A/n: sorry it's taken so long to get this one done! My husband came down sick so I've been preoccupied a little.

It was past midnight for the third night in a row and Jaz and Adam were still up talking. Once the floodgates opened, it was like they couldn't get enough of each other - while for the present they still slept in their own beds, they spent every waking moment learning more about each other, sharing even more of their pasts, talking about their dreams for the future.

One subject they had both avoided was the reality of the strain their job would necessarily place on any hope of a real relationship. If the team wasn't on board of keeping it on the down low, the team dynamic would have to change. Unless by some miracle they got an exemption to the rules.

It was something they needed to discuss. McG and Amir were arriving in the morning and they needed to be on the same page as far as how to handle their interaction. Preach was one thing - he had been the first to realize Jaz and Adam had a real connection. But Adam wasn't sure how Amir and McG would react.

Adam draped Jaz's legs over his and took her hand in his. The lamp beside them cast a soft glow on her face. Goodness, she was so beautiful.

"So," Adam began. "We should probably talk about what we want this to look like moving forward at some point."

"Patricia knows," Jaz blurted. "So does Amir. And Hannah."

Adam looked at Jaz, puzzled. "How...is that?"

"Well, Hannah and I discussed things when we were getting ready for that last dinner altogether. Patricia saw us on the way in and said something about how you and Amir would have a tough time keeping your eyes off of us, and that while our previous professionalism had been appreciated, we should relax and enjoy the night. Then we went inside and McG and Amir saw us and Amir said something about you to me as well. I think McG is the only clueless one." Jaz explained.

"Hm. Well, McG isn't clueless anymore," Adam admitted.

"Did you tell him?" Jaz was surprised.

"Ummm, he came out when I was in the hospital and he seemed pretty clued in, and there was the whole reason I was in the hospital, so," he shrugged his shoulders.

"So I guess we talk to Patricia? Are you comfortable with asking her advice or opinion?" Jaz twirled a circle on Adam's t-shirt with her finger.

"Yeah, I guess...uh, I guess that would be the logical thing to do. I just don't want to wreck anything. For you." Adam drew Jaz closer with his final words.

"I appreciate that, Top."

"Top?" He gently challenged her, wishing she would stick with his given name, but realizing the adjustment was more delicate for her than it was for him.

Jaz flicked her eyes at him, an inscrutable expression in her eyes. "Why does it bother you that I call you that?"

He cocked his head and shrugged. "I dunno. Adam just seems...more personal, I guess. We've kept that line of professionalism so carefully, and ..."

His voice trailed off and Jaz nodded with understanding. "...it just reminds me of the disparity between our positions and at least while we're on leave, I'd rather just enjoy us."

"Well, I can't promise to always remember to call you Adam, but I'll try. It's had to be Top for three and half years though, so...it might take some getting used to."

"I get that. I just wish we could forget that I'm your commanding officer." His voice was low and his eyes smiled sadly.

Jaz leaned closer so that their noses were almost touching. "I might have an idea on how we can do that, at least for tonight." Her wide, beautiful smile flashbacked Adam's mind to that mission where she had been teasing him about being able to know her thoughts just from looking in her eyes.

What had started as a disagreement about the appropriateness of McG engaging in casual relations had turned into playful banter with serious undertones that Adam hadn't been ready to face just yet. She had come back with her challenge again after the mission had been resolved, testing him on what she was thinking.

He hadn't been lying; he was fairly certain he knew what she was thinking, but he was too afraid to put it into words. She had piled her dark hair high on her head, accenting her slender neck and making her cheekbones seem even higher than normal. Her ruby colored tank top set off the alluring blush of her cheeks, and her eyes...those windows to her soul the color of burnt umber had sparkled under thick, bewitching eyelashes that looked as soft

as silk.

Though he had countered that proving her test would be bragging, he had been afraid to admit the truth — that an honest conversation would reveal secret desires that were completely unprofessional. She had laughed at him and that sound had rang in his ears for weeks afterward.

But now, after all that had transpired over the last few days, maybe it was finally time to put that challenge to the test. Adam smiled at the thought.

"You know how, a while back, you asked me to intuit your intentions just by looking on your eyes?"

Her eyes flashed with the memory. "Yeah! As I recall, you never could prove it."

"How about, if I do that now? I'll look into your eyes and tell you what I see." His voice was low and sensuous, sending shivers down Jaz's spine.

A quiet click of the water dispenser on the fridge emanated from the kitchen next door, reminding the pair they weren't alone. Dalton pulled away slightly, not wanting to encroach on Preach's family's space, unsure of who was getting a drink in the next room, conscious of the real possibility of it being a young girl who didn't need to see the two of them exploring the look in Jaz's eyes.

Jaz and Adam remained frozen where they sat, legs tangled up in each other, for what seemed like an eternity, ears straining towards the kitchen. A soft clink indicated the cup was placed in the sink, and faint footsteps retreated to the stairs.

Jaz let out a breath she didn't realize aha had been holding and they both giggled nervously. "That was a close one," Jaz whispered.

"I'd invite you to my room," she continued, "but I'm sharing with Sarah..."

"...and I sleep right here," Adam indicated the couch they were curled up on. He couldn't keep the disappointment from his voice, not that he tried.

Jaz began to extricate herself from Adam's hold. "I should probably get to bed..." Her voice trailed off and Adam kicked himself for not finding other sleeping arrangements earlier.

He rubbed his bottom lip as he was prone to do, and caught her hand as she stood. "One of these days, Jaz..."

"I'm in no hurry. I waited three long years to call you Adam. There's no rush to get ahead of ourselves. Usually I hate waiting, but this...is more like, anticipating." Her last sentence was whispered in his ear, her hands squeezing his shoulders affectionately.

And then she was gone and Adam was alone on the couch.