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The banquet hall buzzed with energy as colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate Dana Mosier’s illustrious FBI career. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as people mingled, sharing fond memories and raising toasts.
Jubal stood near the door, scanning the room with a smile that didn’t quite mask his thoughts. His eyes briefly passed over Jess, who was deep in conversation with Dana and Isobel – his eyes settling on Isobel. The emerald-green dress she wore shimmered faintly under the soft lights, hugging her figure in a way that made his heart skip a beat. Her laughter rang out, soft and unguarded. Their relationship, or whatever it was, was still a closely guarded secret, but in moments like this, it was hard to resist the pull.
When Dana took the stage. The crowd erupted into cheers as she raised her glass.
“Thank you,” she began, her voice warm but commanding as always. “I’m not great at goodbyes, so I’ll keep this brief. The FBI has been my life for decades, and tonight, I see not just colleagues, but family. And if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that we are only as strong as the people we surround ourselves with.”
The room quieted as Dana shared stories of her career—the tense stakeouts, the high-stakes negotiations, and, to everyone’s amusement, a few mishaps involving Jubal.
“But in all seriousness,” Dana continued, “Jubal, you’ve been my rock. Your instincts, your dedication to the job, and your unrelenting passion inspire everyone around you.”
Jubal nodded, touched by her words. He glanced at Isobel, whose eyes met his briefly, a private smile exchanged.
It has been the privilege of my life to work with such an incredible team. You are the best at what you do, and I’ll miss you all more than I can say.”
She turned toward Isobel, a genuine smile on her face. “Isobel, I wish you every success, I couldn’t think of anyone better to take on this responsibility.”
The team erupted into applause, cheers echoing through the room as Dana stepped down from the stage, her smile filled with pride and bittersweet emotion. She stepped forward, embracing Isobel warmly. “You’ve got this,” she whispered.
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The evening transitioned into dancing. The DJ played a mix of upbeat tracks and slow classics. Jubal stood near the corner of the room laughing at the team attempting some dance routine, until he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Isobel.
“Hey”
“Hey” Jubal looked at her for a moment, “You looked beautiful tonight”
She blushed at his words. They shared a few stolen moments in a corner of the room, laughing quietly and enjoying the rare chance to relax together. The weight of their personal and professional lives hovered in the background. For now, they allowed themselves this fleeting moment of peace.
From across the room, Dana and Jess watched them with knowing expressions. Dana sipped her wine, a small smile playing on her lips. “They think they’re subtle,” she remarked.
Jess chuckled. “Give them credit. They’ve kept it under wraps this long.”
Dana nodded thoughtfully. “But secrets like that don’t stay secret forever.”
Jess nodded, taking a sip of his drink. “No, they don’t. But... they make a good team. On and off the clock.”
Dana tilted her head thoughtfully. “I hope they know what they’re doing. This job, this life—it’s not easy on relationships.”
Jess’s gaze softened as he watched Isobel laugh at something Jubal said. “They’ll figure it out.”
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Later, Dana pulled Jubal aside. “I know” she began cryptically, her eyes sharp but kind.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jubal deflected, though his faint blush betrayed him.
Dana chuckled. “Don’t play coy with me, Valentine. I’ve seen the way you look at her in the office. And tonight? You weren’t as invisible as you thought”
Jubal exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Is it that obvious?”
“To me, yes. But I’m not here to judge. Just... be careful. Relationships like that can get messy. And if it comes down to it, remember that Isobel’s career is riding on this promotion.”
Jubal nodded, her words sinking in. “I won’t let anything jeopardize her success...”
Dana’s smile widened. “Okay then. One more thing, Valentine.”
“What’s that?” he asked warily.
“You owe me a dance. Something with a bit of energy,” she declared, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the dance floor.
“Dana, I’m not exactly…”
“Nonsense,” she interrupted. “You’re always up for making a fool of yourself. Besides, I’m retiring. Humour me.”
The DJ switched to an upbeat track, and Dana led the way, spinning dramatically as Jubal followed with exaggerated reluctance. Soon, others joined in, clapping and laughing as Dana outpaced Jubal with her playful moves. Jubal eventually relented, matching her energy with a grin that spread across his face. The crowd cheered them on, the atmosphere electric with laughter and joy.
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Meanwhile, Jess found Isobel by the balcony, gazing out at the city lights. “Something on your mind Izzy? The new job, a certain someone?” he said, leaning against the railing, smiling at her.
Isobel glanced at him, sensing the weight behind his words. “Is this the part where you give me advice, LaCroix?”
“Maybe,” Jess said with a smirk. “Or maybe it’s the part where I tell you that you and Jubal should stop pretending no one notices.”
Isobel froze, her eyes widening.
“Don’t bother denying it,” Jess interrupted gently. “I’ve seen enough to know. Just... take care of each other. You’ll need to lean on him more than ever now.”
He paused, his tone softening further. “You know, Isobel, I care about you. You’re family to me—like a sister. I only want what’s best for you. If he makes you happy, then it’s worth it. Just promise me you’ll make sure it’s what you truly want, before getting in too deep.”
“Thanks, Jess. For what it’s worth, we’re trying to be careful… I thought we were”
Jess smiled softly, leaning against the railing. “Dana and I have noticed. But I’m pretty sure no one else has.”
Grinning at her now, he added, “You know, I’m going to miss seeing you every day. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’ll even miss you bossing me around.”
Isobel’s lips quirked into a grin. “Don’t get too comfortable. I’ll still be bossing you around, Jess. Just from a better office.” She gave him a playful wink.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Just remember, I’m rooting for you. Always have been, always will be.” Jess held out his hand. “Now, come on. You’re not getting out of this without a dance.”
He led her to the dance floor, and as an upbeat tune filled the air, the two laughed and danced with the same camaraderie that had always defined their friendship.
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Amid the spirited dancing, the team threw caution to the wind, relaxing and enjoying the rare light-hearted moments together. Maggie found herself being swung around the dance floor by Dana’s husband Alan, his moves surprisingly nimble and theatrical. Elise and OA joined forces for an impromptu dance-off.
Dana stepped off the floor, catching her breath as she observed the joyful chaos with a soft smile. Isobel approached her, holding out a glass of wine.
“Thought you might need this,” Isobel said warmly, handing her the glass.
Dana accepted it with a nod of thanks, her gaze still on the dance floor. “Look at them,” she mused. “For all the stress this job brings, it’s nights like this that remind me why it’s worth it.”
Isobel followed her gaze, her own smile growing. “So what’s the retirement plan? Besides more dancing, of course.”
Dana chuckled, taking a sip of her wine. “Spending more time with my husband, for starters. He’s been my rock through it all. Family, too. And maybe... just enjoying life for a change.”
She paused, her expression growing thoughtful. “You know, Isobel, this career—it takes a toll on relationships. It’s hard to balance it all.” She glanced at Isobel knowingly, her tone gentle. “But if you have someone who understands and supports you, someone who makes you happy, it’s worth fighting for.”
Isobel’s breath hitched slightly, but she met Dana’s gaze with a steady nod.
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As the music shifted to a slower tempo, couples gravitated toward the dance floor. Dana danced with her husband, their movements relaxed and intimate, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. The sight brought a rare softness to the room, and the team paused briefly to appreciate the moment before resuming their own dances.
Isobel stepped up to Jubal, who stood at the edge of the floor, his hands tucked into his pockets. “Come on, Valentine,” she said softly. “Dance with me.”
Jubal hesitated, his gaze flicking around the room. “Isobel, are you sure? I mean—”
“It’s just a dance,” she interrupted, her voice steady but her eyes searching his. “No one’s going to think twice.”
He nodded, though the concern in his mind lingered. As they moved onto the floor, his hand settled gently on her waist, hers on his shoulder. The opening notes of If Walls Could Talk filled the room, and as the lyrics began, it felt as though they were speaking directly to them.
These walls keep a secret... That only we know...
Their eyes met, the unspoken emotions between them growing heavier. Jubal’s thumb brushed against her back, a subtle yet grounding gesture. Her fingers tightened slightly on his shoulder as they swayed together, the world beyond the music fading.
But how long can we keep it...
The closeness felt natural, but the weight of their hidden relationship lingered in Jubal’s mind. His gaze softened as it travelled from her eyes to her lips before darting away, his thoughts in turmoil.
Cause we’re two lovers, we lose control...
Isobel’s lips curved into a faint smile; a private thought, a moment shared between them. Her hand shifted slightly, her touch lingering just a bit longer than necessary, her eyes locked on to his. For a moment, Jubal allowed himself to let go of the worry, focusing solely on her.
The moment between them was broken as OA stumbled into them, his feet betraying him as he awkwardly tried to avoid stepping on Maggie’s toes. Jubal pulled back quickly, startled out of his gaze, while Isobel shook her head in amusement.
“Really, OA?” Maggie groaned, throwing her hands up in mock frustration.
“What? Your feet were in the wrong place. I didn’t want to crush a toe!” OA shot back with a grin.
Maggie rolled her eyes but grabbed Jubal’s arm. “Alright, Valentine, you’re up. Dance with me and show him how it’s done.”
Before Jubal could protest, Maggie dragged him away, leaving Isobel behind with OA, who gave her a sheepish shrug. He extended a hand.
“Wanna dance, boss?”
She chuckled, taking his hand. “Alright, but you better not crush my toes.”
As the evening wound down, the team began saying their goodbyes to Dana, each taking a moment to hug her and offer their heartfelt wishes. Dana, ever composed, embraced them warmly. When Isobel approached, Dana pulled her into a hug, whispering, “Lunch on Monday, don’t forget.”
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Jubal and Isobel left separately, yet later that evening, they found themselves together again, this time in the quiet intimacy of her home.
Isobel stood by the window, her reflection a faint silhouette in the glass, her thoughts distant. Jubal leant casually against the back of the couch; his gaze fixed solely on her.
“You’re quiet,” he murmured, his voice low and warm, drawing her attention.
She turned to face him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Just thinking about how... thinks are changing...” she admitted, gesturing vaguely between them. “How this... whatever it is we’ve been doing, has become more than I thought it would.”
Jubal pushed off the couch and closed the distance between them, his steps measured, his expression unreadable yet tender. “You mean the world’s worst-kept secret arrangement?” he teased, though his tone held none of the lightness he tried to project.
She chuckled softly, only Jess and Dana have figured it out.” Her tone shifted “I mean how this arrangement seems to have a way of sneaking up on you,” she said, her voice softer now. “On me.”
He stopped just a breath away, his hands finding their place on her hips “Maybe it was never really just an arrangement,” he confessed, his voice dropping. “At least, not for me.”
The confession hung between them, fragile yet unyielding. Isobel’s breath caught, and for a moment, she seemed to weigh his words, the vulnerability they carried.
“If walls could talk,” she said quietly, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she echoed the lyrics of the song that played earlier in the evening. “They’d probably have a lot to say.”
Jubal’s lips quirked in response, but his eyes remained serious. “They’d say I look at you more than I should during briefings. That I have to fight instinct not to follow you out when you leave the room.”
“And they’d say you bring me coffee when you think I’m too busy to notice,” she countered, her smile softening as her hands came to rest against his chest. “And that I keep finding excuses to check in on you, even when it’s unnecessary.”
Something between them had shifted, becoming something deeper, something undeniable. Jubal reached up, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face, his hand lingering momentarily against her cheek. “Maybe the walls already know what we haven’t admitted out loud,” he said softly.
Without a word, he crossed to the stereo turned on the song that had lingered his mind all night. As the familiar melody filled the room, he turned to Isobel, his expression softening. Jubal extended a hand, his expression softening. “Dance with me.”
She blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected request. “Here?”
“Here,” he said firmly, stepping closer and taking her hand before she could refuse “ We never did get to finish it”.
He guided her into the open space near the fire, his hand settling lightly on her waist as the other intertwined with hers. Isobel relaxed into him, her free hand resting on his waist. They swayed slowly to the music, their movements unhurried and intimate.
The song’s lyrics seemed to narrate their every feeling:
Two people making memories… Just too good to tell
Jubal’s gaze searched hers, the unspoken weight of their conversation, their connection reflected in his eyes. His thumb stroked the small of her back as he leaned in, their foreheads touching.
These arms are never empty … When we're lying where we fell
As the song continued, Jubal spoke softly "We'll figure out the work situation”, whispering against her lips, “You mean everything to me, Isobel.
If walls had eyes, my... They would see the love inside...
When his lips claimed hers, it was as though the world itself paused. The kiss was deep, unguarded, carrying all the unspoken feelings. Jubal’s hands slid up her back, while her fingers tangled in his hair.
They would see Me, in your arms in ecstasy
Without breaking their kiss, he guided her toward the couch, their movements seamless. The firelight danced across their faces, painting the moment in warm, flickering hues. Their shared breath became the only sound as the song faded into the quiet. Jubal’s lips brushed softly against her temple before trailing to the corner of her mouth, his voice a tender murmur. “If these walls could talk, they’d tell you I’ve been falling for you more each day, Isobel.”
He captured her lips again slow and deliberate, pouring all the emotions they couldn’t share in the light of day into this private moment.
As the night deepened, the walls became silent witnesses to their connection, the line between ‘arrangements’ and love dissolving. There would still be much to navigate, at work and in their relationship. But for now, behind closed doors, they had found something meaningful—each other.