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Screw orders.Jake was done waiting. If the FBI wanted him handcuffed, they could come do it themselves. Until then, he was going to follow his gut, which right now told him to track down Dana and Claire.

He grabbed his jacket, calculating the time it would take to give the press the slip, get to the gun safe in his apartment and then begin his hunt. He was two paces from the front door, when he heard the lock tumble.

Jake’s hand went to his hip instinctively, despite knowing his weapon wasn’t there. He swore, retreating out of sight. It wasn’t likely an armed assailant had sauntered up to the front door with the hoard of press outside, but old habits were hard to break. He crouched, ready to attack if need be.

The door swung open activating the security system. Warning beeps counted down to the alarm if the code wasn’t entered in time. Jake heard the keypad being punched, then the telltale beep-beep of the system resetting.

“Jake?” Dana’s voice reached him, luring him forward like a magnet.

Her eyes were full of questions when she saw him stalking toward her, but desperation overrode logic, and he pulled her into a fierce embrace.

Chest heaving, Jake inhaled her scent, letting her floral fragrance quiet his frayed nerves. She looked up at him and he forgot himself, capturing her lips with his.

For a moment, Dana was lost too, her arms around his neck, fingers raking through his hair. But all at once she pulled back, looking at him like she was truly seeing him for the first time.

“Were you going somewhere?” she accused, eyeing the FBI field jacket he’d donned shortly before she’d arrived.

It was useless to deny it. Jake could feel it coming. The moment his lips left Dana’s he’d landed in an argument. Or maybe picked up where the last one ended. It was getting harder to tell. “I didn’t know where you were,” he answered defensively.

She crossed her arms. “So, you were going to disobey a direct order to drive around D.C. aimlessly?”

“If that’s what it takes, yeah. I thought you were in danger!”

Dana’s gaze softened but her arms remained crossed. “Jake, we have to break this cycle.”

“Of you chasing down danger on your own? Yeah, I agree.”

“I didn’t chase anything. Hartwell called me to the crime scene, you know that. Just like you also know I’d rather not be there, especially without you.”

“Yeah, well that’s the situation we’re in, isn’t it?” he said, bitterly.

“Because you don’t trust me to take care of myself.”

“Trust has nothing to do with it! In the past two years you’ve been shot, kidnapped, and hospitalized. So, excuse me for worrying when you disappear in the middle of a phone call.”

Dana exhaled slowly, the fight leaving with her breath. She closed the space between them, laying her hand on Jake’s cheek. “I’m sorry I worried you. If the situation were reversed, I probably would’ve done the same thing.”

Jake smirked. “Rushed after me and landed yourself in even more trouble?”

“Yes, but that’s what I mean. We have to break this cycle. We have to trust in each other enough to know we can handle whatever situation we find ourselves in.”

“Dana, I know you’re right and I can ‘yes ma’am’ you all day long, but the bottom line is if you’re in trouble, I’m going to do everything in my power to get you out of it. That’s just how I’m wired.”

It was her turn to fight a smile. “Like a stubborn soldier.”

He pulled her closer, arms encircling her waist. “A stubborn soldier who’s in love with you.”

Dana’s eyes widened. “Jake …”

He held up a hand to stop her objection. “Can we table this argument? We have a bigger problem.”