"We aren't going anywhere crazy" She assured sometime later when Ryan shifted in his seat, bringing the back of her hand to his lips in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. Seeing her smile shyly without looking in his direction keeping her eyes focused in the road.

"I trust you" He confessed in a whisper.

The declaration made Alex feel the same kind of soaring, heart-warming sensation she did every time he told her he loved her, she couldn't help but lean across and capture his lips in a kiss at the next possible opportunity. "Thank you."

"You're going to get honked" He urged a little breathlessly, and with a slight chuckle, the car they had stopped for had long since turned out of their way, the car behind them nearing impatiently.

"I don't even care" Alex dismissed, holding eye contact with him for a moment longer just to prove to him that he was more important. He finally gave in to her narrowed eyes and playful glare, rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand soothingly as they cruised the city streets. Alex divided her time between admiring her very attractive husband and concentrating on the road ahead. Feeling strangely calm but also excited.

"This is it" She revealed some time later, slowing before turning into the carpark of a small restaurant. Ryan couldn't help but smile as it was one of the reastaurants they always came to when they had a night off at Quantico. He had to admit the first time they came here it didn't look particularly impressive from the outside but the food they served were amazing. "I wanted a restaurant with simple, good food where we could actually talk" She explained, as if she had read his mind.

"Sounds good" He accepted, glad it wasn't a fancy restaurant where they would pay for food they didn't truly appreciate and feel too awkward to talk about anything personal. Ryan got out and quickly moved to open the door for his wife, smiling uncontrollably as she stood, effortlessly beautiful.

Their eyes met, she returned his contagious smile, Ryan realising all of a sudden that her heels minimised their height difference. Just enough he suspected, closing the car door he purposely trapped her between his body and the vehicle. Testing his theory he leaned in, claiming her mouth with gentle insistence, he felt her melt into him and felt reassured.

Too soon the sound of crunching gravel nearby forced them apart, another car pulling into the formerly vacant space just across from them. Ryan chuckled softly as his wife blushed, pushing away from his chest and biting her lip as she attempted to regain composure. "Later" Ryan breathed in her ear as he wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her towards the entrance of the restaurant.

"I suppose this is for later too then huh?" He questioned, a cheeky smirk overtaking her face as she put the envelope on the seat before closing the door. Ryan's eyes widened and his stride faltered slightly as her fingers moved about, the thin cotton lining doing nothing to stop his skin burning beneath her touch.

"You're just too good" He conceded, pulling her off the path into the weed littered, dirt-patch garden bed before sliding a hand down the back of her pants in revenge. Alex raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly when his plan backfired, lace having a far greater impact on him than his wandering fingertips did on her. "You know I'm not even that hungry…"

"Too bad. I'm starving" She whispered laughing, trailing her tongue across his instantly dry bottom lip. Before he knew it she was back on the path, striding confidently towards the well-lit restaurant entrance. Ryan cleared his throat, adjusted himself as subtly as he could manage, and rushed to catch up with his wife, trying to ignore the rhythmic sway of her hips.

Ryan was exceptionally grateful to be distracted as they stepped inside, taking in the layout of the lively restaurant along with the incredible aroma emanating from the kitchen. Not much has changed since they have been here last, and without saying a word they walked towards their usual place where they used to sit under the window.

Alex happily engaged in small talk with the exuberant young employee that greeted them, while Ryan simply smiled. Their table was positioned in an almost private alcove, away from the louder family groups and with two large leafed plants either side their table was almost entirely obscured from the view of other diners.

"I'll be back in a few moments to see what takes your fancy. Would you like me to organise drinks in the mean time?" The employee enquired attentively.

Both of them started out ordering beers, keeping themselves limited only one beer each as they still needed to drive home, and Alex didn't feel like driving home so she was certain she will be using her charm to make her husband take the wheel on their way back.

"It's a nice surprise" he admitted, lacing her fingers through his.

"I'm just getting started" Alex assured.

"I can't wait" he replied, his low, voice reminding her that she wasn't nearly as in control as she sometimes thought.

*after their meal*

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Ryan enquired as they left the restaurant more than two hours later. It had been easy to lose track of time, though their food had arrived quite quickly once they actually got around to making up their minds and ordering it.

And it had been incredible, every mouthful surpassing their expectations. Prior to even looking at the dessert menu they had concluded that they would be returning, soon. Before, during and after consuming their delicious three course dinner they'd talked. A lot, about everything and nothing.

"Mmm" Alex hummed in agreement, not feeling the need to shatter the tranquillity by speaking. She was rather enjoying breathing in the darkness, the familiar hum of their city reminding her that it was alive.

"We're only a few blocks from the river" He suggested hopefully, not convinced by her wordless answer.

"Okay. I'm not ready to go home yet" She explained, smiling up at him as she leaned into his side. Ryan's hand found her waist as they paused together at the edge of the road, he wasn't sure he ever wanted the night to end.

He definitely wasn't ready for it to end the way he had planned, seriously questioning the contents of the envelope burning a hole in his mind. Alex on the other hand had a terrible feeling it was too much, that she'd gotten overexcited and committed to something her husband wouldn't like. She should have consulted him first, presenting it as an idea wasn't nearly as impressive though, she just had to trust herself.

They neared the river, finding what they hadn't been looking for in the shape of an old, dirty bridge. Leaning against the railings they admired the view, the cool breeze bringing their bodies closer while they let silence envelop them.

Alex didn't know why, but after a few moments, or longer, the urge arose. In a split second she had turned to her husband, finding his mouth she let everything she was feeling pour into him. Ryan relished it, reciprocating fervently while pulling her chest flush against his, both wanting to be closer.

After, they spent a long time standing still. Eyes closed, foreheads pressed together, fingers stroking soft skin in repetitive but meaningless patterns. The rough pad of his thumb playing with her earrings while her fingernails danced amongst the hair on his arms.

She shifted slightly, an involuntary shiver coursed through her body, it had nothing to do with cold.

"I need to tell you something and I need you not to get upset about it." She said in a low voice. "I want us to go away for the weekend since it's your birthday. And you kind of can't say no because I've booked the place three months ago and it's non refundable." She said looking up at him knowing well that his head was spinning because of their financial situation. It's not like she was booking it knowing they were in some financial difficulty, it was planned before all of this happened.

"Fancy a weekend in a cabin on the lake?" She posed, excitement overtaking everything else even though he hadn't actually reacted yet. Ryan didn't answer, but his smiled widened as he nodded his head. Maybe some time away would be what they needed. They have a lot to talk about and a lot of decisions to be made that might impact their future.