A/N – Thanks again so much for all your lovely reviews! I honestly didn't expect people to be so nice – you people make me v happy! :D
But saying that, i think i'll leave you in suspense about those phonecalls just a little longer...
Chapter Six - Fishbowl
Ever since Kendal joined the crime lab, Adam had been fairly smitten. She was everything he likes in a woman: smart, funny, not to mention drop dead gorgeous.
But he was awkward around chicks, they often didn't get his humour, thought that he was just a nerd. Some thought he was too obsessed with video games, and some disliked his strange taste in music.
Kendal didn't. She laughed at him sometimes, they shared inside jokes. She didn't think he was a nerd, just smart. She'd impressed him by humming some of his favourite songs while she was working, and she'd confessed to him that she'd probably kick his ass at most video games.
She was everything he likes in a woman. The night before the Statue of Liberty case, she'd challenged him. Whichever video game he wanted, they'd play, winner got bragging rights. But they'd also had beer, and soon the games were left forgotten.
They both ended up drunk, she more so than him, so he'd been the gentleman. He'd had her crash at his place to save her going home at night, covered her with a blanket and told her he'd see her in the morning. But then he'd passed out himself.
Adam had fully intended to get up early, make her breakfast and show her his sweet natured side. He was going to stop at nothing to woo her, if Danny could pull all those hot girls, why couldn't he? He didn't let himself answer that question. As it was, they'd both woken up late, and had no time for any romance - they'd both had to rush straigh to the lab.
They'd worked together a lot since that night. She was obviously surprised that he hadn't taken advantage in her drunken state, and it made her trust him. They shared a lot of flirty banter since, too. Or at least, Adam had attempted at it; he just didn't seem to have a natural talent for it like other people at the lab. But at least he tried.
He'd woken up this morning, determined to try harder. As much as he loved hanging out with Kendal, he knew he wanted more, and today, he was going to find out if she did too. He kept his determination through breakfast, on the subway, even in the locker room as he put his things away. He'd been assigned to process some things for the night shift, and as he walked into Trace his stomach constricted into tight knots. There she was, his perfect girl, all alone, just ready for him to make his move. She looked up at him.
And he lost his determination.
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Ever since Kendal joined the crime lab, Adam had been fairly smitten, and she knew it. As a pretty girl, she'd never had to try too hard to win admirers, but all she'd ever win was sleaze balls interested in one thing.
He was different, everything she liked in a guy really. Sure, he was awkward around her and the rest of the female population, but she thought that was sweet. He shared her sense of humour, her musical taste, and hell, he even liked that she played video games. She's grown up playing them with her three brothers, something regarded as embarrassing and un-feminine by previous boyfriends.
He'd been surprised, but taken her up on her video game challenge. By the end of that night, they'd forgotten all about the games anyway, focusing more on the countless beers they'd thrown back. That was another thing she liked, he hadn't said a word when she'd asked for a beer. Most guys would insult her by assuming she'd want a fruity little cocktail or something.
That night, Adam had shown his true colours. He was a stand-up guy. She'd spent the whole night passed out on his couch in her underwear, and he hadn't even made a move. At first that upset her, wondering if he didn't like her back, but she soon saw that he was just being a gentleman. And she liked that in a guy.
Ever since, they'd messed around together; with playful teasing and such. He was by no means an expert at it, but he'd tried so hard, and he was so sweet. It just made him even cuter in Kendal's eyes.
This morning, she'd seen him striding through the lab with his head held high, and it made her wonder what was up. However, she had to put her wondering aside, as she was quickly assigned to work evidence from the nightshift. Not even fifteen minutes after she'd got to work, she heard Adam enter Trace.
She looked up, ready to greet him, ready to ask why he'd looked so cheerful this morning. But at that moment, he hadn't looked cheerful, he looked like he was going to be sick.
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"Hey" She asked him brightly, preparing to cheer him up.
"Umm, m...morning Kendall" He stammered back at her.
"Erm, Adam, are you okay?"
"Y...Yeah, I mean, of ...of course, why?"
"Because it's 8pm?"
His face immediately flushed, and went darker to the colour of beetroot when he realised Hawkes and that pretty homicide detective were stood a shirt way down the corridor. The door of Trace was open, and by the looks of it, they could hear him.
Oh great, real smooth... now she thinks you can't tell morning from night. Way to go genius. And even better? Thanks to those damn glass walls, not only can everyone HEAR you making a fool of yourself, they can SEE you too. Great.
"Oh yeah, right, sorry"
Kendal's stomach gave a guilty squirm.
Oh well done Kendal, just embarrass the poor guy! Do Hawkes and that detective REALLY have to stand there and watch this too! Jeez, it's like living in a fishbowl!
"Don't be sorry – you just look like you have something on your mind."
"No I'm good" Adam looked at his feet and mentally kicked himself. It was now or never. He walked over to the table and stood next her. He began swabbing and processing the evidence before him, giving himself something to focus on.
"You know Kendal, actually there was something to ask." He looked up for a moment, but she wasn't looking at him. Focusing instead on the evidence she was fingerprinting.
"Yeah, what's up Adam?" Kendal kept her head bowed, she could feel her cheeks burning and she really didn't want him to notice.
Both Adam and Kendal forgot about the CSI and the detective down the hall who were already observing them. Neither did they notice that Mac Taylor was quietly watching them from his office, nor that Lindsay Monroe was watching them too, as she walked past the room with Stella and Detective Flack. Their senses were temporarily absorbed in each other.
"Iwaswonderingifyou'dletmetakeyoutodinnertomorrownight" Adam said his sentence as fast as possible, in one short, hurried breath.
"I'm sorry? Didn't quite catch that." Kendal looked up, the rosy tinge along her cheeks becoming more prominent. She was trying (and failing) not to smile.
That beautiful smile, which he loved so much, yet usually made Adam's consciousness to become lost, gave him back his courage... and his determination.
"I said: would you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?" He repeated slowly and quietly.
"Sure" She replied just as quietly, nodding.
"I'll pick you up at eight then?" He spoke louder this time, barely able to keep the glee and disbelief out of his voice. He was slowly regaining his senses. He could feel his heart beating furiously, the blood was roaring in his ears, then he looked around.
I've got a date with Kendal! She said yes! WOOP! Who's your daddy now! ... Phew... I should really get back to work now... I think Mac's watching me...but still... I've got a date with Kendal!
"Sounds good, I'll look forward to it" Kendal was also regaining her composure as she turned back to her fingerprinting dust.
He actually did it, he actually asked me out! Wow, I never knew he had it in him – I was scared I was going to have to make the first move. I mean, I would have done long ago, but I didn't want to seem desperate. He better live up to my expectations though – God knows how I bore easily... Now, what should I wear...?
A/N – I'm working all weekend, so I thought I'd crank out a couple of little baby filler chappies – next up is Hawkes and Angell. Let me know what you think! I live and breathe reviews!