They stood in the elevator, silently watching as the numbers went up. Both could still hear the gunshots that had threatened them only an hour before, but neither was really willing to talk about it. They were lucky to be alive, to not be lying in a body bag or a hospital bed.
He reached over suddenly and hit the emergency switch, stopping the elevator in between floors. She looked over at him in question, expecting him to say something. But he just stood there, staring forward, his eyes hidden in the shadow of his hat.
He lifted one hand and dragged it down his face, and she suddenly saw how tired he was. How much the gunfight had taken out of him. Not only his life had been in danger, but his team members had been as well, and it was taking a toll on him.
Slowly, she reached up and slipped her hand into his, pulling it back down gently until it rested between them. He followed the movement with his eyes, unable to take his gaze off of where they touched. He seemed to be struggling with something, his breathing coming heavier and his eyes searching as he stared at their hands. But she just waited him out, knowing that he wouldn't say anything until he was ready…knowing him.
And then he turned suddenly, lifting her up and pressing her against the wall, her arms and legs immediately wrapping around his body as his lips found hers. She kissed him back, pulled along like something caught in tidal wave. It all washed over her, surrounding her, drowning her. One of her arms pushed his cap to the ground as she pulled herself closer, breathing him in, pulling him closer, touching him with the same desperation that he was touching her with.
Slowly – so slowly – he gentled their kisses and pulled back, his chest heaving. He pressed her harder against the wall, but rested his head in the crook of her neck, his fingers trailing up and down her sides. She lifted his head to kiss him gently, letting him know that she understood, that she was there.
It would be another minute before he set her down and started the elevator again. But she didn't think her world would ever settle back to where it had been.