Ten

Allison and Casey sat at the counter of Café Diem, sipping coffee and talking about some of Casey's past travels.

"Fiji is amazing! It's so beautiful. I don't think I've ever been anywhere as green and tropical and exotic." Allison shook her head and smiled. Her sister always was one for adventure.

"I can't even remember the last time I took a vacation," Allison complained. Casey rolled her eyes.

"Why doesn't that surprise me? You just need to force yourself to go! I promise, the world isn't going to come to end just because Allison Blake isn't there for a week."

"This is Eureka we're talking about," Allison smiled, giving Casey a knowing look and causing her to laugh.

"Touché!"

"Plans for today?" Allison asked her. Casey took a sip of her coffee and nodded.

"I'm hanging out with Jack." Allison nearly dropped her cup, but recovered quickly.

"Sorry, you're what?" Casey didn't say anything but just stared at her sister and raised an eyebrow. "I mean, um, that's great." A grin started to grow on Casey's face. "What?"

"Nothing." But that stupid grin remained. Allison brought her cup to her lips to take a drink when the door to the café opened and none other than Carter walked in. Allison nearly dropped her cup again, splashing a few drops of brown coffee on her white silk blouse. She stood up and began dabbing furiously at the quickly spreading stain, but Casey just sat there and laughed.

"I didn't know 'coffee' was in this season," Carter laughed, walking up to the two of them. Allison looked at him and grimaced, sitting back down and throwing her napkin to the side in defeat.

"Oh, Ally has always been ahead of the trends," Casey threw in, delight all over her face.

"Very funny, you two. I have a conference call with the Pentagon this morning. Now I need to go home and change."

"We could give you a ride. Right, partner?" Carter winked at Casey.

"10-4 and copy that," Casey saluted. Allison tried not to look shocked. How could these two already have inside jokes? They'd just met!

"It's fine. I drove," she mumbled, picking up her purse and walking to the door without saying a word to either of them. Carter jogged to catch up with her and stopped her with hand on her elbow.

Allison turned and faced him, hating they way she got goosebumps every time he touched her or was standing this close.

"Allison, are you okay?" he asked, concern creasing his face. She couldn't help but smile. She loved the way he always cared, was always concerned.

"I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

"Not getting cold feet, are you?" Carter asked, grinning slyly. Allison looked confused.

"Cold feet about what?" Carter's grin turned into a look of confusion as well.

"Um…your wedding?" Allison hit her palm against her forehead, feeling completely embarrassed.

"The wedding! Right! Um, no, I'm not." Jack didn't look convinced. "Sorry, I'm just a little distracted. I, uh, didn't get my coffee this morning," she joked, pointing at her stained shirt.

"Hey, how come you didn't tell me your sister was Timothy Reece?" Jack whispered, leaning in close and crossing his arms. Allison caught a whiff of his cologne and suddenly felt a little light headed. She took a step back for safety.

"She likes to keep that low key." A thought suddenly dawned on her. "Is that why you guys are spending today together? Research for a book?" Jack leaned back and got that sly grin again. Allison hated when he did that. It drove her crazy in more ways than one.

"What did you think it was? A date?" he chuckled. Allison gave him half a smile, feeling her face heat up. "Were you jealous Allison?" he continued. She could tell he was enjoying her misery way too much.

"Why would I be jealous, Carter?" she retorted, crossing her arm and taking on a defensive position.

"Oh, I don't know." He rocked back and forth on his feet, a cheesy grin still on his face. Allison shook her head, but couldn't help but smile.

"You're so full of yourself. I've got to go." She turned to leave again but Carter grabbed her elbow once more.

"Listen, I've run into a bit of a dead end with this Dr. Horton thing. There's a locked file on his computer. Do you think you could get someone to crack it for me?"

"Sure, I'll get Fargo on it. What's the file."

"Love Shack," Carter smirked. Allison raised her eyebrows.

"Like the song?"

"Don't ask me," he laughed. "I just figure it's worth a look."

"All right. I'll see you later. Keep an eye on Casey for me," Allison told him. He looked back over his shoulder and Allison followed his gaze to her sister, who was sitting at the counter watching them with a smirk.

"I think she can probably take care of herself," Carter replied, turning back to Allison.

"It's not her I'm worried about," she told Carter with a knowing look. Carter laughed, then moved back to the counter.

Climbing into her car, Allison paused to look through the window of the café one more time before starting her engine. Carter and Casey were sitting at the counter, laughing like they were old friends. Carter said something and Casey swatted him playfully on the arm.

She didn't know why she'd never realized it before. Carter and Casey were so much alike. They both loved to laugh, love to have adventures. They were light hearted and caring. They both loved a good beer and sports. In fact, they'd probably be perfect for each other.

"She doesn't need me playing match maker," Allison mumbled to herself as she started the car and drove off. It wasn't like Casey would be around that long anyway.

So why did seeing the two of them together make her feel like she'd been punched in the stomach?