Title: Popcorn
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Pete/Myka preship
Timeline: Before Nevermore
Summary: A favorite movie after a long day is sometimes the best medicine
Authors notes: I needed some fluff. And Romancing the Stone is my all time favorite movie so I couldn't resist this. I took a bit of writer's liberty with there being a tv in their rooms at the bed and breakfast since I don't think there is on the show. :)

Pete Lattimer followed the intoxicating smell of popcorn as he walked through the first floor of the bed and breakfast.

They'd returned from a mission earlier that night…scratch that last night.
The last few hours had been spent on warehouse inventory and paperwork.

Pete had taken the paperwork up to his room at midnight. Now finally done he'd retreated to the kitchen to get a snack.
That was when he'd smelled the popcorn.
And of course it was the last bag in the kitchen.

The third step of the stairs squeaked under his weight as Pete climbed. He saw light coming from his partner's room.
As he got closer Pete heard the muted sound of the tv.

The door was open a crack just enough for Pete to see in. Myka was curled up in bed propped up against two pillows. Her gaze fixed on the tv and a medium sized bowl of popcorn rested on her lap.

"Hey."Pete greeted as he knocked and pushed the door open.

Myka smiled as she looked away from the tv. "Hi."

"Little late for popcorn isn't it?"

Myka shrugged. "Couldn't sleep so I thought I'd watch a movie."

"Can't have movies without popcorn."Pete surmised as he entered the room and sat down on the corner of the bed.

Myka nodded. "So that's my excuse….what's yours?"

Pete reached and grabbed a handful of popcorn. "Artie threatened to sic Mrs. Fredrics on me if I didn't catch up on paperwork. I just finished."

Myka did a double take. "You finished your backlog?"

"Mmphysfph."

Myka grinned and waited for him to swallow. "Sorry didn't quite catch that."

"I caught up to last month."Pete clarified as Myka scooted over for him to sit. "Artie said that was enough progress for one day."

"So why the movie?"Pete asked after a few minutes. "Usually you read until you crash."

"Couldn't concentrate."Myka replied as she shifted position and leaned back. She placed the bowl of popcorn between them. "Read the same paragraph three times."

"Romancing the Stone, huh?"Pete inquired as he recognized the movie.

"One of my favorites."

Pete yawned and reached for another handful of popcorn. They fell into companionable silence as the movie progressed.

An hour later just as Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas were dancing the night away Pete felt a weight on his right shoulder.
He looked down and smiled.

Myka was sound asleep her head on his shoulder. He could smell her shampoo…roses. Her left hand rested against his right one as it lay balanced on the popcorn bowl.

Pete couldn't help but think of how nice the past couple hours had been.
No Warehouse.
No Secret Service.
Just them.
Pete and Myka.
And a bowl of popcorn.

Pete carefully took the bowl and placed it on the nightstand. Myka stirred but didn't wake her head slipping down to his chest.

Blinking sleepily Pete scooted so he was laying straight. Without thinking he wrapped his arms around his partner.
It'd been a long couple of weeks and he was too tired to move.
Part of him didn't want to….having Myka in his arms just seemed right, natural.

Their relationship had long ago blurred the lines between best friends and partners.
What they were now he wasn't sure and he knew she wasn't either. But Myka had been slowly letting him in, trusting him with her past, with her demons.
Right now that was enough for him

"Good night, Myka."Pete whispered. Not being able to resist he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Pete's eyes drifted closed. Sleep quickly came enticed with the comforting mixture of popcorn and roses he slipped into oblivion.

end