Anyone wanna add to my plot? I don't have one so...I just like the romance :]

Shrugging out of my jacket, I swear the smile that was on my face just widened as I head Jared rummaging around for the traditional fried rice and orange chicken he'd find on my refrigerator shelf. It was almost comforting in its weirdness that he knew where to find my food and set himself up in front of my TV if the Sox game was anything to go on. There's an absence of swearing, so I take that as a sign that it's going well.

Making my way downstairs and back to my living room, seeing Wysocki's shoeless feet on my coffee table and Chinese food being shoveled into his mouth was a sight for sore eyes. He hadn't been around as much since he had a fiancé, but I guess somewhere I really missed eating nuked Chinese and a good baseball game to unwind or give my brain the time to rest before hitting the ground running once again. I decided sleeping while he was here wasn't appropriate, but his invitation to join me was oddly tempting…

"Hey, what's the score" I asked as I plopped down next to him, only receiving a dazed stare before he seemed to understand my question.

"Oh, Sox of course. Sorry I zoned out for a sec"

"Zoned out, you? Do I need Ever's to make sure you get sleep as well as covering your ass out there" I teased, getting his eyebrow raise like clockwork.

"Please, I can be sleepwalking and still save the kid before Lassie has to go barking that he fell in a well again" he retorted as he shoved more rice into his mouth.

"You're just mad because he's a Cubs fan"

"He has ta go! How you can like the Cubs over the Sox is beyond me, and don't even try to deny it" he said pointing his fork in my direction a few feet away on the couch. I raised my hands in surrender,

"Hey! I wasn't but he's damn good at his job so as long as he keeps you breathing he can root for the Dodgers for all I care"

He got this look on his face, the intense one like in the car, but the air this time was charged with just a bit of energy I could feel on me like walking outside in the humid days of July. It was hot and intriguing, but because someone just had to hit a homerun, the moment was gone like that. I could feel him slipping away, but that playful look in his eyes gave me a bit of hope.

"Anyway, I really didn't have to tell you anything tonight"

"What? Wysocki, I could be sleeping!" I crossed my arms over my chest and saw his eyes flicker down. Interesting.

"Nah, you know I'm more fun than lying in bed…" there was that smirk again, "unless of course that's an invitation"

He leaned in closer to me and I felt myself lean closer and onto the back of my couch just a few inches from him. He still smelled of orange chicken and Chicago air, but the combination on him really does a number on me when I least expect it. Pulling away from him, I got up and leaned over him to grab his rice, momentarily forgetting that I had on a tank top and shorts, not pants and a blazer. I could feel his stare on my legs as I sat down closer to him this time, remembering that these shorts weren't very long to begin with. I pretended to watch the game as I took a few bites, but I could feel his gaze burning a hole in the side of my neck this time.

"Something on your mind Detective Wysocki?"

I asked as I turned slightly towards him, thinking he was farther away than he really was. I jerked my face back in shock, but all he did was wait for me to turn back so he could rest his chin on my shoulder and look at the TV screen again. I could feel his breath on my neck and collarbone, but I refused to let him see how unsettling his suddenly touchy feely demeanor was. We stayed like that for a few minutes before he spoke.

"Fire"

"What?"

"Fire. Fire burns everything it touches and leaves nothing in its wake. We're playing with fire"

"What are you talking about…"

"Teresa, you're not stupid so don't start playin' dumb now. It's dangerous and intriguing. It's fire and I won't let you get burned too" he said, and he just got up and headed for the door, leaving me to almost fall over in his abrupt departure.

"Jarek!" no answer, "Detective Wysocki, don't you dare ignore me!"

He turned around right as he stepped out of my front door, a look of heat and pain on his face.

"I'm a grown women, I've been making my own decisions for some time and don't appreciate the display of chauvinism as you decide what I will and won't do" I said in my demanding voice, noticing the way his shoulders squared as he stalked toward me. Without my heels, I'm not too much shorter, but the way he loomed over me gave me a rush of excitement and adrenaline as well as uncertainty.

"My apologies Superintendent" he mocked as he got just a little closer, "but I refuse to let you go down in flames"

His eyes softened and I understood just what he meant this time, but didn't expect him to say it aloud.

"You're the smartest woman I know that has a real shot at making a difference. I'm your ex-partner, I'm your friend, and I'm your employee for all purposes. Did I miss anything?" He looked at me, knowing that it was now or never; either I made it real, or I let it slide for the sake of the job.

"I think we both need some sleep Jarek" I noticed his face fall so I quickly continued, "Take my couch and we'll talk more tomorrow. I'm better once I've slept and had coffee" I teased, hoping he'd accept.

"You're always the best" he said, gently grabbing my chin so I'd meet his eyes, "and don't you forget it" he whispered as he moved past me back to the couch.

Closing the door, I leaned against it and had just this one thought:

What in the hell is this man doing to me?