"So, what's your plan with my sister? What are your intentions?"
Eric was caught off guard, but not surprised at the redhead's inquiry. She had reason to be curious, and Sidney's defensive stance was reasonable. Yet, what was he supposed to say? Something in denial of their obvious chemistry? Something that told her about their combined past, complete with lingering touches and years of stolen kisses?
So he thought, starting simple:
"I'd like to go out with her sometime."
"I'd like to make her more of my world than she already is."
"Someday I want to hold her, and not worry about letting go."
Eric's mind wandered to their shared experiences:
"One time we had to go undercover as a married couple, and I'd like us to be more than a convenient alias."
"I want to ensure that she never has to take another life."
"I want her to know that I will always come home."
"I'd like our grand gestures and life-altering explanations to go beyond pen to sticky note."
"I want to be able to kiss her, and not worry about her lipstick on my cheek giving us away."
"I want to come home with her for Christmas every year."
His ideas passed into the currently unimaginable:
"I want to wake up beside her every single morning, and show up to work hand in hand and it be normal."
"I want to explore every inch of her freckles, and connect then like constellations."
"Perhaps go further than unbuttoning her cardigans with my eyes, and imagining what's underneath."
"I want us to grow old together, and prove that love and dedication can last a lifetime."
Eric sighed, snapping back into reality. He looked Sidney square in the eyes, shrugged his shoulders and answered.
"I guess time will tell."