The Metro Court

She was here.

Finn looked at Anna with appreciation. There she sat, beautifully chic, legs crossed, and looking over her menu. She looked so decorous, but there was nothing commonplace about her. Only a red mark on her cheek belied the fact that she had been in a fight for her life not hours before. Finn's blood boiled in reaction to her facial injury, and he was bold enough to place his hand to the side of her face with concern.

He had so many thoughts running through his mind. He wanted to lecture her about being in harm's way again, he wanted to tell her how much he missed her, he wanted to tell her sorry again for how blindsided she was this morning, he wanted to let her know that her absence had frustrated him, he wanted to tell her he was scared that he wouldn't be the father Violet needed, he wanted to tell her than he wanted her. But the only thing he could say at the moment had nothing whatsoever to do with any of those things. "It looks like the swelling has gone down."

"Thankfully." Anna touched the tender spot on her cheek and briefly wished he would kiss it. "Icing it was the best thing. I have to hand it to Cassandra; she's sturdier than she looks." She became more distracted that he was there next to her after all their time apart. The fluttering in her heart reminded her how much she missed him. She was disappointed when he drew his hand back. She took a sip of water and then decided it was time to talk about difficult things, whether she felt ready to or not. And one question came to the fore, actually, it had been on her mind for more than a year. She cleared her throat and began.

"Why do you seem reluctant to acknowledge that Hayden has feelings for you. We both knew when Hayden's letter came that she was interested in reconciliation." Anna asked carefully as she picked up her fork and attempted to concentrate on the wedge of chocolate cake that the waiter placed in front of her.

Finn was silent for a moment. He seemed to be gathering his thoughts, and Anna held her breath, waiting for him to answer, hoping he wouldn't deflect as was his habit when confronting uncomfortable feelings.

"For the same reason, I explained to Alexis, Chase, Robert, and anyone else who wanted to know how I was handling her return. I am in love with you, and we are starting a life together. Granted, it would have been a lot easier if we had been on the same continent at least because Gulf Standard Time was brutal."

"It was." she agreed. She allowed herself a genuine chuckle at the end of his sentence, appreciating his dry humor as always. He had a knack for injecting a lighthearted moment into what was otherwise a heavy conversation.

"Listen...Like I told you right after I saw Hayden for the first time, it was a shock. And I will be honest. You were right, I did have questions, but she didn't have any answers to give me. And that only gave me more questions about her motives. She always has secrets, and I needed to know what she was hiding."

"Violet. Your unfinished business."

"She wanted me to go to Rome; she said she wanted to tell me about her then. But even that was a manipulation. She could have told me at any point that our baby lived, but she only wanted to tell me on her terms and to achieve her ends."

"Oh God, I'm so sorry, Finn. I should have been here."

"I was suspicious of her and what she might be hiding. That's why I wanted you to come home. I needed you."

"I know I tried to hurry as fast as I could. After our conversation, I realized that I need to be with you too. I had to hand off the investigation to another agent, bring them up to speed. I wanted to surprise you. I remember how well it turned out the last time I surprised you. But I have to admit I didn't expect to find Hayden in our living room and in one of your shirts."

Finn groaned and passed his hand over his face. "We had breakfast this morning and told Violet that I was her father. To be honest, I wasn't paying too much attention to Hayden. I only had eyes for my daughter."

Anna took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. She didn't want apologies, they had been through that already, and she has set her feelings aside immediately. "That was very clear as soon as I met her. She is a beautiful, Finn. She has your eyes."

"Anna, I know that there is a lot to discuss and details to work out and challenges ahead, but I want to face them together."

"We will." Her warm eyes comforted him.

"I'm glad you are back, so Robert will back off a bit. He was convinced that I was going to, I don't know- stray. Now he can stop threatening to put me in a deep dark hole. "

"He didn't!"

Finn looked at her pointedly.

"Alright. Of course, he did. I could kill him." She pounded her fist in frustration on the marble countertop, and Finn flinched. He did not want to be that cantankerous Aussie when she got ahold of him.

Finn leaned in and carefully placed his lips on hers. The kiss was like all the others they had shared since her return was soft and sweet and tentative, almost as if he was asking a question. Are we alright? Anna wanted to answer. She wanted to take his bottom lip into hers and invite him to kiss her the way she remembered. But he pulled away before she could. She pressed her lips together and chewed on the side of her mouth as she pushed down her disappointment.

They were still careful, treating each other as if they were made of spun glass.

You need to give him time; she reminded herself. Give him a chance to come to terms with his own feelings and emotions now that he is a father. It was not a foregone conclusion that the life they had when she left was what he would want tomorrow.

Finn saw a look in her eyes he couldn't place. Of course, she had to be exhausted. "You're tired. I've been selfish, keeping you up when you should be sleeping. Between traveling jet lag, saving a child from an international criminal, learning I have a daughter, and talking to Hayden, I'd say you have had a full day."

Anna's heart sank at his words, but she did her best to rally. His concern for her was touching. "Mmmm...I suppose so. Although it was the PCPD paperwork, that was the most exhausting." She gave a half-hearted attempt at humor, but she couldn't stop herself from asking the question that she needed reassurance on the most. "You're really happy to see me?" her dark eyes searched his questioningly. Her voice was quiet and vulnerable. Finn's heart seized in his chest.

"Of course, I am." His throat was tight, making his voice gravelly. His large hand covered hers. He chastised himself internally as he realized that he probably hadn't don't the best job at making her feel welcome when she walked unexpectedly through the door.

"Did you miss me?" her voice was low, and a small smile played about the corners of her lips. She tilted her face towards his. The direct question startled him, piercing through his self-pity with a purposeful look. It was a purposeful lure, but he didn't care, breathing out the answer instantly. "Yes."

He heard her chuckle, so faint he might as well have imagined it, but he is certain it was there.

"Good." Her smile bloomed.

The word sends his pulse galloping, a sudden rush of blood making his skin tingle; he is ready to drop everything and get on the elevator and into a hotel room, wanting nothing more than to scoop her in his arms immediately. But the thrill was short-lived when he remembered that she had gone through that day. She's jet-lagged and tired, and he still didn't want to presume that she was ready.

"It is probably time for us to be heading out. We both drove here. Well...um...I guess I will see you at home..."

"Can I drive you home?" Finn asked quickly

Anna looked at him; her eyebrow quirked in surprise.

"We can pick up your car tomorrow," he explained, " I...I said I didn't want to be away from you for another minute, and I meant it."

"Alright." She nodded her head and took his arm as they waited for the valet to bring the car to them. She shivered involuntarily in the cold night air, and he put his arm around her. Holding her felt so good. The clean smell of her hair was comforting, notes of ginger and orange, and he breathed her in. It was the smell of her, the smell of home.

He opened the car door for her, and she slid into her seat. As he got behind to wheel and pulled out of the parking lot, he looked at her out of the corner of his eye. The streetlights threw her into relief both in light and shadow as they drove through the city streets. Her hand rested on the center console. He carefully enveloped her hand in his. His thumb traced the outline of his sapphire on her left ring finger. He remembered when she said yes. She looked at him and smiled. Finn smiled back.

This was promising, he thought.

Keeping his eyes on the road, he released her hand, and she could almost hear her deflate as she let out a sound of disappointment. Finn smiled when the next sound her was the sharp intake of her breath as his hand found its way above her knee, feeling the warmth of her leg beneath the thin fabric of her skirt. He could hear her breathing increase and was encouraged. God, he had missed her. He wanted to play her body like a violin until she was calling his name. It had been too long since he heard her say…

"Finn!" she gasped. His fingers had dipped under her hemline and were on a journey up the smooth skin of her inner thigh. She leaned her head back and swallowed. The way she said his name let him now that their tentative dance around each other's feelings was at an end.

Now, as they traveled back to their home, there was certainly only one thing on both of their minds, and it was not her travels or his unexpected news.

His fingers caressed inside the smooth line of her thigh, encouraging her legs apart, and she couldn't help but oblige. She glanced at Finn, who seemed to be focusing all his attention, and gaze, on the road ahead of them — and looking very tempting still in his three-piece suit. Absentmindedly, she licked her lips and attempted to anchor her stare on the passing scenery instead of his mouth, even if the blurred cityscape was hardly absorbing. His fingers reached their sensitive destination, and she couldn't keep a moan from slipping from her lips. She sensed Finn's eyes watching her from the rearview mirror and smiled, knowing he was longing for her as much as she was for him.

As the familiar turn finally materialized on the left, the long drive leading directly to their house, Anna felt a shiver of anticipation. The car passed through the open gate, and her breath quickened, thoughts of eager hands and lips overpowering her mind. Finn stopped the car right by the front steps and stepped out quickly to open the door for her. Ever the gentleman, Anna smiled; his consideration made her want him even more. As she climbed the front steps, Finn turned back to park the car, but his stare accompanied her all the way to the door. Anna smirked; she was amazed he has not abandoned the task altogether.

She felt drops on her skin. Of course, the sky would choose her homecoming to produce a late autumn downpour. Soon the heavens opened, but it hadn't stopped her from standing out in the rain for a moment, feeling the raindrops on her face and eyelashes and breathing in the fresh sweet air. Then she unlocked the door to enter then leaned back against the heavy wooden door of her house. She rested her head back against the door and sighed in relief before she pushed off and began to pace like a caged tigress. She stepped further inside the silent foyer and set her clutch on the nearest surface. Her heels echo against the floors as she followed the long shadows cast by the dim light and entered the empty living room. It was different than she left it, and that fact filled her with happiness. He had put his mark on their home.

Home. That word had never sounded so good.

She saw pictures in new frames and in new locations. She moved towards the mantle and turned around and hurried to the front door when she heard the handles turning. At the doorstep stood a well-dressed man, soaked through, as water streamed off him to pool on the floor.

"Finn!" Anna exclaimed, pulling the drenched doctor into the house. She stepped back as water seeped through the thin fabric of her blouse.

"Let me get you a towel-." Anna set about to take charge of the situation, as was her habit. She thought better of it and instead began to peel the drenched blazer from Finn's shoulders.

"I didn't realize it was raining that hard!" Anna said incredulously, absentmindedly helping him with his tie. She touched his cheek to soften her reaction. He looked at her, a smile creasing the skin around his eyes. She smoothed a damp strand of hair off of his forehead and returned his smile.

"Neither did I," Finn tilted his head slightly to rest his cheek against her palm, "but I wasn't going to waste time looking for an umbrella." He turned his face and brushed a kiss to her slim wrist.

Anna closed her eyes at his touch and considered his words with a smile before she shook herself into action. "You had better get out of these wet clothes before you get chilled." she decided. "You can go upstairs and get changed, and I will start a fire so you can warm up, or you could go take a shower. I'll get put some water on, would you like coffee-" He grabbed her hand before she could walk off and pulled her back

"Anna, it's been five months, one week and three days since we were together last, and I'm not waiting for a second more. I'm going to make love to you in every room of this house tonight. So this is as good a time and a place to start as any."

Anna's breath hitched, and her pulse raced as he pulled her flush against him. "I'm just glad you are home," Finn's breath was hot against her temple, and Anna swallowed a sigh as his hand slipped around her waist to pull her back against him.

"This reunion didn't go the way I had envisioned. I thought I would have had you several times by now. I planned to hold you, hostage, for a least a day or two." her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"You have me all to yourself until…" he looked at his watch," tomorrow at 3:30 pm."

"Then we should make the most of the time we have together," she said hardly louder than a whisper. Tracing her cheek with his thumb, he searched for any sign of pain or discomfort at the went that had formed there. Finding none, he pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, maintaining the connection for a few moments before pulling back again. Her eyes were closed for a breath more, and then she looked at him from under her lashes.

He took in a slow breath and stared at her with an intensity that made a blush bloom rosy on her cheeks. "I love you, Anna." She closed her eyes again at his admission, letting the roughness of his voice slip over her. She wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the water that soaked through her blouse. "I love you, Finn," she murmured against his throat as she leaned her head against his shoulder. She needed a minute just to feel him.

His jacket and tie were already discarded in a sodden heap on the floor. Anna reached for his buttons, and her fingers wandered as she pushed each one free. She placed a kiss on the center of his chest before she moved behind him and eased the wet fabric from his shoulders, and he shrugged out of it. Anna's fingers traced the tattoo that wreathed his left arm, and she set her lips against it. She had missed his body, the one she knew so well. When they were apart, she still had access to his voice and his mind, but now it was skin and heat that she craved. The top half of him was exposed to her eyes, and her hands moved to his belt to finish the job. They were both breathing ragged by the time her task was complete. Her body was so tense, a mere brush of his fingers sets off electricity beneath her skin, rushing down her spine, straight to her core.

"It's your turn." He growled and dipped his head, lips pressing firmly against her skin, lapping at pulse fluttering in her neck. His hand pulled at the tie of her blouse, unwrapping her like a gift. She whimpered in response while his mouth moves to her clavicle, teeth grazing her exposed shoulder. Anna's fingers tangled in his hair, and she pulled hard just as he sinks his teeth in her flesh. They both groaned in pleasure, and Finn ran his fingers through her hair, a silent plea for more. As his fingers caressed her dark tresses, he smiled. "Your hair's longer now." Anna laughed and reached out and brushed his hair back from his forehead. "So is yours." Then his mouth claimed hers, and Anna sighed against his mouth as she opened hers to him. This is what she had wanted, what she had been aching for every day of her absence, for him to devour her with need and lust.

Anna felt his fingers smooth over her hips till he found the pull of her zipper, and her skirt slipped from her. She stood still as he removed the rest of her clothing. Then he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa. He set her down carefully, but his lips and his hands were let gentle once she was in place.

Suddenly Anna's body moved, pressing itself closer to his, her hand reaching out to rest on his chest as her body shifted in search of leverage. Finn closed his eyes, savoring the unexpected sensation as her delicate figure lifted herself up and over him. Her breath caressed his face as she leaned forward and kissed him deeply. Their bodies came together quickly, and Anna was still for a moment in relief at the feeling of being joined to him again after so long. Finn whispered words of love into her ear and ran his hands over the smooth skin of her back.

All was right in the world.

A low moan beginning in Finn's throat and his mouth tasted her once more. Now he shifted his hips, hands on her waist, a gentle prompt that he can't wait now that he has her back in his arms. He is filled with a hunger that has made him voracious for her. Their lips parted, and she tilted her head playfully and smiled appreciatively at his body's immediate reaction to hers.

Anna leaned forward to kiss him again, and his hands follow, tracing the line of her back, fingers pressing softly in tempo with her movements. She moaned into his mouth as her hips shift, and he responded, still knowing the exact spot she needed tending to. Breaking the kiss, she smiled with bliss, eyes glossy, in the complete surrender to the moment. Continuing the unrushed pace, she briefly rests her forehead on his, the connection of their bodies and minds fused with one gesture. He kissed her again and again, luxuriating in the tenderness as her body flowed with his. The pleasure wound tighter in both of them until she cried out and collapsed against him. He followed right after her.

Anna leaned her face into the side of his neck, finger brushing through his hair. She sighed serenely. Finn smiled, enjoying the rush slowly leave his body as his pulse returned to normal. Finn felt better than he had in months, and he knew why. She was here. He was complete. Chase had been right, there had been a hole in his life, but he realized that it was only Anna that fit in it.

He had the woman he loved back with him, and a beautiful daughter. Life had never been so good.