Riley yawned and curled her toes into the blanket as she snuggled into bed. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. She was just slipping into sleep as her phone rang, startling her awake. "Gabriel? What is it?"
The voice on the phone laughed "were you asleep?"
"Yes. I'm tired. Now what do you want?"
"Well sunshine, I wanted to know if you wanted to go get a bite to eat but, since you have the same sleeping habits as my grandma, I'll go on my own."
Riley groaned quietly "You're going to keep calling me if I don't come, aren't you?"
"Oh, you know me so well. Pick you up in 5."
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20 minutes later the two of them were sitting in a booth in a diner. The waiter came over to take their orders but ignored Gabriel.
"So gorgeous, what can I get you?" He asked Riley.
Gabriel replied "I'll have a cheeseburger and fries sweetheart. What about you Riley?"
She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing "uh, the same. Thanks."
The waiter winked at her and shot Gabriel a dirty look before flouncing into the kitchen.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow and Riley burst out laughing. "You're an ass Vaughn."
"At least I'm a good looking one." He grinned.
Their orders came out and they both tucked in whilst talking about anything random that came to their heads. Gabriel knew that it was how Riley de-stressed after a hard week at work and he was happy to go along with it. They had just been talking about old movies when Riley suddenly ducked her head. "What is it?" Asked Gabriel, on edge suddenly.
She groaned "my ex."
He turned round to notice a tall guy in his mid 30s wearing a suit that had just entered with a girl who looked about 18.
"That guy? You dated that guy?"
"Oh shut up, I bet you've had a few bad choices too."
"Sit up, he's coming over."
Riley straightened up and pushed her hair out of her face. "Oh God."
"Riley?"
"John. Hi."
"Fancy seeing you around here. You know, being so busy with work and all."
Riley shook her head "I'm not getting into this."
"You didn't get fired did you?"
She opened her mouth to reply but Gabriel spoke first "No. She's the best at what she does."
Riley kicked him under the table but he didn't even blink.
John turned to him "and you are?"
"Gabriel Vaughn. Rileys partner."
"You didn't tell me you were seeing anyone. In fact your words were 'this new job doesn't give me time for myself let alone anyone else'."
Gabriel smiled at John "well I'm not just anyone."
Riley stood up and threw a 20 on the table "well it was good to see you John but we really have to go."
Gabriel followed her and hooked an arm around her waist. "He's watching." He murmured into her ear and she nodded. It wasn't until they were in the car and he pulled out of the parking lot that she let out a sigh of relief and sank into the chair. "That wasn't awkward at all."
"I don't think he likes me."
Riley laughed "he doesn't like anybody."
"He seemed to like you alright."
"I dated him for a few months, it wasn't serious. I was already thinking of ending it and when I got this job I realised I wouldn't have any me time so I called it off."
"So wait, you haven't been on a date since you started working for CyberCom?"
"I haven't had any time to myself since I started working for CyberCom."
"Sorry."
"What? It's not your fault Gabriel, I knew what I was doing and it was my choice."
"So you don't want to date?"
"Of course I do, I just can't at the minute in case you set yourself on fire or get kidnapped by the pizza guy or something."
"So you have to take me on your dates?"
"Yeah can you imagine that ' hey I'm Riley, this is Gabriel, I hope you don't mind I brought him' and then you freak him out with your chip stuff?"
"So go on a date with me."
Riley laughed "What?"
"Go. On a date. With me."
She shook her head "are you serious?"
"100 and 10%"
"Alright then."
Gabriel turned to her "Really?"
"Yeah. Why not."
They had pulled up in front of their apartment block and Gabriel cut the engine. "Well it's Thursday so is tomorrow night okay for you?"
Riley nodded and they got out of the car. They each headed in the direction of their own apartments when Gabriel called "Oh and Riley." She turned. "Wear something nice."
She laughed at him and headed up to her apartment. Her bed sounded wonderful and she wanted to be well rested for her date tomorrow.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thankfully they didn't have a new mission the next day and Lillian told them to go home early so Riley was able to spend extra time getting ready for her date.
She got dressed first in a form fitting black dress with silver details that sat around mid thigh and showed off some cleavage. Then she threw a robe on and did her make up before curling her hair and pinning it back out of her face. Lastly she put in some diamond drop earrings and a diamond bracelet before grabbing her heels and strapping them on.
Gabriel was coming for her at 8 and it was already 7:45 so she just sat and waited. Sure enough at exactly 8 o clock there was a knock at the door. She opened it to reveal Gabriel holding a bouquet of flowers and looking extremely good in a crisp white shirt, dark jeans and a black leather jacket. He offered her the flowers and followed her into the apartment to she put them in water.
"I must say miss Neal, you do clean up quite well." He smirked.
She grinned over her shoulder "you too Mr Vaughn."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So where are you taking me?" asked Riley when they were in the car.
"It's a surprise."
"I hate surprises."
"Don't I know it but you're just going to have to wait this one out."
Riley rolled her eyes but sat back in her chair. The journey was fairly short and filled with mindless chatter and Gabriel had to admit he was enjoying himself already.
They pulled into a parking lot and he walked around the car to open Rileys door for her.
"Mi'lady." He teased and she laughed before accepting his hand out. He offered his arm and she took it as they walked towards the restaurant.
They had almost reached the doors when both of their phones started to ring. Gabriel's was Nelson and Riley's was Jameson. Answering the calls, they turned and headed back to the car.
"To work." Groaned Gabriel.
Riley simply nodded in agreement.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They walked into CyberCom together and Gabriel was all too aware of the many stares they were getting.
"People are looking at us." He whispered to Riley.
She laughed "They're just wondering how you got so lucky."
He mock pouted at her and she swatted his arm. "Perk up pretty boy, here comes Lillian."
"Riley, Gabriel. I'm sorry to pull you in so late but we have a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
"Mei Chen has been found. Or atleast, her body has."
Riley frowned "And the chip?"
"Is gone." Lillian turned to Gabriel "We don't know who has it so until we do I'm placing you in a safe house."
"I ain't going to no safe.."
"Yes you are. This isn't just about you, it's about clockwork. You will both be situated at the safe house until further notice."
Jameson came over to them. "Everything is ready to go."
Lillian nodded to him then looked to Riley who was whispering in Gabriel's ear "The safe house is ready, Jameson will take you there now and I will send agents to keep checking up on you over the next few days."
"Few days?" spluttered Gabriel. Lillian ignored him.
"We have sent agents to your apartments to retrieve any personal belongings you may need for the next few days and the safe house is well stocked with supplies."
AN: So what did you think? This was more of a filler chapter but I hope to have the next one up soon!