Chapter 7: Black Knight

Two Weeks Later

Maggie returned to her office with a new office assistant working just as hard as her former assistant. She sighed a little and walked into her office and hung her coat and purse on the coat rack.

"I didn't have time to make an appointment," the familiar voice touched her ears.

Maggie slowly turned and looked at Sterling as he comfortably sat her chair. She did not rush to greet him though her heart told her. She simply went to her desk and sat some files down and changed her routine.

"You have a few messages on your email already," Sterling remarked.

"What do you want, Jim?" Maggie asked.

"I wanted to make sure you were alright and readjusting," he answered.

"I'm fine," Maggie coldly gave him the only response he clearly didn't come for.

She turned to him and put her hands on her hips. He raised his brow at her and stood up casually. She watched as he straightened his nicely pressed suit and tie before he walked around her desk.

"I can see you are quite fine, Maggie," Sterling answered. "But how fine are you really?"

"Why should you care, Jim? You did what you always do; you shut people out and left…again." Maggie stared at him. "You can't keep playing with people's emotions."

"I don't play with people's emotions. I simply use them to achieve what I need."

Maggie shook her head and walked towards the door.

"Leave, Jim. I don't want to see you again, ever again." Maggie turned the door knob. "I wish you the best and I hope you don't teach your daughter the same technique."

She saw him frown at her words and shrugged. He made his way towards the door and she opened the door for him.

"Good bye, Maggie, always a pleasure," Sterling remarked.

Maggie turned her gaze away from him and watched from the corner of her eye as he left. She shut the door and locked it.

"Good bye, Jim," Maggie whispered.

Later that day Maggie made her way to the commentary to visit Sam's grave. She pulled her black coat tightly around her and carried the lively bouquet of fresh flowers.

As she got to his grave Maggie stopped to see someone standing there. She walked closely and saw Nate and her eyes became soft.

"Nate," she whispered.

He turned in her direction and gave a weak smile. She walked closer to him and he wiped his eyes.

"It's Tuesday," Nate said.

Maggie smiled and placed the flowers down on the grave. She lightly traced Sam's name and smiled. Her eyes stared at the toy truck that hadn't been there before. Her gaze glanced up at Nate and she stood up.

"I found it in a box I hadn't unpacked." Nate looked at her. "I figured it was best to bring it here."

Maggie nodded and turned to the grave site. She folded her arms to fend off the brisk air and let her thoughts be pushed away.

"I thought you and the team were gone," Maggie mentioned.

"They are, but I came back just for a little while," Nate remarked.

"Client?" Maggie asked.

"No, just a little time before another job comes by."

Maggie turned her gaze to Nate as he looked forward. "Nate?"

He looked over at her and she raised her brow at him.

"Honest truth, Maggie."

She glanced around to see if Nate truly was telling the truth. She turned back to the grave and glanced down at her watch.

"I wasn't ok with it at first because I knew you could do better than that," Nate said.

Maggie wrinkled her brow and turned to Nate. He turned and looked at her.

"What are you talking about?" Maggie folded her arms.

"But I can see it now," Nate said.

He turned and started walking away. Maggie rolled her eyes and followed quickly behind Nate. She came up beside him.

"Nate? Don't walk away," Maggie called after him.

Nate stopped and faced her and she stopped short. "I'm ok with it, Maggie. You have every right to see who ever you want."

Maggie stared at him and her brow raised at him.

"He really is a good person." Nate looked at her.

Maggie rubbed her head and shook it. Nate was just rambling and she had no idea who or what he was talking about. None of it made sense, but she came to conclusion that when it came to Nate he was not an easy person to understand.

"Who are you talking about? Nate, I'm not seeing anyone." Maggie looked at him.

Nate was about to say something, but then he paused. He reached over and grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"I think you know who I'm talking about, Maggie." Nate looked up at her. "I don't think you need me or the team to rescue you anymore when you get in danger. You have your own black knight."

Maggie felt her brow wrinkle as Nate placed something in her hand.

"You just have to play with the right person in a game of skill, Maggie, I think you've met your best match." Nate kissed her cheek and stepped away from her. "He's always adored you."

Maggie opened her hand and stared at the chess piece in her hand. She sighed and closed her hand tightly and sighed.

As the evening approached Maggie stared at the familiar building. She took a deep breath and glanced down at the black knight in her hand.

She then looked at the driver and gave a nod. "Thank you."

"I can wait for you if you need me too," the driver remarked.

"No, that's ok." She handed him a large tip before getting out.

The cab drove off and she looked at the building in front of her. She pulled her coat tightly and walked to the front door. She glanced around before knocking and watched as the old security guard made it to the door.

"Dr. Collins, how good to see you," he greeted her. "He said you'd be by."

Maggie smiled as the security guard stepped to the side.

"He's on the roof having a drink," The older man said.

"Thank you." Maggie smiled.

She took the elevator to the top floor and down the hall until she reached the door that led to the rooftop. Her feet carried her up the steep steps and she pushed open the door to feel the brisk air rush up against her. It wasn't a pleasant feeling when the cool air was far cooler than below, but still she kept going.

Maggie walked towards the ledge and saw a familiar figure staring out into the distance with a shallow glass of Scotch in hand. It was almost a picturesque pose he was in. The lights of the city barely reached the top of the building, but gave a glow enough to enjoy the sight.

She stepped closer and looked at him.

"Checkmate," Maggie said.

She watched as he turned his gaze towards her and Maggie opened her hand.

"Black knight, I guess you got my message," He remarked.

"A certain white knight passed the message to me. He rambled, but the message was there somewhere."

"He tends to do that, but he gets to the point eventually." Sterling smirked as he sat the shallow glass down.

"I thought you and Nate weren't friends?" Maggie remarked.

Sterling stepped down from a raised part of the building and walked towards her. She took a deep breath as he stood inches from her. He lifted his hand and lightly stroked her cheek with his hand.

"I'm not a simple man, Maggie, I never pretended to be a simple one. And there are days even the world gets irritated by my methods of solving problems." Sterling lifted her chin.

"You didn't answer my question, Jim," Maggie whispered.

"I think you know the answer, Maggie." He smirked.

Maggie reached up and grabbed his hand. She pressed her lips against his rough hand and turned away.

"You and Nate are just like one another, Jim. People don't change for just any reason. Something had to have happened."

She heard Sterling chuckle a little and she felt his hand wrap around her arm. She turned towards him.

"You're right, but some things are left best unsaid," Sterling said.

Maggie faced him fully and reached up and stroked his cheek. She shook her head and slapped him across the face.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"For being a selfish bastard and keeping secrets from me." Maggie stared at him as he rubbed his cheek.

Sterling stood straight and shook his head.

"For God sake, Jim, can't you ever say what you have too without feeling you have to be a man about it?" Maggie kept her gaze on him.

"It's gotten me into a lot of trouble, especially these last weeks." Sterling looked at her.

"Then show me how you feel," Maggie remarked.

Sterling raised his brow at her. "I haven't had enough to drink."

Maggie rolled her eyes and grabbed him by his tie and kissed him. He pulled her to him and returned her impulsive gesture.

She glanced up at him and smiled. "I don't need alcohol to show you how I feel."

"But it does help set the mood." Sterling looked at her.

She stepped back and grabbed his hand.

"So, black knight what are your plans for the rest of the evening?" Maggie whispered.

"I'm not sure," Sterling replied as he lifted her chin up.

"That's interesting," Maggie looked up at him.

"What?"

"That you don't know." Maggie smirked.

He smiled and pulled her tightly into his arms and kissed her once more.