Chapter 12
Kristin couldn't believe what she was hearing.  "You're offering me a job?"

"Mrs. Chasez and I were very grateful to you for the things you said to us the other night.  He got us to talking and…well, I won't bore you with the details, but we've decided to work things out.  I know that you said you wanted to concentrate on school, but we can work around your schedule.  If you have a test, you can study for it.  I know how fond of you Josh is and I know he's love working with you so I though…"

"Wait," she stopped him.  "I'd be working with JC…er…Josh?"

"Would that be a problem?  I could have you work in another department if you'd like.  I would just really like you to work for me."

"But Mr. Chasez, I don't know anything about your company."

"Don't be so modest.  I know that you helped Josh get caught up when he was home sick that day.  You did a great job and I think that you and Josh complement each other's style very well, which is why I thought you'd enjoy working with him."

Kristin knew that Mr. Chasez wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.  She could tell that about his nature, especially since he had such a successful business.  "Thank you, Mr. Chasez."

"Does that mean you'll do it?" he asked.  Kristin could hear the hopefulness in his voice.

"Yeah, I'll take the job."

"You've just made me a very happy man.  You can start tomorrow.  Show up at Josh's office and he'll have your work for you."

Kristin thanked him again, said her good byes and hung up the phone slowly, unable to believe she'd just agreed to work with JC.  "He's going to kill me when he finds out," she said quietly to herself.  "What have I gotten myself into."

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JC walked into his father's building the next morning as usual bright and early before the other workers had come.  He saw his father's office door open and decided to say good morning to him.  Peering inside, JC saw his father sitting at his desk, signing a few papers.  "Morning, Dad."

Mr. Chasez looked toward the door, his eyes lighting up seeing his son.  "Morning, Son, come in here I want to give you something."

JC did as he was told and was surprised when his dad handed him a stack of files.  "This is for your new assistant to do, fill out, excreta.  I'm sure you'll be able to fill her in, though I doubt she'll need it."  Mr. Chasez raised his eyes up and down. 

JC couldn't really understand why his dad would hire an assistant for him, he thought he did the work pretty well alone, except for the one day he was gone.  And that wasn't even a normal day.  "Dad, I'm a little confused.  Have I done something that makes you think that I need an assistant?"

"No, no, Son.  I wanted to hire this woman because I know she needed a job and I thought I could help.  It's nothing you did, though I thought you might enjoy the company.  Not to mention it will take a load off of you and who couldn't use that?"

"Dad, why did you just hire her as your assistant?"

"Josh, enough with the questions.  It's already a done deal.  She should be here any moment."  He looked at his watch, seeing what time it was he said, "In fact she should already be in your office as we speak."

"Dad, do I have the right to fire her if she's not as much of a help as you think she'll be?"

"Son, I think you have nothing to worry about, but if for some reason things don't work out, let me know and I'll transfer her."

JC sighed inwardly and made his way to his office.  He immediately noticed as he walked down the walkway, he couldn't feel anyone's stares, and all he could hear was the sound of keys being punched on the keyboards.  He liked the sound of people working instead of being stared at.  JC smiled slightly and walked into his office.  Upon seeing the person standing there, his smile fell.  "What are you doing here?"

Kristin stood there, feeling more uncomfortable than she would ever dreamed.  "Your father hired…"

"YOU?!  He hired YOU to be my assistant?"  JC raked his hands through his hair.  "We can't work together, I'm going to have to talk to my dad…"  JC turned to head back to the door.

"JC please, don't."  Kristin's pleas didn't fall upon deaf ears.  JC turned and looked at her.  "JC, I need this job.  I don't have any other options."

"Why don't you go back to your beloved Blossoms?" JC said obvious sarcasm in his voice.

"JC, you know I hated it there.  I went back and I told Victor off.  I threatened him with that sexual harassment thing you told me about.  If you could have seen the look on his face,…" she laughed thinking about the terrified look he'd given her as she said the words 'sexual harassment'.  Kristin immediately stopped laughing seeing that JC didn't find it that amusing.  "Please, JC, I need this."

"My dad said he'd transfer you if we couldn't get along.  You won't be fired."

"But you dad thinks that I'M the one that helped you get everything done why you were sick that day.  He thinks I know all this stuff.  When he finds out I don't I'm sure he'll fire me."

JC sighed, angrily.  "Kristin, do you understand the position you've put me in.  This isn't fair.  You should have just told my father the truth."

Kristin could feel herself growing angrier.  "What was I supposed to tell him, JC?  Tell him that his son and I traded bodies for a few days and it was really JC that helped me do all the work from the day he missed?  He'd think I was crazy.  Hell, I think I'm crazy and I'm the one it happened to!"  Kristin sighed, her anger subsiding.  "JC, please give me a chance.  I can lean this stuff.  I was helping you wasn't I?  I can do this."

"Kristin I have no doubt about your intelligence.  I know that you'd be able to learn it all.  That's not the problem."

"Then what is?  Whatever it is JC, I'll work on it.  I'll make it better, please don't make me quit."

"I can't work next to you every day, feeling for you the way I do, and not have you feel the same way."

"I do feel the same, JC!" she said without thinking.  JC's expression changed to an unreadable one.  He watched her a moment, unsure of what to do.  He slowly began to move to her.  "But, I can't be with you," she said in barely a whisper.  He continued to move to her taking her in his arms, noticing she didn't resist much.  "JC…" she started.

Before she could finish, JC's lips had captured hers in a warm embrace.  He massaged his lips with hers and was encouraged to deepen the kiss feeling her lips move simultaneously with his.  His tongue gently parted her lips and began gently playing with her own tongue.  Kristin suddenly pulled away and looked at JC confused.  "JC, I don't know what I'm doing.  I'm so confused.  I mean, a few days ago we were mortal enemies.  Now, what are we doing?"

"Kristin, I don't have all the answers.  But I do know I want to be with you.  You helped me in ways no one else could have.  The women at work respect me now, and it's because you.  You and I went through a traumatic thing but if we can get through that together, then you and I can take on anything.  I don't want to go another day of my life without you in it."

Kristin suddenly found herself flashing back to all the days the two had known each other, hated each other.  She couldn't help wonder how they could be where the were now, wrapped in each other's arms, struggling to find answers as to why they suddenly felt this way about one another.  But as she looked into his eyes, those mesmerizing blue eyes, she suddenly didn't care how it was possible.  She knew she was right where she belonged, and that was where she would stay.
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