Another short (and a bit angsty) little drabble about their first time saying I love you after the events of 5x07. I had this scene playing around in my head ever since I watched the episode, so I hope you enjoy!

Also, I've seen several comments asking for a longer story. I want you to know I am seeing them and I am touched. I am open to the idea of doing a longer story, but as of now, the inspiration has not struck. When it does, we'll all be in for a ride (and if you have ideas, send them my way!) But for now, I've got some super sweet one-shots coming up in the next few weeks.

Thanks again for all the support! Enjoy!

"Dammit, Tasha." He says when they are finally in the privacy of their own small section of the bunker.

"Reade, I don't need a lecture. I'm fine."

After they learned that Madeline had her hands on ZIP, the team split up to denature and track the ZIP shipments. Jane and Weller went after one shipment while Rich and Zapata went after another. Reade stayed with Patterson to help man down the fort. He did not like the idea of Tasha going out without him, but she insisted.

"I'll be fine" She whispered to him softly that morning after kissing him sweetly. "I can take care of myself."

So, when Rich came back without her, he was pissed. He was pissed at Rich for letting her out of his sight. He was pissed at Zapata for doing something so stupid when she was pregnant. But most of all, he was pissed at himself for letting her go out there without him.

The minute she walked back into the bunker he wrapped her up in his arms. They did not get much of a reunion before the team needed her to relay the information she had back to them. He was quiet the whole time, waiting for the moment they could stop focusing on the zip and he could get a moment alone with her.

"Tash, you're pregnant. You can't be making risky calls like that." He paces around the small room, hand on his neck.

"What? You think since you knocked me up that now you get to tell me what to do?" Her hands move to her hips and he knows she is mad at him.

"I'm not telling you what to do. I'm just asking you not to take unnecessary risks-"

"Look at where we are, Reade." She cuts him off. "We are underground in a bunker because we are global fugitives wanted for terrorism. Every damn thing we do is a risk. I'm just trying to figure out a way to change that so I don't have to give birth to our child as a wanted criminal."

"Well, I'd prefer you not get yourself and our baby killed in the process." He fights back.

There is a pause and he knows they are both angry and hurting and they are just taking it out on each other. The news of Tasha's pregnancy, while exciting and joyous, put a lot of pressure on the group. It was only a matter of time before they were down a member and eventually, they would have another person to protect. Everyone started working harder after they found out Tasha was pregnant, but with that, the tension grew.

"I'm not going to do something stupid." Tasha starts. "I just-I want our child to grow up somewhere that's not here. I want them to be safe. But I am not risking their life just to take down Madeline."

He takes her hand and pulls her to him and wraps his arm around her. She accepts his embrace and they stand there for a few moments, soaking up the calm in the midst of the storm.

"I love you." He whispers softly.

Neither of them had said that before. They both knew it, sure, but neither of them had said those three words that made it all so real. They had told each other they cared and that they were in this to the end and that when they got out, they would be a real family, but never "I love you." He knew he felt it way before they ended up in this bunker, but with all that was going on, he wanted the first time he told her to be something special. She at least deserved that.

But now, he did not care. He just needed her to know how he felt. He needed her to know that he could not live without her and their child and damn it, he did not care if they lived out the rest of their days in this bunker, he just needed her by his side.

"I was scared when you went off on your own." He continues. "I just can't imagine something happening to you or the baby. You two are my everything."

Her eyes are bright and her face is soft and she cups his cheek with her hand as she says, "Nothing is going to happen to us. I promise. We are right here with you, until the very end."

He smiles, wrapping her up in a hug and holding her tight.

"I love you too." She whispers into his chest and while this was not how he imagined their first time saying those three words, nothing with them has ever been conventional. He kisses the top of her head and holds her close to him, treasuring this quiet moment with the woman he loves.

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