"This is Reese Marshall how can I help you?" she asked

"Reese, it is Van." Evangeline said taking another deep breath.

"Well if it isn’t the honorable Evangeline Williamson. What can I do you for your honor?" she said with a laugh.

"Ha ha very funny Reese. I need your help with something."

"Anything for you hun, is everything okay?" she asked with worry in her voice.

"Nope, but we will get to that in a moment. What can you tell me about a Special Agent by the name of John McBain?" She asked while typing on the computer.

"Ahh, Johnny McBain. Why do you ask?"

"Reese what do you know?" she asked with a forceful tone that shook even her.

"Sorry Van. John McBain is one of the best agents that Quantico has produced in the past ten years I would say. His record is impeccable. Wait a minute has someone threatened you?" she asked getting serious now.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because John McBain’s so called specialty is protecting high powered officials and witness from outside forces. What is going on Van? You know you can tell me anything right?" she asked worried about her old college roommate.

"I am presiding over case and apparently the defendant wants me dead." She said trying to laugh it off.

"Wow, hun are you okay? "

"As well as can be expected considering the circumstances."

"Well from what I know about McBain you have nothing to worry about. He takes his job very seriously. You have one of the best protecting you. Let me put it this way I would have him protect me if I needed it, and you know me I can take care of myself."

"I know. That is good to here. I have a lunch date, so if you find anything else out about Agent McBain will you let me know?" She asked as she was taking off her robe and putting on her suit jacket.

"Anything for you. Have a great lunch, and keep in touch."

"I will have a great day hun."

"You too Van." They both hung up the phone and Evangeline grabbed her brief case from the closet and made her way to the outer office.

"I’m ready when ever you are." She said walking towards John who was talking to Marie. "Marie I have my phone on if you need to get in touch. Have a great lunch with your husband and tell him I said hello okay?"

"Of course Judge. Remember the hearings this afternoon do not start till 1:30 instead of 1 okay?" she said as she watched them leave the office.

"Keys?" John asked holding his hand out.

"What?" she asked confused.

"Your car keys please. Remember I told you, you have a driver now." He said taking the keys from her. Their fingers passed across each other and their eyes locked once again at the seemingly innocent touch.

"Thanks." He said taking the keys from her, "Where did you park?"

"Ummm…." She stuttered at still feeling his hands against hers. "The fourth level I think."

"You think?" he asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"Yeah it was the fourth level. Of course it is the fourth level we have assigned spots." She said shaking her head at how silly she was acting around this man. He chuckled lightly. "Are you laughing at me Agent McBain?" She asked turning a little to look at him. She laughed out loud at the face he made and they continued the ride down to the parking garage.

She led him to the car and he opened the passenger door for her. She placed her briefcase in the back seat as she slid into the car. He walked around to the other side and got in. "Sorry about all of this" he said as he started to adjust the seat of her 2005 Lincoln LS.

"What do you mean?" she asked as she buckled her seat belt and turned to look at him.

"Me taking over you car and everything. I know I can be really picky about other people moving the seat and adjusting the mirrors and stuff." He replied as he started the car and pulled out of the spot.

"It is no problem. Do you know where you are going?" she asked watching him drive her car out of the garage.

"Yes, I asked Marie right? Marie where your lunch plans were and she informed me."

"Well that is good to know." she replied as she turned on the radio and hit one of the presets that was programmed to the jazz station.

"You like jazz?" he asked kind of stunned by this revelation.

"Yes Agent McBain I do. Is that a problem for you?"

"No, just a little surprised."

"And why is that?" She asked crossing her arms in a defensive position.

John took notice of her position and said, "No need to get defensive Judge Williamson. It was just a question."

"I am not getting defensive." She said relaxing her body into the seat.

"Some would say other wise." He shot back with a smirk.

Evangeline didn’t reply to his statement. She sat back in the car and let the music wash over here. They arrived at the small Italian restaurant were she was meeting Judge Makayla Pauley for lunch. He parked the car and slowly turned off the ignition, "Wait here please." He responded as she started to unbuckle her seat belt and get out of the car.

"Wait, why?" she asked kind of pissed off.

"Please Judge Williamson, just wait here I need to make sure everything is secure. Keep the doors locked I will be right back." He said as he got of the car and waited for her to lock the doors. He ran across the street to the restaurant.

She watched him scan the outside of the building and the street then he opened the door. He flashed his badge to the host and asked, "Yes is Judge Pauley here yet?"

"Yes she is sir. Is she expecting you?"

"You could say that, excuse me." He said and turned and left the restaurant.

He ran back over to the car and stopped as he reached the passenger side of the car. He tapped on the window for her to unlock the door. He opened it and helped her out. "Is every thing okay?" she as stepping out on to the sidewalk.

"Yeap." He said as his eyes scanned the street once again. He placed a hand on the small of her back and hurried her across the street to the restaurant, "Judge Pauley is already here." He said as he opened the door for her.

"Judge Williamson, it is always a pleasure to see you." The host said as he came around from behind the desk and kissed the top of her hand.

"Ah Ricardo it is so good to see you." She said with a small laugh as he kissed her hand.

"Right this way Judge Williamson, Judge Pauley is waiting for you at your regular table." He said as he led Evangeline to the table in the corner of the restaurant. John followed Ricardo and Evangeline to the table as he scanned the restaurant yet again.

"Agent McBain relax." She said at seeing how tense he was acting.

"I don’t relax, if I do something you don’t want to happen could." He said in a deep voice that scared her a bit.

"Oh." She said as they walked up on to the table where Judge Makayla Pauley was sitting talking on her cell phone. She rose as she saw Evangeline approach and did the European kiss on both cheeks, smiled at her then looked over her shoulder at John and raised an eyebrow to Evangeline. Makayla Pauley was beautiful woman with green eyes and brown hair she was about six feet tall, her hair was pulled back some but some of it flowed over her shoulders she had a very statuesque presence that seemed to intimidate men.

Evangeline took the seat across from Makayla and John sat at another table to give both of them their privacy.

"Ricardo, whatever that gentleman over there wants make sure he gets it and add it to my bill okay." She said looking at John and then back at Ricardo.

"Of course Judge Williamson. Maurice will be over to take your orders in a minute; can I get you something to drink?"

"Just water I have court after lunch." She said laughing, she really wanted a glass of wine but knew better.

Makayla hung up the phone and smiled at Evangeline. "Evangeline Williamson, it is so good to see you my dear." She said grabbing Evangeline’s hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"It is good to see you too Kay." She said squeezing her hand back.

"I don’t mean to be nosy." She started.

"Ha!" Evangeline laughed out loud, "You not nosy oh please Kay." She finished as she slouched back in her chair and took a sip of her water.

"Whatever Van, as I was saying, I don’t want to be nosy and you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to, but whom on earth is the fine man that you came in here with?" she asked leaning in towards Evangeline.

"What are you talking about?’ she asked with a sly smile.

"Evangeline Williamson, don’t play coy with me. You know exactly what I am talking about. That man that is sitting over there staring at you." She responded with a laugh.

"Oh, that one. Special Agent John McBain." She said as the waiter approached.

"Judge Williamson and Judge Pauley what a pleasure it is to see you two fine women." Maurice said as he approached the table.

"Maurice." They both said together.

"What can I get you two for lunch?" he asked looking back and forth between the two women.

"I think I will do something light, how about a small manicotti and small salad." Makayla said as she handed Maurice her menu.

"Umm, let me see." Evangeline said she took a quick look over the menu, "Small cheese tortellini and a small salad as well." She replied handing the menu to Maurice.

"Manicotti, tortellini, and two small salads it is ladies." He started to walk away from them but Evangeline caught his arm.

"Maurice, you see that man sitting over there by himself. Get him whatever he wants and put it on my bill. Don’t take no for an answer."

"Yes your honor." He said as he moved away from the table and towards John.

"Excuse me sir."

"Yes," John said as he looked up to Maurice.

"Judge Williamson told me to get you whatever you wanted for lunch."

"I am not hungry thank you any way though." He responded and then turned his focus back towards Evangeline and the rest of the people in the restaurant.

"With all due respect sir, she told me not to take no for an answer. And I really don’t want to cross or make Judge Williamson upset." He said leaning in towards John.

That comment caught John off guard. Evangeline didn’t seem like the type that would make people sorry if they didn’t follow her directions. "Fine then, just bring me whatever she is having." He finally said.

"Okay, thank you sir." Maurice said as he walked away.

John looked back over at Evangeline and raised his glass to her as a gesture of thanks. She smiled and did the same.

"So Van, are you going to tell me who Special agent John McBain is or are you going to leave me hanging her." Makayla asked taking a sip of her wine.

"Special Agent John McBain is with the FBI." She finally said.