The next six days, action-packed as they were, dragged for Jack. He kept his news of Maria's death from the other agents around the office, and he missed the services held for her, as well. Out of six pending missing person cases, four had been solved with the people recovered, one was closed when the victim was found dead, and the last one was nearly wrapped up.

Jack had been keeping as busy as he possibly could, pulling fourteen, sometimes sixteen hour days, working straight from eight o'clock in the morning until twelve o'clock at night. The chatter around the office, when cases weren't being discussed, pertained to Samantha and her husband-to-be, which was a nice distraction for Jack. By the time Wednesday night rolled around, it was more than sufficient to say that Jack was exhausted.

The late-night flight left from New York around quarter to nine, and arrived in Rochester at approximately eleven-thirty that same night. Jack had made arrangements to stay at a hotel nearby the airport, and close to the heart of the city, where Charles Mahoney's office was located. His bags were packed before he left for work on Wednesday morning, thus allowing him to leave straight for the airport.

Around quarter to eight, Jack was closing a case folder and grabbing his coat, when Vivian Johnson suddenly came knocking on the door to his office.

"Come in," Jack gruffly called out, pulling his coat on, one arm at a time.

Vivian stepped in, a look of concern in her eyes, small wrinkles set in her coffee colored skin.

"Jack," she began, stepping over to his desk, her eyes never leaving his, but Jack held up a hand before she could continue.

"Viv, if this is about the Peterson case—" but he was sharply cut off.

"No, this isn't even work-related, Jack," Vivian firmly said, folding her arms. "I'm concerned about you," she began, her voice softening several levels. "You haven't been the same for the past week, Jack. Not since Agent Spade sent out her wedding invites." Vivian took a breath, waiting to see if Jack had a response, but his dark eyes avoided hers, and he simply glanced at his wrist watch for a reply. Sighing, Vivian continued.

"Jack, if you need to talk—" but this time it was Jack who cut her off.

"Vivian, I appreciate the concern, but you know Sam and I broke it off almost ten years ago. It was over then, it has been over since, and the invite, if anything, should solidify that it remains over. Forever."

"And does that bother you?" Vivian inquired, leaning forward on Jack's desk with both hands.

"No, it doesn't bother me," Jack hotly replied, his face getting a bit flushed. "It didn't bother me then, so why the hell should it suddenly bother me now?"

Vivian gave Jack a long look before she replied.

"Alright, Jack, if you say you're fine with everything, then I'll believe you. Just one question," Vivian finished, her hands moving from his desk back onto her hips. Jack watched her eyes narrow as he nodded, allowing her to proceed with her final question.

"Why are you going on a week's leave?" Vivian asked, rather bluntly.

Jack blinked several times, allowing her question to sink in.

"Since when is that your business?" a flustered Jack demanded.

"It was just a question, Jack. I mean, a workaholic like yourself?" Vivian sighed, shaking her head. "It's out of character, Jack. You, more than anyone, should know that we would've picked up on that—"

"We?" Jack interrupted, looking sharply at Vivian. "Oh, so now I'm everyone's favorite piece of gossip?"

Vivian reached a hand out to Jack's shoulder, which he roughly shook off.

"Jack, we're concerned. That's all," Vivian finished, a pleading look in her sensible eyes.

Sighing, Jack realized that he was going to have to lie to Vivian, unless he wanted it spread around about Maria, which, of course, would only and inevitably lead to more gossip.

"Look," Jack began, "I'll level with you, Viv. You're all right; things aren't the easiest for me right now. But it's not what you think. I need some time to relax from—" Jack motioned around the office, "—all of this. The work, the stress, the fear, the desperation. And after the week we had last week," Jack said, lowering his voice, "I'll bet we could all use a vacation. Viv," Jack searched into her eyes, a somersault turning slowly in his stomach as he realized he needed to catch his plane in less than an hour. "Viv, this place is getting to me, and I'm this close, THIS close to leaving and never looking back. All those sick days I've never taken, all the paid time that's been building up...I need to relax," Jack finished, hoping that his spiel would shut her up so he could go catch his plane.

Much to his relief, Vivian nodded sympathetically, patting his shoulder.

"I hear you, Jack," was all she said, before turning around and heading back into the main office. Jack breathed a sigh of relief, double checked to make sure his plane ticket was in his coat pocket, and headed out the door, straight to his car.