Chapter 24

Standing in the doorway of room 214 Nick's heart raced. "This can NOT be happening!" In shock, he lowered his firearm and holstered it.

Brass, finally getting over his speechlessness, exclaimed, "Who says you can't hit the jackpot in Vegas!?" Dropping his gun he cracked a sunny smile. "A guy could wait his whole career and never get a bust this good. This is better than banana bread fresh out of the oven."

Right in front of them, in the skanky double bed of room 214, was none other than Conrad Ecklie.

"Stay right there and don't say a word, Conrad," Brass yelled while knowing it was impossible for him to do otherwise. "We'll take good care of you."

Squirming like a trout on a line, Ecklie tried to break free, but since his hands and feet were bound to the mattress handles with leather straps, he didn't make much progress. Talking was also out of the question since he was expertly gagged with a black silk scarf.

On top of the Assistant Director, was a very perturbed naked lady, who, with a wild mane of magenta hair and a Tijuana boob job, bore little resemblance to the conservative Mrs. Barbara Ecklie.

"Cops!" Flying high from the coke she just snorted off her john's chest, the hooker screamed. "Not what I friggin' needed tonight! Are you going to haul me in or can we work out a deal?!"

Nick shook his head. "This can NOT be happening! I know I'm dreaming. I've actually had this dream before."

"You're not dreaming." Brass slapped his stunned co-worker on the back. "You have something you want to say to the big boss man?"

Grinning, Nick asked, "What's her name? Candy or Brandy?"

The bodacious bondage babe answered on behalf of the gagged man flailing beneath her. "My name is Lucky."

"Mine too! Nick guffawed. "By any chance is your last name, Break?"

Brass shook with laughter. "Okay…okay we have to figure out the best way to handle this. Should we go with what my grandfather used to say…do unto others as they have screwed you?"

"Maybe that's too harsh." Nick took an 'aw shucks' tone. "After all, Mr. Ecklie was so generous to me when I was in a bind. I would hate to see him treated differently."

"Then let's play it safe. Go by the book."

Nick concurred. "Always a good idea." Shouting over at Ecklie, he said, "Isn't that right, Sir. We need to follow protocol. Do our jobs well. We want to make sure everything will hold up in court. You have my word. I'll be very thorough."

Flashing his badge and a smile Brass said, "Ma'am…Miss Lucky. I'm going to ask you a simple yes or no question. For what it's worth, I think you should answer yes, since you don't want to get hauled into the Las Vegas police station for what I'm sure wouldn't be your first time."

Flipping her pink hair off her shoulder she cracked, "Hey, whatever it takes to keep my ass out of jail, baby!"

"Awww…you're the girl of my dreams, honey." In his official LVPD voice, Brass got down to business. "I'm Captain Jim Brass of the Las Vegas police department and this is Nick Stokes from the crime lab. Do we have permission to enter the room?"

Ecklie thrashed beneath his date-for-hire while trying to yell, SAY NO, through the layers of scarf shoved in his mouth.

"Yes!" She nodded with enthusiasm. "Please come in."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss." Brass motioned for Nick to enter. "After you."

"Why thank you, Jim." Nick bounded into the room like a school boy going to recess. "Hey, Conrad, do you think this is going to mess up your plans for tomorrow morning? You know the plans to open an investigation and bring down the team?"

Seething with rage, Ecklie thrashed harder.

Brass joined Nick at the side of the bed. "Miss Lucky, if you give Mr. Stokes and me what we need, you won't get booked."

Spitting out her gum Lucky groaned, "Who's going first?"

Brass shook his head. "No. Not that. We're talking a whole different kind of pleasure."

"Ugh!" Lucky rolled her eyes. "Figures you want somethin' freaky. They always want somethin' freaky when it's free!"

For a moment Ecklie relaxed. Perhaps Stokes and Brass only wanted to share his toy.

"Calm down sweetheart." Brass grabbed a blanket and tossed it at girl. "You're done working. All we're going to be asking for is a few tasteful photos."

Ecklie knew he was screwed and this time the price would be significantly higher than two hundred bucks and a bag of coke.

Turning to Nick, Brass said, "Okay, I'm thinking we need to document this Kodak moment and take some samples of that odd powdery substance."

"Speaking of the powdery substance." Nick feigned ignorance. "Do you think it's powdered sugar?"

Brass shrugged. "Could be flour."

Ecklie closed his eyes and turned another shade of red.

"Or it could be…" Nick lowered his voice to a whisper. "…drugs."

"No! Don't even joke." Brass vehemently shook his head. "It can't be drugs. If the married Assistant Director of the Crime Lab was caught with drugs…in a seedy motel room…with a hooker… who provides a statement telling us she was solicited and paid…"

"That would be..."

"Very bad news for the Assistant Director but…"

"Very good news for us!" Rubbing his hands together, Nick gleefully announced, "I'll be right back with my camera and kit."

Leaning down, Brass snickered in Ecklie's ear, "Guess it's not your lucky night after all, Conrad. Don't worry, friends take care of friends. Oh wait…you're no friend of mine."

Sitting in his office, Grissom stared at the empty chair in front of him. His last words to Sara still fresh in his mind... "A personal relationship would mean my decisions and your reputation would be questioned all the time. You're an excellent CSI, I want people to know your success is based on your intelligence and your dedication. I can't protect you if I give them a reason to doubt my actions."

It was only half the truth. The next unspoken line was I care so much about you, Sara. I can't protect you if you are in a relationship with me.

All these years, he kept her close hoping to keep her from getting hurt by anyone. At the same time, he kept her at arms length to prevent her from hurting him. He finally understood the irony. The whole time he was the one doing the hurting…to himself and to her. He wasn't his father or his mother or the boy…he was the perfect trinity of dysfunction.

Glancing at his watch he knew the doctor planned to release Sara in six hours.

He wondered, is there anything I can do to make things right? Should I show up in Tahoe? Should I track her down at the airport? Or have I caused her enough pain? Am I so hopelessly incompetent at this that no matter what I do or how hard I try I won't make things better, I'll make them worse and cause her more pain? Maybe the best thing I can do for Sara is nothing at all.

Checking the time he knew he had only a couple of hours to decide on a course of action.

Catherine and Warrick were alone at the break room table sipping coffee when Nick bounded into the room, slamming the door. "You are SO not going to believe this!"

Catherine groaned, "Probably not." When she and Warrick returned from the field twenty minutes ago they were shocked to find out Grissom was sitting in his office instead of in Tahoe with Sara. "If it's not good news we don't want to hear it."

Beaming with delight Nick pulled up a chair. "Trust me. You want to hear this!"

Warrick set down his coffee mug. "If this is about a girl…"

"Oh it's about a girl!" Rubbing his palms together Nick oozed with excitement. "But not one of my girls and I'm not the guy."

Catherine sighed, "All right, Nicky, just spit it out. You're starting to sound like Sanders."

Gushing with pride, he spilled the beans. "Brass and I were working the 419 over at the Pussycat when we heard this scream. We thought someone was hurt. Guns drawn we head to the source. When we get there, we find the door unlocked so we push it open. Guess who we find?"

Warrick and Catherine were too tired to guess so they shrugged.

"Conrad Ecklie! Gagged and tied to the bed! Naked as the day he was born! Covered in coke! With a pink-haired hooker riding him like he was Seabiscuit!"

Warrick rolled his eyes, "Yeah…nice try, Stokes."

Catherine sighed, "You're just trying to cheer us up with a new fairy tale because the Tahoe one had such a crappy ending."

Nick reached into his jacket. "I've got proof!" With glee he spread the photos across the table. "See! Soon we'll be living happily ever after in an Ecklie-free world!"

Catherine burst into Grissom's office. "Did you hear about Ecklie?"

Looking up from the flight table displayed on his laptop, he shook his head. "What now?"

Grinning from ear to ear, she imparted the good news. "Nick and Brass busted him at the Pussycat with a hooker and a pile of coke."

Distraught, Grissom replied, "Please tell me you're making this up."

"What?" Catherine found his reaction surprising. "No, I'm not making it up. Nick showed me the evidence photos. Ecklie's in lock up. I'm sure the Director is terminating him as we speak." Clapping, she joyfully announced, "We win!"

Removing his glasses, Grissom slumped in his chair. "We win? This isn't a victory, Catherine."

Surprised he wasn't more enthusiastic, she tilted her head. "I'm not tracking you."

With sorrow in his voice, Grissom explained, "Stop thinking of how this positively impacts you and think of the damage his lack of judgment will cause others. He has a wife and two small children. Think how much they stand to lose. Their lives will never be the same after today."

"Damn." Catherine hung her head. "Talk about feeling like a selfish ass."

"Yeah…" Grissom tossed his glasses on his desk. "It takes one to recognize one."

Taking a seat, Catherine sighed. "Gil…what happened when you called Sara?"

His tone was remorseful. "The nurse wouldn't put the call through. She said Sara was very upset and wouldn't take any calls or visitors."

"So." Catherine prodded. "Why not show up anyway?"

"I've been sitting here contemplating that but…" Tapping his fingers on the desk he said, "If she said she didn't want to talk to me then what right do I have to force myself on her. I mean isn't that what Mike was trying to do to her? No. Even though I want to go, I need to respect her wishes."

She couldn't fathom how he drew his conclusion. "Mike was trying to take something from Sara that she didn't want to give. You are trying to give her something she wants. When a woman still wants something badly enough, even if she's hurt and angry, if you show up and say the right thing she'll give you another chance. "Shaking her head, Catherine chuckled, "You haven't seen Jerry McGuire, have you?"

After pondering the question for a moment, Grissom curiously replied, "No. Who is he? Is he that new guy in trace?"

"No, he's not the new guy in trace. He's a character in a chick flick! He screws up royally with a girl and at the end of the movie he shows up groveling for forgiveness. The girl melts like butter and takes him back. It works. Trust me." She chuckled harder. "What you don't know about women could fill a library."

"You have a marvelous gift for uncovering the obvious." Desperate for help he revealed his concerns. "I'm always behind. It's been like this for years. She'll ask a question or say something and by the time I start processing it, she's gone. I'm very good at my job, but at this stuff…I'm grossly incompetent. I never know what to expect and once it starts, it gets overwhelming and I end up blowing it." He sighed. "Catherine in all the years I've known you, how many times have I asked you for help with my life?"

"I could count the number of times on one hand with five fingers missing."

"Please help me."

Smiling, she said, "In Tahoe I swore I was giving up on you but you won me back. See how easy it is. You shed a few layers…ooze a little vulnerability and what do I do…fold like a lawn chair. Of course I've had a reputation for being easy since seventh grade."

At a time when he felt more alone than ever it was nice to know he still had a friend. "Thank you."

Happy to be back solving the Grissom puzzle, she recapped what she had learned thus far. "You are good at your job but lousy at the fine art of male to female communication…hmmm…let me think." After a minute an idea came to her. "What about this. Let's work through the dynamics of the social interaction like we would when running a scene. This way you have a visual flow and know what to expect."

"But how can you predict what she'll…"

"Because Sara and I, although we are very different people, we are both women looking for love."

Intrigued, he leaned forward. "Go ahead."

"You fly to Tahoe and go to the hospital. Then you wait outside until you see Sara leaving. When you see her, you call her name. She's surprised to hear her name. She looks around to see who is calling her and when she does, she sees you standing there. Then you walk over and say hello."

"Then what?"

"She could respond one of two ways…she'll either smile and wait for you to say something spectacular or she'll scream at you and tell you you're way too late."

Honesty pouring out of him, he replied, "Both of those responses scare the hell out of me."

"Then we'll cover both scenarios." She patiently explained, "If she smiles at you and waits for you to speak then all you have to do is sweetly apologize for leaving her in Tahoe and admit you were a fool. Tell her you've wised up and now you know what you want. Tell her if she gives you another chance you'll spend eternity making it up to her. She'll melt. She'll say yes. Then all you have to do is scoop her up in your arms, thank her for giving you the chance and take it from there."

"What about the second scenario?" He squirmed. "Because I think she's going to be mad."

Grinning at her pupil she said, "Almost the same strategy except you'll be talking as she walks away. Instead of being sweet you'll have to humiliate yourself. You'll have to chase her, begging for forgiveness and another chance. Eventually she'll determine you've embarrassed yourself enough and she'll stand still. That's when she'll shoot you dagger eyes and wait for you to grovel. With heart wrenching honesty you spill your guts and don't stop until you run out of things to say. When you stop talking she'll make her decision. From there it's either a kick in the ass or the same outcome as scenario one."

Anxiety spurting through him, he said, "Okay…I'll…I'll book the flight."

"Excellent choice!" Standing up, she egged him on as she headed for the door. "Go to Tahoe. Do what I said. I guarantee you'll fly home together." When she reached the door she smiled. "Personally I think you'll have her at hello." Walking down the hall she took a deep breath and thought, this is perfect! Sara will be so stunned to see him in Tahoe, she'll fall speechless. Then he can get his words out without....

"Hey, Catherine." Sara called out.

"Hey, Sara." She froze. "Sara?! What the hell are you doing here?" Her eyes darted to her watch. "You're not supposed to be discharged for hours!" She hadn't prepared her student for this scenario. Now Sara would walk in and catch Grissom totally by surprise. Minutes later she'd tell him she was quitting and before he can figure out what to say, Sara would be out the door thinking he didn't give a damn.

Smiling, Sara replied, "I think you're taking this sisterly concern a little too far. I'm fine. The doctor let me go after I exercised my patient rights. I have the papers to prove it." Winking she folded her arms across her chest. "My first attempt at taking back a little power and it was a big success. Now I'm ready to take back a little more."

"Great." Nervously Catherine glanced down the hall toward Grissom's office.

Sara took a deep breath. "Is he in his office?"

Cringing, she replied. "Yes."

"Could you do me a favor?" Sara asked as she steadied herself. "If anyone comes looking for Grissom could you run interference. I only need a few minutes to say what I have to say but I don't want to be interrupted. I know it's not very professional to do this here but if he's going to hide here, he leaves me know choice."

The ambush was only moments away and although Catherine knew she could stop it, she realized it wasn't fair to Sara. Grissom had surprised Sara with his retreat in Tahoe and now Sara would pay him back with a surprise of her own. "Sure."

"Thanks for your help." Sara replied as she walked down the hall.

"That's me…helpful." She followed her down the hall to take her place as watchdog.

When she reached the door, Sara paused to watch Grissom feverishly typing on his laptop. Still hurting from his abandonment, she wanted to hate him, but as hard as she tried she couldn't muster the emotion. Grissom is who he is, she reasoned. She couldn't resent him for not dealing with his feelings if he wasn't capable. Love isn't about wanting to change the other person in the relationship. Love is about acceptance. She could no more force him to act on his feelings than he could expect her to suppress hers.

She wished there was another way. After all they had the same feelings. Unfortunately, their methods of expressing them were destined to keep them apart.

Standing in silence watching the man who still had her heart, Sara accepted something else. Closure, like love, isn't something you can suddenly declare. On the plane she thought she convinced herself she was over him but now she knew it was wishful thinking. Closure takes time and space. More time than a one hour flight from Reno and more space than this building or this city could provide.

After cycling through a couple of deep breaths she began her speech. "Hi." When Grissom's eyes met hers she knew she had no choice but to go forward with her plan. Even after what happened in Tahoe, with every ounce of her being, she still wanted him. That of course meant she couldn't stay.

It was the first time he'd seen her since she lay unconscious in the hospital and everything about her took his breath away. Removing his glasses, he studied her in silence, thankful she was alive and standing in front of him. Thankful she was smiling. Thankful she was here giving him one last chance. Since the location didn't permit an emotional response, he suppressed the urge to race across the room and gather her in his arms. Instead, he opted to reciprocate her simple greeting. "Hi."

After closing the door Sara took two cautious steps into the room. "Um…I'm here to thank you." Smiling brighter, she explained, "When I was in the hospital, Catherine told me how you figured out everything about Mike. It was an amazing story." In a voice saturated with warmth she said, "You were brilliant…as usual. Whether it's finding justice for a victim, standing up to Ecklie or helping me…you've always been there for me. Like the time I volunteered to be a decoy for the FBI and you rushed in to get me or when my hand was cut in the lab explosion and you made sure it was taken care of…you're always protecting me."

Listening to her he was overcome with relief and his heart swelled with happiness. She wasn't angry. She was grateful! Things weren't over. They were beginning! Now all he had to do was wait for her to finish so he could say his part and then they could start their life together.

Grissom's silence and intense stare flustered her but Sara forged on. "I'll be forever in your debt, which…which makes the next thing I have to say harder, but…" A nervous chuckle escaped her lips. "Funny thing is when I rehearsed this speech I always prefaced it with me asking you not to say anything but you're already not saying anything so just keep doing what you're doing." Biting her lip she looked away. "I…I need to leave the lab. I need to leave Vegas."

Certain he was misunderstanding Grissom leaned forward. She must mean another vacation. After all that happened the last week she needs to rest.

Rigidly Sara held her tears in check. "You see, when I was in Tahoe, before the…the incident, I was thinking about my life. How I came to Vegas, why I stayed so long…my future. From the resort, I made a few phone calls. I called Berkeley about finishing my Ph.D. I called my old boss at SFPD to see if he knew of any openings and much to my surprise, he offered me a CSI 4 position." Sweetly, she added, "His exact words were after four years working with Gil Grissom I'm sure you have a lot of valuable knowledge to share so of course we want you here." A smile twittered across her lips. "Something else to thank you for I guess."

His heart pounding in his chest, he couldn't believe what was happening. She wasn't here for a new beginning, she was here to say goodbye.

Dropping to a whisper Sara said, "I've learned so much here and um…I could stay here and learn even more but it's time. It's time for me to spread my wings and see what I can do on my own. So…uh…" Timidly she forced the last part out. "I'm giving you my two weeks notice. I quit."

His fear suddenly stark reality, Grissom frantically blurted. "The lab needs you! I don't care what San Francisco wants. You can't do this, Sara!" His voice cracked. "Please…don't do this." The rest of his plea caught in his throat.

Looking up at the ceiling she fought to control her emotions and when she did, she came back stronger. "You say you don't care what San Francisco wants. What about whatI want? When is it about what's good for me?" She may not have been able to hate him but anger was easy.

Outraged at his selfishness, she continued her power play. "Sometimes you treat me like one of your beetles in a jar. You like me trapped and available. When you need me, you know all you have to do is give me an opening and I'll come running because I'm grateful for getting a little time in your world. You control the lid on a jar. Only youget to decide when I get close to you. When you've had enough, it's back to the jar for me until you need me again. And if ever you see me fading, instead of dropping little scraps of food my way, you throw attention." Inhaling sharply she added, "I'm not blaming you. I let it happen. But I won't anymore. I've had enough. That's why I'm leaving."

Dropping his head in his hand he closed his eyes. It was never his intent to keep her at his disposal and string her along but listening to her analogy he realized the painful truth. While he protected himself, he had manipulated her. Yes, it was true, she let it happen but right now that knowledge didn't make him feel any better about his pathetic behavior. "Sara…you don't have to leave the lab to…"

"Yes. I do." Her voice filled with conviction. "I've given the lab years of my time. I've given the lab my heart even when it didn't deserve it anymore. And I know I've given the lab my body because every inch of it is exhausted. The only thing I have left is my ability to say it stops now."

Desperate to make the situation better Grissom floundered. "I…I'm sorry."

Heatedly, she snapped, "You're sorry."

"I am." He pleaded with his eyes.

"Sorry for what exactly? See, you're apologizing but you're not telling me why and without any substance, an apology is just a bunch of words." She knew he was hurting but she pressed on with vigor. "Are you sorry for leaving me in Tahoe when I needed you? For not even being a concerned friend? For not being man enough to tell me yourself?" Her eyes narrowed as her tone turned colder. "Or are you sorry for stringing me along over the years with nebulous comments which you knew left me confused?" Finally she snapped. "Or are you just sorry you won't have me around to control anymore?!"

He didn't know which to address first. "I…"

Even though she swore she wouldn't lose it, she felt her voice rising along with her frustration. "Do you see what I'm saying? You telling me, I'm sorry, means nothing! It means nothing because there are so many things you could be sorry for, I have no way of knowing what you really mean!"

The truth was he was sorry about everything he ever did to cause her pain but he sensed if he said that it wouldn't be the right answer. He needed to be more specific.

Realizing he was overloaded and the conversation was turning into a scene, she backed off. "I've said what I came to say." Shaking, she reached for the doorknob. "I'm still on suspension so I'm going home." Without looking back she opened the door, stepped into the hall and kept walking.

Minutes later, Catherine entered the office.

Grissom cringed.

"Tell me what happened." She helped herself to a chair.

"When she got here she had already made up her mind to leave." He slid further down in his seat. "It's definitely too late."

"Really?" She folded her arms across her chest. "What was the last thing Sara said? Did she say she hated you? That she never wanted to see you again? Did she call you scum and say she'd kill you if you even looked at her funny?" She paused to chuckle. "I used that last line once…very effective."

"Thankfully no she didn't say any of those things." Not that he thought he could feel much worse.

"Tell me exactly what she said before she walked out the door."

Sighing he answered, "She said, I'm still on suspension so I'm going home."

"Really?!" A mischievous grin popped up on Catherine's face. "Why do you think she wanted you to know where she'd be?"

"She didn't." He answered logically. "She was stating a fact."

"Good lord, you are more clueless than I ever realized!" Tossing her hair off her shoulder she moved to the edge of his desk. "She wants you to go find her. That's why she said it."

Baffled, he replied, "Won't she think I'm stalking her if I show up? She made it pretty clear that she was done talking."

"She is done." Catherine pointed at the clueless man in front of her. "It's your turn."

Apprehension in his voice, he asked, "Even though she told me her decision? Do you really believe she wants me to chase after her and try to change her mind?"

"Absolutely! Let's run it." Happily she took another stab at the puzzle. "You knock on her door. She looks out the peep hole and has to decide whether or not to let you in. Eventually she opens the door. You ask to come in and talk. At first she'll hesitate but don't worry, she'll let you in. When you first get inside she'll be distant and cold but that's okay. You initiate the conversation asking her to stay. She'll flip at your audacity. After all, she just told you she was leaving. That's okay, just keep going about your business."

"For how long?"

"Eventually she'll stop ranting and ask you a leading question. That's your defining moment. Depending on your answer, she'll either kick your ass out the door or give you a chance."

"What will the question be?" He waited with baited breath.

Grinning she gave him an answer she knew he would hate. "It can be anything but if you're listening you'll recognize it when she says it."

"Do you have any idea how illogical and terrifying all this sounds to me?"

Standing up she pointed at the door. "Go get the girl, damn it! Don't let her go to San Francisco and break up our little family!" Huffing she paced the room. "If it helps, let's focus on me for a minute. I don't want some annoying outsider plunked in here as Sara's replacement! Knowing my luck it will be some obnoxious blond who thinks she's better than me!"

When she saw him stand, grab his keys and head for the door her expression warmed. "Gil, in our line of work we never get to see happy endings so please, whatever you do…don't blow this because I absolutely guarantee it is truly your very last chance! You need to go to her and spill your guts. You have nothing to lose because she's already leaving. So focus on what you have to gain."

He clutched the doorframe. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Proudly she watched him leave. "Wait!" She met him at the door. "One more very important thing. Wow, I can't believe I almost forgot this part."

Cocking his head he waited for her final piece of wisdom.

"If she's playing music, take a listen before saying anything. If it's some kind of man-hating uber-feminist rock song then you need to run. If it's a pathetic song about the pain of love then you're good to go."

"What if she's not playing any music?"

In a plucky tone she replied, "Duh! Then you check to see if she's been eating chocolate."

"Of course." Clutching his keys like worry beads, he left the room.

As soon as Grissom was gone, Warrick entered the room clapping. "Brava!"

Bowing she said, "He may be the star of this demented tale but I play the role of the trusty sidekick rather well, don't I?"

Savoring the woman in front of him Warrick replied, "Yes, you do." Suddenly he was thinking about other roles for her to play.

Together they walked into Grissom's empty office.

While trying to make up his own mind, he rambled. "So…uh…you really think Gris will be able to change Sara's mind?"

Rolling her eyes, she groaned. "You're the gambler, what do you think the odds are?" Really she wondered what the odds were that he was thinking the same thing that she was…it's been a rough couple of days, could we get the hell out of here and go someplace a little more private to decompress.

"Now you know I don't gamble anymore." But calculated risks were still okay and Warrick was ready to take one.

Shrugging, Catherine answered her own question. "I think if Grissom manages to blurt out the right words Sara will fold like a blackjack player holding five against an ace but the odds of Grissom finding the right words…a long shot at best."

Crossing the room, Warrick watched Catherine's eyes watching him. "Speaking of gambling, what do you think my chances would be if I asked you to have lunch with me right now?"

Lost in the intensity of his smoldering eyes, she wistfully replied, "Oh, I'd say it was a sure thing."

"In that case…" He brushed up against her. "Would you like to have lunch with me?"

"I'd love to." Straightening the collar of his black fitted shirt, she taunted, "Maybe in this twisted fairy tale the hapless hero manages to get the girl but there's more…the trusty sidekick, as a reward for her patience, gets a guy…a tall, dark, handsome and incredibly sexy guy. What do you think? Would that be a good ending?"

Her proximity tantalized him and if they weren't standing in the boss's glass walled office he would have eliminated the six inch gap between them. "Sounds perfect."