Laura stood just inside the hatch of the Commanding Officer's quarters and slowly turned in a circle.

This was no sterile area which functioned merely as an office and sleeping area. She was surrounded by fine antiquities, rare curios, old masters' paintings and books - hundreds and hundreds of books.

They were piled in towers of various heights around the floor. They were spilling out of the bookcases which had originally been installed for them. Some were lying on his desk. Others were scattered across the leather of the room's long couch. Empty coffee cups and glasses used books as coasters on the side tables and chests that also furnished the room. One particular book stack in the corner of the room held a lamp.

The book had always been the most incriminating piece of evidence; proof that Bill had knowingly deceived her. Men brought flowers on dates all the time, but the casual presence of the book had convinced her to stay and have dinner with him that night. Not that they had dined.

Mike must have told him about her love for the genre and that author, she'd guessed. But now, all these books…

She physically startled when he spoke behind her.

"Madam Secretary, what can I do for you?"

He avoided her gaze when she turned to face him.

"Bill, I know things are awkward since meeting again, but the computer-"

"I won't change my mind," he snapped. "I have never trusted computers. A couple of years ago something happened to make me even more wary. You might remember what."

"But—"

"I have to change into formal attire for the ceremony. So if there is nothing else, Madam Secretary."

She clutched the lapel of her suit jacket and glanced down at her left breast.

"No, Commander. There's nothing."

The End

A/N: Yes, I always wanted this series to match up with canon and Bill's hatred of computers. Even though we know they do work it all out in the end, I did write an alternative ending which I'll post tomorrow.