The First Time

He Almost Told Her

The bed shifted as she rolled over, taking her warmth (and the sheet) with her. He followed after her, his arm slipping around her middle and pulling her close. Her hips snuggled back into him, her head tucking in under his chin. They breathed in as one before settling into still silence.

"Shit!" His heart rate spiked, the sheets were thrown and his arms around her tightened in reflex. She'd moved to get up and he pulled her back defiantly, her squawking in response. "Jim, get up, come on!"

He groaned into her back, burying his face in the space between her shoulder blades.

She laughed despite herself. "Jim, we're late!"

"No, we're not!"

"We're not?!"

"No, no, no." His voice died down as he began to drift back to sleep, content she wouldn't leave.

She however, was not content with his answer. "Jim."

"That's an hour ahead."

She was quiet a moment, weighing the likelihood of that being true. Knowing the man, however, she had to ask. "An hour ahead of what?"

"Of California probably…" He didn't get much past that as Sonja was straining against him to leave the bed again. "Oh, fine."

His arms eased up so that she could tumble from the bed and head straight for the restroom. It would figure, he'd just been having the best dream. Sighing, he pushed himself to sit up, a yawn breaking from his mouth. He stayed in that position, bleary eyed, hair a mess, and one side of his face slightly more red than the other until she reemerged, dressed in her uniform, hair combed up and away from her face and a toothbrush dangling from her mouth.

She sat at the end of the bed and began to slip on her socks.

He lifted a hand to drag down his face before dropping it to stare at her. This incredible woman in his room. Who shared his bed. With strong, steady hands and eyes that knew him. She was beautiful even with the toothpaste foaming at the corner of her mouth as she prepared to leave his side to begin another day of pretending they weren't together.

Once she finished pulling on her boots, she meant to hurry back to the restroom but hesitated when she caught the smile on his lips and the look in his eyes that had her heart fluttering.

"What?" She asked around the toothbrush.

He shrugged and shook his head. "Just looking at you."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Okay. We have to go, come on." She pat his leg then went to spit out the toothpaste and rinse her mouth.

He almost told her as she leaned in to kiss him; the words right on his tongue. As she pulled away, he reached for her arm and pulled her in for another kiss. This one deep and crushing, hoping his feelings would somehow transfer. Somehow transfer so she would just know. When they broke apart, both their visions hazy, she leaned in to rest her forehead heavily against his, their noses brushing, breathes mixing.

"That's a hell of a goodbye." She commented shakily.

His eyes lifted to hers, capturing and holding, his blues teasing and dangerous. "That's a promise for later."

A/N: Yes! Another fluffy chapter! He almost, almost told her how he felt. But, apparently this is still early on in their relationship, so it's definitely happening later. Thank you Laura, Kat7CA, finnorama, guest, and dauntlessmermaid for your reviews, you all made my day with your enthusiasm and encouragement, thank you! Also thanks to those adding this story to their favorites and alerts, I hope everyone enjoys this piece. There have been requests for a jealous Jim, and oh my gosh that is an absolute juicy idea! I hope to have that coming out soon. Thank you everyone for reading, I hope to hear from you. :)