Luckily, the man was in his portable office. It was more like a room, but Whitestone somehow carried everything necessary with him on the road. Including the desk. Nick had always wondered how he managed.

“Julian.”

The man turned around. “Nick? Why aren’t you packi-” he stopped short as he saw Rachael coming in after Nick, his face turning slightly stony.

“Don’t worry about packing,” Nick growled. “There’s something more important.”

“Really?” Julian indicated the seats in front of the desk. “Well, then , have a seat.”

Nick sat down. Rachael followed suit, albeit more slowly. “You know what’s going on. The photo shoot.” He started as soon as he sat down.

Julian looked at him. “I don’t understand,” he said, frowning.

“The contract.” Nick said impatiently. “About…Harrison.” He glanced at her, then continued. “What are you going to do about it?”

Julian sat down. “The contract stands, Nick. Miss Harrison is only hired for the tour. Any other settings were not included.” He said, leaning back. His hard, jet black eyes bore into his.

Nick turned to Rachael. “Aren’t you going to-”

Rachael shook her head. She cursed herself silently, wondering why she hadn’t thought of that before. But she couldn’t have done anything, hadn’t anticipated it. Frank’s right, she thought sourly, I am getting rusty.

“And of course CIAB never breaches a contract, I heard. ” Julian added, his tone almost pleasant. “I don’t see why she can’t assume her position again after the shoot, Nick. That is, if she is still interested.” He said meaningfully, shooting a glance at her. Rachael didn’t say anything.

“I see,” Nick said tightly, knowing that the guy was lying his face off.

“I think,” Julian said pleasantly, after a moment of silence, “that this could be arranged.”

“Could what be arranged?” Nick asked irritably.

Julian reached over and pulled out some files. “Since you seem so…undecided, I’ll try to go around some rules. Normally I wouldn’t do this…” he said smoothly. “…But since I know that this ‘case’ between you two is a little more serious issue- entirely business and strictly confidential, of course- need some special attention, wouldn’t you say?”

Nick heard the little undertone of derision and felt his anger rising up. He was startled when Rachael spoke for the first time during the entire meeting.

“Get to the point, Whitestone.” She said curtly.

Julian stiffened and looked as if he wanted to take back everything he so ‘generously’ offered.

“Please,” she added levelly, even mildly, but there was no tone of respect anywhere.

Julian gave her a hostile glare and turned to Nick, who was trying not the grin. “So this is the deal,” he started. “Either Harrison takes a break for two weeks and finish off her terms with us after the photo shoot, or…”

“Or?” Nick prompted him.

“…or you can sign another contract allowing your security to work for the next two weeks.”

“At the location?”

Julian looked clearly annoyed. “Yes. AT the location. She’ll be getting the same type of accommodation as she had before.”

Nick looked at him. “And if I don’t sign it? What’s the catch?” he asked bluntly.

Julian spread his hands wide. “It’s entirely your choice, Nick. Either way, you have to decide now.”

Nick mulled this over. Finally he stood up. “I’ll be back in a sec,” he said. He nodded to Rachael and left the room. After a moment she stood up and left as well.

Julian watched them go, a small smile on his lips. Perfect.

**************

Once outside, Nick turned to face her.

“Well?” he demanded. “You wanna say something in this?”

Rachael folded her arms. “As he said, it’s your choice,” she said unhelpfully.

Why did she have to be so damned calm? He fumed. “You do know,” he said slowly, “That if you go now, he’ll cancel the contract.”

Rachael nodded. The finally forced to say something, she added, “The possibility crossed my mind a few times, yes.”

“Wouldn’t that inflict on your…reputation as a security?” He asked carefully.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” she said flatly, “but since you want to know, no, it won’t. I am under the command of CIAB to take on this job. Under the contract as well. Personally I don’t give a damn whether it gives me a bad reputation because I am not attached to this at all.” She shrugged.

For some queer reason, that stung him. Then he shook his head. “Then…you won’t mind if I decide to…you know…leave you off?”

“I’ve said what I felt about this,” she said somewhat irritably. “As I said, and Whitestone said, it’s your decision.”

He was silent for a while. “What about the…you know,” he said uncomfortably. “ You said you’ll look into it. Are you?”

“Yes.”

“What if…” he stopped, then made himself go on. “What if it happens again?”

Rachael looked at him thoughtfully. “Can I talk frankly?”

“Aren’t you ever?” he asked half-jokingly.

She sighed. “Habit, I suppose.” She frowned. “As for it happening again…that’s the catch.” She said brusquely. “Julian knows that you aren’t happy about this whole deal. I don’t think he is either.”

He frowned. “So?”

She shrugged. “What better way to get rid of me?” she said in a matter-of-fact voice.

“But he knows you’re investigating,” he protested. “He wouldn’t use this as a….an excuse to…”

“Apparently, he changed his mind,” Rachael said dryly. “To cut it short, he knows that I am here, and he knows that I won’t leave this case when it’s just beginning to get…interesting. Or that’s what he’s assuming.”

“And?” he asked. “Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Leaving this case?”

“Are you testing my dedication?”

“No.” he snapped. “You made that pretty clear. You don’t give a damn about it. I’m asking you if it’s worth to keep you on board.”

She gazed at him wordlessly, as if assessing his mood. “Yes,” she said finally.
“There’s still too much to be done.”

“What can you possibly do?” he asked helplessly, looking down at the floor. His blonde hair flopped down to cover his face partially in the shadow. “After all, in the end,” he said slowly, “It’s between her…and…me.”

Rachael opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again. A heavy silence followed.

“If it’s any easier,” she said carefully, “I’ll try to arrange another agent for the rest of the tour-I’ll brief him or her of the situation and-”

His head shot up. “What do you mean, for the rest of the tour? It’s only for two weeks- you’re coming back on, aren’t you?”

A mirthless snort escaped her. “You really think I would come back?” she drawled.

He had nothing to say to that. He knew Julian. That man would arrange it somehow to get around the papers. He was capable of it. What he didn’t get was, why would he do that? At the beginning, he had been almost eager to stick Rachael on him. Why did he change his mind now?

He glanced at her. Eventually it all boiled down to his choice. She wasn’t doing anything to convince him that he had to keep her on- it was as if she was leaving it up to him to decide, and not giving a damn what he chose. But then…looking at her now, he wondered what could happen if she wasn’t there at the photo shoot. Or after. They were just starting to…get along (if that was the word), and he was surprised to find that he was reluctant to make the decision. And there was Julian to consider. That snake knew far more than he told them. He always had something up his sleeve…he wondered if it was the usual mistrust he had for that man, or something else…damnit, what the hell was he going to do?

Nick was having a hard time. His face mirrored his indecision- Rachael could see it as clearly as if he was shouting out loud. That surprised her. She didn’t show it, but she was surprised nonetheless.

Finally he looked up with a determined looked on his face. “Right. You’re still on board. But only because I really don’t want to cause more trouble.” He said.

“And of course you hate Whitestone and will do anything to tick him off.” She snapped, her face as hard as rock. “No.”

He stared at her, incredulous. Then he realised that he made it sound it as if he was keeping her on as a sign of pity- something else he learnt about her. He made a mental note not to cross her that way. But it was unfair- she left it totally up to him to decide what to do, and blew up at him when he said he was keeping her on. Irritated, he snapped, “Don’t think I’m…using you to get back at him in anyway- because I’m doing it for my sake, and mine only. Julian’s intentions can go to hell for all I care. You told me that there’s still too much left to be done. Okay, I got it. Now you are coming to the location, and you are going to work on this. Understood?” he stopped, completely winded by the long speech he just made.

“Perfectly,” she ground out. Their eyes clashed, daring each other to back down first. Well, he thought, at least we’ve got something in common. We’re both darn stubborn.

Somehow, that made him feel better.

He turned around. “Let’s go.”

**************

Julian was waiting impatiently when they went in. “Well? Have you decid-”

“Show me the paper,” Nick cut in, glancing at Rachael. “I’m signing her on.”

Julian’s face didn’t move an inch, but Rachael saw the shock in his eyes. He’s good, she thought. The split second passed, and his face broke into a surprised expression. “Well, if that’s your decision…” he leaned over and picked up the papers. “You sign here, here and here. I already signed my part.”

“Sure,” Nick drawled, the sat down and signed without hesitation, not even reading the contents. This surprised Whitestone too. Rachael had leant the importance of body language. Even the slightest movement- a twitch maybe- gives off a hundred clues as to the person’s thoughts and actions. From the look of it, he had expected Nick to hesitate, a sign that she had surely forced him some ways. Another point for the kid, she mused. Maybe he was smarter then she thought he was. And he enjoyed revenge a hell of a lot. He was grinning like a cat with a dish of cream when he got up, told his manager sunnily that he was going to pack and left the room.

“Let him chew that over the two weeks,” he said smugly, sauntering down the corridor.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she asked suddenly, her tone mild.

He turned around, still grinning. “Yep.”

She shook her head wearily. “Try to hold onto that feeling. He’s likely to irritate you-us- from now on.” She muttered.

“I’ll look forward to it,” he promised brightly.

He turned to open the dressing room door. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he saw her rolling her eyes heavenwards.