Post First Date

When Angela woke up, the tv was silent, and the ice pack on her hand was full of nothing but water. She gently lifted her head from Tony's shoulder and turned slightly to look at his face, so peaceful in his obviously deep slumber. It wasn't the first occasion she'd had to watch him sleep, but it happened rarely enough that she couldn't resist savoring the moment. His head was cocked to the side, almost resting on the shoulder of the arm that had been draped around her when they'd dozed off.

Although their date had been an undeniable disaster, she knew that said nothing about their relationship or compatibility. It was just nerves and bad luck, as far as she was concerned. They'd shared too many wonderful dinners and nights out over the years for this one experience to be anything more than a fluke. In fact, she was rather sure they would be laughing about it sooner rather than later. Besides, any night that ended with her asleep on Tony's shoulder couldn't be that bad, right?

With that thought in mind, Angela brought her hand to Tony's cheek and let her fingertips move with feather-like gentleness along his jawline and down to his chin. He didn't flinch or stir in the least. He was such a good man, she thought for probably the millionth time. Indeed, the best, she admitted honestly. Under different circumstances, she wondered what their relationship together might be like. What if he didn't work for her? What if they'd met at the supermarket or through the PTA? Would they have found their way to each other, or would their differences have kept them from learning what the last five years had taught them, that they were good together, even if it was still mostly platonic.

It was with that word hanging in her mind that Angela began to think about how often they weren't strictly platonic. She knew how good it felt to kiss him, to dance in his arms, and to fall asleep together in the quiet intimacy of the house they shared. Before she could stop herself, she leaned over ever so slightly — and admittedly somewhat awkwardly —and replaced her fingers at the corner of his chin with her lips. He must have shaved before their date since she didn't feel any stubble on his cheek as she moved a millimeter at a time toward his mouth. She paused and looked at him, taking in the magnitude and audacity of her actions. She could scarcely believe it. But the pull toward him was too great, and a moment later, her lips touched his.

The sudden twitch of his body was not unexpected. She knew it was inevitable she would wake him. Even if the moment ended right then, it was worth it.

But it didn't end. Tony's eyes opened in silent surprise as he registered what had awakened him. She didn't move, waiting to see what he'd do. Time seemed to hang suspended between them, their lips barely grazing with each breath. Just as she was about to draw away, he pressed forward, capturing her mouth fully with his.

Immediately her eyes closed as she sank into the kiss. His arms came around her, and he leaned her back against her cushions until he was poised over her. It wasn't like the fervent, almost comical, embrace in St. Louis a few weeks earlier. This was tender but thorough, soft but deep. His hand came to her cheek and held her close while she brought hers to his nape and under his hair. And then they got bolder, moving over shoulders, down the line of each other's back. Angela felt his hand at her hip, before it slid behind her and brought her against him.

The sensations were tumultuous as she hugged him to her, angling her head to give him access to her throat and then nudging him back to her mouth. Despite the heady intoxication of his lips and hands coursing over her, she was aware, in the far recesses of her mind, that this indulgence couldn't last. It was a moment outside of time, outside of life. But it was a moment she cherished, especially when Tony drew back to look at her, his eyes perusing her face before locking on her eyes. It was silent recognition that he was present with her, mentally and emotionally.

She raised up and kissed him once more. And then again, as her hand caressed his jaw. One day, she wouldn't have to stop, but sadly that time wasn't now. Still, stopping didn't come easy, and as she lowered herself back down, he followed and met her lips once more, drawing out the kiss.

When he rested his forehead against hers, she whispered, "Are you okay?"

"I will be," he rasped, "eventually. Just need a minute to compose myself."

She caught his meaning and smiled self-consciously, before clarifying, "No, I mean are you okay with what happened, with me kissing you?"

He settled in next to her, their bodies still far closer than usual and more intimate than decorum would typically allow.

"Oh, right. As long as you're okay with me kissing you back," he countered.

"I am," she whispered.

"Me, too." A beat, and then, "It was amazing."

Angela nodded into the silence, well aware of how powerful the magnetism and passion was between them. To alleviate the temptation to say or do more than they were comfortable with, Tony spoke again, with a lighter tone to his voice, "Just to be clear, you're not going to wake up tomorrow and decide to fire me, right?"

Angela smiled and replied honestly, "As if firing you has ever been something I could do. This is your home, we're a family. And someday…"

"Someday …" he interrupted, before covering her mouth one more time.

When they parted, he eased up from the couch, took her hand, and helped her to her feet. Together they climbed the stairs, and her hand reluctantly slipped from his to open the door to her room.

"Goodnight, Angela," he whispered, "Thank you for tonight."

"Goodnight, Tony," With a final kiss, one they would carry with them for as long as necessary, she retreated into her room as their lives reset once more.