ONE YEAR AGO:
OA laughed as his partner danced around and sang along to the small radio she had sitting atop her kitchen counter. It was their weekly movie night and after the credits had rolled, the two agents began to tidy up the leftovers and containers from their take-out meal.
It had been a long day, the grueling investigation into two local murders had taken a toll on everyone involved… Maggie especially.
As they were leaving the JOC, OA didn't know if she would be up for their night together or not, but she assured him that it was exactly what she needed. He was glad because he knew he definitely needed it too.
His partner was usually always the answer to his problems, and ever since his break up with Mona two months ago, the two agents had been spending most of their free time together… and the feelings OA had tried tamping down long ago were rapidly rising to the surface once again.
It was hard not to let them show but after the last few weeks, OA was beginning to wonder if he even needed to hide them. Things seemed to be changing between himself and the beautiful brunette, and each evening they spent together, he wondered if that one would be the turning point.
As they had left the JOC, they stopped by their favorite Italian restaurant, picking up way too much take-out, then made their way to Maggie's apartment.
That's how OA found himself enjoying his current view.
Maggie had been deeply unsettled by the events of the case, so seeing her so carefree in the moment made his heart skip a beat.
She looked over at him blushing, most likely feeling his eyes on her. When he grinned at her, she threw her head back and laughed… and OA couldn't remember ever seeing anything as beautiful as her smile.
He couldn't stop the overwhelming urge he had to make his way over to her and extend his hand. Maggie appeared surprised but took it nonetheless, immediately being swept into his arms.
OA didn't recognize the song playing, but Maggie seemed to know and enjoy it pretty well. He made a mental note to look it up later, but right now he was just going to enjoy the feeling of her in his arms.
They danced around the kitchen, and though it probably wouldn't have been the most graceful sight to anyone else, OA couldn't pinpoint a time where he had ever felt so happy or carefree.
Maggie laughed as he spun her around the small kitchen, then pulled her body close to his. He couldn't help but notice how well they fit together… or how her eyes were lit up in a way that he hadn't seen in quite a while.
Those same eyes locked on his for a long moment, and everything seemed to fade around them as his lips drew closer to hers. It was Maggie who closed the gap, and she did so in an instant.
OA closed his eyes, pulling Maggie flush against him as his world narrowed solely to the feel of her sweet lips moving against his own. He had told himself as the night began that he wouldn't overthink things, that he would let the it play out on its own… and he was so glad he did because this felt like coming home.