The weekend had come and gone. I find myself looking out the window periodically to see if Jean is back yet.

'Wow, am I pathetic, or what?'

I get cozy in my armchair in the living room and start reading my Tolkien collection. I make it through The Hobbit and part way through Fellowship of the Ring, when I realize it has quickly become quite late. When I feel my eyes begin to get heavy enough that they won't stay open, I bookmark my page and go get ready for bed.

I open the doors to my room and go to my vanity. I lay my pajamas over the chair and begin sliding my shirt off, when I hear a car pull up outside. I pull my shirt back down and look out the window to see Jean stepping out of his Mercedes.

I knock on the window to get his attention. He looks up, and I give him a wave. He smiles and waves back, then makes a gesture with his arm like he's inviting me over. I nod and go back downstairs, slipping on a pair of loafers and walk over to his house. He's waiting by the front door for me.

He lets me in and stands in front of me.

"Glad to be home?"

He pulls me into a light hug, taking me by surprise. I hug him back cautiously. He holds on to me for a minute then releases me, looking down at me with a smirk.

"... I'll take that as a yes, then," I say teasingly. "How was your business trip?"

"It went well. Everything is in order. I even brought a bottle of Madagascar wine to celebrate. Would you like a glass?," he asks, as we walk into the dining room.

"Sure, why not," I say with a grin.

He pours two glasses, and we down them quickly. We make small talk for an hour or so, and by the third glass of wine, I can feel the truth about Valenka beginning to make its way out of my mouth. I quickly try to think of something different to talk about with him; I have no idea why the words that I blurt out even came to my mind.

"Jean, how did you get your scar?"

I wince as the words pass my lips. I look up at him and he looks taken aback, but he gives me a serious look.

"It's a long story, but I'll give you the condensed version. I grew up in Eastern Europe, Albania to be precise, in a harsh neighborhood and became a teenage criminal by using mathematics to win at gambling, making a lot of money. However, I always carried a knife to defend myself due to being weak in comparison to other kids and once got in a fight that caused my left eye to be damaged by it."

I feel my chest constrict; the thought of Jean as an innocent kid left to fend for himself and resort to being involved in the crime world made my stomach flip. Without thinking, I rush to his side and hug him. Tightly. Then, the word vomit spews forth.

"I'm sorry to tell you this Jean, but Valenka's been seeing someone. For a while supposedly. I found out while I was at Pirreau's; the lady helping me said she's seen her making out with sone guy named Mark the last few times she'd come in. I'm so-"

But Jean quickly cuts me off by lifting me off the ground and smashing our lips together. I feel my hands entwine behind his neck as I deepen our kiss. We gently pull apart and just stare at each other, when Jean breaks out into a very wide smile. I lightly rub my nose against his and steal another peck on the lips.

"Not gonna lie, that… was building up since the first day I started working for you."

"I think I started falling for you from the moment we met on the elevator that first day."

"You promise you're not just saying that because we're tipsy in your dining room at close to one in the morning?"

"I swear. You seem to have seduced me with your awkwardness," he says with a smirk.

"Hey, if it works, it works," I sass back, grabbing his collar and bringing our lips together again.

As the kiss begins to get a little more heated, everything starts to fade. I pull away and look into his eyes.

"I think I'm going… Goodnight, Jean," I say as my head slumps against his chest and everything goes black.

*LC POV*

'Well, that's slightly disappointing.'

We were just in the middle of a kiss and the alcohol got to her just in time; how inconvenient.

'Then again…'

I realize I'm holding her up still, so I bend down and put one of my arms under her legs and pick her up bridal-style. I deliberate on where I should put her. Do I take her back to the guest house? Do I carry her upstairs to a guest room? … To my room? I look down at her asleep in my arms and decide that a guest room would be better.

I carefully take the steps up to the bedrooms, and open the door right next to my room. It's a smaller guest room, but I figure she'll be much more cozy. I turn the sheets and duvet down with my foot and lay her down gently. I go down to the end of the bed and slip her shoes off, then cover her up. She immediately snuggles down in the blankets and buries fer face in the pillow and I can't help but smile.

A sour thought enters my mind.

'Valenka…'

If Valenka decides to show up in the morning I don't want her to think I've stooped to her level and slept with someone while we were dating; especially when I want to confront her about it. I'll have Evie's breakfast brought up to her, just in case. She doen't need to be caught in the crossfire of that conversation.

When I come back to reality, I look down at her one last time for the night.

'So much for not getting attached,' I say to myself sarcastically.

I kiss her forehead and go to my room to get ready for bed. After I get into my pajamas and brush my teeth, I slide into bed; however, no sleep comes to me. I can't help bit maul over concerns I have with pursuing a relationship with Evie.

'Am I rellay willing to put Evie in the way of danger...? I'll do anything to keep her safe, and I'll see to it that she wants for nothing. I'll just keep her in the dark of what my true occupation is, and if I have to send her away for a short time if things go awry she won't question me. I hope. And Valenka… that stupid slut needs to be taught a lesson. I never thought of having her killed, but the idea is very appealing at the moment. For her sake she better not make a scene when I tell her what I know…'

The last thing I see as I close my eyes is Valenka being pushed into a dark void in the furthest corner of my mind, and Evie completely stepping into the light at the forefront.

--

I wake up several hours later to a sun beam in my face. I hear a car door open and shut then someone coming in through the front door. I put on my robe and go downstairs to see Valenka making herself comfortable on the sofa in my living room.

"Good morning," she purrs seductively.

I turn on my heels and head to the kitchen, not even giving her the time of day. She follows me and stops in the doorway to the dining room. I turn around, and she's looking at the wine glasses Evie and I used lat night.

"Jean… who was here with you last night?"

I give her a leering look.

"I know what you've been up to."

*E POV*

As I begin to wake, I notice that I'm not in my bed. The sheets feel luxurious and not like my cheap microfiber ones. The mattress is plush and soft, almost like sleeping on air. I look around and the room is elegant; bathed in light blue and white.

'Jean must have brought me up to a guest room after I passed out on him last night.'

It's then that I remember we kissed; not once, but TWICE. I feel giddiness building up the more I think about it.

I'm shaken from my daydreaming by the sounds of a glass breaking and a woman yelling.

I peek my head out the door and can very clearly hear Valenka screaming at whom I presume to be Jean.

"YOU REALLY BELIEVE WHAT THAT LITTLE B*TCH SAYS ABOUT ME?? HAVE YOU SLEPT WITH HER? IS THAT WHAT'S HAPPENED?? YOU WANT A REASON TO GET RID OF ME AND MAKE ROOM FOR HER??"

I hear Jean respond, calm as can be.

"No, Valenka, we haven't slept together. I heard from a reliable source that you've been seeing someone named Mark; blue eyes, brunette, sound familiar? You've made a fool of me, and I can't forgive that. Now, turn in your key to my house, your credit card connected to my account. and anything else on you that is mine; including that necklace and earring set you have on, and leave."

I could hear Valenka let out a slew of curses, then the door open and slam shut. I slip my shoes back on and slowly walk down the stairs. I see Jean in the dining room, staring at the table. I approach him slowly and lay a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Jean. I know that couldn't have been pleasant."

He doesn't say anything, but grabs my fingers and kisses the top of my hand. I move my hand up to his cheek. We look into each other's eyes, and I dip my head down to give him a chaste kiss on his cheek, and we smile at each other.

"Would you like some coffee? I can also whip us a quick breakfast."

"Coffee sounds great. Will you be needing any help with cooking?"

"No, but you can come keep me company if you like."

Jean shoots out of his chair and follows me into the kitchen. I get out a couple of pans for bacon and eggs, and begin assembling my ingredients and supplies.

"Where are you mixing bowls?"

"Try the cabinet above your head."

I look up and notice this kitchen is built for someone blessed with height (like Jean), and not for someone of a small stature (like me). I swing the door open, and of course the bowls are on the third shelf. So, without thinking, I hike a knee up onto the counter and pull myself up until I'm kneeling eye-level with the bowls. I begin gathering them up, when I feel a pair of eyes boring into the back of me.

I turn around, and Jean is watching me, quite amusedly, with a smirk.

"I'm sorry for climbing on your countertop…"

"Don't be. I found your display quite endearing."

I feel heat rising to my cheeks, so I turn back around and make myself look busy.

Jean turns on the TV in the kitchen and watches the morning news.

"Tragedy in Madagascar today as the Ugandan Embassy was blown up by a British agent… The infamous bombmaker known only as Mollaka was killed during the explosion."

Jean's face gets the slightest trace of panic on it.

"Are you okay? You look worried."

He snaps his head up to meet my gaze and gives a thin smile.

"Everything's fine."

I give him an unconvinced look, but turn back to preparing our meal.

"So, are we going to the office today, or are you taking the day off before going back?"

"We need to go by for a minute or two; it won't be long. I just need to gather up some paperwork to bring home to catch up on."

"Ah, I see. Do you want me to stay with you when we get back and help?"

Jean barely lets a flicker of panic peek through, but he refuses.

"I will be fine on my own. It won't take too long, so we can go out for dinner tonight; and I would like it to be considered a date."

I look up from the pan and can't help the grin I'm letting out.

"Of course."