Chapter 145 - Keep the Faith

… and jumped. “Yes,” she answered softly.

The word made Jon’s heart leap into his throat. His head snapped up and his eyes flew open, his lips parting as he gasped in a surprised breath. The simple syllable from her lips – “yes” – was the most beautiful sound he could imagine. It was the sound of hope.

The Director let out an excited laugh. “FanTAStic!” he exclaimed, beaming. “Thank you, Agent Sullivan. I knew I could count on you.”

“Good call, Catie,” Floyd drawled with a gentle grin. “You’ve made a couple fellas very happy.” He tipped his head slightly and gave Cate a little wink before looking past her.

Following Floyd’s gaze, Cate suddenly realized that there was someone else in the room. Her senses jumped to alert as she turned slowly in her chair to look over her shoulder.

Jon’s gorgeous face was alight with pure happiness. His soft lips stretched across his perfect white teeth, the upward curve at the corners of his mouth dimpling his smooth cheeks. His blue eyes sparkled, the little lines at their corners crinkling happily. And in the depths of those indigo pools his soul danced with joy.

Cate’s heart swelled until she thought it would burst from her chest. She blinked at him for a moment, dazzled by his beauty and stunned by this sudden, radical turn her life had taken, all in the span of ten minutes. Then her lips curved into a gentle smile as she realized this moment was the beginning of many more tomorrows for her and Jon.

Cate dropped her gaze to the folder clutched in her still-trembling hands. Inside the blue plastic sheath were the details of the next chapter of her life, an adventure she could never in her wildest dreams have imagined. The documents in there were an outline for her future.

For her future with Jon.

Eventually Cate became aware of male voices engaged in conversation. Jon and the Director were talking enthusiastically about his return to the Center in several weeks. Cate heard the Director say her name, but she couldn’t comprehend what exactly he was talking about. Her mind was still whirling.

“Catie, you better get a move on,” Floyd’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts, guiding her back to reality. “There’s a lot of stuff in that folder you’ll need to read and sign. When you’re done, bring it back down here and I’ll sign off, then you can take it over to HR. They’ll transmit everything up to HQ.”

He gave her a fatherly smile as she raised her eyes to his ruddy face. “Why don’t you take it back to your office and look it over. You’ll need a little privacy.”

Cate nodded mutely, unable to speak or move the dazed smile from her lips. She rose silently from her chair, turning in response to the sound of her name. The Director again extended his hand and thanked her for agreeing to “take on this project for the Center.”

His voice sounded like it was far away, though he was standing right in front of her. All Cate could hear was her heart beating, and all she could see was Jon smiling at her, over the Director’s shoulder.

Cate turned away and somehow made it to the door, then out into the hallway. She felt like she was floating as she drifted down the long corridor toward her office at the far end.

Danny looked up as he saw Cate’s shadow approach his door. He sat silent at his desk, holding his breath as her form came into view through the frame of his office doorway. His handsome face split into a wide grin at the dazed look on Cate’s face as she wandered by his office, not even realizing he was watching her. Danny chuckled softly to himself, then silently pumped his fist. “YESSSS!” he hissed softly.

Danny reached for his phone, punching in the familiar number. He would give Slick some time to herself before he went to commend her for taking his advice. He was pretty sure she was going to have another visitor to her office in just a few minutes anyway. Grinning, Danny waited until he heard the familiar voice answer after the fifth ring.

“Hey Mandy, we’re celebrating tonight. I’ll pick you up for Sonny’s at five.”

*****

Cate didn’t remember walking all the way to her office. Once inside she took three steps toward her desk and stopped. She looked around the comfortable room, filled with her photos and mementos, with her tools and her books. This cozy office was almost a part of her, her second home.

But after today it would no longer be hers. She was leaving for California next week, and when she returned she would move into some big, airy room in another building to assume the mantle of Branch Chief. Cate let out a sad little sigh at the realization that, even with all the wonderful things that were happening, she was a little heartsick that this chapter of her life was ending.

She sensed his presence before she heard him. Slowly Cate turned toward the door. Jon stood there, gazing breathlessly at her with affection shining in his azure eyes, a tender smile on his soft lips. Without a word he stepped inside, kicking her office door shut behind him as he reached for her.

The folder slipped from her hands as Cate jumped toward Jon, desperate to feel his arms around her. She let out a happy little gasp as he enfolded her in his embrace, hugging her tight against his firm, warm chest in a rush of joy and emotion.

For a long moment they just clung to each other, both speechless with happiness. Then Jon pulled back, just enough to grin down at Cate. “Thank you, Baby,” he said huskily, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I…” Cate choked out the first syllable she had been able to utter since her whispered “yes” in Floyd’s office. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t let you go.” she answered hoarsely, tears springing to her eyes.

“You don’t ever have to,” Jon promised as his lips met hers. Cate sighed and let herself melt against him as his tongue slipped past her teeth to dance with hers. This was the kiss she was never supposed to taste again. God, it was so sweet.

Finally Jon reluctantly pulled away, still holding Cate close but giving her another adoring smile. He didn’t want to let her go, ever. But they both had things to do so they could begin their new life together, and time was of the essence.

“Hey,” he said softly, gently kissing her nose then pulling back from the embrace. “You need to read those contracts and get that paperwork in, so you can blow this joint with me this weekend.”

Cate’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?” she asked. “This weekend… with you?”

Jon grinned wider, nodding. “I cancelled my flight for tonight. We’re leaving Sunday, flying up to Jersey, then to L.A. from there on Monday.” His eyes twinkled merrily as he revealed his surprise.

Jon chuckled softly as he watched Cate’s brow arch with a stern look. There she was, the Cate he knew. She was recovering from her shock, finding her control again.

“You cancelled your flight? That was a bit presumptuous of you, wasn’t it?” she asked accusingly. “You were that sure I was going to say ‘yes?’ That I’d follow you all the way to Hollywood?” Though her tone was stern, she couldn’t hide the affection behind it.

Jon chortled. “Yeah, I was that sure. Rock star ego, ya know,” he joked. “NO, I wasn’t at all confident.” He paused for a moment, giving Cate a gentler smile as his voice softened. “I figured we’d either celebrate or I’d spend the night on my knees, begging you to reconsider.”

Cate drew in a breath at the earnestness in his voice. He was prepared to beg… Her lips curved into a tender smile to match his. “You wouldn’t have had to for long,” she admitted softly.

“I would have forever,” he answered simply.

Jon and Cate smiled at each other for another silent minute, then drifted together for another gentle kiss. When they parted, Cate pulled in and blew out a deep breath. “Okay,” she sighed. “I have to get my shit together.” Stepping away from Jon, she crouched to pick up the folder from where she had dropped it in her rush toward Jon. “Gotta read all this legal crap before I sign it.”

Jon laughed. “I’ve gone over it with a fine-toothed comb. I think you’ll be pleased.”

“There’s nothing in here about my being your indentured servant, or some shit like that, is there?” Cate asked with mock seriousness. “ ‘Cause that’s a deal-breaker, Rock Star.”

“Well, not exactly…” Jon smirked. “Just a tiny, minor, no-big-deal clause about you being my sex slave, that’s all.” He gave her a naughty grin as she again arched a brow.

“Hmmm. Perqs.” Cate purred, without missing a beat.

Jon tossed back his head and laughed at her tease. He felt giddy with relief and excitement. He reached for Cate once again, giving her one last sweet kiss before finally moving toward the door. “Okay, Baby… I have a couple things to do around the Center, some people to thank, then I’m going back to the villa. Will you come over when you’re done?”

Cate nodded. “I don’t know when that will be, but I’ll call. It might take a few hours to get all this stuff together since I’m leaving…” She paused as the realization hit her. “Shit. I’m leaving day after tomorrow.” she breathed. “Holy Hell… how am I gonna…?”

“I’ll help,” Jon cut her off. “And so will Danny and Mandy, I’m sure. Don’t worry, Baby. It’ll all be fine.” He didn’t want Cate spiraling off into a fit of anxiety when they should be celebrating. “So what time do you think you’ll be free from here? I wanna be sure I have the wine chilled and the covers pulled back.” Jon gave her a sexy grin.

“Uhhh…” Cate felt a tingle run down her spine at the thought of spending the evening in bed with Jon and a bottle or three of wine. “Oh. It’s Friday.” She paused, staring at Jon, conflicted.

Jon chuckled. “Sonny’s. Baby, that’s fine. We’ll go. In fact, we NEED to go. Your friends will want to celebrate your promotion.” Jon winked. “I have a feeling you’ll be buying.”

“Yeah,” Cate agreed. Shit. My promotion. She had almost forgotten about that detail. All she could think about was being with Jon. Damn, is that a good thing?

“Tell ya what. Come pick me up at the villa, we’ll go hang out at Sonny’s for awhile, and we’ll duck out whenever you want. We can catch a cab or call a car if we need to.” Jon gave Cate another gentle smile. “Cate, it’s all good. We’ve got all the time in the world. Trust me.”

Cate took a deep breath, then met his gaze. “I trust you,” she answered softly.

Jon’s heart flipped and he raised his hand to his chest, covering it as he beamed at her. “Alright. I’m outta here. Call me as soon as you’re done.” He reached for the knob, then was gone.

Cate stared after him for a moment before moving around her desk. Sinking into her chair and propping her feet up, she opened the folder and began to read.