Chapter 5

Always

Mimi bit her lips and twiddled her thumbs, not wanting to leave the parking garage. She took several deep breaths, not sure how to walk inside NetCorp, and act as if nothing had happened. She had seen Jason naked last night. Summoning up all the courage she could find, she began frantically jabbing the button on the elevator, wanting to get the day over with.

Jason sat at his desk, going over paper work. Why, oh why, hadn't he locked the bathroom door? Last night, their dinner was obviously strained. They tried to make small talk, but it didn't go very well. Hell, their attempt at talking went awful. Jason still couldn't help but laughing out loud at the way Mimi had tried to keep the conversation on food. He could vividly remember her asking him "Would you like some nuts?" As soon as she said that, she started blushing again, picked up a package of junk food, and offered him ding dongs. She was adorable when she was embarrassed. He knew he had a problem though. He knew that it was going to be difficult- to say the least- to get her comfortable with him again.

Mimi spent most of the day avoiding Jason. She locked herself in her office and poured over her work, accomplishing half a weeks work by the end of the day. When she finally realized that no one else was still in the office, she creapt up from her desk, and tip toed to the door. Glancing about hurriedly, she assured herself that Jason was no where to be found. He was already gone for the day. She raced back over to her desk, grabbed her things, and hurried down to her car. 'Whew, I did it. I avoided him all day.' She thought, trying to push past the twinge of disappointment that should not have been anywhere near her feelings.

Jason saw Mimi race out of her office. He shook his head. He was going to have to do something quickly. He needed her. As a friend, of course.

When Mimi walked into the office the next morning, she was shocked. The place was abuzz with chaos. People were running about, files were being passed from person to person- there was even shouting. Mimi saw Linda putting some papers together and stopped her.

"What on earth is going on here?" She asked, looking around, beginning to become worried.

Linda smiled. "Mr. Masters is going to Tahiti this morning, for a week. A VERY important client is vacationing there, and he wants Mr. Masters to be there, with the new program. He needs to chose an assistant, and I, for one, intend to be that assistant going with him!" She threw Mimi a look and stomped off. There was no way that she was going to allow Mimi to get Jason Masters instead of her. No way at all.

Mimi walked into Jason's office, and saw him getting his briefcase together. He smiled when he saw her walk in.

"Well, it's about time!" He said playfully, with the dimples showing.

"Hey. I was wondering if there's anything you wanted me to do here to help take care of things while you're gone." Mimi said, her nervousness causing her foot to tap in her heels.

Jason smiled again. "No, there most certainly is not. Especially since you're coming with me."

Mimi gasped. "No, I couldn't, I mean-"

"Meems, I need you. You know this company forwards and backwards, and you've only been here a short time. You'll be much more of an asset to me there anyway."

Mimi began fiddling with her fingers.

"I'm asking as both your boss and your friend, please."

With that, Mimi looked up, and said, "Ok," and before she realized it, the words were out of her mouth.

Jason smiled. "Great!"

Jason smiled as he sat back on the plush couch aboard his private jet. Mimi sat next to him, flipping through a folder of paperwork. In all honesty, he really, truly couldn't imagine going on this trip without her. He couldn't imagine his life without her anymore. She was his best friend, the person he called late at night when he couldn't sleep, the person who made him actually get out of the office and live a little. She made him laugh.

"Mimi, we have to talk." He said, setting his folder down, and turning to her.

Mimi looked up, "Yes?"

"About the other night…" He started to trail off, not sure how to continue, but knew he had to say something, anything, to make things better. "I'm sorry you walked in on me. I should have locked the door, I-"

"No Jason! I was in the wrong. I should have knocked. I apologize, it was my fault." Mimi insisted, looking at him intently.

"No Meems, don't apologize, I don't care about it." At that Jason stood up and began to pace back and forth. "It's no big deal to me. I just can't stand not talking to you. It's driving me crazy. I want my best friend back. I can't stand not talking to you in the middle of the night, or not going out to dinner with you. I love… " Jason's head snapped up and looked at Mimi, who was looking back at him with wide eyes. And he felt his stomach drop. She loved Rex. She wanted Rex back. They were only friends. Best friends. "I love your friendship." He finished, swallowing hard, and not looking at her. He grabbed for a file.

Mimi stood up and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him. "You're my best friend, Jase, and I love your friendship, too. I don't like being without you, either." She looked up at him. "Friends again?" She asked, smiling, with tears in her eyes.

"Always," Jason whispered, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her forehead. "Always."