They looked quizzically at each other for a moment, then parted. Nobody would be calling either of them at that hour without damned good reason. "Guess I'd better answer it," said Cade, kissing her again and stepping out of the shower stall. Mandi said nothing as she reached to turn off the water. Cade grabbed a towel and used it as he left the bathroom. Picking up the phone, Cade answered it with his room number. "Four-twenty-two." "Cade," said John in a tense voice, "I need to speak to Mandi." "Hold one," said Cade, turning to wave the phone at Mandi. "It's John." She nodded and came padding out of the bathroom to take it and say, "Hi, John. What's up?" As he finished toweling himself dry, Cade faintly heard John say, "We need you in the ops room, Mandi. Let Cade stay there and get some sleep; you're going to have to make a trip to Washington tonight." Nodding as if John could see her, Mandi said, "Tell me about it when I get there. I'm on my way. Bye," and hung up the phone as she turned to Cade. "I heard," he said, tossing the towel over a chair and reaching for her, "And I've seen how fast you move, so how about a kiss for the road, lady?" Mandi moved into his arms for a long, firm kiss, then she stepped back and said, "If I can, I'll be back tonight." "Most excellent, ma'am. I'd like to wake up next to you." Mandi smiled in her naked splendor and became a blur that moved around the room for a moment, then solidified back into Mandi a few inches from his face. She smilingly kissed him again, then again blurred as she sped out of the room. "Damn," muttered Cade as he parked his butt against the desk and picked up Mandi's towel. It still carried the scent of her; the wildflowers and honey scent. He held the towel to his face and breathed deeply of her for a few moments, then hung both towels on the rack in the bathroom and climbed into bed. Sleep was evasive for a while as he remembered various aspects of their shower together, but eventually it found him.