Disclaimer: If I ever get my hands on the idiot who decided cancelling Intelligence was a good idea they had better start running…

A/N: There isn't a lot on the show about the specifics of Riley's family so I have taken a few liberties here as well as on any places and names I have used.

Be warned I haven't really written anything like this before and it is by no means perfect but I gave it a go. I wasn't going to post it but since I heard the news I figured the more fanfiction the better. Midnight Hour should be updated within the next week or so.

"Seriously Gabriel" Riley mumbled in annoyance as he took a long drink from her coffee cup. He sent her a charming smile but didn't make a move to give it back.

"Can't I ever just finish my drink?" she asked, giving him a pointed look.

"Oh come on, it's not like you were drinking it anyway" he replied. He was right of course; it was crappy coffee to begin with and had long since gone luke-warm but he didn't need to know that.

"I was savouring it" she replied, perhaps with a little too much conviction which he naturally picked up on, giving her a knowing look. She raised an eyebrow in question and he rolled his eyes in reply, giving her the same pointed look she had just given him. He was pushing her buttons and while it was mildly irritating she didn't really mind. She would take this over his recklessness any day. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps she liked the attention, or rather his attention but she quickly pushed it back, wondering where it had come from. She must have been quiet for too long because Gabriel was looking at her with a curious and slightly worried expression.

"Do you know why Lillian called us in?" she asked.

He looked slightly taken aback by the abrupt change of topic but to her relief he didn't push, watching her curiously out of the corner of his eye.

"I have a check-up today" he replied in mock-annoyance.

"Then why am I here?" she said in exasperation but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Just think of it as a chance for more of my delightful company" he said and she gave a small laugh, glad to be back to their regular banter and away from her treacherous thoughts.

"In your dreams" she shot back.

"Every night" he said, smirking. She slugged him in the arm and he rubbed the spot, giving her a wounded look even though they both knew he was perfectly fine.

"You're supposed to protect me not hurt me" he said pouting.

"Do you want me to kiss it better?" she replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I think I'll manage" She was pleased to note a very slight red tinge to his cheeks. As far as she was aware he never blushed but somehow she had managed to get him to and she savoured the moment although she didn't tease him about it like she knew he would if in the same position. They were both aware of the line between them although as of late (or if she was honest with herself ever since they met) it had been growing increasingly vague. She was broken out of her thoughts when Doctor Cassidy came out of the lab announcing they were ready for Gabriel. He rolled his eyes and made some quip about doctors' offices but she wasn't really paying attention. As he so often did he noticed her silence but didn't comment, giving her the space she had unconsciously asked for.

As Gabriel was wired up, giving the required amount of protest as they did so earning him an eye roll from Cassidy and fist bump from Nelson Riley remained towards the back, staying out of the way and out of Gabriel's line of vision although she could swear she felt his eyes on her a few times. She honestly didn't know why this was bothering her so much and she didn't like not knowing things, especially when it pertained to Gabriel.

"Hey Riley, you ought to try this sometime" He quipped, turning to look at her as Nelson and Cassidy fussed over him much to his chagrin.

"No thanks, I've had more than enough already" she replied. Although her response had been light he caught the undertones and though he didn't know for sure he figured it had something to do with her childhood, a topic that for the most part was off limits. Was that why she seemed so…off today? He wondered.

After he had been thoroughly poked, prodded and tested for just about everything he was free to go. He understood why they had to do it but he didn't like being made a lab rat, it made him feel vulnerable hence the deflection of jokes. Riley, ever the observant one usually picked up on his feelings though how she did it was still a mystery to him but she had yet to say anything and he was starting to worry about her. No matter what her job description said they were partners and he would always worry about her.

"Hey, you ok?" he asked, standing in front of her, blocking her access to the car. She gave him a mildly annoyed look but it lacked her usual conviction.

"I'm fine" she mumbled in reply. He knew it was a lie; the more time he spent with her today the quieter and more withdrawn she became.

"Bullshit" he said and her eyes widened in surprise at his bluntness. But how could she explain anything when she didn't understand it herself? She needed space; she had convinced herself that if she just distanced herself a little everything would go back to normal. She caught his eyes, hoping he would understand and reluctantly he stepped aside letting her pass. She let out a quiet breath as she got in the car, willing her mind to go blank.

It was late that night when he knocked on her door. Even though she feigned surprise when she opened it she wasn't really after all this was Gabriel, of course he wasn't going to let it go. Resigning herself to the fact that she was going to have to tell him something she resolved that it would have to be the truth, he would know if she lied. But she wasn't quite ready to have this conversation just yet; she had barely been ready when she had finally deciphered her thoughts to begin with.

"Riley" he murmured quietly, meeting her eyes. The look of concern on his face almost undid her and she could feel tears burning at the back of her eyes and threatening to spill but she held them back. How could she explain any of this to him? He sensed her hesitation and gently rubbed her arm. Comfort was what she needed at the moment, they had been in sync for so long now yet he had never seen this side of her and it was unnerving. She had always been so calm and confident, taking down anything that got in her way this was completely different.

"I just….I don't" she trailed off and he pulled her into his arms gently. Despite her best efforts the tears had started to fall and she buried her face against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It helped to calm her although it didn't get better like she had been hoping it would. This was nice though and she hadn't realised it but this was exactly what she had needed all day.

"What is it?" he asked gently, his breath warm against the top of her head.

"I don't know how to explain it exactly. It's just this…feeling I woke up with this morning. Something bad is going to happen I don't know how I know that… I just do" she said, making no move to let go of him. His hold tightened on her as he replied "its ok I'm here and nothing is going to happen to me. No-one could possibly get past you anyway." He had been hoping to get a laugh out of her and to his relief it worked. "Trust your instincts" She had good instincts and although he hated to admit it he knew the feeling, knew it the moment Amelia told him she had to work. It sent a jolt of anxiety through him and he was glad she was here, in his arms.

"Nothing is going to happen" he said, hoping for her sake it was true. "Now how about a beer since I came all the way over here." The mood lightened significantly as they separated and she rolled her eyes.

"It's not like I invited you here" she replied, pulling two out the fridge and handing one to him, wiping her eyes. They leant against the bench comfortably sipping the amber liquid.

"At least you get to finish your drink now" Gabriel said, earning him another eye roll.

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response" she replied, shaking her head. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips and he was glad to see her feeling better. He would be extra careful for the next few days, from what he had seen her instincts usually turned out to be right.