Holding Mike's hands and looking into his eyes, Maggie began to lay out the events of the past few days, beginning with the spotting of the camel sportscoat-wearing man who had followed she and Jeannie to the café. He let her talk, never taking his eyes from her, the only anxiety shown by gripping her hands even tighten when she told him about the set-up at his house.

As Jeannie and Steve sat, watched and listened, Maggie assured him that she was never in any danger, that she, Steve and the FBI had had everything under control, and that, under the circumstances, it was the only thing they could do. And though his eyes did get a little brighter and he blinked a little faster, he let her talk.

When she had finished bringing him up to date, she took a deep faltering breath, glanced down briefly, kissed the back of his hand, then looked up once more into his troubled blue eyes. "Mike, I made a mistake. I knew that coming here I was jeopardizing my cover, but being with you was just so much more important to me. I didn't care about myself or what could possibly happen…

"I didn't think about you, or Jeannie, or Steve, or Dan…about all the other lives I would be putting in danger. All the other lives that would suddenly be at risk because I didn't think. I just knew I had to be with you…"

She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. "I will never regret that decision," she said with a sad smile. "But now we have to made another one, my love."

Mike's breaths had begun to get a little deeper, and he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand. He turned his head slightly in Steve's direction. "Steve, could you help me to the bed?" he asked quietly, and the younger man shot to his feet, crossing to the armchair.

"Are you okay?" he asked anxiously.

Mike released Maggie's hands, putting his own on the chair arms and beginning to push himself up as Steve took his elbow. "I want to hold my girl and I can't do it from the chair," he said softly.

As Maggie and Jeannie watched anxiously, Steve helped Mike to the bed, and the older man lay back against the raised bed head, doing his best not to show any discomfort. Settled, he smiled encouragingly at Maggie, and she got up and crossed to the bed. Slipping off her shoes, she sat on the edge.

Eyes almost closed, Mike lifted his left arm so it was shoulder high, trying to keep the almost crippling pain from registering on his face. Maggie lay beside him and leaned in to him, as he wrapped his arm around her and held her close. Careful not to hurt him any further, she buried her face against his chest and, closing her eyes, let the tears flow.

Steve, who had stepped back from the bed, turned slightly towards Jeannie and she instantly caught the look. Rising quietly to her feet, she crossed to the door where he joined her and, unnoticed, they left the room.

As the door closed softly behind them, Steve leaned against it, his head back, and closed his eyes. He reached out blindly and pulled Jeannie towards him, folded her into his arms, and bent forward to kiss the top of her head. They stood in each other's embrace for a long time, breathing deeply, trying to get their paralyzing sadness under control.

# # # # #

Neither of them knew how long they lay in each other's arms. She listened to the steady, comforting beating of his heart, felt the encouraging strength in his embrace. He was conscious of the soothing rhythm of her breathing, the warmth of her contact, her tears against his chest.

Eventually, taking a deep breath, he kissed the top of her head. "I want you to go," he said quietly, and he felt her stiffen. Then she sobbed and he could feel her shake as she began to cry, her grasp on his pajama top tightening, burying her head even deeper into his chest. His grip on her tightened and he closed his eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks.

# # # # #

Dan walked to the entrance to the sunroom, looking around. Amongst the patients and their visitors, it was easy to spot those he sought. Steve and Jeannie were sitting on a sofa at the far side of the room, she curled up in one corner, he sitting forward with his arms on his knees, his head down.

When Dan got closer, they both looked up. Jeannie's eyes were red-rimmed and there was a crumpled handkerchief in one hand. Neither smiled. Silently, Dan sat beside Steve and took a deep breath. "How are they doing?" he asked quietly.

Jeannie looked away. Steve shrugged and shook his head. He cleared his throat. "Everything ready?"

Dan nodded. "Yeah."

"How long?"

Dan glanced at his watch. "We still have about an hour. I picked John up at the airport; he's ironing out a few details but he should be here soon."

Steve nodded, his eyes returning to the floor, and silence once more settled over them.

# # # # #

There was a discreet knock on the door, then it opened slowly. Steve entered the room and crossed quietly to the bed. They were as he had left them, in each other's arms, and his heart constricted in compassion.

Mike opened his eyes and, reluctantly, Steve nodded slightly. The older man squeezed his eyes tightly shut, took a deep breath and, trying to suppress a grimace, moved his left arm, letting it drop onto the bed. Maggie opened her eyes and reached up to touch his face. Not looking at Steve, she began to sit up, and he moved closer.

She sat on the side of the bed and looked at the younger man. "It's time," he said softly, and she nodded. He took her hand as she slid off the bed. Putting on her shoes, she looked at him pointedly and he turned and moved towards the door.

Tears coursing down her cheeks, she turned back to Mike, whose eyes had never left her. She leaned over the bed and, despite the pain, he raised both arms and took her into an embrace. Her mouth near his ear, she said softly, "I love you." She felt his arms tighten.

"I love you too," he whispered back, then she kissed him, deep and passionately. She stood up, gently brushing back the hair on his forehead and staring into his eyes, then she turned quickly and strode to the door. Brushing past Steve, she grabbed the handle and, without a backward glance, opened the door and left the room.

Steve caught the door as it began to close but, suddenly finding himself unable to look towards the bed as well, he stepped through the entrance and let the door shut behind him.

Maggie turned to him in the hallway, her face stricken, and she collapsed into his arms, trying not to sob. Feeling utterly helpless, he held her while she pulled herself together. Eventually she stepped back, looking down. "I'm sorry," she said raggedly, rooting in her purse for a tissue.

"Don't apologize," he said softly, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. She tried to smile at him gratefully, not completely succeeding.

"Let's get this over with," she said with resignation, straightening up and squaring her shoulders.

"This way." He led them down the corridor, the FBI agent, who had been standing outside the hospital room door the entire time, falling into step behind them.

They stopped outside an office and Steve knocked once then opened the door. As Maggie stepped inside, she was gratified to see Jeannie, Dan, and FBI Special Agent Andela. Smiling in spite of herself, she approached the agent and held out her hand. "John," she said, abashed.

"Maggie," he replied with a small smile, shaking her hand, "it's, ah, good to see you again." There was no mistaking the edge in his voice, but he had always admired this strong, dynamic woman, despite the headaches she continued to cause him.

"Well, let's get this over with," she said with false bravado, her eyes flicking around the room at the sullen faces. She approached Dan first and took him in a light embrace. "Well, Dan, here we go again."

"Take care of yourself, Maggie," he said as they pulled apart, and she reached up to lightly touch his cheek.

She wrapped Jeannie in a ferocious bear hug, almost crushing the younger woman, and Jeannie squeezed back with all her might. She couldn't believe how close they had become in such a short time and she was devastated that this amazing woman was leaving her life. Pulling away reluctantly, Maggie put both hands on Jeannie's face and looked deeply into her eyes. "Look after your father for me, will you?" And Jeannie nodded, her eyes filling with tears.

"Steven," Maggie said sweetly as she stepped in front of the handsome young man Mike loved so much. She bit her lip, smiled sadly then pulled him into her arms. Into his ear she whispered, "Be there for him. He needs you now more than ever." She felt him nod and, giving him a final squeeze, she stepped back and turned to Agent Andela. "John…shall we?"

With a departing nod to everyone in the room, Andela led the way to the door and, once more without a backward glance, he and Maggie left the room. No one moved as the door closed silently behind them.

# # # # #

Steve pushed the heavy wooden door open and entered the quiet room. As if he hadn't moved since Maggie's departure, Mike lay with his eyes closed, looking defeated, frail and lonely.

Crossing quietly to the bed, Steve pulled the armchair closer and sat. He reached out and took Mike's hand and squeezed. He smiled warmly when the squeeze was returned.