For Saye0036, Detectivecaz and Fairytales1981. It may not be the longest chapter in the world, but it ws a good place to stop as the next chapter should prove to be rather interesting hehe. Hope you enjoy :)
M was the first to wake, and found herself wrapped securely in James' arms as he continued to sleep. A small smile crept across her face as she thought about the night before and how James had honestly thought he had "broken" her. She made a mental note that they really needed to discuss sex at a certain age if they ever intended to get any further than heavy petting. Although the thought of this particular discussion was somewhat amusing, it also brought her a great deal of sadness. With Jack, there was no need for such discussions. They were both at an age where it was a given that there could and would be complications and unintended or rather unexpected reactions, but with James...She just needed to be sure that he understood that there were limitations.
As she lay curled up with her head resting on James' chest she thought about Jack, next door alone. She knew that at some point, she needed to go talk to him and see if there was any possible way to salvage at least some sort of friendship out of this whole mess. When it became clear that James showed no signs of waking in the near future, M untangled herself from him, dressed and quietly slipped out of the room.
"It took her long enough," thought James as he rolled over. James could tell the moment her breathing changed that she was awake, and thinking. He knew M well enough to know that she absolutely hated leaving things unresolved, and he knew that she had very real feelings for Jack, so it was no surprise that she felt the need for closure in this matter.
M made her way back to Jack's cabin and quietly opened the door so as not to wake or startle Jack. All of her attempts to be quiet were for nothing as she looked in and saw Jack sitting at the table with his coffee and a newspaper.
"Mornin' Darlin...sleep well?" he asked as he put the paper down
"Err...Yes, thank you for asking," she said nervously as she crossed the room "Could we talk about last night?' she asked
"Not much to talk about" he said as he got up "Want some coffee?"
"Yes please"
"You don't need to be so formal Olivia," he said handing her the coffee and motioning for her to sit
"Jack, about last night..."
"Let me stop you right there. I want you to know two things. One, I am not angry. It's no one's fault, Hell you didn't even know until I pointed it out, or if you did, you wouldn't admit it until I pointed it out, and second, I love you, and I will always love you, but to be honest, I am a disaster when it comes to relationships. In fact, this is the longest I've even been in a relationship," he said as he stared at his half-empty coffee cup
"And why is that?" she asked sounding a bit intrigued by his admition
"I'm what you would call a lone wolf, and the idea that someone is out there depending on me to be faithful, attentive and whatever else goes along with a relationship is a totally foreign idea to me" he said bluntly "I would have broken your heart sooner or later."
"But you didn't even give it a proper chance" she replied quietly
"It was easier to let you go, and let you be happy with the one who stole your heart long ago, then to watch the very slow and painful demise of our relationship. I was hoping to save you the pain and possibly salvage a friendship with both you and James"
M got up and walked around the table so that she was facing Jack, leaned down and took his face in her hands and placed a soft kiss to his lips.
"That was the most pathetic excuse I have ever heard" she said with a weak grin as she broke the kiss "You are just plain afraid to fall in love"
"Maybe so" he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap "Or maybe it's just because I can't handle being out ranked by the most beautiful woman on the planet?"
"What am I going to do with you?" she said as she snuggled closer to him
"Not much, if the Boy Wonder has anything to say about it" he said with a laugh "So tell me, did you two ever get around to consummating this relationship? Or are you two still pussyfooting around?" he asked playfully
"Well, not that it is any of your business, but there were a few technical difficulties" she said blushing slightly
"Oh do tell" he replied sounding amused
"A lady never kisses and tells," she said as she stood up, puling Jack with her "But, I do need to discuss something with you"
"I'm all ears," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and began lightly kissing her face and neck
"And apparently all hands" she said as she swatted his arms "It's about that reception you are supposed to be attending tonight"
"Oh, that...well due to events that are completely out of my control, I have decided to skip it"
"You will do no such thing!" she said firmly "I came here to go to a reception, and that is exactly what I intend to do!" she said sharply, but with a twinkle in her eye
"Is it alright with James?" he asked mischievously
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear" she said putting her hands on her hips "I do not now nor do I ever need his permission to do as I please. James will just have to deal with this and trust me"
James had waited what he deemed the appropriate amount of time before he tumbled out of bed, dressed and headed over to Jack's cabin. He managed to walk in during M's rant about not needing permission to attend the reception and snuck up behind her, snaking his arms around her waist, pulling her back to him as he placed a kiss to her neck.
"What's this about not needing my permission?" he asked with a smirk
"Good morning James" she said as she leaned back against him "I was just telling Jack that we ARE going to this reception tonight, and you do not have a problem with my decision,"
"Why would I have a problem? We will all be there so what is the issue?" he asked
"Well, that's the thing" she said turning to face him, "You won't be there, just Jack and I"
"I see" he replied, sounding less than amused
"Hells bells James, I will be surrounded by CIA agents, I will be perfectly safe" she retorted
"Since you put it that way, I suppose it will be alright, as long as Jack promises to have you home at a reasonable hour"
"You SUPPOSE it will be alright?" she snapped as she pulled away from him "May I remind you that I am still your boss!"
"And may I remind you that, because you are my boss, there are certain protocol's that still apply, however, I am willing to overlook them just this once, given the circumstances" he replied
"He is right you know" chimed Jack with a grin "However, so is she. She could wear a wire if it would make you feel better, and I promise to have her home early so that you can tuck her in,"
M stared at the two of them angrily.
"Listen you two. I do not appreciate being passed back and forth like a trading card..."
"Quite right" said James as he pulled her to him and kissed her soundly
There was a knock, followed by an audible gasp, causing all three of them to turn and stare at the door. Holly, who was standing in the doorway, looked as though she had seen a ghost, as she stared at James, with his arms around his mother...kissing her.
"Sorry to interrupt" she finally managed to say
"Holly, it's not what you think," said James as he released M and proceeded toward the door.
Holly began to back up slowly as he approached
"It's really none of my business" she said uncomfortably "I just...I can't...She's your Mother!" she finally said
"Holly Darlin, why don't you come in and let us explain" said Jack
"Oh, I don't think there is much to explain" she replied
"She's not my Mother, she's my boss" said James, quickly realizing that this explanation didn't make the situation any better
"Your BOSS?"
"Well, technically"
"There is no technically about it James, I am your boss" replied M as she stepped around James and put her arm around Holly, escorting her inside. "My dear, there is a perfectly logical explanation for all of this"
"If you say so," replied Holly as she swallowed hard and followed M inside
To Be Continued...