Rachel sat at her desk staring at the paperwork in front of her one Wednesday morning.  She swallowed as she tapped the fingers of her left hand nervously against her desk.  She clicked her pen a few times then hesitantly put the end of the writing instrument to the paper.  Her heart sped up as an overwhelming sense of panic overtook her.  I can't.  She thought as she drew the pen back.  After staring at it for a few more minutes Rachel finally picked up the papers that she'd had hidden in her desk--papers that would bring her sexual harassment suit against Rob to light--and stuffed them into her desk drawer once more.  I'll do it tomorrow. She promised herself--again--though she knew Megan and JC would both be disappointed if they found out it had been a month and she still hadn't done anything in regards to Rob's inappropriate behavior.

Putting her elbows up on her desk Rachel put her face in her hands and closed her eyes.  She'd never done anything like this before and she was scared.  She didn't want to make waves so she kept putting off the inevitable knowing, the longer she did the more room there was for trouble to occur.  She wanted to continue doing what she'd been doing--ignoring the problem and hoping it would go away by itself-but she knew sooner or later she was going to have to do something.  She couldn't keep putting it off.  Even though he hadn't asked her about it, so technically she wasn't lying to him, she still felt guilty about the fact that JC believed everything had been taken care of.

She startled when her cell phone suddenly vibrated beside her on the desk.  Speak of the devil. She thought flipping it open as she read JC's text.

I don't know how much longer. I can last without seeing you.

Smiling she leaned back in her chair and quickly typed out a response.

Two more days.

She reminded him.

You can do it.

Setting her phone back on her desk Rachel got onto the internet and logged into her personal email account--surprised to see she had an email waiting for her from JC.  Opening the message she read what he'd written her.

Do you realize this is the longest we've been apart since we started dating?  Even when you were upset and not talking to me last year it wasn't as long as this.  I know we just hung up a few hours ago and I should be in bed, but I can't sleep.  I know you're probably shaking your head at me and wondering if I'm always like this when I'm on the road.  The answer?  No. 

I don't think you fully understand what it is you do to me, Rachel.  I need you.  I need to see your beautiful face.  I need to hear your laughter, taste your intoxicating kiss and feel your body next to mine.  I love you.  I've been thinking about a few things in regards to you and I but like you told me a few months ago...what I have to say needs to be said face to face.  This is torture.  Friday can't come soon enough. 

"Whew!" She blew out a breath as she leaned back in her chair.  He sure knows how to get me going, damn him.  She chuckled as she looked at the time the message had been sent and shook her head.  He was crazy!  Despite the three hour time difference that had been between them since his first show in Baltimore a few weeks ago, they had always managed to find time somewhere to talk everyday.  Last night he had called after his show in Detroit and they'd talked for several hours.  But apparently, Rachel thought.  That wasn't enough for him.  He'd sent her this email after they'd hung up when she'd finally plead exhaustion at one this morning.  And he's been thinking about a few things?  She went back over his email--cursing his ability to skirt around the point and give her just enough information to drive her crazy.  What has he been thinking about? She wondered.

Rachel sighed.  He wasn't the only one struggling.  She looked at the calendar hanging on her wall.  Tomorrow would be fourteen days.  Fourteen days since they'd seen each other.  Fourteen days since he'd kissed her.  Fourteen days since they'd been able to...

"Rachel?"

Rachel jumped as Aubrey's voice came over the intercom on her phone.  "Yeah?" She asked, picking up the receiver.

"There's a Ted Johnson on the phone for you."

"Oh, great!" Rachel replied.  "I've been waiting for him to call me back.  You can transfer him."  She hung up the phone.  When it rang a second later Rachel logged out of her email account and pushed away all the distracting thoughts revolving around JC and how long it had been since they'd been together.  He'll be home on Friday. She reminded herself.  You can last two more days.

~~~~~~

Two more days, her text said.  He didn't know if he could handle it. 

He was tired.  He was homesick.  He was irritable and he didn't want to be sitting in this stupid radio booth in Toronto talking about his CD and the show he was doing tonight. 

He'd forgotten how exhausting and lonely tour life was when you were a solo artist.  He'd been on the road since Baltimore and in that time, he hadn't seen his girlfriend once since kissing her goodbye at the airport thirteen days ago.  He'd tried to get her to come out and see the show last weekend in Ohio, but she was in the middle of some huge, new project at work and Rob had been giving her grief about all the time off she'd already taken this year.

As the DJ spun another song, JC looked at his watch.  He could be home right now.  Instead where was he?  Canada.  Doing promotion for an album that was doing just fine on its own.  How do they do it? He wondered.  How did other musicians and their wives/girlfriends handle being apart so much?  He'd had girlfriends when he'd been in N SYNC, but things had been different then.  When he had been younger he had lived for performing.  Girls were just a fun way to pass the time when he had a day off here and there.  Now Rachel was what he lived for.  His priorities had changed in the years since he'd last been with the group and he was definitely going to have to work harder at convincing Rachel to come on tour with him when he and the guys officially got back together.  They were anticipating their reunion tour to last a couple months at the least--if not more.  If he was like this after two weeks what would he be like after two months?  Or three?  He didn't want to find out. 

That's it.  He decided.  She's just going to have to come with me.  End of story.  He'd just have to convince her and he would...right after he called Marcus and told him he was leaving in the morning--a day earlier than planned. He could do the other radio interviews that were scheduled over the phone.  He'd had enough.  He needed a break.

~~~~~~

"Good night."

Rachel looked up from her computer in surprise Thursday evening.  "Is it five already?" She asked Aubrey.  The girl nodded.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to go to dinner but it looks like you're buried." Aubrey said.

"I'm not going anywhere for a while I'm afraid.  I've got a ton still to do before my meeting in the morning."

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Aubrey asked.

Rachel blew out a breath as she ran a hand through her hair.  "No." She shook her head.  "I think I've got all my research done, now I just have to put everything together which is going to take awhile, but that's actually the fun part." Rachel smiled.

"Are you sure?" Aubrey questioned.

"Yep.  Have a good night."

"Alright." Aubrey turned to leave.  "I'll see you in the morning then."

"See ya." Rachel said, turning back to her computer. 

For the last two weeks she'd been busting her butt putting together this design plan.  Adams & Richards had been contacted last month by Universal Pictures and asked if they wanted to submit a bid to design the set of a period movie that was going to start filming in a few months.  Rob had submitted a bid and, after they had been chosen, had given Rachel the job of putting together the initial design concepts.  She'd spent hours on the internet and at the library doing research on the time-period, making notes and drawing sketches of different design elements that were typically used and was presenting her ideas to the producers tomorrow.  To say she was freaking out was an understatement because along with the success of this project came the promise of a promotion.  Though she missed him terribly, there was a small part of herself that was glad JC wasn't home distracting her.  She'd been able to stay late every night and spend all her free time working without feeling bad about neglecting him. 

Turning in her chair, Rachel gathered up all the sketches and notes she'd taken over the last two weeks and headed into the conference room.  Though the office she'd been given last month had a lot more space then the cubicle she'd been in, she still needed more.  She needed a large flat surface she could spread everything out and start piecing the pieces together.  She looked at her watch.  5:30.  She knew what she wanted to do and with any luck she'd only be here a few more hours.  If I hurry maybe I can still watch Grey's Anatomy when I get home.    

~~~~~ 

"You're here late."

Rachel whirled around and pushed her hair back out of her eyes as Rob came into the conference room.  She was surprised to realize, when she looked at the clock, that three hours had past.  There goes Grey's.  She thought to herself. 

"How's it going?" Rob asked coming to stand beside her. 

"Um..." Rachel stepped away from him slightly.  "Good...I guess"  She bobbed her head back and forth as she looked over what she'd spent the last couple hours putting together.  "I've got a few more things to put together but think I'm ready for tomorrow."

Rob chuckled as he moved around behind her and stood on her other side.  "It looks good." He said looking over at her.  "Nice job." 

"Thanks." She smiled proudly.  "And don't worry," She rushed to assure him.  "I'll have everything cleaned up before I leave tonight."

"I'm not worried." Rob said turning to look at her. Rachel smiled as she turned her attention back to the presentation boards in front of her.  "You've put a lot of time into this, Rachel." Rob stated, clearly impressed. 

"Yeah." Rachel sighed.  "It's been a lot of work, but I figure I owe it to my clients--whoever they are-to give them my best work every time."

"And that's what makes you one of the best." Rob smiled and Rachel felt her reservations about the guy disappearing.  Since coming into the room he hadn't tried to touch her at all.  Maybe I was wrong about him. She thought, suddenly thankful she had put off filling out the papers still sitting in her desk drawer.  He's not doing anything wrong.  "JC doesn't mind you spending so much time at work?" Rob's gaze slid over to her.

"He's been out of town for the last two weeks on tour." Rachel told him.  "So, it's actually worked out really well."

"Hmmm." Rob hummed as he bent to inspect her work closer.  "Why did you decide to put these colors and designs together this way?" He asked, looking up at her.  Rachel reached for the book she'd checked out at the library last weekend and had been using as a reference. 

"Because..." she said, flipping through the pages searching for the photo that had been her inspiration.  "Right here." She said, putting the book down on the table in front of them and pointed at the photo.  "I found this last weekend and got this great idea.  What if--"  She stopped when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket.  "Hold on." She said pulling the phone from her pocket.

What are you doing tonight?

She quickly answered JC's text then went back to explaining her design ideas to Rob.

~~~~~~

Working late at the office again.

JC read Rachel's text as he sat in the backseat of the car he'd hired to take him home from the airport.  He pursed his lips in thought for a moment.  How was he supposed to surprise her when she was still at work?  Since he didn't know how late she was going to be, as soon as the car dropped him off home he got into his Mercedes and drove down to her office, hoping she was still there and he wasn't going to pass her on the freeway as she drove home.

Twenty minutes later he pulled into the parking lot of Adams & Richards, smiling when he saw her Jetta still parked out front.  A giddy sense of excitement filled him knowing she was so close.  He smiled.  He couldn't wait to see the look on he face when he showed up in her office.  His smiled faded quickly however, when he discovered the front doors were locked.  Of course.  He thought as he blew out a frustrated breath.  Now what?  He could just call her and tell her he was here--waiting outside--but that would kind of ruin the surprise.  He pulled on the doors again hoping, magically, that they would be open.  He put his hands up and peeked through the glass but the lobby was deserted.  He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets.  He had two choices.  He could sit out here in the parking lot and wait for her--not knowing how long she was still planning on working--or he could go home and wait for her, again not knowing how long she was planning on working. 

Or...he thought with the raise of an eyebrow as another car pulled into the parking lot.  I can get the cleaning crew to let me in.  He'd never been one to flaunt his celebrity status and use his fame to his advantage but desperate times called for desperate measures.  He smiled when two younger women got out of the car.  Perfect.  He thought and, turning on the charm, he waited for them--finally able to talk his way inside after promising them each tickets to the show when he played here in town.   

~~~~~~

"Well, I've said it before," Rob said stepping back from the table and turning to look at Rachel.  "You're the best designer we have."

"No, I'm not." She said, shaking her head.

"Stop being modest." Rob said, lowering his voice as he leaned towards her.  "Why do you think I gave you this job?  Why do you think I gave you that office last month?  You're the best designer here."  He turned around pointing behind them at the deserted office building.  "Who else stays this late and puts this much time and effort into their projects?"

"Just because I'm a perfectionist and a bit OCD when it comes to my work, doesn't mean I'm the best." Rachel chuckled self-consciously as Rob's eyes held hers steadily.  The easy camaraderie they'd been sharing for the past forty minutes fell away as he lifted his hand and placed it against her face.

"Rob." She said, fighting to keep her voice steady--her heart thumping in her chest.  "I--"

But her next words were cut off as Rob's lips descended on her own.  She was so surprised she couldn't do anything for a second then, when she gained control of herself again, she pushed him away roughly.

"What the hell are you doing?" She asked looking at him wide-eyed as her hand came up to wipe her lips.

~~~~~

"That's exactly what I'd like to know." JC asked a second before his fist connected with Rob's jaw.

JC heard Rachel's surprised gasp but didn't turn to look at her.  Instead, he kept his eyes focused on Rob.  "What the hell are you doing touching her?" He ground out through his teeth, his fists clenched at his sides. 

"I was just--"  Rob started but JC stalked towards him and the guy backed up quickly.  "She's been begging for it for months now." Rob told him and JC wanted to kill the guy. 

"What?!" Rachel exclaimed behind him, reminding JC of her presence.  He turned to look at her.  Her eyes were wide and her chest was rising and falling rapidly with her shallow breathing.   "JC, I haven't..." she shook her head.  "I told you...I haven't done anything.  I told you, remember?  I told you everything." She rambled frantically.

"Oh come on." Rob sneered and JC turned back to look at him.  "I know you've been wanting that as long as I have.  You just--"

"Shut up!" JC exclaimed, pushing Rob back against the wall.  "If you ever touch her again I will kill you." He threatened, pointing his finger in Rob's face.

"You don't scare me." Rob responded.  "You think you have a chance against me, pretty boy?  You don't have the guts to actually do anything.  Wouldn't want to jeopardize your career now would we?  What would the tabloids say if they found out?  What would your manager say?"

"Do you see that woman?" JC said grabbing Rob by the neck and turning to point at Rachel who stood watching them silently as his protective alpha male instincts kicked into high gear.  Rachel was his, damn it!  And he would protect her with his life.  "I would go through hell and high water for that woman standing right there--damn my career!  So you better back off!" He turned and pinned Rob to the wall again.  "And keep your dirty, filthy hands to yourself or so help me...I will kill you," he threatened again.  "You got that?"

Rob was silent for a moment as the men sized each other up.  JC finally let go of him and Rob relaxed, rolling his shoulders.  "You think you're pretty smart, don't you?" He said taking a step towards Rachel.  "Having your boy here show up at just the right moment to make it look like I'm the one at fault here."  She took a step back, running into the table as JC stepped between them.   "But we both know who's really the one to blame for this, don't we?" 

"I warned you." JC said, shoving Rob away.

"And I'm warning you." Rob said, pointing a finger at Rachel as she clutched onto JC from behind using him like the shield he was acting as at the moment.  "I told you I was going to be watching you and you've just made a big mistake."

Rachel hands tightened on JC's waist.  "Get out of here." He told Rob firmly.  Rachel and JC both watched as Rob turned and left the conference room, slamming the door behind him--causing one of the pictures hanging on the wall to fall to the ground. 

Taking a deep breath to try and calm his racing heart JC turned and faced Rachel, who immediately jumped into his arms.  She clung to him desperately as her tears began to fall and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, burying his face in her neck as her sobs shook her body. 

"Shh..." He soothed, lifting one hand and running it down the back of her hair.  "It's okay.  It's okay." He repeated over and over again.  Finally he pulled back, placing his hands on either side of her face as he lifted her head to look at him.  "Rachel." He said softly.  She finally opened her eyes and looked at him.  "I'm here, Sass." He said, brushing his thumbs across her cheeks as he worked to wipe away her tears. "Just like I said I would be."  He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead.  "It's okay."

She tightened her arms around his waist as she laid her head back on his chest.  "We were just talking." She told him as he put his arms around her and rested his cheek against the top of her head.  "I have a big presentation I'm giving tomorrow and I was...I was showing him what I've been working on the last two weeks...and then he kissed me." She stepped away from him.  "I didn't see it coming." She shook her head, her brown eyes pleading for him to believe her.  "I don't know what he was talking about.  I haven't done anything to lead him to believe that I...that I wanted him to kiss me.  I didn't..."

"I know." He told her.  "I believe you."  Again he brought his hands to her face then leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.  Rachel wound her arms around his neck as she kissed him back--her mouth moving against his with an intensity he hadn't felt from her in a while.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, her lips moving against his.

"I wanted to surprise you." He answered.  As she dug her fingers into his hair it was as if she were trying to erase the memory of Rob's lips being on hers-a task he was more than willing to help her with.  But not here. 

He pulled back, placing his hands on her shoulders when she immediately tried to kiss him again.  "Rachel." He chuckled, smiling when she opened her eyes and looked at him in disappointment.  "It's been too long since I've seen you.  If we keep this up we're going to be finding out just how strong this table is here." He turned his eyes to the conference table beside them.

"I'm okay with that." She told him and he groaned.  She wasn't making this any easier.

"Home--is what I'm trying to say." He told her.  "Let's go home.  You've been here long enough and we've got a perfectly good bed at home that I've been dreaming about for the last two weeks."  He leaned down and kissed her softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

"What else have you been dreaming about?" She asked, her eyes sparkling mischievously.  He grinned as he pulled back and licked his lips.

"Hmmm...well let's see...you, for one thing." He tightened his arms around her waist and gave her a squeeze.  "And that slinky blue number you got me for Valentine's Day." He told her as his eyes slowly traveled down the length of her body then back up, meeting her eyes once more. 

"You think you're getting lucky tonight, don't you?" She asked.  He leveled his gaze at her as he raised one dark eye brow.

"After what I just went through for you, woman?  Damn right I'm getting lucky tonight." He told her arrogantly.  Rachel laughed as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"What would I do without you?" She asked when she pulled back, looking into his eyes.  She moved one hand, brushing her fingers through his hair.  "Just when I think everything is falling apart you show up and rescue me.  You're my hero."

"It's the other way around." He assured her as he gave her another soft kiss.  "But enough talk." He said.  "I spent ten hours on a plane today and pissed off Marcus to the point where he's not talking to me all in order to get home a day early to see you." Rachel smiled.  "I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I haven't been with you in what seems like forever.  If we don't get home soon I'm going to go crazy."

"Lead the way." She told him with a smile.