Nobody knows it but you've got a secret smile
And you use it only for me
Nobody knows it but you've got a secret smile
And you use it only for me
Secret Smile, Semisonic

Part 10

"This is a good spot, we can be seen from here and still seem as if we're hiding," J.T. whispered in Cassy's ear, as if he was delivering sweet nothing.

Cassy's hand slid over J.T.'s waist, skimming his vest.

"I love it when you do that," he teased quietly as he nipped her ear.

Cassy closed her eyes and let her head drop back as if she was enjoying her lover's ministrations. In fact she was listening carefully for any sound of movement around. Or a gun being fired.

J.T. was listening for the same sounds as his hands cupped Cassy's shoulders and his lips teased hers.

The painstaking attention to detail made their lovemaking seem all the more convincing. Pounding hearts and quick breaths didn't need to be feigned.

"Sorry," J.T. whispered as his hand slid down and cupped her breast, his fingers brushing over its point.

Cassy slid her hand into his dark hair and seemed to deepen their kiss.

"Like riding a bike," J.T. said huskily.

"You're one of the better Johns I've had to deal with," Cassy whispered in his ear before taking a bite, a little too hard when he bent to kiss her cleavage.

J.T. growled and slid his hand up her leg up to where she had her gun strapped to her thigh.

"Naughty," he murmured low enough only for her to hear as his fingers tapped the cold metal.

'PING'

'PING'

"Stop that," Cassy hissed a split second before they both realized the second sound hadn't come from between her legs.

>>>>>>

They had to be here somewhere.

The head of security at the Club confirmed that one of his men's guns was missing.

She had to be here somewhere.

Cassy wasn't wearing a vest underneath her dress, their cover didn't allow that. None of the women had been hit before, but that's not to say it couldn't happen this time. Especially since Brian had indicated that this sister was none to pleased that he had tried to stop her from hurting this woman.

Having a crush on Cassy always had all these unintended consequences. Tom could vouch for that.

Then he saw something move up ahead. He motioned for the officer with him to stop as he moved slowly forward, crouching behind a tree to take a look.

It was her. Even from behind there was no mistaking her. Even as Tom tried to approach her quietly, he saw her arms draw up in front of her, it was then that he saw Cassy and her agent, standing in the clearing. He dove for the girl, but he knew it was too late as the gun went off.

He watched, impotent, as J.T. spun around pushing Cassy to the ground as he whipped out a gun. Cassy's, Tom realized as Cassy lay stunned on the ground.

Tom grabbed the gun from the girl, as the officer who came with him handcuffed the girl who was kicking and screeching in his arms.

Ignoring the other law enforcement officers who were gathering, along with some Club members, their attention caught by the gunshot, Tom made his way to where J.T. was clutching his side and Cassy was sitting up trying to help him.

"I'm fine," J.T. said between uneven breaths. Bullet-proof vests could stop the bullet from entering the body, but they couldn't cushion the body from the velocity and force of the bullet.

Tom nodded and looked Cassy over.

No blood he noted with relief.

Tom helped her stand and was startled when she faltered and he had to move quickly to catch her.

"Where," he asked urgently.

"My ankle. I twisted it when I dove." She smiled at him to let him know she was fine.

Tom sighed in relief and, ignoring her protests, lifted her up in his arms. "Tom, let me down." Cassy's serious, rather than annoyed, tone caught his attention. He turned and saw her gaze trained on Brian Taylor, and his father, watching as their sister and daughter was being restrained. "Let me talk to him," Cassy said.

Tom nodded and put her down, but his arm stayed around her waist.

>>>>>

Tom really hated hospitals. He really, really hated doctors. There had been way too many of both in their lives this year.

This year. Since New Year's. The day he had let Cassy walk out on him, again.

Even with a sprained ankle Tom didn't begin to think that he could stop her from walking away from him again, tonight. Their cover was over, no more living as man and wife. He was going to miss her presence. He dared to think she would miss him too.

He should go home.

Doctor Brett was looking in on her, now. He would probably be taking her home. But Tom had to wait and see for himself. Would she accept the doctor's proposal or would she give him, Tom, hope. Hope that they would figure out how to be together. There were obstacles, their professional partnership being the biggest. Who could they trust to look out for the other but themselves? How could they be together and not be split up by the Department?

Did she even want them to be together? He thought she did, but Cassy didn't always follow her heart out of fear that she would be left. Like her family had done. Like other lovers had.

Brett would never leave her.

Tom might, in the line of duty and without intent. Just as Cassy might leave him. Chris and Rita Lorenzo's lesson weighed heavily on their division.

And Harry. Tom looked over at their superior. Not a word had been said, but Tom had the feeling that Harry knew what was going through his mind, what this cover had become for him - a mission of another sort. Tom averted his eyes, before Harry might be encouraged to come over and tell him that he should go home.

Home. Ha. As if there could be a home with Cassy in it now. This was beginning to seem harder than when they had divorced. He couldn't even put that to lack of sleep, he had slept better the last few weeks than he had in months.

He wondered what she was telling him.

>>>>>>>

"It a mild sprain. You're going to have to stay off of it for a few days, at least," Brett told her, his gray eyes looking serious.

"I know, the other doctor told me." Cassy didn't fidget. "We need to talk."

"You're not going to accept," Brett said, resigned.

"No, I'm not."

"If you were going to you would have done it weeks ago. I knew that, but I had hoped. For a while there I thought we had a chance." He shrugged philosophically, but he couldn't keep the hurt out of his eyes.

Cassy had the grace to look pained. She really did care for him, a great deal. Maybe she just couldn't let herself be happy. That wasn't a new thought.

"If Tom had gotten married," Brett continued.

"This has nothing to do with Tom." While she had found herself in his arms when she had no business being there. But there was no point in hurting Brett with that confession.

"I think it does. You still love him," Brett said, almost charitably.

Cassy looked away at his observation. "It's not that simple. You deserve better than me. Someone who loves you more than I ever could. I'm too flawed for you," Cassy said.

"I want you, not some perfect paragon of virtue who would bore me to death." Brett slipped his fingers into her loose clasp of hands on her lap.

Cassy squeezed and looked up at him. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, tears coming into her eyes. She wasn't ready to let him go yet, but she had to for his sake.

"I'll always love you," Brett leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

"Don't," Cassy whispered even as her hands slid around his head as she deepened the kiss. The last one.

"You're everything I want, everything I need, I don't know why..."

"He's still waiting for you outside," Brett said.

Cassy watched as he left.

End of Story