Hello! My lovelies, I'm back again. This is my second 'Parks & Recreation' fanfic and I do hope you like it. Like I mentioned on my last story, I absolutely looove the pairing of the lovely Leslie Knope and the cuteness that is Ben Wyatt. I saw the episode 'Camping' and enjoyed the hell out of it (though, it lacked in Ben/Leslie goodness. But, I did like their moment together during the camping trip).

Anyway, on with it and enjoy.

I own nothing.

...

"Leslie."

It was a second before the small blonde looked up from her computer to meet his eyes and Ben smiled slightly in her direction.

"Ben! Hey!" Leslie smiled, big and bright, at him and his heart skipped a beat. Though, it took him a while, he finally figured out that it was his smile. A smile she gave to no one but, him.

And, for once, he allowed himself to revel in it without feeling like he should ignore and deny himself this. A sensation he had become too familiar with concerning his strong affection for her (he called it 'affection' because it was a safe way of describing the mostly indescribable emotions she inspired in him).

And he had news. Quite a bit of news.

And it would be good or bad, depending on how she took it.

He wiped the smile from his face and asked soberly, "Can I talk to you?"

Her mega-watt, 'Ben smile' disappeared at his tone and for a moment, he felt bereaved of it's warmth. "Okay. Is something wrong?"

He walked further into her office and shut the door, locking it behind him.

Ben then leaned against it and stared straight ahead. He didn't know exactly what to begin with and was already fearing her rejection.

"Chris got promoted."

Her reaction was instantaneous. "That's great. I'm happy for him. Good for him." And just like that, her enthusiasm died down. "Wait, if he got promoted and your his partner then that means..."

He met her eyes again. "Yes."

The light in her blue eyes faded and he saw her gulp. "Oh." She looked down at her desk and he felt like a jackass before soldiering on. "There's more."

Leslie looked up again and she seemed openly upset now. Even thought that was what he was fishing for, a negative reaction to his near departure, it didn't ease the blow to the gut he felt at the sight of her watery eyes. "More? What more could you possibly-"

"I got offered a job... here." His gaze lingered on her face and again, he wasn't disappointed. The brightness in her eyes came back a tich and the jackass in him pouted a little. "R-Really?"

Ben didn't think he'd ever heard her stutter before and he felt the corners of his mouth lift slight at how endearing he found her at that moment. Well, more endearing than he usually did. "Yes. Really."

An expression of confusion came over her face. "But... why would you wanna stay? Your job's done here." She wasn't being mean. He understood she was just trying to guess why in the world he would wanna stay in this eccentric, freak-ass hyperbole of a town when he could easily go back to Indianapolis for normal, city life and wait for his next assignment.

I'm staying for you. The thought came strongly in his mind and when he looked at Leslie, she looked startled, eyes widening several inches apart. "What?" It was asked in a shakey whisper and he felt at a loss for a second before he realized he had said it out loud.

Great.

He took that opportunity to cross the room to her desk, sitting down across from her. "I'm staying for you." He said slowly.

She stared at him. Speechless.

"But, only if you want me to." He captured her gaze to let her see how serious he was. And he was serious. Pawnee was an odd, freaky small town he would probably miss but, would not mind getting out of. He would go back to Indianapolis and then onto his next assignment. Never to set foot in this town again. But, he wouldn't. He wanted to stay. He needed to stay. He had never felt he had had a real home since he left Partridge so long ago. If anything, the apartment he had back in the city was just a place he can waste time in before his next job. It wasn't and would never be his home.

"Why would you do that? Stay for me, I mean." She'd sobered herself up some and her voice and facial expression had gained strength somewhat.

He caught her eye intensely. "Why do you think?"

"I don't know, Benjy, that's why I'm asking you." Ohh. Some attitude there. If this situation wasn't so serious, he would have been turned on.

He stared at her long moment before she had to look away. "Ben-"

"I have feelings for you."

She wanted an answer, after all.

...

A/N: Well, there you go. Hope you liked it. This was supposed to be a small, fluff piece but, alas the fluff hardened and I came out with this.

Like it or not. Please review!