Scene setup:

After John's birthday celebration at the palace, John and Evangeline go back to his apartment to continue the celebration.

"Okay, okay, uncle, uncle," Evangeline was laughing so hard she was nearly crying. A playful tap had turned into a wrestling match. John had pinned her down to the bed and was playfully pummeling her. She'd surprised John with her agility, but his strength gave him a natural advantage.

"Mhm," John released his hold on her and swiped the hair away from his face. "You're no Rocky, but with a little work you can probably hold your own."

"Yeah, because all those lawyers down at the courthouse can get a little unruly sometimes." She rolled her eyes and reached down to pull off her boots.

"I was talking about your clients," he joked, but he was sort of serious. Months ago, she'd been attacked by some racist scum, and it was pure luck that Michael was there to keep her safe. John had wanted to get her a small handgun, but she shut that idea down quickly. She dealt with dangerous criminals daily and he'd wanted to protect her. "Couldn't hurt to learn some self defense stuff." He kissed the back of her head and pushed away the lingering thoughts of her being hurt like that again.

"Sure thing, detective." Evangeline leaned back seductively against the pillows. This would have to stand in place of the gift she would have gotten him if she'd had notice in advance. "Anything else I can get for you." Her dress which was lowcut was revealing more cleavage than she would allow to show in public.

John smiled. "Cake, sex, can this birthday get any better?" He leaned in to kiss her and let out a frustrated sigh when her phone rang.

"Hold that thought." Evangeline gave him quick kiss on the cheek and rolled to the other side of the bed to get her phone. "Evangeline Williamson."

John sat in silence as she dealt with her phone call. It was a client and they sounded agitated. Evangeline was trying to calm the man down, but John could hear yelling despite her best efforts. Around the five-minute mark of the conversation, John grabbed her digital camera and started to look through the pictures. His back was facing her so she couldn't see the smile on his face. They looked good together. John felt a little bad that some of the better pictures were blurred due to his movement. He made a note to put up less of a fight the next time.

Evangeline had rolled onto her stomach and smiled as John massaged her back. Her client was ranting and raving, but there wasn't anything she could do for him tonight. His family was not able to come up with enough money to bond him out. He didn't want to spend the night in jail, but it was after hours and Evangeline couldn't do anything until morning. It took nearly twenty minutes, but she'd finally gotten him off the phone.

"I'm sorry about that." Evangeline flopped her head onto the pillow and carelessly let her phone fall to the floor.

"No worries." Enjoying the soft sounds she was making, John continued her massage. "I had a really good time tonight. Can't remember having a birthday this good since...since I was about as young as I was in that picture.

Evangeline smiled. "Here, let me do you." Evangeline had planned on making this night special for him, but he was slowly putting her to sleep.

"We're doing what I want because it's my birthday, right?" He scooted down beside her so that his body was pressed against hers. He continued her massage after she nodded her head. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up." John found himself constantly apologizing to her. She wasn't being demanding. She just called him on his crap and help him accountable. It had been a long time since anyone had done either of those things.

Evangeline rolled over so she was facing him. She grabbed the hand that had been massaging her and held it in hers. "I'm just going to have to get you an extra special present next year." She kissed him deeply finally ready to give him his preset. She was surprised when he ended the kiss early.

"You're all that I need." John's eyes met hers and he looked at her seriously. "I don't know how or why we ended up together. The memorable drunken nights I'm mostly familiar with end up with me taking some poor soul in on a DUI." He would probably never be able to drink wine again without thinking of Evangeline.

Evangeline's smile widened. She felt warm allover from the memory. She'd never done anything that impulsive in her life and she was glad that she did. Even though John couldn't say the same to her, Evangeline loved John. "Occupational hazard," Evangeline joked to lighten the mood. She didn't want to ruin John's night by focusing on work or his feelings.

"I'm serious. You know, what are the chances that someone like you falls for a guy like me? You're smart, beautiful, determined, successful. Probably isn't anything you can't do if you put your mind to it." John stroked the side of her face lovingly. Words had been hard for him in the past, but she was making that easier.

"Don't sell yourself short McBain. I'm lucky to have you in my life." Evangeline held back her wishful smile. The one thing she couldn't do was to make him love her, and that's what she wanted most of all. John hadn't been the man she'd dreamed of as a little girl. As a woman, she knew that the dreams of a preteen girl were unrealistic. What she had with John wasn't something that she could have ever dreamed of. Their relationship was based on a mutual trust and understanding. They'd had more than a few rough patches, but they grew closer each day.

"Sitting across that table from you tonight…," John paused and gathered his words. His words might not be exactly what she wanted to hear, but tonight he wouldn't hold anything back from her, "I closed my heart off a long time ago. Too much pain. Too much suffering. Sitting across that table from you tonight, I knew if I was ever going to say those words again. I'd say them to you." John wiped the single tear that rolled down her cheek.

"John," Evangeline's words died in her throat. It wasn't 'I love you,' but this was pretty darn good for John McBain.

"I think, Evangeline, I think I'm falling in love with you." As quick as the words were out of his mouth, John was on top of her. He kissed her hard while pushing her down to the mattress. He would make love to her now, but he wanted to make sure she'd heard him. "I'm falling in love with you, Evangeline." When he kissed her again, he felt her melting in his arms.