They arrived at the ball late. Similar to Jessie's first outing in Boston, Honoria almost bowled her over when she and Charles arrived.

"L-l-let me s-s-see it!" She grabbed Jessie's left hand and gasped. "Oh, it's w-w-wonderful! I've always w-wanted a s-s-sister! I t-think I'm g-g-going to cry!" She threw her arms around Jessie's neck as Charles watched, bemused.

"Honoria! Let the poor girl catch her breath!" Mr. Winchester smiled as he said it, and Honoria, sniffing, let her go. Their mother was close behind, and her brows raised elegantly when she saw the ring on Jessie's left hand. She touched her husband on the arm and motioned towards it.

Jessie held her breath, waiting for a reaction. She felt Charles's hand on her back, steadying her.

"Mother, Father, I would like you to know that Jessamyn has agreed to be my wife."

Without warning, Mrs. Winchester sniffed, a tear falling down her face. "Jessamyn, dear! I'm so pleased! But, I didn't know! We could have had a party and announced it properly." She hugged Jessie quickly, then looked at her husband. "I can't believe I didn't know. Did you?"

Mr. Winchester smiled secretively and shook his son's hand. He then took Jessie's hand in both of his. "Welcome to the family, Jessamyn."

And so it went throughout the evening. Jessie found herself shuffled from one group to the next, accepting profuse congratulations from all. Thankful for Mattie's upbringing, she remembered most of their names as she was ushered about the room, getting separated from Charles earlier in the evening.

When the dancing started, Jessie found herself with Charles's cousin Alfred as her first partner. He held her properly at arm's length. "So, Jessamyn, you're going to be a Winchester now. Big step from Texas, isn't it?"

Mentally, Jessie rolled her eyes. Pompous windbag. "We all put on our pants one leg at a time, don't we? And please, it's just Jessie."

They continued with the waltz. "Well, 'Just Jessie," I've heard you're a rather large heiress. I've always wanted to get into the oil business."

Jessie resisted the urge to stomp on his foot. She could always claim it was an accident. "Then, why don't you? I expect you can buy as much of it as you want." She tried to plaster a convincing smile on her face.

Alfred chuckled. "Yes, I suppose you're right. But, I guess there is something to say for marrying into oil. You do realize that the money and power is not on Charles's side of the family. . ."

"Excuse me, Alfred, but you don't mind if I cut in, do you?" Mr. Winchester didn't wait for an answer.

Alfred let go of Jessie and bowed. "Certainly not, Uncle. She is, after all, your future daughter-in-law." He smirked at Jessie before he was lost in the crowd.

"You looked like you could use a little help."

Jessie nodded gratefully as she followed his lead. "He is quite an exasperating young man," she said slowly, choosing her words carefully.

"For a moment there, I thought you were going to deck him like you did the mayor's son."

Jessie could feel the blush rising in her cheeks. "I . . I . . that was not my finest hour. When you're that young, you don't think your sins will come back to haunt you."

Mr. Winchester laughed. "No need for apologies. If it were Honoria, I'd had wanted her to do the same thing. I have no use for men who treat women like common playthings."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about your daughter. She seems like she can hold her own in most any situation."

"Quite. I never worried much about her. Charles was always the one that concerned me the most."

Jessie looked up at him. "Why?"

"When he was drafted, I didn't know how well he'd hold up outside of the society he was reared in. I have to admit, his mother and I spoil both our children mercilessly."

Jessie thought about her own sheltered upbringing. "I don't think anything you could have done would have prepared him for Korea. It was . . .it was surreal."

He nodded thoughtfully as they continued the waltz. "He has come back a different person. At times, he could be as overbearing as my nephew."

"Don't worry. He still has it in him."

Mr. Winchester laughed aloud. "Maybe you can keep him straight then. I actually told him that when he told me he was going to propose."

Jessie's eyes widened. "I was under the impression that you and Mrs. Winchester didn't know."

"Oh, he didn't tell his mother. She would have carried so much, you would have known something was going on."

"I hope she's not mad."

Mr. Winchester shook his head. "Oh, no, not at all. She just gets a little emotional at times, especially when it comes to Charles."

Jessie had never seen Charles's mother act anything other than the perfect hostess. "I guess Honoria gets it honest, then."

Mr. Winchester grimaced, but then smiled. "Daniel will have his hands full with that one."

He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then cleared his throat. "After everything you went through in Korea, even Boston society must seem tame."

Jessie thought about the exhausting, bloody work, the threat of their own death constantly hanging over their heads.

He was right. This was tame.

The orchestra ended the piece, then immediately launched into another one. Another young man Jessie barely remembered offered to dance, the first in a string of men who politeness garnered they dance with her.

By the time Charles found her, she was laughing uproariously at something the mayor was saying, gallantly trying to avoid getting stepped on as he swung her around. When he saw Charles making his way towards them, he bowed out regally.

Jessie followed Charles's lead. "Whew! These people are wearing me out!"

"It seems you've partnered with most everyone in here. Even the mayor, and he rarely ever dances."

"Why is that?"

"Well, it seems his wife is the jealous sort."

Jessie almost panicked. "Don't tell me I've already done something I'm not supposed to!"

Charles laughed at her discomfort. "Oh, don't worry. She's not in attendance this evening. That's why you see the old coot dancing with anything in a skirt."

Jessie turned her head and saw 'the old coot' dancing with an older lady wearing a ton of expensive jewelry. "Guess you have to earn your votes somehow."

Charles pulled her closer. "You know, you're the most beautiful thing in this room."

"Oh, pul-lease. I've seen several young ladies here that keep giving me an 'eat shit and die' look that put me to shame."

Charles waved his hand. "Don't worry about them. Old girlfriends."

"Who says they're jealous because of you? Maybe they just like my dress."

Charles pulled her closer still, placing his hand on the small of her back. Several eyebrows raised at their close proximity. "You see that girl over there? The one in the blue dress? She's been trying to get her hooks into me since grade school. And the one in the short red frilly thing? She sent me letters while I was in Korea that would set your pretty head to spinning. I always left them where Pierce could read them. Drove him nuts."

"Sooooo . . . am I supposed to be jealous?"

He shrugged. "If you like."

"Do you think you need to put a little space between us? We're a little too close than most would approve, huh?"

Charles whispered in her ear. "If I didn't get my hands on you soon, I was going to do my caveman impression and haul you out of here by your hair."

"Your mother would be appalled," Jessie whispered back.

"My mother probably expects us to sleep in separate beds even after we're married."

He laughed at Jessie's expression.

"You mean, your parents . . ."

"Have their own suite of rooms, yes. Do they always sleep separately, who knows? But, I can guarantee you one thing."

"What's that?"

"If I go through all the trouble of marrying you, I'm going to have you right there when I want you," he whispered.

Jessie knew she was flushed and hoped no one could overhear their conversation. "You know, I could make it really difficult on you if I wanted," she said in a haughty voice.

Charles grinned. "I have no doubt in my mind that you could."

The orchestra ended with a flourish, and Charles led her from the ballroom floor. They spoke to several people on the way towards the cloakroom, but it didn't slow them down.

"I have this feeling we're making an exit," Jessie whispered as she nodded and smiled to someone walking by.

"Any objections?"

"Nope. My feet are killing me."

"What I have planned for the rest of the evening, you won't be on your feet."

Jessie blushed. "Should we at least tell your parents we're leaving?"

"Not a chance. Then, I'll never get to have my way with you."

Honoria winked at her from across the room, making Jessie blush even more. "Dang it, you can't be saying things like that to me here! I'm trying to make a good first impression, and you're going to make me trip over my own two feet."

Charles helped her into her coat, the tips of his fingers brushing over the bodice of her dress, making her catch her breath in anticipation. "You better behave yourself."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I said so!"

The valet brought the car around, the lightly falling snow sticking to his jacket. Charles tipped the man as he helped Jessie into the passenger side.

As he stopped at the end of the long driveway to pull into the street, Jessie grabbed his tie, pulling him towards her. "I can be just as bad, too, you know." She kissed him, their lips parting in anticipation. His foot slipped off the clutch, and the car lurched forward, stalling.

A horn blaring from behind brought them to their senses. He straightened his jacket as he restarted the car, glancing at Jessie as he pulled into traffic. "I deserved that."

They made good time back to their house. Jessie smiled to herself as he helped her from the car. Our house. I like the sound of that. Lights still shown in the downstairs windows, but the surrounding houses were dark, everyone tucked into bed for the night. Once they were on the shelter of the porch, he pulled her to him, fumbling in his pocket for the key. Hungrily, his lips met hers as they fell into the front door.

Strewing clothes as they went upstairs, Jessie laughed as they fell onto the king-sized bed, completely made up with sheets and quilts. "Boy, you thought of everything, didn't you?"

Charles struggled with the tiny clasps on the back of her dress. "Wishful thinking, I suppose."

Jessie turned around, her back to him. "It helps if you actually look at them while you're unbuttoning them."

She waited impatiently as he undid each of the tiny buttons, listening to him mutter under his breath about the latest fashion. He kissed the nape of her neck when he was done, pulling the dress off her shoulders and letting it fall in a graceful heap on the floor.

"Umm, you'll ruin it," Jessie said a little dreamily.

"I'll buy you a new one." Charles pulled pins from her hair until the scented curls fell about her shoulders.

Jessie turned around and pressed herself against him, eagerly meeting her mouth with his. He lowered her onto the bed, not wanting to let her go long enough to finish undressing them both.

The fire in the hearth had long burned to embers by the time they had exhausted themselves.

Sated, they settled underneath the sheets together. Jessie held her hand up, the ring winking in the dying firelight.

"What time is it?"

Charles reluctantly reached for his watch and flipped it open. "Two a.m."

Jessie rolled over onto her stomach. "I don't suppose we can stay here tonight?"

Charles brushed her hair off her shoulder, kissing her bare skin. "I suppose not."

"It's already late. Let's just say you ran out of gas, and we had no choice but to stop somewhere for the night."

Charles wanted nothing more than to stay. "I can't. I've got to be at the hospital at 7 in the morning. Plus, I'm your escort. It's up to me to get you home at a decent hour."

Jessie made a face and flopped back onto the pillow. "Some escort you are! You hauled me out of the party early, then had your way with me for the rest of the night. Didn't your mother raise you better than that?"

"Apparently not. But, what she doesn't know, won't hurt her."

*******************************

"J-Jessie! G-g-get up! You're g-g-going to be late!"

A little disoriented, Jessie fought her way from beneath the blankets. She studied Honoria, standing in the doorway of the guest room, her hands on her hips.

"Honoria, it's 7 a.m.! Are you trying to kill me?" She blew at a strand of hair that flopped in her face. "What in the world do I have to get up at this godforsaken hour for, anyway?"

Honoria walked over to Jessie's luggage and started throwing things out of it. "Mother arranged a b-b-breakfast for you this m-morning with the L-ladies' Auxiliary. Then, we have a g-g-garden club m-m-meeting directly afterwards." She held up a pants suit. "H-here, wear this."

Jessie struggled to sit up in the bed. "A breakfast? I don't remember hearing anything about any breakfast."

Honoria tossed the outfit at Jessie. "W-well, th-that was before you w-were going to be Mrs. Charles Emerson Winchester the Third. Hurry up! We can't be late!"

Jessie groaned and flopped back on the bed, but was chastised again by her future sister-in-law. Reluctantly, she rose, took a quick shower and put on the outfit Honoria had chosen. She ran a brush through her hair, not having time to do anything with it.

After grabbing her coat, Jessie practically sprinted out the door to the waiting car, the cold air biting her face. She settled next to Honoria, teeth chattering.

"Good morning, Jessamyn. Hope you slept well."

Jessie managed a smile at Mrs. Winchester. "Yes, I did, thank you."

"I arranged this breakfast before the dance was over with last night, but I couldn't find you to tell you about it. Where did you and Charles disappear to?"

Jessie rubbed her hands together, thinking fast. "Well, he wanted to show me some of the city. It really is a lovely place, especially in winter."

Honoria elbowed Jessie. "S-s-so, you w-w-went riding around until 3 a.m.?" she whispered. Mrs. Winchester didn't seem to hear.

Jessie leaned in closer. "I distinctly remember seeing a car fly out of the driveway as we were pulling in at 3 a.m. Looked suspiciously like Daniel, if you ask me. Had a ridiculous grin on his face, too."

Honoria huffed and settled back in the seat. "C-c-can't be any m-more ridiculous than Charles. He whistled up and down the h-h-hallway the entire m-m-morning. D-drove me n-nuts!"

Jessie made it through breakfast and the meeting, actually enjoying herself once she drank a couple cups of coffee. They returned home to a late lunch.

After their plates were cleared, Honoria jumped up. "S-so, you w-want to c-c-come to the hospital with me, Jess? I promised D-Daniel I'd s-stop by today and have c-c-coffee with him."

Jessie hesitated for a moment, wondering if Charles would mind the intrusion. He took his work seriously. "Let me get my coat."

James bundled them into the town car and whisked them off to Boston Mercy. Jessie followed Honoria inside. She seemed to know many of the nurses and staff as they walked through the corridors. Jessie herself received curious stares, so she kept close to Honoria, not wanting to get lost in the large facility.

They stopped at a door with Daniel Baker, MD on the nameplate. Honoria knocked before she walked in. The office, well-furnished with oak and mahogany pieces, was empty.

Honoria shrugged. "S-surgery must h-have run l-long. Happens sometimes."

"My, my, what have we here. Must be my lucky day. Two beautiful ladies, all in one little office."

Honoria rolled her eyes skyward. "R-really, Dr. McIntyre. You should know th-that idle c-compliments get you nowhere w-w-with me."

"Oh, I know that about you, Miss Winchester, but I'm not so sure about your companion here." He eyed Jessie, and she raised an eyebrow at his tone. His handsome eyes searched hers. "So, m'lady. What brings you to our humble little hospital?"

"Well," she looked at his nametag. "McIntyre, is it? I certainly didn't come here to be ogled by you."

He laughed, little lines crinkling at the corner of his eyes, triggering something in her memory. Jessie studied him closer. "You look vaguely familiar."

"He probably does. H-h-he served in the s-s-same unit you did in Korea. B-before you arrived, I believe."

The pieces fell together, and Jessie put her hand over her mouth. "Good grief, you're the notorious Trapper John!"

He laughed again. "Smart, as well as beautiful! What a combination!"

Jessie tossed her head. "Don't try that on me, buddy! You're as bad as Hawkeye in the womanizing department, from what I heard."

"S-still is," Honoria added.

"I don't doubt it one bit," Jessie added.

Trapper leaned closer to her, putting his hand on the doorjamb above her head. Jessie, not one bit intimidated, crossed her arms in front of her in annoyance.

"I plead guilty. I'm a rogue . . ."

"But, a c-c-cute rogue!"

Trapper laughed at Honoria's comment. "Right, again!" He turned back towards Jessie. "I don't believe I caught your name. You are . . ."

"Jessie. But, you can call me Miss Callahan."

Taking the hint, Trapper backed off. But, only a little. "Well, Miss Callahan, what brings you to our hospital in the company of such an upstanding member of Boston society?" He winked at Honoria, who made a face.

"Excuse me. McIntyre?"

Trapper looked over his shoulder. "Why, Dr. Winchester. I was just being reminded by your lovely sister and this enchanting creature here of what a name I've made for myself."

Jessie snorted, and Honoria made gagging noises. Charles, an angry set to his jaw, leaned back on his heels. He was surprised how quickly his anger flared when he saw Trapper leaning in familiarly with Jessie.

"Just so you know, this 'enchanting creature,' as you so eloquently put it, is my future wife. So, if you don't mind, please step away."

Trapper looked at Jessie, incredulous. "He's kidding, right?"

Jessie held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers. Trapper eyed the ring. "I still don't believe it. I practically run the gossip mill around here, and I haven't heard a thing about Charles here gettin' hitched."

"Well, here's something for your gossip mill." Charles pulled Jessie to him and kissed her. Jessie was a little breathless when he pulled away and held onto his arm to steady herself.

They had drawn a few gawkers in the process. Someone whistled in amusement. Trapper's eyes danced, and he bowed slightly. "Miss Callahan, I was obviously mistaken." He punched Charles in the shoulder. "I didn't know you had it in you, pal!"

"Me, neither," Charles managed, sounding a little strangled.

Trapper made sure he was out of Charles's reach. "But, if you ever get tired of ol' Chuckles here, you know where to reach me, Miss Callahan. Ta, ta."

He strolled down the hallway, eyeing a nurse with a cart at the other end.

"R-really! Th-that man n-never stops! You OK, J-j-jess? You l-l-look a l-little peaked."

Jessie nodded, blushing at the stares of the small crowd. "I didn't know you had it in you, either, Charles."

"You know, h-h-he's certainly been m-more fun since you've c-c-come along. H-he never would have p-p-pulled a s-stunt like that b-b-before!"

Charles looked at Jessie a little sheepishly. "Sorry. That oaf just made me so angry, I had to do something."

Jessie patted his arm fondly. "I'm glad you did. I thought I was going to have to sock him to get rid of him."

Daniel hurried down the hall, eyeing the dispersing crowd. "Hey, what's going on?"

Honoria took his hand. "I'll explain l-l-later, dear."

****************************

Trapper will make several other appearances, as well as a few others that have not been brought up these entire 39 chapters! Who is it, you ask? Stick around a find out!