A moment

Scott bites his lip and looks at his watch, then his computer screen. "Um..." He hesitates, knowing how much work needed to be done, and how desperate they were for leads. But at this point, he was so weary that he was going at a snail's pace anyway... and he knew if he didn't take a break, he would be no good.

He looks at his watch again, the silence on the line telling him that Hope was waiting for an answer. "Okay." He closes his eyes. "I can be at the Sweet Aroma all-night shop in half an hour."

With the call ended, Scott rises from his chair and stretches. He knew Rick wasn't going anywhere for a while... he could ask to borrow his car so he wouldn't have to walk in the dark...

After handing over files he'd found, finding Rick, and getting out of TJY, half an hour later, he's walking up to the door of the coffee shop. Hesitating, he looks inside. There were a few people there, but not many at this hour. It wasn't the most comfortable place for him, but it wasn't the worst either. He could withstand the public atmosphere for a little while.

Taking a deep breath, he pulls open the door and steps inside. His eyes roam the tables as he pockets the car keys in his jeans. His flannel shirt over his black tee was unbuttoned, the sleeves rolled up. His posture was just a bit slouched, showing his weariness. Being tired, he looked even thinner tonight. But spotting Hope to the side, a smile manages to surface.

Making his way to the table, he slides into the chair opposite her, leaning his arms on the table. I felt a little strange... She wasn't his counselor tonight. "Hi."


As Angelica draws nearer, her hand on Reese's face sends a chill down his spine. But it wasn't one he disliked. It was one he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Though he knew what was coming, still Angelica's lips on his came as a surprise and he almost jumps. But when she withdraws and catches his eyes, his gaze was not one that said to stop. On the contrary, he didn't want her to. She was more than a coworker, more than a friend... Ever since California, he'd wanted this, but had never been bold enough himself.

His hand finds its way up her arm and to her face, cradling her velvety-soft skin as his thumb strokes her cheek. She was beautiful in the dim, glowing light. Reese had never thought he could feel this way ever again... but somehow he did.

Letting Angelica come closer, he allows her to draw into his lap, still a bit surprised, but unwilling to tell her to stop. Her closeness was warm and comforting. It quieted his heart, while at the same time gave him reason to press on.

As her arms wrap around him, his own slide around her waste, his hands resting gently on her back. He stares into her eyes for a moment that felt like eternity. Oh, those eyes how they captured him and took him so far away from all the stress and worry he felt.

Glancing down then back up at her eyes, no words needed to be said. Wanting to feel her lips to his again, he moves one hand up to caress the back of her head as he pulls in closer to her. His kiss is warm and strong. He closes his eyes, falling into the moment. Retreating, he cocks his head the other way, returning again to let the exchange last as long as she would allow.


At Katie's thanks, Gage backs up a step. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but suddenly stops. The strangest look passes on his face, and for a moment, he just stares at her. Finally though, he blinks and turns around again to throw the cup away and head for the door. But he stops. For the longest moment, he just stands there.

Eventually he turns back around, but goes to the back of Katie on the other side of the pole. Working with the knots, the ropes move a little bit, but stay tight around her wrists. Something had changed though. They were now loose enough around the pole that she could slide down to sit if she wanted to.

Without a word, Gage stalks back to the door to leave.