Nick had been trying to rest his eyes, something he had been ashamed to do with Ripley working around the office, but she had insisted. It would give her time to get lost in the files. The knock at the office door roused him. From beneath the edge of his hat Nick watched Ripley hurry to answer. He had been rather reluctant to take her in as an intern. Fresh out of school, two years into a marriage. She was persistent, though. Promised not to get in the way and that she had been at the top of her class. Ripley showed him proof and Nick had to admit he was impressed with what he saw. All he could do was apologize for that reluctance and agree to the internship.

The conversation between Ripley and the person behind the door was hushed. Nick strained to hear what was said but it was lost; watched from beneath his hat as she closed the door and turned around. Ripley stood in silence, a large bouquet cradled in her arm. The shocked expression on her face quickly soured as she read the small note attached. Without a seeming second thought Ripley let the flowers fall into the wastebasket.

"Problems at home?"

Ripley jumped at the sound of Nick's voice, cursing under her breath before forcing a smile. "I was trying not to wake you, sir. I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. I've always had a problem sleeping here." Nick stretched, tossing his hat onto his desk before meeting Ripley's embarrassed stare. "You and the husband have another fight?"

"Something like that," Ripley muttered, lightly kicking the wastebasket.

"Must've been something big if flowers weren't enough to soothe things."

"No, we had the argument yesterday. We were supposed to go out tonight. Those flowers had an lovely apology stuck in it. Turns out he has something else going on that he forgot about."

Nick frowned, glancing at his hands. From what he could tell this wasn't anything new in the relationship. The marriage was only two years along and the arguments were only getting more frequent. He tried not to delve into Ripley's personal life but the more time he spent with her, the more Nick began to realize he cared for the woman. Perhaps more than he should.

"I got an idea," Nick said as he rose to his feet. "Why don't you and I take a break? I know a nice diner down the street. My treat."

The barest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Ripley's mouth. "That sweet of you, sir, but I couldn't."

"After letting me rest my eyes for a while, it's the least I can do."

"You know what? Sure!" Ripley moved away from the discarded flowers to retrieve her spring coat. "I was planning on having a meal with a nice guy, I shouldn't have to change my plans."

Nick smiled, "I don't think I'm a match for your husband, Ripley. A ten year age difference and a military job puts him leagues ahead of me."

"Well, sir-"

"Please, call me Nick."

"Well, Nick, if I know one thing about life, it's this: things only get better with age."

Nick felt himself flush at the sound of his name on Ripley's voice. Felt his heart skip a beat as she said those words and turned to him with a sly smile. He counted his lucky stars for having a good poker face. Found himself lost in her eyes for a moment, the sound of her laugh causing him to smile.

"Keep saying things like that and I'll start expecting the compliments."

"Only if you keep taking me out for lunch, but I'd end up with a jealous husband."

"I'm starting to feel like I should be the one who's jealous."

The diner wasn't as crowded as Nick thought it would have been, the lunch rush already making their way out. They ate in peace, avoiding talk of work. He learned about Ripley. About her past and her schooling. How she met Nick. The courtship had been short and the engagement shorter. It was a whirlwind of emotion for the two of them. The trouble, though, started soon after. Ripley had her eye trained on college and Nick was gearing up for the military. Their lives diverted. What love had been there was quickly strained.

"We were so stupid," Ripley said. "I should have stopped and thought about the whole thing."

"Love makes people do some strange things," Nick replied with a nod.

"I've been wondering,do you have a special someone?"

"No. Never really had the time for it, I guess."

Ripley smiled softly, "No one? No lady pinning for you or you for her?"

Nick avoided her gaze, "None that I know of."

"I bet you were a lady killer back in the day."

"Back in the day?"

Ripley laughed, "You just said there wasn't anyone special."

"That doesn't mean I've lost my touch," Nick snorted. "I just don't have the time.

"Sounds like an excuse," Ripley grinned.

Nick locked eyes with Ripley as she shifted in her chair, feeling his heart race as her foot rubbed against his leg in the process. He told himself it was an accident. That the conversation choice was making him look for something that wasn't there. Yet, the look that had passed over her face and the smile that danced on her lips said something different.

"I don't think I have to explain myself."

Ripley shook her head, "No you don't. You are a very busy man with a nice career to back you up. From the files I've seen you're one hell of a detective."

"Thank you," Nick replied. There was a moment of silence between them. Ripley glancing out the window, Nick watching her in turn. "If you don't mind me asking, what exactly did you and your husband argue about?"

That frown passed over Ripley's face, "Do you really want to know?"

Nick shrugged, "I thought maybe venting would help. I could be wrong."

"He wants to start a family. I mean, I haven't been out of college for long and then he drops this on me just weeks into an internship. He wants me to put my career on pause so he can have child."

"You don't want kids?"

"No," Ripley sighed. "I mean, not yet. We're both young, so we have time before having to decide. I just want to live a little as a productive member of society before having a kid."

"Sounds like you thought this through," Nick said with a smile.

"Yeah." Ripley slumped in her seat, turning her gaze to her hands. "Besides, it's not like sleep with each other enough to even accidentally have a kid."

Nick was at a loss for words. Ripley didn't try to excuse what was said or feign embarrassment. It left him stunned. Nick hadn't expected such a blunt explanation or even such an open admission about her love life. In return his imagination was quick to provide him mental images that he was quick to push away. Nick knew he had to be blushing by that point.

"It looks like rain. We should probably head back to the office," Ripley murmured. "You mind if I wait outside? I need some fresh air."

"Go for it."

Nick paid the bill as quickly as he could. The walk back to the office was in relative silence. He regretted asking Ripley about her argument. It wasn't his place to pry into a marriage. He wasn't close to either of them and it was of no concern of his. Nick was her boss. That was all there was.

"I didn't mean to bring the mood down," Ripley said, finally breaking their silence as they reentered Nick's office.

"It was my fault for asking." Nick replied. "Lets just put this all behind us, okay?"

Ripley nodded, "Thank you for lunch."

"It was my pleasure."

"Looks like we made it in time," Ripley said as she moved to the windows. "It's coming down pretty hard."

Nick moved to Ripley's side, "Guess you were right to have us leave when we did. We probably would've been caught in this if we hadn't."

"I'd like to think my woman's intuition is well tuned."

She was standing close enough to touch. Nick realized it when he caught the barest scent of raspberries around him. It was an aroma he was beginning to associate with Ripley. He felt nervous as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his hand brushing against hers. Didn't know why he had done so, only to pause when he felt one of Ripley's fingers link around his.

'Why are you doing this,' he thought.

"Either way, I think the rain is relaxing," Ripley said. "Maybe it'll lighten my mood."

'She's married.'

"You could always head home early. I wouldn't hold it against you."

'It's not a happy marriage.'

"I couldn't do that. I still have a bunch of files to go through."

'Damn it.'

Nick caught Ripley's arm as she turned to walk away. It was only when she turned to look at him that Nick pulled her close. He didn't know what made him do it but he kissed her. He'd be lying to himself if he said he had never found her attractive. Never caught himself thinking about her at strange points of the day. He was jealous of Nick. Even angry with him. Ripley was amazing woman and all that man was doing was ruining a marriage that appeared to have been shaky to begin with.

Ripley broke the kiss, eyes wide and cheeks flushed. All Nick could do was return her wide eyed stare before cursing beneath his breath.

"I'm sorry, Ripley. I shouldn't have-"

"Why?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why did you kiss me?" Ripley stammered.

Nick released his hold on Ripley arm, the feeling of guilt creeping up his spine as he took a step back. "I don't know."

"You're a horrible liar."

It was Ripley's turn and there seemed to be no hesitation. Nick let himself get lost in the moment. Welcomed the feeling of her arms draped over his shoulders, loved the sensation of pulling her body against his own. He wanted this more than he had admitted to himself; wanted this from the moment she had convinced him to work together. Wanted to taste her, touch her, have her.

"Oh god." Ripley whispered those words as she stepped back. "What the hell am I doing?"

"Ripley, don't beat yourself up, okay? If you're going to get mad, get mad at me," Nick explained. "This was my fault."

"Not entirely. I've wanted this." Those words hit Nick like ton of bricks. Ripley closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Nick, we can't let this happen again."

"What did I say earlier?"

"Lets put this day behind us."

"We're human, and we're weak. We just need to try and forget about this."

Even as those words escaped him, Nick knew he would never be able to forget that moment. The fact that even ,though she was married, it had felt right would haunt him.