As they walked to the dining area, Carter turned to look at him and slipped her arm through his. "You put the table under my name?"

He covered her hand with his. "Did you want me to put it under mine? Which one?" He looked down and winked.

"Right. Shut up, John."

He chuckled and bumped her hip with his.

**** XXX ****

Chapter 5

Dinner was spent laughing and talking and drinking too much wine. They didn't discuss work, not even once. Reese was amazed at how much they actually had in common. They bickered over politics and sports teams. She talked about Taylor and his harem, which Reese was starting to believe he had. Reese told her about the phone number incident – leaving out the reason for the meeting - and his having to pay for losing the bet. She laughed and told him to never bet her son because he never bet unless he knew for a fact that he was going to win.

The conversation was smooth and light; something both of them weren't used to, but seemed to really enjoy. Reese realized with a little jolt that it was the perfect first date; time had just flown.

Neither mentioned the flowers again, but he knew that she wouldn't let it go. Better to grab the bull by the horns before she felt like she had to drag it out of him.

When she finished the last of her coffee, Carter glanced at her watch and looked up at John, surprised. "Do you realize that it's almost 11pm?"

Reese leaned back in his chair, smiling. He'd been doing it so much his cheeks were starting to ache…and he loved it. "That would explain why we're alone in the room and the wait-staff is glaring at us."

She looked around the room and back up at him with a blush. "Oh my God, why didn't you say something?"

He leaned forward and caught her eyes, running his fingers over her hand. "Because I was having a good time and I think you were too. I know the owner so you don't have to worry; they won't kick us out."

"I'm not really worried about that, but I do have to get home. Some of us have a schedule, you know. I have to get Taylor to school…get to work." Still, he noticed, she didn't move from her chair.

He was surprised, but tried not to show it, when she turned her hand to the side and slid her fingers over his palm, seemingly unconsciously. It was almost erotic the way her nails teased him and he held his breath. He could feel the tension in the room increase ten-fold. He wondered if she felt it. She had to.

"That's why I had them call you a cab about 30 minutes ago." He signaled the waiter who looked like he let out a relieved breath and came over. Reese handed him his card and stood to get Carter's blazer. He helped her on with her coat and smoothed his hands over her shoulders. He couldn't seem to stop touching her.

She turned while his hands were still on her shoulders and she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you for tonight. I had a really good time."

Reese slid his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him, pressing her against his chest. He couldn't get over how perfect she felt in his arms. It was right. He knew it. He hoped she knew it. They were being careful, he understood that, but damn it…

The sound of a throat clearing broke the spell and they pulled away. The waiter handed Reese his card. "Your cab is here, sir."

Reese looked down at her, searching her eyes. "Cab's here."

She chuckled. "I heard. C'mon, walk me out."

They stood by the cab, the air cold and blowing. John slipped off his coat and wrapped it around her, holding it.

"John, no. I can't take this; you'll freeze." She tried to shrug out of it, but he pulled it closed a little tighter.

"Carter, take the coat. I live five minutes from here. You know the cab will be cold. Just take the coat."

She nodded. "Thank you. I'll get it back to you."

"You've ferreted out my ulterior motive: you have to bring my coat back. Maybe I can talk you into dinner again."

She bit her lip and looked down. "I, uh, I'd like that."

When she looked back up at him, he swore she focused on his mouth. She wanted him to kiss her. Hell, he wanted to kiss her. Slow burn, he reminded himself even as his hormones urged him to push forward.

"I would too." He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. His hands fisted the coat and pulled it closed around her, drawing her closer to him. "But right now, you need to get in this cab."

She reached up and ran her hand over his jaw, their foreheads still touching. "I know." Her hand slid down over his chest and rested over his heart. He was sure she could feel it pounding through the sweater and skin and bone.

He pressed his cheek against the top of her head; his eyes still closed against the sensation. His hands drifted up to cup her face. If he looked at her, he'd have no choice but to kiss her. Not yet. "Jos. Get in the cab. Now. Please."

He felt her smile and couldn't help the one that turned his mouth up. God, this was going to be so good.

When she pulled away, his eyes opened on a slow blink and his hands dropped to his sides. He felt cold already. "Good night, John. Thank you for dinner."

He stepped back. "You're welcome. And Carter?" She raised her eyebrows at him and slid into the cab. "The flowers. The meanings. Growth and change in friendship. It was that one."

She smiled. "I know." She shut the door and winked at him through the glass.

**** XXX ****

There was absolutely no way he was going to sleep tonight; he'd already figured that out. He'd come so close to kissing her, he could practically feel her lips on his. Practically. But not quite. He knew deep down, it was the right way to handle things - taking it slow - but knowing it and being happy about it were two different things. He'd never wanted to kiss a woman as badly as he'd wanted to kiss Carter…Jos. From the look in her eyes, she'd wanted it too.

His knee bounced with nervous energy as he sat on the couch. He wanted to call her, but it was late; she was probably already asleep.

His phone buzzed on the coffee table and he smiled. Maybe she was reading his mind.

The screen blinked with an incoming text message from….Taylor. Reese clicked the "READ" button with his heart in his throat.

What did you do to my Mom, man?

(What? What's wrong?)

You mean besides the fact that she practically floated into the house? Nothing. She was smiling, dude. Like, huge.

Reese let out a breath. One day he was going to have to explain to Taylor how to converse with a guy who'd spent most of his life expecting the worst to happen when the phone rang. She was floating, huh? That was a good piece of information to have.

(I didn't do anything. We met for dinner. She had a file I needed.)

The file. The file that they'd both completely forgotten about. Reese's smile got wider.

So, um, are we ditching the rest of the plan? I mean, if you guys finally got your shit together…

(Nothing. Happened. We had dinner. And watch your language. Again.)

Uh huh. ;) Don't ask, don't tell. I gotcha. OK, plan's still on. Don't forget…

(Don't worry, I won't. Already got the tickets for the game and made the reservations.)

(Good seats?)

(Finch got them. What do you think?)

(I'm thinkin' 50 yard line! Wait, is that a good idea for you? There will be cameras there. Mom kinda told me people knowing about you was a bad idea.)

(We should be fine but thanks for thinking of that. I'll wear a hat and leave the suit at home.)

It's cool. I mean, you're gonna be hanging with my Mom. She'd kill me if something happened to you. Besides, who'd buy me lunch?

(Nice. Ruin the moment. Go to bed, kid.)

LOL. Night.

Reese shook his head and set his phone down on the table. What a night. Between dinner with Carter and his conversation with Taylor, he hadn't stopped smiling for hours. It was something he could get used to.

He stood and wandered into the kitchen. Standing in front of the open refrigerator, he closed his eyes and replayed the evening in his head. Her smile and laugh; the way she touched his hand without thinking about it; the fact that they didn't discuss one number or one case the whole evening. How comfortable they were with each other. The way she felt against him.

He grabbed a beer and moved back to the couch. He stared at the phone again and looked at his watch. It was after midnight. Almost 12:30, actually. He wasn't going to call her. He picked up the phone to turn it off but before he could press the button, it rang and Carter's number, the one he'd handed her so many months ago, popped onto the screen.

Maybe he wasn't the only one wanting to continue the night. He pressed the answer button. "Miss me already?"

He heard her huff out a laugh. "How did you know?"

Reese stood and walked over to the window, the phone against his ear and the beer dangling from his fingers. He leaned against the frame and looked out into the night. "Just a lucky guess."

"Mmmhmm. A lucky guess. I'll buy that."

He could hear her shuffling around on the other end. "What are you doing?"

The sound of her voice was muffled slightly. He figured she was holding the small cell between her shoulder and ear. "Nothing. You know, we forgot something tonight."

"I know. I realized it when I got home; we can blame it on the wine." Or the fact that we were both thoroughly distracted.

"Yeah, we'll say that. My son had to remind me." He could hear the smile in her voice. She didn't buy it either.

"How did Taylor know?"

More shuffling and shifting. "I told him I was meeting you to give you some information. He saw the file."

"Carter…what are you doing?" He had an idea, but wanted to hear her say it. Desperately.

"I'm…um…changing."

"Changing. Into what?" It was a lame joke, but it had been too perfect an opening and hearing her laugh…yeah, it was worth it.

"Funny. Clothes, smart guy. I'm getting ready for bed." And there it was. Christ, he was pathetic.

"Yeah?" His voice lowered. "What are you wearing?" His mind wandered into the very dangerous territory of lingerie and what colors might look good on her…or lying in a pile on the floor.

"Get your mind out of the gutter. I have a fifteen-year-old in the house and…" she laughed. "….nevermind."

He chuckled and walked back to the kitchen, setting the beer on the counter. She was better than any alcohol. "What were you going to say?"

Reese pushed back the covers on his bed and sat, untying his boots and toeing them off. His socks went next. What the hell were they doing? Did they even know? "And what?"

"And…you're a guy. You ask a woman a question like that and I know you expect to hear something sexy, something sheer…see through…etc, etc."

"It was a joke. You don't have to tell me, you know." He pulled his belt through the loops and unbuttoned his jeans, dropping both to the floor.

"I know. What are you doing?"

He heard the shifting of her bed as she crawled in and he took a deep breath. He knew where this could go. The moment at the cab came back full force. He could have kissed her. Maybe he should have. She could be here with him right now instead of crawling into her own bed, alone. Just wait, play this out. Be patient.

"John?"

"I'm here, sorry. Just…changing." He smiled. Ball's in your court, Jos.

"Yeah? What are you wearing?" Her voice had gotten quieter and just a little deeper.

"I'm not sure I should tell you; I didn't get an answer. Tit for tat, Carter."

She laughed softly. "That was bad. OK…so what am I wearing? An old Yankees t-shirt that's seen better days."

He swallowed hard. "That's it?"

"That's it."

"Damn."

"Sorry…"

"Don't be. That's hot."

She laughed out-loud at his breathy response. "You need help."

"So I've been told." He pulled the sweater over his head and tossed it on the pile.

"Tit for tat, John."

Reese pulled his legs up onto the bed, throwing the covers over him and shifting into a comfortable position on his side. The phone was pressed between his ear and the pillow. "Boxers. Well, technically, boxer briefs."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Damn, that's hot. What color?"

He chuckled. "Such a girl. Um…hang on." He made like he was diving under the covers to check and he could hear her stifling a laugh on the phone. "Sort of a grey-blue."

She coughed. "You had to check? You didn't know what color you put on this morning?"

He snorted. "You said it; I'm a guy; we rarely coordinate our underwear. And if we did, it would be black…you know, to match our socks. Unless we wear sneakers, then it would be white. We're easy that way."

She couldn't control it anymore and burst into a fit of giggles that had him grinning so wide he thought his face was going to split.

"So, is it a guy thing?"

"Is what a guy thing?"

"The whole matching lingerie thing."

"In principal, yeah, I guess. Personally, I couldn't care less." He shifted again, turning to lie on his back. He heard her moving around too. "Getting comfortable?"

"Yeah. Too keyed up to sleep, I think. I should be exhausted, but I'm not."

"I'm having the same problem."

The silence in his ear told him a lot. He knew they were both having the same trouble sleeping…probably for the same reason…but he knew neither would admit it unless directly asked.

"So why don't you care? About the matching lingerie?"

"Because any man worth anything wouldn't even see the lingerie if he's with a woman he has feelings for. He'd just see her."

He heard her breathe a sigh. "Wow. You're a romantic."

"Surprised?"

"You know, I should be, but I'm not. You're an old soul as my grandmother used to say."

He cleared his throat, embarrassed, and ran his hand over his chest. "I don't know about that."

"You're gonna argue with my grandmother? Trust me, she would have had you pegged. And I think she would have liked you."

He smiled. "I'd be honored if she did."

"See? That's what I mean. Most guys would ask why, get me to stroke their ego. You didn't."

He closed his eyes and bit back the remark that immediately came to mind.

She laughed softly in his ear and the sound went directly to his groin. "But you're still a guy."

"Thanks for noticing. I've spent years cultivating that image."

The conversation went on from there. They laughed and talked and poked fun. Reese told her the same dirty joke in six different languages, each one making her laugh harder than the first. He wouldn't tell her the joke in English, saying it just didn't translate well. He laughed when she called him a prude. They'd both been in the Army, he said, he doubted either of them could be called anything close to a prude, but he was a gentleman…which made her snort so loud they both ended up gasping for breath they laughed so hard.

They talked for hours. He was amazed by the things she pulled from him, things he hadn't talked about, or if he was honest, thought about, in years. Why he'd joined the service; his family life before all hell had broken loose. The family he couldn't see anymore, who probably wouldn't recognize the man he'd become. He wasn't sure what to say when she'd told him they'd be proud of that man, but his heart felt light and full.

She shared with him things about her growing up, how scared she'd been about raising a son without a father, how she realized her strength. She talked about law school and her decisions to join the army and the police force. She talked of holidays with her extended family, how crazy it always was. This year, she swore she was going to drag him with her as backup. He told her he'd make sure to be armed. Neither voiced how much they wanted that to happen.

As the night wore on, they talked less, content to just have the other on the other end. Carter suggested a movie that was playing on the TV, an old black & white movie she loved. He quit counting how many times she laughed and told him to shut up as he rattled off a running commentary about the absurdity of the plot.

It was the most intimate, most fun, non-sexual conversation he'd ever had. Not that he didn't want to go there with her; he definitely did. He could imagine the sounds she'd make in his ear as he talked to her, talked her into touching herself, into finding her release. He wanted to hear her talk to him in that low, sexy voice as he found his.

But he could wait. Not long, but he could wait. He wanted it to be in person. As much as he loved her voice, he wanted to see her, experience her….he wanted to be able to touch her and have her touch him. He could wait.

"John?"

"Hmm?"

"Have you looked outside?"

He yawned and chuckled. "I know…I can see the light. It seems we've spent the entire night talking, Ms. Carter."

"Seems so."

"I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not. I'm glad we did this. You're going to have a rough day at work, though."

He could hear her yawn and stretch. "Eh, shouldn't be too bad. If you were here, I'd call in and we could just spend the whole day in bed talking and watching bad movies."

Both of them froze. It was the first time either had acknowledged what they were doing, where it might be headed. He couldn't let her dive in by herself.

"You have no idea how much I'd like that." He didn't recognize his own voice it was so low and quiet.

Hers dropped too, a quiet whisper in his ear. "Oh, I think I do."

"Wow." Reese laughed, his nerves shooting to the surface for the first time in hours.

"Yeah." She let out a chuckle and then she was quiet again. "What are we doing, John?"

He licked his lips and closed his eyes. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he wanted them on the same page. And, like earlier, he wanted to see her when they really talked about it. "I think…."

"You think…?" Her breath came out slowly. Controlled. It settled his nerves to know that she was just as anxious.

"I think…I think we're trying to figure this out, Jos, testing the limits, seeing where we stand."

He held his breath and could almost picture her nodding, contemplating his words.

"I can live with that for now."

"Yes, for now."

He could hear her getting up, moving around her bedroom. "You're getting up?"

"I need to get Taylor up and I have to get some coffee. Someone kept me up all night."

"Oh right. Mea culpa." Reese sat up in bed, watching the sunrise through his windows, wondered if she was doing the same.

"Don't apologize. I..um…."

"Tell me."

"I really enjoyed this too. Next time, though, let's do it in person, OK?" She said it quickly, as if she didn't, it wouldn't be said.

"I promise."

"Good. I know you keep your promises. Good night, John."

He smiled into the phone. "Good morning, Jos."

When they hung up, both of them laughed. They still hadn't gotten to the damn file.

TBC