She smiled, as the blond, tousled head shifted on the pillow they shared. The worry lines that had marked her partner's face were absent, leaving an almost childlike innocence on her features. Kris frowned at the dark smudges showing beneath the chestnut-colored lashes, and hoped she'd still be around when they faded, not locked in some interrogation room in the stark, cold bowels of Langley.
Refusing to give that very real fear a foothold, she raised her head and fleetingly kissed Shelby's cheek, surprised when the green eyes fluttered open.
"Mmm..." Shelby smiled, stifling a yawn. "How about a real one, now that I'm awake."
Kris looked into the dancing green eyes and felt her heart begin thudding wildly against her chest, the way it did every single time Shelby looked at her that way. She lowered her mouth to the eagerly waiting lips and was lost in a flurry of sensations, ending the kiss breathless a few moments later. Her own voice sounding foreign to her ears, she croaked, "Soon." Kris' longing for the physical aspect of their relationship was reflected back at her by the passion in her partner's eyes.
Shelby nodded and smiled, not trusting herself to speak. She was reveling in the warm glow that just a look from her partner elicited, and took a deep breath, trying to stem the desire still rippling through her body. Shelby's tongue flickered over her lips, trying to recapture the feel of Kris' mouth on her own, amazed that there seemed to be so many nerve endings there that she'd never experienced before.
Kris murmured, "You're killing me," and met the moist lips for a long, lingering kiss. She broke away and suddenly sat up, the pain from her bruised muscles at the quick movement diminished by the feelings washing over her. Placing her feet on the floor, she stood up. "I gotta go take a shower."
Shelby laughed softly. "Need any help?"
Grinning wolfishly, Kris eyes slowly roamed down the blonde's body, before returning to her partner's gaze and winking. "That might not be a good idea."
Flushed, Shelby watched Kris walk out of the room, buried her head in the pillow and moaned. She'd been shot, shot at, threatened, and her life was in danger, yet all of that faded into insignificance at just one look from the tall operative. She sent out a heartfelt plea to any higher entity that might be listening to keep both the two of them and Kris' mother safe, and to allow them a chance at a future together. The analyst didn't know if it would do any good, but she decided it sure couldn't hurt.
A short time later, after Shelby showered, she joined Kris in the kitchen. She reached down and stroked Stormy, who was busy gobbling down her food. Looking up and seeing the worry in her partner's eyes, and knowing that today was likely to be another long day, she suggested, "Why don't we stop for breakfast on the way to work?"
Kris hesitated only momentarily. She was anxious to put their plan into motion, but it was still early, and the idea of a little extra time with Shelby was very enticing. "Okay. Where do you want to go?"
A mischievous sparkle appeared in Shelby's eyes. "How about that little place we passed on the way to Georgetown last night?"
"Isn't that kind of out of the way? It's all stop-and-go city driving to get there."
Shelby grinned. "I know. Do you mind?"
Returning her partner's smile, Kris shook her head. "Nope. If that's where you want to go, that's where we're going."
Swiveling in her office chair, Shelby glanced at Kris as she hung up the phone and grinned. "I think Jonathan's going to have a hard way to go with Mom."
Kris commented dryly, "'Bout time she listened to you for a change."
"Yeah I know." Shelby winked at her partner. "But you know what they say - love is blind."
The simple, trite statement hit Kris like a ton of bricks. It was true. She honestly had no idea what the analyst had seen in her that was worth risking so much for.
Catching a glimpse of the vulnerability that fleetingly crossed Kris' face every now and then, Shelby stood up and crossed over to where her partner was sitting in front of her computer. Linking her fingers with the tall woman's, she spoke from her heart. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me. When you walked into Dennis' office that morning, I just knew I had to get to know you better. I'm so glad I did."
Kris gazed into the depths of the emotion filled green eyes. "So am I." She stood up and hugged Shelby, savoring the few moments of contact before releasing her.
"Did your mother agree to talk to Kim tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I think she's pretty confused right now. She really did want to believe Jonathan had changed. I feel bad for her in a way."
Kris pursed her lips. "You're most likely saving her a lot of pain. Of both kinds."
"Yeah, you're right." Focusing on the task at hand, she asked, "What time are you leaving?"
The operative thought quickly. It would only take her a few minutes to get to her safe deposit box at the bank to pick up the bugs, tape recorder, and phone tap. Driving to Maggie's apartment would take the longest, but getting inside the apartment to install the bugs wouldn't be a problem. "I might as well go now and get it over with. I shouldn't be gone more than an hour."
"Okay. I'll keep checking the hall." Shelby shook her head, sighing. "I can't believe I've been out there four times already and haven't managed to catch her once."
Kris rolled her eyes. "I hear you. Maybe you'll get lucky next time."
Shelby nodded. "I hope so, or there isn't going to be much sense in bugging her apartment." She wrapped her arms around Kris and laid her head against her chest. "Hurry back."
The tall woman smiled and returned the embrace. "Count on it."
Ten minutes after Kris left; Shelby ventured out into the hallway again and headed for the vending machines. She grinned inwardly when she saw Maggie walk out of her office, headed in the same direction.
"Hey, Maggie."
"Hi, Shelby. I haven't seen you for days! Did the cops ever catch that guy that took a shot at you?"
The analyst paused, surprised that Maggie had even mentioned the incident. "You know about that?"
"Yeah." Maggie grinned conspiratorially and shrugged. "It's all over the grapevine."
Shelby knew that wasn't true, but played along. "I should've guessed. Hear anything good lately?"
"Not really. Oh wait. Yes I did. Dennis is getting reassigned to Strategic Ops."
Snorting, Shelby said, "You've gotta be kidding me!"
Maggie grinned. "That's what I thought, too, but it's true."
Since Maggie was now in full gossip mode, Shelby decided it was the right time to plant her own rumor. "Hey, guess what I heard?"
Looking at Shelby, surprised, Maggie asked, "What?"
"You remember when you told me Blue was at headquarters?" When Maggie nodded, Shelby continued, "Jet and Silver are here now, too."
Maggie sucked in a breath. "No kidding. Wonder why?"
"I don't know, but it seems funny all three of those operatives would be here at the same time. Must be something big getting ready to go down. We'll probably never know, though."
Trying not to appear too interested, Maggie nodded. "You're right, but I'm still going to put out some feelers. If I find out anything, I'll let you know."
Shelby smiled. "Thanks. You always hear a lot more than I do."
"That's because you hardly ever leave your office."
Shrugging, Shelby said, "I know, but Dennis has really been piling on the work."
Maggie nodded knowingly. "Well, I'm sure glad I don't work for him."
"You're lucky. Speaking of which, I'd better get back. See you later."