A/N: Because I firmly believe that Patterson can keep an important secret for a friend and because Kurt/ Patterson friendship is one of the most beautiful things.

„Patterson?"

She looked up from the computer screen and turned her head at her name. "At your service", she gave back cheerfully and focused back on her work as Weller stepped closer.

"I need your help with something."

Looking back up she narrowed her eyes at him, taking in his serious expression and the way he was fiddling with his badge that was hanging around his neck. "Oh Kay. Just give me a second to finish this up and I'm all yours. You can start talking, I can multitask."

"I would rather talk about this outside the office", he confided and looked around the lab for a moment as if to see that no one was listening in on them while she hurried up her typing.

Her mind was spinning with all the possibilities but she tried to stay calm as she finished up and turned around to face him, now giving her friend a once-over. The usually very composed, very serious Assistant Director seemed restless albeit not less serious and she started to worry.

"Is everything alright with Jane? Are you okay?"

It was the only thing she could think of that would have him freak out like that. Her boss had always had a soft spot for the tattooed amnesiac but ever since they had (finally) gotten together two months prior, his soft spot had basically turned him into a fluffy marshmallow whenever his girlfriend was concerned. It was adorable and no matter much fun Tasha and herself made of him for it, she was really glad to see him this happy for the first time ever since she had known him.

"Yes. We're fine", he replied but his hands still seemed dead set on playing around with whatever he had found in the pocket of his jeans and so she simply raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

"Maybe we could grab a coffee at the coffee shop around the street and you can tell me all about it?", she suggested and had to bite back a laugh when he started nodding only to interrupt himself and shaking his head.

Putting back the paperclip he had been fumbling with he shoved his left hand in his pocket and rubbed his right hand over his stubble. "Yes. I mean… No. I mean", he took a deep breath, "Let's go outside and grab a coffee but I want to show you something first... that is also outside. It won't take long, promise."

"Alright."

Patterson slipped out of her lab coat quickly and exchanged it for her blazer that was hanging on the coatrack next to the door. Looking up she found Weller still standing in the same place, watching her move. It took him a minute to catch up with her and they spent the elevator ride downstairs just standing silently next to each other.

Whatever was bothering him he seemed really anxious to tell her and adamant to do so outside the FBI building so she let him take the lead and watched him intently, hoping that it wasn't anywhere near as bad as all the things her mind was currently thinking up.

Once they were outside he immediately turned to the left and she followed him down the street bustling with people. He seemed to know exactly where they were going and evidently wanted them to get there quickly.

After they had walked for about five minutes in which she had tried to keep up with his fast pace, he slowed down a little and met her eyes for the first time since they had stepped out of the elevator.

"So, before you say anything I want you to know that I've thought a lot about this in the last few weeks and even before that", he rushed out, "And I'm not sure if it's the right thing or if it's the right time or if I'm just in over my head or-"

"Kurt", she interrupted him, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and putting a hand on his bicep. "Can you please calm down and tell me what it is you want to tell me? Cause you're really starting to freak me out."

Patterson watched him close his eyes and he seemed to be counting to ten. On any other occasion it would probably have amused her how the hot-headed leader in front of her had started practicing breathing- exercises and actually put them to work but right now it didn't really calm her racing thoughts.

Finally he looked up and smiled sheepishly at her, "Yes. I'm gonna tell you now. We're already here anyway."

Confused she looked up to see what he was getting at and spotted a jewelry store a few feet away. It took her a moment to comprehend what that meant and when she had worked through it in her mind, she could only stare at him with an open mouth.

Kurt Weller, married to his job since he had gotten into the academy, the eternal bachelor was thinking about settling down.

"Oh my god!", she exclaimed finally and threw her arms around his tall form, hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy for you! Did you pick out the ring already? When are you going to propose?"

She took a step back and bit back a laugh at his awkward smile.

"Well, she hasn't said yes yet", he noted dryly and earned himself a slap on the chest.

"Oh please, Weller", she chided him, "Of course she's gonna say yes! When are you going to ask her?"

His smile transformed into a full grin in front of her eyes and her heart grew with fondness when his eyes twinkled down at her happily. "I was thinking of taking her to Venice on a vacation and ask her there… If..", his smile dimmed slightly, "If that's not too cliché?"

Patterson shook her blond locks forcefully, "Cliché is good, she's going to love that! So have you chosen the ring yet?"

"No", he replied, "I thought maybe you could help me with that. I've already looked at some and I have a rough idea what I want but I just wanted to ask your opinion first and honestly I needed someone who knows Jane too, to tell me this is not a bad idea."

She felt herself tear up at his words and tried to swallow the lump in her throat but as he kept talking, she realized she was fighting a lost battle and instead tried to wipe the teardrops from the corner of her eye before they could smear her make-up.

"Patterson, are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"

"No", she shook her head again, blinking several times and trying to get her emotions under control but it couldn't be helped. Her nose was itching and her throat was scratchy when she spoke. "No, everything's perfect I'm just so", she sniffled quietly, "I'm so happy for you and I can't believe you chose to tell me. No one ever tells me secrets."

She felt the urge to cry intensify even as she had to stifle a laugh at his helpless expression. "You know, Tasha and Reade tell each other everything and you and Jane and I just- Sometimes I feel as if you don't trust me with these big secrets and then I'm thinking… Well, maybe I'm just not good at keeping quiet, I mean I talk a lot and I understand if you worry that I might spill the beans. I know that you trust me, I know that… It's just..." Taking a deep breath she looked at him through her tear-stained lashes. "I just feel very honored and I'm really happy for you."

Still trying to wipe away the tears without doing too much damage to her make-up she didn't see him move closer but suddenly his strong arms came around her waist and picked her up from the ground for a tiny moment and she hugged him back fiercely.

"I trust you with my life", he said simply as he put her back down and released her from the embrace, "I know you can keep a secret. You're the best friend I could ever ask for. You're like a second sister to me."

"Okay, okay", she sniffled one last time, squaring her shoulders "Don't you dare make me cry again! Now, let's go chose that ring."

It didn't take long for them to settle on one and after half an hour they were already back at the office, both carrying an alibi coffee, stepping into the bullpen just as Jane walked by the elevator.

"Hey there", she shot them a wide smile, "Where have you been? I've been looking for you."

As usual Jane tried to keep her interactions with Weller strictly professional but Patterson saw the tiny blush that crept onto her cheeks when they made eye contact and it took everything she had not to rejoice right there and then.

Instead she smiled brightly, "We were just trying out that new coffee shop around the corner. They have the best blueberry muffins, I think you'd love it."