I own nothing of Major Crimes. I only borrow the characters from time to time.
Under the Moon, Beneath the Stars
She stood at on her balcony, hands perched against the railing. The warm night air whisk around her, carrying the scent of ocean mist and promise.
The full moon hung above her, the stars glimmering overhead, not to be outdone by the city lights below. She raised her head to the night sky. It was on a night such as this, he first kissed her.
Standing at his car, he had his hand on the small of her back. He reached down to open the door for her, but instead drew her to him. He brushed his lips against hers, gentle, warm, a bit tentative. She leaned into him, his body relaxed at her approval. He held her hand on the ride home, she felt the tingle of his lips still lingering on hers. He walked her to her door. She wanted to ask him to stay, yet she didn't want it all to be a flame that burned to fast, too hot, ultimately burning itself out. He gave her a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. She squeezed his hand and let him go.
She bask in the glow of the moonlight. It was on a night such as this he told her he loved her. At the end of the day, she felt defeated, sad, and angry. The things she saw and felt haunted her. The pain of her days didn't end with her shift. He understood. He walked that road also. "Come with me," he took her hand. She protested, knowing tonight's hurt ran deep. He said he understood, and she believed him. When she looked into his eyes, she saw the depth of his own pain buried there. They walked on the beach well into the night. Mostly in silence, her hand tucked safely in his, she realized she no longer carried her burdens alone. He pulled her close. As she rested her chin on his shoulder, she looked into the night sky. He nuzzled his lips against her ear, "I love you," he whispered.
She stood, caught between the din of the city below and the tranquility of the celestial sphere above. Her body was relaxed, but her mind raced. Not in a bad way, she smiled, but in an alive way. The warmth that grew from the pit of her belly and gave her feet wings was the same warmth that energized her soul. He slept soundly in her bed, unaware of the life he'd awakened from the empty corners of her heart. One night, she would look into the sky and remember when it was a night such as this, he made love to her the first time.
She turned to see him in the doorway. "It's a beautiful night," he said. "In many ways, "she replied.
He kissed her forehead and held out his hand, "come to bed?" Under the moon, beneath the stars, she smiled into the heavens and slipped her hand in his.