Chapter 10
…
James sat on the bed with Mallory, his arm around him as Mallory leaned on him, his hand resting on his stomach.
"So, what shall we do with our few days off huh?"
"We? I believe she said I was to take a few days off, I don't remember her saying anything about you."
"Do you really think I'm gonna leave you on your own after what happened today."
"James, you can't be around 24/7. You can't wrap me up in cotton wool."
"I can try."
"James…"
"Okay okay, I'll try not to smother you…but I'm still taking a few days with you."
"Have you informed the PM about giving up your double o status?"
"Not yet, I was going too, I just…"
"James you don't have to give it up if it's not what you really want, I would never force you to give up something you love."
"Love? It's just a job, I suppose it did consume a lot of my life but things are different now. You and the baby…you're my life now, and you're a lot more important that this job."
"Only if you're sure?"
"I'm more than sure; this is where I want to be."
James looked at Mallory to see him watching him for any signs of uncertainty. James leaned down and kissed him, Mallory wrapping his arm around James as he pulled him closer.
…
Kate sat at the table as she waited for Sharon to bring the coffee over; she looked around the cafeteria, not sure why she was even there.
"Here you go, I didn't know if you took sugar so I brought some of the sachets for you." She smiled.
"Thank you dearie."
"Dearie?"
"Oh, I'm sorry…I have a tendency to call everyone that…just ignore it."
"No, it's…nice."
"Look Dr Danell…"
"Sharon please."
"Sharon…I'm not really sure why I'm here."
"You brought Gareth in." She smiled.
"I mean here with you, at this moment in time. I don't mean to sound rude but I…."
"Kate, when I meet a person…I tend to know right away whether I like them or not and the second I met you, I knew we'd be friends."
"Did you…you don't know anything about me dearie."
"Then let me, have dinner with me."
Kate put her cup down, her hand flat on the table. Sharon reached over, covering Kate's hand which was quickly withdrawn.
"Look Kate, it's just dinner…I promise I don't bite."
Kate gave her a warm smile, debating her answer before nodding her head.
"Very well." She replied.
"Great, eight okay for you, I get off at six."
"Eight's fine."
Sharon took out her pen and grabbed one of the napkins on the table and quickly jotted down her number before handing it to Kate.
"That's my number and my address, in case you get lost getting there. I better get back to my rounds, I'll see you tonight Kate."
"Bye Sharon."
Kate watched the younger woman disappear before rolling her eyes and making her way back to Mallory.
…
Eve looked up when she heard the footsteps approaching her and watched Kate take a seat beside her, her head down.
"So…"
"So what?"
"Kate come on, what was all that about with the lady doctor, she practically asked you on a coffee date."
"Eve…what have I told you about my private life."
"Oh come on, I thought we were friends."
"We are."
"Okay and I care about you, Sharon seems nice."
"She is."
"So, what did you talk about then?"
"Oh for god sake, she invited me out to dinner alright."
"When."
"When we were having coffee."
"No, I mean the date…what night."
"Oh, tonight…her place."
"Wow, she doesn't waste anytime does she."
"I shouldn't go…it would be inappropriate."
"Don't you dare cancel on her at the last minute, that isn't very nice?"
"Yes I know but…"
"She's nice Kate, just have dinner with her…if you don't think it will work then you don't have to see her again."
"I suppose you're right."
"Of course I am."
The door to Mallory's room opened and James came out smiling at the two women, Eve catching his eye.
"James…how's he doing?" She asked.
"He's pretty tired, he's going to stay in over night and I'll take him home tomorrow."
"Not up to visitors then huh?" Eve asked.
"Not really, but Kate…he would like a quick word before you go."
"Of course."
"Sorry Eve." He added.
"No don't be silly, I understand. Well, I'll head back to the office and fill Bill in, and Kate…remember what I said."
"Yes okay dearie, I promise."
Eve walked off and James turned to Kate, a smirk on his face."
"Remember what she said about what?"
"Never you mind, I won't be long."
…
Mallory smiled when Kate entered the room, relief washing over her when she saw for herself that he was out of danger.
"Kate…"
"Do you have any idea how much you scared us all today."
"I know…I'm sorry."
"Don't be dearie, I'm just relieved you're both okay."
"I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me for what, I didn't do anything."
"On the contrary, if you hadn't arrived when you did then…I don't know what would have happened."
"Just do as Sha…Dr Darnell said and relax for a few days…no work, no distractions."
"Speaking of Dr Darnell, James mentioned that she seemed quite taken with you."
"Did he now, well James should pay more attention to his own life rather than mine?"
"Kate…"
"If you must know, she invited me to her place this evening for dinner."
"And are you going?"
"It would seem so; I think Eve might kill me if I cancel."
"Kate, Sharon's a good person…she's not Reddington."
"I know."
"She won't hurt you like he did."
"I don't think anyone could hurt me like he did."
"I know you don't like to talk about what he did to you but…I am here when you feel you want too."
"You're the only one who knows what he did, perhaps I deserved his punishment, I made him believe the one woman he loved was dead."
"You were protecting her, what he did to you…you didn't deserve that."
"Perhaps."
"You did nothing wrong Kate." He said, taking hold of her hand.
"Get some sleep dearie and take care of the little one…I'll be checking up on you."
Kate leaned down, placing a kiss to Mallory's head before leaving room.
"Kate…."
"He's tired, and so am I. I'm going home, I suggest you do the same James."
"Yeah in a bit, I just want to sit with him for a while."
"Not too long okay."
"Thank Kate, and thank you for looking after him today. I don't know what we'd have done without you."
"You're more than welcome, good night dearie."
…
To Be Continue…