Page 110 of Fire and Ice

A look was exchanged between Maia and Rick recalling their discussion about the ethical dimension of taking lives.

Rick stayed for another half an hour mostly tag-teaming with Derek to reform her "reckless" ways, or what Derek termed a de-indoctrinization from Viktor Baran's ways.

When Rick finally got up and left, he said, "Hope to see you around, Maia Pierce. Call me if you need a partner anytime. You are one heck of a lady."

Later that afternoon, Lee Isaac walked into her room. Luckily, Derek had to call-in to a conference with Jack and had decided to do it from his hotel room.

Lee had his arm in a sling. Maia had been relieved to hear that the bullet had not hit any vital organs.

He still had a haggard look to his face, suggesting he had not been sleeping well.

"Maia, Princess," he said in a warm, soft voice. His eyes roamed over her bruised face and his mouth tightened. "I'm so sorry."

"No, Lee," Maia said firmly. "It wasn't your fault. Sergei Reznikov had been after me for weeks."

"And he finally got to you because of me," Lee said bitterly.

"I was supposed to draw him out anyway," she said as she grasped one of Lee's hands to reassure him. "We were able to find the other DEA agent and we've shut him down. Everything turned out for the best in the end."

"I still don't understand why you can't do something else," Lee said, returning to the argument they had had before the abduction. "I love you, I want to be with you but knowing you put your life on the line each time you go on assignment, that's gonna drive me insane."

Maia smiled sadly. What could she say?

Lee cleared his throat and asked, "Are you and Jack ..."

"Lee, don't do this to yourself."

"I need to know, Princess," Lee whispered.

"We're together, yes."

Lee gave a short mirthless laugh. "He sure looked like he wanted to break my neck a couple of times. He's lucky to have you. Unlucky too."

Maia didn't say anything, just stared at their entwined fingers.

Lee pulled his hand away to lift her face to look up at him. "I'm glad you're okay."

"What are you going to do now that Addison is under investigation?"

"Move to another club. I'm already fielding offers," Lee replied. "But with my shoulder injury, I'm thinking of going on vacation for a while." He looked at Maia half-grinning. "Wanna come to Bali with me?"

Maia grinned, "I don't think I can fly anywhere just yet. And I think I'd prefer you to have all your teeth."

Lee chuckled. "That kind of guy, huh?"

After another uncomfortable moment, Lee leaned over and gave Maia a long, deep kiss. He pulled back with a grin. "Don't be a stranger, you know where I am."

With that, Lee turned around and left. He crossed paths with Derek at the door who didn't bother disguising his scowl.

"He didn't waste any time," Derek muttered.

"Don't start," Maia warned.

Derek looked at her innocently. "I'm not. Let's order pizza. Hospital food sucks."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Jack took the Capital beltway exit towards Baltimore. He'd been in meetings all day and was now stuck in rush-hour traffic. He couldn't wait to get back to Maia but also decided that the delay may have been a good thing. It would probably give him time to cool down.

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