Okay, I'm going to say here what I should have said in the beginning of chapter 26: Katie Mason is an OC created by anmodo. You'll find her in anmodo's wonderful series, Never Look Back 4, a Danny-centric but J/S friendly story that is parallelling the series with a Danny perspective. I've totally enjoyed it, and Katie sparked my imagination as the perfect person for Danny to take to the dance. In fact, I can't imagine him taking anyone else! Many thanks to her for the permission to 'borrow' Katie for a few scenes!

And thanks for those reviews. Wow. I've never had so many for one chapter! What a treat! Everyone at YTDAW: thanks for the butt-kicking. It does kinda get my focus to where it should be! Here's hoping y'all enjoy this chapter too...

Too Good To Be True
by: Mariel

Chapter 27

Shortly after the announcement was made requesting everyone to please find their tables, Danny returned with Katie. He introduced her almost shyly, the attentive manner he displayed towards her making Jack regard her closely. When he saw the look in Danny's eyes as he returned Katie's gazes, he jumped to a conclusion he was sure was correct. Here was someone Danny had invested a lot of emotional trust in. Neither upset not surprised that Danny was choosing to keep it confidential for the time being, he waited for everyone to settle before saying, "It's nice to see you again, Katie."

The young woman smiled at him, then looked at Danny. "It's nice to be invited." She tilted her head to one side, and added, "And the circumstances are certainly more pleasant than the last time we met."

Jack nodded, impressed that she was not shy about mentioning the case that had seen both her parents put in jail. Trying to put her at ease, he changed to course of the conversation, and commented: "Martin and Samantha mentioned you know some people here tonight."

She nodded. Smoothing the folds of her dark blue skirt, she said, "Yes." Looking around, she added, "It's been a while since I've been to something like this, but it's always fun. My mother used to do some work with the Children's Hospital Charitable Foundation, so I've been to a few of these. Victoria always does such a great job."

At this, Jack's eyes widened. He looked over at Samantha, who also had a look of surprise on her face.

"You know Victoria Newbury?" Jack asked.

Catching Samantha's eye after Katie nodded yes, Jack again thought what a small city New York was. When you travelled in certain circles, anyway.

Before Jack could ask more, Vivian and Marcus arrived. Vivian looked elegantly confident in a flattering black creation that fit her to perfection. Long, delicate, filigree earrings in burnished silver hung from each earlobe. Matching accessories graced her throat and wrist.

Putting her small silver handbag on the table, she looked around at the people gathered in front of her with a pleased expression. "We're all here!" she exclaimed. Giving everyone another once-over, she added, "And looking damned fine, too!" Sliding onto the chair Marcus held out for her, she turned to Jack and smiled, "We should do this more often."

Jack smiled back. "What? You like this, but not the idea of our all getting together for some bowling?"

Vivian laughed at the old joke. "What? And have to listen about your trophies? I don't think so!"

Jack grinned. "You're just jealous."

Sitting beside Jack, Janice watched with enjoyment as comfortable banter was tossed around the table. Tonight, everyone seemed determined to relax and have a good time. She settled back to better enjoy watching the group dynamics of people who were such an important part of Jack's life...

Martin, she noticed, seemed somewhat aloof with Samantha, as though holding her at arm's length. When a couple of young women presented themselves at the table to speak to him, Martin was more than sociable. And though he presented them to the group as 'friends of the family', he allowed them to elicit a cheerful promise from him to join them later at their table. Samantha was not included in the invitation. Janice watched both Martin's and Samantha's reaction carefully, and decided that neither of them had expected or wanted one. Janice's eyebrow rose as a hopeful realisation dawned: perhaps they were already not a couple. If that were so, she thought, all the better for the renewal of Jack's relationship with Samantha.

Danny seemed on top of the world. His arm casually draped over the back of Katie's chair, he joked with Vivian's husband, absentmindedly touching Katie's shoulders occasionally with his fingertips. Except for a couple of concerned looks thrown in Martin's direction that Janice couldn't decipher, he seemed content to be where he was and with the people he was with.

Vivian, Janice noted, was definitely a den mother with a touch of spice. She, of all the others, seemed most aware of the undercurrents playing around the table. Several shrewd glances directed towards Jack and Samantha told Janice the other woman saw the almost painful awareness that was growing between the two agents as each sat and tried to ignore the other. To her disquiet, Janice thought she saw a certain disapproval in her manner. She also, however, saw an undeniable affection for them both. Vivian would not, Janice guessed, openly support the relationship, but neither would she undermine it.

Samantha, looking beautiful and confident, sat and studiously avoided looking Jack's way. When she did, however, Janice caught glimpses of longing that she recognised, having seen the same in Jack's eyes more than once when he spoke of Samantha. The sense of awareness they had for one another was almost visible, stretching like a taut rope of silk across the table between them.

What Janice couldn't understand was the surreptitious glances directed towards herself from the team. Surely, she thought, they had gotten to know her well enough during her frequent visits to see Jack to feel comfortable with her? The sense of expectation she felt from them also confused her. Danny, especially, had shot some knowing glances her way. She wondered if perhaps Jack had said something about her new relationship with Terry. Perhaps they wondered why he was not here tonight with her? She shrugged, thinking she would have to ask Jack later. Pushing aside her thoughts, she leaned towards Jack. Touching his arm to gain his attention, she smiled and joined in the conversation flowing around the table...

-XXX-

Dinner and speeches were over, and the music begun. Jack and Janice's table had quickly emptied as each couple left to dance. Samantha, guided expertly around the floor in Martin's arms, caught occasional glimpses of Jack and Janice. Jealousy and regret surged through her. They looked, she decided, perfect together, their dark good looks and elegant clothing making them perfectly at home in these rich surroundings. Her heart sank when Jack looked down at Janice and smiled affectionately. Leaning towards her, he said something into her ear, causing Janice to pull her head back and, looking into his eyes, laugh merrily.

The shared laugh made anger grow within her. That Janice could betray the kind of trust that Jack obviously had in her...

Not being able to stand it any longer, Samantha used the discomfort of new shoes as an excuse to be led back to their table. She and Martin sat for a while, making small talk and trying not to feel uncomfortable with each other. They'd agreed it was over; agreed that it was for the best, that she wasn't ready to commit, and that he was looking for something that she couldn't give. They had also agreed to go to the dance together. Now, Samantha wondered if that had been wise. Perhaps she should have offered to let Martin bring someone he wanted to be with...

Martin, on the other hand, knew that the man Samantha wanted to be with was here already.

After a few moment's silence, he said hesitantly, "Samantha, maybe you ought to talk to Jack." They'd never spoken outright about her relationship with their boss, but somehow he knew he had to say something, and this would likely be the only opportunity he'd ever have.

She looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "He looks at you the same way you look at him. I don't know why you don't do something about it. It's stupid not to, isn't it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, looking down at her hands and refusing to meet his eyes.

"Yes, you do," he insisted. "And just because we didn't make it, doesn't mean I don't want to see you happy. You'd be happy with him, and you know it."

Knowing better than to deny it, she looked towards the dance floor and said firmly, "He's with Janice now."

"We don't know that." He hesitated. "Well, not exactly, anyways," he qualified.

"I think we know enough," she retorted. Looking at Martin, her eyes softened. "Thank you, though. You're a good guy, you know that? You deserve a lot better than you got from me. And I will always like you, it was just that-" She stopped, not knowing what more to say.

"I know," he said in a quiet tone. "It just didn't work out."

It was the closest they ever came to apologising and explaining, and it satisfied them both.

She nodded. Then, inhaling deeply, she gathered herself together and said in an upbeat tone, "And now, perhaps, would be a good time for you to go visit those lovely ladies who came to visit you earlier. You did promise a dance or two, I believe!"

Martin's innate good manners did not want her left alone at the table. Realising that, Samantha rose. "I'm heading to the ladies' room. Why don't you go over and say hello to your friends? By the time I get back, I'm sure there'll be someone here."

He frowned, not liking the idea, but also wanting to reaquaint himself with the two women.

Understanding his reluctance, she said, "Don't spoil your evening on account of me." She stopped, not liking the sound of that. "You know what I mean." She tried again: "I know this is uncomfortable for you, since we're not a couple anymore, but remember that the others never knew we were, so they won't expect us to hang on one another all evening. So go see your friends. I'll be fine."

"I'll keep an eye out for you when you get back," he promised.

Samantha smiled. "Deal."

He rose and she paused. Before setting off, she reached out a hand and touched his sleeve. "Thank s again, Martin."

He nodded, understanding all of what her thanks were for, and hearing the unspoken, 'I'm sorry'.

"It's okay," he said, truly believing it was. It had been a bit of a struggle all along, and he had seen the end coming - he'd just wanted to ignore it as long as possible. Now that it was over and done with, he found himself surprisingly okay with it. "Everything always works out the way it's supposed to."

Samantha nodded and walked away, wishing sadly that 'supposed to' and 'wanted to' were one and the same.

-XXX-

When Samantha returned from the ladies' room, Janice was sitting at the table. Jack stood beside her. When Samantha drew close enough, Jack said, "I was just going to the bar. Would you like something?"

Nodding, Samantha gave him an order and sat down beside Janice.

Jack left and the two women sat in silence, ignoring each other by watching the dancers.

Finally, Janice atempted to make small talk.

Forced to speak to a woman she could barely stand the sight of, Samantha reluctantly began to respond. She had already decided not to confront Janice, thinking it pointless. Jack, she'd decided, had to know what she knew first.

In response to Samantha's polite enquiry as to how she was enjoying her stay in New York, Janice said, "I think I may settle here, though I don't know if I'm ready for New York winters."

"Perhaps New York isn't ready for you," Samantha said darkly.

Janice looked at her in surprise, not understanding the animosity she heard in the younger woman's tone.

When Janice did not respond to her comment, Samantha asked pointedly, "Will your husband be joining you? It'll be a bit crowded at Jack's place, won't it?"

Janice regarded her with dark eyes, trying to decipher the dislike radiating from the other woman. Sudden realisation of what lay behind the comment made her pause. Samantha was jealous because she thought living with Jack meant that they were- She leaned back in her chair, shocked. For the first time in ages, she found herself totally thrown off balance. She sat, her mind quickly working the permutations of the new revelation. If Samantha thought Jack and she were intimate, it changed everything. She paused. Or nothing. Perhaps it made it even better...Samantha would try harder, maybe...

"No," Janice said, finally finding her voice. She looked up to see Jack weaving his way amongst the tables on the way towards them. "My husband and I are divorcing," she continued, turning in time to see that Samantha had followed her gaze and was also now watching Jack's approach. "The time here, away from everything at home, has been just what I've needed to get my thoughts straight. Jack has been wonderful. Sometimes it takes a separation to realise the truths of a relationship," she said, hoping that Samantha was hearing what she was saying.

Samantha was prevented from responding by Jack coming close enough to place the three drinks he carried onto the table. Sliding one in front of Samantha and another in front of Janice, he said, "I hope no one changed their minds while I was gone. The bartenders are good, but the line up is a killer."

The next few moments were filled with small talk as they listened to the band and watched people dance. Then, deciding to seize the opportunity, Janice moved restlessly and said, "Jack, I've got to go speak with Elisabeth Hoover. She told me she's starting a very interesting project directed at inner city schools, and I may want to do an article on it to compare it with the initiatives we've been working on in London. Would you mind if I popped over and spoke with her now?"

Jack smiled. "I'm surprised you managed to sit still this long. Of course I don't mind. Would you like me to come along?"

He didn't realise what Janice truly had in mind until she said, "Oh, that's all right," and suggested, "Perhaps you could ask Samantha to dance while I'm gone."

Samantha sat still. "Remind me to ask you to dance. I'll show you my skills first hand," he'd said. She'd hoped for just this circumstance. Now, her knees turned to jelly, she wished herself anywhere else.

Recovering quickly, Jack looked at Samantha, his gaze steady. "That might be a good idea," he said. "I think I promised her one a while ago."

Janice smiled. "Then by all means, get to it. I'll see you two later." She paused, then added as an afterthought, "And after that, you should show her the garden on the roof of this place. It's totally amazing. Terry showed it to me last evening. I can't believe what you Americans can do. Such an unexpected place, and there are still late roses in bloom! It's very romantic up there."

Smiling, she turned and walked away, satisfied that she'd done what she could to set the wheels in motion.

Her fingers were crossed that neither of them knew where to find the brakes.

End
Chapter 27
Patience, my little grasshoppers...