Kav, you have to stop writing these wonderful, magical posts when I'm at work - no, strike that!! I have got to stop reading your wonderful, magical posts when I'm at work!!!

You brought tears to my eyes with Myles' thoughts and Sue's gentle support!! And, I love the gift - perfect for Sue, and something Myles can also take to heart!! I love how the darkness in Myles is being replaced by light through Sue's kindness, belief and friendship!!!

Pure magic!!!

Joy

Oh, Kav, such a wonderful post. Sue and Myles have connected in such a way that will certainly make them friends for a long time.

I just love Myles!!!!

Em

"I'm going to be late! I promised Lucy I'd meet her by one. It's impossible to get seats if you don't get there early enough..."

Bobby watched bleakly as Tara whirled around her little house, careful to never light long enough in one spot no doubt in fear that he would pounce. And he probably would. He'd obviously rattled her and rattled himself into the bargain. When had his feelings for Tara developed into something more?

"Tara, let me drive you and we can talk..." he tried again, though he wasn't sure what he would say. He just didn't want to leave it like this, with her in a dither while he felt like a cad for coming on to a coworker. Could showing up at her house unannounced, joining into a rousing snowball fight and shucking your pants the second you walked through her door be construed as sexual harassment? He groaned and rubbed his hand across his eyes as much to ease the strain of trying to keep Tara in his sight line as to ease the headache that had suddenly begun to hammer away behind his temple.

She had to stop long enough to grab her dress coat out of the closet. If he hadn't looked up when he did, he would have missed the opportunity. Her sleeve was inside out and she was having difficulty twisting it right side again. Absorbed in her fight with the inanimate object she kept up a steady stream of chatter deliberately ignoring his suggestion.

"She's been going to this for years. Ever since she was a little girl. It's a family tradition and it's the first time she's had to go alone. She was going to go with her grams, but she has that nasty flu that's closing down nursing homes everywhere and isn't well enough to go. Lucy sounded so forlorn last night when she called that I told her I'd love to go, though honestly I'm not much for carol singing. I find it interminably long to sit on those hard church pews. You must find it unbearable with those long legs..." her voice faltered as she made the mistake of seeking him out. His lanky frame was propped against the wall not three feet away. How had he gotten so close without her noticing? She talked faster. "Anyway, I told Lucy I'd meet her in front of the church in... oh my gosh twenty minutes...I really am late. If I don't leave now it will be more than fashionably..." Her last words were lost as he tackled her from behind. His arm circled her waist, his broad hand splayed firmly across her midriff. He exerted pressure and she was forced back against him.

"Tara, we can't leave it like this," he told her firmly.

"What it? There's nothing to leave, except an empty house. Trust me I do it all the time, now if you'd just let go..." her elbow poked threateningly and he could feel her brace her body. He grinned over her head. She was going to try a self-defense move on him. Had she always been this wild? What happened to the meek techie who hid behind her computer for years? She went limp in a preemptive move to throw him off balance but so did he. They landed on the floor where he neatly trounced her. Sitting on Tara Williams was proving to be the most efficient way of subduing her.

Shock seemed to have stopped her endless monologue and Bobby barged in before she gathered her wits enough to start her tongue wagging again.

"I should have told you lot. But it was kinda hard. I mean Darcy and me had a kind of Allie and Jack relationship...our work made any other kind impossible. If she wasn't off on a story I was working round the clock. It didn't matter at first -- added to the excitement, but that eventually wore off and we kind of just drifted farther and farther apart. We didn't so much break up as forget to call until one day I was walking down the street and saw her with another guy. Made me feel like a right idiot. I didn't know how to bring it up in a conversation until it had been so long that I felt stupid not having said anything in the first place and..."

"Bobby..."

"I know I don't have to explain all this. I want to..."

"Bobby..."

"I can't have you thinking I'm the kind of guy that would go around kissing one woman while I was in a relationship with another...."

"Bobby..."

"And there hasn't been anything between Darcy and me for three months now..."

"Bobby...I can't breathe!"

He looked down at her in surprise. He had been so intent on coming clean that he had the chance he'd failed to notice how heavily he was sitting on her. He shifted his weight, lying on the floor beside her instead. "Better?"

"Marginally," Tara managed to gasp at the face looming over her.

"I could help you breathe," he murmured huskily with a teasing grin that flexed his dimples in a very appealing manner.

I'm doomed, Tara thought, oh the subtle weakness of human flesh! She cleared her throat and tried to sound sympathetically business like. "I can manage on my own perfectly well, thank you. And I'm sorry about you and Darcy..." liar. "...I always thought you two made the perfect couple..." liar "...but then appearances can be deceiving and I obviously was, but to take the leap from...well, Bobby, really you'll thank me for this when you've had a chance to think more clearly. You and me? We're as different as...Halloween and Christmas." pants on fire.

And they were, for he'd edged in closer and the palm of his hand brushed along her hip and backside. She was suddenly feeling hot. Very, very hot.

"You can't brush me off yet, Tara," he said solemnly, though she caught the twinkle in his eye. "It's in the rule book somewhere that you can't ditch a guy before the first kiss...and I have every confidence that once that's accomplished you won't be able to see straight let alone formulate the words to show me the door."

Of all the arrogant, conceited, he-man....and why was her traitorous stomach doing flip-flops, her pulse quickening at the images his words conjured in her mind?

"Would you like a demonstration?"

He was really going to do it. Kiss her. Right here in her vestibule on the cold tile floor. Of course the heat from his body more than made up for the chilly linoleum. She wanted to curl into his inviting warmth, accept the kiss he seemed so determined to bestow..."Bobby -- you can't..."

"I assure you, luv, I mostly certainly can," he soothed with a grin.

"This isn't a game...I'm not a...it will change everything. Are you ready for that?"

He frowned. "I'm not playing here, Tara...well, maybe I am, but in the keeping kind of way. I'm serious about..."

"Transferring from the team? Or would that be my problem? And for the sake of what? A couple of months until you decided to move on? " She didn't add and leave my life in shambles, but she thought it.

Bobby looked at her, confusion marked in every feature. "No...what are you on about over a little kiss?"

Tara began struggling in earnest and he let her go, watching her hasty retreat in confusion.

"Is that all it would be, Bobby? A little kiss?" she stormed as she dragged on her left boot. Drat the man for not leaving her to be undignified alone. He insisted on sitting there gaping at her as she danced about on one foot while she tried to pull up the very fashionable black leather high heeled boot. It was stuck half way up and she was spitting mad at it...and him...at Lucy for needing her time when all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and howl out her misery.

"I'm saying all the wrong things, aren't I?" He sighed and, wanting to be helpful, reached out a hand to steady her while he helped ease her foot into her boot. One hand braced her thigh while the other cupped her calf and slid along her stockinged leg between boot and flesh. It was inevitable. Her legs went to jello and she landed in his lap.

"There's a switch. It's usually me sitting on you..." He smiled sadly at her, remembering another time and place and hoydenish little girl who had exasperated him nearly as much as this very grown up version. He frowned. What was he thinking? He reached his arms around her, zipping up the boot that was finally on properly and then rested his chin forlornly on her shoulder.

"What I'm trying to say, Tara, is that I'm attracted to you. I like that you're my friend, that you know me inside out and still like me back. I like the way you live -- with zest and enthusiasm. You're so fun loving, tenderhearted, caring...I've always thought that about you, but now, I'm seeing more...feeling more. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's not that kind of game I'm play, luv. I'm playing for keeps."

Their breaths mingled when she turned her head to look at him. He was so close she could almost taste his lips. She leaned forward and so did he and his mouth lightly skimmed her parted lips. Once, twice, three times, he chastely passed his lips over hers. When he pulled back he tried not to gloat at the disappointment in her eyes.

“I realize I’ve gone about this all backwards. I should have asked you out first, stating my intentions and then after what – two dates – I could have risked everything and tested the waters with a little kiss like that one. Then maybe by the fourth date we could have built up enough trust to venture into something a little more titillating…”

“I trust you Bobby!” she exclaimed, turning in his lap so she was straddling him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her lips gently over his. It was enough to merely breathe him in, to feel the firm pressure of his mouth against hers. Then he cupped the back of her head and angled his to one side slightly, his lips opened and she felt the exploratory forays of his tongue. Pulsing shockwaves rocked her body and she sank into him as she responded eagerly to the fireworks in her head. His hand stroked down to her waist, kneading into the curve of her spine, urging her closer as his lips left her mouth to travel down the side of her neck. His teeth closed over her shoulder and she yelped.

He raised his head with and gave her a rueful smile. "Maybe you shouldn't trust me," he chuckled, kissing her forehead. "So, if I'm to do this right, I think we need a proper date before we venture much further. How about I take you to that Christmas concert at the church? Lucy can be our chaperone." He groaned when she shifted in his lap, trying unsteadily to get to her feet. He watched the flash of muscled leg at his eye level with avid interest. "And we're definitely going to need a chaperone."

No words because I have and and

I finally caught up with the story and I must say that i'm loving it. You're a wonderful writer Kav. The way you capture everyone's emotions is amazing. I can't wait for the next part.

o my o no now i'm off to go take an algebra final... how am i supposed to remember the quadradic formula, and synthetic division let alone matrixes when i have the image of tara and bobby in my mind? o no there i go again.

WOW! I'm

The dialogue was fantatstic and the kiss ...

Kav - I still love watching Bobby try to corral Tara - makes me grin sillily (is that a word - or would it be spelled sillyly? )

And this Christmas concert that they are attending - would it happen to be the very one that Myles would be singing in?

Poor Jack - is he going to be the only one left out?

Great connection to their childhood.



Pretty confident, isn't he? lol

Totally hilarious here. Again, you made that incredible tie in to them as children. I could so hear Tara saying "Liar, liar" as a little girl and grown up, too.

The rest was well, Kaviliciously wonderful.

Oh Boy!!! Is Barbara right Kav???

Sam

I caught myself holding my breath again there!! I was afraid that Tara was going to reject Bobby!!!

But you saved us in the end, although we are all now in a puddle!! And, once again, there was that niggling thought in Bobby's head of the feisty little girl he knew once!! I just love it!!!

I do believe we are all off to Myles' concert now!! We DO need to get Jack there!!!

Joy

OH KAV! **smiles affectionately at the computer**

It should be illegal for you to bring tears to my eyes with how beautiful that was.

you've been sprinkling pixie dust on the keyboard again, haven't you?

Not that I'm complaining... i've got so many happy thoughts right now if i wasn't inside I'd float away and directionally float on by to say hi!

**Sigh**

**Bigger sigh interupted with a gasp!**

Is the church thing she's headed to with Bobby in tow... to meet Lucy.... the one where Jack's going to slip into a pew.... by Sue.... to watch Myles?

ohhhh

WOW.....that was steamy.....


~laura michelle~

Wonderful B/T moment Kav!

Beautifully written!

Can't wait for more!

BLT

Jack and Sue are my favorite couple, but after that post, I'm fast becoming a Bobby/Tara fan too. Awesome!

i just love myles...i really do

I totally loved the Tara / Bobby scenes!!!

playing in the snow and the way Bobby was determend enough to let Tara know exactly how he feels about her.

oh they so need a chaperone....and they are going to myles concert aren't they...yep i have a feeling. hihih

Myles peered through the vestry's curtain and eyed the growing crowd with trepidation. The chapel was nearly packed already and they still had fifteen minutes before they were on. He watched the people slipping into their seats and spotted Sue three quarters of the way down, wondering why newcomers were giving her a wide berth until Levi poked his nose up excitedly. Myles could catch the exaggerated tail movement from his observation post and smiled. Levi was doing double duty as crowd control. While everyone else was squished together like sardines, she had ample room left over...for tail wagging.

Levi provided a nice distraction, and Myles watched his antics for awhile. He seemed over excited. Obviously the short run in the park hadn't done the trick. Levi kept pawing Sue's arm and trying to stand up on the pew as he wriggled with excitement. Worried that Sue would have to take Levi out if she couldn't settle him down, he looked past the pair, towards the back of the church, searching for what was agitating the dog. Make that whom, Myles thought darkly as his eyes narrowed in recognition. Hudson.

* * *

Jack was feeling very pleased with himself. Solving a case had never tasted so sweet...literally he hoped, as he spied Sue by Levi's rambunctious ramblings. The dog had obviously spotted him and wanted desperately to get to Jack. The feeling's mutual, buddy, he whispered as he edged past a woman wearing green felt reindeer antlers only to be brought to a full stop by a gaggle of giggling teenage girls who had draped themselves across the aisle to catch up on gossip before their mother's dragged them into a seat. It took a bit of navigating and a no-nonsense usher to hustle the girls,and Jack, on their way. He gallantly helped an elderly matron ambling slowly along with the aide of a walker, practically whisking her into her family pew to get her out of the way and barely standing still long enough to accept her blushing thanks.

One more obstacle down, a hundred more to go, Jack thought anxiously as he eyed the milling crowd. People were moving in closer to one another to make more room for the endless throng of people. Jack kept his eyes on his target, and quickened his pace when he noticed the empty space beside Sue closing in as well now that she'd gotten Levi the wonder dog under control. If he didn't hurry he'd end up sitting at her feet like the dog. Apparently more than one person in the congregation had spied the available seat for he arrived at the pew at the exact same time three other people did. Two of them were women and the third an elderly gentleman with a cane. Manners and his mother's strict upbringing demanded that he give up the seat.

"Do you see the beautiful blonde sitting in the middle there? She's my...well, she will be...my fiancée when I propose. I have the ring right here." He whipped out the red velvet box and and pried it open just enough so that the two women gasped in delirious delight.

"You're going to propose today?" One lady asked, "Here?"

Jack smiled.

"And you have it all planned? Tell me, will it be during the Halleluiah chorus?"

"Or what about if they sing All I want for Christmas?"

"What are you going on about Maizie?" A third woman joined their group as Jack anxiously watched Sue shift towards them, closing in the last available space in the pew as Levi was vanquished underneath.

"This young man is going to pop the question to his lady love over there. The pretty blonde one."

"The woman, not the dog," Jack teased, turning on the charm.

Three ladies twittered and the old man harrumphed. "You've got that down to fine science, haven't you son? There was a time when I could turn a comely young lady's head as well you know. Why in my prime I actually dated three women at the same time. Proposed to two of them -- wanted to make sure one of them said yes. Liked the idea having a stand by. Darn if both didn't accept and there I was with two..."

The ladies looked scandalized but Jack grinned. "Sue's the only one for me, sir, though I might adapt your stand by idea when it comes to having children." The ladies were twittering again and Jack looked longingly at the very miniscule space available right next to Sue.

"Oh go on dear, our days of slipping through the eye of a needle are over. There's just enough room there for two to cuddle." His advocate bent over to whisper into the ear of the occupant at the end of the pew.

Jack's ears burned as he caught snippets of words. Head over heels...young lovers...proposing today. But people stood to allow Jack to edge in. He nodded his thanks to the ladies and sidestepped towards the center of the pew.

* * * *

Jack you sly fox, you. Myles grinned. He'd spent an entertaining few minutes watching the drama unfold. Shaking his head at the outcome he couldn't be mad as he watched Jack slide into the pew much too close for Sue's comfort, for she jumped and turned, obviously put out at the audacity of a stranger. She relaxed when she saw who it was, but immediately began to protest. Probably kicking him out on my behalf, Myles thought, but Jack prevailed as only he could by soundly kissing every last objection out of her. There was a smattering of applause when he raised his head and Myles wondered what tale he'd spun to get the ladies to give up the last good seat in the church.

"Myles -- hurry -- we're getting organized to go on," a fellow choir member called in a nervous whisper. Myles' heart did a free fall into his stomach and he looked longingly at the exit door. Sue would kill you. Sighing in resignation he took his place and began the endless march around the outside of the church and up the centre aisle before taking his place on the stand.

* * *

"What are you doing here?"

"Holding you." He looked sublimely happy and Sue had to smile.

"Jack, you have to leave. Myles will..."

"Where is Myles, anyway?" Jack asked curiously.

"How'd you find out we were here?" Sue countered.

"You -- my sweet apprentice -- dare to doubt the master sleuth's talent?" He pretended to be affronted as Sue stared him down. "All right, I'll admit it. You lost me. I was going to head home, but then I started reviewing what I knew and I realized that you had to be going somewhere close to the Hoover building since you could get there and back during lunch hour so I came down here. Spotted you and Myles in the park. You looked pretty cozy. Do I have competition?" He waggled his eyebrows and laughed and her heart soared.

"Well, he did give me a Christmas present already...my first," she teased back, feel relieved that she wasn't sitting awkwardly alone any more in this festive crowd.

"But it won't be the best," Jack vowed, leaning in for another kiss. Just a brief one, for the spattering of applause grew louder. They both looked up and even Sue noticed the hand movement.

"Why are they applauding? Have we missed the beginning? Why are they looking at us? Jack what is that woman asking about?"

Jack quickly turned her head towards the front where the choirmaster stood by a microphone waiting to begin the introductions. "L-a-t-e-r." He finger spelled into Sue's hand before he swung his arm over the back of the pew and tucked her securely into his side. He lifted her demurely folded hands from her lap and placed them on his knee, closing his own over them. His heart swelled with joy as she relaxed against him. This was going to be a perfect Christmas.

I am getting excited...I hope I am not jumping the gun on this one! Keep it up Kav!

Yay, Jack showed up! Now, here's hoping that this is the same church service that Lucy, Tara and Bobby are headed to.

Oh my, how romantic. I just love a good fuzzy.

This is just gorgeous, Kav!

I just love a determined Jack!!!

Joy

The sexual harrassment line made me laugh out loud...

Bobby sitting on Tara made me laugh out loud...

Myles singing even though Jack was there made me happy...

Jack thinking its going to be a perfect Christmas scared me...

Why am I thinking this is TOO perfect??? Kav, what comedy of error will you be unfolding?

Oh I am so fuzzified!!!!

Kim

i know which one would be my best...did that come out right?

And Sue has no clue.....


~laura michelle~

Well at least Myles knows that Jack is there...now if only the rest of the team would show up....

Too cute!

Loved the "extras" Jack was speaking to. This is so exciting!

I just knew Jack was going to find them and show up. I'm glad he did though. So, when exactly is Jack going to propose?

i can go to work all fuzzilified now, although i want to stay here and wait for the next post

beautiful

cath

perfect att he moment but we still have Bobby and Tara to come

LOL.. I loved the applauding people.

Is it possible to be beyond a puddle? *swoon*

I'm all.....

over the fact that the entire team is going to be at the church by divine intention!

and


over Jack and his tenacity (which I remind you Santa knows all about) and his determination and his charm and his question for Sue...and the fact that he's Jack!

and


because I don't know how you do it - but I'm so glad you do.


and

because I don't want this to end any time soon

kav! love it!!!

you know he can't propose until Lucy... and Bobby.... and Tara get there....

I hope so

I'm all fuzzified now!!!


Don't jinx it Marlo!!

Sam

just as marlo, I think it's too perfect...is it going to be like this...

or like this....

???????????????

i loved how jack got the seat next to sue,... he better tell her soon before everybody is going to gratulate them.

i can't wait for myles to show up...he's going to be awsome

Can't wait till Jack's going to propose ... Also I can't wait to see the look on the other teammember's faces when they see Myles singing in the Choir

Awwwwww, c'mon you guys -- think positive. Kay wouldn't squelch this for Jack and Sue.

I think that the only thing I am capable of right now is a dreamy sigh... so...

*Dreamy sigh*

Em

Jack, just don't make it too much later

Kav where are you? I had the day off and this is the first time I've made it to the computer - it was an exhausting day off and Jonah stopped by briefly this evening asking for directions. While I'm not very good at directions I do believe that I sent him south rather than north! (Sorry to those of you that live south of me, but look at it as taking one for the team)

Correct me if I'm wrong (not too quickly ), but Jonah wasn't too good at following directions was he?