Well, Valentine's Day didn't exactly work out the way Aubrey and Jessica had planned. Will things get any better? Read on to find out.

Just before 7:00 the next morning, Jessica was making smoothies in her Ninja juicer when a sluggish Aubrey came down the stairs, dressed for work. Quickly pouring a cup of coffee into his Star Wars mug, she dumped some cinnamon in it and handed it to him as he arrived in the kitchen.

"Thank you, Jess."

"You're…" Jessica yawned. "…welcome, Superman. Sorry, but I didn't sleep very well…"

"I know you didn't, because I didn't either." Aubrey groaned as he rubbed his eyes. "Between us being at the crime scene all day and then not getting home until after midnight, I'm exhausted."

"Well, there's that, but I'm still worried about Daisy." Jessica sipped her coffee, too tired for her usual tea. "She didn't return any of my text messages last night."

"Well, she was probably embarrassed at being tossed off the scene, and I'm sure she was continuing her row with Beau at home after his stupid stunt. She has a lot of crap to work through, Jess. Frankly, she may not want to talk to anyone today."

"I know, but I'm going to keep trying to reach her though, Superman. She's my friend and she's hurting…"

"I would expect nothing less from you." Aubrey smiled before giving her a kiss. Looking at the clock, he moved quickly. "Shit, I have to get to the Hoover. Booth, Genny, and I are going over what we have and doing some background checks before taking off this morning…and I still have to find an agent to take with me since Booth poached Genny."

Jessica sighed as she heard the bitterness in his voice. "Aubrey, Booth was right when he said you shouldn't go to West Virginia…"

Aubrey scoffed with indignation. "I wasn't going to see my dad. Why the hell would I? It's not like I want to have anything to do with him..."

"You may not have planned to, but you're also human, Aubrey. Besides, there's always the chance you could run into your dad by accident...or even that nosy warden." Jessica combed the silvery hair by his temple. "This way nothing comes back to bite you in the butt, alright?"

"We were going to be in the Penitentiary section, which is maximum security. Warden Brinton and my dad are in the FCI medium security facility on the other side of the complex. It's not like I would actively seek either of them out…"

Jessica knew Aubrey was being stubborn but she was determined to make her point. "I know all that, Superman, but honestly, why take a chance and deal with that again? Wouldn't you rather not worry about that? This case is hard enough as it is."

Exhaling loudly, the agent conceded. "Okay, you have a point, but I don't like the implication that I can't contain myself. I'm a professional. I know how to act while I'm on a case. Booth should realize that by now!"

"Booth knows you can control yourself. He's trying to protect you…because that's what a friend does, Aubrey." Jessica kissed his cheek. "Don't be too hard on him, okay?"

Sighing softly, Aubrey finally nodded in agreement. "Alright. I'm hoping to be home by dinner time tonight. Philly is about two and a half hours north, but I'll file my paperwork at their field office before coming home. Do you think you'll have to work the crime scene after class?"

"Oh, I hope not, but it depends on if you guys find out anything about any more bodies. We're at six victims right now. It's so sad…"

"Yeah, it is." Aubrey sipped his coffee. "Sorry our plans for last night were ruined…I wanted our first Valentine's Day together to be amazing…"

"Aubrey, we were together, alright? That's the important thing." Jessica poured some of her blended mixture into a travel mug. "Here, I made you a black kale chia smoothie. It'll make up for the subs, pop, and other junk we ate yesterday at the crime scene."

'Shit, no chocolate syrup…' Aubrey forced a smile as he took the Ninja mug after Jessica put a straw in it. "That is…really nice of you, Jess, to think of me that way."

"Oh, wait...I forgot something…" Jessica walked to the pantry and came back holding a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup.

Aubrey wanted to grab it out of her hands so badly. "Why do you have that, Babe?"

Jessica wordlessly took the mug out of his hands, set it on the counter, and after opening the concoction, squeeze some syrup into the smoothie. Stirring it with the straw, she closed it and handed it back to Aubrey, along with the Hershey bottle. "Better now, Honey?"

The agent meekly took the smoothie. "How…how did you know?"

"I figured it out after you asked me to keep Hershey syrup at my apartment last summer. We went through it a lot faster than we ate ice cream, including the times you ate it off me while I was naked...and that fudge sundae you made on my abdomen." Jessica crossed her arms and pretended to glare at him. "I make you those to keep you healthy. Your junk food habit scares me, Superman."

"I know, and I'm sorry…" Aubrey squirmed a bit, feeling guilty. "Here, keep the syrup...I'll make a new one with no chocolate..."

Jessica pushed it back. "No, you're drinking that smoothie. If putting the chocolate in it makes it palatable for you, then I'm alright with it. Just don't bitch when I make vegetarian garlic alfredo tomorrow night for dinner. Remember, you promised to eat one vegetarian meal a week."

Aubrey knew when to give in. "Okay…I love you…" He bent down to give her a kiss. "Thanks for taking such good care of me…"

Jessica kissed him back. "You're welcome and I love you, too, James Aubrey, shitty eating habits and all. At least you work out in the basement a few days a week. Just remember that eventually you may have to hit that Total Gym every day if you want to keep eating like that."

"Nah…" Aubrey tasted the smoothie. "Damn, just the right amount of chocolate…my metabolism is superior to other men…"

"As is your sex drive…", Jessica retorted to Aubrey's pleased smirk. "Okay, let's get going. I told Dr. B I would meet everyone at the lab at 7:30 to head back out to the field. Our replacement NFL anthropologist is out there right now with Clark."

After bundling up, the couple grabbed their things and headed out the front door. Locking it, Aubrey led Jessica to the garage. "Damn, it's cold again…"

Jessica turned to her boyfriend and rolled her eyes. "At least you don't have to work outside, Superman…"

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

At 10:30, Aubrey was finally on the road to Philadelphia. His hope to take either Haggarty or Thompson with him had been shot down since they were away from the office, chasing down a lead on one of their own cases. Since most of his other agents were working high caseloads, he took the one agent who was free for the moment...and he hoped that he wouldn't regret it.

"So, you and Agent Booth busted these people a couple years back, huh?", Steve Bower asked before munching on an Egg McMuffin. "I bet the brass really liked the publicity on that arrest...busting human traffickers makes us look good."

Aubrey continued driving on I-95 heading north. "Yeah, but we also arrested a mother who was only trying to protect her child and her friends, Steve. It wasn't all brass and whistles...there were a lot of ramifications...it wasn't a simple matter to adjudicate..."

"Of course, of course…I get that." Bower pulled up a small cooler from the floorboard and whipped out a smoothie. "Want some of my black kale chia smoothie? Mitzi makes these for me every day. She even said to me, 'Stevie Bear, we're 45 now and you can't eat like you did when we were kids.' They're not too bad, although they stink like cow butt."

"No, thank you…I've got one of my own..." Aubrey turned to his agent, who was alternating between eating his breakfast sandwich and sucking down his smoothie. "So...how's married life treating you, Steve?"

"Being married to Mitzi is amazing…", Bower replied with a full mouth. After chewing and swallowing, he continued. "Last night, we had dinner at Mastro's, and we got some amazing steaks. Mitzi got their 24 oz porterhouse and she packed that bitch down because my girl loves red meat. Then we have some Valentine's Day fun, if you know what I mean…"

Grimacing slightly, Aubrey nodded. "Of course, Steve. I'm glad that married life is good for you."

"It is...I just hate the fact we took so long to do it. If I could do it all over again, I would have married her right after high school, but I didn't want to interfere with her plans."

Curious, Aubrey glanced at Bower. "Her plans?"

"I never told you?", Steve asked. "Our senior year, she had several scholarship offers for basketball before accepting a full ride to Connecticut. She was also on the track team while she was there. She had always dreamed of playing for the Olympic team, so she went where she had the best chance to be noticed. She tried out for the 1992 and 1996 teams and just barely missed the cut each time."

"No shit?" Aubrey was genuinely impressed. "I had no idea she tried out for the Olympics."

"Yeah. After she graduated, she continued to train in discus and when she didn't make the basketball team she changed her focus with a goal of competing in the decathlon in 2000. When she came in 5th, she decided that it was time to move on from the Olympics, so she went to nursing school and said it was the best thing she ever did. She's thinking of going for her BSN next year so she can eventually go into administration."

Aubrey pictured the 6'2" flaky blonde he knew and it was hard to reconcile the image with Steve's description. "Mitzi sounds pretty ambitious."

"She always was, you know. We grew up in a small town and she always wanted more for herself. I got a few partial scholarships but even with loans, I couldn't go to Connecticut with her. I loved her too much to keep her from following her dreams, so we broke up right before we left for college, with her going to the East Coast and me to Lake Superior State University in Michigan." Steve was quiet for a minute as he looked out the passenger window. "I know what people say about her...that she's super tall and intimidating, but she's also the nicest, sweetest person. I knew that she would find her a good man pretty quick because she was a catch. I tried to move on, but eventually, I gave up, because nobody could ever compare to my Mitzi Muffin."

Aubrey nodded as he checked the rear view mirror. "Well, it seems that the Universe had a plan for you, because you two met up again at Thanksgiving and got married a month later."

"Yeah...it has been great. Our parents are happy we're together again.", Steve agreed as he sipped his smoothie. "So, when are you and Jessica taking the plunge, huh?"

'What the fuck is with everyone lately?' , Aubrey thought. Sighing in frustration, he gripped the steering wheel tightly, obviously irritated. "Jess and I just moved in together, Bower. People has been asking us that a lot lately, but we're in no hurry to get married. We'll get there when we get there."

"Slow down, Boss, I was just asking. I figure you'll know the right time...just don't wait 26 years like Mitzi and I did."

Aubrey smirked. "Don't worry. Bower. I don't think we'll take...that long."

"So...any Valentine's Day plans for later this week? It had to suck working all day yesterday without getting laid."

'Thanks for reminding me, Bower.', Aubrey mused before handing Bower a thick file. "Yeah, we worked the case, but we were still together and that is what counts. Now, do me a favor and read up on the case so you know what is what when we get to Philly."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Booth and Genny had a somewhat uneventful drive up north. As they crossed the border into West Virginia, Booth noticed that the ASAC had popped some antacids and then closed her eyes with a groan.

"Genny, are you alright?"

Turning to her mentor, the agent smiled weakly. "Yeah, just having some indigestion. I let Danny and Hunter talk me into Pixler's for dinner last night and I enjoyed a lot more of the Pig Out Platter than I should have. And then we were all running behind today so I had to settle for a greasy breakfast sandwich from Burger King on the way to work. I know better than to have all that fatty food, and it's catching up with me, because I'm having acid reflux now, too, and I've never had that before...but man, it was all so good...that extra spicy sauce at Pixler's is to die for...and the eggs on that biscuit sandwich I ate this morning were so perfect...fluffy and with a slice of cheese on top..." Placing a hand on her belly, she groaned again. "But...wow...I'm sure paying for it now…"

"Maybe you should see a doctor about that, Genny. You may be getting GERD…", Booth began. "Maybe get a prescription or something…"

"Yeah, I've got an appointment next Friday morning." Seeing Booth's concern, she held her hand up to calm his fears. "I'm not critical, and I have a surprise birthday party to plan for this weekend. If something radically changes, I'll try for an earlier appointment with my doc or I'll see the FBI doc."

"Good. This job is stressful enough without your health being compromised." Booth shrugged as he continued driving. "So it looks like you finished the file on the case. Do you have any questions?"

"No. I figure I would let you take the lead since you're more familiar with her history and I could jump in if needed."

"Sounds good.", Booth replied. "Hopefully, we're just in and out of here. I want this case solved ASAP. Those women deserve better, and if Sandra Zinn or Victor Lee are the reason they're buried there then those two need to pay for that."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Jessica assisted Dr. Brennan in placing the fifth set of remains onto a board to be lifted out of the hole. "Hopefully the one that Clark and that other anthropologist are working on will be the last victim."

"I hope so too, Ms. Warren." After the remains were moved, Brennan turned to her intern. "Have you heard from Daisy at all?"

"No. I was about to get some coffee and try her again. I'm a little worried because I'm sure she and Beau had it out last night when she got home. She's had a lot to deal with lately…"

"I know, Ms. Warren, but while we can be there for her, she has to solve her problems herself. The last two years have been very hard for her, but I am confident that in time she will figure things out and be the Daisy Wick we know and love once again."

"Oh, I hope so. Okay, I'm going really quick. Would you like anything, Dr. B?"

"No, thank you. I want to get as much work done as I can before we leave for the university at noon. I wanted to commend you on the tests you prepared for today's class. Except for a couple small alterations, the questions were very challenging and the format was neat and clean...but your efforts as my teaching assistant are always above average."

"Thank you, Dr. B." Climbing out of the hole, Jessica headed to the table and after putting powdered creamer into a cup of stale coffee, she dialed Daisy's cell again and was frustrated when she got the voicemail. "Daisy, I left two messages last night and this is my second one today. Please call me. I just want to make sure you're alright."

Looking up Daisy's work number, she called the NFL and followed the directory to her friend's office line. After leaving another voicemail, Jessica pushed to return to the main switchboard and asked for Dr. Anderson, the head of the lab. Reaching him, she asked to talk to Daisy but was surprised at his response.

"Really? She's not working at all today?"

"Yes, that's correct, Ms. Warren. She called me at 9:00 last night giving me a heads up that she was sending Liz in her place to assist the Jeffersonian and that she was taking the rest of the week off. Said she had a family emergency. Have you tried her cell phone?"

"No, I haven't. I'll check in on her there. Thanks." Hanging up, Jessica debated on driving to her friend's condo after Brennan's afternoon class when she got a text message.

I'm fine. Took Lance w me 2 North Carolina 2 clear my head. Beau and I had it out last night w him demanding we move w him & pissed about fight at the CS b4 he left 2 stay w his parents. Unsure of what 2 do next. Don't tell anyone where I am please unless emergency. I'll be home Sat.

Relieved, Jessica texted back. Can I do anything for u?

No you've been a good friend 2 me. I'll keep in touch.

Jessica thought about what to say next. Call me if you need anything, even 2 come down there 4 the day.

I will. TY.

The redhead put her phone back in her jumpsuit pocket and headed back to work. "Well, at least now I know you're not dead, Daisy."

Heading back to the body site, she was surprised to see Brennan climbing out of the hole. "Dr. B, is there something going on?"

"Yes. I've decided that because it will take my husband a few hours to talk to Ms. Zinn and for Aubrey to talk to Mr. Lee I'm going to leave here now. It's 11:00, and I think I would like lunch before class. You're welcome to stay and meet me later or you can join me now. Dr. Edison has this covered for today. If there are more possible burial sites, we'll return tomorrow."

"Actually, some lunch other than truck food would be nice. I'm hoping Aubrey gets home at a decent hour tonight. He still feels bad that we missed out on celebrating our first Valentine's Day yesterday. I told him that it was alright since it couldn't be helped, but you know how he is."

As Jessica headed to the one of the Jeffersonian vans, Brennan paused, contemplating something as she got ready to leave the crime scene.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Arriving at the federal detention center in Philadelphia, Aubrey saw the two ambulances nearby. As he got closer to the entrance, he saw two people wheeled out before the buses drove away.

"That's not a good sign.", Steve said.

"Nope...but not atypical of a prison.", Aubrey replied before walking up to the front desk. "Hello. We have an appointment with Warden Lavack to see Vincent Lee."

"Oh…", the receptionist said, frowning slightly. "Let me get the warden on the phone. Just a minute..." Making a quick call, it didn't take her long. "Warden, the two FBI agents are here for Mr. Lee...no, I didn't yet...okay, I'll let them know."

Hanging up, she smiled at the two agents. "Warden Lavack will be here in a few minutes to brief you. Help yourself to some coffee."

Aubrey thought something seemed off, but kept his opinion to himself. The agents hadn't waited long before a tall, thin man came out to greet them. "Agent Aubrey?"

"Yes, I'm Agent James Aubrey and this is Agent Steve Bower." Aubrey shook the man's hand. "So, is Vincent ready for us to interview?"

"Actually, Agent Aubrey, Mr. Lee was just taken to the hospital. When the CO went to get him out of the prison laundry where he works, he was badly injured in a fight with another prisoner. You may have noticed the ambulances when you arrived."

"What hospital?"

"Thomas Jefferson University on 10th Street. They may not let you see him for several hours yet, Agent Aubrey…"

"That's fine. We can wait. Come on, Steve."

The two agents raced to the hospital, only to be referred to the ER lobby. Sitting down, the agents looked around at the busy area. Groaning, Aubrey grabbed his phone and sent his girlfriend a message.

VL got into a fight right b4 we arrived & we're at hospital. May not be home until late. Don't wait up. Sorry...wanted to see you naked tonight…

It didn't take long for Aubrey to get a response.Damn it. Had naughty lingerie for V Day that I planned 4 tonite. Maybe tmrw…

"Oh, honey...oh, you're so hot…"

Startled, Aubrey hid his phone screen and turned to Steve. "What's up?"

Steve giggled. "Mitzi just send me a pic wearing her new leather lingerie. Want to see?"

"Um...no thanks." Aubrey stopped the agent before he could see Mitzi's picture. "That's okay. Some things should just be between you two."

"Right…" Steve put his phone away. "Do you think we're going to be spending the night here in Philly?"

Thinking about being stuck overnight with Steve while he baby talked with Mitzi and did God only knew what else over the phone with her made Aubrey shiver. "I hope not."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"I know nothing about any murdered Asian women. If it happened, Victor must have done it. I tried to help those women, not get them killed." Sandra Zinn regarded the agents before her with disdain. "I'd say you've made this trip for nothing…"

"Yeah, I remember how you and Victor helped those poor women by locking them under a house and making them your slaves." Booth pulled out a few pictures. "Here are the three sets of remains we unearthed last night. According to my wife, we just excavated Number Five and they are working on Number Six along with a pile of burned items. Are you sure you don't know anything about this, Ms. Zinn?"

"It's like I said, Agent Booth. What you called human trafficking I called helping them get out of Yambian so they could start new lives here in the US." However, she shuddered when she saw the skeletal remains unearthed in the hole. "Please move those photos...they are horrifying."

"Oh, you want to see them up close? I can arrange that.", Genny said with glee before spreading them out in a line. "There you go, now you can see everything."

"What's even better is that we got a call from the pathologist at the Jeffersonian on our way here. They think they found some DNA on some clothing. If it doesn't match the victim, we get to obtain a DNA sample from you...unless you want to give voluntarily?"

"That is ludicrous, and I will not consent."

Booth gathered up all of the photos, shrugging as he got up to leave the interrogation room. "Okay."

Sandra was surprised at how easily the agents gave in. "Okay? That's all?"

"Yeah, because we still have your watch from the victim in your criminal case that will surely have some DNA on it. Besides, your profile was entered into the system, so we don't need you. My former partner is talking to Victor Lee as we speak and if we get the information we need, then you're toast."

"Have a nice day, Ms. Zinn.", Genny said as Booth knocked on the door for them to be released from the interrogation room. When they were let out, she turned to her companion. "Any place to eat around here?"

"Yep...one. Follow me.", Booth said as the two walk through the several sets of bars, only to run into someone he didn't want to see standing out front. "Warden Brinton."

"Agent Booth...fancy meeting you here. How are you?"

"Fine, sir." Booth remembered his manners, turning to introduce his associate. "This is Agent Genevieve Shaw. Genny, this is Warden Brinton, who runs the medium security section of Hazelton across campus. So Warden, what brings you over here to the penitentiary?"

The older man smiled jovially. "Oh, I just got done with my weekly meeting with Warden Thomas. He mentioned that you were coming here today to talk to one of his prisoners about a case. Is it the one you two were working when you visited Phillip back in November?"

"No, it's a different case we're investigating, with Agent Shaw assisting us. The Vacchio case is currently closed."

"Oh yes, because of your shooting incident with the suspect. That was so dreadful. Phillip was quite worried and upset when he heard his son was severely injured in that firefight." Brinton looked around in surprise. "Where is Agent Aubrey?"

"Interviewing another prisoner over at Allenwood for the case we're investigating.", Booth lied, uncomfortable with the warden's curiosity.

"Well, I know he has a...difficult relationship with his father, but please tell Agent Aubrey that his father was very worried about him and is glad that he's recovered." Brinton held up his finger. "He also saw the news about that attack at the Jeffersonian last month. How is Ms. Warren doing? That had to be a very traumatizing experience for her, and naturally a strain on their relationship."

'Wow, for a federal prisoner in a medium security facility, Philip sure gets a lot of outside info.' Taken aback that the warden knew that Aubrey's girlfriend had been attacked unsettled Booth. "Reassure Phil that Jessica is doing very well and that their relationship is doing as well. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get back to DC. Have a nice day, and tell your wife I said hi."

"Yes, thank you." Brinton watched the two agents leave the building with curiosity before taking another set of doors back to the federal detention building.

After the two agents got into Booth's SUV and drove into Bruceton Mills, Genny's curiosity got the best of her. "Booth, Warden Brinton seems...very friendly with Aubrey's dad. It's...unusual to say the least."

"Yeah, when I was in prison, the warden was not that friendly with me.", Booth muttered, recalling his experience almost three years earlier.

Genny nodded thoughtfully. "He knew a lot, but he was also fishing for info, especially when he asked about Jessica. I mean, it was mentioned on the news, but the coverage more or less concentrated on her and the other victims. Aubrey or his connection to her was barely mentioned outside of the restraining order they had out on Gerald."

"Yeah, I know. Phil knows who Jessica is from that PI he had hired to keep tabs on his son, but still, the fact he knew all that stuff is interesting. Aubrey's Spidey Sense about that warden was tingling when we were here last and I wasn't sure if we were going to run into Brinton today. I'm glad I made the call for Aubrey to go to Philadelphia instead."

"Is that why you lied to Brinton also about where he went?"

"Yep. Something about that guy doesn't sit right with me. After the shooting, I checked into him and everything seemed normal, but for shits and giggles, maybe I'll do it again." Booth pulled in front of Pammie's Place and Hot Spot. "Come on, Genny, let's get some food. The burgers are really good here."

Genny grinned. "A burger does sound pretty good right now."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

At 1:00, Aubrey and Steve were on their phones when they heard their names called. Turning, they saw a doctor waiting for them. They made a beeline for the man immediately.

"Doc, when can we talk to Victor Lee?" Aubrey asked anxiously. "He may be a material witness to another FBI case."

"Not today you won't.", the doctor replied sternly. "He has a concussion, and he also needs a ORIF on his left leg, so along with the anesthesia from that surgery, he won't be coherent for the rest of the day."

"ORIF?", Steve asked.

"Open reduction and internal fixation. It seems our suspect has some broken bones that need to be fused with some screws and pins.", Aubrey quipped.

The surgeon raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I'm impressed that you're familiar with this type of surgery, Agent Aubrey. It is a rather complicated surgery for someone with your credentials to comprehend..."

Aubrey impatiently put his hands on his hips, not pleased with the doctor's tone. "My girlfriend is a forensic anthropologist and I'm friends with several anthropologists, as well as a nurse and and a pathologist. You can learn a few things along the way if you pay attention."

Sensing the agent's irritation, the doctor eased off. "I see. So you also know that this type of surgery could take several hours. If he remains stable throughout the night, you can talk to him tomorrow. Because he's an inmate at the prison, there will be security guards assigned to his room. I assure you...he's not going anywhere..."

"But Doctor-"

"Tomorrow, gentlemen. Give me your contact information and I'll call you after rounds in the morning. I would recommend that you get a hotel room for the night. I should warn you that with President's Day coming up on Monday many folks come to town early to see the Liberty Bell and other exhibits, so hotel rooms may be scarce."

Aubrey watched the doctor go back through the doors. "Shit!", he whispered. "I do not want to spend the night in Philadelphia."

"Me, neither. Damn it...now I have wait to play with Mitzi's leather panties!", Steve groused. "It looks like you're not getting laid tonight either, Boss. Man, Valentine's Day sucks for you this year."

"Thanks for the reminder, Steve." Aubrey pulled out his phone and checked the time. "Start searching for hotels by this hospital."

"Okay." Steve shook his head as he skimmed through Google. "Damn...a lot of these places are full...oh, here's this one...the Morris House. It looks nice and it's close. There's no double bed rooms but there's a suite for $229. One pull out queen and one king in the bedroom. Is that in our budget? I want to at least have access to wifi so Mitzi and I can talk later, if you know what I mean."

Aubrey's eyes got large as he considered what his agent meant by that remark. Weighing his responsibilities as SAC with the thought of possibly being trapped in the same room with Steve as he engaged in phone sex or other weird stuff with Mitzi tonight loomed large on the horizon, so he made an executive decision.

"Fine, reserve it. I'll talk to Stark if he has an issue with the rate when you turn in the receipt for reimbursement, but no minibar. Anything you drink comes out of your pocket."

A few clicks later, Steve smiled. "Done, Boss. I don't have my go bag, though. Do you have an extra toothbrush?"

"Sure…and I'm sure they have extra stuff at the hotel.", Aubrey said as they walked out the door. "Come on, let's get some lunch. I have to tell Jess I won't be home tonight."

Steve led the way as they headed to their SUV. Still frustrated, Aubrey muttered to himself in irritation. 'Another lonely night...Valentine's Day sucks.'

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