Muncy was making a coffee before their shift started. She heard that Velasco and Churlish had gone on a little road trip to find his old friend Chilly and hated that she couldn't be there with him. Despite her frustration she did understand why she wasn't allowed to go with him. They were getting closer and closer. She didn't know what exactly was going on between them but she was definitely starting to see him more than just her partner and friend.

She had sent him a text the night that Velasco and Churlish left. 'Just checking in, hope things are okay..' He replied with, 'All good'. It wasn't much but she was happy to at least get something back from him.

Just as she was putting in her sugar, Velasco walked up behind her, "Morning". He grabbed a cup for himself as she scooted over and he poured himself a cup.

"How was your little trip with Churlish?" She turned to him, leaning against the bench.

"It was fine"

"That's it? That's all you're gonna give me?" She scoffed, turning around and walking off.

"I'm not supposed to talk about it"

"Right…" She said, knowing she probably wouldn't get much from him, especially not here in the precinct.

"Wait…Muncy' she kept walking 'hey….Grace" The use of her first name made her stop in her tracks and turn around slowly to face him.

"What? We on first name basis now?"

He swallowed, he could see the tears brimming her eyes and it broke his heart. This was the last thing he wanted, was to hurt her.

"Can we talk about this after shift? Please" He pleaded with her. He had to make her understand where his head was at but not here in the precinct with the risk of other people overhearing their conversation.

"Fine. There's that new bar two streets down?" She suggested.

"Actually I was thinking we could go to my place. This isn't really a conversation I want to have with people around" He looked nervous but wanted to make sure they were talking in private.

She couldn't help but feel happy about that suggestion.

"Okay. Sure"

"Okay. After you" He said, motioning for her to exit the breakroom first.

Benson had them partnered up again for this shift which they were both happy about. She knew they were close and was worried that it would affect their judgement on the job so had to keep a close eye on them.

The shift went by fast and as they all said their goodbyes, Velasco stood up from his desk.

"You ready?"

"Yeah. Let's go" He ushered her out of the building and down to the basement carpark.

"Umm….I brought my extra helmet today if you wanted to ride with me?" He suggested, motioning to his motorbike.

She laughed. "I've never been on a motorbike before…"

"It's easy, just hold on tight" He smiled at her.

"Well that I can do"

"Don't worry, I won't go too fast" He reassured her.

"Oh well that's good to know" She teased, grabbing the helmet off him and sliding it on her head. He turned the bike on and jumped on himself, revving the engine slightly to warm it up faster.

He motioned with his head for her to get on and she swung her leg over the bike, grabbing onto his shoulders to balance herself.

Turning his head around to her, "Hold onto my waist". She happily obliged, hugging him tightly as he put the bike into gear and headed out of the carpark. The night wasn't too cold thankfully as they rode through the streets of Chelsea.

Before she knew it they'd arrived at his apartment block. He pulled up out the front, parking the bike. He turned off the engine and she hopped off, taking her helmet off.

"That was so much fun. I can't believe I've never done that before" She was buzzing from the ride.

"Glad you enjoyed yourself. Come on cowgirl let's go upstairs" He led the way to the elevator and they made their way up to the 8th floor.

Opening the door to his apartment, he made his way to the fridge. "You want a drink?"

"Yeah sure. I'll have whatever you're having" She admired how neat and tidy his apartment was.

Grabbing two beers, he handed her one and headed for the couch. She followed him, sitting down beside him.

"So…" He didn't really know where to start.

"I'm sorry for reacting how I did this morning. I know you're just trying to do right by Benson" She knew from how Benson reacted towards her that he probably copped it twice as hard.

He shook his head, "No it's fine. I'm just so on edge lately with everything at work. I feel like Benson's watching me like a hawk and no matter what I do, I'm always doing something wrong"

She put a hand on his thigh reassuringly, "You're not…she's just trying to make sure we don't make any mistakes. I know it sucks now, but in the long term it'll make us better cops"

He looked at her face, her beautiful, soft face. "I wish you could have come with me instead….I even asked Benson if I could take you instead of Churlish but she said no"

"Really?" She smiled widely. He put his hand over the hand that was resting on his thigh and squeezed softly.

"Yeah...but I get why Benson didn't want us to go together…" he wasn't sure what to say next so took a sip of his beer.

Muncy took her hand off his thigh. "Yeah…that's the part that scares me. When she found out about the recording she asked me if we were close and I said yes. I didn't think much of it at the time but then afterwards I realised that if she thinks we're getting too close she might split us up. I mean it's stupid right? We're not even…" she trailed off but he knew exactly what she was going to say.

"I care about you more than you know and that scares the hell out of me. I don't even know where to start with this and I definitely don't wanna piss Benson off again and lose you as a partner" His voice was so low and husky she couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach as he spoke.

"So what do we do?" She asked. He grabbed her beer and put both on the coffee table, moving back to his previous position on the couch next to her.

"Come here' He opened his arms and she leaned into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. 'I don't know where we go from here but this is the first time I've ever felt like this and I don't want that to end. I want to be around you, spend time with you, not just at work…"

Her heart was beating so fast in her chest she thought it might explode. She squeezed him tighter as he held her. He kissed the top of her head, breathing in her shampoo. God she smelt good.

They stayed like that for a while, a few tears escaping her eyes as she couldn't believe they were really here, together.

"You're not gonna fall asleep on me there are ya?" He teased.

"You wish" She laughed, sitting back up and stretching out the kink in her neck.

"Well…you're more than welcome to stay…if you want?" He offered.

They both did have the day off tomorrow she thought to herself.

"Only if I get the bed" She teased as he smirked.

"Of course you can have the bed. I'll take the couch" He had often fallen asleep on the couch anyways after watching late night soccer matches so he didn't mind.

"I'm kidding…we're both adults, we can share a bed" Just as she said this, she felt the warmth spreading to her cheeks.

He swallowed. "Okay….umm. Do you want something to change into then? I can get you a t-shirt or sweatpants? I think I've got some old ones that have a drawstring so they might fit?"

Standing up off the couch, she held out her hand and pulled him up with her. "Lead the way"

He led her into his bedroom and pulled out an old oversized t-shirt and some pants for her to change into. She grabbed them and headed for his ensuite.

He went up to the door and spoke "There's a spare tooth brush in the top drawer"

"Thanks" He heard her opening the drawer.

Once she was done, she opened the door and his face dropped. She was in just his t-shirt and was holding the pants innocently.

"They don't fit…so the t-shirts gonna have to do' she saw his mouth hanging open and rolled her eyes 'What…see something you like?" She teased as he awkwardly looked away.

"It's okay…you can look" She flirted.

"You….are going to get me in so much trouble" He finally managed, walking past her and heading for the bathroom to brush his teeth.

"Not if you keep your mouth shut" She said, heading for the bed. She decided to take the left side closest to the bathroom.

He came out moments later and she was wrapped up in his blankets watching tv. She was the most adorable human he had ever laid eyes on. He looked up at the screen and she had put the basketball on.

He pulled the cover back on his side and slid under. She turned to face him.

"This isn't going to be easy…" He started, concern creeping back in.

"Nothing good ever is…there's no rush" She said, putting her hand in his waist.

"And Benson cannot find out anything" he said seriously.

"Copy that detective" she said, he smiled, laying onto his back and opening his arm for her to cuddle into his side. She happily obliged, snuggling into him. He was so warm and smelt amazing.

They watched the tv for a while before Muncy yawned.

"Go to sleep hermosa" He whispered. She was out like a light moments later and he turned the tv off, joining her.