Three days later, on the way to the Brasserie de l'Ile St Louis , Leo decided it was time to inform Steven Bloom of their French counterpart. "There's a French agent in place to help out as we need. We're on our way to meet her now."

"I wondered where you were dragging me. Anyone I know?" Steven asked knowing that after years of being inactive it was highly unlikely he would know the person they would be working with.

"Germaine D'Aubet," Leo replied and watched for his reaction.

"Germaine D'Aubet? She's … alive? They told me she had been killed years ago; a covert operation gone bad."

"She's very much alive and has agreed to help. Her cover is still solid; no one will question her. And since we'll be special guests of Dominique Seignet, no one should question us," Leo explained.

Steven was silent and sat with a stunned look on his face still trying to make sense of the fact that Germaine was alive. For over seven years he had believed she was dead. He had told himself he had gotten over her and moved on countless times during the years but the nervous anticipation he now felt said otherwise. Leo, who was still watching him closely asked, "Is this going to be a problem?"

"No. Why would there be a problem?"

"Hey, I'm just asking. I need to know I can count on you, no matter what."

"There is NO problem."

Germaine had watched them arrive and get a table from across the street. She hadn't worked undercover in years and her nerves had finally set in. The fluttering in her stomach was compounded by the fact she would soon see Steven Bloom again. As Leo had astutely noticed, she was looking forward to the reunion. After watching the pair another minute, she inhaled deeply, walked across the street and was soon seated at their table.

"Bonjour. I'm not late, am I?" she asked and asked the waiter for tea.

"No, we just arrived," answered Leo. Germaine noticed he looked extremely amused by the turn of events that had the three of them working together. "Germaine D'Aubet. Steven Bloom. Steve, this is Germaine, maybe you've heard of her. She seems to be somewhat accomplished and has quite a reputation."

They both stared at Leo during the introduction. Nash knew it was totally unnecessary; not only had Germaine and Steven known each other professionally but they had also lived together in Paris for almost two years. He had just wanted to see their response; Steven appeared mildly annoyed while Germaine remained impassive and shook her head. Neither of their reactions was out of the ordinary and Leo felt encouraged that everything would go smoothly.

While they spoke, Germaine tried to not look at Steven too intently but his chiseled good looks made it nearly impossible. Her eyes wanted to trace every inch to see if she could find any changes in him. He was surreptitiously watching her also and Germaine knew if Nash spotted any lingering glances between them things were sure to get blown out of proportion. That was Leo's way. She had her defense ready just in case; Steven was married and she had no intention of getting in the middle of that.

After they had hammered out a basic strategy for the next evening, Leo gave Germaine a pointed look, got up and left the table. "No wonder you two need my help, if that's the best he can do. Could he be any more obvious?" Germaine said to Steven. She was grateful that Leo had given them some time alone, however and made a mental note to thank him later.

"You know Leo, so … yes," he told her and laughed. "You look great, by the way." He wondered if she could tell how nervous he was seeing her again. If she did notice, she gave no indication and seemed perfectly relaxed sitting there with him.

"Merci, and you're as handsome as ever," she said and then looked straight into his eyes smiling. With Leo gone, Germaine could now allow her eyes to rest on Steven's face. "I hope you've been well."

Any nervous apprehension either of them had been feeling disappeared. It was almost as it had been years ago: the two of them sitting at a café, idly talking and enjoying each other's company. Their conversation was deliberately vague as they both avoided anything too personal, but the attraction was still there. The Parisians sitting at nearby tables glanced over and smiled indulgently at them; this was after all, the city of lights and love. Steven looked away as Leo approached the table and sat back down with them, "Your help should make things easier and give us a huge time advantage."

"Yes, well, you need someone who can get close to this man without suspicion. They agreed to my terms, so here I am. Don't get used to it, ma cher. It's one and done," Germaine told him and looked over at Leo who was observing her intently. She returned his gaze and smiled serenely.