She flipped the lights on in her dark apartment, and felt eyes on her. "Damn it Elliot! I could have shot you!"

He lifted both hands in a defensive posture, "Sorry. I can't really be seen around here, and I still have your key."

"And you couldn't call me or something? I'm not kidding, I almost pulled my gun on you." She couldn't get her heart rate down. She dropped her bag and hung her coat.

He stepped closer, "You know I can't. I needed to talk to you," he met her in the living room.

"Does Bell know you're here?" She highly doubted Bell knew anything about this.

"What do you think?"

She groaned. "Elliot! Seriously? If you blew your cover just to see me…"

"I'm not going to blow my cover. It's dark and no one would expect me to be here." He looked around her apartment and the skyline views, "My type doesn't usually hang around here."

"Elliot," she cautioned. She had no idea what his team was working on, but everything they worked on was dangerous. He really shouldn't be in her apartment right now.

"No, Liv. Wait. Please just listen for a second." His calloused hand gripped her elbow. Her heart had finally slowed, but it raced the minute his hand warmed her skin.

She closed her eyes and sighed. He had been under cover for two months now, and she hated how she missed him. His hand slid from her elbow to her hand and he laced his fingers with hers. He stood so close. Her skin warmed from the heat of his body, and she began toying with her necklace. It turned into a nervous habit after he left. She found her fingers brushing its surface every time she missed him, every time she worried about him, and everytime she realized happiness was inexplicably tied to him.

Her breath caught when his fingers brushed against the compass situated just below the base of her throat. The air around them thickened and for a moment she lost herself in his brilliantly blue eyes. His eyes dropped to her lips and for a moment she thought he might kiss her. Part of her wished he would, but her more pragmatic side hoped he wouldn't. It's not the right time, she reminded herself. A flood of disappointment and relief engulfed her when his hand dropped and he took a step back.

They stood in silence, and she knew she should say something, but her mind blanked the second his fingers touched her skin. She dropped her gaze to her feet, because damn it, her brain wouldn't start working until he stopped looking at her that way.

She had almost regained composure, but then he spoke.

"Liv, look at me."

God, she hated when he said that. Those words always led to conversations she wasn't ready for. Unfortunately she could never resist him when he used that soft, rich timbre in his voice. She was screwed.

Her eyes flicked to his. He stepped back into her space and his hands were suddenly on her hips. Her heart pounded furiously as he seemed to make a split second decision. His mouth was on hers.

She kissed him back. Her hands laid on his chest as he kissed her tenderly. Way too soon, he pulled back, and lightly rested his forehead against hers. "I missed you," he whispered. "I couldn't go one more day without seeing you."

As much as his words thrilled her, concern began to creep in. "You shouldn't be here. Seeing me isn't worth risking your safety." She wanted him here. She wanted it badly. But if he got hurt because he came to see her she would die of guilt.

His lips brushed her cheek, "At this point you should stop arguing about it because it's done." He shot her a self-satisfied smile. "I'm here, unless you want me to leave." He took a step back towards the door.

She gripped his shirt and pulled him back towards her. Her lips found his again, this time with more passion. But she still was worried. He must have sensed her concern because when they broke apart he asked, "Did you miss me?"

Of course she missed him. She missed him every damn day since he left. "Yes, but…"

He shushed her. "Then let's just have this for now. Don't worry about everything. I needed to see you, and you missed me," he gave her that grin, her stomach filled with butterflies.

She nodded. He had a point. He was already here, and the damage was already done. Worrying wouldn't change anything. She let her hands slide from his chest to shoulders and back down again. "You missed me?" She gave him a wry smile.

He tugged on her hips, bringing her closer. His mouth brushed hers. "Desperately," his voice was breathy and low.

Her breath quickened. "Hmmm." Her eyes closed as she savored his closeness. His nose brushed against hers and she sighed when his lips fell onto hers.

Funny how something that terrified her for so long, now felt perfectly natural. So right.

"How long can you stay?" She whispered.

He sighed and tightened his arms around her. "Not long," he admitted. His lips fell on hers again, and she savored the novel feeling of his mouth on hers. He withdrew to add, "I just couldn't go another day without seeing you, and without telling you…"

"What?" She asked nervously.

"I love you, Liv. It's probably obvious. I just," he sighed. "A few things happened over the past few days that made me realize I needed to tell you." His lips brushed hers, "I don't expect anything else tonight." His hands made a pass from her shoulders to her hips. "I just needed you to know."

He fell silent as she processed his words. She felt him pull back a little further to study her face. His eyes held a measure of hope that made her heart burst. She brought a hand to his cheek, and held his gaze. "I love you, too."

And then he smiled. That perfect smile that always left her weak at the knees, and she felt astonished at how much happiness radiated from his face.

She wished they had more time. She wished he wasn't under cover. She wished he could stay.

But for now, this was enough.