Okay so what did we learn this week? That my commitment to post twice a week was about as reliable as a promise by Amanda to stay out of trouble. I'm sorry guys. I think trying to post once a week is all I can handle. And I rather do the long chapters, they get me in the flow so in the end I think it will favor all of us. Sorry to kept you waiting but here it is and smut warning ahead - make up sex on the horizon. Have fun!

Chapter 10

It wouldn't be the first time Fin had helped the two make up. The first time it hadn't been this serious though and this time he was hoping he literally could fix it so they as the saying was could kiss and make up. He hadn't told her exactly where they were heading next but he had a feeling she had a hunch. She looked tence, all crumbled up in the passenger seat. He figured she was sitting on her hands just to not bite at her nails that were probably down to her skin by now.

It was getting darker now and he really had no idea whether or not Nick was even home. Fin sent a text as they crossed the bridge to Nick's borough.

"You two need to talk. I'm bringing her over to you. Fin"

He wished he'd added a get in touch request as he had no idea what he was driving in to as they reached Nick's street. If Amanda had been unaware of their destination it had for sure dawned on her now as her fingers were glued to her mouth again. While Amanda tensed up even further seeing Nick sitting on the stairs Fin felt relieved to see him. Fin parked just a few yards from Nick but neither Amanda nor Nick moved.

"C'mon Amanda," Fin whispered. He really had no idea who should be making the first step but knowing his partner and taking note of boths behavior around each other as of late he had a sense Amanda might be the one who had some crawling to do. Fin could tell she was nervous as hell though and he saw it in her eyes the few times they flickered by his. He saw her eyes flicker over towards Nick as well with that same scared look in them.

He knew it wasn't his job to be their mediator but he would do whatever it took right now to keep his partner from falling back in to gambling and consequently losing her job. So he took a breath and then opened his door. He walked over to Nick and they exchanged head nods.

"Thanks for stepping outside," Fin said just to get the conversation going.
"Of course," Nick said getting up off the stairs. They'd both shot a few glances back over towards the car.

"So I might be…" Fin wasn't really sure how to put it, "…meddling. I mean I don't know what went down between the two of you, she won't tell me and it's none of my business. But she's my partner and she's in a bad place right now."

Nick had taken a deep breath as he listen to Fin and some of the tension he was carrying just washed off him. Hearing Fin say she was in a bad place of course didn't make him happy but he'd just thought that while he went home miserable every day just longing to be with her and every spot in his apartment reminding him of something wonderful he'd done with her there, she'd gone home fine. She'd looked fine to him. The few times he had been able to look at her, as his heart broke a little every time her beauty caught his eye, she'd seemed just fine. Fine without him and that had been so very hurtful. But maybe it had all been an act? He already knew she was good at putting up fronts, maybe it had all just been a front? He had seen that she looked tired yesterday, he'd just worried she would be offended if he cared, that maybe it was too soon for that.

"I'm not asking you to like do anything you don't want to do," Fin said tearing Nick's eyes from the blonde form in the car and his attention back from his thoughts, "but if you could just talk to her maybe, let her say she's sorry or something."

"Fin," Nick said cutting him off as Fin tried to explain why he was there. Nick caught Fin's eyes.
"Your partner," Nick started as he'd decided to be brutally honest, there was no point denying anything at this point, "I love her. I told her that and think it might be, along with Maria popping back up at a very inconvenient time of course, what got her running."

"Aha," Fin said as he started to get the whole picture.
"Yeah," Nick said almost seeing the pieces fall in to place in Fin's head, "and my feelings haven't changed."

Nick took the last step off the stairs and was about to walk over to the car as Fin called for his attention. Fin looked a little nervously towards the car, he wasn't sure if he was overstepping any boundaries or not but he figured as long as his intentions were good it would be okay to betray a little of his partners trust.

"You know her dad was a gambler right?" Fin asked and Nick nodded wondering where he was going.
"Yeah and he put his family through a lot, cause of his gambling, I mean she hasn't told me much but from the little I know. She did tell me though that she would never do that to a family of her own. That she rather die alone then to…" Fin saw Nick nod and he realized he wouldn't have to say anything else.

"Thanks Fin," Nick said really appreciating this piece of information into the soul of this mysterious blonde creature he'd worked alongside for three years now but started to realize he knew very little about. For someone who described herself as simple and straightforward she was really turning out to be quite the opposite. But that he'd already figured out long before he fell for her and now he just couldn't wait to get a chance to find out what else she hid inside that beautiful frame of hers.

He could tell by her straightening up in her seat that she saw him walking over. Once he stepped up outside her window though she sat almost completely still. There was a reflection in the window of the lights behind him that made it hard for him to see her properly. All he saw was her hands entangled, resting on her lap. Light fingers resting on a dark surface. Her top was fair and her hair just as fair, messy and stuffed into a ponytail. He carefully reached for the handle and opened up her door. He saw her head move slightly towards him but her eyes never made it further up than his legs.

He just had to study her for a while. He knew they would make up, he wasn't worried at all about that, so he just took this moment to soak all of her in. He'd missed those hands, those fingers, even with the nails chewed down. He'd missed that messy mane of hers, and he'd missed helping her out to mess it up. He'd missed seeing her bite down on her lip just as she was doing right now and he'd missed biting down on it himself.

"Do you want to come inside?" he asked. Again her eyes moved just slightly his way but never came all the way up to meet his. He'd seen the blush creep up over her cheeks and he wasn't discouraged when she shook her head a little. She might be a bit of an enigma but he did recognize the signs of her feeling very bashful.

"Okay can I get in the car with you then?" he tried but again she shook her head. It only made him smile though, there was nothing aggressive to her head gesture. And he had to admit, he found her stubbornness endearing. He leaned in and reached out for her hand, taking his time to stroke the back of her hand as he made his way around it to grab ahold of it. He'd noticed the deep inhale she made once his skin touched hers and he noticed how she let it out as her hand latched on to his.

"C'mon," he whispered stepping away from the car so she would follow him out. She only needed that and a slight tug to slide out of Fin's car. Nick made sure she was cleared before he shoved the door shut and then pulled her along towards the stairs to get her inside.

"Thanks Fin," Nick said as they reached him.
"No problem," Fin mumbled trying not to make a big deal out of it. He might bring it up one day though when they'd gone down the altar and had a few kids. Then he might bring his part in it up and request at least a Godfather title to one of the young ones.

Amanda really didn't want to let go of Nick now that she could finally feel him against her again but there was something she had to do that required her to let him go if only for a second. She threw her arms around Fin's neck and just held him very tight for a few seconds as his hands a little awkwardly patted her back.

"Yeah thank you Fin," she whispered near his ear and she felt his arms hold on to her a little tighter for a few seconds.

"Any time partner," he said trying to sound casual but had to clear his throat once he'd said it. She placed a kiss on his cheek before she let him go completely. Nick smiled at the scene but then reached out his hand for her to grab it as soon as she'd let Fin go. Nick missed the touch too. Amanda didn't need to be asked but grabbed a hold of the extended hand feeling like a ton of weight had been lifted all at once. She still felt somewhat shameful for her behavior towards both men, for being a wimp and not able to hide her emotions better. But she also felt very grateful to have both of them in her life. There hadn't been many men in her life that had proved themselves to be reliable but she'd realized a while back Fin could be counted on and she started to realize Nick could too.

"I trust you kids to play it safe now," Fin said walking back to his car just having to say something a little crude to light up the moment.
"Don't we always," Nick countered throwing Fin a glance and a smile over his shoulder.

Amanda could only keep her eyes on Nick though. She was holding on to his hand and she'd put her other hand around his wrist just wanting to feel as much of him as possible. He had sweats on his lower body and just a short sleeved tee on top that ran a little tight but she didn't mind cause it made it easier for her to imagine his muscled chest underneath.

Nick threw his hand up in the air to wave Fin off and caught Amanda looking at him. His smile grew wider as their eyes connected and he let his hand stroke her cheek. He lingered there as his thumb swiped over her lips and his eyes got mesmerized by those lips that he'd missed so much. He stopped, making her stop as well and he took a step down to her level never breaking their gaze. He ran his finger over her mouth again but then leaned in so he could catch it with his own lips.

She closed her eyes as she opened her lips up slightly to greet his. His lips were just as soft as she remembered and they tenderly worked hers, briefly latching on to her upper lip only to go back to softly massaging both lips simultaneously. She paid no attention to the fact they were still outside as a part of her wanted him to go deeper and harder but the other side of her really enjoying this loving kiss that just spoke volumes how much he'd actually missed her.

Nick couldn't get enough of just feeling her lips against his, her breathe, her scent, how soft the back of her neck felt against his hand and how he just wanted to grab a hold even harder around her waist and never let her go again. But he also wanted to get her inside. He wanted to sit her down, talk to her, work everything out and then just make crazy hot love to her all night long and well in to the morning. Screw work, screw his neighbors, screw the world. All he cared about was her.

He reluctantly let her lips go, smiling at how obvious that same emotion was displayed over her face as well.

"Inside," he whispered stroking her cheek one more time before he grabbed a hold of her hand and brought her with him towards the door. He opened the door to let her in and then shut it behind them.

She felt like a stranger there again, inside his apartment. She knew Maria had lived here too and now all of a sudden that seemed to matter. She hadn't cared about that before but his history suddenly made a difference. Everything felt very grown-up all of a sudden, like nothing could be taken lightly any more. It was daunting but at the same time she knew she wanted it. She had to grow up.

"Nick, I'm sorry," she said turning around towards him. He looked a little confused.
"I'm sorry for overreacting, for not giving you a chance to explain. I'm sorry for not handling… that situation well," she knew she was rambling a little and she had to slow down to make any sense.
"I'm sorry," she said doing her best to just face him. It had never been easy for her to apologize.

They were only about a foot apart and she had no problem seeing his somewhat troubled look turning in to a smile. Still when he raised his hand, only to again make contact with her, she flinched and of course he caught it. He pulled his hand back with a slight gasp.

"I would never hit you," he blurted out quickly feeling a need to reassure her of that.
"I… I…," she stammered not sure what to say.

She shook her head, turning it down as she felt the heat on her cheeks and not wanting him to see the shame on her face. She'd never been in an abusive relationship. Yes she had been hit but then she'd been out the door immediately. She would never find herself in her mother's shoes. The flinch… she wasn't sure why, or she did but she couldn't understand why now. Did she really have such a bad grip on her emotions right now?

She knew why she'd flinched. She hated apologizing, she'd always done. As a kid she'd been forced to at times, she knew when she'd done bad. She didn't like it most of the time but she did have a built in alarm system of sort that told her right from wrong. At times she tried to ignore it, at times the other person just didn't deserve the apology either way but then there were times when she just had to bite down and crawl. And when she felt forced to face her mom, to apologize cause she knew her mom held the power to withhold food, TV, even school at times, then there were two ways it could go.

Always one of those two ways. Neither one were pleasant but would at least only consist of a short moment of humiliation and pain. One meant a gloating smirk or at times even an evil chuckle straight in your face making you feel like a piece of shit underneath her sole. Or it was the other one, the one that now had caused her to flinch, the non-forgiving slap across the nearest body part, which most often meant the face. It meant her mom didn't forgive her but at least would forget it and they could move on.

Right now she already felt vulnerable and she didn't want to paint him this sad picture of her childhood. There had been good times, it was just the bad ones kept popping out at the worst times. Earlier telling Fin about how she was abandon by her dad, not worth more than his precious cards. She just didn't want to go there again with Nick. They had more important things to talk about, or to not talk about. She wouldn't mind just jumping to the makeup sex right now. That would be good.

Turning her face back up though she knew she had tears in her eyes and she knew she wouldn't be able to hold on to herself if he even asked her one thing right now.

"I know you wouldn't hit me. It's not about that," she said trying to keep her voice steady but failing. He looked so very worried it didn't help her to keep a grip on herself.
"Another time?" she whispered with a slight plead in her tone, "I'll tell you another time okay?"

He moved his hand slower this time and he got to wipe away a tear when he finally reached her cheek. She did her best to keep the others inside though but it was hard with that concern and love displayed all over that sweet face of his.

"Thank you for apologizing. I really appreciate it and I owe you a few too. I should have told you I was having dinner with Maria. Telling you it was a friend was a lie. She is the mother of my child and that can't change but she's nothing more. She's not a friend and she will never be back in my life as it was before. I'm sorry she came in to the station causing a scene and making you feel bad. That was malicious of her and I've made sure it will never happen again."

He took a break to make sure she was really listening.

"But this is our problem," he said and now it was her time to look confused.
"This, you not telling me what is going on and how you really feel on the inside. How we communicate."

She still looked a little confused.

"C'mon," he said grabbing a hold of her and taking her inside wanting to sit down so he could try and explain himself a little better. He sat down on the couch, pulling her down with him and made her both face him and come closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her in even closer and her eyes didn't sway as he looked at her. He could see she was scared though, but her eyes never wavered.

"I can see that so much is going on behind those beautiful eyes of yours," he said and made her briefly look away. He just smiled though, she'd never been good at taking compliments. He had to catch her lips briefly once her eyes came back to meet his.

"I love everything about you, even the mystery but you know me Amanda, my mind screws me over a lot of times. I get insecure, I imagine the worst possible. Like I know you didn't do anything with that guy at the bar, Fin told me you slept on his couch that night but still, I keep seeing you with him and I think maybe Fin's covering for you, even though I know the truth my mind still takes me there," Nick confessed.

"I'm sorry," Amanda whispered, "Nothing happen, I mean yeah I kissed him but it was just to…" Amanda swallowed hard, she wasn't sure how to explain it.
"To push me away?" Nick tried and Amanda nodded. It was a part of it.

"I just wanted you to see what a horrible person I was," Amanda whispered.
"Why would you make yourself out to be something you're not?" he asked. He'd seen a strand of her bangs going down into her eye making her blink and he moved his hand up slowly to brush it away.

"I'm afraid I can't make you happy Nick," Amanda answered catching her lower lip with her teeth. Her hands had been resting high up on his thighs but now he felt her latch on to the fabric right above his hips.

"What makes you fear that?" he asked hoping she would have an answer for him.
"I… I'm just not capable of…" she started but he could tell when doubt took over and he felt as she was about to take off. He grabbed a hold of her waist keeping her there on the couch next to him.

"Please try Amanda…" he asked and he knew she would as she again grabbed a hold of him with her fists. Her eyes had fled though, her gaze resting somewhere between them.

"I just can't show emotions like you're supposed to," Amanda blurted out quickly just wanting it out and to stop the voices inside her head that told her Nick would find her insane.
"There's no right or wrong when it comes to emotions and expressing your love Amanda," Nick tried but then got met by Amanda's eyes again.
"Yes there is," she said persistently, "and you know there is."

He'd grabbed a hold of her cheek and caressed it gently.

"Okay yes, there's a common way but don't you for one second doubt I don't feel that you have love for me," he said forcing her to meet his eyes again as she tried to look away.

"And yes I would love for you to be able to say it but I do feel it Amanda. That's why I fought so hard for you to talk to me, cause I know that you love me too. When we first got together you couldn't even look me in the eyes when we were making love. Now you see me. And I know you adapt to me. Since I know the healthy appetite you have when it comes to sex, believe me I know that when you set the pace for me, I take that very much as a sign that you care for me."

He was making her blush but he didn't care and it only added to the butterflies that were already roaming around his chest and gut. She looked so very adorable when she got shy.

"Hey," he said calling for her attention since, even if she was awfully cute, he didn't want her to feel bad, "I like what we have. I don't expect anything more, not right now. I just want to be with you, spend time with you, make love to you, just be around you."

When he saw her smile a bit awkwardly he felt a little relieved and was able to take a deep breath again.

"And well maybe I would prefer that you instead of making out with another guy talk to me if something's bothering you, could you do that instead maybe?" he asked. Her smile lingered but she looked a little troubled again. The fact was she felt bad for that, and for making out with that other guy Friday night even though she couldn't remember initiating any of that. Nick wasn't aware though and now that she looked troubled he instead remembered what Fin had told him outside.

"Amanda, is it," he started out carefully, "I mean is it the gambling, the fact your dad was a gambler and you saw what that did to your family. Does that have anything to do with why… I mean me, Zara, the future. Are you afraid that would cause trouble? I mean is that why you're afraid to be with me? To commit to me?"

"No," Amanda started but then quickly added, "or yes, I mean of course I worry about it but that's not why… I can't… open up I guess."

"Can you try and tell me why then? I mean no pressure but… if I just know then maybe, I dunno it would feel easier for you, or at least it would ease my worries I guess," he asked but felt afraid that he was pushing too hard, too soon. Here she was just back in his arms and he was already pushing her to a point where he wouldn't blame her if she ran again. But instead of running she did the opposite.

"Can you just hold me for a while?" she asked and he wasn't late to respond welcoming her in to his arms. She leaned her head down against his chest and he moved them up further on the couch so they could just both lean back a little. She curled her legs up next to him and he moved his arm to include all of her in his embrace. He leaned his head down on top of hers and took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. He just felt so lucky to have her back that he forgot for a moment all about what they'd discussed.

Amanda hadn't forgotten though, it was in her thoughts as she fueled courage from him and his caring embrace. In the back of her head she'd always known the answer but she'd just hadn't dwelled on it. She'd chosen to deal with it as everything else in her life, not confront it and just move on. But something had changed. He wanted to know and she wanted to… not please him but to share that with him. She was scared yes, it felt new, unfamiliar to actually want to let someone in. And the worry that he would find her silly lingered inside too.

"I can't remember my mom ever saying that she loved me," she said as loud as she dared to so her voice wouldn't break.

Nick's eyes popped open, her voice had taken him by surprise.

"I can't remember her ever saying it to my sister either," Amanda continued, "I mean she said sometimes something like you know I love you girls. But… I don't think I knew."

Amanda pulled a deep breath and Nick dared to move his hand a little over her back. He avoided drawing circles though, not wanting to remind her even more of her mother and the one thing she might have done as a gesture of love.

"My sister brought it up a few years back. I think some counselor or something must've talked to her about it, I mean Kim says she's in love constantly but she's detached, she's lacking some… genuine empathy. I mean you know what happen with Jeff, who she supposedly was in love with even though he beat her and she..."

Nick had felt her body tense up, he knew how all of that had ended and what Kim had done to her. Setting her up to kill her boyfriend and then robbing her blind. As far as he knew she hadn't had contact with her sister after that.

"Well she wanted to try it out, to say it… out loud. So we started saying it to each other but it always feels… felt awkward. We just weren't used to it. Mom never taught us but I knew she could say it, I heard her say it many times, just not to us."

He felt her swallow hard and she remained quiet to the point he started to think she wouldn't say anything more. She'd said plenty already so he wasn't disappointed, he just had a feeling she hadn't gotten to the core just yet.

"She told them," Amanda started again once she had collected herself, "She told every boyfriend. They didn't even have to be boyfriends actually, just acquaintances that stepped through her bedroom door. And she said I love you and I just thought… she's so needy. I would never be that needy. And she told them even when they…"

Amanda had to stop to bite down a sob threatening to slip up her throat. She swallowed it down so she'd be able to go on.

"As they struck her, with blood coming out her nose she said but I love you as though it would save her or… heel something broken. And I thought… I would never be like her. I would never give anyone that power over me the way she did. No one would ever make me that vulnerable."

It hurt him to hear this but it also gave him a very clear understanding on where she was coming from.

"I guess I took it a little far," Amanda whispered trying to put an ironic spin to it but failed. Nick felt her hands grab on a little tighter to him and he wrapped his arms harder around her as though he sensed she needed it.

"I never want to make you feel vulnerable," he said.
"You don't," she hurried to say, "you empower me. I'm still scared though. I became my dad, I don't want to become my mom too."
"I haven't met your mom but from what you've told me about her I highly doubt you could ever become her Amanda."

Amanda wanted to believe him but the images of her mother pleading for someone to love her back were still very vivid to her. Her mom down on her knees, clinging to this one guy's jacket, asking him to stay even though he'd just struck her so hard her nose was bleeding. Her mom not wanting to see the bruise on her daughter that her current lover had given her during a not so fun game he'd decided to play with her while intoxicated but all her mom wanted to look at was the flowers he'd just brought home to her.

Amanda pinched her eyes shut to keep the tears from leaking. She took a few deep breaths and just focused on how good it felt to have his body next to hers again, his strong arms around her and his lips now kissing the top of her head. She felt perhaps a little bit vulnerable but she also felt loved and she didn't want to lose that feeling for anything. She wanted to reciprocate the love he gave her it but she just knew she would start crying now if she made any attempt to try and tell him how she felt about him and she just didn't want to make a bigger fool of herself.

"Amanda," Nick said since she hadn't said anything for several minutes and he had a feeling she was done sharing, "All I need to know for now is that you want to be with me. If you could just reassure me of that it would be…"

He wasn't sure how to explain it but he needed reassurance. She had said he empowered her which was wonderful to hear but he just needed a little bit more.

"It would be…" he tried again searching desperate for the right words.
"I want to be with you Nick," she said though, "I want to be with you."
"Thanks," Nick said letting out a nervous chuckle, "I mean that's great, awesome."

She smiled into his chest. She wished she could give him more but he seemed to settle with that.

"You know I don't go around spreading my love declarations everywhere either, if you thoughts so," he let her know. She raised her head off his chest so she could give him a look.

"Hi," he whispered once he got to look at her properly.
"Hi," she answered looking a little bashful.

He looked her entire face over, just wanting to take everything in tonight. When Fin had texted him he'd felt such a relief. He'd just known they would sort it all out and be back together before the night was over. As usual she got a little insecure under his watchful eyes. He realized they had some rebuilding to do but he only saw pleasure in doing that.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" he asked stroking a strand of her hair behind her ear. She nodded slightly, she remembered. He gave the exact date though, she'd only remembered the month. He walked in to the squad room only a few weeks after she'd gotten there.

"You wore a green long-sleeved top with the top button undone, a bright smile and your ponytail came down your left shoulder. You had a firm grip, your hand was cool and you embodied energy," he said smiling at her. She bit down on her lip, she couldn't believe he remembered all that. He must have been checking her out from the get-go.

"What do you remember from our first encounter?" he quizzed. She had to really think back. She remembered she'd been jealous of his grade two but she was rather sure that's not what he was after now.

"You looked a bit rugged," she told him and he let out a chuckle.
"Yeah I did, first stop I made heading out with Fin was to his barber," Nick reminisced.

"You cleaned up good," she whispered. He raised his eyebrow a little, the smile constant on his face for a while now. He swiped his finger down her cheek.

"I remember the first time you turned me on too," he said looking a little playful. Amanda stirred a little in his arms, something tingled inside her. He could tell she was curious and he thought about using it but he decided to just let her know.

"I don't remember the actual date but I remember the case and that it was late April that following year. We were trying to catch the West Soho Rapist but this vigilante group interfered. Remember?" he asked and she nodded slightly. She did remember the case but she was more curious to know how she'd turned him on.

"You went undercover, I don't think you know but I walked in on you getting dressed. It looked as though you were trying to find out how to get into that skimpy little black number you'd been assigned," he smiled at the memory, "You were only in a pair of sleek black panties and matching bra. Your hair was bundled up in the back, probably to get the wig on later. You had your back to me, to the door, but there was this mirror in front of you and I saw you. I don't think you saw me but I did linger a little longer than I should've and that image of you stayed with me for weeks."

He felt a little bad about that since Maria had just been deployed back home and he'd been in bed next to her with Amanda's image in front of his eyes that night and a few that followed. But he withheld that from the story, that part was no longer important.

"Did you see me?" he asked. She shook her head slightly. She hadn't but she remembered the scene he described.
"Did you ever… I mean before we hooked up, did you ever… feel something for me?" he was really curious to know this but he wasn't sure she would answer.

"I…" she started but let her eyes fall down as she felt a bit ashamed, "I have to admit I've kind of liked… arguing with you."
"Ha, I knew it," he blurted out.
"You didn't," she countered quickly.
"Okay I didn't," he admitted, "but since I kind of liked it too I hoped it was mutual."

He ran his finger over her lower lip before he leaned down to catch it with his mouth. She opened up her mouth to let him in but he let her go and his face had turned a little more serious when he connected with her eyes again.

"Some arguments I do regret though," he said and she knew which one he meant. She gave him a quick nod to let him know she understood so he wouldn't have to mention Nate by name.

"The fire in your eyes when you get angry," he said wanting to get back to a lighter subject, "it's a little like the one you get in bed."

His eyebrows played a little and she had to smile, ruining the seductive face she'd tried to gain. He helped her get it back though.

"Speaking of bed," he said, "I hope you realize you're spending the night with me."
"I am?" she asked trying to play oblivious. He nodded slowly, his smile widening.
"I've heard make up sex can be really good," he mused.
"Oh?"
"I mean if you want to of course," he said quickly not wanting to assume she wanted to jump right back in the sack with him.
"Do you really have to ask," she said though raising an eyebrow at him.
"It's the polite thing to do," he smiled.
"When have I ever wanted polite in bed?" she challenged and now he got to raise his eyebrows again.

"Damn I've missed you," he chuckled before connecting with her lips. This time when she opened her lips up he didn't waste any time entering and his tongue quickly found hers. Without breaking their contact she moved around in his arms wanting to get out of the sheltering embrace and more into another type of position. She got her legs around his body and her hands quickly found their way up inside his tee. She'd missed that toned stomach of his, that strong chest with all the muscles working beneath.

He broke contact for a second, let her go and raised his arms over his head so she could swipe his tee off him. She leaned in and placed her lips on his chest, working her way from the middle down to one of his nipples. He started to finger her top wanting to shed it too. He quivered slightly feeling her teeth latch on around his nipple.

"You know you have your top on backwards?" he said as loud as his voice allowed him too. He felt her head shake a little as she mumbled something as her lips worked their way over to his other nipple.
"I guess it doesn't matter though since I'm going to take it off you very soon," he whispered more to himself than her as he figured she was busy. But she heard him and came up in front of his face.

"Dare," she smiled mischievously.
"Oh," he breathed with a big grin on his face. He grabbed at her tee but she squeezed her arms tight making it difficult for him. He chuckled slightly liking the challenge she set for him.

"And here I was thinking you wanted to get naked with me," he whispered trying to get his hands on her ticklish spots. She lost her seductive face a little and squirmed as he pinched her sides. When he got a little rougher she had to chuckle out loud and he forced her backwards on the couch. She tried to wriggle out of his grip landing her on her side as he followed her down on the couch.

"Always making me work for it," he teased shoving her down a little further on the couch. She chuckled under his weight.
"Well of course, one can't be easy," she giggled still trying to squirm out of his grip. He'd forced her down further on her stomach and he'd let go of her top instead forcing his hands in underneath her. One hand was travelling downwards while the other one had already reached one of her breasts and he squeezed it slightly.

"Lucky for me," he whispered right by her ear feeling her relax underneath him as she let out a gasp when his hand slipped in between her legs, "my work's gone a whole lot easier since I found all your weak spots."

"I don't have weak spots," she managed to utter.
"I'm your weak spot," he smiled placing a kiss on her cheek. He moved himself a little to put more pressure on her behind, forcing her further down against his hand. She exhaled, her breath stocking up in her throat as he watched her close her eyes.

"Okay let's get this off now," he smiled pulling his hands back up to grab a hold of her top. She didn't struggle at all this time around, just let him swipe it up and then over her head. He tossed her top to the side and sank down placing kisses down her spine.

"Maybe I should…" she moaned but lost track thanks to his soft lips and those hands of his roaming up and down the side of her body.
"Maybe you should what," he asked placing kisses on her back between every word.
"Take a shower," she managed to push out, "Fin had me running track."

He stopped kissing her for a second glancing up at her face.

"Don't ask," she breathed noticing the lack of his lips on her.
"Okay," he chuckled starting on her back again, "but I don't mind, I'm going to make you sweaty again anyways."

"I'm a mess though," she breathed as she felt his fingers start to pull at the elastic in her hair. He moved up near her ear again, let his lips catch her earlobe, nibbling on it slightly before he let it go so he could whisper;
"You're always a mess but that's what I love about you."

That earned him an elbow in his gut, it was soft though and the 'ouch' was mostly for show.

"A hot mess though," he added placing a kiss right on her ear. He got up on his knees on either side of her, kept one hand on the couch next to her so he could stay near her as his other hand found its way in underneath her again.

"But seriously if you had to choose," he said teasing her with his lips around her ear and down her neck, "a shower or getting started on this make up sex straight away."

His fingers were working on the top button in her pants. Once he got it open the rest of them followed rather easily.

"So my lady," he breathed letting his hand slide into her jeans but staying above her panties as he started stroking her, "what's it gonna be? Shower or…"

She whimpered slightly as he put some more pressure on her clit through her panties.

"I'll take that as a yes," he smiled near her ear. Her eyes popped open and he removed his hand as he felt her wanting to turn over. Her arms were around his neck as he laid down over her. Their mouths met, just tenderly working their lips against each other.

"Hi," he whispered once he let her go and met her eyes.
"Hi," she whispered back.
"I missed you," he let her know. She swallowed hard.
"I missed you too," she answered with a whisper.
"I love you," he tried but his face broke into a wide smile, "Too soon. Sorry had to try."

He placed a quick peck on her mouth and was happy to see that she smiled once he came back up.

"So how about we move this into the bedroom," he suggested.
"No free peep show for the neighbors tonight?" she smiled. He shook his head.
"I want you all to myself tonight."
"Cheapskate," she teased.
"Oh I think we've already given them enough peep shows to last a lifetime," he smiled.
"You got a point," she smiled ready to welcome his lips as they came down to meet hers again.

The kiss got heated fast. Her hips had started moving up against his and he felt himself grow hard quickly. She whimpered slightly as he started to pull away from her but then he grabbed her and she followed him back to a sitting position never once losing touch with each other's lips. Her arms were still locked around his neck and when he started getting up on his feet she followed. Before her feet left the couch though he lifted her up and she easily wrapped her legs around his hips. He moved slowly towards the bedroom making sure they got there safe. Once he reached the bed he kept them upright for a while enjoying holding on to her, having her tongue wrapped around his and fondling her ass between her jeans and panties. She was the one that finally let her legs unwrap and she got down on her knees on the bed immediately grabbing for his sweats.

"Hold on," he whispered though pulling her hands with him as he lowered her down on the bed. He placed his knee between her legs so he could get her down carefully and his lips brushed by hers as his hands moved up along her body grabbing on to her simple cotton bra. She raised her hands above her head so he could pull it off her. He stopped by her wrists though, twisted the bra slightly and snagged both her hands down on the bed. His other hand went down cupping her breast as he caught her eyes. She bit down on her lip as he felt her tug a little at the restrains around her wrists.

"Maybe later," he suggested giving her a naughty look, "Right now I want to taste you."

He thought that would make her relax a little but she bit down even harder on her lip so he let her hands go bringing one of her hands down with him. He placed a kiss in the middle of her palm.

"Can I?" he asked.

She looked a little hesitant but he figured it could just be excitement as she started nodding heartily. Smiling he leaned down to give her one last kiss before he started his descend down her body, stopping by both her breasts quickly remembering what made her nipples perk up the fastest. As he let his tongue draw a line down the center of her stomach he got one foot down on the floor below the bed and grabbed a hold of both her jeans and panties by her hips. He placed one last kiss right below her bellybutton and then turned his eyes up to meet hers as he slowly started to pull her last piece of clothing off her. She helped out best she could but he had it mostly under control on his own and tossed her garments to the side once he'd slid them off her completely.

His eyes went down her body and then back up. He took a step closer to the bed again and grabbed a hold underneath her knees so he could pull her down slightly getting her in the position he wanted. He put her legs back down with enough space for him in-between them. She was now able to bend her knees by the end of the bed and he watched her toes curl up in the rug below the bed. One of her hands were handling her own breast and nipple while the other one were up by her neck. He could see excitement all over her and inside her and he didn't want to keep her hanging any longer. He got down on his knees between her legs, letting his eyes follow his hands going up her legs and then swipe over her stomach. He connected with her eyes for a brief moment but lost them as his hands swiped down on the inside of her thighs and she tossed her entire head backwards, her chest rising with a deep inhale.

He put his lips on the inside of one of her knees working his way up. Before he reached the intersection though he broke the connection only to start down by her other knee. Over the top of her thigh he saw her hand grab a hold of the sheet as he got closer again and he could feel the tension underneath both his hands and his mouth. He used two fingers to open up her folds and he blew a puff of hot air over her making her squirm on the bed above him. He decided that was enough of teasing, he actually couldn't hold on much longer either wanting to get his mouth on the deliciousness in front of him. He saw one of her hands come up on her thigh and he grabbed a hold of it, entangling his fingers with hers as his mouth crashed down over her. Their palms pressed hard against each other as his mouth worked her most private part.

Had she been able to speak right then surely 'I love you' would have been right up there with the things she most wanted to tell him. She hoped her body transferred it though as it seemed he were able to pick up on both 'more' and 'deeper' without her having to say it out loud.

Hours later she found herself resting on top of him as both were coming down from the latest, shared orgasm. Her ear was resting on his chest just above his heart and she heard it pump in perfect rhythm with her own. She liked how in sync they were. She felt his one hand play around with her damp tassels that were spread over his chest while the other one were drawing those familiar circles down over her bare back.

Her hands were resting slightly beneath him, her thumbs stroking either side of his ribcage. There was a slight moist between their two bodies. It could be either or both of their bodily fluids, probably a mix of it all. She felt in need of a shower but she didn't want to let him go right now. She no longer felt restless or in need to gamble and it was rather astonishing to her. He was the only fix she needed. Usually when they'd finished she pulled away to her corner of the bed but now she felt perfectly comfortable right where she was. She heard him clear his throat a little and she got ready to punch him in case he said something about the fact she was giving him intimacy right now. The thought made her smile.

"Hey I saw that the tryouts or whatever they call it to that dance show of yours were over. Did your favorite make the top twenty?" he asked.

All thoughts about punching him went out the window and she thought it was very sweet of him to ask. She tried shaking her head but it wasn't so easy when she wanted to stay as close to him as she were able to.

"No," she breathed.
"No?" he echoed sounding a little disappointed for her.
"I got a new favorite though," she let him know.
"Oh? You got to show me, it's live on Wednesday right?"
"Yeah, I have my meeting but I should be back in time."
"I have it on TIVO so if not we can watch it later on," he said raising his head up so he could kiss the top of her head.

"Did you see Naked and afraid last week?" he asked his voice getting a little drowsier. He felt her nod against his chest.
"The girl was clueless, her PSR couldn't have been more than a..."
"Five," Amanda filled in feeling herself drifting a bit.

"Yeah five at a tops, you would've…"
"…beaten her ass," Amanda filled in. She felt Nick chuckle slightly underneath her. She smiled but it soon faded as she drifted off to sleep, lulled by his heartbeat and the sloppy circles he still tried to draw over her back. Nick felt her body come to a complete rest and not until then let he himself drift off too.

A phone rang in the distance making Amanda stir. Still half a sleep she reached out trying to get to the phone. She managed to get up on one elbow, dragging her finger over the green answering button as she brought the phone to her ear.

"Nick?" she heard on the other line and she scrambled to her knees feeling very blessed she'd been too tired to say anything at first. She panicked even more as she saw Liv's name in the window and she almost violently shook Nick that laid on his back all sprawled out next to her.

"Huh?" he said abruptly waking up by her hand on his chest making both him and the bed rock. He immediately caught sight of Amanda's panic-stricken face and she was pointing to the phone. He sat up quickly as he spotted their sergeant's name in the window and he cleared his throat quickly.

"Liv?" he said trying to sound more alert than he felt.
"Nick, what's going on?" Liv asked on the other line.

"What? Nothing," he said but sounded like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Amanda was wrapping the sheet around her as she tried to get to the bathroom in desperate need of the toilet but also stressed since she already knew what Liv soon would fill Nick in on. They'd overslept.

"Oh shit, sorry serge," Nick blurted out trying to get to his feet, "I forgot to set my alarm, I'll get a move on."
"Please do, seems it's an epidemic today. Rollins' late too," Liv sighed on the other line and then hung up.

Nick had managed to get his feet down off the bed but got stuck sitting on the edge of the bed for a second yawning as he rubbed his head a bit. He heard the toilet flush and had to smile as he realized things weren't bad at all any longer, sure he was late to work but she was there. They'd made up, everything was perfect. Evidently his body was feeling good as well as he had a morning boner. Feeling a little embarrassed about it but knowing he had to get going he followed her in to the bathroom.

"Okay, so we overslept, Liv was missing you too," Nick said walking in.
"You didn't say anything did you?" she asked a bit franticly as she unwrapped herself from the sheet to take a quick shower.

"Of course I did, I told her we had make up sex all night and that's why we were late," he said smiling at her and the frown she gave him. He fumbled a little getting the ring up on the toilet as he couldn't stop watching her naked form enter his shower. Once he'd flushed he walked over and pulled the sheer curtain to the side. Her face popped out from underneath the stream of water.

"Oh no," she said as he stepped inside.
"Oh no what," he teased getting his hands on her once he'd let the shower curtain go behind him.
"Point that thing somewhere else," she said gesturing downwards. He chuckled sneaking in right next to her so he could steal some water.

"I'll do your back if you give me a hand," he suggested cheekily as he could feel the need for release only increasing by their proximity. She had her back to him so he couldn't see her response at first but he was rather pleased as she turned around handing him the soap bar.

"I knew you couldn't say no to me," he smiled as he felt her hand wrap around him. She rolled her eyes at him but he saw the smile right before he planted his lips on her for a morning kiss.

"Good morning," he whispered once he let her go.
"Morning," she answered her smile widening, "now earn your keep."

She switched hands on him so she could turn her back towards him. He soaped up her back as promised, swiping her hair to the side and making sure to have small tastes of her shoulders as he worked. She was as usual efficient and it didn't take long until he had to brace himself against the wall to keep upright. She switched hands again and came up between his arms facing him. She had a wicked smile on her face and it made him chuckle right before he caught her mouth with his own. He had to come up for air once he reached release and he panted hard emptying himself in her hand and under the cool ray of water.

"You boys are so messy," she smiled cheekily as she washed her hands under the running water. He chuckled and caught her mouth again. His hands roamed her naked body a little, ending up down between her legs but then she pushed herself away from him.

"No, not now, we have to get to the station," Amanda said a bit frustrated.
"Okay, later then," Nick smiled, "lunch date?"

She lost her frustrated face as she had to smile at his jumping eyebrows.

"You're such a wicked choir boy," she mumbled as she stepped out of the shower.

Half an hour later they drove in to the station's lot. Amanda was still in the clothes she'd arrived in yesterday but this time at least her top was on right. Nick had said he could take her by her place to change but she said they had no time and she had something in her locker to switch too. He demanded a quick kiss before he let her out of the car. He would give her a minute before he walked in after her.

Thankfully Liv was nowhere to be seen when Amanda walked in but Fin was at his desk and gave her a cheeky look from top to toe as she tried to sneak by him.

"You're in trouble," he teased but she just made a face at him and hurried by as she needed to change asap. Fin loved teasing her, he didn't get that many chances. But most of all he just felt really good seeing her look, sure a bit stressed at the moment, but a whole lot calmer and together than yesterday.

Fin wised up as Liv came walking back in again.

"Rollins is here," Fin let her know.
"Well about time," Liv sighed looking a bit sullen from her visit upstairs. She came to a dead halt right behind Fin's back though and Fin spun around on his chair sensing there was something.

"Did she…" Liv started, her face had eased visible, "look like she'd…"
"She's fine, just overslept," Fin reassured her and the way he said it made her able to really rely on his words.
"Good. Great. Thanks Fin," Liv said looking relieved as she continued inside her office.

Nick walked in just a few seconds later, shot Fin a quick nod and then popped his head in to Liv's office.

"Sorry serge, forgot to set my alarm, won't happen again," he said and got back outside as Liv had shot him a look and a quick nod to acknowledge she'd heard him.

"Weird that it happen to both you and Rollins," Fin mumbled as Nick passed him again walking back to his desk. Nick shot him a look trying to look oblivious but failed and tried to focus back at his desk to not give more away.

Amanda came out from the bunks just a minute later and avoided both men's looks since she didn't trust her own cheeks. It didn't take long until Liv walked out into the squad room.

"Well good we're finally all gathered," she said giving Nick the look instead of Amanda, "now let's get this day started…"