A/N: I thought I should jump back for a few chapters and mess around with Jim and Melinda when they are just starting off. Enjoy! xx Mariah

Ages:

Jim - 24
Melinda - 20

Jim was jogging through Central Park. It was still fairly early for the Saturday and usually, he didn't have the day off, but some rookies were looking for overtime and he handed off a few of his weekend shifts to enjoy time off. One thing he knew was that he didn't get the option to take time off often, so whenever he did he would take it.

One thing he was looking forward to doing on his first day off was calling someone. It was still summer and he'd been planning a date with this girl for some time, even if she didn't know about it yet.

He jogged to the steady rhythm of his music, trying to find the perfect place to convince Melinda Gordon to meet him for a picnic. Stick sweat soaked his shirt and he panted as he stopped at a hot dog cart to purchase a water bottle. He'd been jogging for nearly three miles and he still had to make it back in time to shower, get ready and call Melinda.

He hoped she wasn't too mad at him. He'd promised to call as soon as he could and it had been nearly a week now. An entire week since he'd charmed his way into her apartment for coffee and then some. He felt like the biggest jackass not calling back, but after two back-to-back shifts, the idea slipped from his head.

He pounded half of the water before he saw a woman that was most definitely Melinda. She was sitting on an old, chipped park bench and was sitting, legs crossed as she read a book. One of her hands covered the title while the other turned the page as she read. Her dark hair framed her beautiful face, her soft brown eyes soon dancing around the scenery around them when she closed her book and held it to her chest.

She caught his eyes and he glanced away, taking another sip before he realized she was coming over, her hips swaying in a summer dress. It was white, short, and flirty, just like the smile she wore on her face.

"Hey, Jim!" She called out, smiling. Her hair looked beautiful as the breeze came through and brushed it over her shoulders. "That is you, right?"

Why did he have to be running? He could only imagine how badly he stunk, but something about the sweat that made his shirt cling to him made him feel rejuvenated, especially when Melinda's eyes fell over his arms for more than a few minutes. Did he notice her bit her lip too?

"It's me," he said, rather dumbly and quickly, and she laughed along with him.

"Lovely day isn't it?" Her soft soprano snapped him out of his thoughts then. "Is this a usual morning jog for you?"

He responded with a quiet chuckle, one that she reciprocated with amicable silence. "I don't run that often anymore. I was just bored and had nothing else to do," he finally murmured, his mind gradually starting to work again. "It was better than play another six hours of PlayStation."

She was just too beautiful for him.

Her lips quirk up, drawing childish dimples into her soft cheeks. A soft blow of the breeze again passed over them, a relief in the August heat. Her arms pebbled in goosebumped and her nipples pressed against the fabric of her dress long before she realized.

"Cold?" He asked.

"No," she laughed softly, her eyes focused on the rustling oak trees lingering about the park path. "It's a nice day."

Amused by her fixation, he turned to look at the trees. They twisted and whirled in the wind, their bright green leaves hanging onto the branches with futile hope. The sight was intoxicatingly hypnotic as the trees swirl and whirl. The soft chill in the air caressed uncovered skin, yet a warm, cloying heat filled every pore.

She seemed lost in thought before her eyebrows furrowed in silent concentration.

"You never called me, Jim," she turned inquisitive eyes to him, her lips puckering in confusion. "Why didn't you? I know I shouldn't have been so forward, and I'm sorry if I ruined my image to you."

He faltered for a moment, his mouth twisting in a grimace. "It wasn't you or that, Melinda," he murmured, motioning for her to sit with him on a close-by bench. "I was just overwhelmed at work. I had two back-to-back shifts, but I was going to call you today."

"You were?" She asked, her eyes focusing on her with a playful smile. "You aren't just saying that?"

"I wouldn't lie to you. I promise. Would you mind meeting me here in an hour?" He asked, smiling as he looked around. "I think that us somehow being in this park together right now is the universe saying something."

"Okay. I'll meet you here in an hour," she chuckled softly, nodding eagerly. "Is this dress alright? My apartment isn't far… and I can change."

"You look beautiful," he stepped closer to her, touching the strap on the dress. "And I'm glad you were forward because I'm not as afraid to be forward with you as I would with another woman." She smiled, obviously not caring that he had just been running as she took stepped closer to him, their bodies practically touching. "I'm gonna kiss you now," he said, touching her cheeks. "Is that alright?"

"Yeah," she whispered, her eyes darting to his lips they both leaned in a little, "Do that."

As her lips almost touched his, he pushed forward and planted one on her. Not just a peck exactly, but a sweet long kiss. She closed her eyes, leaning into him and curling her arms around his neck. When he pulled away, his thumb rubbed against her cheek and her eyes were shining at him.

"An hour?" He repeated, stepping back, holding onto her hand as he walked backward.

She nodded, smiling at him. She thought his eyes were shining at her too.