A/N I am overwhelmed at the response for this fic. I truly am stunned. I have been so busy with Christmas prep I am sorry it took so long. Please enjoy and have a good Christmas

An hour later, one bottle of wine down, Elizabeth and Henry had relaxed into comfortable conversation. They sat facing each other; legs intertwined, close enough to touch but far enough to respect their space. They joked, laughed and gently teased each other about everything and nothing in particular. They spoke about his family, his upbringing and when he revealed that he had trained, as a fighter pilot in the Marines Elizabeth was astonished. "Wow, that explains the muscles…" She grinned at him, "Tell me about it? Where were you based?" She asked.

"I managed to get a scholarship to UVA through the ROTC program. It was the only way I could afford to go. My Dad is a Union man, dedicated his life to hard physical work at the steel mill. He was not a fan of my plans to go to college and study religion in addition to his judgment he would take every opportunity to remind me the importance of contributing to our countries industries" Henry said this with a heavy heart as he thought of the rift that developed between his father and himself. Henry had looked up as he felt Elizabeth's hand on his arm; she squeezed it gently and softly said

"That must have been really tough on your relationship with your dad" She could see his features were ghosted by sadness and pain when he spoke about his father. He smiled at her when he felt her hand; the contact meant a lot to him, she was comforting him and he loved it.

"Yeah, it was" he admitted, "I guess, the reason why I signed up for the marines was because of my Dad. I wanted to get back at him; he wanted me to contribute to the success of America so I decided to serve." Henry shrugged his shoulders "I flew in Desert Storm and I decided to leave after my 4 years were up. When I came back I struggled a bit adjusting into civilian life and I ended up in a Vet program with my families church. I found I enjoyed helping people adjust back to life and got a real kick out of teaching so I decided to take a chance and get my Doctorate"

Elizabeth's heart swelled when she listened to him talk about his journey into teaching. She felt herself falling for him a little more with every passing comment, she knew she found him attractive, that much was true however, she never expected to think of him becoming something more…. A partner? "How did your Dad take that decision?"

"Well, things didn't improve when I came home from the Marines. He was still frosty with me, annoyed that I put my mom through four years of worry. So I came to realize that I was never going to make him happy, whatever I did, so I followed my heart for once and came back to UVA. It was the best decision I made… other than accepting the job at The White House" Their eyes locked, leaning into each other their lips met in a sensual kiss, exchanging emotion in a language just for them.

Elizabeth's phone had only interrupted once that evening and whilst she took the call, Henry took the opportunity to go to the toilet. He had followed Elizabeth's wild arm directions and set off through her apartment, as he walked he brushed into a wall and decided that he was slightly tipsy, whoops and on a school night. Henry opened and closed a few doors finally finding the toilet; after he finished he rinsed his face in the cold water hoping it would sober him up a little. He really liked Elizabeth and he didn't want to risk doing something stupid. Henry looked at himself in the mirror and noticed the flush of his cheeks and the wrinkles that framed his eyes. Come on McCord – don't mess this up - be cool.

Elizabeth had promptly ended the call and was thoroughly enjoying herself, she couldn't remember the last time she had enjoyed someone's company this much. Henry appeared then and feeling the effects of the wine she felt bold enough to ask "So, Henry, what were you looking at on your computer when I visited you in your office?" The CIA analyst immediately noticed the way his eyes darted to the floor and his hands knotted together, this confirmed her intuition.

"Errrrr, I can't remember" Henry's heart was hammering in his chest. Shit, should I just admit that I was looking up her?

"Of course you do… The way you closed that browser window when you saw me was lightning fast" Elizabeth was enjoying teasing him; she hadn't felt this carefree in years.

"Ok, I'll tell you but don't get all weird" He pleaded with her. "I was researching you…" Elizabeth crossed the distance between them and was grinning at him

"I knew it!" she let out a laugh "Did you find anything interesting?"

"The only thing that stuck in my mind was a certain red ball gown you wore to some nameless function," he admitted. Might as well go full on McCord he thought to himself as he whispered, "You are the most enchanting person I have ever come across. You are smart, funny, stunning, kind and unbelievably sexy."

"Wow, Dr. McCord, you are so very complementary" Elizabeth was staring up at his with her blue eyes and Henry was stunned. "I just have one slight issue…" Henry's stomach dropped to the floor is she secretly married? "My job is demanding. I am called up at all hours, I am always working, I'm always flying somewhere and I just wanted you to know that before we go any further"

Henry considered her words and was silent for what felt like an eternity to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, that won't be forever and I will always show up for you. I haven't felt like this ever before in my life and damn me, I'm not about to throw it away because of your job. I cannot promise that I won't get frustrated but lets just take it day by day." Henry glanced at his watch just then, and noticed that it was later than he thought.

"Oh, do you need to go?" Elizabeth asked "Can I get you a coffee before you go?" she desperately didn't want him to leave yet.

"Yes please, decaff if you have it?" Henry smiled at her as she went into her kitchen to get the coffee and he went and admired the view of D.C lights out of her window. He didn't notice her approach him until she stood next to him, she was close enough that their arms were gently touching. His sense of touch seemed to be heightened whenever she was around and he let his mind wander. What would her skin feel like under his palms… what would her skin feel like under his lips… fuck what would SHE feel like…. Elizabeth passed him his coffee and the smell drifted though the atmosphere.

"Here you go," she said as he took the coffee

"Thank you" Henry grasped the mug "Thank you for tonight. I am glad that we managed it" He turned toward her, the dim light in the apartment highlighting her cheekbones, he lent in and gave her a light kiss on her cheek. Elizabeth felt her stomach jump and again a surge of energy passed through her body.

"I really enjoyed myself tonight Henry. You are wonderful company and so very interesting and…"

"And?" enquired Henry

Elizabeth sighed and looked out at the lights when she said "And…. You are so handsome you make me want things that I haven't felt in ages" The blush spread across her face rapidly.

Henry nudged her arm and said, "If it helps, I want that too, when the time is right." They drank their coffee together again falling into an easy rhythm and when Henry finally said, "I should go" Elizabeth felt a little sad but understood. It was late and they both had work in the morning.

Fuck work… "Ok, lets get you home" She stood up and held her hand out pulling him up towards her "Henry, would you mind keeping this between just the two of us, especially at work?"

"Of course, Madam Secretary" He winked at her and gave her cheeky grin. "Do you think you can remain professional with me at work?"

"Dr. McCord!" They walked down towards her closet together to retrieve Henry's coat "I am always professional at work" She said with a laugh.

"Goodnight Elizabeth"

"Goodnight Henry" They moved closer and let their lips make contact, it was a deep and passionate kiss that seemed to intensify rather quickly. Henry moved her towards the door and pressed himself up against her. She gasped when she felt his hardness in his trousers. Her hands roamed his jumper and she could feel his muscular torso, her mind wondered what he looked like naked. Her hands moved down towards the hem of his shirt and she slipped them up inside making contact with his soft hot skin. He instinctively ground his hips into her and they both moaned at the sensation. Breaking apart surprised at the vocal harmony they panted resting their foreheads together.

"Fuck, sorry Elizabeth, you turn me on" Henry panted out.

"I want you too, look what you do to me" Still feeling the effects from the wine she slid her hand into her panties and felt her arousal. Henry's eyes blew wide with lust and groaned as he watched her. Her finger easily coated, came back out and she showed Henry.

He admired the glistening sheen on her delicate finger and raised an eyebrow at her "May I?" She was still in shock by her earlier brazen act and could only nod, she watched as he took her hand in his and gently put her fingertip in his mouth. He sucked her clean and Elizabeth thought that was the most erotic act she had ever seen.

"Goodnight Madam Secretary" Henry said as he reached for the door handle.

"Goodnight Dr. McCord." Elizabeth whispered.

Henry smiled as he walked home and pulled out his phone

23:01 – You taste incredible H x