Harlee and Stahl, DC, Smithsonian. (Don't know if it has a ballroom but...Plus, art, science-it's all beautiful to me)

His eyes searched for her in gray darkness. They already took in the vast space, walls covered with white billowing fabric from floor to ceiling, in fact, including the ceiling, where intricate patterns of light swirled in some magical dance. Clouds of twinkling lights hung over the floor, lush flower arrangements everywhere. In smoky shadows tuxedos and gowns milled about with laughter and joy, both friend and foe. Tall fluted drinks sparkled in the darkness. She stood at the end of the ballroom, a vision in white, a goddess with huge brown eyes and intricate hair.

Tasting her sugary drink Harlee suddenly felt her spine prickle slowly all the way up to her neck. She recognized the feeling. Stahl...He was gazing at her from afar as if asking permission to approach. Hmm, that's a change. She rolled her eyes and he took that as a go. Striding towards her he remarked,

"I did not know you liked art".

"I did not know you traveled", she countered, ever the smartass.

"Tsk, tsk", he shook his head. "May I ?" Seconds dragged on as she hesitated but then entrusted him with her gloved hand. He kept his touch light as he guided her closer, close enough to breathe the same air. She turned her head to the left to hide her curious eyes-he looked so good, so sharp, felt tightly wound and ...male. His scent tickled her nostrils.

"Can't stay away, can you?", she asked into his shoulder.

He blew at a wisp of her hair,

"How can I? At home and at work, you are there. Not to mention the dreams".

"Great", she said with sarcasm. What else could she say? She couldn't control what went on in his brain.

"No, not great, Harlee. Painful".

She looked up at him. He continued,

"You know, it's best not to feel".

"That's giving up, Robert"

"I know and I didn't. I feel many things, Harlee-frustration, despair. Guilt. No room for anything else".

"We both know it's not true."

"What, despair?"

"No, Stahl, you still act in hope."

"Do you want me to stop?"

Oh, how smooth. "I don't care".

"Go on".

Harlee kept silent. "Very well...". He softly breathed just a sliver shy of her want.

They stood like that for a moment each afraid to do wrong.

"I have to go", he said in a rough voice with an undertone of what she suspected was sadness. He ran his hands down her arms and she watched his frame disappear and suddenly missed him, his touch and unnervingly kind voice.

A few minutes later. "Harlee, you made it! You...you look amazing", a deep voice reached her ears. James pulled her into a hug and she fought the urge to shrink away.

"I will be back...", she smiled and his eyebrows went up. "I promise", she smiled again and walked away. Stairs, passages, chandeliers...She found an alcove with a slick fountain, and leaned back on wet stone . What a strange evening. Her glove scratched her and she shook it out. A small glittering object dropped on her dress. A pearl and ruby welded together. "Is that ..? Oh, God". The pearl from the pin. Her vision succumbed to his fingers, blood dripping and a tear threatened her cheek.