THE GALA DINNER

Senator McCrae greeted the four of them warmly as they stepped into the expansive high-ceiling foyer.

Jim stood at the door keeping an eye out for the Team of 1PP.

The Senator pointed over at the large buffet table, "Lieutenant, Garrett we have some delicious black tiger shrimp over there…"

"Say no more!" Lt. Gormley practically ran over to the buffet table.

Garrett shook his head laughing and followed suit.

Sen. McCrae grabbed the Commissioner by the elbow and ushered Abigail to follow her. She led the two past the throngs of beautifully dressed New York socialites. A sea of black tuxes and ladies wearing shimmering evening gowns.

Abigail stared in awe as she realized this was how the "other side" lived.

She didn't know where the Senator was leading them until suddenly they stepped out onto the private terrace that must have been as big as a tennis court.

"You two need to see this view…" the Senator remarked as she led them outside the french doors to the empty terrace.

The views were stunning out here. The city twinkled under the millions of lights from the skyscraper buildings.

Abigail had the sense that the Senator knew something was going on between her and Frank Reagan.

The woman was as sharp as a tack and had made her way to the top of the political sphere by being extremely clever and resourceful.

Abigail's suspicions were confirmed when the Senator grabbed her and put her and the Commissioner into a dancing pose.

She nodded and winked in Abigail's direction as she sauntered back into the penthouse.

The Commissioner looked uncomfortable and sighed but he didn't drop his arms that Sen. McCrae had forcefully put around Abigail's waist.

The music trailed through out to the terrace. It was the sound of 80s synthwave now called nudisco which was making a comeback in New York city.

Frank looked down at Abigail as they danced.

stand a little bit closer

dancing under the stars

single bodies in motion

want to feel where you are

I don't know much about love

but I know enough

I don't know much about love but I know 'bout us

She didn't know how it happened but they subconsciously seemed to be closing the gap.

Dancing closer and closer.

Drawn to each other like high-powered magnets.

He smelled amazing. Clean. Old Spice aftershave maybe.

Abigail swallowed. She wanted to clear the air between them. Enough of this awkward unspoken nonsense.

"Sir, I'm really sorry for my outburst in your office today…" she waited to see if he was finally going to let her speak.

He looked down at her and said nothing.

She continued on, "The Mayor said something very unsavory about you and I just snapped," She shook her head feeling utterly embarrassed about the whole thing.

"I'm sorry; it was out of line," she finished looking down, unable to meet his eyes.

Frank didn't respond right away and Abigail sensed that he wanted her to meet his eyes which she did.

His captivating blue-green eyes that held her in suspense.

He drew in a breath.

She meant a lot to him. It had been challenging feeling the tension between the two of them all day. He wanted to choose his words carefully.

He said slowly, "I know. It was very uncharacteristic of you. I should have let you explain. And…I appreciate your defending me," he grinned down at her.

Abigail felt a wave of relief pass over her. He's not mad at me anymore.

He looked like he wanted to say more when Abigail impulsively put a warm, soft hand to his cheek.

Her ice blue eyes stared into his. His skin warmed to his touch. More than just the passionate fire he felt before when she had touched him.

And in that instant he knew.

She could have asked anything of him at that moment.

Anything.

Her hand moved from his cheek to grabbing his right hand firmly. She half-turned away and slowly walked towards the far edge of the terrace.

A dimly lit area up against a brick wall.

Still holding her hand he followed her lead.

She turned back to face him when they got to the wall and reached up.

Wrapping her arms around his neck she brought his face down to hers.

He obligingly accepted and met her parting lips with a hunger raging deep down inside of him.

She ran her hands through his hair and he grabbed her waist forcefully towards his.

She audibly gasped.

Her lips hung on to his and he felt himself welling up inside with what?

Lust or something more?

His hands moved alongside the outline of her waist roving.

She didn't seem to mind.

He trailed kisses along her cheek to her neck.

His face buried in her neck and Abigail shivered from head to toe.

When he got to her collarbone Abigail moaned.

Breathlessly she said " Frank…,"

It was the first time she had spoken his first name.

It sent a tingle down his spine.

His lips returned to hers and their tongues met in a fiery embrace.

His cop senses suddenly returned and he remembered where they were.

It was certainly possible at any moment in time for them to be discovered should someone else venture out onto the terrace.

With great reluctance he pulled his head away from hers.

Her eyes stared up at him like cold blue glaciers.

But the light that flashed in them.

The looks she gave him.

All the times she would catch his gaze in the office.

They had their own wordless communication that no one else could understand.

The years they had worked together under such close proximity.

Through so many trials. Heartaches. Challenges in the department.

She understood him in a way that words would never convey.

And her eyes spoke volumes back to him.

He felt as if no one had ever understood or accepted who he was in such a way as Abigail Baker did.

Day in and day out.

Abigail stared into the Commissioner's eyes.

He was looking at her in such a way…

Even though it was fairly cool outside he radiated body heat towards her and she barely noticed the chill in the air.

When had all this been brewing she wondered.

And she suddenly realized they had been expressing themselves to each other subconsciously for years.

Years.

Their secret language of inside looks they gave each other.

Their working compatibility.

The ease and flow they had between them working long hours together.

The complete understanding and utmost respect they gave each other.

Dear Lord she thought, I'm in love with Police Commissioner Frank Reagan…

His mesmerizing gaze still held hers and she searched it.

Wondering.

When he had pulled away from their kiss he hadn't let go of her and still had his arms loosely around her.

"Abigail…" he murmured softly. He wasn't ready for their moment to end.

But he had to break her gaze. It was doing things to him.

So he drew her into his arms for a deep hug.

She sighed with contentment as she buried her face into his strong, broad chest.

He rested his head on top of her smooth blond hair and gripped her tightly.

He knew deep down inside of him that it was very soon going to be a decision time.

This night had made it clear to him.

Slowly he pulled himself away from her and let her go.

Abigail's heart was pounding.

The air had massively shifted since their dance had begun only moments earlier.

The Commissioner cleared his throat. "We uh should probably head back inside,"

"Yes Sir," she smiled up at him and led the way back to the gala.

Note: I hope you enjoyed my favorite scene in this fic. One word reviews are happily accepted btw :) I've got one more chapter left for ya on this one and then it's on to the next mini fic. I hope you like this style of short fics. It's easier for me to write and actually COMPLETE them this way!

song credits: Medsound & Maria Estrella, Klar & PF Remix "Let's Just Be"