Chapter 140 - Graduation


Jon plucked quietly at the strings of his ebony Takamine, making minor adjustments as he tuned the instrument. After four decades of musicianship he could tune a guitar almost by instinct. It was a good thing, because he wasn’t thinking about his guitar. He was thinking about Cate.

Though it had hurt like Hell to watch her go this morning, his heart was still hopeful. There was still a way for them to continue their relationship, if only she was willing. If she was brave enough to see the opportunity for what it was.

If he hadn’t gone too far.

After Cate left the villa Jon had showered and dressed, packed up his guitar, cancelled his airline reservation, and called the front desk to extend his stay by one more night. If all went well, tonight he and Cate would be celebrating. If it didn’t… well, he would be begging her to reconsider. If she would even talk to him, that is.

Once his arrangements were made, Jon drove to the Center to meet the Director at his office. Paul had invited Jon to join him and the graduation guest speaker, the Attorney General of the United States, for coffee before the ceremony. Though he would much rather have spent the morning with Cate Jon knew he couldn’t decline. Now that he had offered to partner with the Center in its recruiting efforts he had to cultivate the proper relationships.

Jon had enjoyed the coffee social but he was relieved to finally escape to the auditorium. He needed a couple minutes to himself before he saw Cate. Jon busied himself warming up his voice and fingers and tuning his guitar while he mentally talked himself through what had to happen over the next few hours. It wouldn’t be easy.

It helped that he and Cate would be together in public. Jon knew it would be hard for her to be near him after the closure she had made with her earlier goodbye. He had already resolved to respect her decision and try to refrain from displaying any intimacy toward her, no matter how much he yearned to touch her, to give her a private little smile, or to hold her hand. He kept hearing Danny’s warning in his head. “It’s up to her now.”

Jon knew Cate had arrived before he saw her, before he heard her voice. He could feel her presence in the big auditorium, even from all the way across the room. Jon forced himself not to react, not to look up and give her a radiant grin.

Cate’s eyes found Jon the second she walked into the auditorium. He was on the stage, cradling his guitar in his lap. He looked gorgeous in his black jeans, pale blue button-down, and dove-gray jacket. An involuntary shiver washed over her as she remembered the caress of that blue shirt’s soft fabric against her skin. A little smile crept to her full lips.

Jon rose from his chair and stepped over to prop his guitar on the stand at the side of the stage. Drawing in a breath, he straightened and turned toward the empty rows of seats. He couldn’t stop himself from smiling when he saw her.

Danny silently watched Cate’s reaction, then his eyes shifted to Jon. Jon’s affectionate expression mirrored Cate’s. Though it wouldn’t have been apparent to anyone who didn’t know of their relationship, their intimate bond was unmistakable to Danny. He smirked to himself. Maybe Jon had a shot after all.

Jon descended the three steps at the side of the stage and strolled over to Cate and the other instructors. He greeted Danny, Troy, George, and Steve before turning to Cate. “Hiya Teach,” he grinned.

Cate let out an imperceptible sigh of relief at Jon’s greeting. He was being friendly but not overly emotive. She hadn’t been sure what to expect after she had left him this morning. “Hi,” she answered. “So, you ready to play Rock Star?”

Jon cocked his head slightly and gave her an questioning look. “What do you mean?”

Cate chuckled softly, the sweet sound music to Jon’s soul. “You know every student in this class is going to line up to get pictures of you with them and their families and friends, once the ceremony’s over.”

“No problem,” Jon replied sincerely. “Happy to do it.”

Cate’s heart warmed once again at his kindness. “Well, that smile of yours is going to get a workout then.” She couldn’t stop the hint of affection from creeping into her voice.

“Think I can handle it,” Jon replied. He smiled back at her for a moment, relieved she wasn’t cool and distant like she had been when she tried to push him away. He didn’t think he could handle that right now. His own ego was too fragile, though he didn’t want to admit it. He needed her too much.

Danny broke the short silence. “What are you gonna play, Man?”

Jon turned his eyes away from Cate at the question. “Something new. It’s on the new record. In fact, it will probably be the first single.”

Danny’s eyebrows elevated with surprise, then he chuckled. “That’s cool. I guess ‘Living on a Prayer’ isn’t quite the right message, huh?”

Jon chortled in reply. “Yeah, I thought about that.” He glanced sideways at Cate before he continued, her amused little smile warming his heart. “This one is a lot more lyrically appropriate. It’s a cool song. I’m pretty damned proud of it.”

Danny nodded. “Great. The BATs will be excited to be the first to hear it.”

Agents,” Cate corrected him. “They’ll be Agents by then, not BATs.” Jon would be performing right after the students were awarded their badges and credentials.

Probies,” Danny countered. “They’ll be new Probationary Agents.”

“True,” Cate conceded with a grin. She looked back to Jon. “And Danny’s right, they’ll be excited to have such a privilege, to hear one of your songs before the rest of the world does.” Her cheeks colored slightly. “So am I.”

Jon grinned at her admission. Even after all they had shared these past two weeks she was still his fan. Baby, I promise you’ll be the first to hear every damned new song I write for the rest of my life, he silently vowed. If you’ll just give me the chance to share them with you. “Well, I hope you like it,” he replied. “If you all hate it, I guess we may have to re-think the record, huh?” he teased self-depricatingly.

“Not likely,” Cate chuckled in reply.

Jon stood and chatted with the instructors for another five minutes before Bobby hurried down the long aisle to fetch him. He gave Cate another gentle smile and a little wink as he turned away from the group to follow Bobby to the backstage ready area.

Cate, Danny and the others moved down the aisle to the front of the auditorium. They filed into the row of seats reserved for instructors, right behind the rows the graduates would occupy. Cate led the way down the row, taking the seat at the far end. Danny lowered himself into the seat beside hers.

Cate’s eyes settled on Jon’s shiny black guitar, resting on its stand at the side of the stage. In a way she was glad he was part of the ceremony so he wouldn’t be sitting close beside her for the next hour. She didn’t think she would be able to handle that right now. But then again, now she would spend the whole hour watching him, tracing her eyes over his form and remembering the feel of his strong arms around her.

Either way it was going to be agony.

Danny glanced sideways at Cate. Seeing her staring at Jon’s guitar, sadness flickering in her eyes, he felt a stab of sympathy. His instinct to protect her kicking in, Danny tried to distract his friend. “So, Slick… what’re you doing after work?” he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Cate turned to face him, mildly surprised. “What? Why?”

“Well, it’s Friday. We’re going to Sonny’s, right?” Danny responded with another question.

Cate paused as his words sunk in. That’s right. Friday night. Sonny’s. We always do beer and wings at Sonny’s on Friday. Well, she needed to get back to the routine, but….

“Ummm…. I don’t know,” she answered hesitantly, then sighed. “I may just take a pass and go home,” she continued wearily. “I’m just not in the mood today.”

“Bullshit,” Danny snorted. “You’re coming to Sonny’s, Slick, if I have to cuff you and carry you. In fact, I have a feeling you’ll be buying.”

Cate arched an eyebrow at Danny. “What makes you say that?” she challenged.

“ ‘Cause you owe me,” Danny replied with a grin. “Thank-yous are nice, but if you wanna really show your gratitude, MGD on tap is a good way to start.”

Cate could see in Danny’s eyes that there was something behind that little grin and that flippant answer. “Why else?” she asked suspiciously.

“Just ‘cause,” Danny met her stare, then dropped his voice. “ ‘Cause, Slick, you’re gonna need to get out tonight,” he said, more gently. He hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but he was prepared to take care of Cate if he needed to.

Cate nodded silently, understanding. “You’re driving,” she added.

“Goes without saying,” Danny answered, reaching over to pat her knee.

Cate and Danny chatted quietly as the auditorium began to fill with Center staff members and family and friends of the graduates. Finally, about fifteen minutes later, the auditorium lights dimmed briefly to signal the start of the ceremony.

Danny and Cate rose from their seats along with the rest of the audience as the graduates entered down the long center aisle and filed into the four rows of seats in front of the instructors’ section. Watching their entrance, Cate couldn’t help but smile. She always felt such a sense of pride for the young people who had worked so hard for the privilege of carrying the badge of the United States. She remembered how excited she and Danny had been on their graduation day.

They remained standing, waiting for the official party to arrive on the stage. Cate heard a little gasp from the audience as Jon slipped out alone from behind the side curtain and stepped over to pick up his guitar.

The relative silence of the room was broken by murmurs and the clicking of camera shutters as Jon settled the Takamine’s strap across his broad shoulders before turning to face the audience. He stood solemnly gazing toward the back of the auditorium as the official party filed out onto the stage and stood in front of their seats. Then, at a nod from Bobby, Jon began to play.

Cate drew in a breath at the simple beauty of Jon’s musical introduction to the National Anthem. Then her breath was taken away when he started to sing, his voice smooth as satin, devoid of its usual rasp and growl. She stood mesmerized, watching and listening. Though this wasn’t the first time she had heard him perform The Star Spangled Banner, she had never heard it like this. It was exquisite.

Jon was as beautiful as his voice, his eyes closed, his soft lips parting and curving as his mouth formed the lyrical melody. Cate felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces at the realization that she would never taste those lips again. She had to look away as the last perfect note faded into silence.

Bobby stepped to the podium and instructed the audience to be seated. It was time to begin.

Cate watched Jon as Bobby introduced the official party. He was attentive to what was happening on the stage, knowing all eyes were upon him. He applauded politely at introduction of the Attorney General, the Center Director, and other Center officials, and nodded humbly when he was introduced, smiling at the loud whoop of cheers from the graduate section. Then he grinned broadly and applauded enthusiastically as the graduating class was recognized.

As Jon looked out at the young agents-to-be in the crowd, his eyes found Cate’s. He gave her a little smile. Her lips curved upward in gentle response.

Bobby led the ceremony, introducing first the Center Director then the Attorney General for their remarks. Then came the traditional viewing of the class video. The Center’s audiovisual staff compiled a video record of each basic class’ training, highlighting both serious and lighthearted moments of the ten-week course. As usual, the students laughed and cheered along with the scenes on the big screen. There were the customary grimaces and “Oooohs” at the video of defensive tactics and OC Spray training, the whoops and “Hell Yeahs” at the shooting, offensive driving, and raid house footage, and the laughter at the various shots of students clowning around.

The biggest response by far was to the footage featuring Jon. Mo’s staff had used video from the raid house exercise, showing Jon preparing for and executing the exercise with his student team. The crowd roared with laughter at the scene of the female students standing behind Jon, staring delightedly at his perfect butt.

Cate couldn’t suppress her own laughter at that shot and Jon’s reaction to it. In his seat onstage, he tossed back his head as he laughed heartily before turning toward the students and wagging his finger at the young women. Cate chuckled as two of the girls caught on film blushed and grinned guiltily at his playful admonishment.

After the video was over the most important part of the ceremony took place. Bobby took his place on the stage beside the Director and the Attorney General to present badges and credentials to each of the new agents. Jon respectfully stood and moved far to the side of the stage, away from the center spot. He watched with an admiring smile as one by one the new Special Agents climbed the stairs, crossed the stage, posed for photos, then accepted their hard-earned badges and credentials.

Cate stood and moved to the back of the auditorium with the other instructors. It was customary that they line up to congratulate each new agent as they trekked around the auditorium and back to their seats. As she shook hand after hand, Cate saw Jon watching her. Again their eyes met and they exchanged an understanding smile.

Finally the last new agent crossed the stage and hustled back to rejoin his class at their seats, and they all stood together and raised their right hands to swear the Oath of Office, led by the Attorney General. As usual, Cate felt the lump forming in her throat as she watched her former students with all the pride of a parent.

Jon smiled gently as he saw Cate swipe a hand across her eyes, brushing away proud tears. He felt a little pang of guilt as he saw the evidence of Cate’s devotion to her job in her emotional response. It suddenly seemed so selfish, so unfair of him to want her to give up her life’s work to be with him. Jon thought he had figured out a way for them to be together without sacrificing either of their careers, but his plan was only a short-term solution to the real issue. The truth was, he did want her to give up everything for him.

Watching her now, he felt like a complete shit. But he couldn’t help himself, and it was too late now. The deal was done.

Jon was brought back to the moment by the sound of cheers and applause. He smiled as he watched the newly-appointed Special Agents congratulate each other with handshakes and hugs while their friends and families saluted them. Jon glanced back at Cate and saw her applauding loudly, grinning at the class. He chuckled to himself when she stuck her fingers in her mouth and let out a shrill whistle.

This was where she belonged.

6 comments:

  1. Catte....stop torturing us!!!! We need to know what his plan is and what Cate's answer will be!!!!!

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  2. Uh oh....I don't like where this is going...:( Can't help it, I'm a HEA girl, and this isn't looking good...unless Jon makes her home his home base....they might be able to work something out that way.

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  3. Yes she belongs but she also belongs with him. It has to be her decision and he has to man up if it doesn't go his way.

    Damn Catte had me in tears! Superb chapter! Well worth the wait!

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  4. Oh no, Jon can't be having second thoughts. I hope they can work out a future together!

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  5. Jon, you can't second guess yourself now. Hopefully, they'll be able to work things out.

    Beth

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  6. You did NOT just leave it there! I can't cope with the suspense any longer, PLEASE can you put us out of our misery and tell us what the plan is?

    Vicki

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Let me know what you think!