When Evelyn asked how it had gone he told her that Anna was going to swap teams. She seemed surprised by that, but all he said was:

"Well you know how it is. Sometimes people just need to get out of a certain chain of command."

It took her a moment, but then realization dawned.

"Oh God, Jack, don't tell me she has a crush on you."

"Looks like it."

"Well who could blame her."

He didn't comment on that.

"How do you feel about it?"

"Me? Hell, Evelyn, she's half my age. I'm flattered, but she should really find herself someone her age. It's a pity I'll lose her, but I don't have a choice. She requested it herself by the way."

"So it's history's repeating, huh?"

"Yeah. Only this time it's someone needing to get out of my chain of command. But other than that – it's basically history repeating."

"Poor girl. I know what she feels like. So what now, will she be allowed to stay in the program?"

"Yes. I already found someone who's willing to swap places."

"A man, I hope?"

Jack chuckled.

"Never thought I'd hear that from you of all people. Yes, a man."

"Preferably heterosexual", she couldn't help but add.

"Married. I checked."

~o0o~

Jack spent a quiet evening in his favorite bar, clinging to his beer and enjoying the easy jazz played by a very good band. He thought back to the last mission and felt relieved. Things had turned out well and there was a nice weekend off ahead of him. He noticed someone approaching his table.

"Sir?"

Jack looked up into the smiling face of Anna Sheen.

"Lieutenant!"

"I wondered – since we are so not in the same chain of command anymore – would you like to dance?"

He flashed her a genuine smile.

"I can't see why not, lieutenant."

He stood and held out his hand to her. Practically beaming at him she took his hand, and he led her to the dance floor, pretending not to notice the way people looked at them. She turned and looked at him.

"Are you really alright with this – sir?"

"Yes, I am. Or I would be."

"If?"

"If you could bring yourself to drop the 'sir' for the moment."

She blushed.

"OK – Jack."

He smiled and nodded. Anna moved into his arms, and they started a slow dance. Anna felt Jack's hand on her back and moved into him a little more. This was getting dangerous. She cleared her throat.

"Actually it's captain now."

"Really? Congratulations! Doing good, are you?"

She hid her smile against his chest.

"Well since I can focus on the job now..."

She felt him chuckle more that she heard it.

"Was it really that bad?"

"I lived."

Only after she had said it she realized how close they had both been to being killed because of her completely inappropriate crush on him. She moved away a little so she could look at him. Oh, bad idea. She had to clear her throat again.

"I'm so sorry", she softly went on. "I should have pulled myself together. I – really had it bad for you. In a way I still do."

Oh, this was getting dangerous. She really shouldn't be telling him this. What on earth was he supposed to say to that.

"Sorry. Too much information I guess."

He pulled her close against his chest again.

"That's a brave thing to do. And I'm flattered."

"I hear a 'but' coming."

He didn't say it, and he didn't have to. He simply didn't feel about her that way. It made her heart ache, but there was nothing either of them could do about it. After a while she murmured against his neck:

"I bet it happens a lot."

"What does?"

"Women falling for you. Hard."

"Yeah. I leave a trail of them wherever I go."

Anna chuckled. He was making this easy and sweet instead of awkward, and she loved him for it. Even more than she did anyway.

"Can I still have this? This dance, you being so close?"

"Of course", he said, and his breath on her bare shoulder almost killed her. She completely melted into him, determined to take whatever he was willing to give, and they danced to a lot more than one song.