The case had been keeping the team busy, none of them had made it home over the weekend, they were grabbing what sleep they could in the beds available to them at work. Maggie and Jubal had barely gotten any time to check in with each other as her and OA were spending most of their time out in the field. She wanted to check in with Jubal to see how he was doing since he had to give up his time with the kids this weekend because of their case but she really hadn't found the time. She had just woke from a twenty minute nap in one of the beds, OA and Stuart were still there getting some more sleep. She had freshened up after wakening up and now was in need of coffee so she was making her way to the break room.
Maggie couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face when she saw Jubal sitting at one of the tables in the break room, he had just finished up a phone call as Maggie walked into the room. She smiled looking at Jubal "You want some fresh coffee?." She nodded at his cup sitting on the table as she started to make fresh coffee.
"Please, this has actually gone cold and as much as I want and need coffee drinking it cold is just a step too far." Jubal smiled softly at Maggie but she could notice that there was a slight sadness in his eyes.
She lifted his cup from the table and she cleaned it out before pouring him a fresh cup and pouring herself a cup bringing them over to the table and sat down beside him handing him his coffee, letting their fingers brush. Maggie smiled watching Jubal. "I'm sorry that we haven't really spoken since our date Friday night."
Jubal shook his head smiling softly at Maggie "Mags you don't have to apologise, this case is really taking it out of us all and straight after the last case means that it's taking that little bit more out of everyone. I'm sorry that I didn't let you go home and get proper sleep on Friday when you had the chance."
Maggie was sipping her coffee as she listened to Jubal but she sat her mug down the minute she heard him apologise, she knew they were alone in the break room and that Jubal was struggling a little, hence him calling her Mags at work. She reached out laying her hand on his forearm letting her thumb brush his skin gently as he had his sleeves rolled up, they both looked at her hand on his arm as this was the first time that she had touched his skin, other than his face or neck.
"Jubal you didn't force me to join you on Friday night and please don't apologise for something that we both really enjoyed. If you are asking me if I would choose sleep over our date knowing that we would have this case, the answer is no. I would happily still choose to have our date, I mean I got a beautiful home cooked meal and got time alone with you and to kiss you, so trust me I don't regret it at all."
Jubal was surprised but thankful for Maggie's touch on his arm, just feeling that touch had him relaxing, part of him really had felt guilty that he had taken away the chance of a proper sleep from her, and especially with how tired they all were on this case. Her touch to his arm felt like she had sent an electricity bolt through his whole body, he really was in big trouble when it came to Maggie. He couldn't help the honest, genuine smile that appeared when he heard Maggie so confident about her choice to have their date Friday instead of sleeping.
"You're right we both really did enjoy our date, I hate that this case interrupted it but like you said we will pick up right where we left off. I'm really glad that you are still happy that you chose our date over sleep, not something I take lightly when I know how exhausted you are." Jubal smiled as he turned his arm around under Maggie's hand.
She ran her fingertips along his arm to his hand, taking his hand in her's entangling their fingers as she squeezed his hand gently, they may have only started dating but she could see that Jubal needed the physical contact right now, and honestly so did she. "Our date gave me energy that carried me through until yesterday now I'm starting to feel a little bit of the tiredness, but getting these few moments alone with you is helping with that." Maggie had not planned on being that honest when she started talking but she wanted him to know the truth.
Jubal ran his thumb across Maggie's hand gently so thankful that she was creating the physical contact that they both clearly wanted and needed. He was surprised by Maggie's honesty but he couldn't help the large smile that appeared on his face when she admitted that this time alone was helping her. "I'm so glad that our time alone is helping you, it felt like every time I went to try and steal a quick moment to just check in with you I was having to send you and OA back out in the field."
"I really haven't been in the JOC much yesterday or today, it seems this case is determined that I get a workout in on the job." Maggie chuckled softly and smiled even more when it got a chuckle from Jubal, before she squeezed his hand gently, letting her thumb run along his hand "But I wanted to come check in on you, see how you are doing after having to cancel your time with the kids, I know that you were really looking forward to having them at the weekend."
Jubal couldn't believe that even though Maggie was exhausted and really had spent most of her time out in the field on this case that she was worried about how he was doing. She really was so amazing and understanding when it came to him and his kids and that was making him wanting to let her see that side of his life even more. "That's actually who I was talking to right before you walked in, well it was mostly them talking." He chuckled softly, having that smile back on his face that Maggie had noticed on their dates when he would talk about his kids. "They also sent me some pictures over the weekend to help me get through missing them. I love our job but I hate that it can take away time with the kids."
"I can only imagine how hard it is for you not getting time to see them especially when you were all looking forward to it so much. But I bet they are missing their dad just as much as he is missing them and you guys will make up for this weekend when you next get time together." Maggie was still caressing Jubal's hand with her thumb, she knew he was really trusting her with being so open about his kids and that really meant a lot to her. "I bet even seeing them in the pictures has helped you get through this case and hopefully we will get finished up soon so that you can go see them."
"Mags thank you for checking in with me, honestly that means so much to me. I know that it can't be easy to try and get used to dating someone that has kids with his ex-wife but you have been so patient and understanding and always making sure that I know that you know the kids will come first."
"Jubal I knew that you had an ex-wife and kids before I agreed to go on a date so if it was something that bothered me I wouldn't have agreed to our dates. It's new to me because I've never dated a man that has kids. Well not that I'm aware of." She shook her head laughing to help him relax as she could see he was a little emotional talking about his kids. "I know you come as a package deal and that you being a dad will always come first. Anyone who expected anything different from you really didn't know you and didn't deserve to be enjoying your company."
"You know you make it really had not to lean across this table and kiss you when you get so defensive about my kids, it's certainly something that is going to take a little getting used to." Jubal's eyes glanced to Maggie's lips when he mentioned wanting to kiss her, so apparently keeping their hands to themselves at work was already too hard and now not kissing was proving hard too.
Maggie bit her lip when she saw Jubal glance at her lips and a large part of her was about to lean in and kiss him when they could hear OA and Stuart coming towards the break room. "We can without a doubt pick this up as soon as the case is finished." She whispered before leaning back in her chair letting go of Jubal's hand after giving it one final squeeze before OA and Stuart joined them in the break room.
It took another two days before the team were able to close the case, thankfully the last two days had Maggie in the JOC a little more so her and Jubal were able to steal a few moments alone to check in with each other. OA, Stuart, Tiffany and Kristen had just left heading home, Maggie was just packing up getting ready to head home when Jubal appeared sitting on the corner of her desk, she couldn't help the smile that appeared as she looked at him.
"Did you stand around the corner waiting for the others to go home before coming over here?." She teased him playfully.
"If I say yes that just makes me sound a little bit like a weirdo." Jubal shook his head laughing.
"Well…" Maggie laughed seeing the face that Jubal pulled at her as he nudged her arm playfully. "You just didn't want to get caught up in a conversation with them, I get it, especially after this case."
"See? You already know me so well." Jubal smiled softly at Maggie "At least Isobel is giving us all the day off tomorrow."
"And you are not allowed to judge if I choose to spend my day off sleeping tomorrow, it's not a Saturday so I'm allowed." Maggie smirked playfully joking with Jubal, she loved how their banter had only gotten more fun since they had started dating and that kissing really hadn't made things awkward. "You going to see the kids?."
"I would be surprised if you did anything but sleep tomorrow, no going to the gym, that is definitely not allowed." Jubal shook his head laughing. "I am, I'm going to go see them tonight and then collect them tomorrow from school and they are going to stay with me tomorrow night and I'll drop them to school the following morning." Jubal couldn't stop smiling as he talked about the kids.
"Oh God no I can guarantee that I will not be at the gym tomorrow, I'm not that crazy. I'm so glad that you are getting to have time with them, I'm sure that they are so excited about getting to see you." Maggie had noticed how Jubal hadn't stopped smiling since he had started talking about the kids.
"They actually don't know yet, I asked Sam to let it be a surprise and to let me be the one to tell them about tomorrow night." Jubal looked almost a little nervous as he moved a little on the edge of Maggie's desk "You okay if I check in with you when they are asleep or before I collect them?."
"They are going to be so excited when you tell them, explains why you have been smiling so much." Maggie smiled honestly looking at Jubal and she nudged his leg gently when she saw how nervous he was and then heard his question "Jubal you don't have to ask, of course you can, just please don't feel you have to okay? Enjoy your time with the kids." Maggie didn't want him to feel he had to check in with her just to make sure they had another date, nothing was going to change Maggie's mind about wanting another date with Jubal.
"I don't feel I have to Mags, it's honestly because I know that I will want to. Thank you again for being so understanding that I want to go and see the kids, I promise that we will get time together after I get some time with them."
"Jubal I really did mean it when I said that I know they come first. We can make plans to hang out after tomorrow night, right now you go home and enjoy time with your kids."
"Can I walk you out?." Jubal stood up, he knew Maggie was packing up to leave when he came over to her desk, he really was so grateful for how truly understanding she was about him being a dad coming first, he knew she had meant her words and that she wasn't just saying them because it was what he wanted to hear.
"I'd really like that." Maggie stood up smiling as she grabbed everything that she needed and she made her way to the parking garage with Jubal. When they got to Maggie's car Jubal noticed how she was parked beside a wall so he walked around with her and gently spun her around to face him as he leaned in and kissed her slowly to begin with before deepening the kiss, running his hands along her back slowly holding her flush against him again.
Maggie was surprised when Jubal spun her to face him and kissed her, but she knew that they were protected from being seen by her SUV and the wall, so she happily ran her hands along Jubal's arms wrapping her arms around his neck. She couldn't resist as she scratched his neck gently and smirked in the kiss when that drew a moan from him, yeah she really was enjoying that she had found a weak spot. Maggie finally had to break the kiss when her need for air became too much, she pulled back resting her forehead lightly against Jubal's as she stepped back to lean lightly against her suv.
"So what did I do to deserve that?." She whispered softly.
Jubal ran his hands along Maggie's sides slowly, smiling when she pulled him gently with her as she moved to lean against her SUV, so he was now lightly pressed up against her, no distance between them as his forehead lay against hers. "Picking up our conversation from the break room and I just couldn't wait any longer to kiss you again, wanted to remind myself that Friday was real and that kissing you is something that I really get to do now."
"Friday was real but I get having the doubts after the last few days." Maggie whispered against Jubal's lips as she closed the short distance kissing him again, as one of her hands ran along his back slowly, keeping him close to her.
Jubal ran one of his hands to Maggie's hips, his thumb managed to slip under her shirt brushing the skin at her hip which caused a moan to escape from Maggie's lips as they broke the kiss. He couldn't stop running his thumb along her skin, especially when she seemed to be enjoying it as much as he was. Jubal pulled his head back a little to look into Maggie's eyes which he noticed had gotten darker with desire as he was still pressed lightly against her. He moved his free hand to cup her cheek as he kept his eyes focused completely on hers.
"You know you are making it really hard to leave you right now."
Maggie ran her hand along his back to rest on his lower back pulling him even tighter against her, she honestly had no idea where her confidence had come from. Maybe it had something to do with the way that Jubal had been looking at her, she wasn't sure anyone had ever looked at her with so much desire. "I can feel that you mean that literally." She smirked biting her lower lip watching him close his eyes letting out a low moan.
"You really are going to be the death of me." Jubal had been trying to hide the effect that Maggie was having on him but her holding him this tight against her was making that impossible. "It's really not easy to hide what you do to me when we stand this close." He spoke softly as his thumb was still caressing the skin at her hip.
"I would apologise for pulling you tight against me but I'm really not sorry." Maggie leaned up closing the short distance between them as she kissed Jubal slowly this time, pulling on his lower lip lightly before pulling her head back so that she could see him again. "And you don't have to hide it, not when we are alone. Now you have just given us even more reason to look forward to our next time alone together outside of work. But right now you really need to go before we really can't move away from each other." She smirked playfully keeping her focus on Jubal.
Jubal was a little surprised when Maggie said about him giving them more reason now to look forward to when they could next hangout, she clearly wanted him as much as he wanted her, well she wanted him and that was blowing his mind. He couldn't help the soft moan that escaped when she pulled on his lower lip, this woman already knew how to drive him crazy and he couldn't help but love it. Jubal leaned in kissing Maggie once more before finally stepping back a little putting a small amount of distance between them as he ran his hand along her arm and took her hand squeezing it gently.
"I will check in with you tonight when I get home and I really can't wait until we can make plans to hang out just the two of us again."
"Enjoy your time with the kids I know you are all going to be so excited to see each other and we can make those plans tomorrow night or when we are back at work. I'm not going anywhere Jubal, so go enjoy time with your kids." Maggie squeezed Jubal's hand gently as she leaned back in and stole more one quick kiss from him before reluctantly stepping back and climbing in to her SUV, they waved smiling at each other before Jubal left heading towards his own SUV to go and see his kids.
Maggie couldn't stop smiling when she went home that evening, she couldn't stop thinking about their kiss in the parking garage, they had definitely been some of the most heated kisses that they had shared. If she closed her eyes and really thought about the kiss she could feel his thumb on the skin at her hip which had drove her insane as she wanted more from him. Jubal Valentine was driving her crazy in all the right ways.
Jubal had been true to his word and had text that night to check in with Maggie, he had told her about how surprised his kids were when they saw him arrive and that they were so excited to be staying with him tomorrow night. Maggie didn't have to see him to know that he was smiling so much while texting her about his kids and that had her smiling as she was replying to him. He had sent her a quick message the following day before going to collect the kids to say that he hoped she was enjoying her day off catching up on her sleep and that he would check in again tonight when he got the kids into bed.
Maggie thankfully really had used the day to catch up on her sleep, she replied to Jubal telling him to enjoy having the kids staying with him and that she was sure they were all going to have a great time. Maggie had checked in with her sister and her family wanting to make the most of her free time, OA and Kristen had rang her about the three of them going out tonight for something to eat and have a few drinks as it had been a while since they all had time together outside of work. Maggie couldn't think of a reason to say no and she found herself texting Jubal to tell him that she was heading out with OA and Kristen so that she may be a little late replying to him later if he checked in after the kids went to bed. By the time that Jubal had a chance to reply to Maggie she was out enjoying her night with OA and Kristen. OA had gone to the bar and Kristen had gone to the bathroom so Maggie used the opportunity to check her phone and smiled seeing a message from Jubal she replied to him.
'So glad that you had such a great afternoon with the kids, I'm sure it won't be long until you are asleep either after a fun filled afternoon. Don't worry there will be no hangovers tomorrow morning, it's not that kind of night.'
Jubal had just climbed in to bed when he heard his phone alert him to a text, he hadn't expected to hear from Maggie while she was out with OA and Kristen. He lay back against his headboard as he replied to her text.
'I actually just climbed into bed, I forgot how much energy they both could have when excited. I'll make sure the coffee pot is full tomorrow morning in the break room just incase. Are you hiding your phone under the table while texting me?.' He couldn't help but tease her playfully, he was so glad that things were still so comfortable between them after their heated kiss yesterday.
Maggie laughed softly shaking her head as she read his text 'No, OA is at the bar and Kristen went to the bathroom, so I decided to use the time to check my phone. Don't make me regret that decision.' Maggie was as thankful as Jubal that things were still so easy between them.
'I feel honoured that you chose to use your free time in a bar to check in with me. You trying to be sweet to me so that I'll go easy on you three tomorrow morning when you all arrive in with hangovers?.'
'Well I don't want to text in front of them as I would have to explain why I'm smiling at my phone. You seem pretty sure that we are going to arrive in with hangovers, I'm not sure me hungover is a pretty sight.'
Jubal still wasn't used to Maggie being so honest about how much he made her smile and it honestly made him so happy knowing he could make her smile. 'Now you just have me wishing I was there to see your smile. And that is definitely lies, there is nothing that could make you not pretty Mags.'
Even reading him type 'Mags' had her heart beating a little bit faster, she really was falling for this man and she knew he had no idea how much she was really falling for him. She saw Kristen and OA making their way back towards their table so she sent a quick reply.
'They don't get to see the smile that you do, that only happens when were alone or when you are around me. You are far too sweet Jubal.' Maggie put her phone back in her bag as OA and Kristen joined her. She wasn't reading Jubal's reply until she got home later that night. He had actually sent her two messages.
'I'm so glad that I can make you smile Mags, because you smiling lights up a room. Like I said before this is the side you bring out in me.'
'I hope that you are having a great night with OA and Kristen, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at work. Goodnight Mags x'
Maggie smiled as she read both messages and when she climbed into bed she replied to him. 'I'm really lucky to be the one seeing this side of you Jubal. It was a good night with OA and Kristen, no doubt they'll overshare tomorrow as they'll both be hungover. Have a great morning with the kids and I can't wait to see you at work either. Goodnight Jubal x'
The next morning Jubal had gotten up a little bit earlier than usual so that he could have the kids breakfast ready and have them to school on time, he made his way to work and he couldn't help the smile on his face as he really was looking forward to seeing Maggie. He was also in a good mood as he was planning on asking Maggie if she wanted to join him tonight at his place for another date. He made his way into the break room to grab coffee, he walked in on OA talking to Kristen and Maggie.
"Maggie you made the right call leaving when you did, we may have got distracted for another few hours."
"And I'm guessing by the shape of you two right now that you were distracted by more alcohol." Maggie laughed looking at Kristen and OA.
Jubal raised his eyebrow hearing them as he poured his coffee and turned looking at the three of them sitting at the table. "You three have a rough night last night?." He had to be careful to not let slip that he knew they were out.
"Eh no, those two had a rough night, I on other hand knew when to call it a night." Maggie smiled looking at Jubal.
"You only called it a night to get away from that guy that was hitting on you." Kristen mumbled as she drank her coffee but Jubal had clearly heard her.
Maggie looked at Jubal, she should have known that Kristen or OA were going to let that slip, she just hadn't expected it to happen this soon. Jubal swallowed hard as he looked at Maggie, OA and Kristen totally oblivious to them staring at each other. "Sounds like you had a good night in a slightly different way from the other two."
"To be honest he was really annoying." Right now Maggie wished that it was just her and Jubal.
"Oh yeah because being single, hot, interested in you and wanting to take you on a date is really annoying." Kristen raised an eyebrow looking at Maggie.
"If you were that interested in him then why didn't you go out with him?." Maggie looked at Kristen as she spoke but she could still feel Jubal watching them.
"Wait are we talking about the same guy that you were dancing with on the dance floor?." OA looked at Kristen.
Maggie smirked playfully looking at Kristen "Oh so that's why he wasn't annoying huh?."
"Hey you made it very clear that you wanted nothing to do with him." Kristen looked at Maggie rubbing her forehead as she spoke.
"Good for you Kris, you were definitely a lot more interested than I was." Maggie laughed watching Kristen who was now a little embarrassed.
"Oh you're not the one that had to watch them dancing." OA teased playfully.
Kris stood up slowly "And that is my cue to leave this conversation.. eh bye…" She laughed as she left the break room carrying her cup of coffee, OA jumped up following Kristen shouting after her playfully.
Maggie stood up and walked towards Jubal now that they were alone, she wasn't sure how he was going to be with her after what he had heard. "I was planning on telling you about last night, I stupidly thought that I would have time before they both blurted it out."
"Maggie you don't owe me an explanation, you were out with friends having fun." Jubal was playing with his mug, he couldn't look at Maggie.
She stepped closer to Jubal knowing that she wanted to clear the air about what happened, she did not want it to screw up her chances with Jubal. She lay her hand on Jubal's bicep as she kept her focus on him and she smiled softly when he finally looked at her.
"What those two don't know is that when they walked away to apparently leave me alone with him to make plans." She rolled her eyes "I told him straight up that I wasn't interested because I was happily waiting for someone else to ask me out on our third date. You really think that I would have text you from our night out if I was really interested in going out with him?."
Jubal didn't want to look at Maggie because he was afraid that he had somehow missed his chance thanks to the guy last night, even though he heard that Kris had ended up with him it still hadn't stopped his doubts. But when he felt Maggie's hand on his bicep he couldn't keep his eyes off her any longer, and he was met with that smile that she had only shown around him.
"I have to admit it wasn't what I was expecting to hear when I came in here this morning, I mean I'm not stupid Mags, I didn't have to see you last night to know that you were looking beautiful, so any guy would be stupid not to try and take his chance with you. I honestly was hoping to find you in here so that I could ask you if you wanted to have take out with me tonight after work."
"I really didn't want you to find out that way, but there really wasn't anything to it and clearly Kris ended up with him." Maggie laughed softly and her smile grew when she heard Jubal call her beautiful again, he really was so sweet to her. "You still want to ask me about take out tonight?."
Jubal moved his hand to rest on Maggie's hip gently, wanting and needing the contact as he smiled that genuine reserved smile as he focused on her. "If we get out of here at a decent time would you like to come to mine tonight to just relax and have take out."
"Yes." Maggie answered the second that Jubal had finished speaking, she didn't want him to have any doubts about her wanting time with him, so that was why she had answered so quickly. She took a step closer to him and lowered her voice even though they were still alone. "As long as we can pick up right where were we left in the parking garage." She smirked squeezing his bicep gently before stepping back and walking out of the break room as they could hear someone coming walking towards them.
Jubal had to bite his lip to stop a groan from escaping as he heard Maggie mention about the parking garage as now all he could picture was him being pressed tight up against her, kissing her and touching the skin on her hip. He shook his head smiling as he watched her leave the break room, he was really hoping that they didn't catch a case so that they could get out of here at a decent time.