1252 Words. Another long chapter, but again, I like it all together. Thanks.

Chapter Five

Matt found Emily sitting alone in the break room.

"Hi," he said.

She smiled. "Hello. What is that you hold?"

"Cigars," he said. "Stella sent them to Lester."

She raised her eyebrow. "She is persistent. It is fortunate, however, that she did not send them to his home."

"It is. I'm surprised, actually." Matt set the box of cigars on the table, and sat beside her. "Em, I…uh," he stopped talking and sighed. "I did have a past…thing with Stella. I don't want to talk about it because, frankly, there isn't much to tell. I just arrived in this time and Stella was affectionate and attentive."

Emily listened.

Matt went on. "As far as the…thing. It was really nothing. I have no attachment to her at all."

Emily nodded.

Matt squeezed her hand. " It's over, I promise."

Again, Emily nodded.

" Do you believe me?" asked Matt.

"I do," she said.

Matt sighed with relief.

"It is not that I question whether your feelings for Stella remain," she said. She sighed. "I…It is hard to explain the way I feel. It is as if this Barracuda has injected her venom within me."

"What do you mean?"

Emily frowned. "I am jealous."

Matt shook his head and chuckled. "You don't need to be."

"I cannot stop the feeling. Stella is a very alluring and beautiful woman. I do trust you. I do. However, I can see how any man would want her, perhaps even over someone he currently fancies."

Matt smiled. "I can't see anyone choosing her over you. Ever. She's nothing but beauty, Em. She has no substance. You're intelligent, brave, and compassionate, and much more. She doesn't compare to you."

She smiled. "Not even…in the bedroom?"

"Especially not there. " He stroked her hair, and met her lips for a tender kiss. "Don't feel jealous toward Stella, Em. It's a waste of time."

Emily nodded, but then smirked. "And we could be spending it much more wisely," she said.

He smirked back, and kissed her passionately. They kissed and cuddled for several minutes, until they heard giggling. They looked up to see Jess and Becker, entwined. Then they saw Matt and Emily and they both blushed.

"Hi," said Jess, a little flustered.

"HI," replied Matt. "What are you two up to?"

"Nothing," said Jess, unconvincingly.

Becker frowned. "Well, nothing now that we have an audience!"

"Becker!" Jess cried, turning bright pink. "Sh!"

The others chuckled. "Sorry, did we steal your idea?" asked Matt, holding Emily in his arms.

"No worries, it's a big place. Come on, Jess," Becker said, pulling her out of the room.

Matt and Emily laughed as they heard Jess saying, "I thought you wanted boundaries! Way to tell them what we were up to Becker!"

"A blind barracuda could see what they were up to," said Matt, leaning back into Emily's kiss.

Emily suddenly pulled back. "There is one thing you must still explain about the barracuda."

Matt sighed. "What?"

Emily raised her eyebrow. "What is the trench coat and why is it significant?"

"Are you sure you want to hear this?"

"I must. Go on."

Matt sighed. "When Stella is tired of chasing her man, she…"

"She what, Matt?"

"She shows up at the guy's place wearing a long coat."

"I do not see why this is tempting."

Matt smiled uncomfortably. "She's wearing sexy lingerie underneath. Nothing else."

"Oh," said Emily. "That is when you gave in to her."

"Yes," he said, hanging his head low. "I'm sorry."

"Do not apologize. We had not met."

"And if we had, Stella never would have tempted me."

"No?"

"No."

"Matt? I would like to buy a trench coat and sexy lingerie."

Matt's face broke into a huge grin. "Now you're talking."

She smiled, and kissed him.

"I'd love to stay here, with you all day, but Lester left me with a job. Actually, he wants me to push it off on you."

"What job?" asked Emily.

Matt sighed. "Returning these cigars to Stella."

Emily smiled. "I would be happy to do it."

"Are you sure?" he asked, with a skeptic look. "You know you can't maim her or anything, right?"

She smiled more pleasantly. "Matt, I am surprised at you." She smirked. "There are ways of inflicting pain that do not leave a mark."

Matt laughed. "Tell me you're joking."

Emily just smiled. She kissed him tenderly, then picked up the cigar box. "I will not harm her. I promise."

Matt nodded. "Thank you. The research department is under staffed as it is."

Emily found Stella alone, sitting at a desk. She placed the cigars directly in front of her. Stella looked up, questioningly.

"Lester sends his thanks, but cannot accept this gift."

Stella said nothing, just looked Emily over, as if sizing up an enemy. "He asked you to return them?" she finally inquired.

"He did."

"Why you, Emily?"

"Why would he not ask me?"

"I'm just surprised. I didn't realize that there was anything between you and the boss." Stella looked her in the eyes, daring her to reveal some juicy secret.

Emily held her gaze. "There is nothing but a professional relationship between us. Although, I do admire him."

"I see," said Stella. "I admire him as well. I merely sent these cigars to let him know."

"Of course, however, it is always a delicate situation between employer and staff. I am sure he meant no disrespect in returning them."

"I'm sure he didn't," responded Stella. "Thank you."

Emily nodded, and turned to leave.

"How is Matt?" asked Stella.

Emily turned. "He is well. I'm sure he would appreciate you asking."

Stella smiled and nodded. "We were close once. Did he tell you?"

"He did."

"Really? That's surprising. I thought he wanted to keep our affair…quiet."

Emily smiled. "Affair? Matt said it was over quickly."

"Of course he did, Emily."

"What do you mean to imply?"

"Nothing. It's just…well, it seems we remember it differently."

"Yes, you do," said Emily.

It was her turn to size up Stella. She wore a low-cut tangerine top, garish red lipstick and nail polish, and a chunky silver necklace. She was screaming for attention.

Emily did not intend to give her much. "It does not concern me, however. It is over."

Stella smiled slowly. "Is it?" she asked coyly, giving Emily her best seductive smile.

Emily actually laughed. "Pardon me," she said demurely. "I do not mean to be rude, but yes, I am sure it is over. Excuse me, I believe we have no need of further discussions."

With that, Emily left. She was still chuckling when she met up with Matt.

"What?" he asked.

"The barracuda is as calculated and sly as I have heard," she said. "However, she is not as graceful as her namesake."

"What did Stella do?"

"Nothing. She said much however."

Matt raised his eyebrow, and Emily laughed. "She tried to lead me to believe your dalliance with her was continuing," she said.

Matt shook his head, and rubbed a hand over his face.

Emily reassured him. "Do not fret. I did not fall for her obvious ploy. In fact, I believe it backfired."

"Did it?"

Emily smiled and nodded. "She is a predator, it is clear, but she is far less skilled then others I have encountered."

Matt laughed. "So you and me…"

"Oh, our dalliance continues."

"What we have is far more than a dalliance, Em."

"Indeed," she said, pulling him into her embrace.

End of Chapter Five