CHAPTER TEN

"Wait- let me get this straight. You got the idea that Woody and I were going out for the last four years, and we broke up when he got shot?" Jordan asked. She couldn't believe it. How many people had been thinking that Jordan and Woody were a 'couple' every time they saw them? She started to get a little embarrassed. She saw how their little 'today we're friends, tomorrow we're more' game could have confused people. Oh well, it was starting to look as if they were going to end up together anyway, so who cared what people thought?

"Um, yeah, from what I've heard anyway." Jake answered her, not knowing whether she was going to laugh it off or be angry. Jordan noticed him analyzing her behavior, looking for clues as to how she was handling the news flash.

"That's crazy. Woody and I, well… I don't know." She said. How much information did she really want to share with Woody's replacement on the force? She could go into a long, detailed story about their relationship for the last four years, or she could just say that is was a long, complicated story, or she could just shut-up. As she was weighing her options, and their consequences, Jake started to wonder where Bug and Lily were. He doubted Jordan would be able to provide him any insight, but he decided to ask anyway.

"Where are Bug and Lily?" He said. Jordan had forgotten all about her friends.

"I have no clue. They must have got caught up. They should be here soon." She told him. She wondered what they could be doing. She looked out the window of the little coffee shop and saw them heading down the street, hand in hand. "Look" She told Jake, sort of pointing to Lily and Bug with a smile.

"They make a cute couple." He said. "So who's your new boyfriend?" He asked her. She was a bit surprised by the question. It was a little bit of a shock, him just asking that. Jordan wasn't used to talking to such upfront people. She guessed it was a bit like talking to herself. At first she'd wondered why he'd ask about her new boyfriend… but then she remembered when he tried to hold her hand, and she'd told him she sort of had a boyfriend. He must have guessed she'd already found someone knew. Showed how much he knew about her.

"Oh… my new boyfriend? Well, it's Woody." She told him, straight out. Now he looked a little surprised.

"Woody?" He asked, "I thought… everyone said you two were broken up."

"Yes, but everyone also said that we were going out for four years." She told him. She'd have to tell him the whole story, because he was very, very confused. It wouldn't be fair not to. But, she wouldn't have time now, since the morgue's newest couple had just entered the café. They both looked so happy, and that made Jordan happy. Jake was right, they did make a cute couple. She waved them over and they sat down.

"What new?" Lily asked after they got settled in. She couldn't remember feeling so happy in a long time. Jordan considered telling her: Oh, nothing really. I just found out that Jake here has a crush on me and a lot of people that worked with Woody got the idea that we'd been in a relationship, by which I mean more than friends, for the last four years. But, for the sake of her and Jake's embarrassment, she decided to tell Lily in private later.

"Nothing really. You?" Jordan asked with a half smile. Lily could tell by the look Jordan gave her when she said nothing, that there was a little something, and Jordan then mouthed, tell you later, to Lily before glancing over at Jake. Bug felt Lily squeeze her hand, and her smile grew even wider. Then, the waiter came over to take their orders. After much more conversation about nothing in particular, and some talk about how much they all hate Slokum, they were finished their drinks, and noticing the time, decided they should get back to their cars. On the way back to the morgue parking garage, Lily and Bug walked ahead, holding hands, looking as happy as they had all night. Jordan and Jake walked silently behind. Jordan knew she was going to have to tell Jake all about her and Woody, or he might be confused and feel awkward every time they had to work together, which would be a lot. She didn't have the energy to get into that topic right then, so she just kept her mouth shut. She needed to get home to bed so she could see Woody tomorrow. When they finally made it to the parking garage, Lily and Bug were laughing together about something, and Jake and Jordan were still very silent.

"So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" Jake asked Jordan before getting into his car.

"Yeah. I'm taking the morning off, but I'm sure I'll see you in the afternoon." Jordan replied.

"Okay… see you then." Jake said before getting into his car. Jordan waved to him as she headed over to say goodnight to Bug and Lily.

"You getting a ride home with Bug Lily?" Jordan asked, stating the obvious. Lily smiled; she wondered if she should just get a ride home with Jordan. Maybe getting a ride home with Bug would lead to things going to fast. And, she did want to know what happened with Jake. Maybe she should get a ride home with Jordan.

"Actually, maybe I could get a ride with you Jordan." She said, surprising both Jordan and Bug. "Remember that thing I was telling you I needed you help with in my apartment Jordan? I was thinking you could give me a hand with that tonight." She tried to hold back a groan at how lame her excuse was.

"Oh yeah, I remember. Sure." Jordan said with a smile, covering up for Lily, "I'll wait for you in my car." Lily smiled, as to thank her, and Jordan walked away.

"You don't mind, do you Bug?" Lily asked, smiling, looking right into his eyes. She knew he wouldn't disagree.

"No, not at all." Bug said with a smile. Then came the moment Lily had waited for all night. Hesitantly Bug leaned in, Lily doing the same. Their lips touched and neither could remember a time that they were so happy. Jordan looked back over her shoulder to see the two kissing and smiled. Maybe Lily would re-think her decision to ride home with Jordan, but she doubted it. Lily wanted to know what was going on with Jake. She shook her head and got into her car. Finally, Lily pulled away. Bug smiled at her and got into his car. She couldn't believe it. She smiled back and headed to Jordan's car.