the many hours in between, they had talked together, read together, and shared silences together. It was the most intimate time she had spent with anyone since her days in school.
'Yes, but I think it would be best if you took some time away. A trip out-of-town might be good idea.'
'Diane and I had discussed going skiing. Now might be the perfect time. Ill call her and arrange something for this weekend.'
Cam nodded in agreement. 'That would work. This weekend might be a little too soon, since I'll need advance notice to inform the resort and work out the shift details.'
'You can do that on the plane,' Blair said with a hint of irritation. She wasnt used to altering her plans, or delaying to accommodate her security teams.
'May I remind you that we had an agreement,' Cam commented quietly.
'I think I agreed not to give your agents the slip,' Blair responded pointedly.
'Actually, I believe you agreed to give us your cooperation,' Cam countered, 'as well as not giving us the slip.'
Blair caught the quick smile that flashed across Camerons handsome features, and laughed in spite of herself. 'Next time it will have to be in writing,' she muttered. 'How about if we work out the details tonight - over dinner.'
Cam nodded, knowing she had been out-maneuvered, but accepting the token of co-operation.. 'All right.' She started to turn away, then added, 'This is a first field assignment for several of my people. It wouldnt look good for them if I had to reassign them.'
'And why might you need to do that?' Blair asked suspiciously.
'If one of them were to compromise their objectivity- say through a friendship with you - just for an example.'
'Arent you worried about yourself, then?' Blair asked angrily. What was it to Roberts who she spent time with, as long as it didnt get in the way. And so what if it did? She hated being dictated to!
'Im not a rookie, Ms. Powell,' Cam answered smoothly as she turned away.
Blair stared after her, seething. If she wanted to bed Paula Stark in the middle of the hotel lobby, she damn well would! Cameron Roberts might have control over her time, but she would never have control over anything that really mattered to her.
**********
Blair didnt see Cameron again until that evening. The rest of the day had been spent getting settled back into her apartment. Her doorbell rang at 6:30.
'Lets walk,' Blair said by way of greeting. As usual, Cameron looked fit and trim in a khaki blazer over pressed stone washed jeans.
'All right,' Cam said. She followed Blair to the elevator, noticing that her hair was down and the silk jacket and wide cut trousers she wore enhanced her slenderness.
Blair moved gracefully, with easy confidence, and Cam knew it was because she was going out not as Blair Powell, the Presidents daughter, but as an ordinary twenty-five year old woman going to dinner. For an instant Cam regretted her job. She wished she could view the evening ahead as a simple dinner with a beautiful woman. But she couldnt. Even though Blair could forget who she was, or try to forget, with alcohol or a never-ending series of sexual conquests, Cameron could not forget. No matter what Blair chose to show the outside world, Cameron knew her to be the many faceted, complicated woman she was sworn to protect. Nevertheless, she found herself looking forward to dinner with a sense of anticipation she hadnt known in years.
As the elevator came to a halt and the doors began to slide open, Blair placed her hand on Cams forearm. 'I dont want the rest of the team to come with us,' she said, an undertone of urgency in her voice. She had been watched constantly for days, with near strangers supervising her every moment. For just a few hours, she wanted to be alone to dine with a woman.
'I know you dont,' Cam responded quietly. 'And I know why. But we cant go alone. Not now, especially so soon after that package was delivered. Ill tell them to stay out of sight.'
'Its not the same.'
'I know it isnt. Believe me, if I could change it, I would.'
Blair brushed her fingers along Camerons sleeve, touching the back of Cam's hand with her fingertips for just a moment. She recognized the sincerity in her voice. 'Thank you.'
Cameron whispered a few words into her microphone as she stepped out of the elevator to take Blairs arm. She wasnt entirely certain this was a good idea, but she had a feeling if she didnt allow Blair this small bit of independence, she would lose whatever chance she had of Blairs cooperation. In truth, she didnt have the heart to keep her constrained any longer. It wasnt just the last four days, it was the last fifteen years.
As they stepped out into the brisk early evening air, she realized how much she wanted to give Blair these few moments of happiness. She caught her breath in surprise when Blair slipped her fingers into her hand, all too aware that at least three of her agents were watching.
'I didnt think you were afraid of rumors, Commander,' Blair said tauntingly.
'Its not the rumors Im afraid of,' Cam said dryly, 'its your father.'
The agents threading themselves through the crowd ten feet behind looked at each other curiously, wondering what had prompted the laughter from Blair Powell.
**********
'I think we can manage it,' Cam said as she leaned back in her chair. She was comfortably relaxed after a slow, quiet dinner in a small restaurant off Fourth Street in the West Village. They were sitting at a table for two in front of a large open wood burning fireplace. Blair had initially requested a table in the wide front window, but Cam had politely declined, requesting seating where Blair wasn't quite so exposed. She sipped her espresso while Blair
