Three Little Words

A/N: This takes place the morning after Dinner with the Family. I rewrote my original story and made it longer, hence the delay in posting.

Disclaimer: I do not own Numb3rs or any of the characters on the show. Nor do I make any profit from them.

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It was Saturday and for once Don's weekend off coincided with Kate's weekend off. Don was lying in bed with Kate at her house. Her head was resting on his bare chest as she slept while Don ran his hand through her soft hair, lost in thought.

He was thinking back about the conversation he had with his dad last night when he was helping with the dishes and Kate was in the other room.

"Kate seems like a nice person Donnie." Alan said as he handed Don a plate to dry.

"Yeah she's great."

"How long have you known her?"

"About three months now."

"You know Don, now that I think about it you have seemed a lot happier these last few months. I just hadn't picked up on the why until now"

"Yeah, I am happier now."

After a long pause Alan said, "I can see it in your eyes Donnie."

"See what?"

"They way you feel about her. Whenever her name is mentioned your eyes go soft and I can see how much you care for her."

"Well I do care about her, a lot… I don't know Dad, there's just something about her that's different from the other women I have been with. She understands me, I understand her… Its like I have always known her."

"Have you shared these feelings with her?"

"Well no, not yet. But-" Don was cut off by his father.

"Donnie, if you want to have a good successful relationship you have to open up and share your feelings."

"I know Dad I know, I just wanted to wait for the right time. I don't want to screw this up, ya know?"

"I know Donnie; I'm just saying you need to open up. Sooner rather than later."

Don's thoughts drifted back to the present. Although neither one of them had said I love you yet, Don was pretty sure that it was an unspoken mutual feeling.

He'd never felt so right holding a women in his arms before as he did when he held Kate, it was different with her than it was with Kim and Nikki and Robin.

Sure he had loved Kim and had wanted to marry her but now thinking back on his relationship with her, he was glad that they didn't get married. It never would have lasted, not with the amount of time they both spent working, both in the office and at home. It was the same with Nikki and Robin, spending so much time working and then when they did find time for just the two of them, they usually ended up talking about work.

Now that Don was dating Kate, he realized the importance of dating someone outside of law enforcement. It was nice to be able to keep work at work and not have their conflicting views on some case come between them. Don liked being able to come home at the end of the day and spend time with someone who wasn't exposed to the same horrific events that he saw on a daily basis. He liked the fact that if he was bothered by something at work he could talk to Kate about it and she would listen and give an unbiased opinion.

Don also liked the fact that Kate didn't constantly ask him if something was bothering him. She wasn't always telling him that he needed to open up about his feelings. Kate seemed to understand that Don would open up and talk when he was ready. Don thought that Kate seemed to understand him better than any of his other previous girlfriends.

Don's train of thought was interrupted when he felt Kate stir next to him.

"Hey there, Beautiful." Don said as she opened her eyes and gave him a tired smile.

"Morning G-man" she yawned.

"Did you sleep good last night?"

"Wonderful." Kate replied and giggled as Don ran his hand down her bare back. "Hey that tickles!"

Don laughed as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her towards him. He kissed her gently and murmured "I love you."

"I love you too, Don" Kate replied softly as she kissed him back.