Unbidden tears were on Addie's lashes when the elevator doors closed. She hated it when she cried but the last several hours had been so intense so grueling that her emotional resolve was gone. Hours of questioning over why her charge, a man, under duress, because his son was being accused of a crime, had been allowed into an NCIS interrogation room with a non-lethal weapon (but a weapon nonetheless) had worn her out. A weapon had been used to injure an NCIS agent, her friend that she had crushed on and flirted with for years.

If she hadn't stopped to chastise him for an off color comment then he wouldn't be spending the night in the hospital and her man, a sailor whom she had trusted wouldn't have a crushed ankle from a bullet wound. Brown would face captain's mast for his part with the Taser. But ultimately the responsibility for not being observant enough would fall to her shoulders. She could lose her security clearance and if that happen her career as a Naval Officer was over. Not that she didn't deserve it, in fact she was seriously considering resigning her commission.

Everything had gone wrong. She had made a horrible mistake by not clearing the air with Chris about "Royce". She'd meant too, but an impromptu training mission right before the Christmas holiday prevented her from doing so. It was a lame excuse, one now that she sorely regretted. But damn it, she just needed some time before deciding whether or not to give into her feelings.

Well now was her chance to come clean or at least that was she thought as the elevator doors opened and she came face to face with Meredith Brody.

"Lt. Commander Watkins," Brody placed a hand on her hip, smiling deviously. "Is that for Chris?" The fact that Addie was holding a gift basket, with a small stuffed Elephant, (Big Al of course) attached intrigued her greatly.

"Do you think it's too much?" Addie asked her eyes widening with sudden insecurity as Brody began to carefully inspect the contents.

"Beef Jerky, boiled peanuts, 3 different types of beer, candy and Zappo's Potato Chips?"

Not that Brody tended to pry, well ok so she did especially when it came to LaSalle, but undoubtedly the gift basket was intended to be an ice breaker, an apology perhaps? The interrogator in her really needed to know but was hesitant to ask. "He'll love it." She said biting her tongue.

Addie smiled trying to look pleased.

"Are you all right?" Brody asked. She hadn't missed the irritated tear filled eyes and smudged mascara. And neither would Chris.

"Fine." Addie returned stoic.

Brody smiled at her sympathetically. She could relate to Addie not wanting to blurt out her feelings, but at the moment, the Lt. Commander seemed to be wearing them on her sleeve. "Look, I know you didn't ask for my advice but if I were you, I'd stop off in the ladies room before you go see Chris," she said, tapping the sensitive area under her own eye. "LaSalle can be very perceptive."

"How's he doing?" Addie knew that Taser burns could be very serious and that in some cases could lead to some very serious complications.

"He's fine." Brody said, pressing the elevator down button. "He had an irregular heart beat earlier so they wanted keep him over night just to be safe."

The elevator door opened and Brody stepped inside. "They're letting him go home first thing in the morning."

After heeding Brody's advice and nearly scrubbing her face clean, Addie made her way into Chris' room where she found him haphazardly flipping through the channels.

"Lt. Commander Watkins, what brings you here?" He sat up a little taller as she neared the bed and placed the basket on the over-the-bed table.

Addie sucked in a deep breath, not quite certain where to begin. "Well after I ruined your surprise last week, I thought you deserved something."

"So this doesn't have anything to do with me, getting' shocked by your guy this afternoon?" he asked, curiously picking at the contents in the basket. Carefully, he plucked one of the bottles of beer into his hand.

"Pumpkin Ale? Did you get this on Holiday clearance?"

He was being relentless.

Addie felt her ears grow warm. "Should I take it back and give it to Royce?"

"No," LaSalle answered quickly, "But speaking of Royce, why aren't you with him?" LaSalle already knew the answer he just wanted to hear her say it. Quibbling aside, she'd had a hard day; the last thing he expected was for her to spend it with him, hanging out in the hospital.

Addie averted her eyes, pursing her lips. "Because, he's my brother and he doesn't live here." Royce wanted to be here for the frocking ceremony but his flight got cancelled." She said refusing to make eye contact.

A grin tipped Chris' lips, prompting a smile that almost reached his eyes. "I know, I went pokin'"

"AND YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING?" Addie's eyes widen, her voice rising more than one octave. "Just for that, I oughta find that Tazer and let you have again!" she added, watching him smirk. "But for the record, Royce spilled wine on his shirt and if you would have stuck around I would have told you that."

"Then we might not have ended up kissin," Chris said, dipping his head, sheepishly.

"No, we wouldn't." She said, adding a hint of huskiness to her voice. No denying it she was falling for him or falling deeper for him rather which was something she couldn't afford to happen.

"If we hadn't of kissed, then today would have never happened."

Chris let out a sigh. He felt like such a jerk. "I'm sorry about today. It was all my fault."

"Not all of your fault," Addie countered, unable to stop herself from touching the side of his face when he looked away. She would refrain from telling him that the two of them had successfully managed to put her career into the toilet. That could wait until later.

He rolled his eyes up at her as he took her hand into his. "So, I suppose this is why we shouldn't date." He said lowly.

"I suppose it is, but just that you know, that was a really good kiss," she swallowed, praying she didn't start hiccupping with emotion. But she was breaking up with him before they had even dated!

"Ya want another one?" Chris quipped, watching her nod furiously, tears filling her eyes. He never quite knew what to do when women cried in front him, but this was Addie. Without another word, he prompted her to lower the bed railing and then enveloped her into his arms, kissing her softly until he sensed she wanted more. This time he took his time in kissing her and it felt good. Man, did it feel good. If he didn't stop, he was going to have a hard time explaining the sudden bulge in the sheets.

"How was that?" he asked licking his lips when they parted.

"I don't know," Addie grinned outlining the shape his mouth with her finger, "I think you were holding out on me."

"Really?"

"I think you can do better," she whispered, anchoring her hand behind his neck punctuating her words, "Much better."