Reflections Chapter 23 - Somewhere With You Part 4, a castle fanfic

Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews!

Chapter 23- Somewhere With You – Part 4

As the sun began to rise outside her window, Johanna threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed as she sat up. There just wasn't any use in trying sleep. She had tossed and turned all night, snatching only a few minutes sleep here and there. Her mind wouldn't rest and her body wouldn't relax. She had heard Jim up moving around a few times and it only added to her problem as she remained alert. She scrubbed a hand over her face; a part of her hated herself for not going further...and the other part of her hated herself for allowing it to start in the first place. Apparently it was going to be a hate yourself kind of day.

They were pushing the boundaries and while she wouldn't mind taking their relationship further, there hadn't been any discussion about it. She could hear Sharon's voice in the back of her mind, telling her that she could be the one to start the discussion...but she just couldn't. She wasn't ready to take that chance...to risk being rejected. Of course there was the chance that he wouldn't reject her, but there was an equally great chance that he would. It was too risky...the time wasn't right yet...although things had felt right last night up until a certain point. Oh she enjoyed their steamy encounters; in fact she enjoyed them immensely...and she could admit that there was a part of her that hoped that maybe one day they'd be brave enough to cross that line. She was worried though; worried that things might be awkward between them now.

She figured that things hadn't gone any further than they had in Maryland...but it felt like it had gone further, like the intimacy had been intensified...the desire running deeper and stronger. Her mind flooded with the memory of the night before; the heat of his kiss, the feel of his body pressed against hers...the searing feel of his fingers against the bare skin of her back. Her breath caught in her throat as she shook her head to dislodge the memory. She had to get out of there and get some air, get her mind focused on something else. She raked a hand through her hair and spied her sneakers sticking out of one of her bags. She'd go for a run on the beach, she decided. Sometimes it helped clear her head...and her head was definitely in need of clearing. Johanna pushed herself up off the bed; a nice long run should do the trick.

Jim squinted against the sunlight streaming through the thin gauzy curtains as his mind swam back to conciseness. He frowned as he turned his gaze toward the clock and realized that he had only gotten two hours sleep. He blew out a weighted breath as he sat up. Things had gotten out of hand last night and he'd spent most of the night out on the balcony hoping that the breeze would cool off his heated blood as he had tried to redirect his thoughts. It had been a lost cause. There was just no convincing his mind to forget about how perfect her body had felt against his...the taste of her kiss...that soft warm skin that his hands had moved over.

He shook his head. "Stop it," he muttered. Hadn't he tortured himself enough the night before? How could he have lost his self control like that? He had been about to stop her caresses and then he had escalated things. He should've resisted the urge...but he couldn't deny how right it had felt to feel her above him...and then to roll her beneath him. Jim shook his head again and rose to his feet. He had to quit thinking about it or he was never going to settle down. He needed to get a shower…a cold one would probably be best and he needed to shave; make himself turn his mind off and find something for them to do outside of the hotel. That would solve the problem. Jim left his room and headed for the bathroom; taking note of the silence in the suite. He had heard her tossing and turning a few times during the night when he had crept back inside. He thought he had even heard her up pacing once or twice. Her door was slightly ajar but he resisted the urge to move toward it. He'd wait until he was better prepared to meet the day...and to face her.

Jim was feeling somewhat better after he had showered and shaved and he finally moved towards Johanna's door with only an ounce of trepidation. Things were probably going to be a little awkward, he figured; but it was probably best to just act like it hadn't happened and they'd go from there. "Jo," he called out as he knocked on the door. When there wasn't a response, he knocked again; calling her name a little louder. His ears were met with silence and he cautiously pushed the door open and stuck his head inside to look around. His stomach clenched; the bed was made and she was nowhere to be found. He moved away from her door and peeked into his own in case she was waiting there for him but she wasn't.

He searched the living room area of the suite and the balcony only to find no sign of her. No note, no nothing. Her luggage was still in her bedroom so logically she had to come back, he told himself but a small knot of panic formed in his stomach. Why wouldn't she at least leave a note for him? She should know that he'd worry if he found her gone when he got up. He was about to shove his feet into his shoes to go search for her when the door opened and she slipped inside.

"Where did you go?" Jim asked; startling her and causing her to jump as she shut the door.

"I went for a run on the beach," Johanna answered as she turned to face him.

He was at a momentary loss for words as he took in the sight of her in those black shorts that made her legs look so long, and that tiny white spaghetti strap tank top; a light sheen of perspiration clinging to her tanned skin. He swallowed hard; yeah, he really needed the image of her hot and sweaty stuck in his mind. "How far did you run?"

She moved to the small kitchenette area of their suite and got herself a glass of water. "Far enough that I was afraid I had crossed the state line."

He eyed her even though she wasn't meeting his gaze. "What did you do that for?"

Johanna took a long sip of her water. "I needed the exercise."

"You could've left a note...I was worried when I couldn't find you."

Her eyes met his at the remark. "I'm sorry; I thought I'd be back before you got up. I didn't plan on going so far...I just needed to get some air," she replied; licking her lips nervously as she shifted on her feet.

He wanted to move closer to her but he didn't dare and he wasn't quite sure what to say and yet words tumbled from his lips. "You shouldn't have gone out so early by yourself without even leaving a note, Jo. It isn't safe."

"I'm fine; no one bothered me. There were other people out running too. I'm sorry I worried you."

Jim shoved a hand through his damp hair; telling himself that he didn't want to cross the room and kiss her...but he did want to. "I didn't mean to lecture you," he muttered.

"It's okay."

But were they okay? He wondered; unsure of how to broach the subject, especially when he had thought it best to ignore what had happened.

"Jo..." he began; his voice trailing off as words deserted him.

She downed the rest of her water and sat the glass aside. "I'm going to take a shower."

"Great," he thought, a shower...now he'd be thinking about her being naked behind that bathroom door. He wasn't going to make it through the day and it was entirely too early to start drinking. "I'm going to go downstairs and order breakfast for us; are you hungry? You must be hungry after such a long run," he rambled.

"Starved," she agreed as she shifted on her feet once more before heading in the direction of the bathroom.

"I'll be back," Jim stated.

"I'll be here," she replied before stepping inside the bathroom and locking the door behind her. She leaned back against the door for a moment; willing her heart to slow. She shouldn't want to kiss him as badly as she did in that moment. Johanna sighed heavily; they were going to have to spend some time apart today...it was the only way to quell those urges.

When Johanna finally turned off the water, she reached for the white towel on the towel rack and wrapped it around her before stepping out of the shower. She looked around for her clean clothes and then realized that she hadn't brought any in with her. She smacked her hand against her face; what the hell had she been thinking? Oh she knew what she had been thinking; she'd been thinking about Jim and how she wanted to kiss him again...how good he looked in that light blue shirt and dark jeans. "Stop it," she whispered to herself. She just had to stop...and she had to figure out what the hell she was going to do now that she was stuck in the bathroom without clean clothes.

There was no way she was putting those sweaty clothes back on that she had just taken off. Her eyes darted around the room, hoping that she had left something behind over the last few days but she came up with nothing. Her robe was lying at the foot of her bed and there wasn't even a shirt of Jim's that she could slip on for a few moments until she reached the safety of her room. She closed her eyes in defeat and then crept to the door and listened. She heard nothing and she hoped that meant that Jim was still downstairs seeing to their breakfast order. Slowly she cracked the door open and seeing no one; she slipped out of the bathroom and pulled the door shut. She turned to move in the direction of her room but ran into Jim; causing her to squeal in surprise.

"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed. "You're supposed to be downstairs!"

His gaze roamed over her; her figure clad only in a short white bath towel. He blew out a breath as he felt his blood warming once again, making it difficult for him to compose a thought but somehow he managed. "I told you that you could be bad and now you're trying to kill me," he remarked.

Johanna stammered for a moment. "I'm...What are you doing here?"

"I ordered breakfast and came back, it didn't take that long. What are you doing here...without your clothes?"

"I...I...forgot to take clean clothes into the bathroom with me...and I thought you were still downstairs and that I'd be safe to get to my room."

He moved closer to her without thought; aching to touch and kiss the skin that was left bare for him to admire. "And you're not safe now?" he asked.

"Apparently not," she scoffed. "You caught me."

Jim smirked. "Must be my lucky day."

"Not that lucky."

He smiled slightly as he reached out and brushed a lock of her wet hair off of her shoulder. "Maybe you were hoping I'd catch you."

"Oh yeah; I really wanted to be caught in nothing but a towel."

"I don't mind if you wear a towel, sweetheart; you wear it well."

She couldn't suppress the coy smile that touched her lips as their eyes locked for a moment before he moved closer and brushed his lips against hers; making her shiver and clutch the towel more tightly.

"See, you are trying to kill me," he whispered; his mouth grazing her ear.

Johanna shook her head. "I'm not."

"Feels like it."

"It's not my fault."

He chuckled as he brushed a kiss against her jaw. "You started it."

"I did not!" she exclaimed; pushing him away from her. His hand fell against her waist and she swallowed hard and she saw him do the same.

"You were the one doling out free massages last night," he reminded her.

Her face flushed and her gaze dropped to the floor for a moment before flicking back to his face. "I was just trying to be nice and make you feel better."

"Mhmm, you made me feel better all right."

"There was no ulterior motive," she stated.

Jim had inched even closer and she stepped back, her back pressed against the wall. "You sure about that?"

Her eyes widened. "Surely you're not accusing me of trying to seduce you!"

He grinned. "You have to admit that your 'technique' changed course after awhile."

She smirked at him. "Well since you feel that way, I won't offer my services again the next time you're in pain."

Jim laughed softly; if she only knew the pain he was in now...and had been in all night. "Let's not be hasty," he remarked; reaching for her free hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "You're very talented. I liked your technique...I liked it a lot."

Johanna smirked at him. "Oh I know you did."

"You kissed me first, sweetheart."

"Not the way you're implying...technically you kissed me."

Jim shook his head. "You kissed me first."

"I kissed your shoulder."

"So you admit to kissing me first."

"I thought you were asleep."

"You wouldn't have kissed me if you had known that I was awake?"

"I...I don't know," she whispered but then she felt a surge of boldness. "You didn't have to turn over, you know. You could've ignored it."

He dipped his head and pressed a sensual kiss against her bare shoulder and then her neck. "Can you ignore that?" he murmured as he felt her shiver once more.

"It's not the same."

"Maybe not…but I couldn't ignore it…if I had been able to ignore it, I would've been asleep like you thought."

She exhaled a weighted breath. "But the fact remains that you took the next step…you took it further."

"You didn't seem to mind…did you? I think you liked it."

She laughed softly. "We're not talking about me; we're talking about you."

"I think we're both guilty…but you started it; so that makes it attempted murder," he said with an amused grin.

"I'm not trying to kill you as you claim," she retorted with a saucy look; "But it's good to know that I can if I should want to."

Jim laughed. "What do you think you're doing right now?"

"I'm getting cold," she replied; "You want to back up so I can go get dressed?"

"Not really; I kind of like what you're wearing," he answered while thinking that he was probably going to need another shower himself.

"I'm sure you do."

"What are we going to do today, Jo?"

"I'm going to put my clothes on," she quipped.

"That's a disappointing thought but I meant besides that."

She licked her lips. "I think I'm going to go shopping."

Jim frowned at the thought. "You don't have to go with me," she added; hoping that he wouldn't. "You can just drop me off in the shopping district and you can go find something else to do…like find a strip club and get all the cheap thrills you want."

Amusement gleamed in his eyes as his gaze met hers. "Now why would I want to do that? One good yank of this towel and I'll have a real good thrill and you won't be going shopping."

A nervous laugh crossed her lips as she once again tightened her hold on her towel. "Can I get dressed now?"

He just couldn't resist the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her one more time. She was breathless when it ended and she looked up at him, waiting for him to say something.

"I guess you can get dressed if you want to."

"I really think I should."

"But you don't really want to?" he asked hopefully.

"I'm not going to answer that," Johanna replied as she hurriedly slipped away from him and escaped in the direction of her room.

"This is the best vacation of my life," he called out after her.

She tossed a sassy smile over her shoulder. "It would only be the best if I dropped the towel."

His mouth went dry. "Would you?"

"No," she replied; waving her fingers at him before shutting herself in her room, the sound of the lock turning filling the air.

Jim raked a hand through his hair; he was going to need another shower…and a drink…maybe two…and a lot of time away from her today.

Johanna didn't reappear until breakfast had been delivered and as they sat down to eat that initial feeling of awkwardness from earlier that morning set in again. Jim kept taking quick subtle glances at her as she sat across from him, trying to make himself forget their encounter from the night before…and then earlier when he had caught her in nothing but her towel. He picked up his glass of orange juice and took a long sip at that thought. He just had to get a hold of himself but it wasn't easy when she was sitting there looking so pretty in her blue and white summer dress. If she thought the modest neckline and hem of the dress made her look less alluring, she was wrong. All he wanted to do was reach for her…take the pins from her hair…kiss her senseless and then finish what they had started.

He gave a subtle shake of his head as if it would dislodge his thoughts but it didn't…and he had a feeling that they had somehow crossed a dangerous line. Was this going to change things? He hoped it wouldn't; he wasn't ready for things to change…and really nothing had happened. Jim frowned, that wasn't really true. They hadn't made love…but it came close, and if it had come that close, then you really couldn't say that nothing had happened. Would he have stopped if Johanna hadn't pulled back? No, he didn't think he would have. He had been too caught up in wanting and needing her. Where did this leave them? There were certain things they couldn't deny now; or maybe they could but they'd both know that they were lying. Would she be expecting him to make some type of declaration or change to their relationship? Did she want more than what they had now? Did her feelings run deeper than he allowed himself to believe? Suddenly it all seemed so complicated. He didn't like complicated when it came to these types of matters. He also didn't like to feel at odds with her…or feel like he could so easily lose control around her all because of a kiss or a touch.

Jim suppressed a sigh; it was all too much to think about. He was getting a headache from all of the things swirling around in his mind and it didn't mesh well with a sleepless night and a desire that refused to be doused. He had to get out of there; had to get away from her for awhile and get his mind back to where it needed to be.

Jim's silence as they ate made Johanna squirm in her seat. So much for thinking that things might be okay after their brief encounter outside the bathroom door. Of course maybe if she hadn't hidden in her room afterwards things would've been fine...but she had been embarrassed by being caught in her towel. She had also been unnerved by how easily she would've given in to him if he had pressed for more than a few kisses. What was wrong with her? Had realizing that she loved him made her lose her senses? What did Jim think of her? Was he thinking back to her drunken blunder after Colleen's wedding? Was he worrying that she was trying to trap him into a relationship? Had she thrown a wrench into the relationship they already had by acting on impulse. Maybe she didn't have the sense God gave a goose. So much for her run clearing her head. Her mind was just as full now as it had been.

She didn't regret it...they hadn't really done anything worthy of regret...but she had wanted more. She had pulled back and yet she had wanted nothing more than for him to make love to her in those moments...but she had also wanted him to love her while he did it. Maybe it would've been easier if she had kept lying to herself about how she really felt about him. If she hadn't acknowledged the truth maybe they would've made love...maybe things would've changed...or maybe they really wouldn't have changed at all. And maybe it would've ruined everything. Her fork slipped from her fingers and clattered against the plate; startling both of them. At the moment it seemed like no matter what happened the night before, things stood a good chance of being ruined. Jim certainly didn't look happy, she mused as her eyes met his.

He pushed his chair back and stood; pulling the car keys from his pocket and dropping them on the table in front of her. "You take the car," he stated.

Johanna shook her head. "No, I can't do that. Just drop me off in the shopping district, I'll find my own way back and then you'll be able to get back too."

"No; you take it."

"I really don't think I should..."

"Johanna," he stated somewhat gruffly; "Just take the car and go shopping. Just don't speed and don't get any tickets."

"I think I'd rather walk," she replied; unsure of what to make of his tone. He had been teasing earlier and then silent and somewhat terse.

"You don't want to walk around town after that run you took this morning."

"I do...I like to walk," she answered; her breakfast suddenly tasting like sawdust.

"Okay, if that's what you want," Jim remarked as he snatched up the keys. "Be careful; I'll see you later."

"You didn't finish your breakfast."

"I'm not really hungry," he answered; figuring that was somewhat truthful. He wasn't hungry for food...just for her.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know. I'm just going to look around town."

"When do you think you'll be back?"

"When I get back," he stated somewhat sharply.

"I didn't mean anything by asking," Johanna retorted. "I just wanted to know if we were going to be meeting up for dinner."

"Do you want to?" he asked; desperate to make his escape.

Johanna was silent for a long moment and he found it somewhat unnerving as she assessed him. "No...I'll eat while I'm out."

"You intend to shop that long?"

"Is there a problem with that?" she asked; her tone daring him to say something about it.

"No; not at all...but I guess we could pick a time and meet up for dinner. We could always eat early."

She picked up her glass and finished her juice before answering him. "That's okay; I'll see you whenever we both end up back here."

"Jo..."

"What?"

Frustration was running rampant in his blood and he figured it was best to just go instead of opening a can of worms. "I'll see you tonight," he stated before turning and heading for the door, allowing it to slam behind him as he left.

Johanna flinched at the sound...it looked like the honeymoon of their pretend marriage was over.

"Last night, I didn't get to sleep at all…," the song proclaimed as it floated through the speakers of the department store sound system. Johanna smirked as she looked through a rack of clothes. It looked like the universe was out to mock her because she couldn't think of a more fitting song. She sighed as she pulled a small light blue t-shirt from the rack, the front of it bearing a picture of Barbie. Angie would like it, she thought, she just had to guess the right size for a five year old. She pondered the shirt for a moment and then put it back and selected the next size; that looked better and if it was a little big, she'd grow into it or Natalie could throw it in the dryer and shrink it a little. She dropped the shirt into her shopping cart with the other gifts she picked out for Greg and for Jim's nieces and nephews.

Another sigh crossed her lips as she thought of Jim. What were they going to do now? She had been hoping that last night's encounter was something that they'd get over quickly…or maybe even something they ignored like everything else. They hadn't made a big deal out of what they had been doing on that picnic in Maryland so why should last night be such a big deal? "Because it was different," she thought to herself. Somehow it was different and they both knew it. Sure she might have been willing to go further that night in Maryland but somewhere inside she had known all along that they wouldn't…she couldn't say that for last night. But then she thought of how Jim had told her not to be sorry before she made her escape from his room. If he didn't want her to be sorry then why did he act the way he had? Why had things changed so much in that brief time between catching her in the hallway and the arrival of breakfast? Maybe time apart would do them good, maybe things would fix themselves that way but if it didn't…then they'd have to talk about it.

Talking about it wasn't a very appealing thought, Johanna mused as she pushed her cart along. They never talked about it when they skirted those boundary lines. They teased and the flirted…they kissed and sometimes touches got a little bold…but they never talked about it. The prospect of that conversation set off alarm bells for upsetting things and she didn't want that. She wanted to stay as they were and yet she wanted more too…she wanted more and yet she didn't feel ready to broach that conversation and deal with the ramifications of it. Staying where they were seemed like a good idea for the time being; she needed time…they needed time. If things were crossing more and more lines on their own, then surely things would naturally happen in their own good time and there was no reason for her to try to rush it along. She just had to act natural when they finally saw each other again; just act like the way they always did when the friendship boundary line got blurry. It happened; she hadn't minded and if it happened again than so be it…wasn't that their unspoken motto? Just brush it under the rug and go on as they had been?

Johanna stopped in front of a rack of summer dresses whose prices had been marked down. She plucked the silky black dress from the rack that she had been looking at earlier and admired its pattern of small white flowers. It was pretty and on sale and she dropped it in the cart as well and then continued on her way. Shopping could only solve so much and only make her feel a certain amount of better…and then there was that wayward thought that rolled through her mind; just how long could they brush things under the rug before it blew up in their faces?

Later that afternoon, Jim sat at a bar sipping a drink. He had gotten so accustomed to going everywhere with Johanna during their trip that he missed her presence next to him but her absence was necessary; at least that's what he kept telling himself. It was easier to keep his mind focused with her out of sight and out of reach. He was running out of things to do though. He had explored the town and went to a movie; he had gotten lunch and now he had been sitting in this bar for what seemed like forever. He wasn't ready to go back to the hotel though. He wasn't sure he was ready to face her just yet despite that part of him that was missing her. He knew he had sent her a mass of mixed signals that morning; going from awkward to teasing and then backsliding into a gruff demeanor. He felt bad about that and knew she had declined the invitation to meet up for dinner because of it. What were they going to do now? He hadn't meant to act short tempered with her, he was just mad at himself for letting them get into this mess.

It wasn't that he regretted it so to speak, and it wasn't that he didn't want her; of course he was sure he couldn't deny the fact that he wanted her. It wasn't like he never pondered the idea of having something more with Johanna; he did allow himself to wander down that road once in awhile but he just didn't feel like he was ready to take that step. He wasn't sure the time was right to take that risk…but now he had to wonder if she was going to start wanting more or if she was going to throw this in the same category as a summer fling? Jim frowned at the thought of classifying anything with Johanna as a fling, and then he remembered what he had said to her on the topic of no strings flings and he started to worry about the impression he had made. Was that why she had pulled back last night? Had she thought that he was making her into one of those flings and that he'd toss her aside when it was over? She couldn't really think that he'd do that to her…would she? She had to know that she was different and that he couldn't do that to her, right? But what if she did feel like he had been aiming for a no string summer fling that would be over when they went home?

Jim swallowed the contents of his glass and asked the bartender to pour him another one. What had already seemed complicated enough had reached a whole new level of complication in his mind. Why couldn't it just go away like everything else did? They never talked about kissing or hand holding or even sleeping in the same bed…it just happened and they went on about their business. It didn't seem like things were going to be that easy this time. Of course he could hope that things would be back to normal when they reunited later on…but somehow he doubted that he'd be that lucky. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Johanna. He cared about her deeply…and he'd be lying to himself if he didn't at least admit that he sometimes wondered if those feelings had spilled over into the romantic side of love. It wasn't that he deemed it a bad thing if he loved her…it just felt like a dangerous thing.

He scoffed at himself; it was ridiculous and yet he couldn't help it. He just wanted to keep hold of her and love was so messy and complicated and it always seemed to end in disaster. He just wasn't good at relationships and he didn't want to jeopardize what he had with Johanna…right now. The future remained to be seen and there were times when he yearned to have more with her. But he didn't see any reason to rush if that's where they were headed. Maybe if they took it slow and held off, things would work out if they did decide to be together one day. He blew out a breath; he didn't want to think about it any more but his brain just didn't want to shut up and it made his mood feel even surlier than before.

Johanna was somewhat surprised to see Jim standing in their suite as she swung open the door and dragged her shopping bags inside. She had half expected him to stay away for the majority of the evening; after all he had made it clear that he didn't want to see her for dinner. "Hey," she said softly as his eyes met hers.

"Hey," he replied, a tight lipped smile appearing on his lips. "Did you buy out all the stores?"

"No, I left a few things," she answered as she shut the door and carried her bags toward the sofa. "I got some things for Greg's birthday and some things to give him when I get back."

"Does he have a birthday coming up already?" Jim asked; doing his best to act normally and indulge in small talk.

"Yeah, September 24th…I can't believe he's going to be a year old already."

He gave her a small smile of acknowledgement and it grew quiet between them, a feeling of unease and uncertainty filling the air. Johanna scrambled to fill the void by reaching into her shopping bags, figuring it was better to ramble on about her purchases than to endure the silence.

"I saw this and got it for Alicia," she announced as she held up a little red and white dress. "I thought she'd look so cute in it…and then I saw the little red shoes that matched and the socks and hair barrettes and I just couldn't resist. I hope it fits her…I know she's only a few months younger than Greg so hopefully if anything it'll be a little big and she'll grow into it if it isn't the right size."

Jim's smile was more genuine this time. "It's cute…Natalie will love it. I'm sure she'll have Alicia dressed up in it as soon as an occasion calls for it."

She returned his smile but things still felt off. "I got Angie this shirt," she remarked, plucking the blue Barbie t-shirt from the bag.

"She'll love that."

"I also got her these headbands and barrettes. I know she's starting school this year…little girls need to feel pretty when they're facing those milestones."

"I wouldn't know anything about that."

"Take my word for it," Johanna stated. "I got her a Barbie doll too…a little going to kindergarten present."

"She'll be thrilled," he replied sincerely.

"I got Danny this truck and this little set of blocks…I thought he could put them in his trucks so he has something to haul around."

"Danny loves blocks," Jim remarked. "He'll really like those."

She gave a nod and rambled on. "Since Mikey's so good at drawing, I got him this set that has drawing paper and all kinds of crayons and markers and things like that. I also got him some Hot Wheels; I noticed that he had some."

"He loves them…he's really going to have a crush now."

A light blush colored her cheeks. "I got him a couple comic books too. Frankie always liked comic books when he was a boy…still does actually, so I thought Mikey might like them too."

"He will," Jim replied. "You didn't have to spend so much."

Johanna shrugged. "It really wasn't a lot. I like buying things for kids; they're more fun to shop for."

"I guess I better find them some presents too before we leave. They might think you like them more than I do."

"I'm sorry," she replied sheepishly. "I can take the stuff back if you want."

Jim looked at her oddly. "Why would I want you to do that?"

"I…I don't know. I don't want to overstep…"

"You're not. I didn't mean anything by what I said, Johanna. I intended to get them gifts; I always do when I go out of town. They'll love the things you got them."

"So you're okay with me buying them a few things?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know," she muttered, hating the tension that didn't seem to be easing.

He shifted on his feet as she began gathering up her bags once again. "Did you get something to eat?"

"Yeah, I grabbed some fries," Johanna answered as she rose from the sofa and carried some of the bags to her bedroom.

"Big surprise there," he commented, the statement sounding somewhat harsh to his own ears and that hadn't been his intent.

She tossed a sharp look over her shoulder. "That's all I was hungry for."

"I didn't mean anything by it."

"Is that your line for tonight?" she asked.

"No, you're the one taking everything the wrong way."

"Am I?"

"I don't know, are you? It seems like it to me," he stated as he followed behind her and stood outside her room.

"Maybe you're the one taking things the wrong way."

"What is there for me to take wrong?" he exclaimed. "All I did was make a few comments and you took them the wrong way."

"If I took them the wrong way it's because you gave me reason to."

"I did not!"

Johanna scoffed as she exited her room and once again he followed behind her. "Believe what you want," she remarked as she grabbed the rest of her bags and made the trek back to her room, feeling somewhat satisfied at his huff of annoyance as he followed her again.

"Jo, let's just start over. Did you enjoy your day?"

"It was fine," she replied, her tone slightly biting. "What did you do?"

"I went to a movie."

Johanna made herself take a calming breath and she softened her tone. "What did you see?"

"Jaws."

"Jaws!" she exclaimed. "Is a movie about a killer shark really the thing to see when you're at the beach?"

"I'm not worried," he replied with a light laugh. "It was a good movie…I could watch it again if you want to see it."

"Thanks but I think I'll pass. I intend to take a swim in the ocean and I don't need killer sharks in my mind while I'm doing it."

"Well it's not like there aren't real sharks out there, you know. There could be one out there in the water right now."

"Jim!"

"What? It's the truth."

"Well you don't have to jinx me! If I get ate by a shark now it's going to be all your fault."

"I'm not jinxing you!"

"Just the same I think I'll swim in the hotel pool tomorrow."

He smirked. "Chicken."

Johanna regarded him with a raised brow. "I don't see you taking a dip in the ocean."

"I will."

"When?"

"When I go with you."

"Oh so the shark can eat me while you get away?" she asked.

"I wouldn't do that to you. I'd try to save you."

"You'd only try? You wouldn't succeed?"

"Well it's a shark, Jo," he laughed. "There's only so much I can do."

"Let's not talk about sharks anymore. What else did you do?"

"I went to a car show that I stumbled on and I ate at a diner. Then I went to a bar and had a couple drinks while watching some fight on TV."

"Did you enjoy the car show?" she asked as she left her room, making him follow her once more.

"Yeah it was great. Did you do anything besides shop?"

"I got my nails done," Johanna replied as she held up a hand to show him her manicure.

"Don't you ever get tired of red?" Jim asked as he glanced at the glossy polish on her nails.

"It's my favorite color."

"That doesn't mean you have to wear it all the time. All the other women I know use a variety of colors."

Her expression clouded. "Well maybe I'm not like all the other women you know, Romeo."

Jim breathed deeply; he stuck his foot in his mouth again. "Jo, I..."

"Didn't mean anything by it," she finished for him. "Maybe they should make a song out of that and it can be your anthem."

"Johanna," he said tartly; his features showing his lack of amusement.

"What? I didn't mean anything by it."

"Don't be a smart ass."

"Then quit nitpicking me," she retorted. "Are you trying to start something with me?"

"No! I think I'm going out of my way not to."

"Really?"

He eyed her. "I'm done with this conversation."

"What are you going to do, Jim; leave again like you did this morning?"

"We said we were going our separate ways for the day. What's wrong with you, Jo?"

"Me? What's wrong with you? You're the one who can't seem to decide what mood to be in."

"Clearly you've decided what mood you're going to be in...and it's not one of your better ones, Johanna."

"Maybe that's because of how you're acting."

"Can we just stop this!" he all but yelled. "I don't want to do this."

"Neither do I!" she retorted and he saw the gleam of angry tears in her eyes.

Jim blew out a breath, his hands raising in a slight gesture of surrender. "Then let's just stop, okay? Apparently neither one of us is in that great of a mood."

Johanna nodded in agreement but remained silent.

"Listen, I haven't ate since lunch and if all you had all day was fries then you should probably eat something too, so how about I go order us something to eat and we just try to relax."

"Okay," she said softly as she brushed back a strand of hair that had come loose from the pins holding it back.

"What would you like?" he asked.

"A salad would be fine and a soda."

Jim nodded. "Alright, I'll be back."

Johanna sighed deeply as the door closed behind him. He could've just called downstairs but the fact that he'd rather make the trip seemed to speak volumes. He wanted to get away from her and it pricked at her sensitive feelings as uncertainty remained wrapped around her. Maybe she should start thinking about finding a flight home.

Later that evening, Johanna took a soda from the fridge and stared at it as she stood at the counter of the small kitchen area, keeping her back to the sofa as Jim sat there staring at the television. Dinner hadn't gone any better than breakfast had that morning. It was funny how quickly happiness could crash down. She had given into an urge last night and now it felt like things were on the verge of being ruined; worst of all, she wasn't sure how to stop it or fix it. They had barely said a word during dinner and she had felt uneasy in her own skin. He hadn't been comfortable either. They weren't used to this. There was of course occasions when one or the other was ill at ease but she wasn't sure that they'd ever been struck with those feelings at the same time before. Why did her life always have to be so damn complicated? What if he was bothered by what happened for reasons other than she had thought? Maybe he didn't want her; sure there had been plenty of evidence that he had desired her...but maybe he didn't want to desire her. Maybe he didn't want to see her that way...and maybe she was a fool destined to love a man who didn't love her back.

Her heart twisted painfully and she wished she could do things over and keep this from happening. Having some of him was better than having nothing and at the moment she felt like she was headed toward nothing. Frustration flowed through her veins and she felt like crying.

"Jo, are you going to open that or stand there all night looking at it?" Jim asked; startling her and pulling her from her thoughts.

She blinked, flicking her gaze away from the can of soda. "Sorry," she murmured, not only for day dreaming but for everything. She opened the fridge and put the soda back inside, deciding that she didn't really want it after all. When she closed the door and turned, she smacked into Jim's chest, not realizing that he had moved so close to her. His hands circled her waist to steady her, the world seemingly standing still as their eyes met.

She waited for him to speak but he said nothing, his hands remaining on her waist and his gaze dropping to her lips. "Please," she thought to herself; wishing that he would just kiss her; maybe it would make things better. Maybe it would solve the problem and ease the tension between them. Slowly he dipped his head, his mouth brushing hers lightly as her eyes fluttered shut. Her hands moved against his chest, gliding upwards until her arms were looped around him as he captured her lips in a second kiss. This was better, she mused. Their kisses steadily increased from slow and hesitant to a gentle tenderness before those fiery sparks drove them towards passion once more.

They broke apart for air but he didn't release his hold on her and she looked into his eyes to read what laid there, realizing that he wasn't angry with her, just like she wasn't angry with him. Some of her irrational thoughts felt silly now, although she still harbored some doubts and worries. She saw in Jim's eyes the same feelings she had; fear, uncertainty, frustration. If they were ever going to get past this, one of them was going to have to let it go...she had a feeling it would have to be her. She'd rather that they talk about it and wipe the slate clean but he didn't seem very inclined to that notion...if he was, he'd press the issue himself. She was about to speak but he dipped his head and caught her lips in a soft kiss, his hand moving to tangle in her hair. He repeated the gesture several times and then took a step back. For some odd reason, a flicker of hope sprang to life within her that he might say something after all, but then he dashed her hopes.

"I...I think I'll go for a walk," Jim stated quietly as he raked a hand through his hair. "Do you want to go?"

Johanna shook her head; forcing a small tight smile to her lips as disappointment washed over her. She wasn't sure that he really wanted her to go along and she wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to quell that uncontrollable urge to cry. "I think I'll just go to bed," she said softly.

Jim glanced at his watch. "It's only a little after nine...isn't that kind of early?"

"I have a little bit of a headache," she lied.

"Do you need me to go get you something for it?" he asked; his concern only making her feel worse.

"No; I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah...I'm sure sleep will take care of it," Johanna answered. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight," Jim whispered as she brushed past him and hurried toward her room. He sighed deeply; she was lying...he knew her tell. They were going to have to talk about this...and he just wasn't sure how to do it. He better go for that walk and figure it out because he wasn't going to go to bed until this was fixed.

She managed to shut herself in her room before the tears stung her eyes. The first teardrop broke free as she moved across the room and picked up the stuffed cat that he had won her at the carnival in Maryland. She clutched it to her, knowing it was somewhat childish to do so but she didn't care. She was desperate for comfort and clinging to an object that she connected to him seemed like the only thing to do. She had to fix this...and she would tomorrow; but tonight she'd cry out her frustrations and get over it.

Johanna laid quietly in the darkness, her back to the door as she gazed out the open window. The wind ruffled the gauzy curtains, the fresh air caressing her face as she listened to Jim pace the hallway. Every so often he'd pause at her door and she'd wait for him to knock but then he'd walk away and resume his pacing. Clearly he was debating about sharing what was on his mind. She didn't blame him for being hesitant about it; with things bouncing back and forth between normalcy and awkwardness, she knew they were going to have to talk…and she wasn't exactly looking forward to it herself. She sighed as she listened to him pace and pause and pace again. He was tormenting himself and she didn't want that. It was better to just get it over with.

"Jim," Johanna called out.

His footsteps paused and there was silence for a moment. "Yeah," he said hesitantly.

"Get in here before you wear a hole in the floor."

She listened as his feet shuffled to the door and stopped. "It's not locked," she stated; letting him know that she was aware of the fact that he was stalling.

The door cracked open but she remained on her side, facing the window as he stepped inside. As he approached the bed, she raised the sheet in invitation to him. Jim hesitated for a second and then slipped in beside her, not daring to touch her. Apparently Johanna had other ideas though as she reached behind her, searching for his hand. When she found it, she pulled his arm around her, bringing him closer to her.

"Do you want to tell me what's on your mind?" she asked quietly.

"I think you probably know."

Johanna caressed his hand. "What about it?"

A weighted breath escaped him. "I don't know exactly…I just…how long is it going to be like this between us, Jo?"

"What do you mean exactly?"

"The awkwardness," he replied.

"I don't know…I guess until we talk about it…in a serious way."

Jim scoffed lightly. "I'm not sure I know how."

"I'm not exactly sure either…but we can either try or we can just hope that it goes away on its own…but if that's what you wanted, you wouldn't be pacing outside my door."

"What do you want to do?"

"I want us to feel better. I don't want there to be awkwardness between us. I just want us to be…us."

"I want that too."

"Then tell me what's on your mind, Jim," she said softly, keeping hold of his hand.

"Johanna," he breathed.

"What, honey?"

"I don't know how to say these things without them coming out sounding like something they're not," he told her; aggravation coloring his tone.

Her fingers caressed his soothingly. "What if I promise not to jump to conclusions until you've fully explained what you mean?"

"Can you do that?"

"Yes."

Jim took a breath; trying to phrase his thoughts just right. "The other night when we were talking about our pasts…I'm afraid I might have given you the wrong impression about me."

"How so?"

"With talk of flings and good times…"

"What about it?"

"I…I don't want you to think that I was trying to turn you into just another good time or fling…"

"I never said you were."

"I know…but…I just need you to know that I wasn't; that isn't what you are to me."

Johanna had to force herself not jump to conclusions at that remark; fearing she was about to hear that old adage, you're not my type. "Meaning what?"

"Meaning that…you're different," he replied and then he sighed deeply. "I can't deny being attracted to you, Johanna."

She was quiet for a moment as she digested that, although it wasn't a fact that she hadn't known already…if he wasn't attracted, they wouldn't be in this predicament. "I'm attracted to you too," she whispered. "I don't think either one of us can deny anything in that area."

'No, I guess we can't…I care about you, Jo."

"I care about you too, Jim."

"Jo…"

"What?"

"I think we have a good thing. I don't want to lose you."

"Who said I was going anywhere?"

"No one did…but now…"

"Jim; if you're worried that I have some kind of expectation because of last night…I don't. If I made you feel like I did, I'm sorry…"

"No," he interrupted; "See, I told you I don't know how to do this."

"You're doing fine…I'm a big girl, I can take whatever it is that you're going to say."

'You're assuming it's bad."

"That seems to be my nature," Johanna said quietly.

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You're not…things got out of hand and it's my fault; I'm sorry. It won't happen again and it doesn't have to change anything between us, okay?"

Jim blew out a breath. "Don't do that; you said you weren't going to do that."

"Do what?"

"Jump to conclusions. You said you wouldn't…and yet you're jumping pretty high here."

She desperately tried to quell the hurt that had begun to throb in her heart; apparently she wasn't good at not jumping to conclusions after all. "I guess that's a knee jerk reaction when someone says that they don't want to hurt you…."

"I just meant that I don't want to lose you and I don't want to hurt you…ever. I care about you…."

"Do you feel like we did something wrong?" she asked.

"Do you?"

"I asked you first."

"I know…but I want to know what you think."

"And I want to know what you think. If you think it was wrong, just say so; I won't be mad."

"How could it be wrong when it felt so good," Jim muttered without realizing until her soft laughter filled his ear.

"Did I say that out loud?" he asked.

"Yes," she said in amusement.

"Then I guess you know where I stand…and I want to know your answer…without taking mine into consideration."

"I don't feel like we did anything wrong," Johanna stated. "I think we just got caught up in the moment…it went a little further than we're used to but I don't think there was any harm done. At least if we don't allow it to cause harm…and I see no reason why we should."

"You're right about that; I don't want it to cause harm. I just didn't want you to think that I was using you or trying to make you a notch on my bedpost like other people have done to you."

"I never thought for a moment that you were, Jim…and I want you to know that I didn't start pulling back because I thought so or because I didn't want you…I did…I just don't jump into those things on a whim. I guess past experience has made me cautious now…especially when it's someone I care about as much as you."

"I understand," he replied. "I want to be careful too…because like I said, you're different…you mean something to me, Johanna."

"I know."

"I like what we have."

"So do I."

"I like where we're at…right now."

"Right now?" she questioned softly; hoping she was reading that right.

"Yeah…right now…do you understand what I mean?"

"I think so," she said. "You're saying that you're not ruling out that right now could change one day?"

"Yeah…is that okay?"

Johanna nodded. "Yes…I like where we're at right now too…it's a good place…do you understand what I mean?"

If he read between the lines correctly; she was saying she wasn't ready to make any changes either. "I think you're saying that you don't see any reason for us to change our ways right now...because of this one little incident."

"Right…things are fine right now…but I'm also not ruling out that right now could change one day."

"So we're okay?" he asked.

"I'm okay if you are."

"Does okay mean we're going to get back to normal? We don't have any fun when we're not being ourselves."

She laughed softly. "Yeah; I think we're going to be fine now."

"I'm glad; I was worried," he said as he adjusted his hold on her; his brow furrowing in puzzlement as he felt something nestled against her. "What do you have beside you?"

"You," she quipped.

"You know what I mean," he said; untangling his hand from hers and searching for the object. She tried to beat him to it, but he got a hold of it first and held it up in the moonlight so he could see. "Is that your cat?"

"Don't make fun of me," Johanna half laughed and half begged.

"Can I at least laugh?"

"You already are," she replied as she snatched the stuffed animal from his hand.

"Do you want to tell me why you're sleeping with a stuffed animal?" he chuckled.

"For starters; I wasn't sleeping. If I had been, you'd still be pacing in the hallway…and second…I guess I just needed a friend to hold on to while I worried and the cat was all that was available."

"You were worried?"

"Of course I was worried…I didn't want to screw things up between us. I don't want to lose you either, you know."

A thought struck him then. "Are you keeping your back to me because you've been in here crying?"

"I'd rather not answer that question," she replied; keeping her cat clutched to her.

"Which pretty much says it all," he replied; wrapping his arm around her once again as he pressed a kiss to her head. "I guess that's why you went to bed early with that 'headache'."

"Yeah…I guess it is," she murmured. "I guess you probably don't want to make fun of me for this in light of that, right?"

"Right…I'm glad Kitty was here for you since you didn't come to me…and you could have."

"Says the man who spent an hour pacing in front of my door."

"We'll do better tomorrow," he promised as he patted her hand.

"I hope so…and did you just name my cat Kitty?"

"Yes; in homage to our carousel ride at the carnival where she was won…do you have a problem with that?"

"No," she laughed. "No problem at all; she should have a name."

"Is Kitty the love child of our pretend marriage?" Jim asked; amusement lacing his tone.

Johanna laughed. "I think the proper term would probably be love kitten."

His laughter filled her ear and she relaxed, feeling like they were back to where they needed to be. Nothing had really changed…but then again, she felt like there was the promise that things would when the time was right…or at least that's what she was choosing to believe.

"Should I go back to my room?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"Do you want to?"

"Do you want me to?"

"It's okay with me if you stay...maybe you should so you know that you can."

It was a cryptic message in some ways but he got the gist of it; if he wanted to stay he should; if only to prove to himself that he could and that things were fine between them. "Goodnight, sweetheart," he whispered; tightening his hold on her.

Johanna moved her stuffed feline friend to the nightstand and then turned in his embrace; snuggling against his chest as she did so. "Goodnight, honey."

It was after ten the next morning when Johanna slipped out from beneath Jim's arm. She was glad that they had talked last night, she felt better about things now and confident that they'd be able to be themselves again now that they had cleared the air. She was also glad that he had stayed last night. If he hadn't, she probably would've laid awake all night analyzing every little thing that had been said and then convincing herself of things that weren't true. Staying had proved that he had been sincere...and maybe it proved something else too but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. That was alright, she didn't need to; Johanna thought to herself as she slipped on her robe and quietly crossed the room to the door as she left him asleep in her bed. All that mattered was that things felt better now...and that she had woke up next to him.

When Johanna returned to her room after getting ready for the day, Jim was still sprawled out in her bed. She smiled as she perched next to him, her fingers slipping into his sleep disheveled hair, combing through it absentmindedly and putting it to rights as she concentrated on the color. Jim's hair was almost as dark as hers but where hers bordered close to being black, his was undoubtedly brown. Johanna smirked a little; lucky him. He was spared the debates she sometimes found herself in when she had to convince someone that her hair was indeed dark brown. Her gaze strayed to his face...a very handsome face, she mused and of course it wasn't the first time she had entertained those thoughts. Those blue eyes she loved so much were still closed as her fingers moved from his hair and trailed lightly along the curve of his face.

"Why are you watching me?" Jim mumbled sleepily, his eyes remaining shut.

"Because you're cute when you're asleep," she teased; "Like an innocent little boy."

He scoffed. "I don't want that on my record...think of something else."

Johanna laughed. "Okay...I was spellbound by your handsomeness and I had no choice but to admire you."

"That's better."

She lightly flicked his earlobe. "Are you getting up? I'm going to call downstairs and order breakfast."

Jim shook his head. "I want to sleep some more."

"It's after ten."

"I don't care," he remarked as he moved to lay on her pillow.

"Lazy."

"That's what vacations are for, sweetheart," he mumbled.

"Alright, be that way," she said; "But don't get mad at me if I only order enough food for me."

"You're in no danger of my ire," he replied. "Goodnight."

Johanna ate breakfast alone and then channel surfed, but by 11:30, boredom was gnawing at her. She got up from the couch and made the trek to her bedroom. Jim was still sleeping like a baby. She grabbed her swimsuit and went into the bathroom to change. Returning to the room, she climbed onto the bed and shook him. "Get up," she proclaimed.

"Why?" Jim asked.

"Because I'm going swimming."

"In the ocean?"

"No, in the pool."

"Then it's not a good enough reason," he replied. "Now if you were going into the ocean on a shark hunt...I'd get up."

She smirked. "I'm wearing a bikini."

Jim cracked an eye open to study her. "Liar, you're completely clothed," he responded as he took note of her shorts and black tank top. "It's not nice to lie like that."

"It's under my clothes, what do you want me to do, flash you?"

His brow rose. "Would you?"

A mischievous smile crossed her lips. "Sure."

"Really?"

"Of course," she replied seductively; taking satisfaction at the hitch in his breath.

"Go ahead, I'm ready."

Johanna took hold of the strap of her tank top and lowered it from her shoulder, revealing the hot pink strap of her bikini top. "There it is," she remarked.

Jim eyed her. "That's all I get?"

"If you want to see the rest, drag your ass out of my bed and come down to the pool."

"That's cruel, Jo. I'm wounded. I think I'll just go back to sleep and dream about when you were sweet and nice."

Johanna grabbed the unoccupied pillow and hit him with it. "You just want to be lazy and any excuse will do. Get up; it's almost noon, you won't sleep tonight."

He smirked. "Impersonating my mother will get you no where."

"Now who's cruel?" Johanna asked.

"We'll just call it even."

She sighed. "Fine, I'm leaving. I'll be down at the pool if you ever decide to get up."

"I'll be down in a little while," he promised.

"Will you?"

"Of course...there's a bikini I have to see...rumor has it that you're in it."

Johanna laughed. "The show won't last all day so you better not wait too long."

"So what do you think?" Sharon asked as she stood in the break room with Jeff.

"Think about what?" he replied as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Do you think Johanna and Jim are on vacation together?"

Jeff leaned back against the counter, looking thoughtful as he pondered the idea. "Well let's look at the evidence. They both left on the same day and their time off is exactly the same. Neither one of them said where they were going. They didn't leave any contact information and they both seemed secretive. I might be going out on a limb here but I'm thinking that odds are pretty good that they hopped in the car together and took off."

Sharon nodded. "That's what I've been thinking. It isn't like Jo not to share her plans and she doesn't usually dodge questions about where she's going…and I've never known her to leave the city without telling me where I can reach her in case of an emergency."

"She doesn't want to be found," Jeff replied. "Jim wasn't giving away anything either and he usually lets me know how to get a hold of him but he didn't this time, so I figure he doesn't want anyone finding him…and his only reason for that would be a woman…and Sassy is most definitely a woman…a suspiciously absent woman as previously mentioned."

The secretary smirked at him in amusement. "Her absence isn't suspicious; just her whereabouts and who she went with."

"They're together," he remarked. "They just think they're getting one over on us. That last day they were here I saw Jim and Sassy with their heads together and when they saw me they stopped talking…but Sassy couldn't hide that glimmer of excitement in her eyes and Jim was in pretty good spirits too. All we can do is hope that after they hopped in the car and went to wherever it is that they went, that they then hopped on each other."

"Jeff!"

"What?" he laughed. "Come on, Sharon; if there were ever two people who needed to sleep together it's them. Good God, they look at each other a certain way and I start worrying about the sprinklers going off."

The secretary laughed. "I know; the temperature does seem to rise when they're together. I think if Jim would pull his head out of the sand and make a move she'd go along with it and then maybe some of that…tension would ease."

"I think he's waiting on a sign from her."

"Like what?"

"Beats the hell out of me," Jeff replied. "Personally, I don't think it could be any more obvious that she's in love with him…but it's possible that Jim's blind as a bat."

"Well what about him?" Sharon asked. "Where does he stand in regard to her?"

"If you're hoping he's made a heartfelt confession to me, you're out of luck. The most I've gotten out of him is an admittance that he's attracted to her."

"That's breaking news," she scoffed. "Everybody and their brother knows he's attracted to her."

He laughed. "I think he believes that's still relatively secret. What about Jo; have you gotten anything out of her?"

"Not nearly enough," she replied, choosing her words carefully so that she wouldn't break her friend's confidence. "She's admitted to attraction but she hasn't put a name on anything…she cares about him."

"That much is obvious."

"I think she's waiting for him to take the next step."

"Great; they're both waiting on each other to take the next step…we're never going to get anywhere with them," Jeff stated.

"I told her that maybe she should cook him dinner and dress sexy…and let what happens happen."

Jeff scoffed. "Sassy doesn't have to go to the trouble of dressing sexy. All she has to do is brush up against him and his brain is off and running."

"Well maybe he needs to act on it."

"If he has any sense he is right now."

"What do you think the chances of that are? I mean if they are on vacation together…two weeks in a hotel, no one around to know…it's bound to happen, right?"

"If we're talking about normal people, I'd say yes, it's bound to happen in that scenario," he replied. "But we're talking about Jim and Johanna…and while I love them dearly, clearly they aren't exactly normal or we wouldn't need to have this conversation. I hope for all of our sakes that they're letting things take its course…because if they don't do something about it soon, something's bound to blow and someone's going to get hurt."

Sharon nodded in agreement. "But knowing them they're not doing a damn thing about it."

"Yeah; it's too much to hope for."

"We might have to do something about them," the secretary proclaimed. "We might have to nudge them along."

"How?"

"I don't know but I'll think of something."

Jeff grinned at her. "I'm game…but if anyone asks, I know nothing about your devious mindset and this conversation never happened."

Jim couldn't really get back to sleep after Johanna left but he gave it a try for a half hour before finally dragging himself from her bed. He took his time getting ready and stopped for a bite to eat in the hotel dining room before heading for the back of the hotel so that he could find Johanna out by the pool. He wasn't sure what they'd find to do today but he wanted to spend some time with her to make up for the day before. Things had been so off balanced that he had worried that their trip would be spoiled but things seemed to be fine now. He was glad that they had talked about it…it had been a little uneasy but at least the air was cleared and they could move on.

The object of his affection and attention smacked into him as he neared the door. "We keep doing this," Jim remarked as he caught hold of her, his eyes raking over her figure which was now clad in a damp bikini top and shorts.

"It is getting to be a habit," she agreed. "Do you have any money in your pockets?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Can I borrow a few dollars?" she asked. "People keep disappearing around the side of the building and they're coming back with ice cream and I want some."

"Well we can't have you being deprived," he grinned as he dug a few dollars out of his pocket and handed it to her.

"Thanks," she replied; pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I'll pay you back when we go back upstairs."

"Don't be ridiculous, I think I can afford to buy you an ice cream."

"Do you want me to get you one?"

"No, I just ate."

"I'll be right back then," Johanna said as they stepped outside the building. "I'm sitting at that table there," she said with a flick of her wrist before hurrying away.

As Jim sat at the pool side table waiting for Johanna to return with the dish of ice cream she had been craving, he felt someone watching him. He allowed his eyes to casually scan the area and when he found the person who was watching him, he had to suppress a groan. He hadn't seen Mandy Hyatt in years...or he should say Mandy Richardson; seeing as how she married the man she had dumped him for. A quick glance to the woman's right showed that Simon Richardson was at her side. Another internal groan. Did the universe have it out for him? What were the odds that those two would surface there of all places...and just days after he had told Johanna the story of his teenage heartbreak. Oh how he wished Johanna was still sitting next to him in that moment, Mandy had been pretty enough in high school...but she was no Johanna McKenzie; and there was a part of him that still held a little bruise in regard to that heartache that wanted her to see him with such a beautiful woman at his side...wanted her and Simon to see it, so they'd both know that he hadn't curled up and died over their actions so long ago. Jim prayed that they would stay on the other side of the pool area but they rose and headed in his direction, causing him to mutter a curse under his breath.

"Jimmy," Mandy said as she neared. "I just knew that was you."

Jim forced a small smile to his lips as he met her eye; had her voice always been that high pitched? "Yeah, it's me...Mandy, right?"

She laughed and he resisted the urge to cringe. "Oh, Jimmy; you always were a kidder, you know it's me."

"Yeah, I guess I do," he smirked; his gaze shifting to her husband. "Simon."

Simon gave him an arrogant grin. "What, you're not going to pretend like you don't remember me?"

"Well I could but I doubt it would do me any good."

The man laughed as he and Mandy pulled out chairs and sat down without being invited. "How are you doing, Jim?" Simon asked.

"I'm fine."

"When I saw you sitting here; I told Simon that we just couldn't let you sit here alone," Mandy remarked.

"I'm not alone."

"Did you give up on real women and get an imaginary girlfriend?" Simon questioned as he gestured to the empty chair next to Jim.

Jim smirked at him and picked up Johanna's black tank top from the seat of the chair and made a show of laying it over the back. "No; she's very real."

They looked unconvinced despite the article of clothing that he had displayed until he caught sight of her as she headed their way. "There she is now," he remarked.

He smiled as he caught the flicker of jealousy on Mandy's face as she scanned Johanna's figure. She always had hated to see someone that looked better than her...and she was getting an eyeful of better, Jim thought to himself as he watched the woman in question. Johanna was a vision to behold in his opinion; she had the body and grace of a dancer and most of it was on display thanks to her hot pink bikini top and short jean cutoffs that sat low on her hips. Her lightly tanned skin was nearly flawless and her dark hair still held a curl from her earlier dip in the pool. He could tell that she was sizing up their guests but to the untrained eye, no one would suspect as much as she continued on her way. Jim's smile softened as he kept his eyes on her. He loved admiring her bare shapely legs and he loved to watch her walk, the gentle sway of her hips and the sassy confidence that each step seemed to convey. Yes, she was a sight to behold, and as he caught Simon ogling her; a flare of possessiveness sprung to life. If Simon Richardson even thought about laying a finger on her, he'd kill him.

"There you are, sweetheart," Jim said as she sat her dish of ice cream down on the table. "I was starting to think you had gotten lost."

"There was a long line," she replied with a smile as she held out a plastic spoon to him. "I thought you might like to share with me."

"Thank you," he replied; caressing her fingers as he accepted the spoon. "That's nice of you."

"Are you going to introduce me to your friends?" Johanna asked.

"Oh they're just people I knew in high school," he replied. "This is Mandy and Simon."

"Mandy?" she repeated lightly as she held his gaze. "You mean the Mandy that you had that silly little crush on in high school?"

Jim smiled brightly as he caught sight of the indignation on Mandy's face at having their relationship branded as a silly little crush. It was all he could do to keep from kissing Johanna right then and there. "Yeah; that's the one I was telling you about. Mandy; Simon, this is Johanna."

She smiled and greeted them as she sat down next to Jim and dipped her spoon into her ice cream.

"I'd hardly call our relationship a silly crush, Jimmy," Mandy remarked.

"I guess not back then; but when you look back at it now, that's really all it was," he replied as he casually dropped an arm across the back of Johanna's chair.

"I'd beg to differ."

He shrugged. "You're entitled to that."

"What has Jim told you about me?" Simon asked Johanna.

She pretended to think about it for a moment; carefully schooling her features to remain blank. "I don't believe he's ever mentioned you."

Jim stifled a laugh as Simon was suddenly at a loss for words, clearly still under the impression that the world revolved around him. Mandy's gaze had flicked to their left hands and she smiled smugly as she saw the absence of rings. "I see you're still unmarried, Jimmy; I can't say that I'm surprised."

"Oh he's not going to be unmarried for long," Johanna remarked before Jim could even open his mouth. "We're engaged."

Mandy's brow rose. "Oh really? Then where is your ring?"

"It's at a jewelry store in New York having a piece taken out of the band. It was a little too big."

The other woman laughed and flicked a piece of auburn hair over her shoulder. "Leave it to you, Jimmy, to buy the wrong size."

"It's no fault of his," Johanna replied. "The ring is a family heirloom and it's a size too big but he's having it fixed. Even if it was a perfect fit I wouldn't wear a ring that valuable to the beach. It could slip off my finger and I'd be devastated; not to mention that I'd never be able to face Grandma Lilly again."

Jim smiled as Mandy's lips pressed into a thin line as she obviously recalled the large diamond that his grandmother wore. "I was under the impression that your grandmother didn't think anyone was good enough for you."

"No; that's not true at all. She loved Johanna right from the start."

"Well if you ask me, it sounds like you were just too cheap to buy your own ring," Simon laughed.

"No; I was all set to buy a ring, but Grandma adores Johanna so much that when I told her my plans, she insisted that I take hers."

"Jim offered to buy me any ring I wanted if I didn't want Grandma's," Johanna added; "But I love the ring and I wouldn't think of trading it for anything else. It's not only a symbol of being chosen by Jim; it's also a symbol that I've been welcomed into his family, and that is very important to me."

Mandy subtly rolled her eyes. "I'd rather not have hand me downs."

"You obviously miss the significance of an heirloom," Johanna replied coolly.

The other woman laughed as she sized up her opponent. "Forgive me for saying so, but you just don't seem like Jimmy's type."

"No offense taken," she replied. "I was thinking the same thing about you. I guess it's true what they say; when we grow up our tastes become more mature and refined. Isn't that right, honey?" she asked as her eyes met Jim's.

His arm wrapped around her shoulders, his hand caressing her arm. "That's very true, sweetheart."

Johanna turned her gaze back to the woman who had ripped his young heart out long ago. "I do have to thank you, Mandy."

"Oh? What for?" she asked.

"For letting Jim slip through your fingers," Johanna answered. "He's the greatest man I've ever known; so very warm and loving; kind, compassionate, hard working. He treats me like a queen; giving me everything I need or want and he takes such good care of me. I can't believe anyone would let him get away, but I'm so grateful that they have...because your loss and theirs has been my gain."

Mandy looked like she was sucking on a lemon and Jim's heart swelled. He hadn't asked her to take his old girlfriend down a peg; but she had, righting a wrong that she felt had been done to him. He brushed a kiss against her temple. "I'm glad to be your gain," he murmured; "God knows you're mine and I'm grateful to the fools who let you get away."

"Boy; you sure have her trained, Jim," Simon remarked.

"There's no training necessary when an emotion is pure and true," Johanna retorted.

"Where did you find your little gift?" Mandy asked tartly.

"At work," he answered.

"What do you do now, work for your father?" Simon asked.

Jim detected the thinly disguised barb in the statement. "No; I'm an attorney. I work at the firm of Stanford, Myers and Roche; one of the top firms in the city."

"Really; you actually made it through law school? I didn't think you would."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised that you thought that. You always did think you were smarter than everyone."

"Well I was third in our class and you were only fifth."

"Apparently those high school rankings don't account for much," Johanna replied. "Jim is very good at his job and highly sought after. Just last month he won a case worth half a million dollars. It was in the paper; I'm surprised you didn't see it."

"We don't pay much attention to newspapers," Mandy sniffed.

"Well that's alright, the people who matter are well aware of his successes and I for one am very proud of him," Johanna said with a warm smile as she caressed his face lovingly.

Jim caught her hand and pressed a sensual kiss to it as he held her gaze. "I'm proud of you too, sweetheart." Without much though, she leaned towards him and brushed her lips against his.

"Are you his secretary?" Mandy asked.

"No; I'm a lawyer."

Simon scoffed. "Do you think it's wise to hook up with someone in the same profession as you, Jim? You know what they say about career women."

Johanna's brow rose. "And what would that be?"

The man grinned smugly. "Oh you know; that you're uptight and think you don't need a man and how you can do everything a man does."

"Well for starters, women are capable of being more than housewives and baby makers," Johanna stated; "And second; I don't need a man and I don't believe in just being with someone because you need to...you should want to. So yes, it's true; I don't need a man; but I want one...and I want the one I chose because he is far superior to all the rest. He respects me and he treats me as an equal."

"And she's never been uptight," Jim added. "She's always been a warm, loving woman; and I'll thank you to keep your sexist remarks to yourself, Simon; or I just might have to punch you in the mouth."

Simon smirked and turned his attention to Johanna. "You might want to watch him; he's got a temper."

She smiled; swiping away a small drop of ice cream that had fallen off the spoon and was sliding down Jim's chin. She licked the substance from her finger; causing his mouth to go dry as she eyed his nemesis. "I know all about his temper. I find it incredibly sexy. I have a temper of my own...it keeps things spicy, and we like that, don't we, darling?"

"God yes," he managed to choke out. "No one's as sexy as you when you're riled, Jo."

She gave him a sassy smile; making a show of dropping her hand to his thigh and gliding her fingertips against the denim of jeans. If she kept that up, they'd be making a hasty exit, he thought to himself as he barely heard her asking Simon what profession he was in.

Simon stammered for a moment before answering Johanna's question about his occupation. "I manage a department store."

That statement was enough to drag Jim's focus back to where it needed to be. "What happened to medical school, Simon?" he asked.

"I decided it wasn't what I wanted," Simon replied nonchalantly.

"Couldn't hack it, huh?"

His nemesis glared at him. "No; I just changed my mind."

Jim nodded as if he believed that but then a thought came to mind and he turned his attention to Mandy. "Doesn't your father own a few department stores, Mandy?"

"Yes," she replied haughtily.

He grinned as he returned his focus to Simon. "So, you got one of those son-in-law jobs, do you? Good for you."

Simon scowled at him but he pretended to be oblivious as he once again shifted his gaze back to his ex. "What about you, Mandy? Did you study design like you always talked about?"

"I had to leave school to take care of the baby," she replied; bitterness coloring her tone.

"How many children do you have?" Johanna asked.

"Three."

"Wow," Jim replied; "I guess you two didn't waste any time. You always said you didn't like kids, Mandy."

Her brown eyes narrowed. "Well that doesn't keep them from coming along."

"I hear condoms are good for preventing it if it's something you don't want," Johanna remarked casually as she scooped up a bite of her ice cream. "There's also the pill."

Jim bit back a laugh as he noted the huffy look on Mandy's face at the remark. "Did you bring your kids?" he asked.

Mandy looked at him as if he was crazy. "Of course not! What kind of vacation would that be? They're with Simon's mother."

"Well they're called family vacations for a reason," he replied. "My parents took me and my siblings on vacation; so did Johanna's."

"And I'll be taking my kids on vacation with me," Johanna stated. "I love babies and I'll want mine to be wherever I am. The beach is a fun place for kids; swimming and playing in the sand and collecting seashells…"

"Well I guess we can't all be as perfect as you and I don't need vacation tips or parenting advice from you," Mandy interrupted; her tone sharp and icy.

"I wasn't giving tips or advice; I was merely making a statement. How you choose to interpret it is your problem."

"When are you getting married, Jimmy?" Mandy asked; dismissing Johanna with a turn of her head.

"We haven't set a date yet."

"Oh? Not so sure you're going to go through with it?"

Johanna laughed. "Good lord, we just got engaged last month; we're still celebrating, which is why were here. We figure we'll marry sometime next summer but there's no hurry to set a date."

"We want to enjoy our engagement first," Jim added.

"Sounds like hemming and hawing to me," Simon replied.

'It's not like that at all; you see I'm not a woman who likes to be rushed. I like to take my time and enjoy the ride," Johanna remarked; her tone carrying a seductive lilt as she looked at Jim. "Isn't that right, honey? We like to take things nice and slow…so we can savor them."

Jim swallowed hard; trying desperately not to let his mind run wild with those suggestive thoughts. "Yes; that's exactly how we like it…I do enjoy taking my time with you." Or at least he'd like to take his time with her, his traitorous mind whispered.

She smiled; her fingertips grazing his jaw line before shifting her attention back to their guests. "When you rush into things, you sometimes end up with something you don't want and then can't get out of."

Simon glared at her. "I'm surprised Jim hasn't told you about how I stole Mandy away from him."

"I'm sure he would have if he had felt it was worth the mention," she shot back without batting an eye.

Jim laughed. "It is ancient history after all and it wasn't that big of a deal. It wasn't like she was my wife or anything. She was just a girl I was seeing."

"Just a girl?" Mandy cried indignantly. "If you ask me, you were pretty upset about it at the time."

He shrugged. "That's how it is when you're sixteen and you think someone cares about you…and you realize they don't. It stings for a minute, but then you realize that what was important one day isn't important the next and you get over it and move on. It's like my father said; things like that usually happen because there's something greater on the horizon that's waiting for you to find it. I guess I should thank you, Simon; for taking Mandy off my hands. It was a learning experience and it proved my father right. There was something better for me on the horizon," Jim said as he rubbed Johanna's arm.

"We need to get going," Mandy said abruptly as she rose from her chair; her husband following suit. "It was nice seeing you, Jimmy."

"You too," he smiled.

"It was nice meeting you, Mandy," Johanna added with a pointed smile.

The other woman glared at her and stalked off; Simon following with barely a goodbye. Once they were gone, Johanna looked to Jim. "Did I do good?"

He smirked. "If you had done any better, we would've been the ones making a hasty exit."

She smiled as she caught his meaning. "So what did it for you, honey? Singing your praises, pissing her off, or that mention about our spicy relationship?"

"I think it was when you licked the ice cream off your finger that you had swiped off my face."

"Hmm..well I do hate to see ice cream go to waste."

His lips were on hers before she could even blink; his kiss searing and demanding, leaving her breathless when he ended it. She quickly recovered her composure, although her heart was still beating wildly. "Wow, what was on my face that you didn't want to see go to waste?"

"Your lips," he replied as he got up from the chair. "I'm going upstairs and change so I can go for a swim."

Johanna nodded. "I think I'll dive back into the pool myself."

"Jim," Johanna's voice whispered in the dim early light the next morning as she shook his shoulder.

Jim stirred slightly but didn't fully awaken; his mind caught in a hazy dream like state. He felt a slender feminine hand move across his chest, sending a jolt of desire through his body. The scent of strawberries and suntan lotion filled his nose, a combination of scents that only Johanna could make intoxicating. He expelled a contented breath as the sound of his name tumbled from her lips once more. His hands reached out blindly, searching for the warm figure that was taunting him with her touches and sexy whispers. Upon finding her, he tugged her against him, anxious to feel her weight settling against him. The feel of soft dark hair brushed against his cheek as she fell against his chest and he turned his face to nuzzle the silky mass.

Johanna gave a soft short laugh, thinking that he was awake and merely toying with her in fun. A glance at his face told her that he was still asleep and as his hand fell to the curve of her hip in a sensual caress, she realized that he was caught up in some sort of dream.

Jim frowned in his sleep as his mind tried to figure out why things weren't going the way they usually did. He should have the taste of her kiss on his lips, there should be smooth soft skin beneath his fingertips...her body should've shifted, those warm curves fitting against the planes of his body as if she had been made just for him. This wasn't the right dream at all.

"Jim," Johanna said once again, her tone louder this time.

His frown deepened; that wasn't the right tone of voice. The fog began to lift and his eyes flicked open and peered up at Johanna's questioning gaze. "This isn't the way it goes," he mumbled sleepily without meaning to.

"What isn't the way it goes?"

"Nothing," he answered; shaking off his dream and minor disappointment. "What are you doing up? The sun isn't even up yet."

"But it will be soon," Johanna replied quietly as she gestured toward the window where the light was already beginning to change. "I want to collect seashells...I thought maybe you'd go with me."

"Seashells?"

"Yeah…it's the best time to get them…and I always get a seashell when I go to the beach."

He wasn't all that keen to get out of bed and his face must've showed it as she pressed a kiss to his cheek and gave him a small smile. "Go back to sleep; I'll be back in a little while."

"You're not going to go by yourself are you?" he asked.

"Yes; but don't worry, I'm a big girl. I'll be fine. I'll be back in time for breakfast." She moved off of the bed and he took note of the fact that she was already dressed in a pair of worn looking jean shorts and a t-shirt. She shoved her feet into her sandals which she had abandoned beside the bed and then moved toward the door.

"Jo," he called after her.

"Yeah?"

"Give me time to get ready."

"You don't have to go," she replied. "I'm not bothered about going alone."

"No," he said with a shake of his head. "I'll go with you; just let me get awake and get dressed."

"Are you sure? I probably shouldn't have woke you."

"I don't mind," Jim replied; "But the next time you crawl on me this early in the morning, you better mean business."

She smirked at his teasing tone. "I didn't crawl on you, you pulled me down...apparently you wanted to act out whatever it was you were dreaming about."

He grinned. "Do you want me to tell you about it?"

"No; I'm sure I have a pretty good idea about what it was...I just hope you weren't mistaking me for some cheap bimbo that caught your eye during the course of your life."

Jim laughed. "No; I assure you that I wasn't mistaking you for anyone. I could never mistake you, sweetheart."

The shadows lingering in the room kept him from clearly seeing her face but he was sure a blush had blossomed across her cheeks as she turned her head away from him. "I'll be waiting on the couch," she remarked as she stepped across the threshold of the room.

The sun was up by the time Jim and Johanna began their walk along the beach. Johanna snapped a few pictures before she began her search for seashells. It seemed to be her lucky day, Jim thought to himself as the small bag she had brought along quickly filled with her treasures. As she continued on, something caught her eye and she hurried toward it, making him smile in response as he followed behind her; her camera and shoes occupying his hands.

"Have you ever held a starfish?" Johanna asked him as she glanced at him.

"No, I can't say that I have," he answered while she knelt down and carefully picked up the creature. "Are you going to take it home with you too?"

"No, this one is still alive," she replied as he stooped down next to her.

"How can you tell?"

Johanna carefully flipped the starfish over in her hand. "See that movement?"

"Yeah."

"That movement comes from the tube feet which is what makes them move. You know a starfish is alive when you see or feel those feet moving," she explained before turning it over again. "See those red dots on the tips of its arms?"

Jim looked closely. "I see them."

"Those are its eyes."

He eyed her. "Are they really or are you just telling me that to be on par with my fish stories?"

"No, they really are!" she exclaimed.

"Okay, I believe you," he laughed. "So it's looking at us right now?"

"Well not exactly. They don't see like we do but they can distinguish between light and dark. Technically they're not fish either."

"Then what is it and why do they call it a star fish?"

"An echinoderm; I guess they call it a starfish because it's star shaped and lives in the water but it's not a fish because it doesn't have gills."

"Makes sense."

"Do you know that they come in different colors? Colleen and I found a pink one once. They can also regenerate a limb if they lose one."

"I didn't know that," Jim replied, his gaze meeting hers as he smiled.

She looked away shyly; he probably thought she was some sort of geek…she better explain her knowledge. "I had a fascination with starfish as a kid…my Dad bought me a book."

"There's nothing wrong with that," he replied as he laid down her shoes and then raised the camera to take a picture of the starfish as it laid in her hand.

"You should hold it," Johanna stated.

"Why?"

"Because you've never done it before," she answered, reaching for his hand. "It won't hurt you."

Jim couldn't help but feel like the moment was somehow special as she laid the animal in his hand and then smiled. He returned the smile and looked down at the object he was holding. "I think I feel those tube feet you were talking about."

She giggled. "They tickle, don't they?"

"Yeah, they do," he laughed. "Are you sure you don't want to take it home?"

"I wish I could but I'll put him back out in the water where he belongs."

He allowed her to lift the starfish from his hands and he watched as she waded into the surf to set it free. That was just like her, he mused. When she returned to his side, she carefully tucked her flip flops into the bag with her seashells and handed it to him.

"Do you mind if I indulge my inner child and run ahead a little ways?"

"Not at all, sweetheart; go ahead."

Jim found that he couldn't keep the smile off of his face as he watched her run and jump and splash her bare feet in the water. Soon her run turned into some sort of dance along the surf and he couldn't help but find something incredibly beautiful about the sight, the early morning sun casting her aglow. She was carefree…unconcerned about who might be watching or what they might be thinking. She merely went along, a soft laugh sometimes filling the air as she danced to a tune only she could hear. His heart swelled, she was incredible in every way imaginable. His heart stirred; something like love kicking within the beat of it but he didn't bother to think about it. Instead he raised the camera to his eye.

"Hey," he called out, and when she turned to face him, a beautiful smile on her lips, he clicked the camera. "I want that picture when it comes out," he told her.

"It's yours," she laughed as she waited for him to take his place next to her. "What would you say if I said I wanted to spend the whole day on the beach?"

"I'd say that it sounds like a good idea to me," he answered, allowing his hand to wrap around hers.

"Purple this time," Jim said appreciatively later on as he watched Johanna slip out of her shirt and shorts, revealing another number from her bikini collection.

She smirked at him. "Do you like it?"

"I love it," he replied; his gaze seemingly fixating on those appealing little ties that held it on her body.

"Don't even think about it," she remarked.

"Think about what?"

"You know what," Johanna replied. "I see what you're eyeing up and you just better not think about it."

Jim laughed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Uh huh, sure you don't. Are we going for that swim or not?"

"Of course," he answered as he rose from the spot they had selected on the beach. She slipped her hand into his and they walked down to the water. "Don't worry, I won't let anything get you," he teased.

"You better not."

After they had been in the water for awhile, Jim turned to her and spoke. "We're lucky we came now, the water is warmer this time of year than it is early in the season."

"I know," she answered as she moved effortlessly through the water.

A small grin tugged at his lips, he shouldn't tease her but he just couldn't resist as she swam near him. "Jo, shark!"

She screamed and latched on to him before he could even blink. "Where is it?" she cried.

He began to laugh and she glared at him, untangling herself from his body. "That is so not funny, Jim!"

"I don't know...I think it was kind of funny. You should've seen your face. I didn't know you could move that fast," he laughed.

Johanna splashed water in his face. "You jerk!"

"Now, sweetheart, is that any way to talk to your husband?"

"It is when he yells shark," she retorted, splashing more water at him as he dodged her.

He splashed her back. "Now, baby..."

"Baby!" she exclaimed. "When did that join the list of names you call me?"

"I don't know, that one just kind of came about on its own," Jim laughed. "You have great expressions, Jo."

"I'm going to give you a great punch when we get back on the sand; and you just stick to my preferred nicknames!"

"You don't like baby?"

"I like sweetheart and you know it not that it matters, we're getting divorced!"

Jim laughed as he caught hold of her. "I don't want to get divorced yet."

"I don't care. When you lie about sharks, divorce is the only option."

He shook his head. "What if I say I'm sorry?"

"You're not."

"I am if you're going to be mad and bust up our happy home."

Johanna laughed despite herself. "That makes me sound like the bad guy."

"That's better than me being the bad guy," he teased. "Come on, sweetheart; you know you want to give me another chance."

She smirked at him. "I don't know why."

"Because I'm irresistible, you just can't help yourself."

She gave a soft short laugh. "That does seem to be true... so I guess I'll give you one more chance."

"I knew you'd see it my way."

"Somehow I knew it to," she replied.

After they abandoned the sea for their spots on the beach, Johanna had dozed in the warm sun. Her mouth was dry when she woke up and she reached for the cherry flavored drink Jim had bought her earlier. She knew it would be warm by now but figured it was better than nothing. Glancing into her glass, she realized that it was empty and she glanced at Jim who was reading a book. "What happened to my drink?" she asked.

He cast a quick glance at it. "It must've evaporated."

"It did not! You drank it and don't deny it."

"Okay, I took a sip."

"You had your own."

"I know...and I drank it. I was still thirsty and I didn't want to leave you while you were asleep. I mean what if someone came along and got fresh with you while I wasn't here?"

A small smile played or her lips. "I love how you always paint yourself in an honorable light."

"I'm an honorable man," he grinned. "I'll buy you another one."

"That would be nice, I'm thirsty."

"I'll go get us some cold drinks. Do you want anything else?"

"No; I'll just sit here and wait for you to come back and protect my virtue," she quipped.

"I love when you're sarcastic, Sassy," he remarked. "Don't run off with any other men while I'm away."

"I wouldn't dream of it. If I had a bucket and a shovel, I'd build a sand castle."

Jim laughed. "You're all about indulging your inner child today, aren't you?"

Johanna shrugged. "It's good to indulge your inner child sometimes."

"I'll be back."

"I'll be here."

Johanna picked up her abandoned magazine and read half of it and Jim still wasn't back. What was taking so long? Just then she caught sight of him strolling down the beach toward her. He had a bag hanging off his arm and a drink in each hand. "What do you have?" she asked as she took her drink from him when he reached her.

"A present," he said as he handed her the bag.

She opened the bag and pulled out a set of kids plastic buckets and shovels and she laughed. "Where did you get these?"

"At the souvenir shop," he answered. "I figure you can build your sand castle and then we'll clean them up and you can take them home to Greg as a gift from me. He'll be big enough to be out digging in the yard before you know it. Until then he can have fun smacking the shovels off of the buckets like a drum."

Johanna smiled. "That's sweet of you, thank you. I'm sure he'll enjoy them."

"It's only fair; you bought for my nieces and nephews. I'll find him something to go along with it when I shop for my four. Maybe we can do that tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me."

She took a few sips of her drink and then set about building a sand castle, wondering if she still knew how after all these years. Soon Jim joined in her efforts and she grinned at him. "Indulging your inner child?"

"Why not?" he laughed. "I hear it's good for you."

They worked together companionably and she deemed their creation a masterpiece and took a picture of it when they had finished. They sat together quietly, admiring their work as the sun began to set. It was time to broach the topic he had been thinking about while she napped. "Jo, I was thinking..."

"About what?"

"I know we still have Monday off for the holiday but I was thinking that maybe we should head back on Sunday. That way we have a day to get things done at home so we're ready to go back to work."

Johanna was quiet for a moment but then nodded. "You're right, it's best for us to head back on Sunday...I'll hate to go though."

"I know; so will I...but we still have a few days."

A somewhat sad smile touched her lips as she looked out over the ocean. "I guess we better make them count."

They packed the next few days with everything humanly possible from shopping to lounging on the beach; dinners out and tourist attractions; movies, night clubs and late night swims in the hotel pool. They packed every moment that they could, hoping to forget that Sunday was coming. The day was soon upon them though and after packing in preparation for the next morning, they set out for a nice dinner and whatever else awaited them.

It was quiet between them as Jim and Johanna walked along the moonlit beach hand and hand later that night. The distant sound of music from the night club and the crash of the waves against the shore filled the air around them. Johanna sighed softly as she glanced up at the night sky; it was full of stars, like a black velvet tapestry that had been studded with diamonds. A gentle smile touched her lips but her heart was heavy. She hated the thought of heading home the next day. Two weeks just didn't seem like enough when she had spent that time feeling so free. She wasn't sure she had ever felt so cared for and loved…and it didn't matter if it was a love born of friendship or of something deeper that hadn't been acknowledged yet. All that mattered was that she had felt it; that it had wrapped around her like a warm blanket when she had been feeling so cold and empty inside.

Her heart felt thawed now; she felt refreshed…a renewed passion flowing through her veins and washing away the wreckage of the year so far, and it was all because of Jim. Things had been so incredible between them for the duration of this trip; even with taking that little bump into account. There seemed to have been an unspoken agreement to relax those boundaries between them and they skated across lines without much thought…and a part of her knew that when they got home, some of those boundaries would probably snap back into place. She frowned, despite their subtle agreement about not being ready, there was still a little part of her that ached to tell him her secret but she felt so mixed up inside that she knew it wasn't the wise thing to do. There was too much at stake, the risk too big and terrifying right now. There was, however, that tiny voice in the back of her head that wondered how long it would be before she regretted taking the safe, easy way out.

"Stop it," Johanna commanded her mind. She didn't want to think about it. This was their last night there and she wanted to continue to enjoy it. Soon they'd be home and things would go back to normal. He wouldn't be sharing all of her meals with her; they wouldn't be living under one roof. They wouldn't be pretending to be married or allowing people to assume that they were together. They wouldn't be climbing into each other's beds and there wouldn't be goodnight kisses every night. She wouldn't have him all to herself anymore.

She breathed deeply; she didn't want to think about that either. She didn't want to go. She just wanted to stay in this warm little bubble with him. Emotion suddenly choked her and she glanced up at the stars, silently wishing that maybe one day things would work out the way she wanted.

"What are you thinking about?" Jim asked quietly as he squeezed her hand.

"Just that I hate to go home tomorrow," she replied, trying to disguise the tremor in her voice but she just couldn't fool him.

Jim paused and turned to face her, his unoccupied hand straying to her chin and tipping it upward so that she would look at him. "Hey, what's this all about?" he asked gently as he saw the sheen of tears glistening in her eyes.

"Silliness I suppose," Johanna answered with a small smile and a shake of her head.

"What's silly about it?"

"Being upset about going home when I knew all along that we would be. I guess it's just that I've had such a wonderful time that I hate to see it end."

"I hate to see it end too; but it won't be so bad to go home, will it?"

"No, I suppose not but after having two weeks of freedom it's hard to think about going back to normal."

"I know what you mean," Jim replied; figuring that the comment also pertained to them.

"I've kind of gotten used to having you all to myself," she admitted somewhat shyly.

He smiled. "Me too…I might need time to get used to sharing you again."

She laughed softly. "I guess I can try to give you first dibs when needed."

"I demand first dibs," he grinned.

"Okay but that's a two way street."

"You've got a deal, sweetheart."

Silence fell between them as they remained in place; neither one of them knowing exactly what to say and in some ways they were each afraid of saying too much but finally Jim broke the silence as he moved a little closer to her. "We don't need to think about home right now. There's plenty of time for that tomorrow."

An amused smile curved her lips upward. "Like Scarlett O'Hara?"

"What?"

"Scarlett O'Hara; in Gone with the Wind whenever she didn't want to think about something she always said "I'll think about it tomorrow"."

"And did she?"

"Not very often," she replied. "That's probably why the book and the movie don't have a happy ending."

"Well don't worry, I'm sure your fate and Scarlett's are different…but we can borrow that page from her playbook anyway. Let's think about home tomorrow…because we still have tonight," he stated quietly.

There was something about the way he whispered those words that had her moving into his arms, a shiver running through her as the breeze ruffled her hair and her dress. She held his gaze, a silent question passing between them as she wondered if she was reading this right. His head lowered and he caught her mouth in a searing kiss. She had read it right after all...and soon her thoughts of home were banished to the back of her mind.

Later on, Johanna laid quietly in her bed and listened to the sounds of Jim moving around and settling down for the night. There was still that lingering sadness that seemed determined to weigh her down as she listened. She could only blame herself though, listening so intently only served to remind her of how much she'd miss having him near at all times. Jim had been somewhat quiet as well once they had dragged themselves back to their suite. Was he starting to feel it as deeply as she was? Would he miss her the way she'd miss him?

As if he sensed that her thoughts were settled upon him, Jim pushed open the door that she had left ajar as a silent invitation. She didn't say a word as he crossed the room, his path lit by the moonlight streaming through the gauzy curtains. He settled into her bed as if it was something he did every night and she closed her eyes for a moment, wishing that it was true. Jim turned on his side to face her, his fingers brushing back a lock of her hair before cupping her cheek. Her eyes flicked open, meeting his blue gaze and reading the silent question in his eyes; Was it alright that he was there? A soft smile touched her lips in response; did he really have to ask? The warm hand against her cheek moved; his fingers threading through her hair for a moment before coming back to caress her face. His lips brushed hers; a spark springing to life as he lifted his eyes to meet hers once more. Another question to be read...another answer that he should already know, but she knew him; she knew that he liked to be sure.

Johanna allowed another smile to cross her lips as her hand moved softly along his arm. A smile of his own played upon his mouth as he drew her closer. Their kisses were long and slow, passion wrapped in layers of tenderness. They came one after another; stealing her breath and making her heart pound as her fingertips danced along the bare skin of his chest. His lips finally parted from hers, moving to trail fiery kisses down the column of her throat as his hand slipped beneath the hem of her pajama top. They were going to dance close to the fire, Johanna thought to herself. It was their last night...probably their last chance to get so close to those flames for awhile. They'd fight it more at home...but here they didn't have to. They wouldn't cross that final line and they both knew it. They were just indulging in the temptation, she mused as his mouth found hers once again. It was a goodbye of sorts...an end to their pseudo summer fling...and yet there was a hint of promise there, she couldn't help but think and believe as she allowed her feelings to drive her.

When it felt as though things might be coming to a point of no return, Jim pressed a soft kiss to her lips and pulled back, moving back to his side of the bed. It was quiet between them, only the sound of their ragged breathing filling the air as they forced themselves to be satisfied with what they had. When she felt it was safe, Johanna slid across the empty space between them. Jim lifted his arm for her, allowing her to curl up against him with her head on his chest. His fingers found their way back into her tousled hair and he brushed a kiss against her head. "Goodnight, sweetheart," he whispered.

"Goodnight," she replied softly. His heartbeat was still slowing into a normal rhythm beneath her ear and she turned her head, brushing her lips against his chest as if she was kissing the beat of his heart. His hand moved to her waist in response, finding its way beneath her top once again but this time his fingers didn't stray from her side. They remained in place; his thumb caressing her skin in a methodical fashion that coupled with the sound of his heartbeat lulled her to sleep.

"Do you have everything?" Jim asked early the next evening as he sat down Johanna's suitcases in her living room.

Johanna looked over the collection of bags and luggage that was littering her apartment. "Yeah, it looks like everything is accounted for. Did you keep that bag that has the presents for the kids in it?"

He nodded. "I have it. I'll probably take it over to them tomorrow. Do you everything that was for Greg?"

"Yeah, I separated everything when I packed. I'll probably go see him tomorrow so Valerie will know I'm back."

Silence fell as they stood in her living room, neither one of them wanting to say goodnight. "I think it's going to feel strange to wake up tomorrow and know that you're not in the next room," Jim remarked quietly.

She bobbed her head in agreement. "I know the feeling. I'm going to miss you...as odd as it seems to say that when we see each other all the time."

Jim gave her a reassuring smile. "I know what you mean. I'll miss you too, sweetheart."

Johanna rocked on her heels, shoving her hands into her back pockets so she wouldn't reach out and touch him. "I had fun," she murmured; emotion clawing at her.

"I did too. I hope it was everything that you wanted and needed."

A smile broke across her face, her hand reaching for his. "It was...it was everything and so much more, Jim. I loved every moment and I can't thank you enough."

"You don't have to thank me...this beautiful smile of yours is payment enough," he remarked; stepping closer and brushing his knuckle against her chin. "I had a great time too...it's the best vacation I've had in a long time and I'm glad it was with you, Jo. There's no one else I would've wanted to spend these last two weeks with."

"There's no one I'd rather have been with either," she replied; her arms slipping around him on their own accord.

He smiled as his arms wrapped around her waist. "I guess this is the end of our pretend marriage?"

Johanna laughed lightly. "I guess so, but it's an amicable dissolution of marriage...I'd say the door is open for reconciliation at some point if deemed necessary."

Jim grinned. "That's good to know...I like the idea of future reconciliation. I was worried that being pretend married to an attorney of your caliber would mean that you'd be taking half of what I owned."

"It was tempting," she teased; "But what I can say? I guess I'm just a sucker for that handsome face and those blue eyes."

He laughed quietly. "I have a similar affliction only it involves green eyes."

"Oh?"

"Yes, you see there's this pair of green eyes that I'm very fond of. In fact I'm sure the woman attached to them could use them to talk me into just about anything."

"You better watch that," she replied. "She just might use that information to her advantage."

"I'd be disappointed if she didn't," he remarked.

"That could be construed as issuing a challenge."

Jim nodded. "I've heard that she likes challenges."

"I do," Johanna replied; a sassy smile touching her lips as she held his gaze.

He couldn't resist kissing away that teasing smile and he lowered his head and captured her mouth with his. "I better go," he murmured when it was over and yet he didn't release her from his arms.

Johanna caressed his face. "Thank you, Jim," she whispered; even though he had said that it wasn't necessary.

"You're welcome."

She caught his chin with her fingertips and brought his lips back to hers for a long, sweet kiss. "Let's do it again sometime," Johanna whispered.

"Absolutely," he breathed.

She smiled and then gently untangled herself from his arms before she begged him to stay. They walked toward the door together and he turned to her one more time, putting off saying goodnight. "I can drive you to work Tuesday morning if you want," he offered.

"I'd like that."

He gave her a nod and a small smile. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Goodnight," she said softly as he opened the door; a tiny pang of longing skipping across her heart.

Johanna locked the door once Jim had forced his feet to carry him away from it. She sighed as she looked around her living room; her feet carrying her to the coffee table where she picked up the remote and clicked on the television to ward off the silence. She missed him already...and Tuesday suddenly seemed far away.

As Johanna moved around her bedroom that night, she picked up her purse from the dresser and sat down on her bed to clean it out. She pulled out receipts and gum wrappers, loose change and dollar bills that had been hastily shoved inside. She fished out earrings and hair clips, pony tail holders and bobby pins. Reaching inside one last time, she pulled out the bubble gum machine ring that Jim had slipped on her finger in Pennsylvania. She smiled as she held the gold colored band between her fingers. Her first wedding ring, she mused. It might be cheap and it had been given as a joke...but it meant something to her. For a little while she had belonged to him...for a little while someone had chosen her.

She breathed deeply, her gaze still focused on that ring as a hundred memories and beautiful moments of the past two weeks flicked through her mind like a home movie. Jim had given her everything she had wanted and needed...and more. It had been perfect...and she was sad that it was over and that she had to adjust back to a life where she didn't wake up under the same roof with him. She had come home feeling refreshed and renewed; the warmth of those weeks still lingering inside of her and glowing brightly. She came home with the knowledge that he was the man she loved.

Johanna sucked in a breath at that thought. There were several moments when she had wanted to let those words slip...ached to bear her soul and jump in with both feet and see where it took her but she had refrained; fearful of busting that bubble of serenity they had found with one another. It was enough for now, she reasoned. She had the truth even if she couldn't speak it at the moment. She had the memories of their trip to hang on to. Her gaze flicked to her vanity; she also had a stuffed cat named Kitty, who had taken up residence on the corner of the vanity where she could see it every day. She had seashells decorating the bookcase in her living room, a roll of film that needed developed...and she had a shirt that smelled like him. Johanna tugged the black shirt back up onto her shoulder and breathed in the light scent of Jim's cologne. She hadn't meant to pick up his shirt when she had gathered up her belongings in the bathroom but once she had it, she just couldn't bring herself to part with it...and so she had shoved it into her suitcase without a word.

Her gaze dropped back to the object she held and she got up from the bed and moved across the room to her jewelry box. She had a ring...a ten cent piece of painted metal that made her heart flutter and fill with love. She felt like she had the hint of a promise for someday and for now it was enough. Johanna raised the ring to her lips and pressed a kiss to it before tucking it safely into her jewelry box. She'd always cherish it...and she had a feeling that she'd always love the man who gave it to her. She looked at it nestled into its designated slot in the velvet cushion and allowed herself to whisper the words she had wanted to say to Jim. "I love you."

Jim couldn't help but feel like things were oddly silent as he emptied out his suitcases. Even turning up the television so that he could hear it in the bedroom didn't seem to help. He was used to Johanna's chatter and her movements…how even when she was quiet she seemed to fill the air with her essence. At least it seemed that way to him. He hadn't realized how easily he'd gotten accustomed to her constant presence but it had finally sank in when they were standing in her living room.

He shook his head; he'd just have to re-adjust to reality. As he continued to unpack, he turned his thoughts toward things that he needed to do the next day. He needed to call Andrew and let him know that his car had made it back to New York without any dents or scratches. He needed to go to Michael's and give the rugrats their gifts. He should also spend some time looking over some things for work before heading back to the office on Tuesday. He should probably also put in an appearance at his mother's, which would include question dodging and reminding her that he was a grown man and could spend time with whoever he wanted. After all that was done he should probably call Johanna…just to remind her that he'd pick her up for work Tuesday morning and to tell her how the kids liked their gifts. He'd try to ignore the part about just wanting to hear her voice…because he was bound to need that contact by tomorrow night.

Jim frowned as he reached into the suitcase and took out the last article of clothing. He'd swear he was missing a shirt but the suitcases were empty now. He wondered briefly if it had gotten mixed up in Johanna's things somehow but his thoughts were sidelined as something fell out of the shirt he was holding and dropped onto the bed. Tossing the shirt aside, he picked up the object. It was one of Johanna's seashells. She must've snuck it into his bag when he wasn't looking because he hadn't put it there. The light scent of nail polish furrowed his brow in confusion and he turned over the white fan shaped shell. There on the back she had painted a red heart and next to it she had painted her name. Jim smiled; "Love, Johanna," his mind translated. A quiet laugh crossed his lips as the stray thought entered his mind that she might have swiped his shirt in trade for the seashell. If she did, he considered it a fair trade and he wouldn't mention it. He ran his fingertips over the surface of shell, staring at her message written in red. There was that little kick in his heart…a kick that seemed to get stronger all the time.

He carried the seashell to the nightstand, intending to tuck it away in the drawer but for some reason he couldn't. He didn't want to hide away her gift. Maybe it was silly but suddenly it was special to him and he wanted to see it everyday and think about those memories of their trip…those special moments with her. He didn't over think that little heart she had drawn or the fact that it most likely stood for 'love' as his mind had automatically assumed. There was no need to analyze and classify which type of love she might have meant. A small smile touched his lips as he sat the shell on the back corner of the nightstand and he didn't balk too much when his traitorous mind whispered "love you too". Tonight he wouldn't analyze that thought either…he'd just allow it to be.