They decided to stay in a medium-sized hotel that night and relax a little, as the last few days have been uncertain. The next day they would cross the US border. They had been on the run for more than two months and it was time to go back. They had gotten evidence that would help them prove their innocence and they also got some allies who would support them when they set foot in NY. But it was a total apprehension that everyone was feeling, as they would separate and meet only when they arrived in the USA.

Tasha finished the bath and plopped down on the bed, sinking into the pillows and comforters, as it felt good on her tired body, she wore a loose slight T-shirt and sweatpants, the temperature inside the room was pleasant. The Latina was lazily zapping the TV channels when a knock on the door made her startle. She picked up her gun and approached the door, remaining silent in an attempt to hear some noise and find out who was outside.

"It's me, Tasha." A voice whispered from the other side of the door.

"Thank God!" She sighed with relief to see who was waiting for her smiling on the other side of the door.

"What are you doing? I brought beer." He said showing four little bottles in his hand. "What's that gun for?"

"I don't know. It could be anyone. Come on in." She put the gun away and they sat on the bed.

*Tomorrow everything changes." She risked putting her thoughts out after a few sips of beer.

"I know. It will be difficult because we will enter separately. But it is too risky for us to go together."

"Yes." Tasha's look showed her concern. "We will all separate and it will be each one for himself."

"Yes. We've all been together all this time. I also feel a little strange that we have to separate, but we are on the other side." He gave her a comfortable smile.

Tasha emptied the beer bottle with a few more sips and looked down. She wasn't convinced that everything would be okay. At least he was there, with her, Reade must have noticed how nervous she was during dinner and came to keep her company.

"Do you want to be alone?"

"No. Stay here." She put her hand on his arm. "Let's look for a movie to watch."

They took off their shoes and cuddled up in bed looking for a movie on TV. They found a romantic comedy and were soon laughing.

"What's it?" She saw that he kept looking at her, and the depth of his gaze made her uncomfortable.

"You are smiling. At least that I did." Reade said affectionately.

Tahsa felt her face go red and lowered her head. He had the power to upset her in a unique way.

"Look at me." Reade took her chin and raised her face. " You look beautiful when you smile." His voice came out low and hoarse.

"Reade..." The man touch on her chin made her shiver a little, the deep look he gave her didn't seem to deceive her, she was sure to see something more than simple friendship there. "What are we?" She ventured in a voice leaving him disconcerted.

"Why do you ask?" Reade withdrew the hand that was on her chin and straightened up on the bed. "Friends, I don't know!"

"No, Reade." Tasha shook her head, she didn't believe they could just be friends, not after all. "We've done some things that friends don't do." Her voice came out sweet and slow.

"What have we done, Tasha?" Reade teased her with a smile forming on his lips.

"I don't need to talk." The brunette crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned.

"Now start talking." He teased her in such a delicious way making her even more embarrassed. "Speak, the first time I kissed you and you said we were just friends, then you confessed that you had feelings for me, the night we spent together and you left..." Reade swallowed and felt a knot forming in your throat. "I missed you every day you were away." Tasha relaxed her arms around her body and Reade took her hand.

"I... I, I'm sorry I didn't tell you where I was. I missed you a lot too..." Tasha also felt a lump form in her throat and her eyes started to sting. She held on, because she didn't want to cry now. Being with Reade by her side was like medicine for her, close to him she felt safe, could be herself and ended up showing her feelings more than she should.

"Hey, look me in the eye, it's all over." Reade passed the index finger over Tasha's cheek causing a tingle in the back of her neck. Diving into the depths of her eyes did him so well, and touching her skin and feeling her shudder at his touch was wonderful. "We also had the kiss last week at the club, but that doesn't count because we were undercover."

"You mean it was as natural as if you kissed Patterson or Jane and me Weller or Rich?" Tasha composed herself and provoked him.

"No! Of course not!" His voice came out a little louder than expected. "I wouldn't kiss if was one of them." This time the voice came out very sweet.

Tasha looked at him and felt his penetrating gaze and didn't know how to react. Then she remembered that they were going to break up in the morning and she got tense again. The desire she had was not to part with him, never, but she knew the risk they were taking and also that they could be caught and arrested or even killed and never meet again.

Reade was tired. They had been outside the USA for more than two months. He wanted to return home safely and wanted to pass that security on to her. He was also feeling the fear she felt, because everything was so uncertain. They didn't know whether they would be able to enter the USA or what they would find when they got there.

When Reade lifted her face and looked into her eyes again he felt such a warmth coming from her gaze that he looked away from her lips and back to her eyes and noticed a slight smile forming on her lips. It was the signal he needed. He kissed her and it was magical, all the affection and sweetness he needed found on her lips. It was a tender and lingering kiss, not urgent and desperate like the one they exchanged at the club. Reade slid his right hand over Tasha's neck and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The kiss was interrupted and the look they gave each other this time was full of love, their eyes shone as if they wanted more, more closeness, more contact, more security. The next kiss was more intense and urgent and what followed was just a consequence of the feeling they had been holding for a long time. Even with so much repressed desire, both wanted to go slowly to enjoy each minute together, exploring and rediscovering each other's bodies, intensifying each contact until they joined in the desire to be satisfied, but guaranteeing each other's pleasure. Sated and exhausted, they both fell asleep in each other's arms.

Tasha woke up with a start in the middle of the night, got up to go to the bathroom and ended up waking up Reade who noticed his tension.

"What happened?" The man asked while Tasha put on his shirt.

"It was nothing. I just went to the bathroom." She lay down next to him again and closed her eyes in an attempt to shake off the insecurity she felt.

"Will be all right."

Reade hugged her, placing kisses on her forehead and forehead, stroking her hair as he said sweet words until he felt her fall asleep again.