Feud!

Chapter One - 5/2/2016

"We can't see each other as long as I'm your boss," Stephanie told James, trying to ignore the sparks between them that threatened to burst into dangerous wildfire.

"In that case, Miss Bosslady, Ma'am, consider this my resignation."

"Oh, no you don't! I need you!"

James grinned, raising one eyebrow suggestively. "I need you, too - that's why I'm resigning. I might be way outta line saying this, but the other night, when we went out for drinks, I felt...something. I'm pretty sure you did, too."

"James, we had a couple of drinks together; we didn't 'go out'. Ok?"

"The difference is...?"

"One gets me in big trouble and the other keeps me employed." She walked around the desk to sit in a chair next to James. "The reason I won't accept your resignation is - I got you a promotion instead."

"You're stepping down?"

Stephanie laughed. "Not for you, or any other man! The truth is that this is a much bigger job than in our parents' day. Now it's at least three people's jobs all rolled into one."

"Only three, huh?"

"Anyway, to lighten the load a little, and so I can at least glimpse a 'normal' life, the Secretary has agreed that, effective immediately, you are no longer an Assistant Director; you are now Associate Director."

"You want me to take on the jobs of at least 1.5 people? I'd accept that kind of insanity...why?"

Stephanie gave him a light, playful whack on the head, "Maybe you're not as smart as I gave you credit for. Think about it: ' Associate', as in 'Co' - as in...I'm not your boss anymore!"

"I'll do it!"

"One condition: you still have to keep your feet off my desk."

"I s'pose the fringe benefits might be worth it."

Steph made a face at him. "I never promised you fringe benefits."

"I'm talking about your fringe benefits."

"And what would those be?"

"Remember the other day, when I kissed you?" He'd caught her by surprise, giving her an extremely inappropriate-for-the-office kiss, as 'something to think about'."

Stephanie smiled. "I think I vaguely remember some sort of lip-lock -"

"That was nothing, Miss No-Longer-My-Boss," James said flippantly, standing to face her.

Steph took the bait - willingly - and stood, too, hands-on-hips, daring him. "Is that a fact?"
"Come here," he told her, snaking one arm tightly around her waist to pull her close. As he began to kiss her, his other hand moved behind her head, his fingers entwining in her hair, pulling her even nearer, intensifying the pressure of her lips against his. Stephanie moaned softly, almost a purring sound, as she melted into his arms.

"Feels good to give up control every once in awhile, huh?" James said softly.

"Quote me on it," she answered breathlessly, "and I'll deny every word, but it really does."

James flicked the tip of his tongue teasingly against hers until they were both engulfed by an overwhelming passion, then...

"You know, if the Secretary saw that, he'd fire both of you on the spot." Jaime stood in the doorway, smiling broadly at them. "Next time, you might consider closing the door."

"Mom!" Stephanie blushed a deep crimson. "I..."

"Relax; I'm fine with it. James, if you're anything like your father, I know Steffie's in good hands. See ya." Jaime smiled again and closed the door as she left.

James chuckled. "Steffie?"

"Do not even go there!"

------

Jaime was humming to herself on the express elevator ride to the main lobby. She was almost always in a good mood after her bi-monthly visit to Michael Marchetti's lab for his so-called 'youth serum'. It seemed to still be working, after almost 20 years. Jaime, Oscar, Steve and Peggy had been among the original group of volunteers (after it had been tested for safety, of course), and the results had been dramatic. There had thus far been no heart disease, Alzheimers, arthritis or even wrinkles among the group - except for Oscar's worry lines, which Jaime swore he'd had since birth.

Jaime walked out the front entrance and was headed toward the fountain when she heard a hostile voice call out to her as its source moved closer.

"It just figures I'd come here for something good, something happy, for a change, and have to see...you." Peggy Callahan-Austin scowled but instead of walking right past Jaime and into the building, she took a confrontational stance and stood her ground. She harbored deep animosity toward Jaime, blaming her for the divorce action she'd just filed against Steve. Peggy accused them of never having gotten over each other and of having a long-standing affair.

"Marchetti should just let you age and die - you husband-stealing tramp!"

"Peggy -"

"You actually had the nerve to call yourself my friend, you two-faced lying slut!" Unbelievably, Peggy swung her arm out and sharply slapped Jaime's face. The sound seemed to echo, even above the splashing and gurgling of the fountain.

Jaime didn't duck or dodge because it was the last thing she'd have expected from Peggy, so she never saw it coming. She struggled to control her own anger, knowing that if she took even one swing, the results would be disastrous. "Peggy," she said in a very calm, even voice, "I think you need to cool off." In one smooth motion, Jaime lifted Peggy off the ground and deposited her in a sitting position in the middle of the fountain.

The Hatfields and McCoys were alive, well, and living in Washington, DC.

------