Wearily, Jordan snapped off her gloves, pulled the sheet up over the body, and slid it back in its drawer. It had been a long night, but she was still glad she had decided to come back to work instead of going back to her lonely apartment with Mexican takeout. At least this way she was productive, instead of stewing over seeing Woody with another woman.

The logical part of her brain was telling her that it was fine for Woody to see someone else. He had even told her to see someone else during this time. There was no commitment between the two of them. No words had been spoken yet. And God knows there certainly were no rings on her finger. And if the truth be known, she still felt like Woody could do better than her. She came with a lot of baggage. Part of Jordan felt like no one could really love her....there was just too much "stuff" in her past...she was damaged goods.

The other part of her was, she was ashamed to admit, seething with jealousy. A rather new emotion for Jordan. In the past, when one of her boyfriends had found greener grass, she had cheerfully kicked them out and rescinded all bedroom privileges.

But this time it was different. Woody technically wasn't her boyfriend. And he had no bedroom privileges, even though Jordan wouldn't have minded too much if he did – not that she had ever really let him know that. No, Woody had been a perfect gentleman.

A perfect gentleman that had managed to worm his way into her heart and mind. Right now, she was torn between the idea of wanting to know what was going on between him and Mandy and feeling sick to her stomach over what may be happening. She sighed. If this was what being in love was like, she thought she'd pass on the whole thing. However, she knew deep in her heart, if given the chance to be alone in the room with Mandy or Marcy or Marie (whoever the hell she was), she would promptly snatch the girl bald.

That thought startled Jordan. She had never felt this way before. Could what Garrett said be true? Could she be throwing away her chance at happiness? She shook her head, stopped and got a cup of coffee and headed to her office, vaguely looking at the paperwork on the victim in her hand. So.....this was Woody's vic? At least that would give her a chance to go to his office tomorrow with the results. She threw the paperwork down on her desk and grabbed her purse. If she was going to meet him tomorrow, she was going to make sure she looked damned good. It was time to go home, do a pedicure and manicure and all that other girlie stuff she normally didn't take the time to do. She had a new dress in her closet. A little burgundy number she had never worn before. She caught it on sale a few weeks ago. It emphasized her curves to the best of their ability. . Maybe tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity to wear it for the first time. And those gold sandals would look great with it. She'd throw some jeans in the car in case she had to go out in the field......Grinning, she put her strategy in place and went home.

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The next morning, she woke up earlier than normal and took extra time with her make up. She let her hair wave instead of straightening it like normal. She piled it up loosely on her head, leaving wisps of it hanging loose. Then she slid into the dress.

It was a perfect dress for her – a business dress that had just a little added oomph. The kind of dress Garrett probably wished she would wear when she was testifying in court or meeting with Rene. It was cut with a V-neckline and wrapped around and tied on the sides. It had long sleeves with tiny French cuffs and fell modestly to right above her knee. There was nothing sensational about the dress, except that it hugged her in all the right spots and there was just the mild suggestion that if the ties came undone, she could be bare in all of two seconds. Just the effect she was going for. She decided against the gold sandals and settled for black sheer hose and black heels. Looking in the mirror, she almost didn't recognize herself. Definitely looking good she thought as she gathered her purse and keys and went to the office.

"Goooood Morning, love," Nigel trailed off as she entered her office. Emitting a low wolf whistle, he followed her behind her.

"Please, please tell me you wore that for me and that in 20 minutes you're going to meet me in the supply room to see if I can undo those ties," he begged, plopping down on the corner of her desk.

"Nope. Out of luck. I wore this dress for myself."

Nigel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. For you and who else. No, let me guess. A certain detective from Wisconsin. How come he gets all the good stuff, hmmm?"

"No, I didn't wear it for Woody. We're not exactly seeing each other right now."

Nigel flashed her a knowing grin. "Oh, you're not wearing it for Woody. You're wearing it to make Woody realize what he is missing....and hurt real bad."

Jordan nodded as she gathered up the reports to head for Woody's office.

"Oh, you wicked, wicked girl. Please fill me in on all the gory details when you get back," he slid off the desk and left her office. Looking back over his shoulder, he gave her a knowing wink and said "Good luck."

Jordan smiled and hit two on speed dial on her cell phone.

"Hoyt."

"Good morning," she said in her best professional voice. "I have those prelims on your vic from yesterday. I was going to run them over, if you're going to be in your office."

Woody sighed. He wasn't quite ready to see her yet, but with his new partner there, he knew she couldn't make any kind of scene.

"You can fax them, Jo," he replied in a flat voice, hoping to dissuade her from coming.

"That's okay," she replied sweetly. "I have to bring some paperwork to Rene from Garrett. I'll see you in a few." She quickly walked over to his office. Knocking on the door, she heard a strange voice say, "Come in."

"Oh, hello...I was looking for Woody," she said. This was a new guy. She had never seen this man before. He was tall....as tall as Woody. But there the resemblance ended. He had dark hair and dark eyes and olive skin. He looked to be a few years older than Woody.

"I'm down here, Jordan."

Jordan turned to find Woody on the floor, plugging up a new computer. He hauled himself to his feet and caught his breath.

She looked beautiful. In fact, he had never seen her look so good. Mentally, he shook himself. He had never seen her in a dress....never knew her legs were so long, and looked so....sexy. Damn... he thought. Only two ties holding that dress on...I wonder if... and caught himself. Jordan was too busy looking at his new partner for her to notice him.

"Jordan," he said, drawing her attention away from his partner for a minute, "This is my new partner, Ray Bertini. Ray, this is Jordan Cavanaugh, one of our ME's from across the street."

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Cavanaugh," Ray said, extending his hand. Jordan shook it and noticed that there was no wedding ring. "Hope we get the chance to work together in the future."

"Me, too," she said.

Woody cleared his throat. "Do you have those reports?"

"Oh..yeah...sure. Here they are." She was still looking at Ray, but she handed the reports to Woody. "I think you'll find everything in order. When did you get here, Ray?"

"Just got here last night from Virginia."

"Oh. Wow. Well, if you need any help getting to know the area, let me know."

"You live here long?"

"All my life."

"Boston seems like a good area."

"It is...why'd you leave Virginia?"

"I lived near the DC area...too much crime."

"Oh...well I have got to get back. I have an autopsy scheduled at 10:30. Nice to meet you, Ray."

"Same here, Dr. Cavanagh."

"Please, call me Jordan."

Ray smiled. He had a great smile. "Okay, Jordan."

Jordan smiled at him and Woody and turned to go. Woody followed her outside. "Umm...Jo, about last night."

"What about last night?"

"I mean, Mandy...the restaurant.... I didn't mean..."

"Don't worry about Wood. Like you said, we both need time and space. And meanwhile we have to continue with on with our lives....don't give it a second thought." And with that, she turned on her heel and left. It couldn't have worked out better if she had planned it. She saw the look on Woody's face when he saw the dress and when he saw her talking with his new partner, Ray.

And Ray was a good looking guy, she had to admit. But as handsome as dark eyes, dark hair, and olive skin were, it was the man with blue eyes that held her heart. She just wondered if she still held his.

Woody watched her walk down the hall to the elevators, her hips gently swaying in the dress. He had watched her walk away before, in those slightly tight jeans she always wore. Somehow a dress made it different. She looked so...feminine in it. He laughed at himself...of course she looked feminine in a dress. Girls wear dresses...girls are females...But that dress on Jordan was just one short step shy of seduction for him. He still couldn't help but imagine what would happen if he got her alone and untied....

"Woody?" It was Ray. "Is everything okay?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. You need to read Jordan's prelims. You'll be working with this case, too."

"She seems like a nice girl. Is she married?"

"No," he replied, somewhat angry that Ray would ask such a question about his...his... his what? She wasn't his girlfriend, at least not yet. Hopefully....

"Are you seeing her?"

"Not exactly."

"But you want to."

Woody looked at Ray with a puzzled expression. "Hey man, it was written all over your face when you saw her walk in the room," Ray said.

"How do you know?"

"I just do."