"Well, you're looking pretty chipper for someone who lost a fight." Tony's smile was very smug, and I resisted the urge to pinch him. "I told you I was a mess. I fell and hit my lip on the refrigerator door." Tony shook his head. "And your car? I suppose that fell too?" "In the shop." I sighed. "Again." "You know, you should just sub-let the space there." Tony winked at me. "Very funny. Now get out, I have work to do." The normalcy of the office that I had craved so desperately a few days ago seemed like an eternal trap. Endless interruptions, phone calls, useless conversation. It had been hard to concentrate on my work when my thoughts were of her. I stared vacantly at my monitor, the text on it seeming to blur into one big line. My phone rang, jarring me back into focus. "This is Vanessa." I answered. "This is your lover." Her voice was soft and low on the other end of the line. "Madlax!" I was both shocked and thrilled to hear her, to hear her speak to me in such a fashion. She was my lover; I just... I just wasn't used to this. "I'm waiting outside for you." she hung up. I leaned the chair back, amazed at the effect she had on me. I glanced at the clock and decided I could leave a few minutes early. I gathered my purse and briefcase, then rushed out to the elevator. The eleven floors down seemed to take forever. I smiled at my own impatience, at my desire to see her. I hadn't felt this way....since Will. I shook my head and stepped out as the doors opened. "Need a ride?" Tony's voice startled me. "Oh! Um, no. I have one." I couldn't hide the smile on my face, it was coming out again despite my best efforts. "I see." He squinted at me and then raised an eyebrow. "I think I'll walk you to the door." "That's really not necessary." I pushed past him. He fell into step with me, matching my hurried stride. "Oh, but I just have to see whose got you treading water." he smirked out. "Now look here, Tony, it's really not what you think." I stopped at the glass door as I saw Madlax outside. "I'd say." Tony's voice was full of laughter. "I thought it would be another gender." "Tony!" "It's okay, your secret is safe with me." His eyes were crinkled with amusement. He pushed open the door for me. "Have fun swimming tonight." He winked at me. I could feel myself blushing as I went out the door. "What is it? Are you shocked to see me in a suit?" she asked as I came up to her. "No. Well, yes, that too." I felt the blush turn into a heat that spread all over my body, making me tingle in certain places. She looked more mature in the suit, the grey skirt smoothly hugging her hips. She looked...sexy. "Tony just found out about us." I mumbled, still staring at her. "And did the world end?" she gestured to me and I climbed into the jeep. "No... no." I fanned myself a little and unzippered the window down. She got back into the jeep and I watched her legs as she adjusted her skirt. "Why are you in that suit? You weren't wearing it this morning." "I didn't own it this morning." she said evenly. "And that briefcase? Did you have some sort of important meeting?" I asked, noting the leather case on the backseat. She seemed more like a lawyer than an agent today. "I'd say. A critically important presentation." She glanced sideways at me and smiled. "I hope it went well." I stroked her arm, feeling the fine cloth of the suit under my hand. "It did- I got a most intriguing assignment from it. I just hope I can meet the challenge."
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