmised that Oscar had too.

"Good try Oscar. I've seen her – and her date – Jonathan I think it is." Rudy didn't seem too impressed. "I wouldn't worry about him. I hear she likes older men," he said with a smirk. "Are you going to talk to her?"

"Rudy, I don't know. I had this evening all worked out and now this. I've decided to tell her what's going on. She needs to know, and she needs protection – all because of me. She's not going to like this."

"Oscar, give her some credit. She IS an agent you know. She's lived with danger before. At least she'll know WHY now. Good luck buddy."

Rudy turned to Lynda and whispered "If I know Jaime, he is gonna need it."

The music started and the dancing was in full swing. Jaime and Jonathan hit the dance floor. They made quite an attractive couple. Jonathan seemed to have the attention of many of the ladies in the room, and was quite pleased with himself. "You don't mind if I give the other ladies a turn do you?"

Jaime regretted ever having said yes. "No, I don't mind – really." She was more than happy to take a break. As she was walking off the floor, a slow song came on and she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"May I have this dance?" It was Oscar. He didn't wait for a response. He turned her around to face him and gathered her in his arms. He started swaying gently to the music, moving her hips with his. Elvis was singing "Wise men say…only fools rush in…. but I can't help falling in love with you." He pressed his cheek against hers, nuzzling his lips against her ear. "Babe…"

She found it difficult to resist him, but she was trying with all her might. "What do you want? My date may not like me dancing with someone else."

"I think we'll be okay – he seems pretty preoccupied right now," said Oscar smugly. This wasn't going well. "Babe, can we call a truce? I know I've hurt you, but please listen to what I have to say."

"Hurt me? No, you haven't hurt me. I'd have to have feelings for you to hurt me. Don't flatter yourself. Where's Margot?" She immediately regretted taking that tone, but she was hurt. Her feelings were in chaos.

"Jaime, there is no Margot. There is no one but you." His eyes were welled up with emotion, his voice quivering. Why could he address the entire Senate without a problem, but he couldn't talk to one woman without breaking up? " It's just that I had to push you away for your own good. There is something I have to tell you. You could be in danger. You need protection. Is there somewhere we can go to talk?" Just as he got the words out of his mouth, Margot marched over to the dance floor making sure that Jaime acknowledged her presence.

"Oscar darling, I've been looking for you everywhere."

Jaime stopped dancing. This was too much. "That's the lamest excuse I have ever heard Oscar Goldman." She ran off the floor barely keeping back the tears.

Oscar glared at Margot as he roughly brushed past her. "Jaime…" He started after her.

Unfortunately for Oscar, Jonathan had witnessed this episode, and felt his duty was calling him. "Hey pal, leave the lady alone. She's with me."

"Look Biff, or whatever your name is, this is none of your concern." Oscar turned his back and again started after Jaime. As he did, Jonathan grabbed him and swung him around. He cocked his fist back and threw a punch right into Oscar's eye. Oscar was completely caught off guard, and fell into the punch bowl, knocking it and the table to the ground. Jaime saw the whole thing, and ran crying from the room. She hailed a cab and went back to her apartment. Oscar picked himself up from the floor, and wiped the trickle of blood from his lip. His security detail was on the spot in a second.

"Easy guys, I'm fine. Let's just leave it alone."

Oscar immediately sought out Steve. "Pal, I need your help. Jaime's gone. I've gotta go after her, and after that idiot attacked me, the boys aren't going to let me outta their sight. "

"Oscar…"

"Steve. I have to. Please pal."

"Alright. Let's go out to the balcony to talk. I can get you down. They won't suspect that."

Oscar's security detail wasn't watching, but someone else was.

Oscar and Steve casually walked outside to the 2nd floor balcony. Thankfully, no one was out there. Steve grabbed Oscar and jumped over the side to the pavement below. "Sorry Oscar," he said as he unceremoniously dropped Oscar upon landing.

"Don't worry about it. Thanks pal. I know you're going to catch heat on this one. I'm worried about her. I just have a bad feeling. I can't put my finger on it, but I think she's in trouble. I'll keep you posted."

"You'd better. Just because I'm getting married doesn't mean I don't still love Jaime. You're not the only one that's worried. Good luck."

Oscar hailed a cab, figuring that was better than walking the two miles to her O.S.I. apartment. Jaime's cab had arrived at her apartment. She got out, still shaking and managed to get her keys out to unlock the door. She was unaware of the set of eyes watching her – or the conversation that was ensuing.

"Es ella - la rubia. Sí. No hay problema - de esta noche" ("It's her - the blonde. Yes. No problem - tonight").