A/N Here's a fic that continues right after the Frame-up job. That episode still gives me and Sophie had such great chemistry together and it was nice to see a bit more of their relationship. It was supposed to be a one-shot fic, but expect some more. I apologize for any initial mistakes. I haven't really had time to re-read better, if needed I'll make some correction tomorrow. Also, this might be hard T, but not M rated fic.

"I think you look better now"

"Oh, Mr. Ford. You are quite the charmer!"

They walked outside the villa arm in arm. Nate was still carrying the painting.

"Where's your car?" he asked once they reached his.

"I came by taxi" Sophie let go of his arm and opened the passenger door.

Nate just shrugged. He put the painting in the car's boot and went to sit in the driver's seat. "So, my place?"

"I left my change of clothes at the brewery since you ran off without warning" she glared at him.

"Hey, I got your painting back. Doesn't that make it up for it? So brewery first." He turned on the engine.

"How about we go and get some food first? I'm starving. All that running and chasing. I barely had something to eat at the buffet"

Nate looked at his watch. "Well, it's certainly past dinner time and I don't think we're quite dressed for a restaurant. It's almost breakfast time"

"Oh, Nate" she put a hand on his arm. "can we stop at that bistro that is open 24/7? The one that makes those fantastic waffles. We can get some to take home" she asked excited.

He smiled. "Sure, sounds like a plan"

They arrived at the bistro and Nate, as always, opened the door for her so she could go through first. It was gentlemanly thing to do, but he usually took advantage to check out her behind. They were about to order, when Nate's phone started ringing.

"Get my usual, please" he mouthed at her before answering.

Sophie ordered strawberries waffles for her and blueberries waffles for Nate. She looked around her hoping that Nate would return soon. She didn't actually have cash with her. Suddenly, she felt his left arm slide around her waist.

"Who was it?" she murmured slightly turning her head and leaning against him.

"Hardison. They are going to stay in Washington an extra day." He waved his right hand. "I don't know… he was rambling about them saving the world from a terrorist attack and Eliot being shot twice."

Now she fully turned in his arms. "What?" she asked worried. "What have they being doing? It was supposed to be a simple grab and drop"

He raised an eyebrow. "Like yours was supposed to be a boring auction?" he put his arms around her "I'm sure they'll be fine. They are not as young and irresponsible as they were five years ago"

"Order for Ford" the cashier shouted from the counter.

Nate let go of Sophie and went to pay and get the carrier bag with their food. "Let's go" he put his hand on the small of her back .

The drive to the brewery was short.

"I'll just get my stuff and close the place" Sophie ran out of the car. Five minutes later she climbed back in and threw her clothes on the back seat. "Ready!" she exclaimed

Nate smiled and leaned over to give her a small peck on the lips. "Let's go home" he whispered against her lips sending a shiver down her spine.

Ten minutes later they were in Nate's kitchen setting the table. With coordinates movements, Nate got the plates and glasses from the cupboard while Sophie got the cutlery from the drawer. Sophie bumped her hips against his and gave him a fake innocent smile. Nate just grinned and ran a hand down her spine where the dress was opened; two could play that game.

"Orange juice?" he asked in her ear using his so called sexy voice.

"Is it spiked with vodka?"

"Of course not. You know, I do have non-alcoholic drinks" he opened the fridge, got the orange juice carton and poured it in the glasses.

After everything was set they sat at the table and started eating.

"Hmm…." Sophie moaned licking her fork. "This is delicious. Better than Eliot's, but don't tell him that!"

Nate just chuckled.

"How did you actually meet Mettier?" Nate suddenly asked.

Sophie squirmed in her chair. Of course he couldn't just leave it alone. "Ah… it was soon after I ran from home. I needed money and this young man offered me some if I posed for him. Who would have thought that he would have become a famous artist?"

Nate looked at her intensely, wondering if he should ask his next question.

"Nate, please don't ask me what you have in mind" she told him quietly.

Nate groaned frustrated. "You tell me about me having trust issues, but it's not like you talk to me much either." He pointed out.

"There are some thing I'm not really proud about my past."

"Sophie, I met you while I was chasing you because you were an art thief. You even shot me once. What makes you think that anything you will tell me could make me change the way I feel for you?" he told her sincerely.

She sadly smiled at him. "Maybe another time"

He sighed "Okay" he got up and took the dishes to the dishwasher. "I'm off for a shower. I'm still feeling sticky from jumping into the swimming pool"

Sophie walked closer to him. "Mind if I join you?" She ran both her hands up his chest, under his suit jacket and then let it slide from his shoulders until it pooled behind him.

"Never" he bent down to kiss her while she started working on untying his tie. He lightly pushed her, leading her to his bathroom as they continued kissing.

Reluctantly he let go of her to run the shower. Sophie slipped out of her dress and stood there before him.

Nate looked at her with his mouth opened. "You've been wearing that underneath all day" he eyed her sexy lingerie set.

"Well mister," she slowly unbuttoned his shirt "I did have plans for us after the auction"

After they finished undressing each other, they went under the water for a long hot shower.

….

Sophie stood in the middle or the room, while she was slowly drying her hair with a towel, observing her painting that was now hung on Nate's bedroom wall. As much as she complained about him joining her at the auction, she owed him everything. She wouldn't have found the painting if it weren't for the mastermind.

"Or Gault's entire collection is fake"

Sophie looked at him shocked. "You really think that all the paintings are fake? That would be nearly impossible to pull off. I mean to repaint all of them, even Marcus Starke would have problems"

"If you're really sure this can't be the real Ma Mystère, it's the only explanation"

She smiled at him. "You believe me"

"I guess…" he looked uncomfortable. "Now we just have to figure out who did it and the art curator is at the top of the list of suspects."

"I love watching your brain work" she pulled him by his tie and gave him a passionate kiss.

"Soph.." he tried to say in the middle of the heated kiss "We haven't got time for this."

Sophie was brought back from her memory when she felt Nate's arms come around her.

"Hey" he whispered in her ear. He rested his chin on her shoulder and kissed the side of her neck just below her right ear.

Sophie dropped the towel she was holding and put her hands on top of his while leaning back against his body. Nate continued nipping at her neck, but suddenly stopped to look at the painting. "It's a bit strange"

"What?"

"That I now have a 5 million Euro worth painting hang up in my bedroom"

She chuckled and turned around in his embrace and laced her hands behind his neck. "Well, aren't you glad that you can now look at a naked picture of me every night?" she brought her mouth closer to his.

" I still think you look better now. How about I keep you in my bedroom?"

"Still being a charmer" she slowly kissed him. She ran her hands up and down his bare back glad that he only put a pair of sweatpants on.

"Up for round two?" he asked against her lips while untying her robe.

"Well, I'm definitely are. What about you?" she grinded her hips against his making him moan.

"With you, babe, always" he kissed her again "But," he abruptly stopped. "first things first." He handed her an envelope that was laying on the bed.

"What's this?" she arched her eyebrow curiously.

"Open it to find out" he grinned.

She quickly opened the envelope and slide two tickets. "Tickets for Mystery Street?" she read out loud.

"I've managed to change my ticket and got one for you too." His eye lit up enthusiastically "Apparently it was such a success that they're doing a repeat tomorrow night… well since it's late that would be tonight."

She didn't really like the idea of a noir film, but since he was so happy about it, she couldn't disappoint him. "Can't wait. Thanks darling"

"We can go out for dinner before the film starts. I've already booked us a table at your favourite restaurant which happens to be just a couple of blocks from the cinema" he told her satisfied of his work.

"When did you manage to do all this?" she asked surprised.

"I have my secrets" he smirked.

"Well," she put the tickets on her bedside table and ran her hands all over him. She enjoyed so much touching him. "Do your secrets happen to include a pair of cuffs?" she nibbled his bottom lip.

"Maybe" he dangled a pair of handcuffs in front of her.

She grinned mischievously "You naughty boy"