"I have to go, John. Duty calls."

"Be safe, Jos."

Another pause and Fusco again.

"I will. Stay out of trouble so I can go home before dawn, OK?"

She hung up before he could say anything else, but the corner of his mouth turned up slightly. That went…well.

**** XXX ****

Chapter 3

Several days later

Reese watched and listened from the building across the street from the café. At first, he'd felt disturbingly like a stalker, and in most circles he would have been labeled as such, but he wanted to make sure the delivery was handled as he'd instructed. He'd planned it to the last detail, the delivery, his appearance after the fact, everything.

He'd kept up with her movements over the last few days, making sure she was safe in-between the numbers that had come in, but they hadn't spoken or been in contact. As much as he'd wanted to see her, he'd kept his distance.

Reese had spoken to Taylor and learned that she'd brought home the flowers he'd given her and had set them on the coffee table in their small living room. He'd teased Reese that he'd caught his mother smiling at them a few times. The information gave Reese a little hope that he was on the right track.

He sat up a little straighter when he saw who was meeting Carter for lunch. Taylor had told him where she was going to be today, but neglected to tell him the friend she was meeting was a handsome, well-dressed man. He watched them hug and exchange pleasantries. When the man kissed her gently on the cheek, Reese had to set his cell phone down or he was afraid he'd break it. Why hadn't Taylor told him about this? The whole point of the plan was to figure out if his friendship with Carter could handle anything more and he knew that. If she was already seeing someone, why did Taylor feel like he had to go along with it? The whole situation was making him edgy. This was not part of the plan.

He listened for a little longer; he couldn't help himself. They were familiar with each other. He knew all about Taylor: his school, his kidnapping, his first real girlfriend; Jos knew about his kids, his job…his entire life, it seemed. He heard Carter call him Gene. They laughed like they'd known each other for years. She was comfortable with him. He watched her touch him on the arm, leave her hand there.

Reese cursed as he saw the man he'd hired come to the table. He heard the exchange as if he were underwater. The buzzing in his ears almost made him miss her gasp of pleasure at the sight of the flowers. He heard her laugh and then he heard…him…laugh and clap and say something about how beautiful the flowers were, how they complimented her skin and the blush dancing on her cheeks.

He cringed; the man was a damn poet and he couldn't even write more than a Thank You on a card.

He couldn't take anymore. If she was happy, that's what he wanted. There had to be a reason why she hadn't mentioned Gene to him. Maybe she didn't want him to check into his background, which he would have. Maybe it was new, but it didn't seem like it – they were too familiar with each other. Maybe she just didn't trust him…or…he shook his head, trying to dislodge the thoughts running through it.

He and Carter were friends, she'd told him that and he believed her. She wouldn't intentionally do something to hurt him and he knew it…that's why she didn't tell him. But why hadn't Taylor?

He switched off his phone; he didn't want to hear anymore. He'd get to the bottom of this and end it before he got in any deeper.

He should have known better.

**** XXX ****

Reese wasn't over feeling like an idiot, but now that feeling was giving way to anger. Anger at someone he couldn't afford, didn't want, to be angry with.

He stood outside the high school and waited. He spotted Taylor with a group of his friends, laughing and cutting up, and leaned on the corner of the fence as they passed.

"Taylor."

The group stopped and looked at John and then at Taylor. Years of "don't speak to strangers" seemed to be well ingrained in them as his friends moved to stand between Reese and Taylor.

The look on his face must have gotten through as Taylor pushed between his friends with an "It's OK, guys, I know him. I'll catch up with you later."

Satisfied, the group kept moving, occasionally looking back to make sure he was OK. John was impressed with the loyalty, which made the deception hurt that much more.

"What's up, John? I didn't expect to see you today."

Reese clasped his hand on the back of Taylor's neck and pushed him gently down the sidewalk in a slow walk. "I didn't expect to have to be here."

"Whoa, what's wrong?" He stopped his movement and turned. "Is it Mom? Did something happen to her?"

"No, your mother is fine. In fact, she's having lunch with a friend today."

Taylor smacked his forehead and smiled. "That's right, I totally forgot about that."

John blinked slowly and looked away. "It would have been a good thing for me to know before all this started."

"What? Why? What does Mom having lunch with someone have to do with our plan?"

"Taylor…" John's jaw clenched as he tried to rein in his anger. "If your mother is already seeing someone and she's happy…"

Taylor laughed. "Seeing someone? Seriously?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You're jealous!" He laughed again. "John, you don't get it…."

"I get it. I just wish I'd known ahead of time. I told you if you weren't OK with this, I wouldn't pursue it. You didn't have to do this…"

"John."

Reese turned away slightly and looked down. "Jealous? A little, maybe. But mostly, I feel like an idiot for taking advice from someone who thought so little of the friendship I was offering to let me believe…"

"JOHN! Fuck…listen to me." Taylor moved in front of Reese and grabbed his arms. "Please. Just listen for one fucking minute."

"Watch your language."

Taylor smirked. "Yeah, well, it worked, didn't it? You are so far wrong about this I want to laugh, but I'm afraid to because you'd probably kick my ass." Taylor let go of his arms and looked across the road. "There's a coffee shop over there. Give me 15 minutes. I'll buy you a cup of decent coffee and explain."

Reese watched his eyes for any sign of deception and, finding none, nodded.

The two of them crossed the street and Taylor ran in to order a couple large coffees. When he came out, Reese was pacing the sidewalk.

"John, sit down, you're making me nervous."

Taylor put the coffees down and sat at one of the outside tables, waiting for Reese to sit. "So, tell me what you saw…who you saw…Mom with."

"Tall guy, nice suit, light brown hair, very familiar with her." At Taylor's smile, Reese tilted his head. "What?"

"Except for the hair, you just described yourself."

Reese glared at him. "Not even remotely…."

"His name is Gene."

He counted to five, collecting himself. "I got that much before I left. Were you going to tell me about him? Or don't you like him, and thought maybe you could play us against each other?"

Taylor took a sip of his coffee, watching the emotions playing on John's face. "No, I like him fine."

"Then why didn't you tell me your mother was seeing someone, Taylor? It would have made my decision a lot easier."

"Because it has absolutely nothing to do with the plan. He's…non-essential…I think you guys call it."

Reese leaned forward staring at him menacingly, causing Taylor to lean back slightly. "You have about 30 seconds left to tell me what you know about this guy."

"I don't know, I kinda dig that you're all jealous over my Mom and a guy."

Reese stood quickly, his patience gone, knocking the chair back. "I'm done here."

"John, wait…seriously, I'm sorry for messing with you. Sit down. I'll tell you what you want to know." He stood and righted the chair. "Come on, sit down. I'm sorry. I really didn't think you'd be so touchy about this."

Reese sat and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. He almost felt sorry for Taylor. He looked contrite, but he was a teenager…that could mean any number of things. "So…spill it."

Taylor bowed his head and looked up at Reese through his lashes, almost making Reese smile. It was something he'd seen Carter do on so many occasions, he should have guessed it would be a genetic thing. He schooled his face neutral, not wanting to give the boy any more ammunition against him.

"So, yeah…um. Gene." Taylor cleared his throat. "You have nothing to worry about there. He and Mom have been friends for years. I've known him most of my life."

Reese tilted his head and clenched his jaw.

"And he's gay."

"No, he's not."

Taylor had the good sense to look thoroughly confused. "What? Yeah, he is."

"Taylor, he has kids. I heard them talking about you and his kids. I assumed he was divorced or widowed with the way he was paying attention to your Mom."

Taylor chuckled, the sound riding up Reese's spine. "John, shit, you've been out of the game for a while, huh? Gene and his…husband? Partner? I'm not sure what he calls him…they adopted a couple of kids…I dunno, maybe 5 or 6 years ago. They got married in Connecticut a few years ago. That's where they live."

Reese was…stunned. So much so that Taylor leaned forward and checked his eyes. "You OK?"

He closed his eyes and nodded. "Besides feeling like an even bigger jackass, yeah."

Taylor smiled and reached out, patting him on the shoulder. "I didn't help much with that, did I? I really am sorry. But, honestly? Seeing you like that sort of made it real for me, you know?"

"What, that I'm an idiot? Thanks."

"No, man, not normally…just where my Mom is concerned. It's kinda cool that you're human when it comes to her. You're not Bond, man, you're just John."

Reese chuckled. "I'm definitely not. And T? This whole thing? It stays between us."

"You got it. Wouldn't want to ruin your rep." Taylor picked up a menu. "So, about that lunch you owe me."

"Excuse me?"

Taylor pulled his notebook from his backpack and produced a small piece of paper. "I got her number, remember? You bet me lunch that I wouldn't get it and I'm starving."

Reese sighed. "I did and you did. Don't spoil your dinner or your Mom will kill me."

TBC