Jamie was hopeful. He was looking forward to this.

Well – part of him was looking forward to this. She was smart, funny, kind, caring… Okay, it helped that she was also attractive, but this was New York City and attractive women were a dime a dozen. She was a great person. But the other part of him wished he was on a date with Someone else, the Someone who was now happily engaged…

In she walked, nodding a "Hello" with a smile that could brighten up anyone's day, even if the day was already bright.

Jamie stood to greet her. "Hey, stranger."

"Hey, yourself!" Kara replied as they hugged. As they separated, Kara's eyes took a walk all over Jamie. "You clean up nice."

Jamie feigned hurt feelings. "Why, Kara! You've seen me out of my uniform, of course you know that."

Kara just smiled. Truth be told, she always admired Jamie since he rode with her after being transferred back to the 1-2 and everyone, even Eddie, hated her. He took a huge risk on her behalf and she never forgot that. She developed a teeny tiny crush on him back in the day, but it was so obvious that Eddie and Jamie had feelings for each other back then. And she had become close to Eddie and didn't want to be that girl, the girl who held a torch for her best friend's object of affection. She dated other guys, forgetting her schoolgirl crush. So, she even surprised herself when she said "Yes" when Jamie asked her out for food and drinks at Mack's Pub and Grill.

For his part, Jamie always admired Kara, but as a friend and colleague. Since Eddie had made things official with Barry and was now engaged, he knew he had to move on. He had to try and, one day, when he was interacting with Kara after a tour and they were both in their civies, he saw her in a new light. This could work, he thought. This could work.

They chatted somewhat flirtatiously at Mack's, the perfect fusion of food and drinks relaxing them. Eyeing a dart board, they played three rounds of darts. Kara wasn't about to let him win nor was Jamie about to let her win. It ended up being a draw, but they didn't care as they were focused on each other's company.

Jamie noticed an old jukebox was in the corner. "Dance with me?" he asked hopefully.

"I thought you didn't dance," Kara asked, smiling and narrowing her eyes at him. "Didn't you once say you had two left feet?"

"Right time, right place, I do."

Jamie put in two quarters and selected a slow bluesy instrumental that reminded him of simpler times.

As they danced, Jamie's left hand held Kara's right. Kara's left hand was on Jamie's upper back and Jamie's right hand was on Kara's upper back.

"Jamie… Uh… I hate to tell you this," Kara said in a low register, "but I think we're the only one's dancing."

"Fine by me," he said as he lowered his right arm down the small of her back and held her a little tighter. "Is this okay?"

"It's perfect, Jamie. Just… Perfect," she sighed as she took in his scent. He had on some cologne, but it wasn't too much, just the right amount. He smelled nice, but he still smelled like a man, unlike other guys who tried too hard. As the song played on in the background, Kara let go of Jamie's hand and placed her palm on his chest.

"Hey. Uh… You wanna get out of here?" Jamie asked.

Kara looked right into Jamie's eyes. She knew exactly what that meant. "Yeah," was all she could muster.

***

Jamie and Kara sat on the couch in Jamie's apartment, kissing passionately but tenderly. Jamie raised his hand beneath the back of Kara's blouse, touching her bare skin. She felt the heat within her rising, letting out a moan of pleasure. They leaned back on Jamie's couch, Jamie on top of her, leaving a trail of kisses on her cheek and down her neck, onto her shoulder.

And as much as she liked – no, loved it! Something felt… off.

Eddie!

Kara reprimanded herself internally. Eddie wouldn't care, she was happily engaged and only had eyes for Barry. She tried to get back into it as Jamie's right hand caressed her blouse which still covered her breasts and her stomach as his fingers worked to unsnap her jeans.

Eddie!

And, just like that, it felt so wrong. Kara's skin was crawling. No! God, no! This was not how it should be.

"Jamie," Kara said pleadingly.

"Mmm?" Jamie mumbled as kissed her, unsnapping her jeans and beginning to pull down her zipper.

"Jamie!" Kara said with more urgency, grabbing his hand to make him stop. "Jaime! Stop! Please stop, I'm serious!"

Jamie stopped, concerned. Had he misread her? Had she changed her mind and tried to tell him, but he ignored her? Oh God! He was one of those men! He lifted himself off her. "I'm so sorry, are you… Are you okay?"

Kara quickly sat up and got off the couch, zipping up and buttoning her pants.

Jamie stood up, concerned. "Kara, please! Talk to me. Was it something I did? I thought… I thought you wanted this."

"Yeah, uh, I thought I did," she said still trying not to shake.

"Then what?"

"Jamie… This was a mistake that, in a few minutes, was about to turn into a much bigger mistake."

"I still don't…" Jamie said, not being able to finish the sentence.

"Jamie," Kara said, taking a breath to steel herself. "I can't be a stand-in for Eddie."

He froze.

"I can't let you do that to yourself," Kara said. "I can't do that to you, either. Or to Eddie."

A beat passed.

"Or to me," she added.

Jaime reached to touch her arm, but she moved it.

"I'm sorry, Jamie, I am. I, uh... I gotta... I gotta go."

With that, she quickly straightened out her blouse, put on her coat and left Jamie to stand in his living room, taking in the colossal mess he had just made.