Here begins the rest of the fixes, expansions, and improvements to certain moments + encounters throughout the series that take up copious amounts of space in my head. I have not known a moment of peace since 2002. Enjoy.

4 – Expressions of Love; 0805 Manhunt

Monica watches Gloria go with Tess, mild embarrassment turning the skin of her cheeks pink. She counts to ten in her head before turning to Andrew, who's looking at her with a mix of amusement and … something else.

"So, you were teaching Gloria about expressions of love, hmm?"

His boyish grin, slightly unkempt blonde locks, and loosely buttoned shirt does nothing to help calm the continuously burning flush of color on her face. Why did he always forget the top button?

"Well, she did ask and I was trying to explain and then you showed up before I could—"

"Finish," he interrupts, "yes, you said that."

He steps closer, grin widening, green eyes twinkling in the late-afternoon light. Despite the warmth in the air, her skin prickles and a shiver flutters rapidly up her spine.

"I was just trying to—"

Again, before she can manage a full thought, he stops her, this time with a delicate brush of his thumb across her bottom lip.

"I think that I'd really like to hear this explanation," he says, eyes darting around the park full of people, "but … maybe not here."

Before she can protest or argue or say that Tess will be missing them, her hand is in his and he's leading her around the corner of a building, backing her into a wall, and fully invading her personal space. He looks at her expectantly, sending another rush of excitement through her nerves.

"Kiss," she says in a low voice, "from the Old English cyssan."

He reaches up and gently pushes the straw hat from her head. It falls to the ground at their feet, forgotten.

"Meaning?" He presses, face inching closer to hers, the fingers of one hand moving through her golden red hair.

"Meaning …" she continues with a light gasp, eyes slipping shut in anticipation, "to touch with the lips, usually to express love or affection or … passion."

As soon as the last word falls from her mouth, he puts her formal definition into an informal, more practical context. His lips are warm, his breath is sweet, and she can't help the satisfied hum that escapes her, or the way her weakened knees threaten to give out. For several long moments, she knows nothing but this all-encompassing expression of love, of affection, of passion.

He breaks away at last.

"Like that?" He questions, his tone laden with beguiling curiosity, the twinkle returning to his eyes. Not quite ready for this lesson to come to an end, she pulls him back in with a contemptuous sigh.

"Yes," she responds breathlessly, in the sliver of space and time before his lips touch hers again, "just like that."

Next up: 5 – Temptation 0723 Netherlands

xoxo, A