The next day the couples took advantage of the many activities available to resort guests - horseback riding, hiking, sailing, swimming, pampering at the spa, pretty much anything imaginable. Roarke and Sherry joined Seamus and Jennifer Riley for a hike. It was actually a cover for their meet to discuss the pending transaction. Once they were a fair distance from the resort, Roarke requested a sample of the bio-weapon as well as copy of the formula, so that it could be tested.
"Sorry," Seamus shook his head. "We don't give out the formula. Wouldn't be very good for business to give away our secrets, now would it." Roarke nodded. "I understand. I only want a copy so my wife can make sure it's what you say it is. It will be returned to you. You can secure it so we can't copy it. Whatever you want. We just don't do business until we're certain of what we're buying."
Seamus looked to Jennifer who nodded. "Fine. I'll get you the formula and sample as soon as we get back. We will hear from you at the dance tonight?" Roarke conferred quietly with Sherry and agreed. "Tonight at the dance, then."
Seamus smiled. "Good. Now, enough with business. We're here for a little romance after all, aren't we? I'm sure you agree with me," he teased Roarke. "Of course," he said, taking Sherry's hand and interlacing their fingers. "We never seem to get enough time alone," Roarke commiserated with his counterpart. Seamus laughed and slapped him on the back. "I do understand my brother. My wife and I are going to spend some time alone, but we'll have the stuff to you in about two hours. That should give you plenty of time to check it out before the dance." Roarke nodded and they shook hands.
A short time later, Roarke and Sherry were strolling the grounds of the resort when they ran into Jace and Brenna. "Hello Jace, Brenna," Roarke greeted them. Sherry smiled. "We're having a small get together in our suite in about two hours. Do you think you two could make it?" That was the code for 'we're getting the sample. We need you to come and analyze it.' Jace conferred with Brenna who nodded.
"Sure, we'd love to. Thank you for the invitation," he answered. "It's our pleasure," Sherry answered and then they headed back inside. As they passed through the lounge, they saw Michael and Nahla heading out.
"Hey sis," Sherry called to them. "Roarke and I are having a little get together in about two hours. Think you and Michael can make it?" Knowing what the question actually meant, Nahla was quick to respond. "Sure, I think we'll be back by then."
"Have fun," Roarke teased as they continued on their way. Sherry sighed quietly, but Roarke heard it. "I think it's time for a break. How about a drink in the lounge?" Sherry nodded and Roarke led her to a small sofa in a secluded corner of the lounge. He was back in no time with two Diet Cokes. Sitting them down on the table in front of them, he walked around behind her and began to massage her shoulders once again. "Perhaps I can finish what I started last night," he offered.
Sherry smiled. He certainly did have a way with his hands. "That sounds heavenly," she answered. Just then, Rita and Antonio happened through the lounge. Rita took one look and the little green monster jumped into her eyes. As they got closer, Rita remarked, "Why don't you two give it a rest? Everyone knows she belongs to you Roarke. If you take your hands off of her for five minutes, she's not gonna disappear."
"Riiiittttaaaaaa," Antonio moaned and tried to pull her away, but she wasn't cooperating. Roarke felt Sherry's shoulders tense all over again and sighed. "Rita, what is wrong with you? You know what's going on here."
Rita laughed. "Oh, yeah. I know what's going on. And don't think I'll forget it any time soon." Sherry sighed and got up. "Rita with me, now!" she ordered and the two of them headed off to find a private place to talk. Once they were alone, Sherry turned to her friend.
"Rita, what is with you? I know this mission is difficult for everyone. And I know you don't like seeing me with Roarke. Believe me, I understand. I didn't profile the mission, or choose the couples. Neither did Roarke. We were ordered just like the rest of you. You know I wouldn't try and steal him away from you, even if I could."
Rita sighed and slumped down in the chair in front of her. "I know. I'm sorry. But every time we see you, he's got his hands on you. It's irritating, okay?" Sherry smiled. "I understand. I do. But I have one question. Do you trust Roarke?"
Rita looked around the room for a moment before answering. "I thought I did, until this mission. But he just looks so ... happy and comfortable with you." Sherry shook her head. "He's supposed to, Rita. That's the plan. Besides, he's only doing most of it to pull Michael's chain."
Rita laughed at that. "I'm sure that's going over well." Sherry rolled her eyes. "You don't even want to know." Rita smiled and then sobered. "But Michael's nowhere to be seen right now and he's still all over you."
Sherry tried to explain. "I guess that's my fault. I'm tired and pretty tense. Roarke noticed and wanted to try to ease the tension before a migraine set in. Since it bothers you this much, I'll tell him to cool it. I don't want this mission hurting anyone. Tell you what. I'll get you two some time alone before tonight. Would that help?"
Rita smiled at her friend. "I guess so. I'm sorry I'm being so weird about this. But it just sort of comes over me." Sherry laughed. "Tell me about it. Just one warning though. Tonight at the dance - prepare yourself. We have to be very, very convincing in front of the Rileys. You all will have to be too. Okay?"
Rita nodded and apologized again. Then they headed out to find Roarke and Antonio. Sherry smiled as they reached the men. "Roarke, I've invited Rita and Antonio to our suite in about half an hour for a drink. Rita has accepted. Is that okay?" Roarke looked a bit confused but nodded. "Sure. Anything you want." Antonio simply shrugged. He was low man on this totem pole so he would go along with whatever they suggested. "Good. We'll see you then," Sherry said as she and Roarke headed back to their suite.
"Okay, you want to tell me what's going on?" Roarke asked once they were back in their suite. Sherry sighed. "You and Rita need to spend a little time together. This is apparently harder on her than we thought. She needs your attention. I tried to reassure her, and I think she's okay, but whatever you can do will be helpful." Roarke smiled and nodded. "Gotcha. But we don't have a lot of time." Sherry nodded. "I know. Antonio and I will be in Michael and Nahla's suite while you two work things out. But we have to be ready when Seamus and Jennifer show up with the sample."
Twenty minutes later there was a knock on the door. Sherry opened it and invited Rita and Antonio inside. "Thanks," Rita whispered. Sherry nodded and grabbed Antonio's hand. "Tony, I want you to come with me," she said and proceeded to lead him into the adjoining suite.
An hour later, the door to the suite opened and Michael and Nahla entered. Michael took in the couple that was lounging in their room. "What are you doing here?" he asked in that infamous straight-to-the-point fashion.
"You're not happy to see me?" Sherry pretended to pout and Nahla smiled behind his back. She loved to just watch these two play off each other. It was certainly entertaining.
"Of course," Michael walked over and kissed her. "Now, what's going on?" he insisted. Antonio spoke up. "Rita had a hissy fit about Roarke giving Sherry a massage." The look on Michael's face was too much and Sherry laughed. "Thanks, Antonio." Nahla laughed as well, and Tony shrugged. "Well, she did. Roarke got mad, Sherry pulled rank, and here we are." Michael quirked his eyebrows, waiting for an explanation from Sherry.
Sherry winked at Nahla and then said, "That's about the gist of it." Knowing he was still waiting and not wanting to irk him any further, Sherry pulled him down on the arm of her chair and explained. "Roarke knew I was feeling stressed. He could tell last night, if you recall." Michael nodded. "He asked if he could help, give me a little massage before a headache set it. I agreed. Rita walked in and had a problem with us. I talked with her, explained a few things, decided to give her and Roarke a little time alone, and voila, here we are."
"You worry too much about everyone," Michael pointed out. "I know," Sherry smiled at him, "but that's why you love me."
Nahla chuckled. "She's got you there, Michael." He smiled and nodded. "Yes, but we have to stay focused." Sherry sighed and stood up. "I know. But I'm not letting this mission hurt any of them." She walked over to the window and looked out. "They have enough to deal with day-to-day without putting this kind of stress on them. If I can help them get through it, I will."
Michael grabbed her hand and headed for one of the bedrooms in their suite. "Let us know when they are ready," he told Nahla who nodded. She walked over and sat down beside Antonio. "So Antonio, looks like it's just you and me."
Once he had closed the bedroom door behind them, Michael watched her move over to sit on the windowsill. He walked over behind her and began his own massage of her shoulders. "And who is going to get you through this?" he asked quietly, knowing that even though she was very good at what she did, it was taking a toll on her. "I'm okay, Michael. Really." She closed her eyes as his hands worked their magic on her. "Besides, if I need you, I know you're here." Michael smiled one of his rare smiles, although she didn't see it. "Always."
Michael sat down behind her and pulled her back against him. Smiling, she asked, "How did you know this is just what I needed?" Placing a kiss on her cheek, he whispered in her ear, "Because I know you." Nodding she leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder. They sat quietly that way until there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Michael called.
Opening the door, Nahla poked her head. "Roarke says they'll be here soon. Antonio and Rita just left." Michael nodded and thanked her.
"And just when I was getting comfortable," Sherry moaned. "Well, I guess this is it." She got up and started across the room. Michael pulled her back and stood up to face her. Caressing her cheek, he whispered, "Be careful." Smiling at him, she used the answer he had given her earlier, "Always." Then she placed a soft kiss on his lips and headed back to her suite and Roarke.
A short time later, the Rileys dropped by and gave Roarke and Sherry the sample and formula. Not long after they were gone, Jace and Brenna arrived. A few minutes following their arrival, Michael and Nahla entered the suite through the connecting door. Upon seeing her, Jace walked over to Nahla, took her in his arms and kissed her softly. "How's it going?" he whispered, knowing that Nahla wasn't accustomed to cold ops. Neither was he for that matter.
Once Roarke and Sherry had laid out the materials, Nahla and Jace began to analyze them. Wanting to give the young couple some time alone together, Sherry ushered Michael, Roarke and Brenna into Michael and Nahla's suite where they worked on updating the profile.
An hour and a half later, Jace and Nahla concluded their analysis and joined the others. Nahla spoke first. "Thanks Sherry," knowing her friend would understand. Sherry simply nodded and smiled. She noted a sparkle in their eyes that hadn't been there earlier.
"The sample will do what they say it will," Jace said, "but the formula is bogus."
"What do you mean, bogus?" Roarke asked.
"There's a component missing. The ignition compound, if you will. Without it, this formula is pretty much useless," Nahla explained.
Michael nodded. "They are testing you. Nahla, Jace, explain everything to Sherry. She has to know what to look for in the real formula. She has to convince them she knows what she's talking about. They won't sell to you otherwise, and will probably kill you instead." While they explained the intricacies of the formula to Sherry, Michael, Roarke and Brenna once again reworked the profile. If things went as planned, tomorrow this would all be over.