Just tell me. I' do it."

Ellen closed her eyes and pulled his hand to her lips. Sh remembered

saying the words once before at a time whe hope seemed gone. when the admission of her true feelings was her way of saying goodbye.

Now it meant the posite.

"I love you, Jack."

He shot her a strained smile.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No, of course not." His forced msnner belied hi words.

248 A Killer Smile The truth made a cold shiver crawl down her back.

"Your name ... it isn't Jack, is it?" She heard the slap of'

approaching rotors; the helicopter had arrived.

"No, it's ... it's not. I'm almost afraid he's the guy you love rather than me." His eyes flu treed and closed.

"Jack? Jack!" You idiot . that's not his name!

"Wake up. You can't go to sleep now?

"T-tired," he mumbled, not opening his eyes.

"Please wake up! How can I AI you I love you if I don't know your name?"

A weak smile flashed across Iris face.

"Tell me again."

"I'll tell you I love you," she taunted, "if you tell me your name."

His eyes opened and his smile grew stronger.

"Only when you agree to marry me."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"M-marry you?"

"Td get down on my knees if I thought I could make it."

"Marriage?" She stopped and repeated the word to herself several times.

She swallowed hard.

"If I then -I'll become Mrs." She trailed off, hoping he'd supply the

answer.

"Nope;' He drew a painful breath.

"No name until you answer my question. Will you marry me?"

She closed her eyes and listened to the approaching voices. "Yes."

She waited for a moment.

"Then I'll become."

"Mrs. Alexander J. Brody, Jr."

"Alexander Brody." She tested the name, trying to see what reactions she

felt when she heard it spoken aloud. "Alexander J. Bwdy, Jr.," he corrected. "What does the I stand for?"

He smiled.

"What do you think it stands for?"

end.