Chapter Two - 1 week later

Oscar had no assignments for Jaime that week, but she'd shown up at his office at least once a day, to talk and to simply spend time. One of the busiest men in the free world found plenty of time to give her, offering a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on and, occasionally, a 'friendship' type of hug.

Tonight, to thank him for always finding time for her, Jaime had cooked a special dinner for him. It had been exquisite: hot spinach salad with bacon, roast duck, baked potatoes and chocolate mousse. After dinner, they'd taken their wine into the living room so they could relax and talk for awhile. Oscar seated himself on the sofa and, as he'd hoped but hadn't dared to ask, Jaime sat next to him, curling her feet beneath her like a kitten.

Oscar hadn't tried - yet - to step up their relationship. He didn't want to make a move too soon and risk scaring her away. He also didn't want the pain she felt when Steve left to be what brought her to him. He knew she'd felt the spark, too, that day in his office, and Oscar was a very patient man. The next move - he hoped - would be Jaime's to make.

Jaime, for her part, had been very confused by the sparks she'd felt in Oscar's office, but this dinner had made the picture crystal clear. Her OSI training had made her very proficient in reading people, and the way Oscar looked at her during dinner told her everything he was reluctant to say out loud. His eyes, always so warm and caring, were filled with so much love that Jaime's heart melted and she felt intrigued by a new possibility that had suddenly opened up for her.

She knew things could get really awkward, even ugly, if not handled the right way. He was her boss, after all. These new feelings that seemed to have snuck up on her were so strong, they made inaction unthinkable. In her mind, Jaime took a deep breath, held it in, and dove into the pool.

She leaned slightly closer to Oscar, still leaving a small space between them. She smiled warmly at him and, in a way she hoped passed for 'casual', touched his hand. "So when was the last time you had an actual home-cooked meal?" she asked.

Oscar, who had been waiting for some kind of signal from her, took hold of Jaime's hand when it touched his. "Cooked by such a beautiful woman, I'd have to say - never." He smiled back at her and when he looked into her eyes, he was pleasantly surprised to find she was looking into his with equal intensity.

This time, neither one of them broke the gaze, both choosing instead to look deeper, knowing now that many of the answers they'd been seeking just might be found there. They sat that way for a long few minutes, seemingly entranced. Gradually, almost imperceptibly, Jaime leaned closer until she was nestled against his shoulder.

Oscar couldn't stand it one second longer. Oscar wrapped the arm that had been behindJaime around her waist, and completely encircled her with his other arm. Jaime sighed with deep contentment as her entire body relaxed in his arms. His touch made her feel things she hadn't known she was capable of feeling. Once again having identical thoughts, each moved closer and the tiny gap between them disappeared. When their lips finally met, the contact was electric. Neither was willing - or able - to stop the runaway freight train that was taking them onthis e-ticket ride.

When they finally pulled apart, not wanting things to go too far too fast, the fire in the fireplace had burned out. Oscar kissed her one more time at the door. "Will you come and see me tomorrow?" he asked, softly touching her face.

Jaime laughed. "I think it's tomorrow already, but you just try and keep me away."