Chapter seven. After Sloan left, Michael sorted file folders and disks with the work she intended to finish at home and put them into her briefcase

AFTER SLOAN LEFT, Michael sorted file folders and disks with the work she intended to finish at home and put them into her briefcase. As she closed the office door behind her, she was surprised to find Angela still at her desk. " What are you still doing here? "

" Foster sent in the summary for the telecommunications project late yesterday afternoon. I knew that you'd want the portfolio to go out to marketing first thing on Monday, so I thought I'd get started. I'm collating the information now. It should be ready to print soon."

Michael smiled, shaking her head in fond admonishment. " You know I don't expect you to work on Saturday afternoons unless it's an absolute emergency." She glanced at her watch. " And it's officially afternoon now. I appreciate it, and you're right, I will need it on Monday. But it can wait until you come in Monday morning."

" I'm on my way, " Angela said gratefully. She had a date that night and a million things to do before Karen picked her up. She tilted her head, and studied Michael carefully. Her boss looked weary, and strangely, sad. " Is everything all right? "

Michael stiffened slightly, never comfortable discussing herself. Even though Angela had been her personal secretary for three years, and knew her about as well as anyone, they were not friends. She trusted Angela, but she did not confide in her. " Yes, of course. I'm fine."

Angela accepted the automatic response, knowing there was no point in questioning Michael further. She deftly changed the subject, because she was curious about something else. " By the way, I've noticed you've got a new computer consultant. Is Mayfield leaving? "

Michael hesitated, wishing she could explain. She had confidence in Angela's discretion, but it didn't seem fair to burden her with knowledge that she would have to conceal. Angela rarely worked directly with Jeremy, but they certainly came into contact frequently enough that it could be uncomfortable for her.

" No, it's not about Mayfield, " Michael said casually, referring to the systems administrator they employed to handle their ordinary computer issues. " Sloan is just doing some personal work for me."

Angela snorted slightly, " That's definitely Sloan's strength. Up close and personal kind of work."

Michael looked at her in slight confusion. " I beg your pardon? "

Angela only shook her head. Sometimes Michael could be so naive. " JT Sloan is a very smooth operator, " she remarked, not bothering to hide her bitterness. " She tends to mix business with pleasure, if you know what I mean, and women are her specialty. Although I guess that's not likely to be an issue with you."

For some reason, Michael felt herself blushing. She knew Sloan was a lesbian, but she hadn't given it any thought the previous night. Perhaps she had been hasty in accepting Sloan's invitation to the Cabaret, although she seriously doubted that J.T. Sloan would take any notice of her in that way. It had seemed harmless enough, and had turned out to be one of the most enjoyable evenings she could remember in a long time.

" I hardly think that Ms. Sloan would have any interest in me in that regard, " she said dismissively.

Angela stared at her, wondering if it was possible that Michael really did not know how attractive she was. In addition to being stunningly beautiful, she was intelligent, accomplished, and kind. A rare combination for a successful businessperson. Angela had struggled with her attraction to Michael for months. She knew it was an impossibility, not only because her charismatic employer was married, but because Michael Lassiter seemed to have no clue as to the possible interest that others might have in her. Angela had seen any number of men make fruitless attempts to entice Michael into an office dalliance, and several women too. Michael simply didn't recognize the overtures. She was always too occupied with whatever idea consumed her at the moment.

" With Sloan any woman is a possibility. Just don't take anything she says or does seriously, and you'll be fine, " Angela advised, getting up to gather her things.

" Thanks, " Michael said dryly. " I'll remember that."

Resolutely, she pushed the lingering sound of Sloan's voice from her mind, and dismissed the fleeting images of that remarkable profile outlined in moonlight from her consciousness. As she did so often, and so unconsciously after so many years, she turned her mind to her latest project. She was unaware that the hollow sounds of her footsteps echoing in the deserted hallway matched the ever-deepening emptiness in her life.

" I need you to dig out some background for me, " Sloan said as she inched her way through the early afternoon traffic on the cross-town expressway.

" Oh yeah? Who are we investigating? " Jason asked on the other end of the phone.

" I want to know what you can find on Michael Lassiter, her family, and Jeremy Lassiter."

" Is there a problem with that assignment? " Jason inquired, obviously surprised by her request. It wasn't typical, particularly with their jobs in the private sector. And despite Sloan's reputation as a playgirl, it wasn't typical for her to date a client either, at least not before the account was completed. She had surprised him showing up at the Cabaret with Michael. Of course, there was always the chance he had been wrong about the way Sloan had looked at Michael Lassiter the night before, and she wasn't really taken with the new client after all.

" No problem. I just have the feeling that the time might come when I need to know everything there is to know about the Lassiters." She didn't see any point in explaining to Jason how uneasy she felt, since she couldn't explain it to herself. She just couldn't envision Jeremy Lassiter folding his tent and disappearing without a struggle. Information was often powerful ammunition in these kinds of skirmishes, and if she could lend Michael Lassiter a hand, she would. She told herself it was simply good business, nothing more. Certainly nothing personal.

" Where are you, " Jason asked with a sigh.

" I'm on my way to the gym, " she offered. " I just finished doing the initial scans of the Lassiter system."

" Sloan, love – it's Saturday afternoon. I bet you have plans for the evening, don't you? '

Sloan frowned at the thought. She did, and for some reason, she wasn't particularly looking forward to it. " Dinner later with Diane Carson."

" Uh huh – well, perhaps I have plans, too. And they didn't include spending the night rifling through someone else's virtual underwear drawer."

She laughed. " Fine. Monday morning will be time enough." She assumed the deep sigh from Jason’s end indicated assent.

" What kind of background are we talking about? Am I going to need to call in favors? " he asked.

" I shouldn't think so. There's nothing to suggest classified information. I just want anything you can find on both the Lassiters, before and after their marriage, personal and professional."

Jason heard the undercurrent of concern in her voice, and suddenly serious, he asked again, " Are you sure there's no problem? "

" No, " Sloan said tersely. She and Michael hadn't even talked much the last few hours that Sloan had been there. When she got ready to leave, she hadn't wanted to go. She couldn't explain that either. She had to force herself not to ask Michael about her plans for the weekend.

Impatiently, she brushed her hand through her hair, muttered at some fool who tried to cut her off, and continued, " I just want to know exactly what I'm dealing with here, Jason. Is that too much to ask? "

" Oh, absolutely not, " Jason said theatrically, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. " I live to serve you, almighty one."

Sloan laughed despite her lingering uneasiness. " Just do it, Jason."

" Your wish is my command." After a second's hesitation, he continued, " By the way, Sarah called and asked that you call her."

" Oh? " Sloan queried. " Did she say what she needed? "

" No, " Jason said somewhat distractedly. " We didn't talk long."

Sloan found it fascinating that Jasmine and Sarah apparently shared an easy friendship that had blossomed almost immediately and they never appeared to want for conversation. Jason, however, seemed awkward and unsure of himself on the occasions when Sarah had called or dropped by the office.

" Okay, fine, thanks. I'll call her when I get home from the gym."

" Try not to offend anyone or break any hearts for the rest of the weekend, okay? " he said semi-seriously.

" Yeah, right, " she muttered, crossing three lanes of traffic to a cacophony of honking horns and angry gestures, exiting into downtown traffic. As if it were always up to her.

" You should have a spotter, " the pleasant female voice announced calmly.

Sloan looked up through her braced arms and saw Sarah's face, bisected by the barbell, peering down at her with a faint smile.

" Yeah, " she grunted, pushing up another rep. " So I've been told. How'd you find me? "

Sarah slipped two fingers under the bar, bracing her legs, and followed the rhythm of Sloan's arms up and down, ready to take more of the weight if Sloan began to tire. " I called the office again, and Jason told me. Say, if you really want a workout, we could spar."

Sloan blinked sweat from her eyes. She had been lifting ferociously for forty minutes, and her muscles were starting to hum. She still had the vague sense of disquiet that had plagued her since leaving Michael, and she welcomed the thought of a good bout. She lowered the weights to the upright cleats and wiped the back of her arm across her face. " I thought you were all pacifistic now that you're into eastern medicine and yoga and the like, " she said teasingly.

Sarah's eyes sparkled with challenge. " I'd consider whipping your butt just another form of meditation, Sloan."

Sloan pushed up off the bench. " You're on, Sifu Martin, " she said, employing the traditional term for a Kung Fu master.

Ten minutes later they faced each other in the adjoining studio, bowed respectfully to one another, then stepped into fighting positions. Sloan faced Sarah full on, her lightly wrapped hands held face high, elbows in, balancing lightly on the balls of her feet in the typical Muy Thai kickboxing stance. Sarah turned sideways, knees slightly bent, both hands extended slightly, ready to block Sloan's punch or pivot away from one of her roundhouse Thai kicks.

It brought back memories for Sloan of the hot humid jungles of Thailand, and the crowded noisy streets of Bangkok, and the young naï ve agent she had been nearly a decade before. It had been her first overseas assignment after joining the Justice Department right out of college, and she had been intermittently home sick and excited. She and Sarah gravitated to one another because they were both Americans, and both female, and close in age. Sloan's area had been communications, at least that was her job description. In addition to developing networks for the government's allies in Southeast Asia, she was also covertly helping to electronically infiltrate government and corporate systems of interest to the United States throughout the region. She didn't think of herself as a spy, but looking back, there hadn't been any other word for it. Sarah Martin was a cultural liaison from the State Department. The two of them had become immediate friends and spent much of their free time together. They had ended up training in the same dojo, and the spiritual bonds they forged went deeper than blood. Despite their years of separation after Sloan had been forced to leave the service under a cloud of suspicion, their connection now seemed as strong as ever. There was no one she trusted as much as Sarah.

Sloan's temporary lapse into the past cost her a not so gentle strike on the side of her jaw and a resounding take down from Sarah's swift follow-up leg sweep. Fortunately, her reflexes were still sharp, and she managed to land without rapping the back of her head against the floor. She was up in an instant, shaking her head slightly and frowning at Sarah's delighted laughter.

" You're rusty, Sloan, " Sarah taunted good-naturedly. " Getting soft with that desk job of yours."

" That was just luck, " she snapped. She circled, keeping a wary eye on Sarah's lightning fast hands and feet, and after feinting a left hook, stepped in quickly to deliver a knee strike to Sarah's mid-section. The air wushed softly between Sarah's lips at impact. Sloan grinned in satisfaction.

They sparred continuously for 25 minutes until they were both dripping from the exertion and panting audibly. By mutual agreement, they stepped back, bowed to one another, and collapsed next to each other on the floor.

" God, I needed that, " Sloan gasped when she could catch her breath.

Sarah, lying on her back, turned her head so she could study Sloan's face. " What's up? "

Sloan shrugged. She didn't want to try to explain it – she didn't really want to know. " Just tense I guess. Too much time sitting at the computers like you said."

" Oh yeah, right. Remember whom you're talking to. I've seen you work around the clock and then some without even noticing."

" I was younger then, " Sloan said with just a hint of bitterness.

Sarah knew how difficult the subject of Sloan's past was for her, even now, and did not pursue it. Instead, with uncharacteristic hesitancy, she said slowly, " I want to ask your advice about something."

Sloan shifted slightly so that she could meet Sarah's eyes. " What? "

Sarah blushed faintly, but she continued in a steady voice, " I want to ask Jason out."

For a second Sloan was at a loss for words. " I didn't realize you were interested in him, " she finally managed. It wasn't totally unexpected, now that she thought of it. Sarah seemed to be calling or dropping by the office more often lately. And of course there were all the nights at the Cabaret when Jasmine was performing. Still, she was surprised.

" Why wouldn't I'd be? He's handsome and smart and he's got a great body, " Sarah stated somewhat defensively.

Sloan didn't see any point in pretending that they didn't both know what the issue was. " What about Jasmine? "

Sarah grinned, her eyes sparkling. " I love Jasmine. But you know me, Sloan, I've never been into women that way."

Sloan had to laugh. There had been a time in those first few months in Thailand when she had tried very hard to get Sarah into her bed. They had everything going for them - common interests, similar jobs, and they were thousands of miles from everyone they knew. Finally, one night after too many beers, Sloan had boldly leaned across the tiny table in a dimly lit Bangkok bar and kissed Sarah soundly on the lips.

Sarah had kissed her back, quite thoroughly, and then settled back into her chair and studied Sloan gravely. Her exact words had been, " I've been wondering for months what it would be like to kiss you. You're a damn good kisser, Sloan. As much as I love you though, I'm just one of those girls that has a thing for those ridiculous male appendages. I hope you don't take it personally."

And Sloan hadn't.

" Sloan? "

Sarah’s voice brought Sloan back to the present. She seemed to be wandering into places she really didn’t want to go quite a bit lately. " Damn it, Sarah, I hate to get in the middle of these things. You're one of my oldest friends, and Jason not only works for me, I'm fond of the little shit."

" I know, that's why I wanted to talk to you."

Sloan sighed. " How long has it been since you were with someone? "

For a moment, pain shimmered in Sarah's green eyes. " Four years. He was an attaché in Bangkok. I thought we had something special. Turns out he didn't."

" I'm sorry, " Sloan murmured. She knew Sarah didn't take relationships lightly, and she hated to think of her getting hurt. She also knew Jason had had more than his share of heartache because of the part of him that was Jasmine. Sometimes thinking about Jason and Jasmine made her head swim, and she was well used to it by now. She could only imagine what it would be like dating him.

" It's up to Jason to tell you how things are with him and Jasmine and everything. All I can tell you is that I don't believe he's ever dated a woman who knows about Jasmine. You might have your work cut out for you in that regard."

Sarah was quiet for a moment, remembering how much she enjoyed watching Jasmine perform the night before, and how part of her had been excited knowing that Jasmine was part of Jason. It wasn't something she needed to analyze in great depth. It simply was. " He’s a transvestite. It’s not just an act at the Cabaret for him, I know that. We all have diverse dimensions, sexually and psychologically, that we express in slightly different ways. There are parts of Jason that are best expressed through Jasmine. I don’t understand it completely, but it doesn’t seem to bother me." She sighed. " I just wanted to let you know before I did anything."

Sloan nodded, and sat up. She reached for a towel and tossed one to Sarah as well. She rubbed her face vigorously and then blotted some of the sweat from her hair. " I can't think of anyone I'd rather see with him, " she finally said. She smiled. She meant it.

Sarah flashed her another grin. " Speaking of that sort of thing, what's the story with you and Michael? "

Sloan stopped what she was doing and froze. " There's absolutely nothing between Michael Lassiter and myself, " she said stiffly.

" Okay, " Sarah said softly. " My mistake then."

Sarah thought it prudent not to mention that both Michael Lassiter and Sloan had spent an enormous amount of time studying each other when they thought the other wasn't watching. It hadn't escaped her notice that Sloan had been particularly charming and touchingly attentive with Michael. It had also been obvious that Michael Lassiter, for all her excited interest in what was happening around her, sparkled every time Sloan leaned over to speak to her.