I do not own CSI

Even though Jason and Carmen didn't get ice cream that day, the next day they did. Jason got vanilla as his flavor of ice cream. Carmen went for a more exotic flavor. She asked for pineapple and coconut flavored ice cream. They sat together outside the ice cream shop.

Jason began to be friendlier with Carmen. He wasn't so detached from the world like when Carmen first met him. As Carmen talked he listened to her, his face attentive. Carmen knew he had changed.

"I was in my study hall when all of a sudden—" Carmen saw something and her head twisted to view it.

At the same time, she was about to lick her ice cream. Instead of the ice cream touching her tongue, she smashed it into her chin. The shock of the freezing ice cream surprised Carmen, and she pulled her hand away, leaving an ice cream beard. Jason burst out laughing. He looked away, a full blown smile on his lips.

Carmen stared in shock at him. It was the first time he had ever laughed in front of her. He was still snickering. Jason handed a napkin over to her, grinning. She let out a giggle too while wiping her chin.

After ice cream, they got back into the car and resumed their road trip. This time, Jason began talking. He was talking almost as much as Carmen had talked the other day. Carmen happily engaged. The long trip seemed shorter as they talked.

By the time it was six, they had made it to New Mexico. At a roadside inn in the middle of the New Mexico Desert they checked in. The diner across the way was having a dance. Somehow, out in the middle of nowhere the diner had cars flooding to join the fun. Carmen wanted to go.

As soon as they walked in they got a loud burst of country music playing. People of all ages were dancing on the cleared floor. From elderly couples, to little kids dancing in circles the room was packed. There even was a live band. Blue, yellow green and red lights flashed in the room, lightening the atmosphere even more.

Carmen jumped right into dancing. Jason on the other hand was timid.

"Come on Jason. Dance!" Carmen shouted over the music.

"You don't want to see me dance," He said, leaning on a counter.

Carmen took his arm and pulled him onto the dance floor. Jason smiled and twirled her. Many songs had line dances to them. Jason and Carmen only knew a few. Almost every dancer was kind enough to teach them the line dances they didn't know.

Soon they were square-dancing and shuffling along easily with the others. After the fifth line dance they live band announced a slow song. Carmen blushed as Jason wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing them closer together. She was glad he couldn't see in the light. Jason's heart was beating a mile a minute.

As much as it was awkward for them, they secretly liked being close to each other. Feelings were coming out that hadn't occurred before. Carmen found Jason had they prettiest eyes. Up close, she found that she could read Jason well. Knowing his past, Carmen could understand Jason. And somehow, she felt different about him.

To Jason, her whole face was beautiful. She became even more innocent as they were together. Even though she acted like a tomboy, she did have deep feelings. She wasn't all hardcore. Jason knew why he listened to every word she said—Carmen said things that were very truthful and frank. He wanted truth in his life.

It was getting even more awkward as they watched each other. Carmen decided to rest her head on his shoulder. Jason's stomach did flips. Without much thought put into it, he leaned so that his lips were next to her ear.

"You look very pretty tonight." He blurted, realizing what he did.

"Thanks." Carmen said back.

It was getting late. A few dancers were milling outside of the diner. Carmen and Jason's legs were like jelly as they stumbled out of the diner. The sky was clear and every star glittered, showing off. Before they went into the inn Carmen wanted to stargaze.

Jason gazed at her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but there were a few things to consider. First, he didn't know how to tell her, and he worried that she wouldn't feel the same way. He kidnapped her. Why would she fall in love with someone who kidnapped her? Jason's background wasn't a very appealing or happy one either.

But if he didn't tell her now, he would never get to because she'd be dead in a few more days. Moments like this didn't come by often. Jason started with what he need to say.

"Carmen?" He asked quietly.

She turned to look at him.

"Thanks," Jason began. "For everything. You changed my life. Remember when I said that I would've killed you if you weren't important?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't think I could've done it because of this." Jason leaned toward Carmen and gently pressed his lips to hers.