As James was heading toward the motor pool Miles was carrying on incessantly in the passenger seat next to him. He had no idea what he was talking about, but gave an agreeable grunt or nod every so often to appease him.

Right now he could only focus on the pit at the bottom of his stomach. It was a mixture of something between dread and a sort of giddiness at the thought of seeing a certain blonde when they arrived. There was dread because he had been trying to avoid thinking about her for over a month now. And giddiness because whenever he did let himself think about her he was overcome with an unfamiliar joy.

Whenever his thoughts strayed like this he would catch himself smiling like an idiot and then immediately curse under his breath. He had never been in this situation before and was finding it very irritating, to say the least. Sure he had plenty of women he couldn't get off his mind; some in the not so recent past even. The difference was he had almost always been soley focused on getting them in bed, getting their money, or both. The thought of anything more than that wasn't even a concept he had thought of before. If it was a con, no problem, but this…

'What is this even?'

He grunted at his thought, but Miles took at as active listening and carried on as James worked out the predicament in his head once more.

His mind had been entirely preoccupied lately about ways he might spend more time with Juliet. It probably wasn't even possible to spend more time with her because they already spent most of their waking hours together, besides work. Not to mention that the time spent was usually doing the most mundane boring things: like watching her read, cleaning the dishes, or talking all night long on the porch of the house they shared with Miles and Jin.

It started off innocent enough. They had bonded during all their time travels and she had agreed to stay for a while longer when he asked. He wasn't sure why he asked even then, but she stayed (for 6 months now) and that was all that mattered. Her presence was becoming addicting somehow and it scared the hell out of him.

But damn if she wasn't easy to talk to; so easy that he was pretty sure he should pay her therapy fees at this point. He was constantly trying to understand why she was so willing to listen to him. And every time she surprised him because sometimes she would offer a word of advice and other times she would just listen and look at him with those damn blue eyes full of sympathy and comfort ( and never pity).

The response which was giving him the most trouble lately was when she would simply smile at him. It was a particular smile… more of a smirk, a twinkle in her eyes that hit him like a ton of bricks every time. This smile of hers was like she was staring straight into him. There was no bullshit between them. He was pretty sure this was the first time in life he had experienced this feeling. Maybe Cassidy and Kate came close to calling him out, but he had always still been able to use his powers of charm on them. Maybe the difference is that Juliet saw the bullshit, but didn't seem to mind. Or maybe…maybe she just saw HIM and so he had no reason to lie to her. Or maybe she didn't think of him at all except as another lonely stranded soul stuck on this damn island. Maybe they were just friends and that smile is just her innocent way of comforting him.

He frowned at the thought.

Either way all he knew was that she seemed to do it a lot lately and it took everything in him to resist the urge to reach out and touch her, to kiss the part of her mouth that curled into that smile.

He tried to force himself to stop this line of thinking.

"Grrr…" He let out an exasperated growl.

"Okay boss?"

He looked like a deer in headlights. "Yeah…this van is just pissing me off. We don't have time to keep getting stranded."

'Good cover you idiot.' He scolded himself once again.

"Yeah, Dude. I know, what if…."

Miles trailed off again as they pulled up. For a second James thought maybe they were safe; maybe she was at lunch and someone else could look at the car. Just then his thought was interrupted as the tall blonde in blue coveralls stepped out of the shaded overhang walking towards them. She immediately met his gaze and her face lit up. He took a deep breath and his mouth hung open as he cranked down the manual window. She smiled at him as she rest her arms on the driver's side door.

"Hey guys, what do I owe the pleasure?" Her eyebrow arched in a playful manner as she said it and he knew he was done for now. He didn't return the smile, but just kept staring at her with his mouth open. When he didn't answer, she tried a different question.
"Something wrong with the van?"

James still just looked at her wide eyed. He could see she was talking, but for the life of him he had no idea what she just said. Miles rolled his eyes and piped in this time since James had suddenly become mute.

"You could say that! The damn thing is as temperamental as a girl! Sometime it starts, sometimes it doesn't. Earlier today we got stuck on the north shore for half an hour until it suddenly decided to work again. Of course Harpo here gave her a few kicks so that's probably what got her running again!"

"Sounds like it could be the starter-motor or maybe bad plugs. Why don't you pull around in the last stall and I can take a look."

James didn't respond and she gave him a forced blink, silently questioning him if he was okay. His attention returned when she did this and he smiled a little to reassure her.

Miles interrupted their silent conversation. "EARTH to JIM! You gonna drive or should I?"

"I got it Genghis. Cool your jets!"

He lurched the van forward pulling into the spot as she walked after them. Miles jumped out of the van.

"This gonna take long?"

"I don't know. Depends on what's wrong."

"Well I'm taking lunch! I've had enough of waiting on cars today. See ya."

She waved after him as he walked off toward the cafeteria. James still hadn't gotten out of the van so she walked to the window again. He stared straight ahead.

"And what about you Mr. LaFleur? You leaving me with your dirty work too?"

She was expecting a laugh at least, but got nothing. He climbed out and shut the door. She stepped forward, backing him up against the side of the van now.

"Are you okay James?" He could see she was genuinely concerned for him now.

"Yeah, I just…it's been a long morning."

"Okay." She said it gently, still not sure there wasn't a need to be concerned about him.

"Well do you want to wait here or are you going with Miles?"

He gazed at her wide eyed, "Yeah, I'll stay."

Now that he was in her presence he knew he could not leave. She was the sun and he was a planet. He could not escape her pull now. He followed her to the back of the van as she popped the back panel up to look at the engine. He watched her with curiosity as she gave a cursory examination. He imagined she did this with her patients too and smiled to himself.

'Damnit,' mentally berating himself once more.

"You have the keys?" She stepped into his personal space again, waiting for his response.

He recovered quickly this time. "Yeah, yeah…here ya go."

She reached out to grab them from his open palm; her finger tips lingering on his for an agonizing few seconds. He held his breath and shut his eyes as she swiped the keys up and proceeded to the driver's side again. All business as usual, she seemed completely unaware of how she was making him feel. She jumped in and tried to start the engine and thankfully the problem happened again so she could see for herself. The van gave a faint whining sound, but the ignition just wouldn't turn over.

"Ahh. I see now! How long has it been doing this?"

She moved to the back again and proceeded to question him about all the details of the car trouble. He answered her matter of fact as he continued to gaze at her as she worked. She swiped a strand of her blonde hair out of her eyes and then slowly bent over a toolbox on the ground…her ass in full view. Then her tongue swiped across the side of her lip as she happily spotted the wrench she was after.

She was oblivious as his frustration grew and he suddenly exclaimed, "Holy shit I can't take it!"

She was completely taken aback and stood up to face him.

"I'm sorry, what's wrong?" She questioned his eyes with her own; her voice full of concern at his sudden outburst.

He felt like a kid caught with his hand in the candy jar. Had he just said that aloud? He had no idea what he was thinking, but decided there was nothing to be done except fess up.

"You're trying to kill me." His voice was a quiet husk now.

"What?" Her voice was soft and completely bewildered at his accusation.

"You in your little jump suit…and the smiling, and JUST EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU! You're driving me crazy and it's taking everything in me not to grab you and kiss you right now."

She was shocked for a second, but a knowing smile appeared on her face. She looked away suddenly feeling shy. She covered her mouth for a second with her hand as she thought about what he just said. She wasn't sure what to say at first, but suddenly with renewed courage she asked him, "Why DON'T you kiss me James?"

Her question prodded the honesty right out of him. It was like he he couldn't stop from telling her even if he wanted to.

"Cause I've been trying to be a gentlemen…cause I don't want it just to be about sex…cause I don't know what this is between us…"

He paused before continuing, this last thought suddenly dawning on him, "because I LIKE you Juliet." He looked up at her afraid of what she was going to say next. It was too late to take anything back.

She didn't say anything though. Instead she met his eyes, her lips pursing into a closed smile so big it reached her eyes. She tilted her head at him as though he was a lost cause.

"I meant it as a suggestion, not a question."

Understanding was starting to pierce his foggy mind, but he wanted to be sure.

"What?" He asked it with a bit of hope in his voice.

"Kiss me James!" A giggle erupted from her this time.

'Oh shit. Is this happening?' He searched her eyes to confirm if he was understanding her and finally the light bulb went off.

"You got it blondie!"

He closed the space between them immediately this time, grabbing both of her hands and pulling her closer. They were both tentative, but smiled reassuringly at each other as he captured her mouth. Equally gentle at first; they both explored each other's lips before her tongue darted out to taste his. He moaned as he deepened the kiss this time, still holding both her hands tightly.

He had no idea if anyone was watching and he didn't care if they were. She started to lose her balance as the kiss went on so he grabbed her waist, pulling her even closer to steady her against his body. Her arms settled on his chest. And their exploration went on until they both pulled back panting for air. She whimpered as his lips left hers. He looked down at her and they both smiled back at each other.

She found her voice again, "Did that help?"

"What?"

"You said I was driving you crazy, I thought if you kissed me it might help you."

"No, I don't think so." He gave her a mischievous grin.

She cocked an eyebrow back at him, "Maybe you should try again."

"Good idea."

He pulled her back again and it was his turn to tease her with his tongue. She captured his mouth fully and she reached up to graze his jaw, pulling him even closer. His hands were making their way further down the small of her back when suddenly they were interrupted.

"Hmm, HMMM!"

James recognized the sarcasm of the intruder at once. He didn't even have to look at Miles to know he was there. An annoyed James LaFleur hissed under his breath, but didn't dare pull away from Juliet.

"What do you want Enos?"

"Well, we got a 10-66 over on the south perimeter. Someone reported it might be a hostile. Sooo."

"Why you tellin' me about it then? Get over there!"

"Well I would have interrupted my lunch to go over there, BY MYSELF…except last I checked my partner and I were waiting on our ride to get fixed. And for some reason it seems like our mechanic might be a little delayed now. I'm thinking she may have gotten a little sidetracked with your mouth."

Juliet smiled into James' shoulder, not daring to look at Miles. James let her out of their embrace, shooting Miles a death stare as he did.

"Remind me to shoot you later, will ya?"

"Sure thing boss. So about that ride?"

Juliet looked back up at James and smiled. "I've got a Jeep you can borrow. I just need to grab the keys."

His face fell into a sulk as she walked away to the office. She returned a moment later and led them to the Jeep. Miles left their side and jumped in the vehicle. James stood in front of Juliet on the driver's side, not sure what to say.

"I'm sorry, I… Well, can I see you later?"

"You know where I live."

She smiled playfully at him as she reached out to give him the keys. As he took them she made a point to snag his fingertips once more with her own. It sent chills up his arm. His eyes darkened and he flashed a dimpled grin at her as she did it.

"Oh, you ARE killing me."

He tried to quickly brush past her to jump in the Jeep, but she called after him.

"Hey James."

He turned to meet her eyes again, "Yeah?"

"I like you too."

She smiled at him as she said it…THE smile. He stood there for far too long smiling back at her once again like a complete idiot. He didn't try to correct himself this time. This felt too good. There was one thing he knew for sure though, she really was trying to kill him.

"ANY DAY NOW!" Miles called from inside the jeep.

"Go." She quietly instructed him. It was like she released him from her powers finally. He smiled at her one more time before jumping in the Jeep and pulling out quickly. Juliet could hear him yelling at Miles as they drove off.

"YOU BETTER PRAY IT IS A HOSTILE, CAUSE EITHER WAY SOMEONE'S GONNA GET IT!"