"If you're here to say good-bye," Ben said.

Bishop didn't appear distressed by this eagerness to see the last of him. "I am," he said calmly.

Cassie gave Ben a look, and he relented. "Thanks for your help," he said to the agent.

"And damn me for not offering it sooner. I'll take it as read, Judge."

"It's always nice to be understood."

Giving up, Cassie said to Bishop, "So you're leaving us. Another so-called psychic to debunk?"

"No, nothing so interesting, I'm afraid. I'm called back to the office on far more mundane matters."

"Well, I would say it's been a pleasure, but we both know I'd be lying. It has been interesting though. As usual."

"For me as well." Bishop eyed Ben for a moment, then told Cassie, "Be sure and invite me to the christening. In the meantime, have a nice life."

"You too." Cassie waited until he'd nearly reached the door, then said, "Bishop?"

He turned, lifting one brow questioningly.

"Good luck. I hope you find her."

That hard, scarred face was perfectly still, perfectly enigmatic. Then he nodded, more in acknowledgment than acceptance, and left.

"Find who?" Ben asked.

Cassie smiled. "Who he's looking for."

"And that is?"

"Not my story."

Ben thought about that for a moment, then blinked. "Christening?"

"I don't know why he thinks there'll be a christening," Cassie said almost absently. "He knows I'm not religious."

"Christening?"

Cassie slid her arms around his neck as Ben leaned over her, and her laugh was soft and warm. "Well, I distinctly remember as I was coming out of the coma hearing you say you were definitely ready for a long-term commitment. As a matter of fact, you were quite fierce about it."

"Yes, but – You're sure? So soon?"

"Positive. Do you mind?"

My darling…

I love you, Ben.

Cassie… my Cassie… I love you so much.

It was a long time later when Ben lifted his head. "A connection that is literally of the flesh. That's what he said when you were still in the coma. I thought he meant because we were lovers, but that wasn't what he meant at all. And just now he asked to be invited to the christening. He knew. Dammit, Bishop knew. How?"

Cassie said serenely, "I suppose he must have seen it in the tea leaves, darling. Does it matter?"

With her warm gray eyes smiling up at him, her slender body in his arms, and the astonishing intimacy of her presence glowing inside him somewhere deeper than thought, Ben decided that nothing else mattered.

Nothing at all.