Title: Nothing's as it Seems
Chapter 9 - A New Beginning


After what seemed like an eternity both Steve and Jade noticed the woods around them starting to get darker and the temperature starting to drop.

"I guess we should really get you to the hospital." Steve said softly.

"Yeah I guess so." Jade said numbly as she finally started to feel all the pain she endured finally taking over her tired and weary body.

Steve stood up and helped Jade to her feet. She swayed a bit and he noticed that she would not have the strength to make it back on her own. He picked her up and cradled her in his arms as he slowly walked back to the cabin, to Shane and to the ambulance that would take them to Community General, to get some help and much needed rest.

"I love you Steve. Please never forget that." Jade said softly into his chest.

"I'll give you a chance every day to remind me." He said kissing the top of her head. They made their way through the forest and finally into the clearing behind the cabin. Steve finally noticed the broken plate glass window. He sighed as he remembered the past few hours' fateful events. It was all over so quickly, and yet while they were in it, it felt a lifetime of hell. He spied Shane lying on a stretcher in front of an ambulance getting attended to. He walked towards them.

Shane looked up and noticed Steve carrying Jade walking towards him. He smiled. He winced as the medic slowly took off his vest to put a temporary bandage on his now re-opened wound to cover it until he could have it surgically fixed up. It was all over, finally. He looked from Steve to Jade and wondered how the coming days would take their toll on Jade as she finally realized that Carmen was indeed dead and she was finally free to have the life she always wanted. The medic's voice broke his thoughts and brought him back to reality.

"You're lucky the vest absorbed the blood." Said the male medic.

"As lucky as they come, my friend." Shane said slowly as he felt the affects of the morphine kick in to dull the pain in his side so the medics could work on him.

Steve walked up to the medic's and immediately two of them were quickly attending them.

"Be careful, her wrist is broken, possibly some ribs." Steve said to one of them. They carefully guided Jade to a waiting stretcher and helped her lay down. After giving her a shot of morphine, one of the medics gently re-set her wrist and put a temporary bandage and splint on it, until it could be properly set and cast at the hospital. She just stared at Steve and smiled at him while the medic's worked. She was so in love with him. And yet there was a time not so long ago when she feared that she'd never see him alive again. She said a prayer of thanks that she was able to be with him now.

"How are you sir?" One of them asked Steve.

"Just concentrate on her, I'm fine." He said. They loaded Shane into an ambulance and prepared to leave.

"I'll ride with Jade." He said to Shane. Shane nodded okay and replied, "see you after I come out of surgery." With that the doors closed, the lights came on and he was on his was to see Mark.

Steve took one last look around as they loaded Jade into the ambulance and prepared to leave. It was hard to imagine that only a few hours ago, all three of them faced the possibility of death. But fate was kind; they were all alive. He sighed again and wondered if he'd ever be able to come back to the cabin he once loved so much. He smiled as he remembered this was the place that he and Jade had their first kiss. It would always be special. But would he be able to remember this place with other happy memories? Only time would tell he sighed.

"We're ready to go sir." Said one medic breaking his thoughts.

"Let's go." Steve said climbing into to the ambulance and sat down beside Jade. They had given her a shot of morphine to help ease the pain on the ride to the hospital, and she was resting with her eyes closed. He just held her hand and stared at her with amazement. Even in the face of death itself, she refused to give up or give in. She refused to accept the fate that he thought she was destined. And she refused to let Carmen win. She was truly amazing. He was still thinking those happy thoughts when suddenly something the medic said snapped him to attention.

"Do you know which city in New York she lives in?" Asked the medic.

"I believe New York City." Steve mumbled. And then it hit him. New York! That is still her home. Close to her family, the place where her office is and perhaps a different kind of life waiting for her to return and continue living it. But he couldn't lose her, he just couldn't. He leaned back and closed his eyes at the terrible realization that was now facing him. She would have to go back to New York, but what about them? She said she wanted to be with him always, to love him always. Did she mean it? Or was it simply the brush with death talking? Were those true emotions speaking or just rash comments? Was he just tricking himself into believing what could never be true? She said she didn't like New York, that she loved California. Could he convince her to stay with him? Live with him, perhaps even marry him? What? His inner voice said, marry her? Yes! I love her and could not imagine life without her. I could not imagine waking up to someone else every morning, or going to bed with someone else. Or, his brain was such a mix of emotions that he failed to notice as they pulled into Community General.

"We're here sir." Said the medic.

Steve snapped awake. He would have to think on this matter later. Right now all he wanted was to get Jade into surgery, hug his dad and have a good nights sleep. They all deserved that.

Steve jumped out of the back of ambulance when it stopped and walked towards his dad who was waiting in the Emergency entrance doors.

"Dad." Steve said smiling at Mark as he walked into Mark's embrace.

"Oh Steve," Mark said grabbing Steve and hugging him tightly, feeling his eyes water with happy tears, "you don't know how happy I am to see you alive."

"Trust me dad, probably as happy as I am to be alive." Steve smiled. "I love you dad."

"And I love you son." Mark sighed. "How are you? How's Jade?" Mark said walking up to her as the medics were unloading her from the ambulance.

Shane noticed the sign for Community General as they wheeled him out of the ambulance and into the Emergency entrance doors. He saw Mark, Amanda and Jesse all standing in the entrance waiting for them to arrive. He was never happier to see them in his life.

"Hey guys." He called weakly. The morphine they had given him had already taken affect.

"Welcome back." Amanda said softly as she hugged him as best she could while he was lying down. "I'm so glad to see you alive Shane." She said with tears starting to form.

"Yeah me to." He said softly.

"I'll walk him to surgery." Amanda called to Mark and Jesse as she guided Shane's gurney towards the O.R. "See you guys in a bit."

Mark walked with Steve and Jade to another O.R. room. She needed some minor surgery. Jesse had already gone upstairs to make sure the large room was ready.

"Oh Steve, I can't believe how this all ended." Mark said slowly as they watched Jade being wheeled into the room, they weren't allowed to follow.

"Yeah dad, tell me about it." Steve started as they sat down on a nearby couch to wait. "For a while there I honestly thought I'd never see her again or you for that matter." He sighed deeply.

"It was that bad huh?" Mark sighed heavily.

"The worst experience of my life so far." Steve sighed. "I'll tell you all about it later."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Mark asked. "Since she'll be in surgery for awhile, let's go and get some x-rays taken of you, just to make sure." Mark said standing up. "Please don't argue with me son." Mark said as he noticed Steve not getting up.

"Dad I love her." Steve simply said on their walk.

"Yeah son, I know." Mark said smiling. "I think she's pretty special myself."

"No dad, you don't understand, I truly love her." Steve said stopping to look at Mark.

"I do understand son, because I felt that way about a very special woman a long time ago." Mark sighed.

"Mom." Steve said quietly. "And what did you do about it?" Steve asked as they reached the room.

"I made sure from that moment on that she would never leave my side." He said as he closed the door.

A few hours later Mark and Steve welcomed first Shane and then Jade into the large room made especially for them by Mark and the gang. Jesse was busy hooking up Shane and then turned to help Jade. She just let him help her into bed and hook up the Saline drip for overnight. She finally spied Mark and Steve standing by the door waiting for all the commotion to die down. Steve walked up to her and she smiled warmly.

"Hey beautiful." He said softly.

"Yeah right." She softly laughed.
"And what am I, chopped liver?" Shane said sarcastically.

"Well you said it partner." Jade laughed, and the whole room broke into easy laughter.

"Boy it feels good to laugh." Shane said softly.

"Tell me about it." Jade echoed.

"Well guys I'm going to say good night and I'll see you all in the morning. We can hear all the exciting details then. Nite Mark." Said Jesse turning to leave.

"Bye Jesse." Both Jade and Shane said.

"Later Jess." Steve said. "Bye Jesse." Mark offered. Amanda also felt it was time to leave. "Well I must also go, I have an early start tomorrow." She said to everyone.

"Hey Amanda," Shane called. She walked up to him fully aware of numerous pairs of eyes watching her with intent.

"Yes?" She asked softly as she neared his bed.

"Can you bring me one of your fabulous home made breakfasts?" He smiled.

"Just you? What about the rest of them?" She questioned teasingly.

"Them?" Shane laughed, "they're on their own."

"Yeah don't mind us." Jade said sarcastically.

"Well then since you asked me so boldly in front of all your friends without including them my answer is," she paused as she turned to leave. Then she turned back to and finished her sentence, "I think Big Bertha would be happy to oblige." She laughed and walked out the door.

"What?" Shane asked in mock hurt. The rest of the room just laughed. "Yeah very funny." He said sarcastically.

Amanda just stood outside the door and laughed to herself. She had planned on bringing it to him anyways, but for him to ask so boldly meant even more to her.

"Well I guess I should turn in." Shane said turning out his light and turning over on his side to fall asleep.

"Yeah I guess I should say good night also." Said Mark walking up to Jade's bed.

"Jade," he said taking her hand in his, "I can only say I'm glad you're back alive and safe, because what I'm really feeling is hard to express." Mark said softly.

"Thanks Mark, it means a lot to me." She smiled as he gently hugged her.

"See you both tomorrow." Mark said as he turned to give Steve a hug.

"Nite dad." Steve called.

"And don't worry," Mark paused turning back to them, "I'll bring breakfast for you two from home." He winked.

Shane just smiled to himself at the comment. Yes! He said softly at the revelation that Amanda would bring him food.

With that Mark walked out of the room leaving Steve standing beside Jade's bed. He softly pulled up a chair and sat down beside her. He took her hand and just held it in hers and watched her.

"What is it?" She asked softly.

"I was so afraid that we might not have the ending I hoped for. I honestly thought you were gone." He said softly looking at the window into the night.

"All my life I have been taught that there are certain things worth dying for; your family, your honor and your country. My father has done a great job instilling that in me. But since I met you, you taught me that there is at least one thing worth living for - love - our love, our future. That thought gave me what I needed to survive, gave me the extra bit of hope I needed to go on and the extra bit of strength I needed to win the war. You weren't the only one who wanted this ending you know." She smiled and he beamed at the compliment. But then his face turned serious.

"I know and now that it's over what about..." his voice trailed off only to be stopped by one of her delicate fingers placed over his lips.

"Shhh." She said. "Enough talk for now. We both need sleep. After all I need to build up my strength so that I can beat you at all the games at Disneyland." She smiled.

"Disneyland?" He asked half-smiling.

"Yeah Disneyland. I have never been. And since I have some much needed time off coming to me, and since I have such a terrific guide, and since..." was all she got out before he leaned forward and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around her and pulled him down. They were wrapped in a loving embrace when unbeknownst to Jade she accidentally pulled the cord for the nurse's station.

A nurse came rushing into the room and saw the couple locked in an intimate embrace. She made a discreet cough and they both looked up with flushed faces.

"Um, someone pulled the emergency cord." She stammered. "But I guess there's no emergency." She smiled.

"Oops, sorry," said Jade pulling the cord out from under her, "I guess it was me." She replied sheepishly. Shane just laughed to himself. The nurse just shook her head and left the room.

"Well on that note," said Steve standing up, "I guess I should get some sleep." He bent down and gave her one more quick kiss.

"Goodnight Steve. Sweet dreams." Jade said smiling lazily at him.

"Oh yeah." He said huskily as he headed to the bathroom to get ready.

"Oh shut up." Jade said as she heard Shane smirk.

About 15 minutes later Steve came back into the room and both Shane and Jade were sleeping. He walked to his bed and gently sat down so as not to wake anyone up. He stared at Jade who was sleeping peacefully in her bed. How he longed to climb in beside her, to wake up with her in his arms, lying beside him. But now was not the time or place. He laid his head back down on his pillow and let her words for a few nights ago echo in his head:

'believe me Steve that when the time is right, there will be no hesitation, no questioning and nothing to stop us'.

He smiled at that thought. Worth waiting for indeed where his last thoughts before his eyes closed and sleep won the battle.

The next day came bright and early for them all. Shane was already up and eating the home made breakfast that Amanda made him when Jade finally opened her eyes and looked at him. He remembered with fondness how great she looked this morning and remembered the quick kiss he gave her; a foreshadowing of what was to come later at her place, she had invited him over for a real home cooked meal.

"Sleep well?" He asked quietly.

"Yes thanks." She said slowly sitting up. Her whole body was stiff and her wrist was sore. She grabbed a mirror and looked at her battered face in the mirror. "Damn!" She cursed softly. "And he said I was beautiful?" She asked incredulously.

"Yeah go figure." Shane laughed.

"I meant what I said, don't listen to him." Steve said making both Jade and Shane turn to him in a start.

"Whoops." Shane said in embarrassment.

"And I still stand by it." Steve said smiling broadly as he sat in his bed looking at them.

"Thanks." She smiled happily at him.

"Morning all." Said Mark smiling as he walked into the room with a large brown bag in his hands.

"Anyone hungry?" He laughed.

"Yeah I am." Shane mocked with a mouthful of food.

"Nice try Shane." Mark laughed. Steve jumped out of bed and pulled up a chair and small table beside Jade.

"Morning Jade. How do you feel?" Mark asked.

"Better than I look I imagine." She said quietly.

"Well the one good thing about the California sun is it heals bruises very nicely. Along with the salt air that is. Will you be able to spend some time in it?" Mark asked. Steve just looked at his dad and wondered how he could so bravely ask what he was afraid to. Steve was afraid to ask, because he feared the answer; he feared Jade leaving more than his dad. He had more to lose; he loved her.

"Yes we are both going to spend some time vacationing here." She said smiling. "I already have been offered a guided tour of Disneyland." She winked at Steve.

"So Jade," Mark said sitting down beside her bed, "what really happened to Carmen?"

Jade put down her fork, sighed and looked at Steve. "She ah," she paused, "she finally met the end fate initially intended her to have."

"Must have been quite the fight." Mark said slowly.

"Best fight of my life." She said happily.

"What?" Mark said looking up. Her remark also caused Steve to stop eating and look up as well as Shane to pause reading his paper and look at her also. "Why on earth would you say that? You could have been killed!" Mark exclaimed.

"That is true. But never before was the prize at the end as valuable as this time. Not only were human lives at stake, but also a chance at mental and psychological freedom. You see Mark, Carmen's death meant freedom for us all from many terrible things. Too many to mention." She sighed wearily.

"She's right. Carmen has stolen too many things from all of us." Shane piped up.

"And what about the marines? Who sent them in?" Steve asked.

"That was the work of my contact agent Baker. It was the only way I knew how to help you guys." Mark piped up.

"You mean Director Baker!" Shane said.

"What?" Jade and Shane asked together. Mark looked at Shane, his mouth agape.

"Yup, apparently he is the Director of the Black Ops agents for the FBI under direction of the NSA." Shane said proudly. "And guess who is his boss?"

"No way!" Jade said as it finally dawned on her as she stared at Shane.

"Yup." Shane smiled looking back at her.

"Okay you guys have got to stop doing that." Steve said noticing how they finished each other's sentences, as if they already knew what the other was thinking. "Who is it?" He asked laughing.

"None other than Mr. NSA himself my dad, Nickel Washington!" Jade said proudly.

"What?" Said Mark in surprise. "Wow." He just laughed. "I had no idea I was getting help from so high up."

"Yeah neither did we." Shane said.

All of them sat in silence for a bit longer while they finished up their breakfast.

"Well I have some real work to do." Mark said getting up. "Will you join us for dinner tonight Shane?" Mark asked.

"I'd love to but I already have an invitation for a real home cooked supper!" He beamed.

"Oh." Mark said in a teasing voice, knowing full well he was attracted to Amanda. "Well tomorrow night perhaps then." He turned to Jade, "I'd ask you to join us, but I have the feeling Steve has offered you a standing invitation." He smiled.

"Tomorrow sounds great. Are we able to leave today?" Shane asked.

"Whenever you're ready." Mark said.

"Yes!" Shane said getting out of bed.

"And what are you up to today partner of mine?" Jade teased.

"Well I have to go to Steve's precinct and explain why their new Supercrew Ford F-150 won't be coming back." He frowned at that statement and they just laughed. Then he continued. "Then I am going shopping, stopping by the hotel and then getting ready for my hot date tonight." Shane said proudly.

"Oh I see." Jade laughed. Shane jumped out of bed, grabbed his clothes and disappeared inside the bathroom to get ready.

"And what are we going to do today?" Jade asked looking at Steve.

"Anything you want." Steve smiled happily at her. He didn't care if they sat at the beach and tossed rocks into the water, just as long as they were together.

"Well I have never had a chance to see much of California. So whatever you want to do I'll be happy just being with you and doing it." She smiled. "As long as you think it's okay for me to go out in public like this." She sighed sadly gently touching her bruised face. The swelling in her eye had gone down thanks to some medication Mark had given her, but it was still an ugly sight.

"Jade," he said taking her chin gently in his hands and lifting her head to look up at him, "I love you no matter what you look like." He said as he leaned in to kiss her. "Besides," he said letting go, "you took those for me. How could I turn my back on you now?" He said softly which made her smile.

"Okay then, when Shane is out I'll make myself ready." She eased herself to the edge of the bed. "Oh no." She suddenly said.

"What it is?" Steve quickly asked, fearing the worse.

"I have nothing new to wear." She looked up at him and laughed, he laughed as well. "Maybe we should go shopping also." She said.

"My pleasure." He said standing up. Then he added, "does this mean I'll be able to come into the change room with you?" He teased. She tried to swat at him, but he backed away and started laughing when she fell over on the rail. Shane walked out of the room and just arched a brow at his partner and Steve.

"Well," he cleared his throat, "I'll see you all later." He said walking to the door. He turned around and paused, "much later!"

"My turn." Jade called jumping out of bed, grabbing her stuff and running to the bathroom. Steve just smiled at her. He picked up his things and headed for the bathroom down the hall.

"Better use lots of this." Jade muttered to herself as she piled on some makeup.

In about half an hour they were fully dressed and heading to Steve's truck. He put their things into the backseat and they both got in.

"Well my lady, your shopping chariot is ready to go." Steve laughed.

"Lead on my brave knight. For it takes a brave man indeed to take me shopping." She laughed.

They spent the whole day in each other's company just shopping, eating and having fun. Jade felt on top of the world. She never dreamed she would be able to spend a day just enjoying the company of someone she cared so much about. And she did care for him; she loved him. Steve never brought up New York, but she could tell it weighted heavily on his mind. That thought was always in the back of her mind, she would have to go back. But to what end? What was waiting for her back there? A cold apartment, and empty office and no Steve. What was there to go back to? Her family? But she hardly ever saw them, they would understand, wouldn't they? She... her thoughts were interrupted by Steve's calming voice breaking in.

"I think you'll love this shop." He said as he guided her into a funky boutique. She laughed and let her pull her by the hand to continue their shopping. They continued that way until the sun started to set and Steve suggested it was time to go back home and have dinner and just relax. Jade smiled and agreed heartily.

"Wow, you look great." Shane exclaimed when Amanda opened the door that night. "Here." He said holding up a dozen white roses. They complimented the form fitting burgundy dress she decided to wear.

"Thank you," she smiled taking them from her, "you look pretty great yourself." She said eyeing his outfit. Shane had bought himself a new pair of black dress pants and wore a dark blue silk shirt that was slightly open. The color brought out his blue eyes. Plus, she noted, he smells great.

"Oh by the way I owe you something." He said once inside the house.

"What is that?" She asked walking back up to him.

"A repayment to the kiss you loaned me," he said as he pulled her into his arms and looked in her deep brown eyes, "and I always paid what I owe with interest." He said and kissed her hard. Amanda gave in willingly and then pulled away.

"What?" He asked.

"It's nothing." She said.

"Amanda," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her back. "I bet you think I'm the kind of man who has a girl in every port."

"Oh I know that's exactly the kind of man you are Shane." She teased with a serious tone.

"Does it really matter?" He asked smiling at her.

"Right now? Not really." She said as she kissed him back.

Supper would come much later.

"Supper was again awesome." Jade commented as she rested on Steve's shoulder in front of the fireplace. Steve had his arms wrapped around her and was careful not to damage her wrist. Mark had gone to bed and was still trying to digest all the details from the fight and Carmen's demise after Jade had told him.

"Yeah it's finally nice to have a night to do nothing." He said teasing.

"Nothing?" She laughed as she twisted out of his embrace and straddled his muscled chest. "We change that right now if you like." She teased and before he could answer she was kissing him. He wrapped his strong arms around her. They remained that way long into the night.

"Do you actually think Jade will do that?" Asked one man in a small chair facing a large desk in an office in Washington.

"I guarantee it." Said the other man easing back in his large leather one.

"And do you approve of it?" Asked the first man.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Finished the second with a large smile.

The week past too quickly for Jade. It was week filled with trips to Disneyland, San Francisco, San Diego and many other places Steve showed to her. Shane spent most of his days with Amanda and took a day to go fishing with Jesse and play golf with Mark. But sadly reality finally caught up with them and burst their paradise bubble. They had to go back, back to New York. Back to where this all started. Back to a life that had been put on pause while they took a temporary detour out West.

"You know we have to go back." Jade simply said to Shane on the way to Mark's for dinner. It was the end of the week and they both knew what had to be done.

"Yeah," he sighed heavily, "I know."

They rode the rest of the way to Mark's in silence. This week was special for both of them. New friendships were formed; new destiny's shaped and new loves cemented. But now it had to end. The reality of New York called to them. Called them back to the job and the lives they left behind.

"You know we could stay." Jade said softly.

"Yeah," he sighed again, "I know." He turned away and softly added, "but we won't."

"That was excellent supper Mark." Shane said as they got ready to leave later that night. "Tell Jade I'll see her in the car." He opened the door and Amanda walked him to the car. They kissed for what seemed like a long time, but when it was over, seemed like an instant.

"It could have worked you know." He said softly looking at her.

"Yeah," she sighed, "I know." Shane smiled at her choice of words, recognizing them as his own. He watched her go back into the house and got in the car to wait for Jade.

"Steve," Jade said as they stood on the doorstep outside the house.

"Yeah?" He answered rather uneasily, not sure of what she was going to say. This past week had been heaven for him, and he dreaded each time that she looked at him with uncertainty in her eyes. As if he would wake from this beautiful dream to find that he was really destined for a lifetime of hellish loneliness.

"Always remember that no matter happens I'll always love you." She said fighting back the tears. She just couldn't say the words for goodbye.

"What?" He asked taken aback, "of course I'll remember that. Don't talk like its ending or something." He choked back tears he felt coming.

"It's not ending Steve," she said taking his hand and holding in hers. She bent to kiss them and whispered, "it's just beginning." With that she pulled his head down for a long hard kiss and turned to leave.

"I love you Jade." Steve called after her with a broad smile on his face.

"I love you Steve. See you in the morning at the hotel." She called before she got in the car.

"Jade?" Shane said looking at her as she put her seatbelt on.

"Don't Shane," she said letting the tears fall, "just drive me away from here please." She said as she leaned her head back on the rest, closed her eyes and silently cried.

Shane dared not look at his partner, as he feared he would lose concentration of his driving and cause an accident. He had said goodbye before, but couldn't imagine what she was going through.

"Jade?" Steve called as he knocked on her hotel room the next day. "You guys up yet or what?" He half laughed. His laugher gave way to a sickening dread that was starting to take over his body. He ran to the elevators and quickly pushed the lobby button. Once at the lobby he ran to the front desk.

"Any messages for a Steve Sloan by any chance?" He asked in a panic.

"Why yes sir, there is one." Said the Concierge as he handed Steve a small white envelope.

Steve took the letter with shaking hands and walked over to a nearby couch and sat down. He slowly opened the letter as he felt a lump start to form in his throat and as he read the letter felt tears start to form in his eyes:

Dear Steve,

I am no good at good-byes since I have not made too many in my lifetime that meant as much to me as you. I love you so much I can't even express what I feel for you. I once believed that people like me didn't get second chances, much less have a chance at something as beautiful as what we have together. I vowed to myself that when I found someone as wonderful as you I would do everything I could to hold on to them, everything I could to secure the kind of future I always dreamed of but never thought I would find, much less have a chance at securing forever. There is only one way I know how to do that. So I am going back to New York to...

Steve stopped reading and looked at the letter in horror. "She can't." He said out loud causing people to stop and look at him. He jumped up, raced to his car, turned on the flashing lights and sped to the airport.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Shane asked.

"If I don't now, I never will." Jade said sadly.

"Which gate is the flight to New York?" He called to the security after flashing his badge.

"Gate 23 sir, but they are boarding in a few minutes." He called after Steve. Steve didn't hear as his brain had only one thing in it, find Jade and stop her.

"May I see your ticket ma'am." Said the flight attendant. She was about to hand it to the woman she stopped in her tracks by a voice calling her name.

"Jade!" Steve yelled as he ran up to her.

"Oh no." She said softly. Steve caught up with her and flashed his badge to the flight attendant.

"We need to talk." Steve said firmly.

"Ma'am we really have to get the plane boarded." Said the attendant. Jade flashed her FBI badge and said, "I'm sure your Captain can wait a few more minutes." She said. The attendant nodded, and Shane who had witnessed the scene just nodded to Steve but kept going into the plane. He didn't belong in this conversation, and was actually glad he wasn't, for he didn't think he'd be able to bear it.

"I can't let you do this. I can't let you quit over me." Steve said holding up the letter after they had walked a few feet and sat down on some nearby chairs

"I have to do this Steve, for me, for us, for our future. If I don't we can never be together, can't you understand that?" Jade tried to explain.

"What I understand is," he said pausing, "that you are giving up your whole life for me. I mean I want it, but I can't have that. I won't allow you to throw away all that you have worked so hard for, because of me." Steve said.

"Won't let me?" Jade said angrily, "I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. I want to do this. Would you really move to New York? Leave your dad behind, leave your friends behind, leave your life behind?" She asked.

"Well you are. How could I do no less?" He protested.

"You'd be miserable in New York." Jade said as she caressed his face with her hand.

"How do you know?" He asked.

"Because I am. That's why I have to do this. You see I'm not just doing this for you, but for me. I finally feel alive, and I owe it all to you. How could I throw it away? How could I just walk away from that we can have?" She continued, "I'd rather quit my high-profile job and come be a meter maid if it means being with you." She laughed.

"A meter maid huh?" He smiled; this was a losing argument for him, as he could tell that she had made up her mind. But could he live with it? "But why do you have to quit the FBI? And what about your family? What if they blame me for making you leave them? How could I ever face them?" He asked.

"First of all they don't need another agent out here in California that's why I am quitting. Look Steve," she said taking his hands and holding them in hers, "I used to think I was special. That I was a special person with a special life. But you know what? I'm not special, I'm just an ordinary person, and that's okay, because," she said looking at him and smiling, "you make me special." He smiled warmly at her.

With each word she spoke he fell even more in love with her, and his heart was breaking at the thought that very soon she would leave. "All my life I rarely had special feelings or memorable moments. But since I met you these amazing things started to happen to me. I found myself feeling things I never thought possible for someone like me. And I don't know if I need you in order for them to continue, but I know that I want you." She let go of his hands and picked up her back. "That's why I have to do this. So that our future together can finally become the reality we want instead of the dream we see. And my family will understand, because that's what my father did to be with my mother. They could never be mad at the man who finally gave me a real reason to be happy." She finished and stood up.

She turned to leave when Steve caught her arm and pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "I love you Jade, now and forever."

She hugged him back and said the words he wanted to hear from her so badly, "I love you too Steve, now and forever." He embraced her hard, grabbed her back and they walked back to the desk arm in arm.

"See you when I get back." She said giving him a kiss on the lips.

"When will that be?" He asked eagerly.

"You'll know." She winked. With that she handed the attendant her ticket and bag, turned around and blew him a kiss and finally disappeared down the ramp. Steve just stood and stared at the plane until it was well into the sky heading back to New York. Oh Jade, please come back to me soon, he prayed over and over again.

"Jade!" Nickel called happily as his daughter walked into his office later that afternoon.

"Dad!" Jade called back as she walked into his warm embrace.

"Oh Jade, I love you so much. Thank god you're alive." Nickel said to her.

"I love you too dad. I'm so glad you're okay." She said back. After a few minutes they pulled away.

"Shane!" Nickel said as he grabbed Shane and gave him a big bear hug.

"Hey Nick." Shane said.

"So feel like joining the NSA yet?" Nickel laughed.

"You mean now that the fab four are gone?" Jade laughed.

"Well not quite. Only the fab three." Nickel said slowly.

"What?" Shane and Jade said at the same time. "Schuler?" Jade asked.

"Yup." Nickel sighed as he sat down and gestured for them to do the same. "We got there to late, he was already gone." He sighed.

"Think he had someone helping him?" Jade as in horror.

"That's what I think." Nickel said. "Just to prove it will be a different matter."

"When will this ever end?" Sighed Jade.

"Not soon enough." Nickel said under his breath. "But our Intel sources tell us that's fled to South America. Probably trying to find a place with no extradition laws." He said looking up at them. "But don't worry, Washington is the last place he's going to want come back to, New York also for that matter. But if he does," Nickel paused, "if he does, I'll be ready for him."

That's what he's counting on Jade said but could not find the voice to say it out loud.

"Have you seen mom yet?" Nickel asked.

"I was just heading there." Jade said smiling. "Come on Shane. You can have supper with us."

"Mom!" Jade called as she ran into her mom's arms an hour later.

"Sweetheart!" She said with tears in her eyes. "I hear we have a lot to talk about." Chloe said as she walked arm and arm with her daughter into the large house.

I'll tell her later about Eric, Nickel sighed, I'll tell her it all.

"Is this your first time on Amtrak sir?" Said the conductor.

"First and last." Said the man with a wicked smile.

"I won't let you do it. I won't let you resign." Nickel said the next day as Jade walked into his office.

"Technically you can't stop me." Jade sighed. "I don't work for the NSA." She said sitting down in a chair in front of him.

"Well that's just great. You've just made a whole new mountain of work for me." Nickel sighed pretending to me angry.

"What are you talking about dad?" Jade said standing up and putting both of her hands on his desk. "Do I not deserve a chance at happiness also? Do I not deserve to at least try to have what you and mom have?" She half yelled at him. Nickel just stared back at his daughter with an amused look. She was so much like him, so passionate about what she did, and never had any trouble expressing herself. Whoever this man was, he obviously held her heart in his hand, and she let him. It was great, he was so happy for her. She deserved it, finally.

"Well I guess I'll just have to find another Special Agent to fill the vacant California spot, that I had recommended you for." Nickel sighed pretending to be upset.

"And another thing," she stopped mid sentence. "What?" She called in happy disbelief. "What vacant position in California?" She asked.

"The one the new FBI Director of Field Ops wanted to fill. He thought of you first, and I agreed." Nickel said with a smile. "But now..." Nickel's voice trailed off.

"New Director?" She questioned unaware of the man walking into the room behind her.

"I don't think we have been formally introduced Special Agent Marshall." Came Melvin Baker's chipper voice. "I'm Director Melvin Baker." Melvin said smiling and extending his hand. Jade just stared at both of them in disbelief. She finally extended her hand, "Agent Marshall, pleased to meet you." She smiled shaking his hand.

"But it's too bad you're resigning, we really need the help in California. We have no Special Agents there." Melvin said in fake sadness.

"Well I think I can help you out there, that is if the offer still stands." Jade said eagerly.

"We never had a doubt." Nickel said laughing.

"What?" Jade said turning to her father. "You set this up?" She asked.

"Oh now sweetheart, would I do that?" Nickel laughed.

"Yes! And what about Shane?" Jade asked. "Or do I get a new partner?" She asked.

"No chance in hell you're rid of me that easily." He laughed as he walked in the room.

"Director Baker I presume?" Shane said walking up to Melvin and shaking his hand.

"The one and only." He laughed, "and I can't wait to read your case report on the demise of Carmen." He said firmly.

"Hope you have a strong stomach sir." Jade said softly.

"Oh you'd be surprised what I can take." He laughed. "After all I do take orders from you dad." They all laughed. Nickel just rolled his eyes.

They all sat down to discuss what happened to Carmen and what the future had in store for them all now that a new partnership had formed. Nickel told them what happened in the parking lot of the NSA building, about his car, what Schuler left him and finally about Eric. The news about Eric made Jade sad. Nickel said they were going to have a special tribute to Eric, and Jade was happy to hear that. Baker filled them in on the further details about Carl Matthews death and that Judge Moore was really alive. He also gave them further details on the Asian and Arthur Block. They lasted there all day arranging things, until they finally broke up and re-joined for one last dinner at the Washington household.

"I'm so happy for you dear." Chloe said later that night as she and Jade sat together in the living room.

"Me too mom, I can't wait for you to meet him, you're going to love him also. When will you guys come to California?" Jade asked eagerly.

"Your father and I talked about this before you arrived. Your father had great faith that you'd find a way to stay in LA. Then when Shane told us you found someone to love, well we decided right then and there that your happiness meant as much to us as it does to you." Jade sat down on the leather sofa trying to digest all her mother told her. "That's why we have decided to spend at least one weekend a month visiting you in LA. That is, after we get back home from spending a few weeks helping you settle in." Jade looked up at her mother with happy tears in her eyes. It was all happening for her, finally. The life she always wanted was finally coming together for her.

"I love you so much mom." Jade said leaning in hugging her mom with tears in her eyes.

"I love you too sweetheart." Chloe said hugging her back. "Do you really love him that much?" Chloe asked.

"Almost more than life itself." Jade smiled happily.

"Don't look so sad son," Mark said to Steve at the breakfast table the next day, "it will work out, it has too."

"I hope your right dad. I can't lose her." Steve sighed and rested his head on his folded arms. "I just can't."

"Ready partner?" Shane asked as they boarded the plane bound for LA the following morning.

"More than ready. Let's go home Shane." Jade smiled.

They landed in LA later that afternoon. "I'll see you later." Shane called as he opened the door to his hotel room. He knew where Jade was heading and he just smiled. You go girl, he heard himself say with a smirk before he got ready to go and see Amanda.

"Hey Steve," called the desk Sargent, "message for ya." Called the big burly man, as he handed Steve a pink note.

"What the?" Steve said as he read the note.

'Meet me at your cabin, you missed an important clue - Captain'

"How could I have missed something?" Steve said aloud as he drove up to the last spot he spent with Jade. He sighed as he thought about what she was doing right now. Probably out enjoying the fast nightlife of New York. Would she really come back like his dad said? Was their future together worth as much to her as he hoped it did? He pulled up to the cabin and noticed the unmarked police car already there. The cabin was quite dark. That's odd, Steve thought. He got out of the car and slowly walked up to the cabin. He had the back window restored and had the cabin completely cleaned, but he just didn't have the heart to spend time here by himself, at least not yet. He opened the door and stepped inside.

"Captain?" He called. He heard nothing. He looked around for the first time and noticed that the fireplace was lit, there was a table set and a bottle of wine chilling. "What the hell?" He said softly. He heard a noise from the back bedroom and slowly made his way there. He rounded the corner and stopped short.

"Miss me?" Purred Jade in a sexy voice staring at the man she loved.

He slowly walked up to her, feeling the heat of his body fill the room.

"Very much." He said with a broad smile. "Back for how long?"

"For good."

His entire body smiled at her words as he took her into his arms and held her close, never wanting to let go again. Nothing could ruin this future hope for them now. Nothing!


**Dear Readers: I hoped you enjoyed my first DM story.