During the drive back to his house, Jim couldn't help but question the veracity of Pete's tale about Penny Lang. Part of him knew that his friend wouldn't lie to him, especially after the confrontation at the church, but there was a devil whispering into his ear about Pete being a born liar. Thomas Malloy had confirmed for Jim that his son learned early on how to use his natural charm, choirboy looks and lies, to get away with things no one else could. People back home were always asking Thomas how his son got away with so much. The elder Malloy would shrug his shoulders instead of responding with "He's a good liar".

It wasn't until Pete's friends and comrades shared stories about Pete on the job that Thomas learned how useful being a good liar was to a cop. If an officer can project an air of confidence while telling lies, it gives them the advantage, whether they were lying to crooks or people in distress.

Jim was attempting to sneak into the house when Jean pulled the wooden door open demanding to know where he had been. She calmed down as he explained about him and Pete going to diner to talk things over and share some memories of their time riding together. Most of the stories were repeats, but Jean enjoyed hearing the funny ones again.

"Oh, did you ask him about Penny Lang? Did he have any advice for Larry?" Jim had forgotten that he told Jean about Penny reappearing; she knew what trouble she'd been to Pete

"Um…uh", Jim laughed, "he didn't have any suggestions."

"You wouldn't be laughing if Pete didn't tell you something."

"I don't think Pete's method would work for Larry". Jean leaned against the wall staring at her husband until he stopped laughing.

"Tell me what Pete said and maybe we could figure out how to discourage Miss Lang."

"I can't", Jim cringed, "I promised Pete I wouldn't tell anyone what he told me". Having decided that Pete hadn't been pulling his leg, there was no way he could break his word to his best friend.

"YOU WHAT?"

"I had to promise him that I'd never tell a soul what he told me." Jim gave her a 'please forgive me' smile. "It was the only way to find out something I've been wondering about for years."

"So have I!" Jean wasn't letting Jim off easily. "I'm sure that he didn't mean me and I can't believe that you would promise such a thing if he did ask you to keep it secret."

"You have to understand. He's never told a soul about that date; not even Mac or the captain."

"Well, I don't understand." Jean made a beeline to the bedroom and slammed the door shut. She didn't want to talk anymore because she couldn't decide who she was madder at Jim or Pete; maybe it was both.

O~O~O

Meanwhile, Pete was sleeping the sleep of the just. He'd calmed down Jim, made peace with him and, most importantly, he'd managed to slip into bed next to Sally without waking her up. Tomorrow meant waking up and going to work, for both of them; it can wait. Sleeping late and breakfast in bed, delivered by Jean, were in their plans. A knock on the door and Jean's voice sent Sally grabbing for her robe as Pete blurted out "She early!"

Sally shushed him, "You think?" She tossed him a pair of sweats and a tee shirt. Snug in her bathrobe, Sally opened the door, with a yawning Pete lagging behind.

"Come on in Jean. We really appreciate this." The two women went in to the kitchen, jean carrying the tray. Now, Pete might not be fully awake, but it didn't take a genius to see that the breakfast tray had one over-flowing plate of food and an empty plate next to it. Jean set the plate with food in front of Sally.

"It was my pleasure. I hope you enjoy it." Pete's right eyebrow went up as Jean smirked at him.

"All right! What did I do that was so despicable as to make me undeserving of breakfast." Of course, Sally, who had no idea what was going on, wasn't in any hurry to stop the show.

"JIM! Get in here!" Pete's friend, his partner and bosom buddy slunk into the room.

"Before whatever this is begins, may I have a cup of coffee, heavy on the caffeine?" Jean nodded to Sally; they both knew he was still half-asleep. One swallow later and Jean was turning on Jim. "Hold it! One sip does not a cup of coffee make." Pete waved them back a few steps and took a few minutes to finish the first cup.

"Okay, now that I'm on my second cup, let's start with you Jean, since you seemeto be the most perturbed about whatever this is. Would you care to explain?"

"You made him swear to lie to me!" Jean pointed at him, Sally glared in Pete's direction and Jim seemed to be trying to slip under the table.

"You told him to do what?" Sally stared at her fiancé, while still managing to snag Jim's ankle so he couldn't escape.

"I…I…uh…", Pete was quickly running over the hours he and Jim spent in the diner. " I did no such thing." The old adage about a good offense being your best defense came to Pete's mind, so, he pointed to the heart of the trouble. "Your problem is with Jim. You three can work it out while I help myself to some breakfast."

Fifteen minutes later, Pete was stuffed with his half of the breakfast Jean brought over and the others were still in the living room talking. Pointing the finger at Jim worked perfectly, until the three of them sort of got the story straight and came towards him.

"Did you or did you not tell Jim a story and then make him swear to never tell another soul?" Pete pushed his chair back an inch or two for some breathing room.

"No, I didn't tell him to lie. I swore him to secrecy first and then answered his question. Isn't that the way it's always done?" Present a reasonable front and you can talk your way out of most things, at least he could.

"It's different when you are married. He promised for two." Jean was providing that piece of information,

"No, it's not, besides, why would it matter? It's not like you have any reason to seek revenge on her."

"Pete!" Jim signaled to his friend that he should keep his mouth shut before Sally began to wonder if there were reasons, even if they weren't engaged when it happened.

"Okay, an exception for wives, only!" Pete explained the basics of the date and that she threw a drink on him when he impugned the "lady's honor". No, he wasn't going to tell his future wife what he said.

While Jean and Sally discussed meeting later for dinner, Pete tapped Jim on the shoulder. "We'll talk later."