Nell giggled as she curled into Eric's side. When the cab arrived at their destination, she clumsily tried to retrieve her wallet, but Eric had already paid by the time she managed to pull it out.

"Thanks for that" She said, wrapping herself around his arm as they walked to her apartment. "You didn't have to."

"Not a problem." Eric told her, feeling a bit unsure about how Nell was clinging to him. He had assumed his "cover" as her boyfriend had finished when they left the club - although he had to admit he had no complaints about how it felt to have her so close. He briefly allowed himself to wonder what it would be like if he could really be her boyfriend - but banished the thought from his mind. They were partners, and nothing more. She half led and half dragged him inside and into the elevator. When the doors closed, she gave another giggle as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Tonight was nice." She told him, looking up into his eyes. "We should do this more often. Go out, get a few drinks, dance... We could make it a weekly ritual." She continued, swaying slightly, a sweet grin on her face. Eric was unsure how to respond when the elevator doors opened, and remained frozen until Nell pulled him to her door. She fumbled with the keys for a moment before Eric gently took them from her hands and unlocked the door, holding it open as she ducked inside.

Nell tossed her bag to the side and kicked off her shoes as soon as she was in the door. She flicked on a light before falling onto the couch. Eric swallowed, and tried not to stare. She looked so relaxed and comfortable, and totally uninhibited - in many ways the opposite of how she was at work. He wasn't sure which he found more attractive.

"Come on Wolfram, join me here. Lots of room." She patted the space beside her. "Want to watch a movie? Finish your game?" She asked. Eric sat down beside her carefully.

"Um, sure. I mean, whatever you prefer." He said. She flicked on the TV and turned to the guide. She squealed in delight when she saw that a Game of Thrones marathon was on, and Eric couldn't help a smile. He relaxed into the softness of the couch, and suppressed his suprise as Nell cuddled up next to him and pulled his arm around her. He let himself relax into her and enjoy the closeness even if he was still a bit nervous. Her head nuzzled into his shoulder and he eventually realized she was staring at him instead of watching the TV.

"I thought you loved this episode" He said, concerned. "You ok?"

"I'm good. I'm happy." She said, smiling at him. "Just thinking... wondering how we ended up here." She let her voice trail off. Eric blushed and looked confused as he tried to get up, misunderstanding what she had said. He stumbled over his words, apologizing, thinking she was uncomfortable. Her hand on his arm stopped him before he was upright. "It's ok, Eric, it's a good thing." she whispered as he sank back down. "I like where we are."

"Me too." He whispered. "I... I like being with you." The look on Nell's face changed to one with which he was unfamiliar, before she placed a hand on his cheek and slowly pulled herself up to kiss him. The look in her eyes warmed him in a way he couldn't remember feeling before, but it was nothing compared to when her lips touched his. He gasped as their lips met, absolutely stunned. By the time he realized what had happened, her lips had pulled back ever so slightly. Their foreheads remained connected as she looked into his eyes. They stared at each other intently for several moments, communicating without words, before tentatively leaning back in for a second, longer, kiss.

Nell wasn't sure what had come over her, but she could no longer resist the overwhelming urge to kiss him. She had thought about doing this since the day she had met him - although she would never admit that to anyone. She knew that subconsciously she may have planned this, taking Eric out and drinking enough to kill her inhibitions, but she had no regrets. The feeling of being close to him made her happy and set her heart racing. She couldn't believe she had waited so long. Touching him was electrifying, but that paled in comparison the kiss they had shared. She could barely hold herself back from demanding more.

Eric felt as if his body had been hijacked by his dreams. He was kissing Nell - his brilliant, adorable, amazing partner. And more importantly, she was kissing him. He felt doubt and panic flash through him but couldn't tear himself away. One of her hands had made its way to the back of his neck where it gently toyed with his hair. The other remained gently resting on his cheek, as Nell shifted her weight towards him. He found himself slowly leaning back as he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arm around her back. He held her gently, almost fearing she would break. As their kissing progressed, he was sure this couldn't be real, but he swore to enjoy every second. Nell continued to take charge, deepening the kisses and pulling him closer. Her hands moved to his chest as she began to push him into the back of the couch, now straddling his lap. When they came up for air, his eyes flew open to look at her - to be sure this wasn't his imagination. He took in her beautiful face staring back at him and wondered how this could be happening.

"Nell... are you sure?" He asked, unable to fathom she would want to kiss HIM.

"Yes. Very. I've wanted to do this for a while. For such a long while." She told him, leaning back in for more. She hoped her actions could convince him that she wanted this. That she needed him.

"But.. what about" He tried to say.

"No more talking." She interrupted. "Let's just enjoy tonight." she whispered as her kisses traveled across his jaw. She kissed below his ear and then began to trail her lips down his neck. His breath hitched, and he moaned so quietly she's not even sure it was real. He placed his hand on her cheek and brought her lips back up to his, as he took the lead and kissed her. He placed a kiss on each cheek and pulled away, cradling her face in his hands as she stared into his eyes. She put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him down on the couch, following so that she was on top of him. His hands rested on her lower back, as he reached up and continued to trail his kisses across her face and down her neck. When he found a spot that made her sigh, he couldn't tear himself away. It was a sound he would never forget. He smiled inwardly at the feeling that he, Eric Beale, could make the amazing Nell Jones sound like that. Her hands found their way to the top buttons of his shirt and began to work them free. She slid down to rest her cheek against the newly exposed skin, craving the warmth from the contact of their skin. Eric lay his head back in amazement and wrapped his arms around her. They rested like this, just taking each other in. Nell could hear his heart beating, and couldn't help herself as she started to kiss his chest. Eric tilted his head down, placing a gently kiss on the top of her head, loving the scent of her hair. They held each other, each enjoying the feeling of being together, before their lips sought each other out again. As yawns finally interrupted them, Nell pulled herself up and grabbed his hand.

"It's late. Let's get some sleep." She suggested sleepily, tugging him towards her room. Despite his exhaustion, and the wonderful calmness he had felt, his eyes flew wide open at the realization she was taking him to her room.

"Um... Just sleep, right?" He mumbled. "I mean, you're tired and this isn't, um, it's not. I could go home, or sleep on the couch, or..."

"No. I want you here with me. We'll just sleep. And there may be some cuddling. But nothing more, tonight." She murmured back.

He felt relief that she understood what he was asking. But he couldn't help the feelings of confusion and excitement as he focused on the last word - tonight.