It was just another day at the office for Louis Renault. It had been 2 years since the war had been over and he had found himself in a place that he'd least expect to live in, New York, where he shared an apartment with Rick. Unable to convince him to move to Paris, they settled on New York where he took up a quiet desk job in an office. After all the chaos of war and running away from Nazis, he needed something quiet and normal.

However, today something else was on his mind other than the usual paperwork. Today was Valentine's Day. He glanced at the calendar on his desk and sighed, knowing full well that Rick wouldn't be celebrating. His idea of celebrating was a bottle of whiskey and an ashtray full of cigarette buds. It had been 3 years since he and Ilsa parted ways on that fateful day in Casablanca, and he hadn't thought of anyone else since…much to Louis's dismay.

Renault glanced at the clock. It was time to go home. He packed up his briefcase and headed out the door. Most of the building was empty now. They were probably all out with their partners tonight seeing a movie and going out to dinner. Not Louis though. The one person he wanted to be with tonight was the one person he couldn't have…Rick. Why did it have to be him? He thought angrily to himself. He could have anyone he wanted. Being a French bachelor had it perks after all. But all he could think about was Rick.

He went up to his apartment, readying himself for the dense smell of cigarette smoke as he entered the apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, only to find that there wasn't any smoke or an empty whiskey bottle, or even Rick. He set his briefcase down and pulled of his coat, tossing them on a nearby chair.

"Rick?" He called out, heading into the kitchen. No answer. Rick must have gone out. Renault surmised and went back in the living room where he sat in his usual chair by the window that overlooked the streets below. He saw many couples walking hand and hand below, wishing that were him.

Suddenly, the door opened. Rick stepped inside. Rick hurriedly shut the door and hid his hands behind his back. "I wasn't expecting you home so early." Rick said, nervously, which Louis didn't understand.

"I come home at this time every day…what's wrong Rick?" Renault said, getting up from his chair.

"Nothing." He lied, not meeting his eye. Renault raised his eyebrow.

"Thinking about Ilsa again?" He asked.

"No. I was thinking of someone else actually."

Renault's heart fell. "Oh? Who's the lucky girl?" He asked.

"Well it's not a girl."

"Then who?" He asked curiously. Maybe it was that handsome young writer that lived across the street. He was always getting so flirty with Rick.

"You." Rick blushed and pulled out a bouquet of roses and handing them to Louis.

He couldn't believe it. He stared at Rick and the flowers dumbfounded.

"Oh…I see. I'm sorry." Rick said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I guess I misunderstood."

"I'm just in shock." Louis said.

"I know. I didn't expect this either…" Rick said. "I understand if the feeling isn't mutual." Louis chuckled. Poor Rick. He could be so oblivious sometimes.

"Rick…they're lovely and I'm afraid that I have to disappoint you. The feeling is mutual." Renault said, accepting the flowers. Rick took a deep breath. He felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Renault couldn't take it anymore. He was going to burst. He leaned in close to Rick and pulled him into a kiss. It felt so good. He was warm all over and never wanted it to stop. He waited so long for this and somehow it was even better than he imagined. Louis reluctantly pulled away, needing air, but his arms were still wrapped around Rick.

"I have to say, this is possibly the best Valentine's Day ever."

"Oh, that's not all. I got tickets to a movie and dinner reservations."

"You really took a gamble didn't you?" Renault remarked.

"It was worth it." Rick put his arm around Louis and they went off into the night. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.