As a compromise, Rachel agreed that she and Jacob would follow Felix to make sure that he got home safely. After escorting Felix home, they went a small restaurant near Jacob's apartment. Over dinner at corner table, Rachel began asking Jacob about the case he had just wrapped up, but he gently over-ruled her.

"No, we're not talking shop just yet." He reached out and stroked her cheek. "First, I want to talk about you. You sounded, I don't know, strange on the phone this morning. Are you sure you're ok?"

Rachel smiled briefly, wondering when her oblivious genius had become so attuned to her moods; wondering how to phrase what she needed to say.

"Jacob, I need you to just listen, ok, because I'm not sure how to say this, and I don't want you to misunderstand."

He smiled at her reassuringly.

"I meant what I said last week, about not caring if I got pregnant or not. You need to believe that Jacob. I wasn't just saying that because I wanted to…" Rachel trailed off blushing.

"I know sweetheart," Jacob murmured.

"It's just that since then, I couldn't help thinking that you were right, that maybe it would be best if we waited, had some time to ourselves." Rachel looked down, saying quietly "I thought that if I wasn't, well, I'd just be happy, because our life could just go on as it has." Jacob nodded and squeezed her hands.

Rachel looked up with a sad, distant expression on her face, "I thought that if I was, well, that I'd be happy, but a little sad, since it would mean giving up our life together in the field."

Jacob was puzzled at her obvious distress. "But Rachel, you said that you weren't…?" Fear clutched at his heart. "You're pregnant aren't you? You've changed your mind about having the baby? You want..."

"No, how could you think that?" Rachel was indignant. "That I could ever… I knew you wouldn't understand."

Jacob took a deep breath. "Make me understand. Can you do that?"

"I'm not pregnant, but I'm not happy, I feel miserable."

Jacob was stunned for a moment. Then he smiled slowly. "Rachel, if that's the case, we can remedy the situation." He reached out and brought her hand to his lips. "Trust me; I'm more than happy to..."

Rachel jerked her hand back with a glare. "This isn't funny. You were right. We need to wait, to figure out how we're going to manage our lives together. I mean, we can't even figure out where we'll be living. It's just," Rachel looked at him forlornly. "I didn't expect to feel like this when I found out I wasn't pregnant. I mean, we both agreed, this is the best outcome."

She hesitated, "I know you were joking about the Director and McGruder being pleased, but, well, if I was pregnant now, it would be almost like, I don't know, betraying their trust? They might think we had been lovers while I was your bodyguard. So, overall, this is a good thing, right?"

He cautiously nodded.

Rachel looked at him accusingly, "And you never wanted me to be pregnant in the first place."

Jacob wisely kept silent.

"I guess," Rachel said softly, "I can't help wondering if I, we've, missed our chance to, to have a family."

Jacob's eyes widened and he leaned across the table to take her face in his hands. "Rachel, no, you can't think that. I know I made it clear that I hoped you weren't pregnant, I was nervous about you, us, having a baby so soon. But I never meant, never thought you would think, that I never wanted..."

"I guess," she looked at him ruefully, "this is mostly hormones."

Jacob looked at her shrewdly. "And some worry that I was a little too happy about how things turned out?" Rachel dipped her head. Jacob tilted Rachel's head up, so he could look into her eyes. "I meant it last week when I said I wanted us to have a child. Maybe not right now, but yes, someday."

Rachel wrinkled her nose, "Children, actually." Jacob's eyebrows rose. Rachel smiled at him, "I always did hate being an only child."

Jacob smiled back. "Ok, then, children it is."

"Now," Jacob continued, "that we have that settled. Let's talk about living arrangements. I had an idea last night that I want to run by you."

"Last night?" Rachel blinked in surprise. "When in the world did you have time to think about anything but your dead Marine last night?"

"I wasn't really thinking about it, it was just, I don't know, percolating in the back of my mind. The solution just sort of popped to the front of my mind while I was waiting for some test results."

Rachel nodded, familiar with the way his mind worked.

"I think we both agree, I mean, we both want us to live together?" Jacob looked at Rachel uncertainly, relived when she nodded. "And Frank and Ty made it pretty clear that as long as we're discreet, they don't care if we're together." Rachel nodded again. "So, what's the impediment to our living together?" He looked at her expectantly.

Rachel considered her answer carefully. "I guess, it would be that we'd have to give the Bureau the same home address. I'm sure it would leak out, stuff like that always does. And if we started living together now, everyone would just assume that we've, well, that we were lovers when I was assigned as your bodyguard." She grimaced. "And that most definitely would not be a good thing. But there's no way we can get away with not giving the Bureau an accurate home address."

Jacob beamed at her. "Exactly. Then it occurred to me. The Bureau already has two addresses for me. My apartment here in DC and the house in Deale. I only took the apartment when the Bureau decided I needed a bodyguard. I didn't want to expose Alex and Owen to any danger. So what's to keep me from deciding, now that I'm not under the protection of the EPD, to give up the apartment? I move in with you and we both keep addresses the Bureau already recognizes as belonging to us, problem solved." Jacob leaned back with a look of satisfaction on his face.

Rachel's brow creased. "That should work, but why in the world were you living with Alex in the first place? I mean, you were with the Bureau for over a year before you came under the care of the EPD."

Jacob looked slightly uncomfortable. "Well, it's not exactly just Alex's house."

Rachel raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What do you mean? The first time we went to Deale, you told me we were going to your sister's place."

"It's kind of complicated. I know I told you that the house used to belong to my grandparents."

Rachel nodded.

"Well," he continued, "the house is like your ring, it's been in the family for a long time. When my grandmother died, she sort of left the house to me and Alex."

"What do you mean 'sort of'?"

"It's difficult. My grandmother left the house to Alex for as long as she lives, with the condition that I get to live there also, if I want to. Eventually, it goes to me outright. Unless I don't have children. Then when I die, it goes to Alex's children."

Rachel stared a Jacob for a moment and then burst out laughing. "Oh my God! It's Blackacre!"

It was Jacob's turn to look puzzled. "Blackacre? What are you talking about?"

Rachel looked at him with amusement. "You do remember that I have a law degree, right?"

Jacob shrugged, "Yeah, it's the fast track into the FBI, so?"

"Well, in property class, in the hypothetical's to show the different ways you can own property, they always call the property 'Blackacre.' And the hypo's always got as complicated as what your grandmother did."

Rachel leaned back and closed her eyes. "Now let me see…. I think Alex has...a …life estate, with a...condition subsequent. And you… have a fee simple..." She frowned, "or maybe a fee tail… with a contingent remainder or a shifting executory interest, I never could tell them apart." She opened her eyes, "and I have a vague recollection that what your grandmother did wasn't legal."

"Yeah, that's what her lawyer said, but who cares? It's not like Alex or I was going to contest the will or anything."

"No, I can see that. But it does bring up the more important question." She looked at Jacob sternly. "Why didn't you tell me that it was your house too when Alex first suggested I recuperate in Deale?"

Jacob looked sheepish. "Ah, I was afraid that you wouldn't accept Alex's offer if you knew it was my house too. And I really wanted you somewhere where I could, ah, keep track of how you were doing.."

He waited for the explosion; he knew Rachel would feel that he had lied to, manipulated her. To his surprise, Rachel smiled.

"You're right, I would have been too stubborn to recuperate in Deale if I knew it was your house too. And it was … sweet that you were so worried about me." Then she narrowed her eyes, "but don't you ever lie to me or evade the truth again."

Jacob sagged with relief. "Yes, ma'am, I mean, no ma'am."

"And don't call me ma'am." Rachel laughed, "I tolerate it from Felix, but that's it."

Jacob yawned as they walked from the restaurant. "So where to now, my apartment or back to Deale? I have to admit, I'm ready to crash."

"Your apartment, I packed a bag," Rachel replied. She soon had Jacob tucked in bed. He protested when she resisted being pulled down beside him.

"No, not yet, I have some things I want to work on."

Jacob grumbled but soon was sound asleep.

As he slept, Rachel wandered through the apartment, considering, making lists. Firing up his laptop, she went online to do some research. The results were satisfactory and necessitated a new list. Jacob barely stirred as Rachel slipped into bed beside him. Instinctively, he reached for her, cuddling her close to his body. Rachel, smiling, settled her head on his shoulder and was soon fast asleep herself.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The next morning, Rachel awoke to bright sunshine and an empty bed. Making her way into the living room, she smiled at Jacob. She leaned down to give him a hug.

"So what gives? All those nights I made you go upstairs, you claimed you wanted to wake up with me."

Jacob pulled her into his lap and kissed her neck. "I did wake up with you, but you looked so peaceful, I decided to let you sleep." He held Rachel's notes. The papers were covered with scribbles; some connected with arrows, some separated by lines. "Looks like someone was busy last night. What exactly do these mean? It would have been nice," he teased, "if you had used complete sentences."

Rachel squinted at the pages in his hand. "Wait, first of all I need coffee and second, I need my reading glasses."

"Your glasses are right there," Jacob pointed to the coffee table, "and I'll get your coffee, I made a pot already."

Murmuring her thanks, Rachel perused the lists she had made the night before.

Rachel grinned at Jacob as he handed her a mug of coffee. "These lists are perfectly clear, what don't you understand."

"Uh, everything?"

Rachel laughed. "Ok, this list is furniture. Yours is nicer than mine, so this is what of mine we'll keep." She frowned. "I'll have to arrange for my stuff to be cleared out so we can move your things in."

"I think your things are fine, why do you want to get rid of them?"

"No, most of my stuff is early IKEA. It wasn't meant to be permanent." She looked around her wishfully. "It's a shame that we have to move into my place."

"Why do you say that?"

Rachel shrugged. "Well, your neighborhood is better, quieter. I've always liked the shops and restaurants around here. Your apartment is bigger than mine. Plus, this is a security building with its own parking."

"Well, let's keep this place then."

"I'd love to," Rachel shook her head regretfully. "But that would be too risky. I mean, the idea is to keep below the radar. Like you said last night, it won't raise any eyebrows if you move, but if you do, and then I move into your place, it might cause some gossip."

"Not necessarily," Jacob said thoughtfully. "Not if it was part of a bigger move." He went to the kitchen to retrieve his cell. Rachel looked confused.

"What do you mean, part of a bigger move?"

Jacob sat back down beside her and made a 'be patient' face as he punched in a number.

"Felix? Good morning, I hope I didn't wake you…no, we haven't been called out on a case…I was wondering, are you still looking for a new place to live?...You are?... Good…I think I may have something for you…Yeah, we can talk about it on Wednesday."

He ended the call and turned to Rachel. "A few weeks ago, Felix mentioned to me that he needed to find a new place to live. He's been living with a couple of other agents since he moved to DC from Wisconsin; but he's getting tired of the 'frat house' atmosphere. Wanted a place of his own."

"You're a genius!" Rachel exclaimed throwing her arms around Jacob. "You move out to the 'burbs, I upgrade to your place, Felix upgrades to mine! No one will think twice."

"Umm, I believe I've been told that once or twice before." His lips twitched. "So, what's with your other lists?"

"Those are my to-do lists for today and tomorrow. I'm seeing the Bureau shrink on Wednesday; with luck, she'll clear me for duty right away. So, I've, we've got tons of stuff to do before then; see my doctor, move my stuff from Deale, get ready to move us in together, check on …"

"Sweetheart, do we really have to do all that now?" Jacob groaned. "I mean, honestly, it's not like you're never going back to Deale, you could leave your things there. And we don't even know where we're going to be living until we know if Felix will take your place."

"Well, what would you like to do today?"

Jacob shifted Rachel until she was once again in his lap. Sliding his hands under her camisole and up her back he pulled her against his chest. "I think," he whispered in her ear, "I'd like to spend the day in bed."

"We can't, we have too much to do. Besides, I promised Alex we'd be in Deale today, for the holiday."

"It can wait, she can wait." Jacob murmured, nuzzling her neck as his hands rubbed the soft skin of her back.

Over Jacob's muttered protests, Rachel pulled back, laughing softly.

"You know, the hallmark of a healthy relationship is the ability to compromise."

Rachel slid out of his lap and pulled Jacob to his feet, tugged him in the direction of the bedroom.

"Compromise?" Jacob pulled Rachel hard against him, running his hands down her back, cupping her ass, drawing her up against him.

Rachel gasped at the feeling of his cock pressed against her. She wound her fingers in Jacob's hair, pulling his head down for a kiss. She kissed her way from his mouth to his ear, whispering, "Umm, we find a mutually agreeable solution to our problem."

Jacob raised his eyebrows. "Problem? Since when did my wanting to make love to you become a problem?"

"When I have a full to-do list, that's when." Rachel's tongue flicked the inside of his ear. "I really, really want to get started on my day."

"What did you have in mind?"

Rachel's hands ran down Jacob's sides. Her fingers hooked into the waistband of his jeans, she wiggled her hips against his, whispered in his ear, "I was thinking you could join me in the shower."

"Oh, yeah, that sounds like a reasonable compromise."

Leaving a trail of clothes to the bathroom, the two were soon standing together under the hot spray of water.

Jacob pulled Rachel against his chest, one hand splayed on her belly, the other cupping her breasts. Rachel tipped her head back against his shoulder, moaning with pleasure.

"I missed you while I was working," Jacob murmured, his mouth on her neck. "Missed touching you, holding you." His voice deepened with lust. "Missed fucking you."

"I missed you too." Rachel tried to turn in his arms, but Jacob tightened his hold.

"Not yet, I want to touch you."

Lathering his hands, Jacob ran one soapy hand over Rachel's breasts, his thumb massaging her nipples as his fingers kneaded her breasts. His other hand made slow circles on her abdomen, her belly, before finally resting between her thighs. He briefly cupped her groin, squeezing her before his fingers parted her folds and began stroking her clit. His mouth traced a path from her ear to the base of her throat and back, licking, biting and kissing her.

Rachel gasped as the tension in her body grew. She felt her muscles contracting as her climax began to build inside of her. The feel Jacob's hard cock, pressing against her back added to her pleasure.

"Come inside me, I want to come with you in me."

Twisting in his arms, Rachel wound her arms around his neck, her mouth on his, her tongue tasting his. Jacob turned, pinning Rachel against the shower wall. Reaching down, he cupped her ass, pulling her up against him. Sliding his hands to her hips, he lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist. With one movement, he was inside her, stroking into her fast and hard.

"God, baby, you're so fucking hot and tight. I've wanted to feel you, fuck you, since Saturday night."

Jacob's cock, thrusting deep inside of her, his body, pressed tightly against hers, ignited her senses. Her arms and legs tightened around him as she came. Jacob could feel her climax, feel the muscles inside her pulse around his cock, and hear her gasp his name, her face buried in his neck. With a growl, he tightened his hands on her hips, thrusting into her even harder, trying to go even deeper inside her, until finally his own climax roared through him.

Their breathing uneven, they stayed clinging to each other for awhile longer. Rachel slid her legs down Jacob's, leaning against him, nestling against his chest, unwilling to let go of him. Finally Jacob tipped her face up to kiss her gently.

"I love you."

Smiling Rachel looked up at Jacob, "I love you too." She stepped out of his embrace and pulled him under the water with her. "But we need to get started on our day."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jacob sat on the bed, propped up against the headboard watching Rachel dress. As much as he enjoyed the physical intimacy he and Rachel shared, he savored these everyday moments almost as much. Watching the woman he loved get dressed, prepare for her day.

"Let me do that," Jacob said suddenly.

"Do what?" Rachel's eyes met his quizzically in the mirror.

"Your hair, let me do it." He patted the bed beside him. "Come on, sit down."

Smiling slightly Rachel climbed onto the bed next to Jacob. Sitting up straighter, he scooped her up and deposited her between his thighs. "Give me the comb."

Rachel closed her eyes, enjoying the way Jacob's fingers teased out the tangles, the way he gently ran the comb through her wet hair. After thoroughly combing her hair he gathered it together in his hand. But instead of her usual ponytail, Jacob deftly braided her hair into one long plait.

"There, that's better. Out of your way, but not as if you're heading to work." Moving her braid over her shoulder, Jacob pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck.

"Now you're sure…." he whispered into her ear.

"Yes," Rachel replied laughing. She turned to face Jacob, sitting cross-legged on the bed. "I told you, I want to get as much done today and tomorrow as we can. I promised Alex we'd spend the day with them. That limits what we can do before we head back to Deale.

At the very least, I want to move some of my clothes and things here. Even if we do end up keeping my apartment, it makes sense to live in one until we decide." She shrugged. "And I like yours better."

"Fine. That takes care of today, what do you have planned for tomorrow? What time do we have to be at your gynecologist's office?"

"Uh, why do you want to come with me?" Rachel flushed slightly. "I mean, we already know…"

Jacob raised one eyebrow. "I assumed since you still wanted to see your doctor, you wanted to discuss alternate methods of birth control. Why shouldn't I come with you? After all, I do have a vested interest in the subject."

"Wh, what?"

"In your using a relatively effective method of birth control. As much as I want us to have a baby some day, I don't want either of us to go through the uncertainty of the last few days.

Now, personally, I have no problems with our continuing to use condoms. They're safe for you, no side effects, but they do have a 15% failure rate. If you want something more reliable…"

"I think," Rachel began, "that this is one subject I know a little more about than you. After all, I've been using one form of birth control or another for half my life." She turned her nose up. "And you obviously don't know as much as you think. For your information, condoms have a 2% failure rate."

Jacob tilted his head to one side and bit his bottom lip. "Well, actually…" his voice took on the note Rachel had learned to dread, it meant she was about to learn more than she wanted to know about something.

"We're talking about the difference between the perfect use rate and the typical use rate."

"Oh, we are?" said Rachel faintly.

"Yes," Jacob nodded vigorously. "Now the perfect use rate is 2%, but that assumes that we would use the condoms perfectly, every single time we have sex." His lips twitched. "And sweetheart, I hate to say this, but we haven't been exactly perfect. We fit more in the typical range."

"Wait, we've been careful. We've used a condom every time. I mean," Rachel continued uncomfortably, "except for the first time and, well, just now of course."

"You do realize we didn't need to use a condom just now?" Jacob's lips twitched. "And it's not because we had sex standing up." He ducked as Rachel swung a pillow at him.

"I know, I'm having my period."

"Since you're on day 2 of your cycle," Jacob counted silently. "We could most likely have unprotected sex for the next 8 days. But," he looked at her ruefully, "I was referring to Saturday."

"We used a condom then!"

"Not soon enough. You were," Jacob paused and colored faintly. "Let's just say there is an excellent chance some of my pre-ejaculate fluid made its way inside you. That fluid is loaded with sperm."

Rachel blew out her breath in exasperation. "This is all very interesting, but irrelevant. If you must know, I was going to ask my doctor for a prescription for the pill."

Jacob shook his head regretfully. "I'd say that the pill wouldn't be the best choice for you. With our schedule, you wouldn't be able to maintain perfect use. And the typical use failure rate is 8%."

"What do you mean, I couldn't maintain perfect use?" Rachel was outraged. "It's a freaking pill you take once a day. I think I could manage that." She glared, "I was able to maintain perfect use when I was a teenager."

"Perhaps, but Rachel honestly, think of our schedule when we're on a case."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You know how we work, sometimes around the clock. We barely know what time it is. To maintain perfect use of the pill, you need to take it at the same time every day. Do you truthfully think you could do that?"

Rachel sat chewing on her bottom lip. As much as she hated to admit it, Jacob was right. "So, what would you recommend we, I use?"

"Well, if you're sure you don't want to use condoms?" Rachel shook her head decisively. "Then I'd suggest something that requires minimal attention. Now a contraceptive injection might work, but it requires a doctor visit every three months. That could be inconvenient. A contraceptive implant or a birth control patch would be easy and convenient. Of the two, I'd prefer you use the patch."

"Why?"

"Well, the implant pumps hormones through your body continuously for three years. That's not optimal for your overall health. At least the patch gives your body a break once a month."

He looked at her seriously. "I think it would be best if we explore all of the alternatives with your doctor tomorrow."

Rachel shook her head. She should have known that even on this subject, Jacob would prove to be the more knowledgeable. She metaphorically threw up her hands.

"Fine, come to the doctor with me tomorrow. We'll see what she has to say, recommend."

Jacob put his hand behind Rachel's neck and drew her over for a kiss. "I'd love to come with you." He nibbled on her ear. "So, you've been using birth control for half your life, hmm? What a precocious…"

"I was 15 and thought…" Rachel began.

"No, I was teasing," Jacob interrupted her. "I'm sorry." Jacob took Rachel's face between his hands. "I mean it Rachel, I'm sorry, that was in poor taste. I don't need to know, I don't want to know, about your past lovers." He kissed her again. "All I want is to be your last lover."

"That is so sweet Jacob," Rachel murmured against his lips. "But we're still not having sex right now."

Jacob leaned his forehead against hers. "You're a hard woman Rachel Young."

Rachel grinned. "No, just a busy one. Come on, we've got things to do and places to be."