Sue Thomas: F. B. Eye fanfic

Implied D/OC

A/N: I hope you like it. The first chapter doesn't explain a whole lot, but if I get enough reviews, (like, LOTS) then I'll continue. I'm not even sure if I like it, so tell me what you think, please!

Fresh Start

Push. Harder. Push, push, push.

Sweating heavily from exertion, Demetrius Gans steeled himself and lifted. He exhaled deeply and slowly set the weights back down on the rack.

You should have a spotter, Gans.

"I don't need one," he muttered to himself, and lifted them up again. Quickly finishing his set of ten, he sat up and grabbed his towel. He wiped off his face, and downed the water in his water bottle. "I can do better."

Not a good idea… An inner voice warned him, but he ignored it.

Counting silently in his head, he began again, but was interrupted by a voice. A beautiful voice.

"Need a spotter?"

He let the bar come to rest on the rack and sat up once more. The beautiful voice came from a beautiful woman. His eyes skimmed over her fluidly, and he determined that it was not a good idea, based on her outward appearance. "No thanks."

She hesitated for a moment. Then a grin spread over her face. "Oh, come on, a guy like you shouldn't be without one. You look too good to get hurt." A playful undertone hid behind her words.

"Alright," he conceded reluctantly. Forcing himself to concentrate on his workout and not the woman beside him, he continued.

Twenty minutes later, he was exhausted. Never before had he worked this long.

Shame on you. You're going to be sore tomorrow.

He sighed. Mistake number one. Probably the first of many he would make tonight.

"Are you okay?"

The woman's voice again jerked him from his reverie. "Hmm? Yeah, thanks."

"No problem." She stood up and walked a few feet away. "Hey, if you don't mind my asking-"

He nodded, waiting for her to continue.

"I noticed you don't have a ring on. I'm assuming you aren't married?"

"I was," he replied curtly. "She's dead."

Why are you telling your history to a complete stranger? You're losing it, Gans. Big time.

"I'm sorry." Her tone held nothing but sincerity.

He nodded again.

"I was wondering… if maybe you wanted to go out for coffee?" At his silence, she rushed on, "Of course, if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine, too. Never mind." She winced and walked away.

You're not ready.

"Wait," he called to her retreating back. "I just need to shower."

She turned and smiled. "I'll wait for you."