Leah tossed the bills to the cab driver and got out, waiting until the vehicle had disappeared before walking to the door and letting herself in. Jeth's house looked different in the midday light, especially without him beside her. As she headed to the bedroom to pack, she glanced in at the kitchen and saw the dirty dishes from last night's chili. A guilty smile crossed her face as she remembered the reason neither of them had cleaned up after dinner.
In the bedroom she began gathering her clothes and folding them; placing them back in her overnight bag. She'd lived under twenty-four hour surveillance before, she could do it again now that she knew it was there. It was time to go home. Last night had been wonderful, she could almost let herself believe that he... she sighed. That emotion just didn't exist for them. He'd told her that once, very clearly.
You know, Jeth, you're actually a pretty decent guy.Don't let that get around. It'll ruin my reputation!Oh, and marriage didn't?Hey, she cheated on me. I must be a bastard, right?Come on, I thought we'd been over that one. That's not your fault. Besides, in my opinion any woman who'd cheat on you is an idiot.Careful, Hecht. That sounded dangerously close to emotion. And we know how the director frowns on emotion.It's pretty hard to spend as much time together as we do and not develop some emotion. One way or the other.What's that supposed to mean?Can you honestly say you feel nothing for me?You're a very close friend, Leah.Then would you care to explain that kiss?That was a mistake. A big mistake. There can never ever be anything between us.Hey, it's not like I asked for it!Didn't you? Do you think I'm blind? I saw that look in your eyes; I should have resisted, but I didn't. Now look at us! We're supposed to be on a stakeout and we're fighting over a damned kiss. I don't love you, Leah. I don't and I never will.
She sank onto the bed, the tears flowing as the memory played itself out in all its harsh reality. Yes, it was definitely time to leave.
She finished her packing and carried her bag to the front door. As she picked up the phone to call another cab, she glanced in the kitchen one more time. She couldn't leave the mess, she wanted to erase all traces of last night, if not from her mind, then from his. She sighed, hung up the phone and began to clean up the dishes.