Unfortunately, I don't own the characters, quotes or anything else of NCIS: Los Angeles. Only the following story is mine.

This is my first attempt ever.

Thank you ilse23 for reading and editing it first.


Prolog

He looked at the flames that were flickering in the fireplace. Pleasurable warmth came from them, stroking his cheeks. He lay on his stomach, sprawled out on a piece of fur on the floor in front of the open fire, a forearm in front of his chest. His head was resting on the palm of one hand and the animal hair tickled his bare arms.

It had been a long time since he felt so relaxed and able to calm down. Maybe it was because of her company. She was a suave person, sensible and deliberate and he knew he could rely on her. On the other side she was full of energy, cheeky and adventurous, but never risky. They had been through a lot together and thankfully they had each other. With her, he felt safe – somehow.

When he looked around the wooden cabin he saw her sitting on the couch with a book in her hands, watching him. As their eyes met, she smiled and automatically one of his eyebrows raise up and he smiled back at her. Her warm brown eyes reflected the flames of the fireplace and it seemed as if they were glowing and sparkling with an intensity that made him melt. A delightful and intense feeling in his gut made him wonder if he really just had a little crush on her. At least he knew he liked her, he liked her very much. That was for sure. But how did it feel like, when you really care for someone? The way he felt when he was with her was new for him. Intense. She wasn't just a random girl after all.

She rose from the couch and tentatively walked up to him, intending to kneel down and he moved over a bit so she could lie down next to him. His facial features softened and he was looking at her curiously. Her delicate features appeared even tenderer in the faint light. He liked her pale skin and these funny freckles on her nose and cheekbones. Some strands of her maroon hair fell over her face and he removed them spontaneously behind her ear as she unexpectedly leaned forward brushing her lips against his. He was astonished and electrified at the same time by this sudden slight touch. He was pleasantly surprised, figuring out she probably felt the same for him as he did for her and his heart skipped a beat.

Making eye-contact with his ocean-blue eyes - God, she felt like she would almost drown in them - she hesitated, being afraid of her own courage. She was afraid of having made a big mistake, of having gambled with their friendship. She was blushing, her face showing a questioning look, and feeling ashamed her gaze dropped. She got ready to stand up again as he reached out one hand to stop her and she paused in her movements when he gently grabbed her hand. No less insecure than her, he carefully turned her head to lock eyes with her and then slowly pulled her head down to his, to answer her unspoken question with another innocent kiss on which she gave in relieved. God help, touching her soft lips had inflamed a pleasurable sensation inside of him and he knew he couldn't withstand the temptation.

Not feeling very comfortable in the way he was laying he turned her on her back, placing his body boldly half on top of her one hand around her slim waist the other stroking through her hair. He wanted more. Searching for a sign of agreement he looked deep into her eyes, now caressing her temple and cheek with his fingers along her jaw line and noticed her breathing heavily in excitement. The uneasy inner tension faded slowly and she started to relax in his embrace, becoming aware of his attraction to her. Her mouth twisted into a smile again, a sly smile this time. Without breaking eye contact she then put her hands around his neck, pulling him down to her and covered his lips with hers, kissing him passionately. Oh, how she wanted more! She wanted all of him. When her lips covered his mouth again he moaned with pleasure and without missing a beat he returned her fervent kiss. Their kisses became more and more intense her hands were stroking through his short blond hair and then they touched and explored each other and he was overwhelmed with his emotions, feeling entirely mesmerized. He couldn't stop and neither could she and they completely lost themselves in one another. He knew he was hopelessly devoted to her and felt that she was 'the one'.