After a miserable hour of waiting at the Smallest Park, Ben called Ann.
"She isn't here. I don't think she is coming." He said in a defeated tone.
"Ben," she tried to reason, "she told me she would come. We both know she sticks to her word."
"Ann, it's been an hour." He paused. "I guess I don't blame her. After the way I treated her… She probably doesn't want to see me-"
"Hey." A new voice chimed in.
Ben swung around. There she was. Right in front of him. She came.
"Ben? Ben? Hello-"Ann didn't get to finish. Ben didn't let her.
"Hi, Leslie." Was all he could say.
She sat down on the bench and stared at him.
"What do you mean 'after the way I treated her'? Ben, you didn't do anything wrong. I was too clingy and selfish and-"
"Stop." Ben said. "Just listen to what I have to say."
Leslie looked uncomfortable. She shifted on the bench and rarely made eye contact.
"I am the bad guy here. Not you. Me. All you wanted to do was be friends, but I let my feelings get the best of me."
Leslie was still looking at her lap.
"When you came to my house the other day, and told me the romantic part of our relationship was over….It all kind of hit me. You were right. And I hated that." He explained.
Leslie raised her head.
Ben continued. "You are usually right about everything you say, but I desperately didn't want you to be right about this." They locked eyes. "You know what? I miss you like crazy. I think about you all the time. I want to be with you. So let's just say screw it and do this for real." He whispered.
Leslie sighed and took his hand, dragging him to sit down. That old warmth he used to feel came back.
"We can't Ben. You know that. I can't get fired. And I won't let you get fired either."
Ben squeezed her hand. "No one is getting fired." He murmured.
Leslie raised her eyebrows. "Ben, Chris will find out sooner or later. Someone will get dropped. No matter how hard you wish against it."
"I already resigned." He told her gently.
Leslie stared at him like he told her he was giving birth.
"You what? Ben, please tell me you are kidding!"
He shook his head.
"God, you're an idiot" She huffed, walking away.
"Where are you going!" he shouted. He grabbed her hand and spun her around.
"I'm going to get you your job back!" She yelled.
Ben rolled his eyes. "What, are you going to resign?"
"No, of course not!" she said.
"Then what do you want to do Leslie! Do you want to go back to the way it used to be? I can't live like that! Can you?" Ben yelled.
Leslie glared at him until she sighed. "No. No I can't live like that."
Ben squeezed her hand and pulled her closer so their foreheads touched. "Chris knows how I feel about you. He knows we used to date. He won't give the job back unless you quit."
Leslie sighed. "Why would you do this Ben? Am I really that worth it?"
Ben smirked and kissed her head. "Yes, you are worth it. I'm not hiding my feelings anymore Leslie Knope. I love you."
Leslie smiled. "Really?"
Ben smiled back. "Really." He took a piece of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. "I'd much rather lose my job than lose you."
Leslie laughed and kissed him for the first time in months.
"I love you too Ben Wyatt."