It was well after normal work hours and the Lockhart/Gardener office lobby was quiet as Diane crossed it, heading for the elevators. She was looking down at her phone as she entered the elevator and it wasn't until after she had pressed the button for the Lobby and the doors had closed behind her that she realized she was not alone.

As the elevator began it's descent she dropped her phone in her purse and glanced to her left, catching a glimpse of the other person she was sharing the small enclosed space with.

Her breath caught in her throat as recognition set in. **No! NoNoNo! What is he doing here? And WHY does he have to look so damn good!** the thoughts running quickly thru her mind, completely caught off guard by his presence.

Leaning back against the wall, Kurt watched her as she entered the elevator, waiting for her to notice him. She's just as stunningly beautiful as the last time he'd seen her, and all he wanted to do was to reach out and pull her into his arms and kiss her until neither one of them could think straight. He didn't tho', there had been things said and not said and he was no longer sure what her reaction would be.

It had almost destroyed her when he had walked away from her after the Beltran trial. How could he NOT see that she was in love with him? She knew she was so very good at keeping her feelings to herself, but he always seemed to know exactly what she was feeling and thinking. How could he not have known THAT? How could he just walk away from her? She had only needed a little more time to finish the fight with Bond and get her firm back.

And then she would have gone to Costa Rica with him, if he had just waited. For her. If he had just waited for her. But he had left. And she had never felt so abandoned by anyone. Ever.

She knew it was her own fault tho', if she had just told him what was going on and why she couldn't just leave with him, he might have stayed. He was a patient man and maybe, just maybe if she had told him, if he had understood what she was dealing with, he would have waited. But she had not told him, her pride had gotten in the way and he had left.

Sucking in a breath she turned to face him, "Kurt..." his name a soft sigh. Her eyes locked with his. Her heart beating so hard she could barely breathe, her right hand gripping the hand rail so tight her fingers ached. She was hoping that he could not see how much she has missed him, how much she wanted him. Hoping he could not see the desire and the longing and the vulnerability that she was sure was just written all over her face. But he's seen everything of course. He'd always been able to read her, to know what she was feeling...even when she wouldn't admit it.

"Diane, how are you?" he asked softly. Because he had noticed the emotions she had tried to hide when she had finally looked up at him. He hadn't wanted to walk away from her, had not wanted to leave her, but he had not been able to see a way to stay. She was just so very devoted to her job, and he had felt there was no place for him in her life. And he really wanted a place in her life.

"I'm, um..." her voice faltered as he stepped over to her, close enough that she had to take a step back, right up against the elevator wall. Her eyes imploring him to...what? Step away from her and leave her alone? Pull her into his arms and crush her against himself, kissing her until she could barely breathe and couldn't think straight? Yeah, that's what she really wanted...because he's an excellent kisser and she really likes kissing him...loves kissing him.

He reached out and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, letting his fingers run lightly over her cheek, caressing softly. His eyes never leaving hers, his right hand slowly tracing a path from her ear, down her neck, fingers skimming over her left breast, causing her breath to catch in her throat. Pressing her back against the wall, his fingers splayed across her belly, he leaned down and placed a soft lingering kiss on her lips. **Damn, I just love it when you wear red lipstick** he thought to himself.

As soon as he touched her she was just lost. She loved the feel of his hands on her body, and when he pressed her back against the wall she could only hope that he was going to kiss her. God how she wanted him to kiss her. **Please, just kiss me...** she thought to herself, or did she say that out loud? And when his lips finally claimed hers a soft moan escaped her, almost a whimpering sound. Damn how she had missed this, missed him. She reached up and twisted the fingers of her right hand in the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.

Dropping her purse on the floor she wrapped her left arm around his neck, wanting to keep him close. Reaching up with his left hand he tangled his fingers in her hair, holding her still as he softly ran his tongue over her lower lip. Parting her lips beneath his she gave in to him, her knees giving way as he took control of the kiss. Lips sliding softly together, the kiss warm and wet, tongues touching, tasting, teasing. He shifted his right hand to her waist, pulling her even closer. Reveling in the feel of her body against his, her hands, her lips, her tongue...Damn, he could barely think when she kissed him like that.

As the elevator slowed to a halt they slowly pulled apart. He kept her in his arms, not wanting to let her go, knowing now that letting her go would be the biggest mistake he could make. As the doors opened he reached down and picked up her purse, handing it back to her as they left the elevator and walked across the first floor lobby towards the doors that lead to the parking area. He kept his hand on her waist, needing to have that contact with her, wanting that contact.

She stopped him after a few steps and reached up and gently ran her thumb over his lower lip, removing the red lip stick that was there, a soft smile on her face. He chuckled at her actions. "Hopefully that won't be the only time tonight I end up wearing your lipstick.." Smiling up at him as she ran her finger over her own lips, "Likely not" she murmured.

Taking a breath she asked him the question that she wasn't sure she wanted an answer to, "I thought you left. That you were going to Costa Rica?" her voice catching a little, watching her fingers as she fiddled with the buttons on his shirt.

"I didn't go. I just couldn't..." he took a breath, "Diane, I'm sorry I walked away. I never should have left that night. I knew there was something big going on that you needed to take care of. I also knew that I could not help you with it, as much as I wanted to, I couldn't. So I thought maybe I could talk you into leaving with me. And when you refused I just couldn't see a way to stay. So I left." Tipping her chin up he kissed her again. "I'm sorry, I should have stayed."

"I should have told you. What was going on, just how bad it was, just how close I came to losing everything I had worked so hard for. But I'm not used to sharing anything, with anybody. I just..." she took another deep breath. "I just let my pride get the best of me, I felt like you were giving me some kind of an ultimatum and I wasn't prepared for that." She placed her fingers on his lips to prevent him from speaking, "I know that's not what you were doing and I'm sorry for not talking to you, for not telling you what I was dealing with. Maybe if I had you would not have left me." When she realized what she had said she tried to step back from him. **Damn, why did I say that?**

He tightend his arm around her, keeping her from moving too far away. "Diane, I would have stayed. I just need you to talk to me, tell me what I need to know. I wouldn't have left if I had known." His sincere words falling softly on her ears and her heart. She smiled up at him, "Ok, I can do that."

Her smile causing one of his own. "Have you eaten anything today? We could grab dinner somewhere if you're hungry." His offer reminding her that no, she had not eaten since breakfast that morning.

"Your place?" she asked, a sassy tone in her voice as she slipped her fingers between the buttons of his shirt to leave gentle soft scratches on his chest. Enjoying how his breath caught a little at her actions.

"Yeah we can do that, but it'll be rather late by the time we get there." pulling her close again and letting both of his hands settle around her waist, one slipping lower to her hip squeezing lightly. "Will you stay the weekend with me?"

"Yes, I just need to stop by my place to get Justice and some clothes. I can leave my car here, I'll just need to let security know so no one worries why it's here all weekend." her smile happy as she leaned up to kiss him again.

"Let's go then." his own smile happy as well.

They stopped by the security office so that Diane could remind them her car would be there all weekend and that she would be back on Monday.

Leaving the building they stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of the building, walking towards his truck. As he opened the door for her she leaned close to him and spoke softly, "I'm really starting to like that elevator"! Her words causing him to laugh as he helped her into the truck.