Megan Wheeler had fallen into an easy rhythm with Zach Nichols. She expected him to wander off aimlessly, they ate food in tandem, he easily handing her a napkin. Heck, he even put a comforting hand out to her when a perp and his friend scuffled after that one arrest. And the realization that she trusted Zach more after 6 months of being partner with him than she had after 2 years of being a partner with Logan surprised her. It surprised her very much.

When he'd arrived, after Logan basically up and disappeared one day, so soon after the problems with her ex, all her walls and defenses were up. She was determined not to trust him, found his demeanor offputting, and felt herself expecting the worse. Instead, she fell victim to his flirting, his charm. The little weasel even managed to make her like him by remembering what she liked in her coffee. Being able to trust him really through her for a loop. And now, sitting here across from him, at their desks, she felt a small, sharp pang somewhere deep inside. Would he still be here when she came back from maternity leave? Would he like having Eames as a partner more than her? Would he even pay a visit to her, to see the baby while she was gone? And why the hell did she even care? He was her partner, not her boyfriend, at times she wasn't even sure they were friends. But care she did, and that's what bothered her.

Why him? Why now, was it just because she needed someone to lean on, and he was providing a handy shoulder? It's not like she made him. He just seemed to know, and was there for her. The baby kicked just then, Megan quickly putting her hand on her ever expanding belly. The movement thrilled and saddened her. She had no one to share this with, no one to experience this journey to parenthood with. Her emotions began to get the better of her just then, and she didn't want anyone in the squad room to see her cry. So, she quickly grabbed a tissue, and escaped, seeing the viewing room empty, she went in there to have her little moment. However, she wasn't quick enough, her partner had seen her sadness and making her escape. He'd been in talking to Ross, and the windows gave a clear view for all to see. Quickly excusing himself from his captain, he left the room, tailing after his obviously distressed coworker.

Zach peeked through the tiny glass window, seeing Megan standing in there, hand on her belly, tissue to her eyes. He should have knocked, but subtlety wasn't his strong point, and he let himself in, startling her.

"Haven't you heard of knocking, Zach? I really didn't want any company right now." Megan said tearfully.

"If you didn't want anyone in here, you would have locked the door." he said quietly.

"Look, Zach, let me have my cry. I'm allowed one every once in awhile. I just didn't want anyone to see me. God knows there is enough talk about me behind my back as it is, I'd rather not put on a show for them." This brought on a fresh round of tears that she couldn't hold back.

"Megan, what's wrong. You know I'm here for you if you want to talk. That's what partners are for, right?" he said softly.

All this did was made her cry even harder. Not knowing what else to do, he simply put his arms around her, holding her as she cried her tears out. She had bottled things up for so long that it took along time for her to cry herself out. And he just stood there, holding her the entire time. When she finally regained control, she took a step back from him, and felt a little embarrassed. She hadn't meant to cry in front of him either, let alone being held safely in his arms.

"Thanks, Zach."

"Do you want to tell me what brought this on? I'm here for you any time you want to talk, Megan."

"It's stupid, really. The baby kicked when I was sitting at my desk. And I realized, I had no one to share it with. I'm the only one who wants this child, the only one who will be there when it arrives. The only one who will raise it. And I just felt so sad that I had no one to share this with. I go to the obstetrician and see men and women sitting there, anxious for their arrival, being together. They give me these pitiful looks, me being there alone. And I've got no one." She shut up then, feeling awful she'd revealed this to him. And it was her luck that the baby kicked again, and her hand fluttered up so she could feel the tiny kicks.

"May I?" Zach asked, reaching his hand out towards her belly. Glancing up, surprised that he wanted to feel the baby kick, she acquiesced. He lay his fairly large hand where her hand had lain. The baby chose to move in a different spot then, and she grabbed his hand, moving it to where the baby was now kicking. He looked at her in amusement as he felt the tiny life moving within her.

"Do you have a football player in there? Your baby is a strong one!"

Megan smiled, his enthusiasm starting to cheer her up. He moved closer to her, following the movement of the baby. She stepped in to him, his closeness making her feel different. She liked how it felt.

"Listen, it's near the end of shift, do you want to go and catch dinner? My treat." Zach asked her.

His voice broke her train of thought, and she realized she wanted to spend more time with him. "Yeah, sure, I'd love to."

"Good, it's settled. I know a fabulous restaurant near here, you'll love it."

And then surprising her all to heck, he took her in his arms, and gave her a warm hug. Her arms reached up and embraced him back, and she really didn't want to let him go. Reluctantly, though, she slid away from him.

"What was that for?" she asked him.

"You looked like you needed a hug and a friend. And Megan, I know I've only known you 6 months, but I'd like to think that I am that for you. You've been a terrific partner, and I want you to know, if you want someone to go to those appointments with you, I will. I'll be there for you, Megan. Anytime, anywhere."

This brought on a fresh round of crying and another embrace for her in his arms.

"You do know I'm going to have to go change my shirt now, don't you? I can't believe one woman has this many tears in her!" he said jokingly. "Give me 5, I'll meet you at your desk, and we'll be off to dinner. It has the most delicious lamb that I've ever tasted. Trust me."

He left the room, leaving her standing there, not entirely sure of what had just happened between the two of them. All she knew was that she was a lot happier now, knowing that someone was going to be there for her through the rest of this. And it just so happened it was the someone she wanted it to be.