Hey, everybody! Thanks a lot for reviewing! It really helps staying focused on the story!

I think this story is developing a life of its own… there's now a second storyline, I actually never planned… :-)

However, please keep reading (and reviewing) there's still a lot to come I promise! (Although due to story's own life I really can't say yet, what will happen…I'll be as surprised as you are…)

Now enjoy!

……………

Still sitting at the bar, Jack was talking to Detective O'Reilly. Every now and then he couldn't help averting his gaze to stare over to where Samantha Spade was standing with the two cops who'd been in the bar with them. She didn't look happy.

"So, is this going to be your case now?" O'Reilly pulled Jack's attention back to him.

"Well, I'd say, we'd better keep working together on this. Our main interest is to find Laura McFadden, we'll leave to you to take care of this guy."

"So you're gonna keep me informed on what's happening with the two of your agents you sent after him?"

"Sure, I got your telephone number; I'll give you a call if something comes up", Jack nodded, watching as Spade finally turned to leave. "Excuse me." He got up from his seat and hurried after Spade, catching up with her just as she reached to door. "Hey…"

She turned around and smiled at him, still looking a little unhappy. "Hey."

"You know, it wasn't your fault."

"Seriously?" she asked.

"Yes, of course." He wanted to add something like 'it's not your fault you're too pretty to convince him…' to console her but could stop himself just in time. It would sound like flirting, and he wasn't going to flirt with his new agent's girlfriend!

"I guess, nobody could know it would happen like this…"

"No, of course not", Jack hurried to agree. And then, this time before he could stop himself it slipped: "You need a ride home?"

"Actually I need to go to the office", she answered, then seemed to think about it for a while. "Well, guess if it's on your way you could give me a ride there…"

"Sure." Trying to not smile to obviously and remain professional instead, Jack searched his pockets for his keys, found and them and led Spade to his car.

On the way Jack couldn't help asking: "So… you ever thought about joining the FBI?"

Now Spade grinned. "Yeah. Actually I have. And I still might… – By the way, how's Danny doing? It's his first day, isn't?"

"Yes, and he's been not too bad as far as I know. He's been with Agent Johnson most of the day so I don't know too much. But he's definitely come up with some good ideas…" Jack hesitated for a moment, then asked: "How come you don't seem sure if it's his first day?"

"Oh… um… well, things haven't been too well between us, lately", she admitted.

"Really? Something serious?"

"Yeah… maybe. We've just been going through some stuff and…" she paused for a few seconds and looked at Jack. "…actually, I don't think it would be appropriate to talk about this to his boss", she finally said. "His new boss."

Jack sighed, nodding. "Guess you're right. Wouldn't be fair on him, either…" Silently he cursed himself. What the hell had he been thinking? He liked Danny Taylor, and still he was here, with his girlfriend, asking her about their relationship, which was indeed none of his business. So he decided for a slight change of subject: "Anyway, Danny seems to be a nice person to me; I remember the first time we met. I knew at once, I wanted that guy on my team, the moment he came walking in and told me outright he wanted that job."

Spade let out a small giggle. "Yeah, he can be very direct and adamant sometimes. But he does have his moments of insecurity as well." Shaking her head she remarked: "And again I'm telling you things about I him I shouldn't tell you. We shouldn't talk about Danny, Agent Malone; I may end up telling you something real bad making you decide that he's not the right one for the job."

Jack laughed. "There can't be anything that bad, you could tell me, can there? You're right, though, but it doesn't make any difference anyways because we're there already."

He parked the car and watched as Spade got ready to leave. "It was nice to work with you, Miss Spade." He started searching his coat pocket for his business card. "Should you ever decide to join the bureau, give me a call."

Grinning, Spade took the card he handed her and put it in her pocket. "I will. Thank you. Good night, Agent Malone."

Jack watched her walk into the building, shook his head and made to get back to the FBI head quarters, still thinking about what she'd said: something real bad making you decide that he's not the right one for the job. What did she mean by that? Or had she just said that?