"I can see your leave of absence did nothing at all to slow you down," commented Garrett, as he hurriedly followed Jordan into autopsy.

"Not a damn thing. I told you it was a waste of time," she replied.

"Mind telling me why you're so hell bent on breaking the record for the most autopsies performed in a single day?"

"I've always been ambitious, Garrett."

"No, you've always ran whenever you've had a problem," he said, tugging on her arm and pulling her around to face him. "So what are you running from now?"

"I haven't gone anywhere."

Garrett counted to ten before he answered her. "You may not have left the building, or even the city of Boston, but you sure as hell are staying too busy for some reason." He narrowed his eyes and looked at her. "It's still this Woody thing, isn't it?"

Jordan just glared at him.

"I'm right. You still haven't made up your mind, have you?"

She shook her head. "It's not that I don't care for him, it's just better that we leave things the way they are right now."

"Jordan, the man loves you. Why are you dead set on throwing this away? It could make you the happiest you've ever been."

"Or I could tear him apart."

"Look, no one knows what's going to happen in a relationship. You have to take a chance and try your best."

"What if my best isn't good enough?"

"And what if you're miserable the rest of your life because you wouldn't risk it?"

Jordan looked at the floor. Garrett caught the movement and saw her shoulders physically slump. Gently took her by the arms. "Jordan, you okay?"

"No, not really," she said, covering her face with her hands. "I miss him, Garrett. Why couldn't he have left things the way they were?"

Garrett drew Jordan to him and gently hugged her. "Because, Jo. Woody's a man. He wants something more with you than just a friendship. He's willing to risk it. Shouldn't you?"

"You know my history with men. What if I do that to Woody? I couldn't live with myself then...."

Garrett smiled into her hair. Yes, he did know her history. There was Tyler and others that she had drew to her and then cut them off. And up until this point in her life, she had never worried about it. But she had never loved those men. Garrett had a suspicion that her feelings for Woody were deeper than even she recognized.

"Chances are if you feel that way, Jo, you won't do that to Woody."

"You think so?"

"There are no absolutes in love, Jo. But I would be willing to wager my next paycheck on it."

Raising her head from her hands, she wiped her eyes. "I'll give it serious thought, Garrett. He's given me time and space. Maybe I need to start using it."

"And you can. Right after this next autopsy."

8888888888888888888

Jordan sat alone in her office after she finished the autopsy. The hall was basically empty. Everyone had gone home...even Garrett and Nigel. It was quiet and she could think. She got up from her desk and nervously paced the small area.

She had to admit for the last several weeks, she had been lonely. She hadn't realized how much she had gotten used to just his voice....over her cell phone....in her apartment...in this office....in trace and autopsy. She hadn't realized how much she looked forward to seeing him, either in the field, or at the Pogue. Hell, she didn't know until now, just how much her world did revolve around him.

How do I feel about him...about us? I need him in my life...on some level...I can't go on, not like this...I feel empty without him. I want to see him... I need to see him, she thought. Acting quickly on impulse, so she wouldn't talk herself out of it, she picked up her cell phone and hit two on speed dial.

"Hoyt," came his voice over the phone.

"Woody? It's Jordan."

"Hi." There was an awkward pause.

"Ummm, I was wondering if you would like to get some dinner together and talk....I haven't seen you in a while," Jordan said.

"Gee, I'd like to, but I already have plans, Jo. Maybe some other time?"

Jordan felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Barely able to get the words out, she replied "Oh. Okay. Sorry I bothered you. Maybe we can get together next week?"

"Sure. Gotta go."

"Bye, Woody."

"Bye."

Jordan slowly flipped her phone shut. Since when did he ever have plans on a Thursday night, other than working? Reluctantly, she got her purse and keys and went downstairs to her SUV. Halfway home, her stomach began to growl. Thinking back, she realized she hadn't had lunch yet. No wonder she was a little light-headed. Pulling over into a parking lot, she called La Hacinda, her favorite Mexican food place and placed a to-go order. I need Mexican and beer, she thought. That will be good after the day I've had.

Driving to the restaurant, she tried to put Woody's call in perspective. So what if he had plans. It didn't mean anything. He could be watching the game with the guys. He could be working out tonight....it could be anything. But part of her mind still held a niggling worry. He had never refused her dinner invitations before, unless he had to work. Maybe that was his plans? Still, somehow, that didn't fit.

Soon she had her answer.

She strode into the restaurant to pick up her order when she heard a familiar voice. Looking over her shoulder, she saw him sitting at a table with a young, blonde woman. Jordan recognized her as one of the office assistants from the DA's office. What was her name? Mandy? Marie? Marcy? She was laughing at something Woody had said, and he was smiling at her, showing his dimples to his best advantage. And holding the woman's hand.

"Miss? Your change," said the cashier.

Blindly, Jordan held out her hand, never taking her eyes off Woody and the office assistant. Just then Woody looked up and caught her eye. She could tell he was excusing himself and standing up. She knew he was going to make his way over to her. Hurriedly, she walked out the door. Luckily, her SUV was parked in front of the restaurant in the take out parking spot. She quickly climbed in. By the time Woody had made it to the restaurant door, she had pulled off and was starting home.

Well, it's your own damn fault, she thought as she wove the vehicle in and out of the Boston traffic. You can't give him the answer he wants. He told you he was going to give you some time and space to make up your mind – meanwhile both of you were to go on and live your lives like nothing had happened – there was nothing between you two. Remember, he warned you that he was playing for keeps. He means it this time, he really means it.

Pulling in her apartment's parking lot, she banged her head against the steering wheel. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought. For a fleeting second, she toyed with the idea of going to her father's house. But he would only ask questions. Wearily, she got herself and her takeout and went upstairs. She was no longer hungry. I'll try to eat, take a shower, and head back to the morgue, she thought. I know I won't sleep tonight. Maybe, if I'm busy, I can somehow get a rational take on this. She sighed. It was going to be hard to get a rational take on seeing Woody with another woman. Who was she kidding.? It was going to be damn near impossible. Her heart lurched. What if I've waited too long?

88888888888888888

Woody watched her drive off from the restaurant. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He hadn't meant for Jordan to see him tonight. He figured once he turned down her dinner invitation, she'd either work late or go home. He never imagined she'd come in to La Hacinda for take out.

Mandy was a friend. Just a friend. He had met her while working with Rene Walcott on a case. Mandy had pulled some strings for him several times in buying him time on a case with Rene. He owed her dinner.

At least that was how he rationalized it. The truth was, he was lonely. He missed Jordan and everything they used to do together, even if it mainly involved work. But he had meant what he said. They both needed to go on with their lives while she tried to make a decision. Determinedly, he straightened his tie and went back to his table. If Jordan says she doesn't want a relationship, you gotta get used to this, bud, he thought to himself. He smiled at his dinner date and sat back down. He'd get through this evening somehow, even if he had to keep imagining Mandy's blue eyes were whiskey-colored.

As soon as it was politely possible, Woody dropped Mandy off at her apartment. But instead of going back to his, he drove around awhile. I wonder what she's doing? Did it bother her that I was with someone else? He remembered Jordan's expression when she saw him. At first, she looked happy that he was there, until she caught sight of Mandy. Then a swift expression of hurt ran over her face, lingering in her eyes. Then just as swiftly, she had made it disappear as she had headed out the door of the restaurant. Reluctantly Woody noticed where he was at...Pearle Street. He had driven there on automatic pilot and guilt. He parked, got out, and went to the second floor. Hesitating only momentarily, he knocked on Jordan's door. No answer. He knocked again. Still no answer. Sighing, he went back downstairs and drove to the Pogue. Her car wasn't there. It wasn't at her father's house either. That left only one place – the morgue.

So he drove over there. Jordan was there, her SUV parked in her spot. He had just entered the building when his cell phone rang.

"Hoyt."

"Woody, it's Eddie. We just received word that you have a new partner. Got a minute?"

"Yeah."

"Want to come in? He's in the office – just came in from Virginia. You can meet him if you want."

"On my way."

Woody flipped his phone shut and ran his fingers through his hair again. Maybe it would be better if he and Jordan had at least another day before they talked about this.