A/N: A million thanks to Caranath, Max2013, ILoveMom, zenfrodo, catlover1033, Stork Hardy, Kenna, bhar, Leya, Vinsmouse, and Jackie for reviewing! And to those who are reading, thanks to you as well!

Chapter 13

Joe repeatedly tapped his knife against the side of his crystal goblet.

Kathy turned and stared at him. "Something wrong?"

Yeah, something's wrong, Joe thought. You're a lying, little brat who's manipulated everyone around you just to get your way, not to mention all the hours of my life you wasted while I tried to find your so-called "stalker."

"Joe?"

He shook his head and tugged at his bowtie. "No, these things just make me a little antsy."

She smiled. "Good, then we can burn off all that extra energy on the dance floor later."

"Yeah," Joe said with a forced smile. Kill me now.

His eyes wandered to the main door of the ballroom, and his breath caught. Emily, Nancy and Bess were entering the room with three men. His gaze narrowed. The one with Bess was the ski instructor, Lars. Who were the others?

He picked up his goblet and held it to his lips, continuing to observe as they made their way through the crowd. He watched Emily closely as she came nearer to his table. She was so beautiful. Her hair was gathered up into some complicated style that Joe was sure had taken hours to create.

His gaze lowered to take in her evening gown and his eyes widened. What in the hell was she wearing? The material was so light and filmy that it seemed to float over her. Except where it was clinging. There it looked transparent. And it was clinging in all the right places.

"Honey, are you sure nothing's the matter?"

Kathy was staring at him, and Joe tried to school his expression into a look of perfect boredom.

"Um, no. Everything's fine."

His eyes continued to follow Emily as she took her seat at a table two away from his. Some dark-haired Adonis pulled out her chair and smiled at her in a way that made Joe want to punch his lights out.

Emily lifted her head and Joe caught her gaze, his heart contracting at the sadness in her eyes. He tore himself away when Kathy tugged on his arm demanding his attention.

"Oooh, look, they have champagne!"

She gestured across the room where waiters were pouring bottles of the expensive elixir down a tower of champagne glasses that made up the centerpiece of one of the lavish buffet tables.

"You're underage," Joe reminded her.

"Not here I'm not. They don't have a drinking age."

"Your father wouldn't like it if I let you drink."

"My father isn't here," Kathy said. "And I want some champagne."

"No," Joe said, his tone a little harsher than he intended.

Kathy pouted.

"Look Kathy, when someone is sending you threatening letters and making harassing phone calls, the last thing you need is for alcohol to muddle your brain," Joe explained. "If there's a crisis, I need you to be clear-headed. Got it?"

Her eyes grew wide, but she nodded wordlessly.

OOO

"Hey, you two, don't you want any appetizers?" Frank asked as he approached the table with Lauren and Tammy. He held up a small plate, with various hors d'oeuvres on it. "They're really good."

"I'm fine," Joe said.

"I'll share some of theirs." Kathy snatched a bacon wrapped scallop from Lauren's plate.

"You okay?" Frank whispered to Joe as he took a seat next to him. His brother looked extremely irritated. More so than usual, and he knew something was up.

"Three o'clock," Joe said.

Frank turned to his right and spotted Nancy, Bess, and Emily with their respective dates. Nancy gave him a tiny smile.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Frank demanded. "And who are those guys?"

"That's what I want to know," Joe said.

"Maybe they have something to do with their case," Frank suggested, winking at Nancy.

"I thought you said they were working in a monastery. Do those guys look like monks to you, Frank?" Joe hissed. "They do not look like monks."

No, they didn't look like monks. They looked like models. Very stylish, tanned, excessively handsome models, who did nothing but lift weights all day. He doubted these guys lived anything remotely close to the monastic lifestyle.

"Well, I'm going to find out." Frank's eyes met Nancy's and he gestured slightly toward the champagne tower. Nancy nodded.

"Excuse me," Frank said to the girls. "I'll be right back."

He stood and walked toward the table where waiters were handing out filled glasses.

"Who are the guys?" Frank said, as Nancy came within earshot.

"Friends of Bess," Nancy replied, not looking at him. "They're part of our cover. They're skiers. And they already know we have boyfriends we're very committed to."

"Good," he replied. That eliminated the need for Frank to punch the guy into next week. Which he would've hated doing in a tux. He'd lost too many cleaning deposits that way.

He smiled as he accepted a glass from one of the waiters, then turned in Nancy's direction. "You look incredible, by the way."

"Thank you, Mr. Hardy. As do you." Nancy raised her glass of champagne toward him slightly. "I hope your two dates appreciate how lucky they are to have you as an escort."

Frank gave her what he hoped was a devastatingly handsome grin. "Two of them doesn't even come close to one of you, baby."

Nancy blushed. "Can I see you later?"

"Is that a proposition?" Frank took a sip of his drink.

"You'd better believe it," she said.

"I'll figure out something," he said to her as he turned to walk back to his table, unable to keep the huge smile off his face.

OOOoooOOO

Emily looked up as Nancy returned to their table with a glass of champagne in her hand and a flushed look on her face.

"I would have gotten that for you," Marco said to her. "You only needed to ask me."

"That's okay," Nancy said. "I wanted to stretch my legs for a bit."

She leaned toward Emily. "His first question was, 'who are the guys?'"

Emily smiled a little. "I wasn't trying to make Joe jealous."

"I know." Nancy patted her hand. "But it's good for him all the same."

"It's just that he looks so miserable." Emily watched as Kathy clung to Joe's arm with both hands as he stared at the table, playing with his silverware.

Bess gave Kathy a thoughtful stare. "You know, what they say is true. Money can't buy taste. That red gown looks hideous on her and what's up with her hair? It looks like she stuck a dead bird on top of her head."

Emily giggled and Bess smiled at her as she leaned across the table and spoke in a low voice. "That's better. Don't worry for one second about Joe. He can't keep his eyes off you."

"I'm not worried about Joe," she replied. "I do feel bad that he's stuck with someone who makes him so uncomfortable."

"Hey girls," Marco interrupted. "What on earth are you two whispering about?"

Bess gave him a disarming smile. "Girl talk." She touched Lars on the arm. "How do you feel about some champagne?"

He smiled and led her away, while Matteo looked down at Emily. "Can I bring you a glass?"

"Sure," she replied, thinking it might actually improve her mood a bit. "Would you mind getting some appetizers, too? I can't drink on an empty stomach."

"Of course." He reached for her hand and kissed it. "I'll be right back."

Nancy bent her head toward Emily's as Matteo left the table. "Good thing those daggers coming out of Joe's eyes aren't real. Matteo would be a dead man."

Emily turned and caught Joe's gaze, trying as best as she could to reassure him without being overt. She noticed Kathy's narrow-eyed stare resting on her and quickly looked back at Nancy.

"That does look like a dead bird on her head," Emily said, and Nancy laughed out loud.

OOOoooOOO

Kathy looked around her table wondering exactly what had gone wrong. This was supposed to be a fun night. Frank looked like he was having a good time. Unless you looked closely. Kathy could tell it was all forced. He was bantering and laughing with Lauren and Tammy, but none of it was sincere. She'd become an expert at insincerity as the daughter of a senator. No one was more insincere than the D.C. crowd.

She turned to Joe, who looked all but morose, and Kathy knew it was more than the fact that he'd told her how much he hated black tie affairs and tuxedos.

He kept staring at the girls seated at the table two across from them. In particular, he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off the brunette in the silver dress. She was beautiful, but she had a very handsome date of her own. What was up? And why was she looking back at Joe?

Kathy felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. That girl, whoever she was, was a definite threat to her future happiness with Joe. I'm going to have to do some detective work of my own, Kathy thought, as she delivered a steely cold glare in Emily's direction.

OOOoooOOO

"Here we go," Matteo said, setting down a champagne flute threaded with lacy trails of miniscule bubbles, and a small plate of appetizers in front of Emily. "I hope you like what I chose."

Emily had no appetite, but she didn't want to be rude. She smiled and took a sip of her drink.

"They're perfect. And the champagne is delicious."

She nibbled at the hors d'oeuvres as Nancy gazed around the room.

"Do you know the mayor of St. Sylvie?" Nancy asked Marco.

"We've met," he replied. "He came to welcome us to the village when we began our training program earlier this winter."

"Really?" Nancy asked. "Is he here yet?"

Marco looked around the room. "I think he's over by the entrance. Talking to that American actor."

"American actor?" Bess sat up straight and looked intently toward the other side of the room. She sighed. "Oh, that's Brandon Talbot. He's so dreamy."

Lars sniffed. "What? That little guy? You've got to be kidding."

Bess slipped her hand through Lars' arm. "Well, he's not half as dreamy as you are, but he's still very famous in the States."

At that moment, two stately and very attractive young women approached the table. "Ah, Matteo," a beautiful blonde with a French accent purred. "I thought you were going to call me after our evening together last week."

Matteo reddened and cast a sidelong glance at Emily. "Um, I thought you said you had a photo shoot in Paris, Josette."

She pouted and slid into the chair next to Matteo. "I've been back for three whole days, mon cher."

Emily, who hadn't really paid attention to the model, was instead stealing glances in Joe's direction and watching uncomfortably while Kathy tried to feed him appetizers from her plate. This whole evening had been a mistake. Undercover or not, Emily could not sit and watch Kathy hang all over Joe and make kissy faces at him for one more minute. Not without puking.

"I'm so sorry, but I'm going to need to excuse myself for a moment."

She stood and Matteo grabbed her hand, a look of concern on his face. "Is everything all right?" He glanced over at the model, then back at Emily. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't know she would be here."

Emily was actually glad Josette had shown up, since she felt like she was probably in the running for 'worst date of the year'. She didn't want Matteo to feel bad or guilty though, so she figured she'd better make up some sort of plausible excuse for having to leave so suddenly.

"Everything's fine. I-I just forgot something in my room that I need. I have allergies and I left my medicine up there."

"Can I come with you?" he asked.

"No." Emily shook her head. "It'll just take me a minute. Please, stay here."

Matteo furrowed his brow. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure," Emily said with a little smile as she stood, grabbing her evening bag. She knew Josette would seize the opportunity to move right in. If Emily weren't so worried about Joe, she would have enjoyed seeing her operate.

OOOoooOOO

Joe watched as Emily got up from her chair. She leaned over, whispered something to the guy she was with, and walked out the door. Where was she going? She looked upset to him. If that guy said anything inappropriate to her, Joe was going to deck him.

"Excuse me for a moment everyone," Joe said as he stood up.

"Wait, where are you going?" Kathy demanded.

"Can't explain right now," he hissed. "I need to check out something suspicious."

"What?" Kathy looked around. "There's nothing suspicious here."

"Kathy, please." Joe shook off her hands, and shot an imploring look in Frank's direction.

Frank nodded. "Go catch up to her," he whispered as Joe stood up and paused behind his brother's chair.

Frank gestured for him to bend down, and he spoke into his brother's ear. "I got this for me and Nan, but I can get another room. Senator Martin's paying us more than enough to cover it."

Joe gave him a grateful look as he accepted a key from Frank's hand and headed toward another exit from the ballroom.

OOOoooOOO

Joe watched Emily hurry through the lobby and he followed her quickly. Cutting down an adjacent hallway, he positioned himself in a niche in the wall. As Emily rounded the corner, he called out, "Hey, beautiful."

"Joe," Emily breathed.

He held out his arms and she fell into them. Joe stepped back into the niche and pulled her into him tightly.

"Mmmm," he whispered, burying his face in her neck. He breathed in her familiar scent as he ran his hands along her bare back, his arms holding her close, then closer still.

As they embraced each other, Joe felt all the tension from the previous few days drain away. He needed this woman, needed her in his life every day, and being forced to be away from her was more than he could stand right now. Especially since the situation keeping them apart was all based on a lie.

He kissed her neck and felt her shiver. He loved the way she responded to his slightest touch, his most gentle caress. He kissed her again and felt Emily's arms tighten around his neck.

"Joe," she said on a breathy sigh.

He leaned back slightly and stared into the green eyes he'd missed so much. She smiled at him and his heart melted. He took her face in his hands and leaned his forehead against hers. "You feel so good."

Emily closed her eyes and Joe brought his mouth over hers and kissed her tenderly.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips as they broke apart.

She reached her hand behind his head, pulling him closer and kissing him longingly.

Joe groaned low and held her against him as the kiss continued. He felt his mind growing fuzzy, and knew he would have to stop before someone saw them in the hallway. He broke away reluctantly.

"Emily," he said softly. "Listen honey, we can't stay here." He kissed her forehead.

"I know." She looked up at him with big, sad eyes and Joe felt his heart flip flop.

"No, we don't need to say goodbye." He reached into his pocket and showed her a room key. "I've got a room."

"What?" Emily was confused.

"I have a few hours off, and we can spend them with each other." He grinned at her. "That is if you don't mind being locked up in a hotel room with me."

Emily stared at the key. "Do you mean it?"

Joe nodded. "So run to your room and get what you need. Frank will fill Nancy in." He leaned in and kissed her quickly. "Then meet me upstairs."

Emily's smile was huge as she ran off, and Joe felt happier than he had in a week as he walked over to the elevators.

OOOoooOOO

Emily could hardly believe it. She was actually going to be able to spend some real time with Joe. The next time she saw Frank, she was going to give him the biggest hug she could, she thought as she approached her hotel room door.

She sighed as she thought of how wonderful it felt to have Joe's arms around her again. When she went to put her key into the lock, she noticed the door was slightly ajar. That was odd. Maybe Bess forgot to pull it shut. She pushed it open all the way, then stopped short.

"Oh, no!" she gasped as she looked around.

The room had been ransacked. Clothes were strewn everywhere, furniture was turned upside down, make-up and toiletries lay open and leaking onto the floor. She had to tell Nancy.

As she went to turn around, a hand clapped over her mouth as another one grabbed her around her waist.

Emily struggled as she felt something damp over her nose and mouth. She tried to turn her head away from the sickly sweet smell, but it was no use.

A moment later, she lost consciousness.

OOOoooOOO

Joe unlocked the door to the room Frank had reserved and smiled.

"Nice," he said aloud.

He took in the large comfortable featherbed on the bed in the center of the room and sat on it. Oh, man, this is so soft.

He looked at the tiny stone fireplace on the far wall and the charmingly curved storybook windows overlooking the plaza far below. This was going to be perfect.

He sighed as he thought of having Emily here with him for the next few hours. After this case, he never wanted to be separated from her like this again.

He was going to have to come up with some new ground rules. Like making this relationship more permanent.

Joe smiled at that thought and then frowned as he looked down at his watch. Shouldn't she have been here by now? How long did it take a girl to collect a few overnight items? Maybe he'd head down to her room and hurry things along. He grabbed the room keys from the night table and walked out the door.

He sauntered down the hall to Emily's room, whistling to himself. He paused as he reached her door. It was flung wide open, and the damage was everywhere. He noticed something right near the entrance. Emily's evening bag. She'd just had it with her.

"No," Joe whispered. "Oh, baby, no."

A/N 2: And lest anyone think I'm only picking on Emily...she's not the only one who'll find trouble tonight. ;) Stay tuned. LOL