Story Title: To Be With Her

Chapter Title: Coming Home

Summary: Written for the "There Can Never Be Enough Secret Dating" fic challenge on live journal. Prompt was: Rigsby and Grace staged their breakup to avoid consequences from Hightower, and all references to dating other people are just to throw the CBI off their tracks. I want the in-between moments, the sneaking around, the fake jealousy (with a hint of real jealousy, since they can't be together in public). It's up to you if anyone else (Jane, Cho) suspects.

Author's Notes: This chapter is set after "Aingavite Baa" Some chapters will be long and others short. I don't know if I'll be able to keep this going but I hope you enjoy the "what if" glimpses anyway.

COMING HOME

On the night after "the breakup", Grace sat in the middle of her bed. Our bed, she told herself. He's coming home. Any minute now he'll be home. She had herself so keyed up that by the time his key slid into the lock she nearly jumped out of her skin. She jumped out of bed instead and rushed to the door, pouncing on him before he could even get his coat off. Legs cinched tightly around his waist, arms snug around his shoulders, Grace leaned in and buried her face in his neck; breathing in the scent of his skin.

"I'm so sorry Wayne. What I said. I should have thought it through a little more instead of winging it."

"It bothers me."

"What I said?"

"How good of a liar you are." She pulled back to look at him, his eyes were haunted looking.

"I didn't mean it. Any of it. You know that. I love you, more than anything, and I'm not giving you up. Not for all the world."

"Then why don't you just let me go Grace? Let me take the transfer. I love you too. I don't want to hide it anymore. That's what you said you wanted before, to come clean?"

"I know but that was before I realized, before Hightower came and ruined everything. I told you. I need you at work with me. I'm not as strong as you. I can't do it alone. You know that."

"No Grace. You're stronger than anyone, even you, knows. You'd be ok." Grace's eyebrows furrowed and she made a whining noise.

"I can't give you up. Not at work, not at home. Please Wayne, don't ask me to."

"I won't." he assured her, leaning in to kiss her lips. "You know I love you. I just want to be with you." She smiled at him and sighed, wiping the tears that had slipped from her eyes off on his shoulder.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come back. That you'd realize I wasn't worth the cost."

"You're worth any cost Grace."