SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED

Discovering Mr. Grant Part IV

Author's Note: This minifanfic is inspired by the promo pictures and sneak peeks for S12E5- so, it was written before the episode aired. It's a bit of fluff using Elizabeth's reaction to Nathan in a tux as a starting point. And of course, the 007 vibes stimulated some inspiration! Hope you enjoy it!

When Nathan told Elizabeth he would go undercover for his latest investigation, she never imagined it would involve a makeover.

What on earth had Rosemary done? Elizabeth was struck immobile and rendered speechless right in the middle of Main Street. How could she have anticipated that Nathan would look this... impeccable ... in a tuxedo?

Yet he was not only impeccable.

Dashing. Dapper. Debonair. Excruciatingly, distractingly handsome.

And that was only a few choice words that immediately came to mind.

Was there something he couldn't pull off? A sack of potatoes maybe? Her throat made the most peculiar strangling sound. Of course, he would pull off a sack of potatoes. The ridiculous imagery stirred her female sensibilities, igniting her imagination in unexpected ways. Elizabeth had to shut her eyes briefly to get her bearings and force her mind down a sensible road. After a deep exhale, she concluded that she could add black tie to Nathan's distracting good looks.

She finally willed her feet to move and hurriedly caught up with him. It was obvious he was about to leave. "What's going on?" That was all she could manage to ask.

Nathan stopped and gave her a bashful look. He didn't quite feel himself in this attire, but he had to get over it. It was part of the job. He cupped Elizabeth's face with one hand and gently rubbed her cheekbone with his thumb. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, 'Lizbeth, but I have to leave soon. We found a window of opportunity and had to rush. I'll be back before you know it, sweetheart." Smiling into her eyes, he leaned closer and kissed the graceful curve of her lips.

"There will be plenty of time for moon eyes later!" An ornery Bill cried out from the wheel of Lee's car.

"Duty calls," Nathan said cheekily. "Wait for me?"

A hoarse "of course" croaked out of Elizabeth's mouth. She couldn't muster more. She had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

Back at her rowhouse, Elizabeth found herself pacing about impatiently. Since they'd gotten together, it was the first time Nathan had to go off on a mission. Although he insisted he'd be back that same night, that didn't mean she would worry any less.

And now there was the added factor that every woman with a brain cell would have her eyes on him. Not that she didn't trust him. Far from it. It's just she'd never thought of other women eyeing Nathan before.

She felt stupid beyond belief.

With a disgusted grunt, mostly at herself and her silly thought process, she poured a glass of water and quickly downed it. She didn't want tea, coffee would make her jittery, and apple juice had way too many connotations!

What could he possibly be up to right now? If he had to get decked out, most likely, it was some sort of party. She could totally see him standing tall, an air of mystery about him, a single malt in a crystal tumbler in his hand.

But he didn't have a glass of whiskey in hand. Nathan was trying this new concoction called a martini, which really was disguised bootleg gin. The barkeep engaged in friendly conversation and noted his "shaken, not stirred" technique for mixing this new drink. Although he wasn't much for gin, Nathan had to admit that the froth and smoothness of the vermouth it was mixed with went down easily. Still, he wasn't one for spirits. He preferred a pint at the saloon every once in a while. But truth be told he'd rather just have coffee or apple juice with Elizabeth.

Thankfully the evening ended, and none the worse for wear, Bill dropped Nathan off in front of Elizabeth's house.

"Go. You two need some alone time," he said with a knowing grin.

Nathan rushed out of the car and gracefully jumped over Elizabeth's front stoop. He lifted his hand to knock, but he didn't get a chance to. Elizabeth threw the door open and landed straight in his arms in a fierce hug.

"That's quite the welcome," Nathan said in between laughs.

"No, this is," she breathed as her lips landed unerringly on his.

She took her time. With every movement of her lips over his, she showed him how much she'd missed him and how relieved she was to have him home. There might have been a bit of desperation laced with the bottomless passion she felt for Nathan, adding a new dimension to their already profound connection.

A bit dazed, Nathan fluttered his eyes open and gently broke off the heated kiss. "I know it's late, but maybe we can sit and chat for a bit?"

"I'd love it," Elizabeth replied dreamily.

"Let me go home and change. I'm done with this stuffy get-up." He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek, and walked away, promising he'd be back shortly.

Elizabeth leaned against her doorframe and sighed in relief. Nathan had an array of impeccable good looks. Tonight's ensemble knocked it out of the park. But let's be real. Laid-back Nathan in a slightly unbuttoned shirt and suspenders was the look she liked best.