Notes: A huge 'THANK YOU' to the lovely Starbuck0322 who helped me A LOT.
She cornered him as he was about to leave the building. Much in the same way that she intercepted him when Agent Bernard Dillon was looking for Jimmy the Mouth.
She seemed to glide on the floor, her arms coming up to stabilize her.
He stopped abruptly, surprised.
They both froze for a moment. Then she took a step forward, being the one crowding him for a change. He stepped back, angling his head up to watch her closely. She kept advancing.
"What was that for?" she whispered in his ear.
He put his hand to her hip and stayed close to her this time. To a passerby they could have been dancing the tango; and they might have, if not for the tension in the room. His grip tightened and he smirked.
He immediately noticed her eyes darkening a little.
She was not playing games.
Or was she?
He paused, narrowed his eyes on her, deciding he'd better tread carefully in both cases.
He started rubbing his thumb against her almost unconsciously, his smirk morphing into a smile, a smile of adoration.
She tensed a little at that.
Why did it seem she always read him a bit better? Wasn't he her blind spot too? He had thought it was a give-and-take.
"You did, you know love" he said, and she made the slightest and most adorable pout at that remark and he couldn't restrain from grinning.
He started moving toward her but caught himself in time and turned, bringing her along with him to the lab. She indulged him. He immediately replayed the restaurant video. She did not comment at how handy it was, a couple of days after it happened, and watched the screen while he zoomed on her face. He muted the video while she saw her own eyes glint and spark.
She didn't need to hear the words, she remembered perfectly what she had said. Even though she had not planned it, they had flown from her mouth. She had tried to tell herself she was that good. Now, feeling his stare on her, she knew she was simply inspired.
But why was her heartbeat accelerating again?
She flicked her glance to the side, feeling his sudden presence beside her. He was wearing a small tender smile as if he had never been more at peace in his life. She lightly bit her lip and finally turned to face him again. He dared to waggle his eyebrows and she laughed; a genuine little laugh that made his smile widen.
She gave him a once over and saw his surprise and delight. She had no idea how he was keeping so still but appreciated his commitment. He was open and taking this oh so seriously.
Her gaze finally returned to his and it was her turn to smirk. "Well, I did, didn't I?"
She restrained from laughing again at his blatant surprise. He had not expected her to relent that easily, and she allowed the tiniest of a smug smile to spread across her face. He leaned toward her and took control of the dance once again.
He was so ready for those next tango steps.