Claire reached up for the law report on the second top shelf. She couldn't reach it. Sighing, she looked around for the ladder and couldn't see it. Damn it. It must be in one of the conference rooms. She could spend ten minutes looking for it.

One more try. Claire stood on tiptoes, straining upwards. Her fingers brushed the report but she couldn't get any purchase.

"Here," Jack said, right behind her. Claire started. He had moved too quietly for her to hear. Before she could move away from the shelf to let him reach the book he stepped up behind her and reached around her, steadying himself with his left hand set just by hers. He snagged the volume.

"Thanks," Claire said, acutely aware of how close he stood behind her, feeling the warmth of his body through her blouse, his arms brushing hers in an almost-embrace. As always, it took only that tiny contact to start her heart pounding.

"Don't mention it," Jack murmured, not moving away. He turned the book so he could read the spine. "1984 – you're looking up the McGuire decision?"

"Yes." Claire said.

"It's not relevant," Jack said. Claire could feel his breath on her ear as he spoke and it made her shiver. "The disqualification only applies to family witnesses."

"I disagree. The judge said family witnesses 'in this case'. The door is open for further interpretation."

"Very creative," Jack said. He moved his left hand from the shelf to rest over her hand. "But I still think you're reaching."

Claire took the volume from him. "We'll see," she said.

"We will," Jack said. His thumb brushed the back of her hand in a slow circular motion. His other hand rested gently on her waist. Claire couldn't help it. She leaned back against him. Jack chuckled softly, his lips brushing her ear. "You're very predictable, Miss Kincaid," he said.

"Oh really?' Claire said.

"Trying to expand McGuire beyond – " He broke off with a gasp as Claire pressed back against him. She rolled her hips slowly, smiling smugly as she felt how strongly his body responded to hers. She could hear Jack's breathing thicken as she moved.

"Predictable?' she asked.

His only answer was to seize her hips and pull her hard against him.

"You're a little predictable too, Mr McCoy," she purred, grinding teasingly against him.

His breathing ragged, Jack bent his head and Claire felt his lips on her neck as his arms slipped around her, one hand moving up to her breasts and the other down to run up the inside of her thigh. Claire gasped and then moaned softly as Jack cupped her breast, rubbing her nipple through her blouse and bra.

"Oh god Jack," Claire whispered. As Jack moved his other hand up to her crotch, the law report slipped from her hand. He stroked her gently, teasingly, and Claire swayed a little.

She rocked against his hand, and he pressed against her.

"Good?" Jack asked, a little hoarse. He began to rub her harder, and Claire bit her lip as tingling warmth changed to burning urgency. He was going to get her off right then and there, she realized, and imagined how they would look to any observer, entwined, Jack's head bent so he could kiss her neck as he slipped his hand inside her blouse, her own head thrown back – the image sent a fresh wave of heat through her.

"This is not – very – oh my god — discreet," she panted.

"No-one's here," Jack said.

"Someone could – could – " Her thoughts scattered as Jack took her earlobe between his teeth, nipping it gently.

"Someone could what?" Jack asked, hand inside her bra now, the other moving in slow circles that made Claire's vision blur.

She braced herself against the bookshelf and pushed back hard against him. "Someone could – come – back."

"We'd hear the lift."

"I wouldn't — hear a — herd of elephants," Claire gasped.

"Some risks are worth running," Jack said hoarsely as Claire writhed desperately beneath his touch.

"Jack – I – oh - " She closed her eyes and saw all the colors of the rainbow, Jack's strong arms holding her up as her knees buckled.

After a moment, as her breathing slowed, she reached behind her and began to repay him. This isn't exactly what my law professor meant by 'quid pro quo', she thought as Jack gasped, his arms tightening around her. But close enough.

"I think we need to go somewhere more private," she whispered, emphasizing her words with the teasing movement of her fingers.

"Right now," Jack agreed hoarsely.

Claire led the way, hurrying to lock the side door as Jack locked the main door behind him. She waited for him to take the lead, to either pull her down onto the couch or press her beneath him, depending on his mood. Sometimes he liked to have her beneath him, bearing down on her, claiming her, possessing her. Sometime he liked to have her above him, her hair falling over her face, watching her move.

Either suited Claire just fine. Whichever pace he set – slow and tantalizing, fast and urgent – whichever position, he made sure that she found it as rewarding as he did, and so she had always been content to follow his lead.

Like just now, in the hallway. He knew she couldn't resist him.

She couldn't complain, exactly, he wasn't what you'd call a selfish lover, but as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her Claire suddenly wanted to know what he felt, when she writhed helplessly at his touch. Oh, sure, sometimes she took the initiative, but it wasn't what she'd call seduction – slipping loose a button on her blouse, toying with her hair, a sidelong glance and a remark about how hot it was, and Jack's hands were all over her. She enjoyed how quickly and invariably he responded to her, and she certainly couldn't deny she enjoyed how he expressed that response, but …

Abruptly, she put her hands on his shoulders and turned him, pushing him down to sit on the couch. He gasped in surprise, and then grinned and reached for her.

Claire evaded his hands and knelt in front of him, pushing his knees apart. Jack raised an eyebrow as she reached for his belt.

"You're in an unusually assertive mood tonight," he said, voice catching as she touched him.

"Shut up and enjoy it," Claire told him.

He chuckled, then groaned softly as she leaned forward and he felt her mouth. She listened to his gasps and moans with a mounting excitement of her own. After a moment he ran his fingers through her hair and then gripped the couch with both hands. She felt him trembling with the effort of holding still.

"Of course," he said hoarsely, "If you were – were looking for a – god, Claire – a case to expand the class of – of – restricted witnesses – "

Claire paused. "Jack," she said, knowing the breath from her words would brush over him. "Is this really the time to talk about case law?"

His hands clenched on the couch. "I think – this is exactly the time – unless you – plan to be disappointed."

She murmured non-committally and he groaned again at the sensation. Claire looked up to see him watching her, eyes dark and face flushed.

"McGuire only indicates …" McCoy said, and stopped, gasping. "Oh — Claire – wait – I – "

She ignored his instruction and he reached down to push her away from him.

"I'm only human," he said. "I think you'd better come here."

Claire reached for him again and again he pushed her away, then took her by the shoulders and pulled her into his lap. She pouted theatrically. "I wasn't finished."

McCoy grinned, and pushed her skirt up around her waist. "I nearly was."

"I was enjoying being in the driver's seat."

"You're going to enjoy this a lot more," McCoy said as he fitted them together.

And a moment later, Claire had to admit to herself that he was right.

To herself, and only to herself.