Different from now on

Summary: A different Friday night routine for Monica and John - DRR

From our very first date, I knew things with John would be different. Actually, from the first time I met him I knew there was some special hidden quality about him – maybe it started with those mesmerizing blue eyes. Of course, after that, it had to come from his sweet yet strong accent, and then of course his extremely well toned body…

Stop it, Monica! I tell myself. I do need to focus on what I'm doing if I can hope to make this date less awkward. Can I even call it a date? It sure got off to a horrible start. John and I were walking down the hall, talking casually about the day, and he invited me out for a drink – our Friday tradition.

Just then, Brad comes strolling down the hall. "I was considering making you stay late, agents," he sneered. "But, since you have other plans, I guess you can just come in early Monday morning."

"Thanks?" I muttered.

"You two don't happen to be breaking bureau policy do you?" He questioned with a wink.

"No sir," John stammered as we turned to leave.

Now, I sit nursing a beer, wondering if this "date" will end differently than all the others. Of course, for a long time now, I have wanted to pursue things with John, a fact I've made painfully obvious. But at the same time, if he doesn't want it, maybe he's right. It would make things uncomfortable. Trust me, I know from past experience. I just can't get it out of my mind that John is somehow different.

I look up at him and he glances up at me – our eyes lock as he slides his hand across the table. Our hands fit so perfectly together.

He clears his throat. "You wanna get something to eat?"

"Sure," I reply with a smile. I'm glad he's finally making some kind of move.

He helps me into my coat and we step out into the brisk night air. There aren't very many people around because it's so cold, and as we walk hand in hand, something in the air feels different. I just can't place it. Suddenly, everything changes.

Out of the silence, I hear a thump. John slumps against the brick. The assailant grabs me by my coat and screams "Give me your purse, give me your purse!"

Of course I do. He's waving a gun in the air, as well as a large pipe with which he decked John. It's John I'm concerned about. But it turns out I shouldn't have been so worried. I throw my purse at the guy just as John comes up behind him and grabs him. The gun hits the ground and I grab it and point it at the guy as John wrestles for the pipe. John gets it and gives the guy a good whap on the head and that sends him spiraling towards the ground. I lower the gun.

John runs over to me. "Are you ok?" he pants, out of breath.

"Yeah John, I'm fine," I reassure him. "But, look at your forehead."

I touch it gingerly and feel his warm blood on my fingers.

"Nah, it's nothin' but a scratch."

"Look Mr. Macho, we need to get that checked out, come on," I say as I grab his hand.

Later he's sitting on a bed as a doctor stitches him up. He'll be fine, but I always knew that. We leave the hospital together and walk back towards his car – I'll drive him home because he needs some rest. This certainly has been a different date, if you can call it that at all. As he gets out of the car, I come around to meet him. It is all too similar to the night he brought me home after my crash.

But this one is different. I don't know why, but I just got this urge to kiss him. So I did. I had been waiting forever, so I finally fulfilled my desire. It was just a light little peck on his lips, but he smiled, so it meant so much more.

He turned to go and was almost inside the door when he called, "See you tomorrow?"

"You bet," I answered. I knew from now on things would be different.