John smiled. A lot. He hadn't noticed until Dorian oh-so-kindly pointed it out in the afternoon when they were sitting in his car on the way back to the precinct. This time, though, John couldn't care less about his partner's opinion. He was close to being happy now; the fact Skye was single and willing to come back every once in a while made him feel somewhat safe. Of course it was crazy because a so-called relationship like this wouldn't make anyone feel safe. Still, it was close enough.

"You won't tell me, right?" Dorian asked with a small smile as if he had known something.

"No chance," he replied. "Some things are better kept secret."

The DRN next to him nodded and looked out of the window. John knew exactly what was next. Dorian would stay quiet for a while, making it look like he didn't care, but then, just as John would believe he got away with it, the other man would start asking questions again. He hated this method but at least he knew what to expect. So he waited. For minutes. Three. Five. Ten.

Nothing.

John even glanced over at Dorian, raising an eyebrow because he seemed to be thinking about something else. "What the matter?"

"I'm just thinking."

"About what?"

"It's not Detective Stahl, is it?" Dorian asked when he turned towards him.

"Oh, for God's sake," he said with a tired sigh. "Drop it, Dorian. I'm serious. It's none of your business."

But Dorian only laughed at him and kept talking. "Is she new or did you know her before?"

"Stop it."

"Come on, John."

There was no other way to shut him up without pushing him out of the moving car but telling the truth. "Alright," he said. "I knew her."

"Does she match your previous description?" John nodded. "So good looking?"

A smirk appeared on John's lips before he answered. He saw her in front of himself, every little detail he had noticed in the past, including the small mole on her back. "Very. And before you ask, she's a dancer."

"Smart?"

"Smart," he repeated with a nod.

"What's her name?"

"Skye."

"Is it serious?"

"No."

"Do you want it to be?"

"I don't think so, Dorian, but enough of the Q&A," he said angrily. "I have no idea what I want, and even if I knew, you wouldn't be the first one I inform. No offense, though."

John hated Dorian. He had no idea if he wanted it to become serious but he couldn't say no right away. It felt like deep inside he did want this think between them to work. One thing he knew for sure was Skye's hate for relationships and the idea of dating, so even if he asked her out, she would probably say no. Maybe it would be the best if they kept it on a physical level in the near future.

"So you really like her," Dorian said with a wide grin.

He tightly grabbed the wheel but resisted the urge to react. Dorian was playing a stupid game and he sure as hell didn't want to become a part of it. "Have you deleted that dating profile?"

"Not yet," he replied. "I will delete it once you found someone."

"I have found someone, so delete it."

"You said you didn't know if it could be serious."

John turned to his partner for a second. "Why are you so damn interested in my private life?"

"Because now that you're seeing her you're fairly," he started, stopping for a moment, "tolerable."

"Tolerable? Thanks, man. And just FYI, I'm not seeing her, we only met once," he pointed out.

John didn't want it to stay this way. But Dorian was right and he was surprised not to hear "you should get laid" from him. He had been expecting it ever since that dating profile was created because it was sadly true. On the other hand, it was strange how much he changed without sleeping with her. Sex was basically the foundation of their casual relationship which was later accompanied by a strong friendship, but the basic idea remained the same: they were friends with benefits. Nothing more and nothing less than that.

"Skye?"

It had been over two weeks since they had met, and John was surprised to find the woman standing in front of him. He had just finished the little story he told a bunch of kids and was about to grab a cup of coffee before lunch, but the sight of her washed every single plan of his away. Seeing the look on her face she probably wasn't expecting to meet him and John couldn't blame her for that.

She walked over to him with a faint smile on her lips, her high heels clicking quite loudly. "Hello, John."

"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking around to see who was paying attention. Apart from Dorian, that is, because he was keeping an eye on the two of them from where he was standing.

"I came to pick up Karen," Skye explained and he noticed a smaller girl skipping towards the two of them.

As he watched the girl, John started to notice a few things; her hair, nose and smile were almost exactly like Skye's, but her eyes were pale green. He had no idea what to think, he didn't even want to believe he could be right, but the guilty look in the woman's eyes made him sick for a second. So much for Dorian's little speech about paying attention to details. Sometimes it's probably better not to notice these things.

Skye drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly before speaking up again. "Yeah, well," she started quietly, "there might be something I didn't mention the last time we met."

"She's your daughter?"

"Yes, she is."

John licked his lips before he asked, "How old is she?"

"Almost six," she replied.

He thought, trying to remember certain events from the past and even spent a few moments counting the years. It couldn't be, he thought. "Wait, we met like six years ago," he spoke up anyway, his throat dry as if he hadn't drunk for days. "Does it mean she's-"

Skye waited. She even bit her lower lip with the same guilt-filled look on her face, but didn't say anything for a while. John, out of the corner of his eye, noticed Valerie who was watching them as well. He liked her as a friend, but at the same time he also knew she had different feelings for him. The situation was frustrating but there was no escape. Then, all of sudden, Skye started to laugh. It was the kind of contagious laugh that filled the room, making everyone turning to them with questioning looks before a smile appeared on their lips as well.

"God, John," she said as she tried to catch her breath. "I don't have a kid, she's only my niece. My brother is on a business trip while my pregnant sister-in-law went to see her doctor in the hospital," she explained.

If Skye wasn't a woman, especially one he wanted to keep as a returning guest of his bedroom, he would have punched her in the face for a joke like this. "That wasn't funny," he growled.

"You should've seen your face. But sure, you're right, I apologize," she said and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

For those who had no idea who she was - apart from Dorian, it meant everyone around them - it seemed to be nothing more but a friendly gesture. "You'll pay for this," he informed her with a smile.

"Oh, really?" she asked with her hands behind her back, acting like an innocent schoolgirl.

John stepped closer to her and put a hand on the side of her neck, his thumb running along her jawline. Next to them the small girl giggled as she rushed back to the other kids, but he could only think about what to do next, if he should make that one move right there and then in front of all his colleagues. "Yes, really," he said quietly before kissing her. Skye didn't resist, but when she pulled away, her lips turned up into a really arousing smile. "How does lunch sound?"

"I don't do lunch dates."

"Who said it would be a date?"

"My answer is still no."

With an understanding nod, John let go of her and took a step back. "Okay, I get it."

"Get what?" she asked with a genuinely confused expression on her face.

"I should've called you."

Skye rolled her eyes at him. "It has nothing to do with calling me or not, John," she explained, her fingers playing with the straps of his holster. "I'm not going for lunch with you when I have to look after Karen."

"She'll be home with her mom tonight, right?" Skye nodded without hesitation. "Perfect. Then come to my place around eight. You owe me for that joke."

"Back to the start?" she asked with a grin.

A series of meaningless one night stands. This is how it had all started between the two of them and this is where they were heading now. "Only if you want it," he said and waited for her answer. No strings attached sounded like a plan at the moment; he had a lot to worry about anyway, the least he needed was a relationship and proper dating.

"See you at eight," was all she said before she grabbed Karen's hand and headed to the elevator.

They were officially back where they had begun.

"This seemed fairly serious."

John closed his eyes and bit his lip. "Shut up, Dorian."

Author's note: Wow, thank you for the support! Reviews inspire me because at least I know if you like the story or not.