20 I Am the Source of the Latest Juicy Gossip

Jack looked around and murmured, "I think our cover's been blown, my dear." Changying poked at the button determinedly as she saw one of the girls disappear into the kitchenette and a moment later Chen's head poke around the corner.

"You're quite the catch Doctor Jack, do you want an introduction to the office barracuda?" Changying sighed.

"Nah let's see what the rumour mill makes of this," he bent to kiss her chastely and bundled her into the opening lift, closing the doors on the stunned expression of the approaching woman.

"Oh, my gosh," Changying held her hand to her cheek. "Last week I was the fat, mousey little office girl that everyone knew had no life, now I am the source of the latest juicy gossip," she punched his arm, "Thanks a lot, Doctor Jack. You're going to have to explain that kiss to Wang, I am not doing it."

"At your service as always little red," he was still laughing enjoying her consternation. "Oh yeah Wang, he probably won't like that huh?" He continued to tease her.

"Oh yeah," Changying mimicked him. "The rumours will be running thick and fast by the time Wang gets back there, and she will make sure he knows I am not the shy little wall flower they all thought I was," she pulled a face, "I shouldn't have worn this dress to work, by tomorrow they will have us making love in this lift."

He laughed uproariously at her babbling, "I'd hate to disappoint the fans," his hand hovered over the emergency stop button and she leapt at it dragging it back.

"Don't you dare! She took a deep breath, "I am acting nuts, I know," she just got under my skin earlier, and I can't shake it, especially going to the last supper like this."

"You're not a drama queen, Changying, what exactly did she say to rattle you so much?" Jack held her hand and walked her to his car helping her in. Changying just waved away the question as he closed her door.

They pulled out into the traffic, and Jack said quietly, "Look you can tell me what happened or I can tell Wang the barracuda made you crazy. Don't forget I am a Doctor and I can make that diagnosis, technical terms like bat shit crazy and everything."

Changying laughed, "You really are so sweet to me, Jack." She narrowed her eyes at him, "Blackmail?" She looked away sighing heavily, "I don't know why it hurt so much, its, not like I haven't heard stuff like that a million times." She smiled crookedly.

"Stop dodging the question," he replied softly.

She knew she sounded silly, but she related the conversation Chen had initiated with her earlier in the morning and again with Chunhua. Changying surprised herself at how good it felt to unload, not something had ever had the opportunity to do before, very often.

"Did anyone else hear her say that to you?" He asked incredulously.

"Not at the time but she essentially said the same thing to Chunhua when I was sitting right there. She probably thought she was just stating the obvious and didn't realise I might be hurt. I don't even know why I let it upset me in the first place," she sighed, "it's not like I don't know what they all think of me."

Jack was silent, and Changying let her nerves get to her, "I don't feel very good could you just take me home I will call and apologise to Wang. Don't tell him what happened, please. I just feel terribly silly now."

"You remember I am a doctor right?" Jack laughed and she blushed putting her face in her hands. "Here's some medicine that might make you feel better instantly if you honestly don't feel well enough to go to lunch, I will take you to the surgery for a check up and Wang can pick you up from there, and I'll explain to him why."

"You wouldn't..." she looked up at him, and he nodded. "I didn't sleep very well last night," she tried without conviction.

"All the more reason to eat something decent, plus I am ready to endure your pouting ," Jack chuckled. "Wang has never had a serious girlfriend before that the family knew of if I robbed her of this lunch my life wouldn't be worth living."

"Oh no, take me the surgery, I can't do this. It's only been a month how serious could it be?" Changying's voice became high.

"Too late," the car pulled up in front of a familiar looking Italian restaurant and Jack turned to smirk at her as he got out of the car and came around to her side. "You have nothing to worry about, honestly."