Author's Note: The atmosphere is getting better in the elevator. Thanks for following! Obviously I do not own any portion of 'Without a Trace' or you wouldn't see me here- you'd see this story on TV!

Chapter 14

Ben went back to the ceiling exit plan. "So, boost or pull?"

"What do I do when I get up there?"

"Just sit there a moment until I get there, too. So, boost it is."

She walked over to him and he crouched down and clasped his hands together, prepared to give her a lifting boost.

"Just put your foot in my hands and lift the other one off the ground. I'll do the rest."

Sam did as he asked and he raised himself up from his crouching position. She was afraid that she would just lose balance and fall onto the floor, but Ben kept her steady.

"Okay. Now Sam, I need you to grasp the opening and help pull yourself up. I'm good, but as I lift you higher, the balance will start to go down the tubes. So I need you to help me."

She grasped the edges of the opening in the ceiling and tried to pull herself up and push her way onto the roof. Ben was helping her in case she didn't have enough strength and he was also acting as spotter so she wouldn't come crashing to the floor.

Once Sam got onto the roof she sat down and slid away from the opening. "Okay Ben. Your turn."

In a flash, Ben was standing on the roof next to her, rolling his shoulders back.

"How the hell did you get up here that fast?!"

He looked down at her and smiled mischievously. "Like I said earlier, I'm just that damn good."

She couldn't resist teasing him. "So what else are you 'just that damn good' at?"

He cocked an eyebrow and kept his mischievous look. "Lots of things, my dear. Lots of things."

"Oh, come on. Give me some examples." I'm so pushing it. I really shouldn't be, but I just can't resist.

He started to laugh. His smile was mesmerizing. She thought she might just melt right there.

"If I told you, then it wouldn't be a secret, now would it?"

"Why is it a secret?"

"Well, it's something that you would have to be there for. You know, a 'seeing is believing' kind of an experience."

"Are we talking about talent or something a little more…endowed?"

His eyebrows raised and his mouth was shut. "Well now. I think we may have just said good-bye to the realm of friendly conversation and sped into the realm of explicit adult conversation."

Oops. Well, I have to stay calm or he'll know for sure. "Well, I was wondering if perhaps this was what you were suggesting when you said I would have to get your clothes off to find out more."

His mischievous smile swept across his face, lighting it up. "Not quite. But thanks for the, um, confidence."

She smiled, more to herself than him, and looked down at her lap.

"Why is it that you look more embarrassed than me?"

Her head shot up. "What?"

He knelt down next to where she was sitting and she could feel his breath on her cheek.

"You. You look more embarrassed than I do. And I'm the one who was just asked about his…desirable qualities."

Damn my blushing, damn it to hell! And why does he have to be so damned close? Uh, the things I'm thinking about right now… Stop blushing and calm down so you can answer him

and not tip him off. "Um, well, I don't usually ask guys about that kind of thing."

He cocked his head to the side and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Then why did you ask me? You just met me. And so far, you have no reason to like me."

Well, what can I say? A girl falls for the jerk in the elevator and asks him about his size all the time. Of course, I'm not really sure how it's supposed to end. In a fairy tale, they would find out that he's really not a jerk, he's just hiding his feelings. Then they both giggle and the elevator doors would open and they would run off and get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. So, Ben, how does this story end?

"I don't know. You left me an opening to tease you and I took it. End of story." God, I hope not.

"Somehow, I doubt that. But, if you insist on not telling me, I won't pry."

He stood up and left her personal space, leaving her feeling somewhat cold.

He was looking up the side wall of the shaft. "I think I can get up to the last floor we passed and get the doors open."

"Uh, how?"

He turned around and she could see that he had his mischievous look again plastered to his face, once again lighting it up.

"You doubt my inherent abilities? Must I state it again?"

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