Diana did not notice, at first, the person that had approached her from behind until they very gently put their hand on her shoulder. She jumped and fell forward nearly jarring the door to Dale's office. She hit the doorjamb instead resulting in a soft thud.

Hearing sudden movement from inside, the person grabbed her arm and pulled her around a corner and out of sight. When Diana heard Dale's door close completely, she looked up into the face of Brett Cassiday.

"What are you doing?" she whispered irritably.

"Saving your butt, that's what! Come on..." he whispered back and motioned for her to follow him.

"Where are we going?"

Brett didn't respond but grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of her office. They somehow managed to pass no one on the way.

When they had reached the privacy of her office, Diana demanded to know what in the world he was doing.

"What is wrong with you?"

He ignored her question and instead started in with his own.

"What did you hear just now at Dale's door? And don't try and tell me nothing. You would not have been there, listening at his door if it hadn't been something concerning you. I am aware of the fact he has been looking into your records and trying to find out about your past..."

In complete shock, Diana stood there frozen. She didn't know where to begin. She was scared to speak, never having imagined herself in this kind of situation... trapped, as she was.

As he has just said, there was no way to explain her eavesdropping at Dale's door other than by telling the truth. But if Brett was aware of what Dale had been doing, then maybe he too, might already have ideas of his own.

Accepting that there was no way out, she asked simply: "How much do you know?"

"Well, for starters, I know you are not who you appear to be. You have a secret that you have gone to a lot of trouble to keep... including deceiving your friends."

Brett looked away and Diana felt guilt stab, without mercy, at her body.

"Brett, I'm sorry... I have to," Diana pleaded.

"You mean, that in spite of all that's going on you... you are at risk of losing everything, Diana. Your security clearance has already been suspended and depending on what Ronald Hathaway has told Dale just now, it could lead to a full-blown investigation. At that point you will have no choice but to divulge everything in a federal hearing. And believe me, Diana, you don't want that!"

"But, Brett, you don't know all that is involved. You wouldn't even be able to imagine! It has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to do to deceive everyone, to deceive you..." Her words trailed off. Even in her own ears, her words sounded lame and contrived.

Brett shook his head and walked toward her, grabbing her by the shoulders. His inner struggle was apparent as he found the right words to say:

"Look, it makes no difference to me to know what you are hiding. I will continue to stand by you no matter what. But, there is something inside that tells me that you are not purposely lying. It's ...just like the secret that I hide- I have to because no one would understand. Is that the way it is with you, Diana?"

He gently lifted her chin so that she was able to look him in the eyes.

Those eyes... those beautiful, clear blue eyes. He wiped away the single tear that she freely allowed to slide down her cheek. He could remember seeing only one other with eyes as transfixing.

And Diana saw the sudden comprehension in his eyes.

"You have sensed something all along, haven't you?" she asked almost to herself.

"Y-yes, I always felt this connection with you but I could never understand why. And I never would have believed..."

A nervous energy passed through him and without thinking, he brought her closer and placed his lips softly on hers.

Diana didn't resist but went limp in his embrace, for the first time surrendering herself to something that felt so completely human and natural. And when Diana finally opened her eyes when it was over, she actually felt relief that what she had just experience was not a dream.

She had just kissed a mortal man for the first time. But this was no ordinary mortal.

This man knew her secret...