The day was a success. Rachel was pleased to find that the Orioles' were playing the Oakland A's. She explained to Jacob that she had grown up going to A's games with her father, since the team had their spring training facility in Phoenix.
After the game, they had taken the water taxi to Fells Point and browsed the shops. The bought Owen a present at a toy shop and something for Alex at the fair trade boutique. Neither Rachel nor Jacob could resist some of the other funky stores that dotted the area.
Their only argument was when Jacob had to forcibly drag Rachel away from a gelato shop. He met with her assertion that ice cream qualified as an appetizer with raised eyebrows and a skeptical look. She only agreed to move on when Jacob promised they would return for dessert.
Rachel smiled at Jacob as they relaxed over dinner at a small hole in the wall restaurant in the Point; shopping bags piled on one of the chairs at their table.
"You were right; this day was exactly what we needed. I've had a wonderful time."
Jacob pushed his plate aside and leaned his arms on the table. "I've enjoyed today too, especially since we don't know when we'll be able to do something like this again."
Rachel looked at him quizzically.
"Face it, if things go well with the shrink on Wednesday, you'll be back to work soon. And me, well my suspension is up on Wednesday." Jacob looked at her steadily. "You know what our work is like, we can be called away at any time and be on the road for days on end." Jacob reached out to run his finger along Rachel's cheek. "We'll be together sweetheart, but, well, it won't be like the past few days."
"Jacob, it won't be that bad. After all, it's not like we haven't had dinner, spent time together when we're in DC. I don't think it will cause any comment if we continue doing it. We just need to be discreet."
"There's more to it than that, I mean, what will we do about living arrangements? Do we keep our apartments, with me sometimes sleeping over at your place or you at mine? Do we move in together? 'Cause I gotta to tell you, I've gotten used to sharing a bed with you, even if it has been only part time."
"I really hadn't thought that far ahead. It will be hard, living together would mean giving the same home address to the Bureau and that wouldn't be a great idea." Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Not at all discreet. But I'm sure we'll figure something out, 'cause I have to agree, I really, really like sharing a bed with you."
Rachel reached across the table and took Jacob's hand, her eyes had a twinkle, "I know, maybe we can find a genius somewhere to help us figure everything out."
Jacob lips quirked upward. "Yeah maybe we can." His expression turned serious and he took her hands in his. "Um, Rachel, there's something I want to give you."
Rachel's eyes lit up. "Jacob! Did you buy me something when I wasn't looking?" She started to reach for the bags.
Jacob re-captured her hand. "Ah, no, I didn't buy it, it's, something I've had for awhile." He let go of her hand and pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket. "I've been trying to get up the nerve to give this to you all day".
Rachel's eyes grew wide at the sight of the box. "Jacob, is that a…"
"Yeah, it's a ring." He looked at her earnestly. "I know that you can't wear it, but it would mean a lot to me to know that you have it." He hesitated at the look of shock on her face. "But if you don't want it, that's ok, I mean, I guess I shouldn't have sprung this on you."
"No, I'm, I'm just surprised." Rachel tilted her head and looked at Jacob with a small smile. "Jacob, are you proposing to me?"
"Uh, I thought I already did."
Rachel's smile broadened. "No, you didn't. I think I would have remembered."
"What do you mean?" Jacob scowled. "I distinctly remember telling you that I loved you and wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. And," he continued triumphantly, "You not only agreed, but said you wanted to have my baby."
Rachel sat back crossing her arms. She was going to enjoy this. "You need to expand your horizons. Look at any gossip magazine. People are living together and having children without the benefit of wedlock all the time."
She couldn't resist grinning. "Besides, I need a nice, romantic story for our grandchildren. I certainly can't tell them that we decided to get married while making out on the porch swing."
"Oh, you want romantic do you?"
"Yep," answered Rachel blithely.
"Well, if you're sure…"
Jacob pushed his chair back noisily and went down on one knee in front of Rachel. Raising his voice, Jacob held out the velvet box, "Rachel, my love, I know that this is sudden, but would you do me the honor, the great honor, of being my wife?"
As he intended, the commotion attracted the attention of the diners around them, the small restaurant fell silent. Rachel turned beet red and was torn between the urge to either laugh hysterically or duck under the table.
"Jacob, you idiot, will you please get up!" she hissed.
"Uh, no," Jacob grinned at her discomfort. "Not until I get an answer."
"I guess this qualifies as romantic." Rachel leaned forward and framed Jacob's face with her hands.
"Yes," she said simply and kissed him.
The tables around them erupted with applause as Jacob slid back into his seat and placed the small velvet box in front of her. Their waiter came hurrying over with an unopened bottle of champagne.
"Compliments of the management," he explained, beaming at the couple. "But I didn't open it, thought you might want to celebrate later." He winked at them and withdrew.
Rachel looked at Jacob and laughed. "I can't believe you did that."
Jacob was smug. "You said you wanted romantic." His expression turned serious. "But I did mean it Rachel, the other night and now, I want you in my life forever, I want you to be my wife. I know that we can't get married right away, things are complicated enough, I mean, we can't even figure out living arrangements, but someday, soon."
"I know, we'll figure this all out."
Jacob looked at her anxiously. "So, what do you think of the ring?"
Rachel had almost forgotten the small box in front of her. She opened it curiously, wondering what Jacob had meant by saying he had it for awhile. She felt a small pang; surely this wasn't the same ring he had given Maggie? She gasped softly at the sight of the ring nestled in the satin lining. This was obviously an old ring. The band was gold, the stone was a single cream colored pearl surrounded by brilliants.
"It's beautiful., but where, when?"
Jacob was pleased at her reaction. "I told you once, there have been Hood's in Deale for almost 200 years and for the most part they made their living on the Bay. Well, my great-grandfather was the last Hood to work as a waterman. He had that ring made for my great-grandmother."
He smiled reminiscently. "Family legend is that the pearl is from an oyster he harvested from the Bay. This ring went from my great-grandmother, to my grandmother, to my mother."
He took a deep breath, "And if you want, now it's yours. You'd be the fourth Hood bride to wear that ring."
Rachel's eyes flew from the ring to his face.
Jacob answered the question she didn't ask. "Um, Maggie, didn't believe in 'ceremonial jewelry.' I mean, even when we got married, we didn't have rings."
"It doesn't matter who did or didn't wear this ring before me. Honestly, I love it." She smiled mistily and handed the ring to him.
Jacob looked at her confused, "I thought…?"
Rachel interrupted him, "I may not be able to wear it at work, but I can wear it sometimes." She held out her hand, "let's see if it fits."
Jacob took her hand and carefully slipped the ring on her finger. "I can't believe it."
"Yeah, it fits perfectly," Rachel agreed. They exchanged a level look. "I think," Rachel said softly, "It's time to head home."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
They arrived in Deale as the sun was beginning to set. Rachel stood contemplating the old house as Jacob tucked his Mustang up for the night.
"What are you thinking?" Jacob asked as he came up behind her and pulled her against his chest.
"God knows I'm glad to be getting back to work. I won't lie to you Jacob, it felt good to be back on the job, even if it was only for three days. But I'm going to miss it here. I know I've complained about the small town mentality, the nosy neighbors, but it's peaceful here.
She laughed a little self-consciously. "It almost feels like home now."
"I know what you mean. I've always loved this house, even when I was at Stanford, a part of me always thought of this place as home."
"We shouldn't be so maudlin. It's not like we can't come and visit when we have down time. You'd think we lived four million miles away rather than forty!"
"Maybe," Jacob conceded as they slowly walked toward the house. "It just seems like when we're working we never have enough down time."
Jacob and Rachel dumped their bags in the entryway and took their bottle of champagne straight into the kitchen. Jacob objected as Rachel stowed it in the fridge.
"Put it in the freezer, then we can drink it later."
Rachel flushed slightly. "I know it's silly, but, well, I'd rather wait until after Tuesday. Just in case."
Jacob hugged her. "It's not silly. We'll plan on celebrating Wednesday. We can celebrate everything at once, our engagement, you getting back to work, my getting back to work."
"And if we get bad news on Tuesday?"
"Sweetheart," Jacob said firmly, "I meant it, either way, we'll be fine." Jacob kissed Rachel and whispered in her ear. "Now, why don't we pick up where we left off this morning? I think you mentioned something about a shower?"
"Um," Rachel wound her arms around Jacob's neck. "Know what I'd really, really, like right now?"
"What?" Jacob rumbled.
Rachel suddenly laughed and pulled out of Jacob's embrace. "Ice cream. I've been craving ice cream since we left Baltimore."
Jacob looked outraged as Rachel went to rummage in the freezer. "Oh yeah," she declared with satisfaction. "I thought Alex bought this last week."
She pulled out a container of chocolate chunk ice cream. Opening a drawer she took out a spoon and dug into the container. "Oh, this stuff is heavenly." Looking over at Jacob with a mischievous smile on her face, she offered him a spoonful. "Want some?"
"I can't believe that you want that ice cream more than me right now."
"Well, it is premium ice cream. And it is chocolate."
Jacob looked over at Rachel with a gleam in his eyes. He slowly walked over and pinned Rachel against the counter. "So the ice cream is better?" he growled. "Better than this?" Jacob ran his hands up Rachel's sides and over her breasts causing her to gasp.
His hands continued up to her shoulders where he pulled the puffed sleeves of her blouse down over her arms, exposing the tops of her breasts. "And better than this?"He dipped his head and ran his tongue lightly down her neck and along her breasts.
By now Rachel had her arms around Jacob's neck, spoon in one hand and ice cream container in the other.
Jacob chuckled softly at Rachel's moans of pleasure. "And is the ice cream better than this?" He slid his hands down to Rachel's waist and lifted her onto the counter.
Parting her knees, Jacob stepped between her legs, kissing her hard, running his hands up her thighs, pushing her skirt up around her hips. His fingers massaged her thighs, his thumb flicking the crotch of her panties. The spoon and the ice cream crashed to the floor. Rachel ran her hands down his chest and began fumbling with his belt.
Rachel suddenly stiffened and put her hands on Jacobs's shoulders, trying to push him away. "Jacob, wait, I think, I heard something."
Jacob whispered in her ear, "I didn't hear anything." His lips moved from her ear along her jaw.
As Rachel was making sounds of protest, they heard a voice from the kitchen door.
"Jacob, Rachel, where are …oh!"
Jacob froze and leaned his forehead against Rachel's. He swore softly then whispered to Rachel. "Please, tell me that isn't my sister."
Rachel rested her chin on Jacob's shoulder and smiled impishly at Alex. "Alex, hi, uh, we weren't expecting you." Her voice shook with suppressed laughter. "And how nice, you've um, brought company."
Jacob swore a little more at this information. But all the while his mind was working, figuring the angles, sightlines, from the door to the counter. Admitting to himself that the position he and Rachel were in was a bit suggestive, Jacob was reassured by the thought that at least Alex and this stranger couldn't see just how far up Rachel's skirt was or how far down her blouse.
Clearing his throat, he took a cautious half-step back from the counter and turned, carefully blocking Rachel from their view. Rachel, sensing his intentions, snorted with laughter.
Jacob raised his eyebrows as he and Alex looked at each other. It was if he was daring her to comment on the scene in front of her. Alex was a bright pink and her lips were quivering. She had never thought to find her quiet, somewhat reserved brother in such a compromising position.
"So, Jacob, how are you?" With this she finally broke down in laugher.
Jacob crossed his arms and glared. In his opinion this was far from a laughing matter.
"Alexandra, uh, why don't you and your friend," he nodded to the man standing behind Alex, "wait for us in the family room. Rachel and I will be in when we've," he gestured to the ice cream that was splattered on the floor, "cleaned up this mess."
Alex nodded and retreated to the hallway, dragging her companion with her.
"Good idea."
Rachel began laughing as Jacob slumped against the counter beside her.
"I don't know why you're laughing. I mean, that was embarrassing."
Rachel slid off the counter, shaking out her skirt and re-arranging her blouse. Satisfied that she was more or less presentable, she smiled at Jacob and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It could have been much, much worse."
"How?"
"She could have walked in ten minutes later."
Rachel and Jacob quickly joined Alex in the family room. Alex and the stranger were standing by the window and turned as they came in.
"Jacob, Rachel, this is Charlie Sullivan. Charlie's the collector I went to New York to meet."
Charlie stretched out his hand. "Hi, Alex told me all about the two of you."
Jacob, his cheeks still tinged pink, shook the man's hand and muttered something unintelligible.
Alex and Charlie were no better than Jacob in dealing with the awkward situation. She couldn't quite suppress her giggles and he couldn't stop grinning. Rachel decided that diversionary tactics were in order, everyone needed to get their minds off what had almost happened in the kitchen.
She suddenly yawned loudly which, as she intended, brought all eyes to her. "Excuse me, long day" she said as she tardily brought her left hand up to cover her mouth. As she expected, Alex zeroed in on the ring.
"Oh my God! Jacob, Rachel, I don't believe it! I thought, hoped, oh, I'm so happy for you."
She ran across the room to hug first Jacob and then Rachel. Charlie stood politely, with an expectant look on his face. Alex, her arm around Rachel, held out Rachel's left hand to him in explanation. "It's a family heirloom."
Alex drew Rachel down onto the sofa and pelted her with questions. "When did this happen? Have you thought about a date? Have you told anyone? Where do you think you'll have the ceremony"
"One at a time please. Jacob surprised me with the ring tonight. And well," she hesitated, not sure what to tell Alex next. "We're not sure about anything else. We, ah, we're going to keep this quiet for awhile, until we can figure things out."
Sudden understanding flooded Alex's face. "It's because of the FBI isn't it? Will they try to separate you?"
Before Rachel could answer, they heard the sound of a car in the drive.
Alex frowned, "Who that could be." She started to stand, but Rachel pushed her firmly back into her seat.
"No, I'll check this out."
Rachel quickly went into the hallway, peering out the window beside the door before opening it and snapping on the porch light.
Rachel came back into the family room with an annoyed look on her face. She was followed by a large black man.
Jacob looked up in surprise. "Felix! What are you doing here at this time of night?"
Felix looked unhappily from Rachel to Jacob. "Uh, hi Doc, Alex. Um, the Director sent me, we've got a case."
Jacob stood up abruptly. "Oh no we don't! I'm suspended. I'm not going anywhere."
"Suspended?" Alex gasped. "Jacob, what happened? Are you in trouble?"
Jacob ignored his sister. "You tell Frank I'll see him on Wednesday, like we agreed!"
Felix shifted uncomfortably. "Doc, the Director told me to tell you that you're temporarily un-suspended. This case, it's a special request for you to come and take a look at something. We really need to get going Doc, people are waiting for us."
Jacob opened his mouth to continue arguing, when Rachel cut him off.
"Hood, quit being a pain in the ass. You know damn well Felix has to leave here with you, he's following orders. So quit giving him crap." Her voice cracked like a whip. "You also know damn well they wouldn't send for you if it wasn't important. Considering everything, if they're calling you out, it must be bad.
Get your ass upstairs, change your shirt, pack your bag and go do your job." They stood glaring at each other for a few moments then Jacob's shoulders suddenly slumped.
"Fine, Felix, I'll just be a minute."
"Doc, you won't need a bag. This job, it's ah, kind of local. But, yeah, Agent Young is right, you need to change that shirt. How did you get chocolate on the back of it?"
Jacob ignored the soft snort of laughter from Rachel and walked from the room.
Felix looked at Rachel in gratitude. "Thanks, ma'am. I really appreciate your making him toe the line like that."
"You just have to be firmer. You know if you give him an inch, he'll take a mile."
Felix grinned sheepishly. "I'll try ma'am."
Alex had taken in the scene between Rachel and Jacob with wide eyes. She knew that Jacob always described Rachel as tough as nails and stubborn as a mule, but she hadn't totally believed him. In the time Rachel had been in Deale, she had always seemed so, well calm.
But this! Alex grinned. She could now see how Rachel had managed to keep her brother safe for the past year and a half.
She spoke up, "Felix, what's going on? Where are you and Jacob headed?"
Felix sent Rachel a mute look of appeal.
Rachel answered for him. "He can't say Alex. The cases we, they, work on, they're classified. It truly is need to know only."
"Ok, but can you tell me why Jacob said he was suspended?"
Rachel looked at her in surprise. "Didn't you see the news this past week? About Boston?"
Alex shook her head, but Charlie spoke up. "You mean about that guy who was running experiments that killed a bunch of infants in a hospital in Boston?" Rachel nodded. Charlie continued, "I saw a little, but the names didn't register."
Alex was confused. "You said what Jacob works on is classified. So how did it get in the news?"
Rachel sighed. "That's partially why he's suspended. Look, I'll explain later, ok?"
Alex was nodding her head as Jacob walked back into the room. He had changed into his typical dress shirt and tweed jacket, and he still looked unhappy with the situation. He looked at Alex and the corner of his mouth quirked upward. "Sorry to have to run out on you Alex, but…," he shrugged. "Nice to meet you Charlie."
Jacob looked down at Rachel, who, looking equally unhappy, had sunk back onto the sofa at his entrance,. "Nuh, uh, if I'm not allowed to sulk about going, you're not allowed to sulk about staying."
Leaning down, he grabbed Rachel's hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on, walk us out."
Felix's eyebrows climbed up his forehead at the sight of the Doc and Agent Young walking out of the room hand in hand. He looked at Alex, who just smiled. "Uh, bye Alex, sir." he stuttered as he hurried out of the room.
Felix caught up with them on the front porch. He noticed they weren't holding hands, but they were standing beside each other, shoulders lightly touching as they leaned back against the porch rail.
"So, what's this all about Felix? What's so damned important that I have to be dragged back to work."
"I can't say Doc."
Jacob snorted. "Come off it Felix, Rachel is part of our team. You know I'm going to tell her what's going on anyway."
"It's not that," Felix answered slowly. "I really don't know what's going on. All I was told is that we got a request for assistance from NCIS. Something about a dead Marine."
Jacob groaned, he knew that things never went well when the various federal agencies were forced to work together. It reminded him of the worst aspects of academic politics.
"Terrific, let's get going then. With any luck we can wrap this one up quickly."
Pushing himself away from the porch rail, Jacob pulled Rachel into a hug. "I'll call," he promised, "when I can. Ok?" Jacob tipped Rachel's head up and kissed her.
Felix's mouth dropped open. Not only was the Doc kissing Agent Young, but she was kissing him back! And hanging on to him for dear life. Felix received a further shock when he noticed a gleam of gold on Agent Young's hand.
Shaking his head, he coughed loudly hoping that would interrupt the couple. "Ah, Doc, we really have to go now."
Jacob reluctantly released Rachel. "Fine, let's go."
Rachel stood forlornly at the top of the steps as she watched Jacob and Felix walk to the car. Just as he reached the car, Jacob turned back to the house. Felix groaned, they were so close!
But Jacob just called to Rachel, "Hey do me a favor, find out what you can about that Charlie guy." Rachel laughed and waved as the two drove away.
Rachel slowly re-entered the family room where Alex was waiting for her. She was clenching her jaw and blinking furiously, trying not to cry. Alex looked at her sympathically. She figured it must be hard on Rachel to have Jacob called away just now.
"You ok?"
Rachel flopped down on the sofa beside her with a disgusted expression. "Damn, damn, damn! Five lousy days, if this had only happened five lousy, freaking days later, I'd be in that car too. I mean, honestly, I'm perfectly fit for duty, damn that psych evaluation!"
Rachel glared at Alex who had started to snicker. "What?"
"I'm sorry, it's just, I was thinking you were heart-broken, not pissed off!"
"Yeah, well, it's hard, they go off and I have to sit at home. It's not what I'm used to." She smiled shyly at Alex, "Jacob and I, we're partners. It hurts to see him go off without me." Rachel looked around the room. "Where's Charlie?"
"I sent him off to bed. I think you and I need to have a long talk. Just what's been going on with you two?" Alex raised her eyebrows. "Judging from tonight, I assume things have changed dramatically?"
Rachel grinned wickedly. "Are you sure you want all the gory details? After all, this is your brother we're talking about."
Alex collapsed against the sofa cushions giggling uncontrollably. Recovering her composure, she ventured another question.
"What's been going on here since I left? You did promise to tell me why Jacob was suspended. Charlie told me what he could remember about Boston, but it wasn't much."
Rachel thought about all that had happened in the last few days. "Well, it's a long story."
