So I have absolutely never in my life done anything like this. I read all of these amazing stories and always think of random ideas for one of my own, but I'm always too chicken to write one. This story has been swimming in my head for a while now. I had intended for it to only be a one shot, but I keep coming up with stuff as I write and it ends up adding to it. It won't be too long though. Like I said, this is my very first attempt at this, so I'll need reviews, suggestions and a few pointers to keep the story moving. Just go easy on me! I'll get the hang of it with some good guidance!

It's set in season 6 and for the most part completely AU. Unless Marlowe (the genius behind all of this) invades my brain at some point in my sleep and steals my story. I'd be OK with that as long as I get a writer's credit and a guest appearance on the show.

I guess I should post the story now, huh?

That laugh. Her laugh. Kate's laugh. He hadn't heard it in over 2 years, but he was never able to forget it. Of course she'd be here on what could possibly be one of the biggest nights of his career. Part of him wondered if it was fate. Could it be that after all these years, he still had feelings for her? Maybe this was a sign. A sign that this would all work out and they would be able to have the chance that they deserved. Timing was off back then, but now he was ready to settle. Now he was ready to stay for good. He was ready to be what she wanted and needed. Yep. This was going to be his night for sure.

There it was again. That laugh. Her laugh. Kate's laugh. She had one of those laughs that made everyone else around her join in and begin laughing just as hard. Sure he'd heard it a few times, but he was never the person...that guy...that was actually able to make her laugh like that. No matter how hard he tried, he was never able to get that particular laugh out of her.

There were the times when she would be on the phone with...that guy. She had always told him that it was something with work, but who laughs like that when dealing with a homicide? There were those 'girl nights in' where she and Lanie would open up a bottle or 2 of wine and somehow the conversation would always end up being about...that guy. Didn't she need to go and stick her hand in a dead guy or something? There were those extremely rare times when they would be out together and she would be giving a recap of her day and something funny came up about...that guy. Did she really have to talk about work and ...that guy...all of the time? And then there were those few times where he had gone to surprise her at work. He always managed to walk in just as she, the other 2 detectives and...that guy...were laughing about something. Didn't they need to go out and find murderers? Did he really need to be there all day, everyday? Didn't...that guy...need to go write a book? Perhaps one about someone else's girlfriend.

The restaurant wasn't really all that crowded, but there was a large group of people waiting to be seated gathered around the bar. Of course the bar had to be the place where the laugh was coming from. He glanced over trying to find a spot where he would be able to sit and wait for the rest of his dinner party to come, and to see if he could spot her through the crowd, but that particular group had taken up most of the space. He thought about trying to find her, but decided against it. He didn't really feel like trying to make his way through a crowd of people. What were all of these people doing here on a Tuesday night anyway? He'll come back in a bit and try to find her. Maybe the crowd will ease up as people get seated for dinner.

He makes his way over to the Maitre d' to see how long his wait would be seeing as how tables would be filling up rather quickly with the large crowd at the bar.

"Excuse me. I have a reservation for 4 this evening. The rest of my party is running a little late, and I didn't want the large crowd at the bar to take up most of the tables." He didn't mean to sound snooty, but he was thrown off a bit by hearing that laugh. Ugh. That damn laugh.

The Maitre d' looks over at the bar, down to the reservation book and back up at the obviously annoyed man in front of him. "No worries, sir. That particular group will be retreating to our party room for a private event. Rest assured that you and your party will have a table to enjoy for the evening."

"Thank you," he said still a bit annoyed. "Do you know what the party is for?"

"An engagement celebration. I am unable to give out any further information. If you'll excuse me, sir. I need to check on the party room." said the Maitre D as he walked away.

Hmmm. Engagement celebration. Nah. Definitely not her party. She was probably just one of the guests of the newly engaged couple. Marriage wasn't an option for her anyway. They had never really sat down and discussed it, but judging by the way she would end up brushing it off and changing the subject fairly quickly, he knew it was a subject that she wasn't very interested in. Maybe when the crowd moved towards the back room he'd be able to catch a glimpse of her. Maybe they would be able to go chat for a bit. It's been 2 years but maybe, just maybe they could try again and get it right this time. He quickly gets pulled out of his thoughts at the sound of his name.

"Dr. Davidson! There you are. Our deepest apologies for being late. You know how traffic around the city is around this time of night."

"No worries, Dr. Rodriguez," exclaims Josh shaking hands with the 3 other gentlemen that just walked in. "I've only been here a few minutes myself. I was going to wait at the bar, but it seems there's a private party going on in the back room this evening and they've monopolized the entire bar while they wait for their event to begin." Josh smiles as he turns to show the 3 men the bar area, but the group is now gone. Obviously they've moved on to their party. Ugh. Of course. Just like 2 years ago, the timing was off. He'd have to put that in the back of his head for now. This meeting could be the biggest of his career. One that could bring him home permanently and perhaps give him exactly what he needs to win her back for good.

Ok, soooooo that's it so far. I'm just gonna go...over there.