"So what's new, Cassie?"
Cassandra looked over her hot fudge sundae at Jack, who was sipping a cup of coffee. The two of them had the entire afternoon to themselves this Saturday – which was a rare thing for both of them – and Jack had suggested they celebrate their time together with a movie and ice cream. Sam was having lunch with Dotty Adams – and Jaffer had shown every indication of wanting to go with her, so Jack of course had sent them on their way – and Emmett Bregman was picking Janet up at the infirmary and taking her home, so with Jack and Cassie both at loose ends, Cassie had agreed, even though she secretly thought she was probably to old to go out for ice cream like that.
She'd had fun at the theater, though. Jack hadn't actually liked the movie all that much, but was always entertaining when he was bored, and Cassie watched with amusement as various other theater goers found themselves bombarded by popcorn and M&M's being lobbed at them from some unknown source. Every time they'd look back at Jack, he'd either give them an innocent look (if they were female) or a scowl (if they were younger and male). Either way, the patron in question would turn and look elsewhere for the source of the annoyance, and Cassie would stifle yet another giggle.
Then they'd gone for ice cream, and Jack had suggested they stay inside the restaurant – something he didn't get to do often when he had Jaffer with him – and chat. Which was fine with Cassie, who loved to spend time with Jack.
She shrugged.
"I think Ben is gay..."
"What?"
"You know... Ben Crane? The camera guy with Emmett? I think he's gay. Or maybe afraid of women – but probably gay."
"Oh yeah?"
She nodded. Her introduction to him hadn't been nearly as pleasant as she'd expected and hoped it would be. The man was just as cute up close – cuter, even – but he'd only said hello, then had mumbled some kind of excuse to leave the room, and had barely said boo to her the next three times she'd seen him thru out the course of the week.
"He's not very sociable."
"Uh huh."
"He's weird around mom, too, you know?" Cassie added. "And Sam. He really doesn't like to be around Sam, did you ever notice that?"
"Yeah."
Jack took another sip of his coffee, thinking of a way to change the subject. He didn't need Cassie to know that he was the reason Ben was so timid around her and her mom – or Sam.
"So, Emmett's taking your mom home?"
Cassie's expression changed to one that was almost gloating – and just a little naughty. Not an expression he was used to seeing on her sweet little innocent face.
"Yeah. I think it's a good way to let them spend some time together, huh?"
"Yup. As long as you're okay with it."
"I am." She toyed with the spoon in her sundae.
"Maybe I should stay with you and Sam one more night... just to... oh, help you around the house or something?"
Jack smiled slightly, deciding that Cassie really had to like Emmett to make an offer like that.
"Sure, honey. I can always use a hand... around the house, or something."
She smiled triumphantly, and took another bite of her sundae.
"So what's new with you, Jack?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"You know... I really can drive myself..."
Emmett smiled, and the arm that was wrapped lightly around Janet's waist tightened just a little.
"I know, but I volunteered."
The Doctor leaned slightly into his warm body, enjoying the closeness of him, and the protective arm that had her pinned so tenderly against him.
"Well, I appreciate it."
He let her go so he could open the passenger door of the car, and ushered her into her seat, making sure she was comfortable before closing the door and going around to the driver's side.
"Believe me, I wanted to," he told her, putting the car into gear, and smiling with pleasure when Janet rested her left hand lightly on his thigh. There wasn't anything too sensual in the touch – it wasn't like she was groping him or anything – but it was a sign of just how comfortable the two of them were getting with each other. He was always wanting to touch her – which wasn't so easy since she'd been in the infirmary all week – and they'd shared a few stolen kisses here and there, but now that she was out of the infirmary, he'd hoped she would be willing to spend the afternoon with him, since Cassie had gone off with Jack. And he'd been delighted when she'd agreed to let him pick her up and take her home.
Sam and Janet had been talking about the Major having coffee with a woman named Dotty – who Emmett didn't know – and Sam had mentioned she wouldn't be able to pick Janet up, and had asked Emmett if he'd mind doing it. It wasn't something he'd have suggested doing himself, because he was sure Janet would assume he was going to make a move on her or something, but when it came from Sam, it seemed a reasonable request, and Janet had agreed with a willingness and a smile that had made Bregman's heart skip a beat.
He rested his hand over hers, and the two of them drove in comfortable silence for a while.
"I thought you were taking me home." Janet finally said, looking over at him.
"I am."
"You missed my turn about twenty minutes ago..."
He wasn't all that familiar with the streets, she knew, and she hadn't said anything, assuming he would figure it out on his own, but they were getting further and further from her house, and Janet finally had to speak up.
He smiled, and pulled to a stop in front of a little brick house.
"I didn't say I was taking you to your house," he said.
"Well... since you're not from here, you obviously can't take me to yours..." she told him with a smile.
"Who says I'm not from here?"
"You told me you lived in Washington DC."
"I do... I did," He corrected, smiling, and getting out of the car and coming around to open her door. "Now I live here."
"Here?"
He pointed to the little brick house.
"There."
"But..."
She got out of the car, looking at him and then at the house, confusion apparent in her expression. Emmett smiled.
"It's one of the advantages of being a freelance reporter, Janet." He told her, putting his arm around her waist once more and leading her up the walk. "When I find a beautiful woman and decide I want to be able to have more than some kind of long-distance affair with her, it doesn't take all that much to move closer to her."
Janet blushed, and Emmett smiled to see it. He put his finger under her chin, more or less forcing her to look up at him.
"I'm not rushing things," he said. "I'm more than willing to go as slow – or as fast – as you need to, and want to. But I have to be closer to you than Washington DC."
"I'm glad," Janet told him, smiling up at him, and then looking over at the house. "I wasn't looking forward to flying to Washington DC every other week to see you – but I would have."
He laughed and hugged her as tightly as he dared – she was still a bit sore, after all, and he knew it.
"I'll still be on the road a bit, but I intend to see you more than every other week – if you don't mind, and Cassie is agreeable..."
"I don't mind." And Cassie was old enough to understand that her mother had needs, too. She and Janet had already discussed that. Janet leaned into his side once more, looking at the little house.
"It's cute."
"It's just a rental – for now. I didn't really have time to actually look around for a house to buy, but a rental is good enough... it'll give me a place to hang my hat." He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "Want to come in and take a look? It's not all that decorated yet, but..."
"I'm sure it's lovely..."
Even if it was trashed and awful, it still would have been lovely to her. The thoughtfulness and the very sentiment behind the house was all that mattered to her, and Janet felt the sting of tears as she turned her head up to kiss him lightly.
Yeah... things were definitely looking up, she thought to herself as he let her go long enough to pull the key out and unlock the door. He smiled a little shyly and took her hand, leading her inside.
The End!
Author's Note: So... There you go! Janet lived, and even ended up with a significant other in the making... Ben lived – so far – and everyone's happy. More or less. Tell me what you liked, what you didn't, favorite lines, worst lines... stuff like that. Also, let me know what you want to see coming... if it's something that will fit into the plans I already have coming up, then I'm more than willing to write a story about it!
