"Hey Seeley!"

"Yeah, hun?"

"I found some mistletoe in one of the cupboards, can I put that up?" He turned around to find her standing there, a cupboard door opened, with a sprig of mistletoe in her hand. He and his girlfriend were decorating for Christmas. He tried to remember where that mistletoe came from, and then he vividly remembered. Auburn hair, striking crystal-blue eyes, a delicate nose and prominent jaw. He came to a realization, that no matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he could never forget her. He could never stop dreaming about what it would be like to touch her, be touched by her; to kiss her and be kissed by her; love her and be loved by her. He had waited so long, hoping to someday have the chance to find out. He decided he had waited too long.

"No, I'm going to need that. I'm sorry, Tara," he said, his face truly apologetic. "Don't come after me." With that, he grabbed the sprig from her hand while she stood there, shocked and confused, and ran out the front door. He climbed into the SUV and slammed the door shut, jamming the keys into the ignition and forcing the keys to turn on the engine, as if it might get him there a little sooner. He jerked the car into reverse and slammed on the gas pedal, intent on getting to his destination as soon as possible. He aggressively pushed the gearshift into drive once he reached the end of his driveway and had backed onto the street, and then once again pushed down on the gas pedal, speeding down the road.

He expertly navigated the streets of Washington, DC, filled with the traffic of last-minute shoppers. He put his siren on, appreciative of the effect it had on the traffic as the cars parted, allowing him to pass. He raced down the streets, he needed to get to her faster, sooner. He had waited too long.

He pulled into her apartment building's car park, turned off his car and jumped out. He raced to her building's front door, ran up the steps to her floor. He arrived at her door only slightly winded, and pounded on it fiercely. She answered, finally, after what seemed to be an eternity to him. She was about open her mouth to speak when suddenly his lips were on hers, gentle yet demanding at the same time. He took a few steps forward, into her apartment, his mouth still melded to hers. He closed the door with his foot and put his hands on her hips, drawing her impossibly closer to his body. After a few moments, he pulled away for air, gasping. His eyes locked with hers as passionate brown met puzzled blue, both glazed with a hint of desire and lust. He offered her one explanation.

"We've waited too long."

With that, her hand grasped his as she led him to the bedroom, where he would show her just how sorry he was for making her wait. And it was while she lay in his arms afterwards that she realized, she had waited far too long.