[chapter seven]

Caitlin stepped through the door and gently shut it behind her. Turning back around to face the rest of the house, she slowly slid down the door and sat down.

"That bad, or that good?" Scout teased as he walked through the doorway into the front hall.

"Good. This is a good sliding down the door and sitting down." Caitlin replied.

Scout grinned, then walked over to sit next to her, still up against the front door. "Soooo. what did you guys do? Is he an egomaniac? What's he like? Why do you look all dreamy?" Scout fired the questions at her.

"Walking, eating, pool playing. No. Wonderful. And because he's damn cute." Caitlin responded to his questions in order.

"Oh no! Details! I insist! Alex and Jon are at work, and the television is failing to keep my attention, so you better give me a play by play!" Scout demanded.

"I'm too tired." Caitlin said, yawning.

"My ass! Talk!" Scout demanded.

"Ok, ok! Jeez! Demanding much?" Caitlin teased.

"Hey, you're my baby sister too, and if this guy had his paws all over you, I'm going to know about it." Scout said.

"There was no pawing. I promise. Just some grabbing, grunting, and grinding." Caitlin said with a straight face.

"WHAT?!" Scout screeched.

"Teasing, teasing. He was very nice...we just drove around the city, and JC showed me different parts of the town. We walked around some parks, and then he took me to dinner. After dinner, he kicked my ass numerous times in pool, and then he drove me home. I swear, that was it." Caitlin said.

"No kiss?" Scout probed.

"It wasn't like that. We just got to know each other, and he's super nice. And a total gentleman. I couldn't resist thoughI gave him a peck on the cheek when we said goodnight. I know I'll never see him again, so I had to seize the moment. Hence the slightly dreamy expression." Caitlin paused. "I just kissed a music star. Yay me!" She smiled.

"You are a dork." Scout said affectionately. "I'm glad you had a good time. You deserve to meet a nice guy." He added.

"Scout, I'm trying to be realistic here. JC is entirely too busy, too famous, and too cool to want to hang out with me. I'm happy with my brush with fame, and I'm ready to go back to my lifestyle of librarianship and navy-boy babysitting." Caitlin grinned.

"Babysitting?!" Scout sounded indignant. "I don't need a babysitter! Well, not most of the time, anyway"

Caitlin grinned as she stood up and brushed off her pants. "I'm going to bed. Night Scout."

Scout stood and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Night, Bird."

(The next day)

Caitlin was circling the reference reading room, picking up stray books and answering the odd question. As she returned to the front of the library, she couldn't help but admire the sunshine outside, and the beautiful city street that lay in front of the library. After dropping off the found books to Circulation, she returned to her post at the reference desk and began tidying and straightening all the papers, articles, and journals that were laying around.

"You'd think librarians would be a little more orderly." She said to Jessica, who was standing nearby shelving encyclopedias.

Jessica grinned and returned to the desk. "Tell me about it! So much for organizational pride." She joked. Spying someone approaching the desk with a skeptical look, she whispered to Caitlin, "Is it your turn or mine?"

"I think it's mine. I got it." Caitlin responded.

As the patron approached, Caitlin smiled and gave a courteous, "May I help you?"

Several moments later, Caitlin was walking across the library, leading the patron to the part of the collection they needed. Jessica smiled at her assertive and helpful manner, and thought about what a nice addition Caitlin had been to the staff at the library. Just as she was turning away, a hand took hold of her arm. "Ma'am, can you help me?" came the request.

(Moments later)

Caitlin returned to the desk several minutes later, and noticed Jessica's absence. "Busy day." She thought to herself as she settled down at the desk, while keeping an eye on the computer usersthey tended to need the most help.

"Hey girl." Jessica said as she strolled up to the desk a few moments later.

"Hey." Caitlin responded with a smile. "We're earning our keep today, huh?"

"Well, you might be. I have a gentleman who needs some help, and I cannot figure out the best way to answer his reference question. It's about sports, and I'm totally at a loss as to which database to try, or where to start. Can you take a stab at it?" Jessica asked.

"Sure. Where is he?" Caitlin asked, stepping off her stool.

"He's over browsing the sports collection--football, I think." Try looking around those shelves." Jessica suggested.

"Gotcha. Back in a few." Caitlin said, setting off for the other side of the library.

Caitlin walked down the aisle where the sports books were housed, and didn't see anyone. She poked her head around several corners, but still didn't see anyone. She had noticed several books that were off the shelves and on the floor down one of the aisles. Deciding that the patron must have left, Caitlin walked to the strewn books so she could reshelve them. She bent down and grabbed the first book, and was about to reshelve it, when she noticed a piece of paper and a flower stuck in the shelves where the book belonged. The paper read simply read: "For Caitlin". Caitlin took the flower off the shelf, and stood up quickly. She looked down the aisle, and then turned around to look the other way just as JC came around the corner with a big smile on his face. Caitlin's face lit up when she saw him.

"JC!" She said warmly. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Well, actually, I came looking for some information, and I was hoping you could help." JC answered with a grin.

"Caitlin's face fell a fraction of an inch. She had hoped JC was here to see her, but it made sense that he was here to use the library, not just talk to her. Putting the flower down, a tulip--one of her favorite flowers--she turned to JC with purpose.

"Absolutely! What information are you looking for?" Caitlin asked professionally.

"Well, a couple of things. First off, what time do you get off work? Second, what's your favorite flower? And finally, will you go out with me tonight?"

Caitlin paused for a moment, trying to puzzle out what JC was up to. "Um...are you a stalker?" She asked teasingly.

"Depends...does stalking work on a gal like you?" JC asked.

Caitlin laughed. "Never would have pegged you as the stalking type, but I'm flattered that you picked me as your victim."

"So, can you help me find the answers to my questions?" JC asked quietly.

"I get off work at 5:30. My favorite flowers are daffodils, tulips, and roses. And as for going out tonight I'm not sure I want to go out with a guy who can only spring for one flower." Caitlin said with a straight face.

JC's face fell. "I was hoping it would look charming, rather than like a bribe."

Caitlin laughed out loud. "I'm just teasing."

JC looked relieved, and smiled again. "So, what do you say? Can I see you tonight?"

"I thought you and the guys had a busy few days ahead of you." Caitlin asked, stalling for time.

"We do, but evenings are generally left up to us. I have to swing by Jive sometime this evening to look at the latest drafts for some guitar tabs, but other than that, I'm free. And I was hoping to spend the time off with you."

"Why?" Caitlin asked quietly.

"Isn't it obvious?" JC asked, just as quietly.

Caitlin sighed. Her mind was racing...why did JC--JC Chasez, singer for one of the hottest bands in the world--want to spend time with her? And why did she have to like him so much already? She was only going to get hurt again...

She looked up and looked right into JC's bright blue eyes. Her inner argument screeched to a halt, and all her thoughts were concentrated on the handsome face in front of her. After a few moments, her mind was made up.

"I'd love to see you tonight." Caitlin said.

JC's face lit up. "Great! How about we grab a bite to eat, then we can do whatever you like. Shall I pick you up around 6?" He asked.

"Perfect. I'll see you at 6." Caitlin responded.

"Oh...there is one more thing. I guess Jive wasn't terribly pleased that I snuck out the other night without security. Lonnie will have to go with us tonight, but he'll stay out of sight. I promise." JC said.

"You snuck out? Why?" Caitlin asked.

"Who wants security around when you're trying to woo a woman?" JC asked.

"Woo a woman? Josh, we have got to get you into the 21st century! I'll see you at 6." Caitlin said, turning and walking away from JC. She sashayed out of the aisle with a huge grin on her face.

After walking about 30 feet, Caitlin mind was racing. "Why did I agree to go? Why is he wooing me? And why did I swing my hips as I walked out of that aisle?? Tease..."

JC's thoughts were also wandering as he stopped by the reference desk to thank Jessica again for her help in getting Caitlin over into the stacks, and then as he walked out of the library into the bright sunshine, Lonnie at his heels. "She's cute. And that walk...damn. Give me a heart attack!" JC smiled and allowed himself one last thought as he climbed into the van, "She called me Josh."

chapter eight