I Love You, I Love You, I Love You

As he lay awake, staring at the ceiling of her bedroom, his thoughts were filled with her. He hadn't expected to find this at his age. Honestly, when Val died, he'd really thought he had too. Of course, he was still alive, physically walking the planet, but more as a shell of himself.

Yet somehow, this tiny woman had reached inside him and healed all of the pain. She'd given him the will and the desire to step back into life rather than merely existing in it. And this restorative act had not only brought them together, it had heightened every relationship in his life.

He was closer with his daughter than ever before. His son had accepted his apologies and they were reestablishing their relationship slowly, but surely. All because of her, because of her love, because of his love for her.

His eyes widened at the thought. It was love he felt, a deep, restorative, abiding love. Different from what he'd felt for Val but no less real.

Turning his head, he watched her sleep, wondered if she knew how very deeply he loved her. She, who seemed to know every nuance of his personality. Did she know he was head over heels, irrevocably, in love with her?

He thought about rolling closer to her, pulling her into his arms and whispering the words softly until she woke. Reaching for her, he stopped. She deserved better, deserved romance, something he was typically not very good at. But, for her, he would do it. Would plan the perfect moment to tell her what she meant to him.

He still rolled closer to her, still pulled her into his arms. And as he drifted back to sleep, her skin pressed tightly to his, his mind started planning the perfect way to tell Laura Hobson he loved her.

Laura had been on a date with Alan Peterson. It should bother him, and for a single moment, he'd been jealous. But, knowing how he felt for her, suspecting how she felt for him, it didn't matter. His mind continued building on his plan on how to tell her he loved her.

He knocked on the door of her lab, excited to see her. She was smiling, gorgeous, took his breath away. It was exciting to be alone with her, especially here where they had to maintain a veil of professionalism. It used to be easier, they flirted, bantered. Now he wanted to pull her to him, kiss her, press her into the wall.

The knock at the door, was followed by the door opening. Alan Peterson's head appeared around the door. Something flared, anger, jealousy. Why was he here? He stared at the younger man, felt his anger grow even more. They eyed one another awkwardly then Peterson turned his attention to Laura.

He handed her the file he was carrying, "Thanks Laura."

Laura smiled, took the file, "No problem."

Robbie didn't notice Laura's quick glance at him. Could only see Alan trying to catch her eye, an eagerness which made him even angrier.

Alan smiled, "Speak later?" Laura smiled, nodding at the younger man.

With her smile, Action Man retreated, leaving them alone. Robbie stared at her not really sure how to proceed. His feelings which had been so positive, so strong were now jumbled, mixed. He tried to push them away, forced himself to focus on her words.

"He came to discuss some forensic results." Robbie nodded, head still spinning. "And to invite me to dinner."

Robbie took a deep breath as he stared at the screen behind her, jealousy flared, deeper and more glaring than ever. He tried to push it away, "Ah, right. When?"

Laura shook her head, staring at him, "Never. Not my type."

Robbie stared at her, feelings of jealousy receding slightly. He felt foolish, like a silly school boy. He pointed at the screen trying to bring the attention back to the case.

As he walked away, he paused, turned back to her. "Sorry." It was meant to be an apology for his jealousy, his petulance about Peterson. At her questioning look, he changed his mind, "I messed your dentist around."

She shrugged, nonchalant, "Forgiven."

He smiled at her, wondering if she'd understood his real meaning. Walking away, he chastised himself, why hadn't he just said what he meant.

Walking through the halls, he smiled to himself. It was even more important to put his plan into action. His thoughts were deep into the details of his plans when he heard Peterson's voice.

"Yes, reservations for two. Friday night. I'd like a table overlooking the river." There was a slight pause, "Yes, it's a romantic evening." Robbie froze in his tracks, strained to listen. Peterson was planning too. The jealousy returned.

The case ended, James forced him to the dentist. Through it all, he continued to plan. Thought he'd worked up the perfect plan to tell her. Now just to put it into motion.

Pacing the living room of his flat, he called her. "Hello you."

"Hi, how are you feeling?"

"Better. James' dentist was good, I'm pretty sure yours would have been better."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Inspector Lewis."

"Will it get me a date on Friday night?"

He heard her sigh, "I have plans. Saturday night?"

"Sure, Saturday it is."

"I'm free now, if you want to grab dinner."

He shook his head, "I've already eaten."

"Then I guess I will have to wait until Saturday."

"Well I'll let you go so you can eat."

There was a pause, "OK. See you Saturday."

She was gone before he could say anything further. He should have offered to join her, watch her eat. Maybe even bring her something to eat. A missed opportunity, he would make it up to her.

She had plans for Friday; his mind went to the conversation he'd overheard. Peterson making reservations for a romantic dinner. Were those her plans? It wasn't as if they'd ever had a conversation about exclusivity.

This thing they had was exclusive on his part. He'd assumed it was for her too. But, perhaps, it wasn't. Could he lose her? No, he couldn't, wouldn't lose her. He would go through with his plans on Saturday, tell her how he felt, take his chances.

It had all seemed so simple when he'd agreed to Saturday rather than Friday. But as the week moved on his concern about Friday grew, almost became a living breathing thing. It was how he came to be sitting on her sofa at 10 Friday evening.

Which each passing minute, his jealousy grew. All he could think about was a table by the river, candlelight, wine, all of the things he hadn't given to her. Was that what she wanted?

Her keys in the door an hour later interrupted his spiraling thoughts. He watched her, she was smiling, humming to herself as she carefully put her things away.

"Did you have a good time?"

Laura jumped, "Robbie? What the hell?"

"How was your evening?"

"It was good. Yours?"

"Where were you?"

"At dinner, with a friend."

"A friend, you're dressed awfully nicely for dinner with a friend."

"We went to a nice restaurant."

"A romantic restaurant?"

Confusion clouded her expression, "I guess it might be. I figured you'd be in a sweaty pub watching a match."

"Which left you free to go on a date?"

"A what?"

"I know you were on a date with Peterson."

"What?"

"A second date, to be precise."

"Are you drunk, Robbie Lewis?'

"Never been more sober."

"High? Feverish? Having a hallucination?"

"No."

"Then what the hell are you talking about? A date?"

"With Peterson. And not one date, two. You went to that lecture and tonight you went to dinner."

She laughed, "And all of these years I thought you were a good detective. James must be the brains."

"Are you denying you went out with Peterson?"

"I went to a lecture with him, not sure anyone would consider that a date."

"And you went to dinner with him, tonight?"

Anger flared in her, "And if I did?"

Her anger at him triggered his. He screamed, "So you aren't denying it?"

She matched his volume, "Why do you care? Or is it just because it's Alan?"

His anger erupted, breathing sped up. Without thinking, he shouted, "Because I love you." The words echoed around the room, followed by deafening silence. When she didn't respond, he screamed again, "I love you."

She stared at him, "I heard you the first time. I'm pretty sure the neighbors heard you the second time."

He crossed the room in two steps, pulled her to him. Just before his lips crashed into hers, he whispered, "I love you."

He pushed her back, pressing her into the wall. He felt her pulling at him, reason returned for just an instant, worried he might have scared her. Breaking away from the kiss, he looked down at her.

The look she gave him wasn't fearful, it was filled with lust. She pulled at his shirt, ripped it apart, buttons scattered around the room. Pushing up, she kissed him, deeply.

He succumbed to the kiss, pressing her into the wall again. Pulling her skirt up, hands seeking bare skin. He pushed down on her knickers, lifted her to let them slide down her legs. Her hands grasped at his belt, unfastening it, unbuttoning his trousers.

He gasped as her hand surrounded him, squeezed him. She pushed his pants down as he lifted her. Guiding him into her without hesitation crying out loudly as he thrust into her. He paused, letting her adjust to the intrusion.

He waited until he felt her tighten her legs around him and flex around his length. Then he began to move, hard and fast. She met his movements, pulled at him, attacking the skin at his neck when he pulled away from the kiss. He lifted her higher, pushing into her harder as he changed the angle.

Her arms wrapped around him, nails scraping at his back. She screamed out, taken by surprise by the orgasm ripping through her body. It had come out of nowhere, eclipsing her body. Strong, powerful bordering on painful.

Robbie paused, let her ride out the orgasm, knowing how sensitive she would be. He waited until he felt her nod against his neck. He carried her, easily, to the sofa. Sitting, he was surprised when she kissed him, deeply, tenderly.

Shifting her position, she began moving. His hands gripped at her hips, pressing up to her. They moved together, some of the frenzy had passed but this was no less urgent. Laura squeezed around him, moving up and down his length.

He cried out, breaking the kiss. His own release desperately close. She smiled down at him, moving faster and harder. "I love you, Robbie."

Her words were all he needed, his release overtook him. He pulled her to him, kissing her softly. They held each other, waiting for their pulses to slow.

Laura recovered first, kissed his neck lightly, moving up to his ear. Whispering into his ear, "I was at dinner with Jean."