Oliver hardly knew how he had ended up sitting in the back of a police car. The past few minutes had been a blur, between the wailing of sirens, flashing lights, and the fierce gusts from the autocopter that nearly blew them all sideways. But that had all been nothing compared to the relief – the heart-thundering, breath-stealing, cresting wave of relief that had engulfed him when Annie was finally lowered into his arms. Safe. Never to be let go of again.

Presumably, in their haze of joy and relief, someone had ushered them into the nearest vehicle. A wise move, Oliver thought. Just at this moment, he didn't trust himself to drive. He was too shaken, too brimming over with feelings he would have hardly recognized in himself two weeks prior. But he recognized them now.

He took up one of the passenger spaces in the police car's cramped backseat. Grace had taken the other. Between them, in the middle space sat Annie, nestled under Grace's arm and apparently asleep. Privately, Oliver doubted that – more likely the child was awake, and only pretending sleep for the excuse it gave to stay in that comforting embrace. He could hardly blame her. In her lap, Annie held his hand in one of her small ones. The way she rested between himself and Grace, seeking comfort from each of them, did something to Oliver's heart.

His gaze flitted upwards from the child's face to Grace's, and he found that she had been watching him. In the darkness, she offered a tremulous smile. Those lovely eyes were brimming with unshed tears. He knew why. He felt it too – the sense that this rather dingy backseat was somehow the center of the universe, and the most precious things in the entire world were held there.

He hadn't failed to notice the way she'd thrown her arms around himself and Annie in the joy of reunion, embracing them both for all too brief a moment. Everyone's emotions had been very close to the surface. Now, they were back to a state of outward decorum, and Oliver half regretted that he hadn't just thrown caution to the wind and kissed her. Swept up in the moment, he would have had an excuse.

Looking at her in the dim light, Oliver wondered if he would even be able to speak. On the excuse of not waking Annie, instead he simply mouthed the words 'thank you' across the space between them. Grace nodded, and the tears fell. She gave a choked little laugh when he produced a handkerchief.

Oh God, he was in love with her.

A policeman drove them back to Fifth Avenue. Annie woke when they pulled up outside the Warbucks mansion, and Oliver carried her inside. Of course, the police needed to speak to Annie. They kept it brief – and Grace sat close at her side while she answered their questions. Then, Oliver stayed to provide the police with any last details, while Grace took the little girl upstairs to bed.

When he followed half an hour later, he was not in the least surprised to find Grace in Annie's room. The lights were turned down low, and the girl was fast asleep.

Oliver felt his shoulders relax as he entered the space. Its aura of peace and comfort was partly achieved by tasteful décor and soft lighting – but he suspected it had just as much to do with the woman sitting by Annie's bedside. She looked up as he entered, and her smile of welcome caused a leaping sensation in his stomach.

"She dropped off to sleep a little while ago," Grace whispered, getting to her feet and crossing the room towards him. "I've just been...keeping an eye on her."
She seemed a little sheepish admitting that, but Oliver simply nodded. He more than understood.
"I was thinking," his secretary continued, "just for tonight, perhaps I ought to make up a bed in here, on the sofa? I hate to think of her waking up in the dark, alone. I'd be astounded if she didn't have nightmares, after all she's been through tonight."
Oliver huffed. "She won't be the only one!" Grace gave a fretful little laugh in agreement and sympathy.
"But yes, good idea," he carried on more seriously, in answer to her question. He looked around the room. "Can I, uh, fetch you anything?"
"Oh no, I'm fine."
They looked at each other for a moment, and she added more honestly, "Well, 'fine' might be stretching the truth a little." She gave a self-deprecating smile, and lowered her eyes.

Oliver drew a breath, feeling a now-familiar ache in his chest. Grace had been so brave tonight. Indeed, in all the years he'd known her, she had been nothing but reliable, and supremely competent, and generous-hearted. And she loved Annie. Of course tonight had shaken her.

Now it was his turn to be useful. Anything he could do to help her, he would. He furrowed his brow.
"I think we could both use a drink. Medicinal," he added, before she had a chance to object. She chuckled her acquiescence, and allowed him to lead her into the hall.

Adjoining the suite that had become Annie's room was a study, available for guests to use as needed. It was as handsomely furnished as every other room in the Warbucks' mansion, and also contained a small drinks cabinet. Feeling acutely conscious of his every move, Oliver poured a nip of the finest scotch into two crystal tumblers. He handed one to Grace.

She took it, with a shy smile. Perhaps it was striking them both how different this felt – how much more like friends and equals they were behaving, rather than like employee and employer. So very much had changed in the past week. And Oliver never wanted to go back.

He raised his glass in a toast. For a moment he couldn't think of what to say. Then he remembered the phrase of Annie's which had so inspired the president.
"To…tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," Grace nodded bravely, clinking her glass against his. She downed the scotch almost in one, coughing slightly as it burned. Oliver's mouth tilted upwards at one corner – and when she noticed his amusement, with a twinkle in her eye she repeated the excuse he had offered earlier.
"Medicinal."

What really felt medicinal was the laughing smile between them, the light they brought out in each other's eyes. And God, but she was attractive… Oliver's stomach kept doing flip-flops each time she looked at him.

Grace checked her watch. "It's almost tomorrow already."
"Good! I'm quite ready for this day to be over and done with. But, uh, before we say goodnight..."
Oliver took a fortifying breath. He couldn't believe he was doing this. And yet, apparently he was. He couldn't put it down to impulsiveness from just one small glass of scotch, either. He simply couldn't wait any longer.

"Grace, I...have to thank you. For bringing Annie into my life. For seeing what I needed so much better than I could myself. And taking decisive action, and bringing so much...happiness into this house. Don't think I've forgotten that it's really all thanks to you."

He dared to raise his eyes. Grace looked surprised, and touched. That response gave him the courage to continue.

"You know, Annie told me earlier this week that I 'never notice anything'. I don't think that's precisely fair: I never failed to notice how brilliant you were, or how much you excelled at your job. How could I? However, she did have a point. It's only quite recently that I've come to realize..." Oliver swallowed hard. "Grace..."

He looked up again, and saw in her face that she had guessed what he was trying to say. Grace was staring at him. And she had never looked more beautiful. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted, her breath coming more quickly than usual. A man would've had to be made of stone not to want her.

It took all of Oliver's resolve to keep focused, when every fiber of his being was crying out to pull her into his arms. But there were things he needed to say.

"I do realize I'm your employer, which makes this rather unorthodox. And if I've somehow misread the situation and this isn't what you want, you only need say and I swear I'll never mention it again. The last thing I'd ever want is to make you uncomfortable. Oh damn it, Grace, I'm making a hash of this. But you must know–"
"Oliver–"

The nervous urgency in her voice was enough to silence his rambling. That, plus the fact that Grace was very close all of a sudden. Oliver had one short moment to register surprise – and then, she kissed him.

It was all too brief. Just the merest second of her lips against his. But it had the desired effect: when she pulled away, Oliver had stopped speaking. He'd damn near stopped thinking, except for disjointed thoughts on the general theme of yes and more and want.

While he stared, slack jawed, Grace smiled shyly up at him. The prettiest blush was coloring her cheeks.
"Ah…" he managed, and then paused to clear his throat. His voice had come out gravelly. "Right."

He could have sworn they were breathing in unison. Grace's gaze fell to his mouth for a dizzying moment, and when she looked up again, her eyes offered all the invitation he needed.

The soft noise Grace made against his mouth when he kissed her went straight to Oliver's head. He was somewhat startled by how quickly his body came alive in response. It had been a long time since he'd had any woman in his arms, and never before a woman he wanted this much. The curve of her waist felt so very good beneath his hands, warm and supple. And her kisses…God, her kisses.

He had imagined what it might be like to kiss Grace Farrell. He had never imagined it could be this good. This intoxicating...

Later than he probably should've, Oliver pulled away. His pulse was thundering. Grace blinked up at him, breathless, her cheeks flushed. She was simply breathtaking.

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips; an expression soon mirrored on Oliver's face as he gazed adoringly down at her. It would've been hard to say which one of them looked more pleased with themselves.

"Well, in case that didn't make it blazingly obvious…I'm in love with you, Miss Farrell."
Her soft gasp delighted him, as did the sudden blaze of joy in her eyes. He was slightly taken aback when, a few seconds later, those same stunning eyes filled with tears, and Grace's brow furrowed.

"Grace?"
She shook her head, trying to dispel his concern.
"I'm sorry, I'm being ridiculous. It's just…" She dabbed at her eyes, and sniffed. "Within the last 48 hours, things have gone from being wonderful, to being horrific, and now…absolutely perfect." The woman shrugged helplessly. "It's a lot to take in!"

Oliver felt his chest swell with sympathy and adoration.
"I know what you mean. C'mere…"
He drew her close again, bundling her against his chest and wrapping his arms around her. Grace went willingly, letting her head come to rest on his shoulder. It felt so right to hold her that way, to offer comfort. The way she felt in his arms was just a very lovely bonus – though Oliver would've been lying if he said he didn't relish the opportunity to stroke her hair, or rub soothing circles on her back.

Pressing a kiss to that lovely hair, Oliver spoke softly.
"I'm sorry, I should probably have chosen a more sensible time to declare myself. I just…couldn't quite bring myself to wait any longer."
Grace gave a watery laugh, pulling back just enough to look up at him.
"Oliver, if you'd waited too much longer, I might've lost my head and just thrown myself at you. I've been wanting this for so long."
He doubted she could have any idea of the tantalizing images those words put into his head. He filed them away for later enjoyment, in the privacy of his own room.

"Well," he coughed, "now that we've ensured I won't sleep a wink…"
Grace laughed, clearly flattered by the implication.
"...I should probably leave you to rest. And we can continue this conversation tomorrow."
Her smile was shy, but radiant. "I'd like that…"
The way she looked at him made Oliver feel like the luckiest man on earth.

"May I escort you back to your room? Well, Annie's room. Are you sure you'll be comfortable?"
"I'll be just fine."

They ducked their heads back into Annie's room when they got there, smiling to see that the little girl was still sound asleep.
"I'll say goodnight then…"
"Goodnight, Oliver."
He wanted to kiss her again, of course he did – but settled for raising her hand to his lips in gentlemanly show. It was worth it, to be on the receiving end of another dazzling smile.

That smile was still thrumming through him as Oliver turned on his heel and walked away. He was a very, very lucky man. And from here on in, he was going to do everything he could to deserve it.