Casey shut the car door, but on instinct opened it again and quickly removed the bag containing the shoes. Noting a rather large trash can off to the side of the garage, he tossed the bag and it's contents inside, as she wouldn't be needing those shoes anytime soon, he grinned as he processed his discovery and walked back to join Ellie. He felt a million emotions wash over him. Joy, relief, curiosity, excitement, arousal and a bit of puzzlement as to what his next step should be. One minute he was minding his own business handling the intersect, the next he was getting drawn in by the intersects smart, sexy and very dangerous sister, who affected him, really affected him.

He was grinning like and idiot as he approached her and had to force himself not to smile, which normally had never been a problem for him. He had to squash the urge to grab her like a neanderthal, toss her in her car and drive to the nearest hotel and have wild, uninhibited sex with her. 'How would he play this' he thought? He decided he'd have some fun with her tonight at the dinner table and see where it went. A devious plan quickly unfolded in his mind.

Ellie was standing to the side of the parking attendent booth and John held the wallet up as he approached her.

"Oh you got it. I'm so glad. Chuck was so nervous that he may have lost it someplace else."

"Yep, found it right on the seat where he said it would be."

She smiled and took the wallet from him and noted that he let his fingers sensuously hold and then rub the top of her hand for a moment as they slid away, releasing it and allowing her to tuck it into her purse as they hurriedly walked along towards the restaurant.

Had she just imagined the caress he'd given her? she was pretty sure she hadn't. She glanced up at him as they walked along together and noted that there was something mischievous in the way he was grinning down at her. She really needed to eat, as she thought she was starting to imagine things about the tall, handsome man.

--

The restaurant was filled to capacity and Ellie couldn't see Chuck or Sarah anywhere so she figured they must have already been seated. There wasn't a hostess to be found so Ellie looked up at John who had already spotted them. He gently took her elbow and moved her so that he was holding her slightly to his front, just enough for her to feel the heat coming off his body and feel her tush brush against his pelvis. She thought her knees would buckle if they didn't move soon. As the crush in front of them moved, he began walking forward, but kept his hand at the small of her back as he guided them to the table. She felt tingles and shivers at the intimate gesture. His strong fingers curled slightly around her hip and she could feel the warmth spread all over her. What had changed in the past half hour she wondered? While he'd always been friendly and relaxed with her he was now behaving quite differently, intimately, she mused to herself.

John held her chair out for her as she sat down. The table was small and the room was cramped so she could feel his hard thigh pressing against her own. It took her a moment to settle in and focus on her brother and Sarah.

"So, can I have my wallet?"

Ellie grinned and leaned over to fetch his wallet from her purse. "Here you go, John went back to the car and found it."

"Thanks, buddy!"

"No problem, maybe you should have Walker keep it in her purse for you, big-boy," Casey chortled.

"Nope, it's safe right here. But, I was thinking of getting one of those chain things, you know, so I'd never loose it again."

"Um, yeah, that would come in handy when you get into a gang-fight with all the nerds at work."

Normally, Chuck would sense sarcasm from Casey, but he'd genuinely smiled when he'd made the remark and seemed to be, what was it, Chuck couldn't quite put his finger on it, it seemed like Casey was enjoying himself.

As dinner wound down, and the check arrived, Chuck tossed in a fifty for he and Sarah, while Casey went for his wallet. What happened next, clearly held both Sarah and Chuck's interest. Ellie, quick as a ninja, grabbed Casey's wrist and yanked it towards her. Sarah breathed in sharply, waiting for the growl to come and hoping Casey wouldn't make a scene as he always got weird when people touched him, much less grabbed him. But, to her amazement, nothing happened. Ellie was still holding his wrist tightly in her hand as Sarah made eye contact with Chuck.

"No, no, absolutely no! I told you I was treating you, John."

"Ellie, really, just let me get my own dinner."

"No, you saved me today and it's the least I can do. I'll be very upset if you don't let me treat you. Now you promise me you'll let me get this?"

"Okay, okay, you win."

Chuck smiled as he realized that Casey was not going to pull a karate move on his sister and glanced at her, noting she was still clasping Casey's wrist.

"So, what happened, El? how did Casey save you?"

"I forgot to pay the water bill and I got stuck in the shower this morning when it went off."

"What?"

"The water just stopped. It went from hot to freezing and then shut off completely. I was covered in shampoo and soap and just completely freaked out."

Sarah was grinning at the look on Casey's face. He didn't even realize it, but he was smiling again and after Ellie had let go of his wrist, neither had pulled their hands away from the table-top. These two were flirting with each other! This was new information and very interesting. She kept her trained-eye on both he and Ellie as she continued her story.

"So I guess I screamed a little and John heard me."

"A little? it was more like a shrieking bald-eagle closing in for the kill," Casey joked.

"John Casey, I do not screech!" she flirtatiously added as she gently slapped his hand, which was still resting very close to her own.

"Well it sure sounded like some sort of wild birdcall to me."

Ellie huffed and continued with a big grin and a twinkle in her eye. "So, as I was just trying to say, John heard me and came over."

"Yes, through your unlocked door!" He emphasized the unlocked part and gave her a stern look for a moment.

"Oh, I forget to lock it once and a while, big deal. It's not like I'm hiding top-secret information in my house," she giggled.

Chuck's face went slack and Sarah gave an uneasy smile to Ellie who was oblivious to what she'd just said.

"So, you're saying Casey just barged into the bathroom while you were in the shower!" Chuck added, his face taking on a look of slight discomfort as he eyed his handler carefully.

"Yeah, I kicked the door in and stormed her bathroom while she was in the shower, while wearing my Superman outfit and cape! No, idiot, I called out to her to make sure she was okay and she told me what happened and asked me to come in and help her."

Chuck seemed to relax as Ellie told the rest of the tale.

As Ellie signed for the check, John stood behind her and pulled her chair out for her as she got up. He walked close to her and continued to keep his hand at the small of her back as Chuck and Sarah strolled along in front of them. Sarah was getting a sore throat though, and Chuck was in mother-hen mode.

"Maybe you should check her over Ellie?"

"Chuck, I'm fine. It's just a sore throat. If it gets worse, yes, I'll let Ellie check me okay?"

That seemed to work as he calmed down, but, it was decided that he would be staying the night with her for good measure.

Casey was relieved, as they all had the night off. Chuck was safe with Sarah, even if she did have the creeping crud, and he could spend his time on more important things.

--

Once home, after Chuck had left to take Sarah home, John and Ellie lingered in the courtyard. She sat on the edge of the fountain as he stood before her, hands in his pockets. Ellie was definitely enjoying the attention he was giving and secretly wished the night wouldn't end, as she'd had such a nice time.

"Dinner was good, thanks Ellie and I'm glad I was able to help you today."

"You really are a Superhero Mr. Casey," she beamed.

Casey gave her a genuine smile. "Well, I'm headed off to the store for some groceries. Need anything?"

"No, I'm good, thanks." She kept an unreadable expression on her face, but was inwardly saddened that the evening was coming to an end. "Well, you have a nice evening, John." She wanted to say 'see you later' but figured he'd make the effort if he wanted to spend more time with her. He smiled and walked into his apartment as she headed into hers.

As he shut his door, he'd already finished his plan. He could make it over to Macy's and back within an hour if he left now. He grabbed his keys and headed out.

--

Ellie busied herself doing laundry and reading a tacky romance novel that she'd found in the employee lounge at the hospital while she waited between loads, when she heard John's door open and close. He was back she sighed. Her head fell back on the couch for a moment as she thought of how nice it would have been to to curl up on him, she grinned at the image and corrected herself to 'next to him' on the couch. Her thoughts drifted to how it would feel to kiss him. She'd look up at his rugged, handsome face and they'd make eye contact. Clear blue ocean to grey steel then he'd lower his face and kiss her for all he was worth. She picked up the novel from the coffee table and smiled at the cover. A shirtless, rugged, tall, dark and handsome man was on the cover, muscles rippling as his strong arms wrapped protectively around the heroine. Ellie's eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off for a short nap.

--

She was being held hostage in the hold of a pirate ship, the waves were crashing and she could hear the epic battle taking place above her, on deck. She could hear the clash of steel on steel as the pirates fought off her rescuer, lover, fiance and father of her unborn child. Captain John Casey was waging war with the pirate crew that had kidnapped his woman, and he wanted her back! She was screaming for him. All she had to do was make sure he could hear her and could find her before the sinking ship slipped below the surface of the cold, choppy sea. She heard his voice booming as he searched the hold for her. Finally, he was there and she was safe in his strong arms.

Her dream quickly shifted and now she was safe in his arms in his cabin, on his ship and they were passionately kissing each other. Captain John Casey, defender of all that was good and pure, was kissing her breathless and working at opening the bodice of her gown. Soon they were naked and he crushed her to his chest, with a strong arm supporting her back as her head tilted back and she moaned his name in ecstasy. "Captain John, how I've missed you, my love." She heard his low, sensual voice resonate in her ear as he replied. "No one takes my bride and lives, my love! I would fight to the death for you."

"But what of the pirates John? Are they all dead?"

Of course they were all dead, as Captain John had single-handedly laid waste to them all, with just a dagger held between his teeth and his trusty sword.

--

John slammed his door and put his package down on his desk. Now, all he had to do was calmly walk over to Ellie's, ring her bell (in more ways than one, he hoped,) and give her "the gift." The idea had popped into his head in the parking garage. He knew Macy's carried Christian Louboutains, and he knew her size, so he'd grab a pair and then go see how the proverbial glass slippers fit on his Cinderella.

He checked the video feed, and noted she was snuggled on the couch napping with a book appearing to have fallen onto her chest. She had a small smile across her lovely lips and it made his gut clench as he wondered and hoped that she was dreaming of him.

He knocked lightly and realized she was probably still napping and decided not to startle her. Knowing that the door was most likely unlocked, which still irritated him to no end, he quietly entered the apartment and walked towards the couch. Ever so gently, he touched her arm as her eyes halfway opened and she gazed up at him and then unexpectedly threw herself into his arms.

"I knew you'd come for me, I knew it. And you killed them all!"

He could feel the swell of her breasts pressed against his chest and his brain was caught between the pleasure of her embrace and the slight discomfort her words brought, at the mention of him 'killing them all?' Yes, he'd killed many in his time, but how and why would she be speaking of it with him now, as she held him so tightly, was a mystery to him. Then, it became clearer, as he glanced at the book that had now fallen to the floor, cover side up. He chuckled lightly at the cover. Some muscle-head model (thank God it wasn't Fabio,) dressed in some pirate getup was holding onto a voluptuous beauty, whose bodice was so tight, it barely contained her heaving bosom. They lay on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace on an old sailing ship. He shook his head in amazement. Who the hell had a fireplace on an old wooden sailing ship? Only an idiot would risk spreading a fire on his wooden ship. But then he was brought back to the present when Ellie's head lolled against his chest. She was back asleep in his arms now, and made a gentle mewling sound as his hand unconsciously stroked her silky dark hair. She was dreaming of pirates and passion he grinned. Maybe he could get her to play along a bit longer before she awoke and ended the game. He tilted his head so his lips were inches from her ear and whispered in a sexy, low voice, "Of course I killed them all, I needed to get to you, Darling."

She pressed herself even tighter to him and he was tempted to ravish her on the spot, but he kept up the premise and nuzzled her head to his neck as she quietly sighed his name, "Oh Captain John....."

'Captain?' He was a full Colonel, in the good-old United States Army thank you very much, not the fucking Navy! he inwardly groused, but still couldn't hold back the grin at the silly predicament he found himself in. It seemed this evening was all about fairy tales. It was time to wake his Pirate Wench so she could play a new and better role, that of his own, personal Cinderella.

Again, he let his voice drop low and soft as he gently woke her from her slumber.

"Time to wake up Ellie," he soothed. He made sure to angle his head so he could watch the lovely process unfold before his eyes. Her dark lashes fluttered open and she smiled up at him.

"Hi, John."

"Hi, Ellie."

"JOHN! Oh, my, what....."

"It's okay, it's okay," was all he soothingly said as he gently pulled her back to the safety of his warm chest. He felt her relax against him as she started to speak.

"Why am I hugging you, not that it feels bad, but why?"

"You didn't hear me when I knocked, so I came in and you were napping. When I shook your arm to wake you, you sat up and hugged me. You also said something about how glad you were that I was here and had "killed them all."

She pushed away from him and looked up at him, with a slight blush on her pretty cheeks. "I was dreaming of you," she demurred as she gazed up at him.

"Were you now? and what, exactly was I doing in your dream? as you had a smile on your face." he flirtaciously asked.

Shedding her slight embarrassment with each passing second, she played along. "You were actually kissing me, John."

"Em, I see, and where were we?"

"On your ship. You'd just rescued me from the pirates that held me captive," she replied, feeling slightly nervous again at how corny this actually sounded as she spoke, but relieved at the same time, as he seemed to be enjoying it.

"So I was just kissing you for all to see?"

"Oh, no, we were in your quarters. You were the Captain of the ship."

"Of course. I'd have been a bit insulted if I was just the cook."

"No, you were my..the Captain."

"Did you like it?"

"Being kissed by you, or the fact that you were a powerful sea Captain?"

"Both," he replied as he pulled her back into his embrace.

"Yes, yes I did."

"Well then, wait here." He stated as he hopped up quickly from the couch.

Ellie stared up at him in bewilderment as he jogged out of the apartment. Before she could get too irritated, he was back, carrying a large rolled up bundle. He stooped quickly in front of the couch and unfurled the bundle. Ellie gasped when she saw what it was.

"Where on Earth did you get that?"

"I've had it for some time. A buddy of mine brought it back from New Zealand when he was in college years ago. I've never used it, it just stays stashed in my closet. Now I'm glad I saved it and didn't toss it," he grinned. "You like it?"

"Like it, yes, yes I like it. What exactly are you going to do with it though?" she asked, with a glint in her eye.

He surprised her again when he stooped and picked her up and kissed her quickly then laid her down on the soft, plush sheepskin. "I'm going to ravish you my dear, Ellie."

All she could do was giggle like a school-girl in reply as he was already laying beside her pulling her tightly to him and kissing her neck.

"Oh, Captain John, but what of the pirates? what if more of them find us?"

"They won't, my lady, The Dread Pirate Chuck and his lovely wench Sarah are on his ship, so he'll be staying with her tonight remember. I have you all to myself, here in my ships quarters."

"Oh, Captain......." she breathed as he kissed her passionately.

--

John awoke with a crick in his neck but a smile on his face. He felt slightly chilled, given that he was laying on the floor of Ellie's apartment, butt naked, with only the warm sheepskin rug under him and an equally chilled Ellie curled next to him. What had started as a fun evening out, had turned into an even better evening in. He still had to surprise her with the shoes. He quietly stood and slowly walked to the coffee table where he'd placed the bag. He took it as quietly as he could into the hallway where he pulled the shoebox out of the bag so Ellie wouldn't hear the paper crinkling. He pulled out the shoes, tossed aside their tissue paper and walked into her bedroom, laying the shoes on her dresser and pulling the covers back from her bed. They'd wasted no time getting intimate, and he was still stunned that it was late in the night now, and that they'd been playing "Pirate" for a few hours before exhausting each other and falling asleep. John walked back into the living room and stooped and picked Ellie up. As he carried her to her bedroom, she woke and gazed up at him.

"What time is it?"

"Two-thirty in the morning. Time for the Captain and his woman to get some sleep."

She giggled as he bent his head down and kissed her, then laid her down in her bed and crawled in beside her. Normally it took him a half hour or so to wind down and fall asleep. This time, with her, he was out like a light.

--

Ellie sighed as she felt John's strong hands massaging her calves and feet. What a way to wake up, she thought as she propped herself up on her elbows to find him, clad only in a pair of flannel pajama pants, crouched in front of her, with one of her legs, positioned between his own while his strong hands worked magic on her dainty feet.

Ellie realized they'd moved at the speed of sound to get to this point in only a few short hours, but what she'd shared with him, and done with him in those few hours, was like nothing she'd ever experienced. Just a few weeks earlier, she'd flashed him on a dare. Now, she'd spent the most passionate night of her life with him. She felt no shame or guilt or unease as her instinct, which was always spot on, told her John was different. She felt connected to him in a different way than she had with Devon. Safe, comforted and protected. Why this was, she had no idea, but she felt it none-the-less. He held her foot in his hand and had the most satisfied look on his face.

"You know, Ellie, the strangest thing happened to me the other night."

"Oh? what happened?"

"Someone rang my doorbell and they were wearing nothing but heels and a-"

She instantly pulled her foot away from him and scooted back against the headboard of the bed, pulling her knees to her chest in alarm, and putting as much space between them as possible. 'No, no, no, please no' she thought and then realized she was in fact speaking. Had this all been about him wanting to get back at her and trick her as well, now that he'd somehow realized what she'd done on Halloween? Involuntary tears began to slide down her cheeks, but, before she could speak, he moved up and pulled her to him, crushing his lips to hers. She struggled slightly but stopped as she felt him speaking to her with his body and soul through the steaming kiss.

John saw the panic play across her features. 'Damn, this isn't how it's supposed to go. Get it back soldier, get it back!.' Tears were running down her face and he instinctively pulled her tightly into an embrace and kissed her. He poured everything he had into the kiss. His fear, his joy, his guilt, his strength, his secrets, his sorrows and his passion for her. She fought him, but his steel embrace was relentless and soon he felt her relax and respond to him in kind. Gasping for air, they separated, but he held her face in his palms and spoke from his heart.

"No fear, no worries Ellie, okay?"

All she did was sob slightly and lower her gaze to the bed. He gently tugged her face up to meet his steel blue eyes. "I don't want you to misunderstand me, so let me be clear okay?" She nodded and he continued. "I was so- so, relieved when I realized it was you! you confounded me. I never expected that, and it kind of took over. I was obsessed and finally just figured I'd never meet you, Cin-

She was intently watching him now and as he paused, the concern came back on her face. Again, he leaned into her and kissed her and then continued. "Cinderella." There, he'd said it. It was corny, he knew it, but he didn't give a flying-fuck. She was his Cinderella so he could call her that if he wanted. Now, it was she who pulled his face to hers and cradled it in her delicate hands.

"Cinderella?" she inquired.

"Um, yeah, you know, the slipper thing and all?"

Damn it, in her discomfort, he'd forgotten all about the shoes! Now she looked puzzled. He turned and stood from the bed as she watched his every move. He strode to her dresser and grabbed a pair of distinctive black and red Louboutains and knelt back on the bed in front of her.

He took one of her legs in his hands and cradled her calf. He let his fingers trail down the sides to her ankles and then to her feet as he placed the shoe on her foot. She got the shivers as his hands moved to take her other calf and repeat the process. When he was done, he fixed his gaze on her and whispered "Cinderella."

Ellie felt tears roll down her cheeks again. This time they came from joy, not fear.

"It was my shoes?" she asked incredulously. "How did you know?"

"I found the heel on the walkway."

"Oh my god, but how did you know it was mine?"

Realization hit her, and at the same time, they both said, "The shoes were in the car!"

"The damn bag in the car," she laughed. "Oh, John, I'm so embarrassed."

"Don't be. No need, like I said, I was quite happy to discover your identity, Ellie."

"But, you must think I'm just a....a woman of loose character," she lamely sputtered out.

John laughed at that. "Never. Ellie, I'm a good reader of character, and I know you're not, in any way, a woman of loose character."

"But after tonight, you must think-"

"You and I both know that what happened tonight was way, way beyond some random hook-up. I know you felt it too, Ellie! It's the beginning for us."

"Yes, I felt it too. There's this connection with you that I've felt for a while. I can't even explain it, but I guess others sensed it as well, as that's how this whole thing started."

He listened attentively as she went back to the beginning and told him how it all began at Irene's house on Halloween night.

They lay on her bed talking and laughing the entire morning, finally getting out of bed to have a late breakfast. John in his pajama pants and Ellie in her Louboutains and nothing else.

(AND, they lived happily ever after!)