Chapter 8

Lady Jaye knew as soon as she saw Flint's face on their return that he was livid. She knew he would be, so she had taken every precaution to avoid him at all costs. She caught a ride on one of the Phoenix stealth jets which got her back to her office before the transport even flashed its landing lights. It happened every time they had a CIA agent on board, and her team always knew how to handle it.

She was receiving regular reports about the Russian agent and had already contacted his agency. They were on their way with their own medical team and would pick him up at a specified location. She finished her paperwork on the mission and set it aside for Zartan to review, making sure she didn't miss any details. She hoped he was able to avoid Flint on the flight as well. Although, she knew she didn't have to worry – Zartan could very well take care of himself!

She knew the minute that Flint walked into the building. She could almost feel the tension in the air, even before her assistant alerted her to his presence. She sighed. She knew she had to deal with him for what happened and she might as well get it over. He'd be flying back to Washington tonight and then another chapter of her life with Flint would be closed. She closed her eyes. She wished it could have been different. She knew she still loved him, and that obviously he felt something for her, but that it wouldn't save her from the angry tirade she knew was coming.

She had already made her decision by the time he entered her office. Before he could speak, she gave him a pointed look and said "Follow me."

She walked out of her office to the elevator. He followed her without a word, but as soon as the elevator closed, he started to speak.

"Wait," she said, her hand in the air. Miracle upon miracles, his mouth closed and he just stood there, watching her.

Stepping out of the elevator, he saw a small lobby and the door to her penthouse. Without another word, she walked over to the door, unlocked it, and waited for him to follow. She closed the door behind them and asked him if he wanted a drink.

Flint wasn't sure what was going on. He declined the drink, but she went to the fridge and got out two beers anyway. "In case you change your mind," she simply said.

Settling down on the couch, she took a long draw from her beer. She looked up at him as he loomed over her.

"Okay, let's get it out," she said in a neutral tone, settling back. "Yes, we drugged you to save the mission from being compromised. Yes, we knew about your secondary orders, which is why we did it. No, I'm not going to tell you how. If your idiot bosses would decide to stop sending people to counteract our orders from our clients, then we wouldn't be forced to do this. Oh, and yes, we change our MO every time, so go back and say what you want in your report, but next time it will be different. And yes, we expect a next time," she said with a sigh. She took another drink and then set her beer down on a coaster. Leaning back on the sofa, she looked up at him. "So, go ahead, get it out."

Flint didn't know what to say. He grabbed the second beer from the counter where she had put it and took a long draw himself. He sat down hard next to Lady Jaye and just looked at her. He ran his hand through his hair.

"Well," he finally drawled, "I can say this is definitely a different version of you after a mission than I was used to."

She looked at him, speechless. She had expected the tirade, hoping it might be less since she had said her piece first. This was not what she had expected. Remembering their post-mission activities, she had the grace to blush.

She got up and started wandering the room. "You kind of forced your hand and we had to do what we did. I hope you understand. It's nothing personal," she said sadly, thinking about how different things were between them.

Flint got up and started rubbing her shoulders. "I know it's not personal. I never thought it was. In fact," he chuckled, "I think there are bets placed every time one of the agents is assigned to your team. Well, I mean, I was hot at first, but I guess I have to see the humor in it now. I probably would have done the same had I been in your shoes."

She turned and looked at him strangely. "That's it? I bring you up here so my staff can't hear you chewing me out and that's it?" She went over and picked up his beer, sniffing it. "I swear I did not put anything in this!"

Flint laughed. It was something he hadn't done for awhile and it felt good. He loved the fact that he had caught her off guard. This was better than going off, as he had originally planned. She had looked tired and worried when he had stepped into her office. He had even noticed her chewing on her lip, something she had always done when stressed. Noticing that, he had decided to change his approach.

"Ali," he said softly, leading her to the sofa, "you know I have to leave tonight but for now, let's just spend some time together."

"Dash," she sighed. "I don't know…..it's been so long….."

"You know there was a reason for bringing me up here. We only have a few hours. Let's take advantage of it."