River

I don't know how long we just stood there but I would have stayed there forever if we hadn't been interrupted by a knock at the kitchen door.

"It's Crystal, is everything okay?" Victor smiled at me before dropping a hand from my waist and turning to open the door. I used this time to walk back over to my chair and flop down. Finding your soulfinder was exhausting but at the same time it felt as though I was finally awake after spending my life sleepwalking.

Crystal entered and took in the distance between me and Victor, her happy expression turning to worry.

"Oh no, did I get it wrong? I'm so sorry, I was so sure she was your soulfinder, Vic. I'll try again! Really, for both of you! I'm so sorry." Victor moved to stand behind me and ruffled my hair. I tried to bat his hand away but he entwined his fingers with mine and pulled me to my feet. I rolled my eyes but could stop myself from smiling.

"I don't think that's necessary, Crystal." Victor smiled at her "I'd say you did a good job the first time." She looked from me to Victor then back to me again.

"You mean it worked? It actually worked! Haha, Victor this is awesome! I'm so happy for you both!" She jumped forward and grabbed us both in a massive hug. When we were released she was off again, pacing around the kitchen.

"It worked. I have to tell Xav. Can I tell Xav?" We nodded in unison and she bounced from the room.

"Xav! Xav! You'll never guess what happened!" There was a silence in the kitchen as Crystal explained to the people in the other room. A few seconds later, high pitched squeals of excitement sounded through the house and the Benedict's piled in through the door.

I think I was hugged by everyone at least four times and by the time the excitement had died down a little, I was pretty worn out.

Victor came up behind me and handed me an orange - already peeled. I laughed and turned to him to find his expression mirrored mine.

"I finally have my very own fruit peeler." Victor shook his head but I could see the smile on his face and I couldn't help but reach for his hand.

This whole soulfinder thing was very strange. I had never been social and the thought of being close to someone I had met only days before would have normally displeased me immensely. Yet here I was, hand in hand with the FBI Agent that was assigned to protect me.

It was like a bad chick-flick had collided with an even worse romance novel and I had been cast as the main lead; I stood there looking at his face in awe for longer then I care to admit. If I wasn't careful, I'd soon find myself planning our wedding and future kids.

I shook my head and tried to gain some control of myself. Soulfinders were great but I really had only just met him plus I couldn't forget my reason for being here in the first place. Finding Victor was amazing but we both needed to focus if we were going to put Anderson behind bars. I would have to talk to him about this later.

Later on, I found myself siting in the Benedict's living room reading a book. Victor was sitting at one end of the couch while I was at the other end; the only sound coming from the tap of his fingers against the keyboard as he typed away. The silence was comforting and I was glad Victor seemed to be like me when it came to small talk - not an expert in the field.

Zed chose my moment of contemplation to walk into the room. He looked between the two of us with a worried expression.

"Everything ok?" The question hung in the air until Victor looked up from his screen to answer.

"Why wouldn't it be?" There was a moment of silence before Victor broke into a laugh. I looked at him in silent question.

"Zed thinks that we fell out due to the fact that we aren't constantly all over each other like the rest of the soulfinders in this house." My eyes moved to Zed and I gave him a smile.

"No, we're all good." He gave me a sceptical look and Victor laughed again. I couldn't help but join in.

"If it makes you feel any better, we'll sit closer." Victor motioned for me to move closer and I shuffled a few inches to the side. Victor smiled at me and then we both continued with our previous tasks. I heard Zed mutter something about us being weird under his breath before leaving the room.

Seeing as we were alone, I decided know was a good time to talk to Victor about my plans. I had had a lot of time over dinner to think about what I was going to say so that I had my thoughts in order when I turned to Victor and asked if we could talk.

"Sure, what's up?" He closed his laptop and placed it on the table, taking my hand in his. I smiled at the touch and almost forgot what I was going to say. Almost.

"So I was thinking," he raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt "we have a lot to worry about. Anderson will be going on trial soon and I want to make sure we do everything possible to ensure he gets what he deserves."

"We'll do everything we can." He replied with a determined look and I didn't doubt him for a second.

"I know, but to do that, we both need to be focused and I don't think to much of this will help." I gestured between the two of us and waited for his reaction. It took a second for him to grasp what I was trying to say.

"You mean we should forget about being soulfinders?" I could see the pain on his face but I could help rolling my eyes.

"No, I mean that what happened in the kitchen earlier can't be happening 24/7 because even though nothing would please me more, if that happens I will end up forgetting all about the case."

He looked at me for a while as he contemplated what I was saying before he came up with an answer.

"Okay, I see where you're coming from. Kissing will be kept to a minimum for now but under no circumstances will it be stopped altogether. Agreed?" He smirked at his proposal and waited for my reply.

"Agreed." There was no way I would refuse that offer. His smirk turned into a smile and he pulled me closer so I was practical sitting on him.

"There is one thing though. If this is going to happen, I think I deserve a kiss now to keep me motivated."

"You're such a nerd." He let out a laugh before pulling me closer and bringing his lips to mine.

I had originally planned for the kiss to be short and sweet but along the way I got sidetracked and Victor wasn't about to say anything to stop me. Minutes later, we pulled apart; foreheads together, out of breath and I dropped my hands to his chest.

"I take it back." His voice was low and husky. "I don't agree. I want to change the rules." I smiled and gently patted his cheek.

"I'm afraid that's not an option, sir." I got up from the sofa and made my way to the door, turning to give him a smile before I made my way to bed.