Disclaimer: I still own nothing. I'd like a bit of Pete, though, if at all possible.

10. The Biggest Step

Pete sat on the couch as soon as she let go of his hand, and she walked towards the TV to put on one of the DVDs she'd borrowed from him. Apparently, they were must-see games, and he wanted her to watch them all. She sat on the couch and leaned against him without giving it a second thought, because it just felt right. Which was exactly the reason why he wrapped his arm around her shoulder with absolutely no hesitation. There was no reason to pretend they were just friends watching a game. They both knew what was going on, and even though they couldn't really choose a word to define it, they were sure whatever it was included this kind of closeness. Because it didn't make sense to feel as close as they were in the emotional sense of the word, and still pretend they didn't need to be physically close as well.

It was funny, she thought, how easy this had been. How he'd gone from random kiss, to co-worker, to almost-date, to acquaintance, to friend, to this. Whatever this was. Just Pete. She didn't need to put a label on what he was to her. He was Pete, and that was enough. And it still amazed her how right it felt. As if it was just normal to be snuggled up against him, with his arm around her, watching a baseball game. As if this happened every night. As if they'd been doing it for years, and would be doing it for years to come. She felt completely safe and calm, and she couldn't help but smile when he shifted a bit on the couch, inadvertently pulling her closer to him as he wrapped his arm slightly tighter around her shoulders.

Pete wondered if the way his arm seemed to have been made to fit perfectly around her shoulders was some kind of sign. It amazed him, really. He was more comfortable right now, with his arm around her, than he was when he had the whole couch to himself. So, even though he was against clichés, he had to admit they fit. His arm fit around her shoulders, which was kind of great, because he planned on placing it there as often as possible from then on. Was he supposed to be feeling like this? He wasn't sure it was normal to be this happy about wrapping his arm around a woman's shoulder. But then again, this was not just a woman. It was Addison. And, to be honest, nothing had been normal since the moment he met her.

"Go out with me tomorrow night." She was slightly startled by his voice. "What?" He smiled at her surprised expression. She seemed to be one of those people who jumped every time the phone rang. "I want to take you out tomorrow night. On a date." She was still looking at the TV, but a smile appeared on her face as soon as she heard him. "A real date?" He nodded as his thumb absentmindedly rubbed her arm. "A real date. With the wine, and the dinner, and I'll even be a gentleman for you." She let out a small chuckle at that. "So you're gonna show up this time?" He nodded again. He knew she was kidding, but he still felt bad about that night. "I'm not scared of us anymore."

They kept watching the game in a comfortable silence. They both knew there was nothing else to say, and they were comfortable enough around each other that they didn't need to fill every moment of silence with meaningless talking. He thought, at that moment, there was nowhere else he'd rather be. Well, he could think of a few things he'd love to do with her, and to her, and none of them involved watching a baseball game... but he could wait. He could control his insticts. As hard as she was making it, with her messy hair, and her arm resting across his stomach, and her breathing on his neck, he could wait. He told himself waiting was a good thing. He'd been more patient than he ever thought he could be during the last month, and he had his reward now. And even though he knew it could happen right then and there if they wanted, he knew it wasn't the perfect moment. And he wanted to give her her fireworks.

As much as he tried to concentrate on the game in front of him, his mind kept drifting away from it. She thought about that time, when he'd tried to explain what made her different from Anna. She barely knew her then, and yet he knew she wasn't the same. Yes, she was also gorgeous, classy and sexy. But she wasn't like Anna. If someone asked him now, he could give them hundreds of reasons why they were different. How Addison liked her coffee with less sugar, but more cream than Anna. How she bit her nails, and Anna had tried to make him stop biting his. How she could send shivers down his spine with just a look, and how most times those shivers had little to do with lust.

It had been almost four months since he'd answered that question for the first time. He still remembered his answer: Addison doesn't need... she doesn't need. And it was true. She didn't need him. She was strong, she was intelligent, she was brilliant and successful. She was confident and beautiful, and she definitely didn't need him. Or anyone, for that matter. And that made it even better. Because she wasn't letting him be a part of her life because he needed him. And she wasn't letting him hold her, like he was doing at that very moment, because she needed to be held. She did it because she wanted to. And that made him feel like he'd earned it. Like he'd worked for it. It made him feel like he deserved her.

He came back to reality just in time to see the game had finished. "Good game, wasn't it?" his voice was barely above a whisper, and he looked down at her when he didn't hear a reply. "Addison?" Pete smiled when he saw she'd fallen asleep, and he slowly and carefully stood up, letting her lay comfortably on the couch. He gently covered her legs with a blanket and made himself leave after a moment, even though he would have killed for a reason to stay.

Addison woke up the next day with a smile on her face. She remembered Pete's presents. And Pete's arms around her. She didn't remember Pete leaving, though. After going out to the deck to check if he was there, she finally noticed a small piece of paper on the coffee table. She recognized Pete's handwriting and smiled as she read the note.

"Morning, Montgomery!

I figured you won't want everyone to know about our super secret date, so we'd better not talk about it at work. Be ready at 8. Don't wear your dorky t-shirt and I won't wear mine.

Wilder.

P.S: I won't forget about your coffee this time."

She was ridiculously excited about the date. She'd been on many dates before. Hell, she'd been married already! And still, she was excited and nervous as if it was her first date. Well, it was their first date, after all. She had a date with Pete. And she wanted it to be the first of many dates. So, it was only normal to be nervous, wasn't it? It was a big step. The first date. The final step to cross the line between friends and more-than-friends. Nothing would be the same anymore. And she had a feeling the change would be for the better.

She couldn't stop smiling on her way to the practice. She walked towards the kitchen with a smile on her face and a cup of tea in her hand, hoping he'd be alone in there so they could talk. Unfortunately, everyone was there when she walked inside. Violet, looking bemused at something Cooper had said, Sam and Naomi, trying to act as if nothing was going on between them, and Pete, with his unbelievably sexy smirk already in place, waiting for her. She walked towards her usual spot, in front of him, and handed him the cup. "Morning, Wilder." She gave her her coffee and touched his cup to hers. "Montgomery." She walked out after winking at him, making her blush slightly. Luckily for her, everyone was too busy with their own love lives to care about hers.

The day was painfully slow. And long. Addison still had one patient left, and she was already going insane. She needed to get ready for the date, and she didn't just mean physically. She needed to make herself get a grip and behave like the strong, adult woman she was. And stop smiling like an idiot every time she thought about him. Oh, and getting rid of the not-so-innocent thoughts she was having would be good, too. Because she didn't want to jump him before the dinner. And her mind was taking her dangerously close to the edge of self-control.

Pete wasn't doing much better. After calling the restaurant three times to make the reservations, confirm the reservations, and make sure the reservations were still made, he found himself unable to concentrate on anything that wasn't Addison or his date with Addison. Normally, he'd talk to Sam and Cooper. He'd tell them he was nervous about his date, and they'd tell him it's just another date, don't worry, you'll be fine. Except this time, he didn't want to tell them. And he knew it wasn't just another date. But, he had to admit, he was pretty sure he'd be fine. He was almost sure it'd work out. Because it just had to.

Addison was finally done with her last patient, and she decided to stop by Pete's office before going home. He smirked when he saw her, and she returned the favor with a warm smile. "I'm going home. See you at 8, right?" Pete chuckled and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Addison. I'm going to be there." Her smile broadened at his words. "Good." He reluctantly let go of her, and shoot her his famous trademark smirk. "Good." She smiled at him before she left, and both doctors went back to thinking about their date, feeling stupid and excited at the same time.

After spending almost two hours trying (unsuccessfully) to find the perfect dress, Addison decided she needed help. And she knew there was only one person she could talk. One person who wouldn't laugh at her. One person who knew enough about them to be able to calm her down without asking for explanations. "Hello?" Addison let out a sigh of relief when she heard her voice. "Violet! I'm so glad you're home. I have a date tonight." Violet didn't have to ask. "You'll be fine, Addison. You're going to work. You have to work. If you don't work, there's no hope for the rest of us." Addison chuckled at her words. "Thank you, Violet." She heard a sigh. "No problem. Go be happy. Find love. Leave the bitternes to me."

After a few more minutes in which Addison repeated how smart, funny and pretty Violet was, she realized she only had one hour left to get ready and ran into the shower, instantly deciding the little black dress was the way to go. Sexy, but not too sexy. Classy, glamourous and elegant without being over the top. She'd look good no matter where he took her. She quickly dried her hair and got dressed, and then proceeded to put on her makeup, constantly checking the time to make sure she had time.

The doorbell rang five minutes before 8 o'clock, and she couldn't help but smile as she walked downstairs and opened the door. Pete looked at her with a smile on his lips, taking her in. She looked gorgeous. And she looked gorgeous for him, which made it even better. He tried to say something, but he couldn't really find the words. And she didn't look too upset about it. She was too busy looking at him. He cleaned up nicely. That was all she was letting herself think. Because she refused to acknowledge the thoughts about taking off his tie, and ripping his shirt open, and... okay, back to the innocent thoughts. He cleaned up nicely.

Pete was the first to come back to reality. "Ready to go?" She smiled when he offered her his arm. "You're really being a gentleman, aren't you?" He chuckled and then smirked at her, the kind of smirk that made her heart skip a beat and made it very hard to focus on innocent things. "I'm being a gentleman. Tonight." The way he'd said that last word made her smile grow slightly, but it was suddenly replaced by an inviting smirk of her own. "I was hoping you'd say no." He looked at her in a way that let her know he wasn't letting her win the flirting game that night. This was going to be fun.

Thank you so very much AddielovesMen, raes, hopelessromantic28, jb916 and agentaddek for your reviews! I love reading your reviews, you guys really make my day! I wasn't going to update today, but between all the Paddie in my head and your nice words I couldn't resist :D

Please read and review! Let me know if you like it or not, and tell me why so I can improve :) Oh, and also, I'm trying to decide where to end this fic. I'm thinking either as soon as they're "officially" together or maybe a little later, like the next day or so. Let me know what you think! And also, if you think another sequel would be far too much or not. Because I'm an addict and I apparently never think it's enough with the Paddie :P