Chapter 153 - Plans and Action

Cate and Jon planned their strategy for the day over a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, which Jon insisted on making after dumping the remainder of his soggy Cheerios from Jovi’s dish. Together they decided that “divide and conquer” was the best way to attack the long list of tasks on the “to do” list to prepare for Cate’s journey to California.

Taking Mandy up on her offer to help pack, Cate called her friend and invited her for a “working lunch” at the house. Realizing he would be most useful by being absent during that task, Jon decided to go back to the villa and pack his own bags, then check out of the King and Prince.

When Mandy arrived a half-hour later Cate gave Jon the keys to her Mustang and directions back to the resort. The three agreed that Mandy would drop Cate at the villa to pick up her car, then Jon would follow Cate in his rental SUV to the Center to help her pack up her office. After completing that task they would go to Mandy’s house to spend a little time with Cate’s dog and grill steaks for dinner. A quick text to Danny confirmed they would be a foursome for the evening meal.

With a kiss and a promise to meet him at the villa after lunch, Cate sent Jon on his way.

Cate and Mandy chatted as they cleaned up the kitchen, washing the morning dishes and clearing out the refrigerator. Mandy peppered her friend with questions about the events of the previous day, then they both speculated on what adventures the coming weeks might bring. Mandy eagerly accepted Cate’s invitation to fly out for a visit when she had a few days off, joking that even though Jon was now “off the market” his friend Kiefer was still single.

Once they finished in the kitchen Cate and Mandy moved on to the more difficult task: packing for the trip. They started with basic clothing items, but by the time they were finished almost the entire contents of Cate’s closet was strewn about the bedroom. Cate had no idea what attire she would need for her new role as a technical advisor so she finally settled on three suitcases full of clothing: One packed with polo shirts, range pants, and gear, a second filled with casual clothing and exercise togs, and a third containing several suits and various shoes and accessories. The rest would have to wait until later, when she returned with Jon for his publicity work. She was sure she would be doing some shopping once she arrived in L.A., anyway.

After ordering in sandwiches from a nearby deli Cate and Mandy did a quick clean of the house, preparing it for Cate’s absence. Both women had traveled exhaustively during their careers so they knew exactly what needed to be done. Working together they quickly completed the necessary chores. It was mid-afternoon when they finally headed for the King and Prince.

*****

“Hello Ladies,” Jon grinned, pulling open the front door in response to Cate’s knock. “C’mon in.” He stepped aside to let Cate and Mandy enter the villa, leaning in to give Cate a quick kiss as she passed.

“You all ready to go?” Mandy asked Jon as she wandered into the living room, looking all around to again admire the villa’s gorgeous décor.

“Almost,” Jon answered, trailing behind Cate as she followed Mandy. “I had some business calls to take care of, so I actually just started packing my clothes and stuff a few minutes ago.” He gave Cate a little grin in response to her arched brow. “Don’t worry, it won’t take me long. I just shove all my shit into whatever bag it fits in. Folding is overrated.”

Cate chuckled as she shook her head. “Must be nice to be a guy. Everything’s a lot simpler for you.”

“That’s because men couldn’t handle all the crap we women have to deal with,” Mandy called out from across the room where she now stood next to the French doors, peering out at the ocean. “Their fucking heads would explode.”

“That’s true,” Jon agreed with a laugh. “I don’t pretend to have any earthly idea as to how you gals manage. I’ve often said that women should run the world, ‘cause men can’t think about more than one thing at a time.”

“That’s because you all have one-track minds,” Cate replied sweetly.

“Guilty as charged.” Jon gave Cate a little smirk as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her suggestively.

“Jesus…. Do I have to throw a bucket of cold water on you two?” Mandy smiled as she gently chastised the affectionate couple. “Good Lord.”

“Go pack,” Cate ordered when their lips parted, giving Jon’s ass a light smack. “We have to get to my office.”

“Yes ma’am,” Jon answered contritely, giving her a little wink. He obediently stepped away from Cate and headed for the bedroom.

Cate wandered around the big curving sectional sofa and out onto the deck, where Mandy was now standing at the railing gazing out at the Atlantic. “This is gorgeous,” Mandy sighed as Cate stepped up beside her. “God, you’re so lucky.”

Cate chuckled. “I know. It still feels like a dream, like I’m living in some sort of fairy tale.” She gave Mandy a grateful smile. “Thanks, Mandy. If it weren’t for you and Danny….” She trailed off as a lump formed in her throat.

“I know, Babe,” Mandy replied gently, slipping an arm around Cate’s shoulders and giving her a little hug. “No thanks necessary. You deserve to be happy.” She gave Cate a little grin. “Now go help Rock Star in there pack so you can get moving. I need to take off -- gotta pick up a few things at the store for tonight.”

“Okay,” Cate nodded. “I’ll give you a call before we head over.”

“Sounds like a plan.” The women strolled back into the villa, where Mandy made her departure with a quick "see ya later" to Jon. After Mandy had gone Cate wandered into the bedroom as Jon was stuffing the last pile of t-shirts into his yellow-and-black duffel. She stood watching him as he zipped up the bag then pulled it off the bed and dropped it on the floor next to the two suitcases he had already filled.

“That’s it,” he announced, turning to face her as he brushed his hands together. “All packed. See? Didn’t take long.” He paused as he noticed her wistful smile. “What?”

Cate shook her head mutely. Jon watched as her gaze traveled around the spacious bedroom, lingering on the big canopied bed. He smiled in understanding.

“I know.” Jon’s voice was gentle as he moved over to Cate and wrapped his arms around her. “We made a lot of memories here.”

Cate chuckled and snuggled against him. “You could say that,” she replied softly. “Some I’ll certainly never forget.”

She tilted her head to rest her cheek against Jon's chest as she looked again at the bed, intimate scenes from the past week flashing through her mind. Cate felt a tingle run down her spine as she recalled that ecstasy-filled night less than a mere week ago, when Jon had laid her down on those soft sheets and made love to her for the first time. They had lived a lifetime since that night.

“We’ll come back,” Jon promised softly, kissing her hair. “Soon.”

Cate nodded and hugged Jon tightly before pulling away. “Deal,” she smiled.

*****

Two hours later Jon sat helplessly on the couch in Cate’s office, watching her sort through files at her desk. He felt completely fucking useless.

He sighed softly and scrubbed his hands over his stubbly cheeks before addressing her again. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?”

Cate shook her head, glancing up at him. “No. I have to go through this stuff myself.”

Jon tried to stifle the frustrated little growl that rumbled in his throat as he glanced at his watch again. His eyes turned to the pile of boxes near Cate’s office door. They were filled with books, binders, and a few tchotchkes and awards that had adorned the bookshelves behind her desk. He hadn’t been allowed to put a single item in those boxes; Cate had packed them. Every time he volunteered to clear a shelf or move a pile of books he had been warned, politely but sternly, not to touch anything.

His role in packing Cate’s office had consisted of fetching Diet Cokes from the break room and tearing pieces of plastic packing tape from the roll.

Jon sighed again and looked out the window. He idly watched a fat gray squirrel scamper around the yard for a few minutes, until he heard Cate’s voice. “Okay. Done with these.”

“Can I close up the box?” Jon asked a little too eagerly, jumping to his feet.

Cate shook her head. “Not yet. There’s still some room in it. I want to put some of my extra gear in there.”

She let out a little sigh as she stood from her chair, her gaze sweeping over the clean top of her empty desk. All evidence that it was hers had been removed. Her name plate adorned with a facsimile badge; the Center coffee mug she used as a pencil cup, her business card holder, and her glass U.S. Air Force paperweight were all packed away in a small box, ready to be moved to her new office when she returned from her detail in Hollywood. Only the empty inbox, the government-issue desk calendar, and the computer monitor remained.

“Where's your gear?” Jon asked. “I can load it up, then seal up the box and take it to the car.” He was trying not to sound impatient but he was ready to get away from the Center and over to Mandy’s. He could use a cold beer and a juicy grilled steak. Even more, Jon was looking forward to relaxing with Cate, spending one last romantic night with her here in the Golden Isles.

“It’s in my locker.” Cate answered. “I’ll get it. I need to clear out my clothes and stuff too.”

“I can do that for you,” Jon volunteered.

“NO, Jon…” Cate rebuked him. “I’LL do it.” She let out an exasperated little breath. “I just…. I need to do it, okay?”

Jon bit back his snarky response as he saw the conflict in her eyes. Though she hadn’t said a word to him, he could sense her discomfort as she slowly packed up her belongings, preparing to surrender her office to another instructor. He just wanted to help her get it over with, so they could get on with their life together.

“Okay. Go,” Jon sighed. “Can I at least empty the trash can?”

“Yes. That you can do,” Cate replied. “Dumpster’s out back.” She turned and disappeared through her office door, heading down the long hallway toward the locker room.

With a deep sigh Jon leaned down and snatched up the metal trashcan from beside Cate’s desk. It was only half-full but he needed to move, to do something. He was bored out of his fucking mind.

It took Jon all of five minutes to carry Cate’s trash can to the dumpster in the parking lot, empty it, and return it to her office. It would have taken less time than that had he not stopped to watch the squirrel, attempting to coax it closer with stale potato chip he had found in the bottom of Cate’s trash can. The squirrel was not fooled, scampering up a tree and regarding Jon suspiciously. With a little snort Jon returned to the building.

Jon heard Cate moving around in the locker room as he passed it by on his way back to her office. He considered pushing through the door and offering his assistance but he was sure he would just be rebuffed again. So he continued on his way.

Once the now-empty can was returned to its proper place Jon stood looking around the office. His eyes swept over the bookcase, the two locked safes, Cate’s desk, the small table and chairs, and the credenza against the back wall. She had covered all of those spaces, removing her personal items.

Continuing his visual sweep around the room, Jon realized there was one space she had forgotten. It was something he could help her with, something he couldn’t possibly screw up.

With a little smile he grabbed an empty box from the pile by the door and dropped it onto the couch. Turning to face Cate’s “I Love Me" wall he reached for the photo on the far right, the one of Cate with Al Gore. He chuckled softly as he paused to look at it before placing it carefully in the box. This wouldn’t take him any time at all.

He next removed the college photo of Cate and Danny, the picture of Cate and her team in their desert fatigues, and the photo of Jovi the Collie. Those items safely in the box and the wall nearly half-cleared, Jon reached for the frame containing the snapshot of the grinning women.

“What are you DOING?”

Cate’s voice knifed through the silence, making Jon jump. He snapped his head around to look at her, his eyes wide with surprise. “I… I’m putting your pictures in a box…” he stammered.

“STOP IT!”

Dropping her duffel on the floor in the doorway, Cate strode swiftly over to Jon and yanked the frame from his hands. “How… Who told you you could do this?” she demanded sharply, turning toward the wall and hanging the photo back on its nail. “You can’t… You…” she stammered, her voice growing hoarse as a lump swelled in her throat and tears sprang to her eyes.

She wheeled around to face him, giving him an accusing glare. “GodDAMNit, Jon! You don’t get to make all the decisions! This is MY career! MY life! I’M the one who calls the shots – Not YOU!”