Disclaimer: This work of adult fiction, loosely based on characters portrayed by Russell Crowe, includes adult language and experiences; you have been warned. No copyright infringement on the original work(s) is intended. © Diana Walker and Reagan Kavanagh, 2006

Authors’ Note: Even the tone deaf acknowledge that Ernest Tubb’s voice is pathetic. That being said, whenever his version of Waltz Across Texas is played anywhere or anytime Texans are present, every Texan’s eye mists over, and Good Old Boys or Bubbas who never dance always take their ladies to the floor.  It’s the last dance at every chili cook-off, volunteer fire department fund raiser and – of course – at the Texas Inaugural Ball. The number of Texans who have learned to ‘slow-dance’ to Waltz Across Texas is beyond counting.  This song is the first dance with Daddy for little girls as Daddy holds her in his arms. This is the song that three-year-old boys dance with their Moms, their little feet on hers, as they move about the room.  Diana and Reagan

Sufficiently intrigued by our description of the song?  Want to hear it before you start reading?  Click on the song title to listen to Waltz Across Texas

It will open in a new window so you can continue reading.  It opened and played quickly for us.  Diana is fervently hoping it does for you as well. 

DIANA

“The technicolour wonder with a twist.” I was in my barn outfit overlaid with the petticoats that I would be wearing under my gown at the Ambassador’s Ball. Terry had come in from work and had uttered those deeply romantic words.

“I’m not going to have the first time I dance with you be at the Ambassador’s Ball.” No matter what happens, even if he walked out tomorrow, we’re committed to going to the ball. “I will not allow either of us to look foolish by trying to learn to dance together in front of 500-plus people. Besides, you need to learn where the petticoats are going to be so that you don’t get tangled in them.”

He grinned. “We’ve already done our fair share of dancing together …and getting tangled in your petticoats could be as much fun as getting tangled in your knickers.”

“We haven’t danced vertically, and stop talking about my knickers! Now, give me your shoulder so I can get into my shoes.” He maneuvered around the crinolines and obliged by supporting my elbow while I got into my new dancing shoes.

“Those are lower heels than you wore to the opera.” He sounded disappointed.

“All I had to do at the opera was teeter in and teeter out. I got to sit between teeters. I can’t dance in a heel that high. Besides, that night I was meeting this devastatingly handsome bloke for the first time.”

“They aren’t quite as sexy as the opera shoes, either.”

“Terry, no one will be able to see anything other than the toes of my shoes under my gown. If I could have found Blundies to match my gown, I’d be wearing them.”

“So there WILL be fabric over the petticoats?”

“Most assuredly. You will like the dress, and you will not be allowed to see it now.” I walked across the room – no teetering – and turned on the CD player.

Click here to listen.  Yes, we really want you to hear it.

Da da dee dum, da dee dum, da da (descending register). The unmistakable opening strains to Waltz Across Texas floated through the room. I held out my arms.

“May I at least surrender my briefcase before we dance?” I took it off his shoulder, dropped it on the couch, and held out my hands again. This time he took them.

“Why, yes, I had a fine day at the office, Diana. And of course, I’d love to give you a good evening kiss.” A gentle reminder that when I have a goal in mind, I’m very focused. Of course I lost my focus as soon as his lips touched mine, and he moved into the waltz.

“Tell me this about the dress …will I at least have some skin to touch?”

“Yes, but at this point, that’s all you get to know.”

I can tell already that this is not going to work. He took a very small step forward as I took a long one backwards; at least we started on corresponding feet. Next step. I shortened my stride and …oops! Too much. We were both trying to accommodate the other’s stride and kept bumping feet and stepping on toes. After about ten steps, Terry’s arms dropped to his sides.

“Diana, let me lead.”

“I’m trying!” Thank God the doorbell rang, and I whirled around to answer it in true Scarlett O’Hara fashion, catching the ashtray on the coffee table with the petticoat and knocking it to the floor.

I knew who it was. I had asked Reags to get me a book from the university library system; it was due tomorrow. She had called from the car and was stopping by to pick it up on her way home from giving a lecture in Denton. I’d hoped we would be finished with the dancing lesson before she arrived, but not all prayers are answered in the affirmative.

She raised that eyebrow as she walked in. “Love the frock.”

Terry snorted, doing an admirable imitation of Beevis and/or Butthead. “Ow! That hurt.” He pinched the bridge of his nose to lessen the tingle.

Reags grinned before she spoke. “Don’t let me interrupt …please, continue.”

“Well, we will be dancing in front of an audience, so we might as well get used to it.” We went back to work as Reags watched, her head cocked to one side. She let us stumble around for a chorus before saying anything.

“Okay. Stop now before you injure one another.” We stopped.

Terry looked at her. “What? I thought we were getting better. There’s still the small issue of who’s leading to sort out, but I think I can convince her to let me do that.”

“Who’s leading isn’t the problem, Terry. The problem is the length of your stride.”

“What’s wrong with the length of my stride?”

“You’re taking small steps because you think that’s what you’re supposed to do …and with most women, you’d be correct. Dee isn’t most women. She rides. Her normal stride is three feet. It’s easier to judge distances to fences if you have a standard, known stride. Try using your natural movement and see if that works better. If you stick with what you’re doing now, her thigh and calf muscles will be so cramped by the end of the ball that you’ll be lucky to be back in the saddle by Thanksgiving. It will take her a few days after we get back to get her riding legs back anyway; dealing with strained muscles will make it worse. I don't worry so much about what makes you cranky, but if Dee isn't riding, she is a miserable person to be around. I beg you, don't do that to me.” I was watching this little interchange and saw the light of recognition in his eyes, along with the stricken look of a man relegated to Rosy Palm and her five sisters for weeks.

“Well, we can’t have that!” I was pretty sure he was speaking about his own well being and not the rest of the world's. We started again. Much better. Reags grinned. He had moved into his natural stride, and I followed him with no difficulty at all. By the time we’d got through the orchestral bridge, we were dancing the way we make love, in sync and in touch. The sun was streaming through the west windows, and I had stars in my eyes, I know. I could see them in Terry's. Dancing together was getting easier; his tongue was no longer peeking out of the corner of his mouth – a sure sign he was concentrating. The petticoats were sweeping appropriately. Terry was beginning to smile and to pull me closer. Our steps were beginning to mirror the other's well enough that he felt he could move freely without breaking one of my toes.

Reags cleared her throat. “Wish I could solve everyone’s problems that easily! Now, where’s the book? Of course you could invite me to stay for dinner since Terry has Max off again, and I’m all by my lonesome …no? Well, just get me the book then.”

TERRY

Reags sounded like a pleased fairy god mother. “You’re not getting out of here that easily, Love. Diana isn’t the only woman I’ll be dancing with at the ball. What size shoe do you wear?” She looked at me as if I’d taken leave of my senses.

“What does my shoe size have to do with the price of tea in China?”

“Diana tells me that a woman must learn to dance with a new partner in the height heel she’ll be wearing on the occasion of the actual dance. I do hope you aren’t planning on wearing stilettos to the ball. The one pair Diana owned didn’t survive the night at the opera. I assume you and Diana will be wearing shoes of an equal height. Now what size do you wear? Hopefully, Diana’s will be a close enough fit.” She rolled her eyes at me in that way she has.

“We wear the same size, Terry.”

“Good! Will you be needing the petticoats as well?”

“No, I have the solitary rights to wear a slit-to-my-you-know-what gown that night.”

“Really? All the way to your you-know-what? Not sure I’m following you. Care to enlighten me?”

“Terry? Shut up.” Reags managed to get out through laughing with us.

Diana was stepping out of her shoes and handed them to Reags who frowned. “Sweetie, I’m going to need nylons here …or have you not noticed that I’m wearing hiking boots and tennis socks?” Diana disappeared into the bedroom and returned a tic later with a pair of her thigh-highs. Did I neglect to mention that Reags was also dressed in her usual black jeans? I sat on the couch and watched her. The jeans would have to come off before the thigh highs went on. I smiled in anticipation, though I knew she’d take off for the bedroom to change. Reags looked at the nylons, then at me, and scowled.

“What are you doing, Terry?”

“Getting ready for the strip show?” I tried to keep from smiling and lost.

“Fuck you, Terrence!” Clearly, if I was sufficiently misguided as to think Reags would be so modest as to retreat to the bedroom, I was mistaken. She pulled up the hem of her sweater, unzipped her jeans and slithered out of them …black lace knickers. I crossed my legs and swallowed hard.

Diana laughed before asking the question. “Need me to sit on your lap for a bit, Terry?” Christ! Hoisted on my own frigging petard.

“NO!”

Reags grinned at me. “Get a grip, Terry. It’s no more than you’d see if I were in my swimsuit.” I kept telling myself that as I stood. Diana restarted the bloody CD, and I held out my hands to Reagan. She smiled as she moved into my arms.

“Now remember …take your normal stride. I can follow you.” And follow me she did …more or less.

“Reags, I’ll tell you the same thing I told Diana. Let ME lead.”

“I’m trying, Terry …Maximus is the first man I’ve danced with in years, and I’m only just now beginning to let him lead. Don’t get overanxious …it will come.” Yeah. That’s what I was afraid of. She was wearing her black pullover, Diana’s pumps and thigh-highs, and her black lace knickers. Jesus! Diana was sitting on the couch, laughing so hard she was crying and paying not one jot of attention to her role as dancing mistress. I looked across the room at her as she was wiping her eyes.

“Diana! Behave yourself. We need to know if we’re doing it right.” She’d managed to get herself under some sort of control, but as soon as the words were out of my mouth, she whooped again with laughter, and this time, Reags joined her. My ‘Strine may be rubbing off on Diana, but her facility for unintended double entendres was obviously wearing off on me. I looked at the ceiling and took a deep breath.

“All right …let’s just fucking do this!” And they were off again.

Reags left half an hour later. By that time, I’d seen the humour in it, and we’d finally got ourselves under some semblance of control. I’d danced with both of them and managed not to step on their toes too often. Periodically one or the other of them let me lead. I could tell there would likely be a couple of evenings out for Max, Reags, Diana, and me between now and the ball so we could work on dancing with our respective partners and then have a swap. I’m so glad I didn’t say that last whilst Reags was still here. The woman has a truly wicked sense of humour.


“Diana, I have a favour to ask of you.” We were lying on the sofa reading. She had her book on my shoulder, the spine leaning on the pillow propping my head up. My book was on the small of her back. I couldn't tell whose legs were whose.

“Yes.” She grabbed another pillow, hunched her back to move my book, put the pillow where my book had been, and pulled my book holding arm back down. “Better. It was starting to dig in.”

“You haven't heard it yet. Don't you want to know what it is first?”

“I don't care. If you need or want anything from me, I will move heaven and earth to make it happen.” I have no doubt she would even if it meant rearranging her life – no matter her fierce stand when we first met.

“When we're in Washington, the firm is putting on a cocktail party Sunday afternoon. Sooze is getting a little jammed up on the invitations, and I'd like for you to work with the hotel catering staff to pull together the food and drinks.”

“No wurries.” She smiled at me and kissed me softly. “They're already closed for the day. I'll have a couple of menus to you tomorrow afternoon. How formal do you want it to be? How many are invited? And what's my budget?” Easy peasy. No muss, no fuss. Diana had it handled. It can't be this easy.

“Make it look like any normal Washington Sunday afternoon meet and greet. Make it look like we have an established presence there. A little Australian flavour.”

“If you had an established presence there, we would be having an 'at home' in Georgetown or Alexandria, not the penthouse at the Hyatt Regency. Does Vegemite instead of paté sound Australian enough for you?” she smiled sweetly at me.

“I was thinking giant prawns. Vegemite is too predictable.”

“And giant prawns aren't? Why don't we go with what the hotel does best with fresh ingredients? Let the chefs be conservatively creative. With all the parties that weekend, by Sunday people will be partied out. Let's give them a relaxing day. The budget will determine the food.”

“Talk to Dino in the morning. He has the money rat-holed. We have about 75 invited; Sooze has the invitation list.”

“I was going to talk to Biggie, Capt. Bigelow, on Sunday. I'll arrange a breakfast meeting with him for Saturday morning instead.”

“What are you talking to the Captain about?”

“I can't go to DC and not talk to him. I need to make at least a courtesy call. Besides I need to talk to him about scheduling.” She saw my eyebrow cock. “No, I'm not rescheduling anything for you. Every eventing season, he comes up with some project for me. I want this season off. I don't want to take anything on until March. There are some people on the eventing circuit I haven't seen in a couple of years that I'd like to catch up with. In addition, I do need to bring up the fact that you exist. And though it's not necessary right now, you might be considered a conflict of interest for me someday. He probably ought to know sooner rather than later.”

I had moved from a fling to a potential conflict of interest. I am making progress with her. Granted it was an unusual way to hear it; I will not quibble with how she tells me.

“Why don't you have Sooze send him an invitation? You can still talk to him on that Sunday, and we can have more time to ourselves on Saturday. Who knows? There may be a scrum on the Mall I could join. I'll have her schedule him on the early shift. If the conversation goes on all day, not a problem.”

Her “Thank you” was heartfelt. Perhaps it would be that easy.

14 October 2005

We were in the Admiral’s Club at DFW waiting for embarkation on our way to Washington and the Australian Ambassador’s bash. I am incredibly happy. After the weekend ‘retreat’ Max, Dino, and I had laid our collective ghosts to rest. There is the court date to deal with, but that belongs in a different compartment this weekend. Diana was walking around with a perpetual smile on her face. For me, who had public displays of affection drilled out of him, to be comfortable not merely standing next to Diana but to have my arm firmly about her shoulders and be delighted with it was a leap of epic proportions. Reagan seemed a bit testy, but I chalked it up to possibly being concerned about missing her classes for a couple of days and having had a bit of a problem with finding a substitute. The flight was called, and we grabbed our carry-ons and headed to the gate. I turned to Reags.

“So, Love, ready to wow our new ambassador?”

“Sure, Terry. I can hardly contain myself.” What was that about? Clearly, I’d done something to annoy her. Best get this sorted quickly so I just asked what I’d done …sort of.

“Something wrong, Reags?”

“Actually, not at the moment, because now I know I’ll have Max in bed with me the next couple of nights.” Ouch! Well, I had been running him all over the country in my place since meeting Diana, so I suppose Reags had a right to be a bit out of sorts. Since mid-September, Max had been to New York, Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco, Austin, Seattle, back to New York, and then to St. Louis. Yes, Reags did have the Rock of Gibraltar on her left hand, but she would have gladly removed it simply to have Max home again for more than one night at a time. I looked at Max, and he was struggling to suppress a smile, so I shrugged.

“Ah, well. Guess that means I need to start making a few of my own trips again, eh?” Reags grinned but not at me. I turned to see Diana smiling at her and wondered what had just transpired behind my back.

SOOZE

I almost laughed out loud when Terry made that comment about making his own trips again. Dee had been standing just behind him when he said that and had clasped her hands in a prayer-like manner and silently mouthed, “Thank you, God!” Reags had struggled hard and managed to control her own laughter, leaving Terry to turn around and wonder what the hell had just happened.

The last month had been amazing around the office. The tensions that had damned near wrecked the firm during the late summer and early autumn had abated. I knew part of what had happened but not all. Frankly, I didn’t want to know ‘all.’ I was just glad that I could take the Dallas Police Department off my speed dial function because I was no longer worried that one of the three partners would unleash mayhem and decide to toss one of the other two out the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the outer wall of the suite. Max and Reags hadn’t set a date yet, but that rock on her left hand left no doubt as to where they were heading, and Terry …. Well, Terry looked like the cat that ate the canary and had a bowl of cream for dessert. He had smiled more this last month than in the entire time I’d known him. I knew that Dino and Terry had a few harsh words – it’s difficult not to read the body language even though the individual offices are soundproofed – but they seemed to have resolved their differences with each other, as well as whatever was going on with them and Max.

So what am I doing along on this little party? I’m Dino’s so-called arm candy for the Ambassador’s Ball. The firm had sprung for a clothing allowance for this trip – another of my wonderful perks for working for TEO. When I had gone to work for Terry and Dino three years ago, I had been scraping to make ends meet, and the biggest scrape had been for full time day care and baby sitters when I had to work late. When I’d interviewed with them, Terry had asked about child care because I’d already told them that if/when I worked late, I would need to know as early in the day as possible so that I could try and line up a sitter. If I couldn’t get one, I’d have to leave work long enough to pick up my daughter and then bring her back to the office with me. Terry looked at Dino then asked if I’d considered a full time nanny. I managed not to let my jaw drop as I said I’d never been able to afford one. Dino nodded and the next thing I knew, I was hired. Part of my compensation package was a full time nanny with no reduction in my salary to offset it. I don’t know what I’ve done in life to deserve having such great bosses, but I’m glad I did whatever it was. So, here I am; Dolores is home with Sarah, and I’m not worried about her. I miss her, but I’m not worried about her. Dolores is getting close to the age that she won’t need full time supervision for much longer, but at this point, I’m not yet comfortable with letting the nanny go.

Why did they hire me and pick up the nanny expenses? Because of my SigInt background. That means I can run any kind of communications device invented. I met my late husband while we were both in the military. He was killed in Operation Desert Storm three months before Dolores was born. Of course, I had his survivor’s pension, but with a growing child and the ever increasing cost of living, that didn’t go far enough. I’d had problems finding a job because my skill set wasn’t one that people were beating down the doors to access, and many employers today don’t want to hire single parents because of the never-ending parental responsibilities. When I’d answered the ad for TEO, I’d gotten lucky, plain and simple. They were in love with my skill set and were more than willing to pay for it. So, here I am, ready to hit the ground running in Washington, DC, and Dino had even offered to take me sight-seeing. I hope he realizes that I’m going to run his ass off in taking him up on the offer.

We got on the plane and located our seats. It was an early morning flight, and I’d been up late last night with Dolores; I was asleep before we started to taxi and didn’t wake until Dino nudged me to say that we were on final approach into Dulles.

MAXIMUS

We had checked into the hotel and were shown to the Penthouse Suite. Four bedrooms. One for Cassandra and myself, one each for Dino and Sooze, and Terry and Diana were sharing a room as well as a bed. Although I no longer felt the need to actively protect Diana, I was nonetheless uneasy about her open sharing of a bed with Terry. It seemed, somehow, inappropriate. Diana was my fiancée’s dearest friend and a single woman, thus I felt the need to safeguard her virtue and her reputation. I had also been somewhat dismayed at the immediacy of their initiation of sexual congress; Cassandra and I had waited months to take that step. I was also less than pleased with what I perceived as Terry’s lack of respect for Diana in his open sexual overtures to her the night of the opera. Had it been up to me – and irrespective of the fact that Diana is clearly her own woman and thus not desirous of my protection – I would have preferred he reserve his behaviour until he had called on her for a time. Of course, it is not my business to intrude into the private lives of friends, but I was concerned nonetheless. Cassandra and I had ourselves sorted out as regards luggage and walked into the lounge as Diana emerged from her and Terry’s room with a garment bag over one arm.

“The concierge will be up within 15 minutes to get my gown for pressing …anyone else need to send anything down?” Dino was ready with a comment.

“My tux is good to go …it’s been hanging in my suit carrier since before the opera.” Fortunately, he laughed as he said it, else Diana might have thrown one of her shoes at his head. Cassandra disappeared into our room and returned with her gown, as did Sooze. Only Diana’s gown remained hidden. I looked at Terry, silently asking the question. He shook his head.

“I’m not allowed to see her gown until tomorrow night; you’d think it was Princess Di’s bloody wedding dress. She’s guarding it like a State secret. Of course, I have seen the petticoats.” I felt that was a rather inappropriate public comment, but as it seemed to bother none other than myself, I kept my counsel. I did know about the dancing lesson and had laughed heartily when Cassandra told me of it that evening. While her behaviour may not have been the most prudent, it was nonetheless no more than Terry deserved, having once baited her. Having forced Cassandra and myself to endure his behaviour the night of the opera, he deserved no better than having the tables turned on him. I could only imagine Terry’s face when she removed her jeans.

Diana was ready for him. “The only reason you saw the petticoats is because I didn't want you to look stupid on the dance floor with me! It's hard to clean stalls in a ball gown. I’m used to wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and I had to get used to even walking in the damned petticoats.” Terry clutched his heart feigning a mortal wound, checked behind himself for the sofa, and fell onto it. It is good to see the warmth of their relationship at play.

Sooze had brought Thursday’s late evening mail with her and was now sorting it on the dining table. She handed each of us our stack, and as she handed Terry his, she tapped the envelope on top to draw his attention to it before turning to the rest of us.

“Just because we’re not home doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. Dino …hurry and get through yours. We can still make the Smithsonian’s Flight Museum this afternoon.”

TERRY

Sooze’s tapping the top envelope drew my immediate attention. The envelope was from the clinic and marked “PERSONAL – ADDRESSEE ONLY.” I took the stack into our bedroom and sat on the side of the bed, taking a deep breath before opening the envelope – read the contents and laid it on the bed.

“Diana? Could I see you for a moment?” She looked up from the DC Today magazine she was flipping through, carefully put it on the coffee table, and walked towards me, closing the door as she entered. Whilst waiting for her, I’d got the box out of my suitcase and was standing beside the bed.

“What is it, Terry?” I smiled at her as I dropped the box of frangers into the rubbish bin, holding out the lab report to her with the other hand. I don’t know which of us had the happier smile. Bloody hell. I wish she’d not let out that whoop. Now I’m going to have to lie and say I won the lottery. She was kissing up under my neck now.

“Diana, don’t do that …not with everyone in the lounge.”

“Terry Thorne turning down sex …especially sex without frangers? That’s not believable. Do I need to pull out my calendar and mark this down for posterity? The first time Terry Thorne turned down sex? Now …how do I annotate this in order to remember it perfectly? Was I offering, and he turned me down; or was I requesting, and he said 'not now?' Or was I demanding? So many questions, so few answers. I suppose it doesn’t really matter …the answer was still no!” She had been putting that onto the calendar in my laptop, and I reached over her, highlighted what she’d typed, and hit Delete. I looked down at her to see the blush on her face. I laid my hand on her face; her skin was hot. I pulled her to her feet and kissed her before speaking.

“Nothing for it, Diana. You’re just going to have to go back out there with a blush on your face.”

“Well, shit, Terry. If I have to go let them see my red face, there’s no reason for you to have said no.”

“I’ll make it up to you later. I promise.”

REAGAN

I looked at my watch as they came back to the lounge …less than five minutes.

“Well, that was fast. You going for a world’s speed record, Terry?” Terry just shook his head, and Dino laughed out loud. Predictably, Maximus pursed his lips and frowned at me. His voice was low when he spoke.

“Cara, perhaps commenting on the privates lives of others is inappropriate. It may serve to make Sooze uncomfortable.” I looked at Sooze, who was struggling to control her laughter as she wiped her eyes before speaking.

“Oh, geeze, Max. When Terry wasn’t in the office by 0830 the morning after the opera, I knew exactly what had happened. The fact that I don’t comment on it doesn’t mean I’m unaware of it.” Dino piped up.

“And I, for one, appreciate that.”

Terry smiled. “Folks, let’s get realistic. With the exception of Diana and Reagan, we all work together. We live in each others’ pockets. We are working this weekend, but only up to a point. The most important bit is that for the weekend, we’re all friends here. We all know the difference between personal and professional behaviours, and this weekend, we’re on personal time.” That pretty well diffused the potential discomfort, and Maximus relaxed. Sooze turned to Dino.

“Dino. Get your ass in gear. We have museums to visit.” Just as Dino opened the door to the hall, the butler walked up. Dino and Sooze left; the man walked in.

“I believe someone called for garment services?” Dee nodded as she walked over to pick up her garment bag, and I grabbed my and Sooze’s gowns. The butler looked at Maximus and Terry. “Which of you gentlemen is Mr. Thorne?”

“That would be me, Mate.”

“I believe this might interest you, Sir.” He handed Terry the morning’s Washington Post, opened to the Society page and pointed. He took off with our gowns as Terry closed the door and walked back to the lounge, reading as he walked. He smiled as he read aloud.

“The glitterati will be assembled en masse tomorrow night at the ball in honour of the new Australian Ambassador. However, the ticket most coveted this weekend is an invitation to a, or should I say, THE private cocktail party to be held Sunday afternoon in the Hyatt Capitol’s Penthouse Suite.”

“At least they didn’t spell out our names.” He looked at his watch. “I reckon everyone in town knew by noon.” Dee had been sitting quietly, but her foot had been bouncing non-stop since leaving the bedroom, and she cut her eyes toward me. I take hints well.

“Maximus, I didn’t get much sleep last night and could really go for a nap. You want to join me?”


The poor man actually believed that bollocks about taking a nap, and yes, at times he is amazingly innocent and unsuspecting. I closed the bedroom door as he walked through and into the bathroom, stripping down to my bra and knickers and was sitting on the edge of the bed when he returned. He sat, and started to slip under the covers …well, he tried to slip under the covers. I caught his hand and stood, pulling him back up with me. He looked a bit confused then spoke.

“What is it, Cara? I thought you wished to rest for a time.” I ran both hands down his chest, rested one there, and continued down to his groin with the other, stroking through his briefs.

“If you continue that behaviour, you will not get that nap you mentioned. You are aware of this, are you not?” I looked up at him.

“Have you ever heard of a polite, social lie, Maximus?” He tilted his head at me as he smiled.

“I see …so it was not your intention to sleep when we left Diana and Terry?”

“Maximus …I can sleep any time.” I leaned up and kissed him softly, catching his lower lip between my teeth and tugging softly as his arms went round me. My tongue slipped into his mouth, and I ran it around his front teeth before sucking softly on his tongue. Oh, yeah …I had his undivided attention. I moved in his arms, stepping slightly away from him, and kissed under his jaw, moving down his neck, taking a few tiny nips below his collar line where any resulting marks wouldn’t be noticeable to anyone other than the two of us. His head fell back, and he stepped backward to lean against the bed. I stroked him through the fabric of his briefs again. That got me a groan, and I licked across his clavicle and continued my journey south.

Tracing his right nipple with the fingers of my left hand, I felt it harden into a pebble as I covered his left nipple with my mouth and began to suck gently. I felt the shudder pass through him and stopped. I really didn’t want him collapsing on the floor when there was a bed at our disposal.

“Maximus, why don’t you get comfortable on the bed? This make take a while.” He started to remove his briefs, but my hands stopped him. “No …not yet. I’ll let you know when those need to disappear.” He lay down, and I crawled into the bed after him, lying beside him, leaning on my elbow, and returned to stroking my hand up and down his hard, muscular body. God, but I love his body. This is a man’s body, not a boy’s …not that work-out-in-the-gym every day, six-pack ripped look the kids go for. Maximus’ body was an amalgam of case-hardened steel under silk and satin, with just enough of a layer of fat overlying the muscle to give him substance. Maximus’ body was all solid, mature male with none of the pretty-boy crap, and he was all mine. Still on my side, I moved closer and resumed my attentions to the aforementioned glorious male body.

I kissed the nipple I hadn’t the first time as my fingers trailed down his abdomen, stroking through the soft hair before slipping them just under the waistband of his briefs and into the coarser hair of his groin. I deliberately avoided touching his penis, just teasing my fingers through his short curls. Another groan …louder this time. If I hadn’t been absolutely positive that Terry and Dee had adjourned to their bedroom, I’d have worried they would hear him …he’s not exactly quiet when his motor’s running. Well, truth be told, neither am I.

I moved further down his body, repositioning myself, and kissing along the now rapidly enlarging bulge in the front of his briefs, stopping to breathe heavily through my mouth over the tip of his penis, then mouthed him through the fabric. Another groan.

“Uuuunnnnhh. Yes, Cara.” I transferred my attentions to the skin around his navel, licking softly, and slipping my tongue into his navel before pulling his briefs down about an inch and moving to the soft furring of hair just below the waistband. I kissed along his hipbones and down to his thighs, smiling to myself as his legs shifted and moved further apart. Soft, wet kisses down the inside of his thighs, and I could feel just the slightest tremble in the muscles under his skin. I glanced upward …his eyes were closed and he was breathing through his mouth as his penis lifted away from his body, straining against the fabric covering. This was coming along nicely, and yes, that pun was intended. I slipped my fingers under the fabric between his legs, softly caressing his scrotum, feeling his balls begin to tighten …oops! Don’t want to get him to that point quite yet and removed my fingers as I moved over him.

“Maximus, Caro, raise your hips.” He complied, and I slipped off his briefs, tossing them away as I knelt between his now widespread legs. His cock bobbed at me, fully erect and hard …and before I was done, it was going to be one hell of a lot harder. I trailed my fingernails up the insides of both legs, watching the resulting shiver, then stroked his belly on either side of his cock. The next groan was panted out and louder than the previous one. He seemed to have lost the ability for coherent speech.

“Uunnnngghhh …Cara!” I had to move this along because if I don’t, his next groan really would get Terry and Dee’s attention, irrespective of what they might or might not be doing. I leaned toward his straining cock and licked slowly, starting at the base and following its rigid length all the way to the tip. Maximus is the first man I’ve ever had sex with who was uncircumcised, and I was absolutely fascinated with his penis. When he’s flaccid, his foreskin covers all but a tiny bit of the head but watching it begin to move up and back as he becomes aroused …well, I suppose it’s one of those occasions on which ‘you just have to be there.’ He lubricates better than the uncircumcised men I’d been with, and that makes sex more pleasurable for both of us. Today, at this moment, he’s fully erect. The glans has emerged from his foreskin, and there are pearly drops of precum at the tip. As I lick them off, he shudders and flexes involuntarily. As I take him in my mouth, his hands reach out and knot themselves in the sheets, his head arches back, and he whimpers. I suck lightly before beginning to move my lips up and down over his shaft, taking him as deeply as I can as his hips rock rhythmically. Within a couple of minutes I can feel him tighten, as I stroke just behind his testicles; they’ve drawn all the way up now and rest tightly against his body. I feel the tension build, and he’s there. He bucks into my mouth, one hand wrapping itself in my hair as if he’s holding onto me for dear life. He shouts as he comes, and I swallow rapidly to keep up with the ejaculate, holding him in my lips until he stills before running my tongue around his head one last time before releasing him. He rolls to his side and curls almost into foetal position, a reflexive movement that comes after his incredible release of sexual tension when I’ve done it as near to perfect as I can. One arm reaches out and pulls me in, holding me tightly as he exhales.

Finally, he stretches and turns onto his back, taking me with him, holding me close as I lay there with my hand on his chest, my head nestled into his shoulder. His other hand comes up and caresses my face, moving slowly down my body before he speaks.

“I have never known love and caring to the extent that you give it, Cara. I have never known such pleasure as I find in your arms.” He turned to look at me, tilting my head up to his own and looking into my eyes. “I have never known the joy and peace that I find with you.” Maximus doesn’t dissemble when he speaks of his love for me, of what we are together. More then telling me, he shows me his love every day, in everything he does. Those are among the reasons I love this man as I do. I felt the hot sting of tears as I nestled back into his shoulder, and we slept.

TERRY

Diana and I were still in the lounge when Max started to moan …and kept moaning. I looked at Diana. “Christ! Who would have reckoned Max for a moaner?” There was no need to worry about Reags and Max hearing our laughter at their expense. I filed the memory away for future use when old Maxie had the stick further up his Roman arse than was usual.

Diana slid across the couch into my arms. “They didn't think we would still be out here. I can't believe we are either.”

“Slow down, Diana. We don't have to be anywhere until eight. I’m fulfilling the promise to take you out to dinner at least once a month.”

“I made reservations for tonight at my favorite French restaurant on M. At seven.” French restaurant …on M Street …it has to be La Chaumiére.

“No wurries. We can still make one or the other. La Chaumiére?” Her eyes brightened at the name.

“Yes.”

I had to laugh. “Gerard isn't expecting the Thorne party until eight.” I do believe that Max is getting a world class blow job as the only sounds we’re hearing are from him - nothing from Reags.

“Let's put some more walls and closed doors between us and them. I don't want to know for certain that my best friend is a screamer.”

I nodded my agreement and helped her to stand. We walked to the bedroom with my clean bill of health still lying on the bed. She looked at it with a satisfied smile and sat beside it. “I’m so glad that’s over. I was so tired of the frangers.”

“As am I …but I liked some of the tricks you had learnt putting them on. And just where did you learn them? You aren't having a bit on the side, are you?” We were both anxious for another first for us. She had my shirt off; I had her Levis off, but we still had time to have a light hearted moment.

“You would be amazed at what you can find on the Net. Did you know there is a whole website devoted to frangers?” I have dropped my masque around Diana completely; she has accepted me warts and all. Bit by bit, she is beginning to let me in. Ah, yes. 'In' was the point of this retreat. “Don't look so surprised. It is still too hot at midday to work the horses. What did you expect me to do then? Be the little woman while you’re at the office?”

“I wouldn't want you to change your life for me. But porn sites?”

“I need something fascinating in my repertoire to keep you interested. Your prior conquests were, I'm sure – fascinating, I mean. This wasn't a porn site. It was educational.” I love her smile when she is having me on. And getting me out of my trousers.

“You are infinitely fascinating to me just as you are. The way you gasp when I kiss you here.” Instead of a gasp, she chuckled. “The way I never know how you will sound when I do this.” Now that was a gasp to make a man proud.

We hadn't bothered about turning down the bed except for rearranging the pillows to prop her up. Her eyes questioned my pillow motive, but she didn't voice her question as was her normal reaction. “Diana, I want you to see me come into you. All me, no more barriers. You and me becoming us.”

She watched as she guided me in. I watched as she guided me in. She wrapped her legs around me pulling me farther into her body. Such a metaphor. She was pulling me farther and farther in – to her life, her heart, her trust.

Her lips kissed my bicep next to where her hand rested. “So strong.” Talk about strong; she pulled me down to lay on top of her. “All of you. I want to feel all of you.” Our movements were long and slow, loving with every fibre, my arms wrapped round her, her arms about my shoulders.

When she came the first time, I could feel first her back spasm under my hand heralding its arrival. The rest of her body stiffened moments later and only then could I feel it on my cock. I slowed and felt her inner muscles rippling along my length. So much like her early morning stretch but somehow much more satisfying.

“I think I finally felt you – every wonderful bit of you,” she got out before attacking my mouth and leading me from below.

“Softly, Diana.” I reached down to hold her hips still. Just because she was not moving did not mean she hadn't other ways of moving me along. “Do that again. Yessssss.” Her muscles tightened from her entrance up with an arousing warmth. “I'm in no rush; maybe I am. Umph." That was nice. Kegel exercises are wonderful for a man as well.

I did want to watch her animated face.

DIANA

I love feeling Terry's power above me. The way his biceps bulge as he comes into me. The way his butt curls as he moves. The way his back and shoulders ripple. The way he watches for my pleasure first. The way he learned so quickly to hold the small of my back, always, to feel me come.

I love it about as much as when I pull him down onto me so I can feel his chest heave bringing in air to fuel us. He is so careful not to crush me, keeping most of his weight on his arms. He stays close enough so I feel our bodies sliding against each other; it is his small way of giving me what I want, yet protecting me, even from myself.

He makes me feel loveable and desirable. That’s a combination that is sometimes hard to find in one man. Hell, in my life, it has been hard to find at all.

Today I want him to be inside me quickly. I love that he wanted to be sure he had a clean bill of health before abandoning the frangers. No matter the reason they are used, condoms put a hesitation into sex. Today I want no hesitations.

I swear I felt every vein, every bump, every bit of Terry as he came into me today. Maybe because I watched as he slid in I felt them. I saw them and then felt them. There is something to be said for the anticipation however momentary.

“Softly, my ass. Terry, I want to feel you come inside me. I want to feel it NOW!” His giggle made me realize how stupid that sounded, and how my mouth – when speaking - can ruin a mood.

“I am sorry to say, my dear, that, unlike your porn sites. I can't come on command. You. Are. Quite. Fortunate. That. Laughing. Does. Not. Interrupt. Me.”

Yes, I am quite fortunate.

Terry pulled away slightly, as he does, to let me know that he was moving away from me. As usual, I replied with tightening my arms around him.

“Stay. Just a while longer.”

“Someday I will be too heavy for you to bear.”

“Not today.”


Saturday morning …sleeping in with Terry is still a surprise for me. At home, I’ve rearranged feeding the horses; I go to the barn, put the grain in their bowls, throw each of them a flake of hay for entertainment purposes, and go back to bed with Terry instead of waiting in the barn for them to finish eating. I have that first part of morning barn chores down to 10 minutes now. I will have to buy more hay, but Terry is worth it. We have 15 minutes before he hits the deck to be out of the house before seven.

We all straggled into the lounge around eight-thirty, and Terry was in assignment mode. He looked up as Maximus and Reags walked in.

“Coffee’s ready, and Diana didn’t make it so it should be strong enough. Brunch should be here in about an hour.” Reags yawned, and Terry grinned. “Not getting enough sleep, Love? Max keep you up late?” For once, Max laughed.

Reags looked at me and yawned again before speaking. “Nope, didn’t get enough sleep, but it was you and Dee who kept me awake …talk about listening to someone on the other side of the lounge!”

*

The butler tapped on the door, and Terry opened it …brunch is served. Terry’s laptop was beside his plate at the table. Between a bite of bacon and a sip of his coffee, he brought up Project, opening up the Scheduling and Assignments modules.

“All righty then …we don’t have to synchronize our watches, but here’s the time frame we’re working with today. The limo will be here at seven; that gives us time to get there and into the fucking presentation line so that when the ball starts at eight, we won’t have more than another hour to wait. Dinner will be here at five so Reags, you and Sooze can finish your make-up or whatever you two need to do. Diana, that gives you more than ample time to put on your lippy.

“Now, assignments for tonight. As we talked about in the office, Dino, you and Sooze will be working the corporate types. Max …you and Reags have the politicos; Diana and I will take the military. That brings up another topic we need to discuss further. How seriously should Diana and I be courting the brass tonight? Do we want to toss our hat in the ring for quasi-military operations? Max, Dino, we’ve tossed this around several times, but today we need to make the decision. I don’t want Diana to use her charms to get our name in the bin for operations if we don’t want them.” I nodded, thinking back on the conversations Terry and I’d had on that subject.

Terry’s and my pillow talk wouldn’t make sense to anyone but the two of us. We’ve talked organizational design, strategy, and business positioning. When the topic of quasi-military operations came up, I’d pointed out to him that I felt quite uncomfortable about bringing their name up, even when company names were solicited in an open meeting. I told him it was completely unethical for me to push TEO as a potential contractor. I returned my thoughts to the meeting of the moment.

“Yeah, I don’t want to cash in all my chips at once. If I get you in the pipeline for something and you turn it down, I’ll have lost a shitload of credibility.” Dino put down his cup.

“As long as we don’t have to deal with any of the military bullshit, I’m fine with it. If we get into that, someone else is going to have to deal with whoever’s spouting the BS, because I won’t.” Terry nodded.

“So noted. Max and I can handle that.” Dino looked thoughtful and then grinned.

“That gives me an idea for a new clause in the contracts …we’ll call it the extraneous information and action …the bullshit, clause. At our sole discretion, we activate the clause, and our fee triples. Tom should be able to turn that out with appropriate terms and conditions defined in about an hour. Tio, you can tell him to waive his fee on that one, because you know damned well it will find its way into some of his contracts.” Made sense to me.

Terry looked back at the assignments page. “So we’re in for quasi-military. Max, I’ve assigned you and Reags to work the politicians because she knows some of the Texas group, and that gets you an intro to others in the room.” Reags grinned.

“Yep. We’re going to walk in and find Congressman Poe immediately. He’ll introduce us to everyone else that we need to meet. Trust me when I tell you Ted will know the people we need to influence.”

That made me think of something that would make Terry's and my life a lot easier. “How close are the Congressman and Perry?”

“I don’t know for sure, but Ted was one of the more powerful judges to ever sit on the bench in the history of Harris County …and Perry knows that. My guess would be that Rick courted Ted in order to get votes from Harris County.”

“Okay …as soon as I see you two get to Perry, Terry and I will be there.” Reags grinned at me, and Sooze put in her observation.

“Yeah, because the next person that you’ll be introduced to will be the Prez.”

“Right!” Reagan frowned a bit before speaking.

“Of course, the last time I saw Ted, we got into an argument over tertiary education.”

My hopes sank. “You and your big mouth …how badly did you piss him off?”

“My big mouth had nothing to do with it …he objected to my bringing my class to observe a TV interview he was doing – and in which I was a participating panel member – because the bloody interview was during the time I held class that morning. Attending gave them an insight into the political process, and that’s an important part of the psychology of our culture …besides, I enjoyed taking him down a peg.”

There was always a way to salvage an untenable situation. “Reags, you’re pontificating again. Just shut up and apologise to the man if you need to. If Terry and I can talk to the President, the military will be easy to convince that TEO is a viable option for them.” Reags laughed.

“For you, I can do that.” Dino grinned and kissed her on the cheek. He looked at Max. “Max, are you in love with this woman? Are you sure you’re in love with this woman, because if you’re not, I sure as hell am!”

Terry looked at Dino, then at Sooze. “Sooze, I don’t want to exclude you and Dino from this little …encounter, but the six of us there at one time would likely make the Secret Service types a bit anxious. However, the potential for a photo op with a lovely Hispanic lady won’t be ignored. You will get your chance to meet him.”

“Terry, I don’t care if I meet him or not …I didn’t vote for him!” Everyone laughed at that, and Terry came back with a rejoinder.

“Then it’s a good thing you and Dino are set up to work the corporate side of the room. I hate for the Prez to miss a good photo op, but, if he does, he does.” Terry passed around invitation lists for the ball, each list with the couples’ respective targets identified. We looked them over, silently prioritizing who to hit first and who didn’t need to be worked at all. After a few minutes, he looked at me.

“Did you have anything about tomorrow’s party that needs discussing?”

“Just that all of us have to be up and moving – not to mention fully functional – not later than noon. The kitchen and hotel staffs will need to begin setting up by then, and we need to be out of their way. The group tomorrow will be targeted enough that there’s no need for delegated assignments. Of course, because it is smaller, if you didn’t get the business at the ball tonight, and you think having someone else make the pitch would be better, this will be the opportunity to do it in a less pretentious setting. We want to come out of this weekend so none of you guys have to go in and make a cold pitch to someone you don’t know for the next year. There’s always the problem of someone overstaying their welcome, but if that happens, we can’t exactly ask them to leave because their time’s up.” I thought about that for a minute before doing my usual thing of talking myself out of something I’d thrown out into the ether.

“Oh, these people are seasoned Washingtonians. The trophy wives will be checking their watches because it’s close to time for them to fulfil their weekly marital obligation and make their excuses. The Redskins play Kansas City today at one, so we’ll only have overlap for the first hour or so. The season ticket holders and the diehards in town won’t come until after the game, with an excuse as to why they’re running late. For those who are here and want to check on the game, we’ll have the small lounge set up with the telly going. As a matter of fact, I’ll volunteer right now to keep an eye on the group watching the game.”

“Talked yourself right out of worrying about how to get people to leave, didn’t you? Nice displacement activity there, Kiddo.” Reags knows me too well.

“Fuck you!”

“That’s Maximus’ job.” After they all stopped laughing at me, Dino chipped in.

“Max …do you know how to dance with Dee?”

“Most assuredly.”

“Uh huh. Tio, I know you can dance with Reags ….”

“I’ve been meaning to have a word with you lot about office gossip, and ….”

“That wasn’t gossip, Tio. I may have gotten it second hand from Max, but I have no doubt as to the veracity of the story.”

“So noted …but could you have waited longer than 30 seconds before telling Sooze?” I hope there was no one in the suite next door, because the shouts of laughter would probably have had them wondering what the hell was going on over here. There was no way Sooze could let that pass.

“Thirty seconds? Jesus, Terry, it took him five minutes to stop laughing …give the poor man a break!” Terry was grasping for whatever dignity he could still muster and tried not to laugh with the rest of us.

“As you well know, so long as she’s in knickers and thigh highs, I’m good to go!” I was relieved to see Maximus laugh at that. He has more of a sense of humor than I realized.

“Don’t you think it might be a good idea if I had a practice dance or two with each of them? Besides, that’s the only chance I’m going to get at Dee in her petticoats!” Terry laughed, but his reply was serious, and we all knew it.

“You got that right, Mate.” Reags broke the tension, minimal though it was.

“Okay, Dee, go get into your Scarlett O’Hara rig, and I’ll give Dino a test drive.”

DINO

Dee ran to the bedroom and returned with a couple of CDs for us to work with …Ernest Tubb’s Greatest Hits and one of Viennese Waltzes. I thought about Dee’s petticoats and realized that meant a real, honest-to-God ball gown …like those fluffy formals I’d had to deal with in high school. I don’t think so. I’d give it a try with something off old Ernest’s CD but didn’t think I had the fortitude or stamina to try a waltz. I’ll leave that to Tio. He’s the one who took ballroom dancing lessons as a kid.

Reags opened the CD player and punched up number three on the greatest hits CD, putting it on continuous play. I grinned, and so did she …Waltz Across Texas. She almost skipped to her and Max’s room, returning a minute later …in thigh highs, but with a pair of Max’s briefs over them. I don’t know who laughed harder, Max or Terry. Underneath that prim and proper exterior, Reags is a true nutball. Oh yeah …she did have on her pumps. I looked at Max.

“Max? Those are clean, aren’t they?” Max and Terry laughed again, and Terry actually managed to ask a question.

“You going to let Dino lead, Reags? Mind she doesn’t step on your feet, Dino. She’s determined!” I can handle that. I held out my arms; she stepped into them. My hand at her waist, hers on my shoulder, hands clasped. All together now ….

“One, two, three …one, two, three,” gently moving my extended arm, giving her a sense of my rhythm. On the third iteration, I stepped, and she followed me. We waltzed around the room like we’d been doing it for years …but for the one little bobble when Dee came back in wearing those petticoats. Not a single misstep. I looked at Max and Terry over my shoulder and grinned like a fool. Max’s eyebrows were up, and Terry’s eyes were narrowed, watching us closely. We continued until the end of the song, at which time I stepped back and bowed from the waist, and Reags curtsied. What Tio and Max didn’t realize is that with Reags having grown up in the Southwest and me in the South, we both knew how to two-step before we were five-years-old. I looked across the room.

“Piece of piss, Mates!” I managed to dodge the pillow Terry threw at me. I turned to Dee and held out my arms as Reags crossed the room and sat beside Max. Repeating the process with her, we waltzed around just as Reags and I had. No problemo. Well, unless you count her sweeping all the magazines and an ashtray off the coffee and end tables. When we stopped, I looked at her, then at the others.

“Obviously, we need to form a defensive perimeter around her …Max, you and Terry move the tables, and we’ll run at it again. Tonight we’ll bribe one of the Royal Marines to do petticoat salvage duty.”

“We won’t need that …tonight we’ll be on a ballroom floor and there’ll only be a handful of us in full-fledged ball gowns.”

Terry looked at her. “Is it absolutely necessary that you be one of them?”

“Keep that up, Thorne, and I’ll be wearing the Technicolor Wonder. Even in a town the size of Washington, DC, I’ll bet there’s not a suitable evening gown to be had at this point. At least not one I’d be caught dead wearing.” Well, shit. Tio had stepped in it this time because even though she laughed, Dee’s feelings were clearly wounded. Good old Max stood and stepped in to smooth it over.

“Diana, whilst you and I have now learnt to dance together, we have not done so when you were wearing that multi-layered …garment. Perhaps we would be well advised to try dancing together now, in order that I do not embarrass you this night by inadvertently stepping on your skirt.” Trust Max to make a dissertation out of what could have been a ten word statement. He and Reags really are well matched. They gave it a try and watching them made me think of something I’d heard my mom say when I was a kid …some big men really are light on their feet on the dance floor. When they’d finished, Dee turned and looked around the room.

“Any more takers? No? Then I’m out of this thing.” She headed toward the bedroom. Terry caught her hand as she passed him, giving it a quick squeeze as he looked up at her, his voice soft.

“I’m sorry, Diana.” She smiled down at him.

“I know, Terry. I knew you didn’t mean it the way I took it.”

DIANA

“You promised me there would be fabric over it. DC is not known for being fashion forward …this is a bit avant garde for them.” I laughed as Terry stood three feet from me, enjoying the view. I had just come out of the dressing room clad in my knickers, garter belt, and hose, with the petticoats over them …and nothing on top but Gran's topaz.

“The bra is built into the gown, Terry. You get to zip me up.” I disappeared into the closet, returning a couple of moments later with the gown over my arm.

“You’ll need to drop it over my head because if I try getting it on alone, I’ll get it all wrinkled.” That got a slow smile from him. I’d turned it inside out and handed it to him, standing with my hands over my head as he dropped it over my shoulders. I straightened it into place and turned, presenting my back to him. He zipped slowly, stopped, and kissed just above where the zip would close, then finished.

I turned and looked at him. I was quite satisfied with where the topaz lay on the bodice. He stepped behind me again, unfastening the necklace, and removing the chain. He reached into his pocket and came out with a shorter chain, threaded it through the loop, and refastened it around my neck. The topaz now hung just at the base of my throat. I turned back to face him, and saw the smile go all the way to his eyes.

“Diana, you look bloody gorgeous.”

SOOZE

We were ready to go at a quarter to seven, waiting in the suite until the butler called up to tell us our car was waiting. One good thing about being in the penthouse is that you have your own private elevator. Dee would have plenty of room for her gown and not have to worry about some fool pressing in with us and crushing it. The call came at eight minutes before seven. Last minute check on hair and lipstick as the guys stood impatiently at the door, and we were out.

We entered the lobby and moved toward the door, amid the crush of others obviously heading for the same destination. As we got to the door, a lady – also in a ball gown – brushed into Dee and turned to apologize.

“Sorry, Love. Oh! Thank Christ, someone else in a true ball gown. At least I won’t be the only one.” Terry grinned and spoke, as the woman was obviously Australian.

“I can’t say she wore it for you, Love, but she does know how to dress, doesn’t she?”

Into the car, Dino and me first, then Max and Reagan, with Terry and Dee bringing up the rear. Dino and I got into the forward facing seat, leaving the two in the back that faced each other for the other four. That would give Dee more room for her gown. As we got settled, Dee began apologizing.

“Guys, I’m really sorry …I didn’t intend this evening to be about my gown and how much room it takes to keep from crushing taffeta.” Max smiled and reached across to take her hand.

“Diana, no apology is required. You look lovely, and the gown becomes you as much as you become it.” He’s a charmer, that one. I was beginning to think his Old World manners weren’t so bad after all. And yes, I do know who Max, Terry, and Dino really are but that is part of their private life and doesn’t apply to me. You know the one thing I never figured out? Miranda. How the hell did she spend as much time with the three of them as she had over the last three years and not figure it out? Just how self-centered is that woman anyway? Dino interrupted my reverie.

“Just how pathetic is this? A fully stocked bar in this rig, and we’re not going far enough to enjoy it.”

We arrived at the hotel where the ball was being held and made our way inside, up the stairs, and to the grand ballroom, getting in line in order to proceed down another staircase when we were presented. At that point I, for one, was very glad Dee was wearing a ball gown. The wide skirts served to make us an island in the crush of bodies, and we could actually breathe. Terry and Diana first, Dino and me in the middle, and Max and Reags bringing up the rear of our little group. Terry and Dee were the next couple to be presented when a ripple moved through the crowd. A man in a black suit put his hand on Terry’s shoulder and spoke softly. Terry smiled and nodded, and they stepped back as half a dozen more men in black suits and wearing ear pieces formed a phalanx, forcing all of us in line back toward the wall and putting themselves between us and the other side of the corridor and the staircase. Terry leaned down and whispered in Dee’s ear, and she turned back and grinned at the four of us. At that moment, the orchestra stopped the chamber music, and the trumpets sounded …Ruffles and Flourishes. We could see the Australian Ambassador take the microphone, speaking above the music.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, George Walker Bush and his lovely wife, Laura. Misses Jenna and Barbara Bush.” As they moved past us, Mrs. Bush stopped long enough to whisper to us.

“I apologize for our jumping in front of you, but the Secret Service won’t wait!” She gave us a lovely smile, making me think again that she probably was her husband’s greatest asset. Hail to the Chief struck up as they began their descent of the stairs. We watched the four of them move down the staircase, flanked by the Secret Service escort. Two Royal Marines were at the foot of the stairs, and as the Bush twins put their feet on the dance floor, the Marines stepped forward offering their arms. Bet it’s been a long time since either of those two girls had escorts that good looking. I looked down about then and saw that Terry had managed to unbutton Dee’s glove at the wrist, and had his index and middle fingers inside it, rubbing her palm. That boy has it bad.

Terry and Dee now stepped to the top stair, and the major domo leaned in to get their names then brought his microphone to his mouth.

“Mr. Terrence Steven Thorne; Ms. Diana Lynn Walker of Dallas, Texas.” Diana looked up at Terry who leaned down and spoke softly in her ear. She laughed, and they started down the stairs. The major domo repeated the process with us, then with Max and Reags.

“Mr. Dean Patrick O’Reilly; Ms. Suzanne Maria Robertson-Vega of Dallas, Texas.”

“Mr. Max David Espan; Dr. Reagan Alexandra Kavanagh of Dallas, Texas.”

ACD (Australian Cattle Dog, AKA, Society Columnist)

When the major domo said ‘Suzanne Maria Robertson-Vega,’ the President’s head snapped round as if he was back in the Air Force and doing a snap roll …right. As if. Still, his thought was obvious …photo op. I noted the couple ahead of the Latina lady and her escort were almost at the bottom step. She was a lovely blonde escorted by the best looking bloke I’ve seen in yonks. She was laughing up at him as he smiled down at her. I nudged the photographer at my side and motioned toward the couple.

“Did you get that one? That was a pretty picture.”

“Done.”

I looked back at the staircase and there was another striking couple just hitting the bottom step. Big man, dark hair – Saville Row tux if ever there was one – wonder if he’s part of the Pom’s delegation? No, can’t be …the major domo said they were from Dallas, Texas, but he does have that regal air about him that so many of the upper class Poms do. The lady with him was another of those tall willowy blondes that seem to abound in the colonies on this side of the pond; nice couple. I was about to nudge my photographer to snap them when the Ambassador stepped back to the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I might have your attention for a moment? In honour of the President of the United States and his lovely wife and daughters, I would like to request all couples present who are from the great State of Texas to please advance to the dance floor. Please honour the President and First Lady by joining them in dancing to Waltz Across Texas.”

Got to give the new man credit …he knows how to play his politics. I also have to give the President credit …he dances like a bull in a china shop. Belay that …actually he just stands and sways. The man just has no rhythm and no sense of timing.

TERRY

I leant down to Diana and spoke in her ear as the band struck up the tune. “At least he picked one we’ve rehearsed.” We began moving across the floor as the opening fiddle began to play, and I leant down and sang the words softly in her ear. “When we dance together, my world’s in disguise, a fairy tale land that’s come true ….” She looked up at me, surprise on her face.

“You learned the words!”

“How could I not? You played it at least 50 times whilst we practiced dancing.” I smiled down at her. “The words suit us.” She smiled again as her eyes misted a bit. It wasn’t much of a stretch to realise that this is her favourite song. Waltzing Matilda may be taking second place now, but I’ll never give way on my footy songs.

We moved to the music, and I looked about the floor. The women were as jewel bedecked as I’d ever seen and the men very fine in their tuxes; Texas had done herself proud this night. The Congressional delegation was moving about, and I saw Reags smile over Max’s shoulder …looked the direction of her gaze. Congressman Poe and his wife. At the end of the dance, the President and his wife walked over to where we were standing – dutifully and discretely followed by the Secret Service - as Dino and Sooze and Max and Reags joined us. Max and I bowed from the waist as Dino and the ladies nodded deferentially.

“Gentlemen, Ladies. Let me introduce you to my wife, Laura.”

“Honoured, Mr. President. May I present Diana Walker (he nodded and held out his hand), Reagan Kavanagh (same story), and Suzanne Robertson-Vega. My colleagues are Max Espan and Dean O’Reilly.” He did the handshake all round bit and returned his attention to Sooze.

“Miss Vega.” Diana’s eyebrows shot up …I’d thought ‘Miss’ was more than a bit inappropriate for a woman beyond the age of 18, but perhaps this is a new trend; I’ll give the bloke the benefit of the doubt on that. Mrs. Bush smiled and spoke to me.

“Mr. Thorne. You’re Australian, aren’t you? What a delightful evening this must be for you and your countrymen.”

“It’s an honour to be here, Mrs. Bush.” I noticed that the White House photog who had been trailing the Bushes moving into position as the president took Sooze’s hand and pressed it warmly as he spoke.

“Miss Vega, it’s so nice to see one of our Latina cousins here tonight. Makes me feel right at home.” Sooze smiled and thanked him. Wonder what he’d think if he knew Sooze had campaigned for John Kerry? The photographer had his shot almost lined up.

“Would you folks move in a little closer? Yeah, that’s good.” The flash went off in our faces. Wonderful. Just what I wanted …our faces splashed all over the next morning’s paper. Two minutes later, and they were gone. My game face was on, but Reags knows me well enough to recognise that look. She put her hand on my shoulder.

“It’s okay, Terry. I can make a call and get it quashed.” Thank Christ. Okay. Time to separate.

“Let’s move to different areas of the dance floor. After that little spectacle, we won’t have to go looking for anyone the rest of the night …they’ll find us.”

REAGAN

“Maximus, I need my phone.” He gave it to me, and I walked to the French doors opening onto one of the balconies. Not too many people out here yet, and I found a secluded corner where I’d likely not been seen but could see anyone in the area within 15 feet of me. I pulled up Ted’s number and pressed the speed dial.

“Ackerman.”

“Ted, it’s Reags. I need your help.”

“Who do I have to kill?”

“No one yet, but I need a photo quashed.”

“Who’s in it?”

“Max, Terry Thorne, Dean O’Reilly, Diana Walker, Suzanne Maria Robinson-Vega and me …and POTUS and the family. He saw the photo op, and the White House photog got the snap.”

“Consider it done.”

“Thanks, Ted. I owe you again.”

“Just send me an invitation if you marry the guy.”

“You’ve got it, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Thank God for friends in high places.

ACD

Fuck! It would have been nice to be able to get that snap rather than having the bloody White House bloke doing it. Still, it will be available to the press and photographers’ pools, so I can get a copy early tomorrow. The bloody Secret Service blocked the shot Bobby was jockeying for. I’d have loved being the one to get credit for the president’s blatant effort at being photographed with a Latina.

REAGAN

“Reagan …it’s good to see you again. It’s been what, six years?”

“Close enough for government work, Congressman.”

“Congressman? Come on, Reagan. You used to call me Ted.”

“Well, that was before that little disagreement we had when I called you a pompous ass.” He actually laughed as Rebecca grinned.

“He deserved it, Reagan.” I’d met Ted’s wife, Rebecca at a fund-raiser for battered wives and subsequently met the man known throughout Texas as the last of the hanging judges. His nickname in the courts system was ‘Toothbrush Ted.’ The reality was that if a drug or alcohol offender had the misfortune to end up in Ted’s court, he or she had best have their toothbrush in their pocket, because they were going straight into lockup. Ted was well known for his inventive sentencing, and while much of it had gotten more than a few laughs, his technique was more than effective.

“Ted, Rebecca, let me introduce my fiancée, Max Espan.” Ted and Maximus shook hands and Rebecca extended her hand to Maximus. I could see the shock on her face as rather than shaking it, he took her hand in his, bowling low over it. He had pulled out the Old World charm.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Poe.” Rebecca actually blushed and did the closest to a titter that I’ve heard from her.

“Oh! Why, …it’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Mr. Espan. And please, do call me Rebecca.”

“And you must call me Max.” Yep, Rebecca was a goner. The music was starting again, and Maximus extended his hand to her.

“Would you do me the honour, Rebecca? With your permission, Congressman?” Ted nodded, and they moved away.

“Been a long time since I’ve seen Becky with that look on her face.” I tried not to laugh, but lost the battle.

“Don’t worry about it, Ted. He has that effect on all women. It’s the Old World charm and the English accent.” Ted held out his arm, and we followed Maximus and Rebecca onto the dance floor.

DINO

“Why the fuck do I always get stuck with the businessmen in their 60s and accompanying overweight wives?” For being my employee, Sooze sure doesn’t have any qualms about taking me down a peg.

“Because you’re the CFO, Dino. That stands for Chief FINANCIAL Officer, if you recall. It’s the men in their sixties who own their own corporations that can actually afford us. And if you think I enjoy dancing with the little old men who own their own corporations, think again. They have a tendency to think they own me, too. I’m going to be black and blue from the pinching when I take off this dress tonight.” Well, there was that, but if I had to dance with one more little old lady tonight, I’d probably puke down the back of her dress as a function of her overly liberal application of cloying perfume. Sooze sighed. I sighed. We smiled as we approached the next couple.

DIANA

“Help me get this damned glove tucked into the seam so that I can shake hands with the Admiral …gently …after your ongoing fondling, my wrist feels like it has beard burn.” Of course he giggled. As he tucked, he fondled a bit more.

“Terry? Are you even aware that you’re doing it again?”

“Yes …I am.” My wrist is actually hot, much warmer than normal, and probably a couple of degrees higher in temperature than the rest of my body. How can your own skin feel soft to you? Is it because it obviously feels soft to him, and that somehow transmits to me?

“Terry …stop now. Lieutenant Commander Richardson is whispering in Admiral Jennings’ ear. How much would you like to bet that he’s reminding the Admiral of our little encounter with the President?”

“Likely. And it will help us with every officer here tonight.”

“Yeah …it will.” We’d been walking toward the Admiral as we had that little conversation. He smiled as we reached him.

“Good evening, Admiral Jennings …Commander. It’s good to see you again.”

“Ms. Walker. I didn’t realize you knew Mr. Thorne.”

“Yes. Well, we met …no, actually, he saw …oh, it doesn’t matter. Yes, Mr. Thorne and I know each other.” Jesus, I was stammering like a schoolgirl. A waiter walked past, and I knew Terry was dying for a real VB, but he will do the socially correct thing and ask for scotch. As soon as we’re done here, we’re going to the bar, and this bloke will get his real VB. I dragged my attention back to the Admiral as Richardson spoke.

“Haven’t seen you around the Beltway for a while, Dee. You been hiding out in Texas?”

“Actually, I was in town the early part of September …Captain Bigelow is watching your collective budget, and all the Texas firms have been keeping their noses clean.” The Admiral looked at Terry.

“Mr. Thorne …may I have the pleasure of a dance with Ms. Walker?”

“Certainly, Sir.” We took off for the dance floor, and I looked back to see Terry and Richardson with their heads together and then turn toward the bar. Finally …he could get his VB. I smiled up at the Admiral as he spun me into a fox trot.

“What’s the smile about, Diana? May I call you Diana?”

“Of course you may. I was just thinking that my Australian date can now enjoy a VB because he outranks Richardson.”

“Really? Somehow, that smile communicated more than ‘my Australian date.’” Shit! I hate it when I blush.

“Well, Sir, he does live in Dallas, and he is Australian. He loves his Australian beer and doesn’t get it all that often.”

“And I’d be willing to bet you stock his favourite scotch in your bar.”

“Yes, Sir, I do. And that will not a problem professionally. We’ve already had that discussion.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Diana. The oversight program has gotten its sea legs, and I’d hate to lose one of the contractors who helped facilitate that.” When the dance ended, he walked me back as Terry hastened over, and we said our goodbyes. Terry walked me over to the bar.

“Two VBs, Mate.” The barman nodded and looked at me.

“Would you prefer yours in a wine glass or a stout glass?” I grinned.

“Stout glass!”

MAXIMUS

My Cara appeared to have danced with half the Congressional delegation, and I had done my utmost to charm their wives. Congressman Poe’s wife was a lovely lady, much prone to blushes. I took the latest in the line of wives back to her table and waited whilst her husband brought Cassandra back to me. We parted their company, and she looked at me.

“Where’s the nearest door? I’m dying for a cigarette.” Given the stress of a function such as this, I was surprised she had lasted this long. She had not smoked since we arrived, and we had been here more than two hours. I directed her toward a series of doors opening onto a balcony and out into the night. I took the pack from my pants pocket and cupped my hands round the lighter, shielding the flame from the evening breeze as she lit up. A waiter walked past with a tray of water, and I took two glasses, handing her one of them.

“Thanks. Congressman Paul almost talked me to death.” She took a deep swallow as Terry and Diana walked out, saw us, and walked over to join us. Diana took Cassandra’s cigarette from her fingers and inhaled deeply. Terry laughed.

“Diana, if you wanted a fag, all you had to do was ask.” He lit two and handed one to her. I looked at Cassandra. At that point Diana looked at Cassandra and said something that was quite beyond me.

“I’ll spit on him if you will.” Cassandra laughed.

“I’ll trip him, if you’ll spit on him.” Terry shook his head.

“Too late, Ladies. He’s gone.” Our ladies laughed and shrugged. I would wait until later to ascertain their collective meaning.

“Drink your water, Cara. You will need to be well hydrated for the next dance.”

“I will?” I smiled at her.

“Trust me.” At that moment, the orchestra began to play the Tango.

TERRY

Whilst we had to sit out the Tango as it is not a dance a woman in a ball gown can safely undertake, we did enjoy watching Max and Reags. It was pretty clear that at some point, the Old Roman had made time to take ballroom dancing lessons, and they were putting him in good stead with Reags tonight. Diana and I did the next waltz and as we left the floor, I felt a hand on my shoulder and spun about.

“Terry Thorne, you old son of a bitch!”

“Chuck Bryan! How did you manage to get an invitation to this gig, Mate? I wouldn’t think they’d let the likes of you in the door!”

“I have a beautiful wife …and it looks like you’re not doing too badly in that department yourself.” I smiled.

“We aren’t married, but she is a treat. Diana, Chuck Bryan. We know each other from a joint Delta Force/SAS mission a few years back. Chuck, Diana Walker.”

“Diana Walker …there was a Diana Walker a couple of years back who got the contract jerked from one of my suppliers …got them debarred. You that Diana Walker?” Oh, Christ. Diana smiled …perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad.

“That would be me, and they deserved it.” Chuck laughed.

“Yeah, they sure as shit did. That forced us into competitive shopping, and we saved 18% and got better quality. New supplier is a much nicer group to work with, too. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d never have gone looking for an alternate supplier. You did me a favor, Diana.”

“Always happy to be of service to the boys in uniform.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth I knew what was coming. Chuck looked at me.

“Pretty good service, huh, Terry?”

“Best ever, Mate!” Diana laughed with us, and I moved in.

“So, Mate, you still on the operations side of things?”

“Uh, yeah. But I’m moving more into the planning side these days. I’m too old – and too beat up – for field work these days. I train some of the kids …they don’t know enough yet to realize how fucking decrepit I am.” I nodded. I could appreciate his too-beat-up comment.

“You knew I was out …we’re doing K&R now. Wish I could say I wasn’t fully field operational, but with a three-man firm, we all have to take our licks.”

“Hmmm …you interested in helping us out on occasion?” I reached into my pocket for my business card case.

“Anyway I can, Mate. Just give me a call.”

DINO

To see the smiles on the six of us walking out, you’d think we had a good time, but none of us were talking, at least not until the door of the limo closed, and we’d cleared the driveway. Sooze started complaining about her bruises …on her feet as well as her butt. Reags was asking Terry questions, and Max and Dee were laughing. I waited for the noise to subside and said in my best Forrest Gump voice, “Elections are like a box of chawclits …ya never know whatchyer gonna git.”

“Run, Forrest, RUN!” That from Dee. That set us all off. We had the limo for the night …might as well get our money’s worth.

“Hey, Tio, bar’s open,” and he opened the ‘fridge and pulled out the champagne as the ladies got glasses. I knocked on the window of the cab and the driver ran it down.

“Once around the town, Pal. We’d like to enjoy the lights.”

MAXIMUS

The women were kicking off their shoes as we entered the suite, even as the three of us were loosening our ties. Terry walked to the bar.

“Drink orders?”

“Port,” Diana piped up first.

“Cassandra and I will have Armagnac.” I felt safe in making the request for her, as that was her preferred nightcap at home. Terry looked at Sooze.

“Ummm …maybe I’ll try port along with Dee.” He poured for the four of us, then poured cognac for himself and Dino. He raised his glass, and we met it.

“Cheers, Mates. We made some good contacts tonight. There’s minimal duplication on the invitations lists from last night through tomorrow. It’s fair to say that those coming tomorrow will have heard about the photo op from their mates at the ball tonight. Now, who do we need to target tomorrow?”

“I need to make sure that I talk privately to Capt. Bigelow. He needs to know that my relationship with Terry won’t present a conflict of interest.” The majority of those invited tomorrow were insurance lobbyists and senior representatives from the East Coast insurance carriers. Any of our current contacts residing in the Washington area were invited, and now Terry looked at Dino.

“Dino, you need to talk to your RECON buddy …remember, you told me he’s set to retire in six months.”

“Done.”

“Max, I’d very much appreciate it if you and Reags would deal with the insurance CEOs. You deal well with the elderly, and Reags, we both know you’ll charm their little old wives if you don’t mind doing so.” Cassandra smiled. What Terry did not realise is that the ‘little old wives’ as he called them would likely be the age of her late mother …and she would relish each moment with them. She smiled at him before answering.

“Terry, I would consider that an honour.”

Sunday, 16 October 2005, two in the afternoon

DIANA

“I hate this. I don’t have anything planned on what to say to Captain Bigelow.”

“When he arrives, we’ll meet him together. Everyone else will pick up the slack for you until you’ve spoken with him. What’s going to be most difficult for you to tell him?”

“I’m going to have the most trouble trying to characterize what our relationship is.”

“Well, yes …that is a problem. Try using the words seeing and together …and if you have any breakthroughs on the definitions, come get me!” Terry motioned toward a table with a grouping of chairs in one corner of the lounge. “When he arrives, take him over there. I’ll keep everyone away from you – and play waiter, if required – until you’ve had your little chat.”

*

I was about ten feet from the door when I heard it open and turned around. Captain Bigelow walked in, and his surprise at finding me here was obvious. Terry was at my side, and we went to meet him.

“Diana! What’s your association with TEO?” Trust the Captain to get straight to the point. Terry stuck out his hand.

“Terry Thorne, Sir. So glad you were able to join us. Why don’t you and Diana step over here and have a bit of a chat. What may I get you to drink?” Terry motioned us toward the table and we sat.

“Something soft for now. Thanks.”

“Captain Bigelow …my association with TEO. Let’s address that. I’m seeing Terry Thorne, and it appears that we will be together quite a bit.”

“When did this start?”

“About a month ago.”

“So it’s not because of briefings? You didn’t meet him in DC?”

“No, Sir. We didn’t meet in the context of a briefing, though we did figure out that we had seen each other before. We actually met because one of Terry’s partners – Max Espan – is engaged to my best friend, Reagan Kavanagh. They’re over there …talking to the elderly couple.” I pointed across the room. Terry chose that moment to return with the Captain’s coke.

“Sir, are there any questions I can answer for you?” Terry stood almost at attention, appropriate for his and the Captain’s difference in rank.

“Not at the moment, Mr. Thorne.” Terry nodded and walked away.

“Captain, I’ve read all the regs on conflict of interest, and as far as I can tell, I don’t have one that I would even need to disclose for a security clearance investigation. However, since you and I see each other so infrequently, this is a relationship of which you need to be aware because there is the potential for a conflict at some point in time. In the event that happens, I will remove myself from any conversations regarding his firm. I will not put you in an untenable situation.” He sat back and looked at me. This was a lot for him to take in. Given that he’d only seen me in a professional setting it probably never occurred to him that I might actually have a private life. Hell, he doesn’t even know I have dogs and horses because I don’t have an office in the Pentagon, and thus no place to display pictures of the critters. I suddenly realized that from where I was sitting, I was facing Terry’s and my bedroom door. Biggie’s hair – what little he has left – would curl if he knew what had transpired on the other side of that door last night …and this morning.

“Diana, I never thought of you as having a private life. I pick up the phone and tell you where to be and how long you’re going to be there. How likely is this relationship to compromise your work availability?”

“It won’t, Sir. But I do have a favor to ask.”

“Oh, geeze …what?”

“I do have the spring eventing season coming up – that deals with my horses and their shows – and I need to stay home so I can prepare for that. I’ll probably only do a couple of shows this season, but I’d like to have that latitude.”

“I didn’t even know you had horses …how many do you have?”

“I have six …five at the house and one at my coach's barn. I also have two dogs.”

“And one boyfriend.”

“I’m much too old to have a boyfriend. Let’s just say I have a man in my life.” For a while, I have a man in my life …. “I could take some assignments in the Houston area, but I’d have to charge you more for that, as I’d have to fly down and back every day. I’d prefer working the Dallas area only.”

“Who took care of your horses in the past when I had you on long-term assignments?”

“A neighbor down the road, but she can only feed them. To get my competition horse and myself ready for the season, I have to be home to work him every day.”

“So the reason you’re not going to be working is because of horses and not the man in your life?”

“Right. I had the horses years before he came into my life, and for the past few years, something has always come up to keep me off the circuit.”

“Okay …you’ve given me enough time that I think we can work around your horse shows. I just never knew that you had that interest."

“When you called in the past, I just withdrew my entry. One of the reasons I left corporate life was so that I would have more time to spend eventing. It’s a tough sport, Biggie. Since I took on contracting with you, I haven’t had the prep time I need. I want this one season.”

“We’ll make that work for you.” He looked around the room.

“Thorne’s Australian …the new ambassador. So who all did you talk to last night?”

“Admiral Jennings for one, and we did work the room.”

“So all the brass from the Pentagon saw you together.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You must have some pull with TEO …this conversation was the reason for my invitation today?” I did have the good grace to look sheepish.

“Yes, Sir. I didn’t think it would be right for me to be in DC and not take the opportunity to see my boss. This was the only time I could create to talk with you. Besides, Biggie, being seen here today isn’t going to do your reputation any damage.” He smiled.

“Won’t do me any harm at all. And thank you for that.”

“Okay, then …go work the room! I have hostess duties …granted those duties are monitoring the group in the sports’ lounge, but when you put together the planning document on one of these gigs, you get to pick your assignment.”

REAGAN

I’d been watching the door looking for Ted Ackerman. We had invited him today as the five of us deemed it important that he meet Maximus, Terry, and Dino. He walked in about ten minutes past two. It had been several years since I’d seen him, but he was still the same good looking man I’d so loved working with. His hair was beginning to grey a bit at the temples but considering what he did for a living, that wasn’t surprising. If I’d stayed with the Bureau and at the BAU, my hair would likely have been snow white by now. I walked across the room to meet him.

“Ted! It’s so good to see you.” He pulled me into his arms and gave me a crushing hug followed by a peck on my cheek.

“Reags …damn, Woman, you haven’t changed a bit …well, aside from cutting off the hair. When did that happen?”

“About six months ago. Major life changes tend to precipitate major changes in appearance for me.” We laughed. When we’d worked together, I’d not only cut off my below-the-shoulders length hair when I split with Bill, I’d also become a flaming redhead for about a year. He nodded.

“Yeah, I remember that about you. At least this time you kept the natural blonde.” He looked around the room. “So, which one’s Max and when do I get to meet him?” I nodded in Maximus’ direction.

“Big guy, swarthy, with the beard …talking to the little old lady who is clearly smitten with him.” Ted laughed, and Maximus turned, smiled at us, and went back to his conversation. When he was finally able to extricate himself from her, he walked over to join us, holding out his hand to Ted.

“Max Espan.”

“Ted Ackerman.” Maximus smiled.

“I have heard much about you from Reagan. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.” They walked off with their heads together, and I heard the door to the suite open followed by a comment from Dino.

“Well, hey, Buddy! Didn’t know if you’d make it …glad you did.” As one of the resident hostesses, I turned with a smile on my face and found myself looking into the twinkling blue eyes of Jack Aubrey, late of Her Royal Britannic Majesty’s Navy. I swallowed as the two of them walked over to where I stood, probably looking like a carp at feeding time; I’m sure my mouth had fallen open.

“Reags, let me introduce Jack Aubrey. Jack, Reagan Kavanagh, Max’s fiancé.” I extended my hand, and he took it, bowing low over it then standing erect to look at me. His eyes swept over me from head to foot, lingering just a moment too long at my breasts before he blushed and looked back into my eyes. Oh yeah, this was the real Jack Aubrey.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my Dear. I’ve heard much of you from Terry and Dino. Maximus is a bit more reticent, and I can understand why. Were you mine, I would be loathe to so much as introduce you to another man.” Oh, geeze. Why did he have to be so damned charming? He was even better looking than in his film, dressed in an afternoon suit that was impeccably tailored, his hair pulled back in a neat queue and tied with a black grosgrain ribbon. Thank God Maximus heard him, else I’d have probably made a complete fool of myself. He excused himself from his conversation with Ted and walked across the room to join us.

“Jack, it is good to see you again.” A bear hug followed with the usual back-slapping routine and that gave me time to regain my composure.

“It’s good to see you again, Maximus. Dino has introduced me to your lovely lady. Had I met her first, I should have given you a run for your debts. No, that’s not quite the thing …I should have …you know what I mean.” Maximus laughed and so did I. Jack Aubrey at his finest with his malapropisms and mixed metaphors had arrived. He smiled again.

“When is the happy day? Has a date for your consummation been set?” Of course I blushed …the consummation had occurred long since, and I was quite sure Jack could figure that out on his own. He looked at me before speaking. “I beg pardon, Ms. Kavanagh. I should not be so bold.”

“It’s alright, Jack, and please call me Reagan. We haven’t set a date yet for the wedding. It will likely be sometime next fall.” Maximus’ eyebrows went up, and he smiled as he spoke.

“Thank you, Jack. That is the nearest I have been able to get her to actually setting a date for our marriage. I now have hope she will actually go through with it.” I could see the glint in Jack’s eyes as he digested that bit of information. If I were inclined to pit one man against another, this could be a lot of fun. Fortunately, that isn’t my style, and I would never do that to Maximus or Jack. Still …it would have been entertaining. Dee and I would have a really good laugh imagining those two in that situation. “Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to let Terry and Dee know you’ve arrived, Jack.” And I needed to put some distance between me and Jack Aubrey …was it my imagination, or had the room’s temperature taken a sudden ten-degree climb?

*

I leaned over the couch to whisper in Dee’s ear. “Dee! Come with me, right now!” She looked up at me.

“They’re about to score; can’t it wait?”

“Diana! Come with me right now.” Oh. That got her attention. She stood, and I leaned in. “Where’s Terry?”

“Out on the balcony having a smoke with Biggie.”

“Okay, we’ll get to him in a minute.”

“What’s going on?” By that time I had managed to steer her back into the main lounge, and I nodded across the room to Maximus, Dino, and Jack. Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open.

“Close your mouth before something flies in there.” She closed her mouth but not before she whispered in a very credible attempt at sotto voce.

“Jack Aubrey …oh, I am so screwed ….” Right you are.

“Take a number and get in line.” I dragged her across the room.

“Did you know Jack was coming?” Dee hissed.

“Not a fucking clue! We need to kill Maximus and Terry after everyone leaves.” I smiled at Jack and Maximus as we walked up to them.

“Jack, allow me to introduce my dearest friend, Diana Walker – Dee – and she’s also Terry’s lady these days.” She held out her hand and was treated to a re-enactment of my experience. I laughed inwardly as I watched the flush move up her neck to her cheeks.

“How lovely to make your acquaintance, Ms. Walker …may I call you Diana?” Bet she wouldn’t ask him to call her Dee …not the way Diana rolled off his tongue with that hint of desire in it. She smiled before speaking.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, too, Jack, and of course, you may call me Diana. I suppose I’m a cross between your two ladies …Diana, but with blonde hair.”

“And a lovely combination you are, my Dear.” Fortunately Terry and Biggie chose that moment to come in from the balcony, and Terry spotted Jack immediately. They walked across the room to join us, and Terry’s arm went immediately around her shoulders. Hmmmm …a bit possessive are we, Terrence? Staking the claim early just so there’s no mistake made regarding her availability?

“Jack, good to see you, Mate. You’ve met Diana? Good, let me introduce you to Captain James Bigelow of the U. S. Navy. Captain, this is Captain Jack Aubrey, formerly of Her Majesty’s Navy, now attached to the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.” They shook hands, and Bigelow spoke first.

“What’s your position at the Academy, Captain Aubrey?”

“I have the honour of being the Sailing Master, and do call me Jack. It is my duty to introduce the midshipmen – and midship ladies – to the skill and art required to sail a four-masted vessel.” Dee rolled her eyes at midship ladies, and I tried not to giggle.

“Bet that has a few dicey moments.” Jack’s booming laugh filled the room, causing more than a few heads to turn our direction.

“On occasion, that is quite true. Fortunately, my training crew is quite good, and there have been only a few mishaps. Not at all like …some of my earlier ventures. When we leave on the cruise, they are incapable of taking the ship out of her berth; however, by the time we reach Sydney, they sail her proudly into her berth at the Royal Navy’s dock.” Good catch there, Jack. Terry smiled in memory.

“When I was a little nipper, my dad took me down to the harbour to see the cruise arrive. I didn’t think they’d ever get docked. Hopefully they’ve improved with your guidance.”

“That was before my time, Terry, as you well know. I am not a harsh captain, but I do insist on perfection.”

*

Dino: How did it go with the Captain?
Diana: Biggie or Jack?
Dino: Biggie. Jack completely blew you away.
Diana: Fine. He was more surprised about the horses than he was Terry.

*

Terry: Have a good beer, Sir. (handing the Captain a VB)

Bigelow: I haven’t had VB since the cruise.

*

Dee: At least you don’t have to worry about a bouncy castle today.

Reags: Or sugar highs from you feeding the kids cokes while I’m pushing apple juice!

*

Diana: Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?

Terry: You had access to the guest list; I reckoned that name would jump out at you considering one entire shelf in the library is Patrick O’Brian books.

Diana: I wasn’t looking for names. I only needed a body count.

Terry: Would you have done anything differently if you’d known he was going to be here?

Diana: I might have asked the hotel’s chef if he had a recipe for Spotted Dick!

*

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson: How long were you in the Marines, Mr. O’Reilly?

Dino: It’s Dino. I was in the regular service for three years, then moved into RECON.

Senator: Really! Now that’s interesting. So …Dino …is there anything I can do for TEO here on the Hill?

Dino: Let me give you my card, Senator. You let me know when we can do something for you.

*

Maximus: It was good you walked up when you did.

Terry: Right …a cross between Diana and Sophie would have been way too much for Jack to resist.

Maximus: I will admit to being relieved I was close at hand when Dino introduced him to Cassandra.

Terry: Yes, and Reags doesn’t have the trifecta effect that ‘Diana’ does on him.

*

Maximus: We have taken on firms insuring groups as large as 2,500 down to individual families. In the event that we need to retain additional personnel, that option is available to us, and at our discretion.

Insurance CEO 1: We service a number of large corporations - a couple of Fortune 500s among them – but we don’t offer K&R coverage. Would your firm be interested in putting together a proposal for us?

Maximus: It would be our pleasure to do so, Mr. Wong.

*

Ackerman: You two set a date yet?

Maximus: That is a topic of ongoing negotiations.

Ackerman: You’d better be good at negotiating, Max. She can charm the birds out of the trees.

Maximus: So I have discovered. My proposal to her turned into a full-fledged negotiation. I wanted to marry almost immediately. She countered with an indefinite time frame. I suggested six months. She said one year. We have settled on not less than six months and not more than one year.

Ackerman: No firm date yet?

Maximus: I suspect the one-year mark will be the date, around mid-September next year. We would both like to have you present on that day.

Ackerman: I’ll see if I can arrange not to be on assignment next September.

*

CEO Trophy Wife: I understand you’re with the Royal Navy, Captain Aubrey.

Jack: Not any longer, Mrs. Branch. I’m now with the Naval Academy as their Sailing Master.

CEO Trophy Wife: Ooohh! I’ll bet that’s fun. Do you have your own boat, Captain?

Jack: I do. She is a lovely craft, slim and supple, and slips through the waves like a hot knife through cream.

CEO Trophy Wife: Perhaps you might take me sailing one day. My husband and I live about twenty miles from Annapolis.

Jack: (beginning to suspect she has more than sailing in mind …) I fear that would not be possible, Mrs. Harte …Branch. She is large enough only for two experienced sailors. I would not risk your welfare by having you aboard without another crew member. If you would excuse me …I believe Mr. Espan is signalling me.

*

(From the “Sports Lounge,” various and sundry male voices …and one, lone female)

Voice One: YEAH!!

Voice Two: Well, fuck.

Voice Three: Go for the touchback, Dickhead!

Diana: Run FORWARD, you idiot!

*

Lobbyist One: We’re drafting a White Paper on that bill next week.

Sooze: Let me send you some of the information we’ve accumulated on that.

Lobbyist One: I’ll be sure and give you an attribution.

Sooze: Oh, that won’t be necessary. What I’m sending is readily available in the records. I’ll just save you some time digging.

*

Maximus: I see you managed to escape the lair of the tigress.

Jack: Are you referring to Mrs. Branch?

Maximus: I am.

Jack: She is a lovely morsel. Whilst ladies’ clothing has changed over time, ladies’ behaviour is much the same. I actually called her Mrs. Harte and had to correct myself!

Maximus: Let me tell you of my introduction to ladies of the 21^st century. There was a mixer on the pool deck of my flat building, and ….

*

Elderly Insurance Wife One: Which of these fine gentlemen put this lovely ring on your finger, Honey?

Reagan: The gentleman just over there …the rather swarthy one with the beard.

Elderly Insurance Wife One: Oh, my goodness! You two will just make the most beautiful babies, now won’t you?

Reagan: We certainly intend to try, Ma’am.

*

Maximus: What did you and the elderly lady with blue hair find so intriguing? She was most animated.

Reagan: She asked if you and I were planning on making beautiful babies.

Maximus: (smiling) And what did you tell her?

Reagan: I told her that we certainly intended to try.

*

Dino: Going into withdrawal yet?

Reagan: From what, Dino?

Dino: No rug rats here for you to entertain.

Reagan: Go to your room!

Dino: These people are standing in my room!

*

Terry: I’d envisioned an all-Aussie weekend.

Female Lobbyist: I haven’t heard any other Australian accents today. Are you the only one here?

Terry: Love, I’m the only ‘bloke’ in the place.

Female Lobbyist: I hate to sound silly, but I could stand here and listen to you talk the rest of the afternoon.

Terry: (smiling as he walks her toward the bar) I do have a dirty limerick I could tell you ….

*

Diana: I am dog tired.

Terry: I am, too. I could go for a kip. But we needed this as the follow-up to the ball.

Diana: Yeah, and who would have thought the President would do our work for us?

Terry: How much did you say you tossed into his campaign?

Diana: Not a dime to either of the candidates. I consider myself part of the military these days, and contributions aren’t allowed.

*

Dino: Short-timer.

RECON Guy: Yeah, counting the days.

Dino: You know who’s taking over for you?

RECON Guy: Not yet …but you’re first on the list of people I’ll call when I do. If he doesn’t know you, since you’ve been out so long, it would be good for you to have some face time with him.

Dino: Give me a call …I’ll rearrange what I have to.

*

(In the ‘Sports’ Lounge’ …Dino sits beside Dee on the sofa, and rests his arm along the back of it behind her.)

Diana: Dino, get your arm off the couch behind my back.

Dino: Why?

Diana: Because that’s what Maximus does when he’s in protective mode.

Dino: Sorry, Honey, that’s the only way I can stretch out these tired muscles in my shoulders.

Diana: TOUCHDOWN!!

*

Terry: Have you had time to call and check on Dolores?

Sooze: Yeah …she was already gone to a friend’s to study.

Terry: Are you worried about that …about not getting to talk to her?

Sooze: No, because she’ll talk my ears off asking about the weekend after I get home tomorrow.

Terry: Sooze, I appreciate your coming with us. I know how difficult it is to leave your only child.

*

Maximus: I notice you have not been to the ‘Sports’ Lounge.’

Terry: I don’t want to undo all the good we’ve done this weekend by talking about sissy American football.

Maximus: Give blood …play rugby.

*

Dino: What time is it?

Terry: Not bloody late enough.

Dino: Go watch the football game with Dee. I got it covered out here. If Cheney shows up, I’ll come get you.

Terry: Thanks, Mate.

*

Dino: Never did get your name, Pal. Can I call you Jeeves for the next couple of hours?

Jeeves (the butler): That will be quite acceptable, Mr. O’Reilly.

Dino: Help me work that couple out the door.

Jeeves: Of course, Sir.

*

CEO Trophy Wife: It was a lovely reception. Thank you so much for inviting us, but we do need to get home now.

Reagan: I know it’s difficult giving up a Sunday afternoon with your husband. Thank you for taking time out of your personal life for us. (Yeah, it’s time for you to go home and fulfil your pre-nup clause 6.A.)

NOTES

SigInt	Signal Intelligence Corps
Major Domo	In this setting, it is the individual who announces guests as they arrive at formal functions.
Eventing	A horse triathalon. Originally cavalry officers received promotions based on their placements in the competition. The same horse/rider combination competes in three different disciplines – dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Dressage shows the horse's elegance and gaits; cross-country has the pair galloping and jumping sturdy jumps, ditches, and water; show  jumping requires accuracy and stamina as it is the last day of the show.
The cruise	All midshipmen (AKA, ‘mids’ or undergraduate students) at the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland go on a summer cruise at the end of their plebe (freshman) Year. Traditionally, one of the ports of call on ‘the cruise’ is Sydney, Australia to liaise with the Australian Navy.
Regs	Regulations.
Mrs. Harte	For those not having read the Aubrey-Maturin series of books by Patrick O'Brian, Molly Harte, the wife of Jack's admiral, and Jack were engaged in an ongoing affair that very nearly cost Jack his commission.