Getting out of the limo, Matt, Emily, Cheryl, Frank, Duff, and Lia gasped. None of them had spent much time at the port, but it looked a lot different than the day of the incident. There were white Christmas lights strung along the sides of the largest yachts and the cruise ships had all been decked out for the occasion. Men in tuxedos greeted the group as they headed toward the party.

"This is amazing" Emily whispered as the boarded the boat that had been rented for the occasion. She looked around at all of the other agents in the room, impressed. People had gathered in groups, as they did at work, but now everyone was dressed up, and she barely recognized some of the people that she saw all the time."

" Let's go get a drink" Duff whined to Lia, pulling her across the room to the open bar.

"We'll find the table" Matt practically shouted, grabbing Emily's arm when he noticed that her jaw was still hanging open.

"I guess that leaves us to schmooze" Frank sighed as he and Cheryl headed towards a group to their left that included the mayor, the cruise ship captain, and several others.

"Come on, I think it might be in this quiet, secluded corner over here" Once Matt had gotten Emily out of her trance and away from the crowds, he had "checked" for the table in several locations. Emily wasn't sure they were going to find the table in the coat closet, the stairway, or behind the trays of cheesecake, but she wasn't complaining.

"I REALLY love this dress" Matt exhaled slowly when he finally broke away from her neck, which he had been kissing thoroughly.

"Mmm, I'm glad that you like it so much." Emily could barely speak, but she didn't want to pull any further away from him to catch her breath.

"You know, if we had the limo driver take us home now, he'd be back in time to get Cheryl and everyone. They won't even notice that we're gone." Matt played with the left strap on her dress, moving it to kiss the freckles on the shoulder underneath.

"I'd love to..." Emily started and Matt grinned " but someone will notice something when they introduce us, tell the story, and then we don't go up to get our award."

"So we'll turn off the phones and the lights when they come looking for us." Matt really loved the dress, and as he played with the necklace that he'd given her, he couldn't imagine sitting through a two-hour dinner and then another two-hour ceremony with her next to him. By dessert he'd be pulling her onto his lap and by the end of the ceremony he'd want to be underneath the table or back in this closet.

"Matt!" Emily swatted playfully at his arm. " This is important. It is a big deal that we are even invited to something like this. If we leave, then Cheryl's going to have to explain,which means we will have to explain to her on Monday. I do not want to tell my boss that I missed an event because YOU were horny and couldn't leave me alone."

"Oh come on, you know you want to leave too!" Matt was whining now, unhappy that Emily wasn't going to let them go back to his house yet.

"Of course I do, but I know better. And you know better too!" With that, Emily straightened her dress, walked away and went to find their actual table, hopeful that she could get there before Cheryl and Frank realized that they'd slipped out of room. I can always say I was in the restroom Emily muttered to herself as she opened the heavy double doors and took a deep breath. She exhaled and as the room came in to view, she noticed that Frank and Cheryl were engrossed in a conversation with a dull-looking group, not even glancing towards her. She felt Matt come up behind her, put a hand on the small of her back, and lead her in to the room.

Emily and Matt sat through the mediocre rubber-chicken dinner, exchanging glances and playing footsie under the table. They were sure that the other people could tell, but so far the only sign of anyone noticing their game was Lia, grinning in excitement.

Ladies and Gentleman, in just a few moments, we will begin the awards portion of this evening. Please refill your drinks and be seated in the next five minutes."

"I know I'm going to need at least one drink for this." Frank exclaimed. Duff, Lia, and and Cheryl got up with him to refill their glasses as well.

"Emily, bathroom break? We've got 4 more minutes?" Matt was speaking in such a low voice that it took Emily a moment to register what he was saying.

"Promise that we'll be back in time for the start of the ceremony?" Matt could tell that Emily was debating it in her mind, teetering towards having a few minutes of fun.

"Guarantee, they'll flash the lights and we'll be there."

"OK, closet by the restrooms. 3 minutes. " Matt got up and walked out the door, discreetly followed by Emily.
They got as far as the restrooms, where Lia and Cheryl were standing, holding their new drinks, and talking.

"Matt, Emily, hey guys!" Lia waved them over and they had no choice but to go.

"I was a little worried about you two, bureau event, hidden relationship and all. " Cheryl was chattering, glad that no other agents had noticed how close the two negotiators really were. " but you are doing an excellent job." Matt and Emily listened to Cheryl, but watched each other. "And to think, I was nervous about finding you two hiding in some closet, making out when you were supposed to be getting your award." Their eyes widened simultaneously, and Matt's lips turned up into a little smirk.

The lights flashed overhead, and the foursome headed back inside, ready for the ceremony to start.

Next break? Emily wrote on her drink napkin, pushing it slowly over to Matt

Staircase, back side of kitchen Matt wrote back and they pushed their chairs together for the long ceremony.