In which Colin makes a new friend.

[your_only_law]

Bailey was bored with sitting around Lani's place, Kala was busy, and she couldn't get in touch with Miranda. So she got showered and put on a cute but comfy outfit, then grabbed her purse and headed out the door. She followed her map Lani had provided and made her way across town to where Lani worked. She wasn't sure if her sister had time to see her, but she figured it couldn't hurt to see if Lani was free for lunch.

She headed inside and went through the security, before heading to the elevator and waiting before it.

Colin had his head in a file as he arrived next to the elevator, tapping the up button a few times before stepping back and continuing reading. In hindsight, he should have noticed the woman standing next to him, but he was too busy trying to spin the case in the victim's favor, and in this instance, it wasn't easy. The perp was too sure that she was going to win to take a deal, so now Colin either had to get her to the point where she wasn't so sure anymore, or win, and he wasn't sure which one he wanted more. Bailey didn't pay him much attention, just waited for the elevator to come. When it did, she got on and hit the number for Lani's floor, then leaned back against the wall. Colin moved inside as well, and went to hit the button for the floor, but was surprised to find it was already pushed. Instead, he just shrugged it off and went back to the file he was reading.

Bailey sighed and pulled her phone out to see if anyone had called or texted, then put it away. When the doors opened again she stepped out and glanced around. Her eyes searched the squad room until she saw her sister bent over her desk. She started in that direction. Colin was also heading in the same direction, but he didn't think to look up and check where he was going. He just continued walking, and didn't stop until he felt himself collide with someone. "Oh, God," he sighed, his head snapping up and reaching out to catch her elbow. "Sorry about that."

She stumbled a but, surprised. Once she caught herself she glanced over her shoulder with a small smile. "It's okay," she said.

"Apparently, I can't read and walk at the same time," he said with a nod, before actually closing the file and heading further into the precinct.

"Not many people can," she said with a polite smile, walking along with him. "It's really okay." She continued making her way towards Lani.

Colin continued moving in the same direction, and looked at her, slightly confused, when the finally arrived in front of Lani. "I need your signature on this, Detective."

Lani glanced up and narrowed her eyes slightly at the two arriving together. She slowly reached for the file as Bailey stepped away from the man and moved to sit on the edge of Lani's desk. "And you?" Lani glanced at her sister.

"Bored," Bailey said with a slight pout, kicking her feet to the desk.

A woman, bored, in this city? Colin was surprised, but he didn't push. He wasn't going to, it wasn't his place. Lani sighed and shook her head, then glanced down at the file. "What am I signing?"

"Just some of the leftover paperwork from the last case. You missed a signature."

"Oh. Sorry." She glanced it over and grabbed a pen to quickly scrawl her name out. "Did you try calling Kala?" Lani asked Bailey.

"Yeah, she's working."

"So am I, honey."

"But you need lunch."

Lani handed the folder back to Colin and glanced at Bailey. "I really can't get away today. I'm sorry, we're real busy."

"Thanks," Colin said with a nod, before turning and heading back towards the elevator. "And when you get a chance, we need to go over your testimony for the Walters case."

"Can't wait," Lani said with a forced smile. Then she shook her head. "Wait, Colin. I do have manners. Meet my sister."

Colin paused for a moment, before extending a hand to her. "Colin MacManus."

Bailey smiled again and leaned over the desk to shake his hand. "Bailey Rallita. And don't listen to her, she doesn't have manners."

Lani swatted Bailey's leg with a smirk and looked up at Colin. "She's staying with me for a few weeks from Hawaii."

"Nice to meet you," Colin said with a slight smile. "How're you enjoying the city?"

Bailey nodded, smiling warmly. "I really like it. Been doing a lot of shopping," she laughed.

He grinned a bit more at that. "Well, that is what Madison Avenue is here for."

"Oh trust me, I knew that long before arriving. Luckily I have a good friend who knows all the best shops." Bailey ignored Lani's eyeroll.

"Lucky you," Colin nodded.

"There's an idea," Lani said. "Go shopping."

Bailey thought about that. "I could..."

"Sounds like a good idea to me."

Lani nodded. "There you go. Have fun and hopefully we can have dinner together." She was trying to politely shoo her company away.

"Okay, okay," Bailey jumped up, holding her hands up. "I'm leaving, crankypants."

Colin smirked a bit, before turning and heading back towards the elevator. "I'll see you later, Detective. And it was nice meeting you, Ms. Rallita."

"Bye," Lani waved.

Bailey followed him. "Hold the elevator," she said. Colin did as she asked, hitting the hold button while he waited for her to catch up. She got on the elevator and smiled with a nod. "Thanks," she said. "Guess I'm going back to the lobby," she pointed to the button panel.

"Me too," Colin said with a nod as he hit the button. "Headed back to the DA's office."

She nodded and glanced over at him. "Is it as exciting as the TV shows depict it?"

"Not really, no," he said, shaking his head. "A lot of slow time, a lot of paperwork."

"Shame," she said, her eyes momentarily scanning across his face. He was attractive, there was no denying that.

He shrugged. "I like it. And it's going to get me where I want to go."

"And where's that?"

"The bench," Colin nodded. "I want to be a judge. Maybe run for office."

She nodded. "Impressive. Good luck with that."

"Thank you," he said with a nod. "What do you do?"

"I write. Currently for a local magazine back home. It kinda covers all the happenings around the state." She shrugged.

"Interesting work?"

"It can be. I mean, I'm happy to be writing. I hope to find a different gig one day, but I'm content where I am."

"That's good. Being happy with what you're doing, but still looking forward."

She nodded and glanced down. "That it is."

Colin nodded as well, and glanced back up at the numbers on the elevator, watching them as they counted down. Bailey watched the floor until the doors opened again, then headed off the elevator. Colin did the same, turning and heading back in the direction of the DA's office. She stood on the sidewalk, pulling out her subway map and trying to figure out where the hell she was supposed to go.

*****

"I love this place," Miranda said with a grin as she dragged Bailey through the door of the small, out of the way bar in Queens. "They have this piano player here, and he's amazing. All he needs is a glass of scotch."

"Yay, a drunk piano player," Bailey said in overplayed excitement. Really...she just wanted a drink. It wasn't one of her better days, being why she made Miranda take her out in the first place.

"He's not drunk. But he takes requests if you give him booze."

"Can I have booze?" Bailey gave Miranda a innocent smile.

"Go ahead," Miranda laughed, before heading over to the man sitting at the piano. "Colin! Play anything I like yet?"

"Not yet," Colin said, glancing back at her with a grin. "Trying to figure out if you were going to stop by, first."

Bailey stepped up to the bar and waited for attention, then smiled. "Mojito, please." She tapped her fingers to the bar and glanced around.

The bartender slid the glass her way, and Miranda lounged over by the piano as Colin started playing the opening chords of "One for the Road," Miranda starting to sing a long as he played. Bailey got her glass and turned around to watch once she heard Miranda. It wasn't until she moved closer to the piano that she recognized Colin. Her head tilted slightly and she settled down in a front row seat. Miranda, ever the performer, gave it everything she had, and after she finished the song, she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, honey."

"Anytime," he said with a nod, before switching gears to another song.

Bailey clapped for them both, giving Miranda a big grin, but her eyes wandered back over to Colin as she sipped her drink and watched him play. Miranda moved over to drop down next to her, before giving her a wide smile. "Isn't he fantastic?"

Bailey nodded, keeping her eyes on him. "He's something.."

Miranda watched the two of them back and forth for a minute, before leaning in closer. "He's single, you know."

Bailey choked on her drink slightly and glanced over at Miranda. "And I'm barely out of a very serious relationship."

"Rebound sex," Miranda said with a certain nod. "I've heard he's very good at that."

Her cheeks heated up at that. "I'm not. And...I'd be of no interest to him anyway."

"Why do you think that?"

Bailey shook her head. "Doesn't matter." She picked up her glass and sipped from it again, watching him still.

Miranda sighed, before pushing herself up to get herself a drink. "Never know until you try, honey."

She rolled her eyes. She'd never been the type to go after a guy. Well...that excuse couldn't get her far. She'd been with the last one since college. She pushed him from her head though and waited for Miranda to return. Colin paused for a moment between songs, before switching over to Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," oblivious of whoever may be watching him. Bailey just continued to watch, not in a hurry to make her presence to him known. Especially while he was busy.

He slowed after a moment, pulling back to rest his fingers, and turning around on the stool. He spotted Bailey watching him and he gave her a smile. "Ms. Rallita."

She smiled back. "Hi."

"Hi," he said with a nod. "Didn't know you liked places like this."

"If it has alcohol, I like it," she chuckled. She glanced over her shoulder. "And Miranda seems fond of it."

"Ah, you know Miranda," he nodded slowly. "I should have figured. She gets around."

"She was half my reason for coming to the city," Bailey nodded. "She's a great friend."

"She is," he nodded.

"And I seem to have lost her," Bailey sighed, before glancing back at Colin.

"She's talking to the bartender," Colin replied, before nodding his head towards where the blond was chatting with the woman behind the bar. "She'll be back."

She nodded, then glanced between him and the piano. "You're really good."

"Thank you," he said with a nod, reaching back to pick his scotch glass up off the top of the upright. "My mother was a music teacher, so all of us are proficient in some kind of instrument."

"That's good. It's always good to have something on the side that you enjoy doing."

"It is," he said with a nod. "And I love the piano. There's something comforting about it."

"There is. You really do play beautifully," she said, finally meeting his eyes.

He smiled at that, holding her gaze. "Thanks." He kept looking at her for a moment, before turning back to the piano. "Any requests?"

She thought about it, then shook her head. "I...don't know. Surprise me?"

He paused for a moment, before nodding and starting "Life on Mars" by David Bowie. She smiled and sat back, watching him play. Miranda wandered her way back eventually, drink in hand and looking over at Bailey with a sly smirk. Bailey didn't even noticed Miranda returning, so she didn't see the smirk. Miranda just let her watch, sipping her drink and listening to him play. Bailey glanced over at Miranda, finally noticing she was back. Then she shrugged and turned back to watching Colin.

Miranda sat still for a moment, being good, and then nudged her friend's shoulder lightly, pushing her in Colin's direction. "Go talk to him," she hissed.

Bailey sighed and shook her head, then got to her feet and moved over to the piano, holding her drink. Colin looked up at her once she got closer, tilting his head to the side with a small smile. "Rethink that request?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Just thought I'd get a closer look."

Colin nodded, pausing for a moment before moving over on the bench. "You could sit if you'd like." She glanced down, then nodded and took a seat beside him. Colin moved over a bit more to give her more room, but had to reach across her occasionally to play. Bailey didn't mind, she just enjoyed hearing him play. And her head was getting a bit warm as she was on her second glass. Colin continued to play for a while, before deciding to make conversation. "So when do you go back home?"

She bit her lip and glanced away. "Haven't...really decided yet."

He frowned slightly at that. "I have a feeling it was more than just a need for vacation that brought you out here?"

"It was," she said softly with a nod. She wasn't quite drunk enough to tell him the reason though. Frankly, it made her feel ashamed.

And Colin wasn't about to push. He just continued to play and turned the topic slightly elsewhere. "Well, I guess when you live in the place that everyone escapes too, you can't really escape there, can you?"

A small smile came at that. "Nope. Especially since it's where I'm from is a very small town. No escaping at all."

"Well, if you were looking to escape, this is the place," Colin nodded. "New York is the kind of city you can just disappear into."

She nodded. "And a pretty fantastic place to disappear into."

"That it is," he nodded. She finished the last of her drink and closed her eyes, just listening to him play. It was calming. Colin paused after playing for a while, taking a break to give his fingers a rest. He paused, reaching up to take his glass off the top of the piano, before leaning back for a moment. As he did, Bailey opened her eyes again and glanced over at him. She didn't exactly have much to say, but she was enjoying his company more than she had thought.

"Can I get you another drink?"

"Absolutely," she nodded. "That is what we came here for. Well, mostly."

He nodded, before reaching out to take her glass gently. "I'll be right back."

"Okay," she replied. As she waited for him she looked down at the piano and softly crawled her fingers down the scale. Colin stood at the bar and watched her, waiting for the drinks to be filled. Bailey wasn't thinking about much as she sat there. The alcohol cloud helped that, and she was thankful for it. She didn't look around, but she was wondering a bit what Miranda had gotten up to. But she wasn't too worried either. A few minutes later, he returned to the bench, holding the glass out to her and waiting for her to take it. She looked up and took it. "Thank you," she smiled.

"You're welcome," he said with a nod. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"I am, thank you. I hope I'm not...keeping you from anything."

"Not at all," he said, shaking his head. "I was free for the rest of the evening."

"Okay, good." She looked down and took a sip of her drink. Why was she feeling nervous suddenly?

Colin continued sipping his drink, before placing it back up on top of the piano and starting to play again. She watched his fingers as they moved across the keys and before long she was thinking things she really didn't need to be thinking. She got up carefully and walked away, trying to take a breath and look for Miranda. Miranda was over by the bar, talking to the bartender again. She flashed Bailey a grin when she got her coming closer. "How's it going?"

Bailey's cheeks went warm. "How's what going?" She played dumb.

"Don't give me that," Miranda gave her a look. "You know what I mean."

She sighed with a shrug. "He's not interested."

"Yes, he is," Miranda replied. "I've known Colin a long time. If he hadn't liked you, he wouldn't have offered to let you sit next to him."

Bailey glanced back at Colin then looked to Miranda. "And have you two ever..." Her brows rose.

"What? No," Miranda shook her head. "His mom used to give me voice lessons as a kid. He's more like an annoying older brother who gets me out of parking tickets."

"Gotcha," Bailey nodded. She took another long sip of her drink. "Well...don't expect me to make any moves on him. I wouldn't remember how."

"And if he makes moves on you?"

She closed in on herself a bit. "I'd...possibly try to remember how to respond?"

Miranda gave her a soft smile before reaching a hand out and placing it over hers. "Just relax. He won't force you into something you don't want. But if you do want it -- just keep an open mind."

"I...I just haven't been single in...years. And years. And...." she shrugged, looking down into her drink, biting her lip. "It was easy with Keegan. I never had to worry about what I was doing."

"Who said you had to worry about it?" Miranda said, raising an eyebrow. "You know how it works. Just relax and let him lead."

"And lead to where? I don't even know..." she took a breath. "It's just...been a long time. I'm scared, okay?"

"I know," she sighed, squeezing her hand. "I know. But -- you have to get back on the horse sometime. And as sometimes go -- I hear his isn't so bad."

Bailey nodded. That was the thing. She kept expecting that things were going to work out and she wouldn't have to be single anymore. She glanced at Miranda and smiled softly. "So what should I do now?"

"Well, way I see it you have two options -- say that we've hit our limit and go home, or you can go back over to the piano and let him charm you a little more."

She watched her friend. "And what will you do if I go back over there?"

"I will find a way to occupy myself," she nodded. "Don't worry about me."

Bailey stood there a moment longer, then gave in and turned back towards the piano. When she got to his side again she gave him a small smile. "Hi again."

"Hi," he said with a smile. "Miranda alright?"

She chuckled. "She is perfectly Miranda."

"That's good," he laughed. "It would be heartbreaking if she were any other way."

"It really would," Bailey grinned.

"I think if she was ever to be anything but a barrel of sunshine, Hell would be freezing over."

"Can't have that," she shook her head.

"Absolutely not." She bit her lip and swirled her drink slightly, unsure of what to say and also not wanting to seem bored of him. "How are you enjoying the city?"

"The best I can? Some days are better than others," she answered honestly.

He paused for a moment before looking over at her. "I don't mean to pry -- but do you mind if I ask what you're running from?"

"But...that would be prying, wouldn't it?" She gave him an amused smirk.

He chuckled. "Yes, it would." He paused for a moment, continuing to play before his arm brushed kind of accidentally against hers. "Which is why I asked if you would mind."

Her breath caught lightly at that and she shook her head. "No, it's...it's okay. I...failed engagement," she nodded, not really sure that she could put more into it.

He nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thank you."

"Is coming to the city working?"

She looked up to meet his eyes. "Some days," she said softly.

He shifted his shoulders slightly so that he was facing her more, letting his fingers rest on the keys. "And the other days?"

"Other days...are extremely lonely." Her eyes dropped.

He turned to face her a little more his hand brushing against her arm. "Must be hard."

She looked at his hand, suddenly feeling awkward about being so open. "I'm sure it gets easier."

He watched her face for a moment, before backing off a bit. "I'm sure it does. And it's probably much better than walking into a marriage, only to have it fail later." And he knew that one from experience -- not his own, but his brother's.

"Yeah, probably." As he pulled back she gently held onto his fingers and looked down at them. The touch was comforting and she really didn't want to lose it yet.

Colin let her, not tensing, and just letting her do whatever she may have wanted to do. "Were you together a long time?"

"We were," she nodded and took a breath. "Sorry...can we...not talk about this anymore?" She looked up at him again.

He watched her for a moment, before nodding. "Of course." He paused, turning his hand around and squeezing hers gently. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't really think I have a lot to say," she admitted.

"Then what would you like me to talk about?" Colin amended with a smirk. "Because I'm good at that -- being a lawyer and all."

She smiled warmly. "Depends on what you would like to talk about."

"Well, I can talk about just about anything," he said with a nod. "I just wouldn't want to bore you."

"I've got a feeling you would never let me be bored."

"I would try, at least," he admitted. "But I can't predict the reactions of everyone."

She raised a brow with a smile. "True. Though I am interested in how you would entertain me."

"Well, if you're the family type, I would tell you about my large Irish family and how we drive each other absolutely nuts," he said with a nod. "If you're the work oriented type, I would ramble on and on about my job, and try to make it seem interesting."

"And if I told you you don't have to ramble to entertain me?" She chuckled slightly.

"I would ask how exactly you wanted to be entertained."

"I don't know...it is getting warm in here and I haven't had much of a chance to walk the city at night."

"Maybe we should take a walk, then."

"I would hate to tear you away from your piano."

He shrugged. "I think my legs could use a bit of a stretch."

"Okay," she nodded. She glanced over towards Miranda. "I should probably let her know."

He nodded. "I'll meet you at the door."

Bailey got up and went over to Miranda, poking her in the shoulder softly. "I'm going for a walk."

"With Colin?" she asked with a smirk.

"Yes, with Colin," she replied with an eyeroll. She leaned in and kissed Miranda's cheek. "If you don't hear from me, I'll find my way home."

"Okay," Miranda said with a grin. "Call me in the morning."

Bailey gave her a look, then walked off to the door to join Colin.

Colin was waiting there, hands in his pockets as he leaned in the doorway. "Good to go?"

"Good to go," she nodded, starting out the door. Colin nodded, holding the door open for her as she walked out, slowly starting to follow her. She stepped outside and turned to look at him. "Which way?"

He paused, before tilting his head to the side slightly. "This way."

"Okay," she nodded and started to follow him, crossing her arms over her chest as she went.

Colin walked in silence for a moment, before looking over at the buildings. "I grew up around here."

She looked at him then followed his gaze. "Yeah?"

"Yup," he said with a nod. "Had my first drink at that bar when I was sixteen." He paused, before pointing over towards one of the playgrounds. "Played with my friends on that playground."

She smiled at that and nudged his arm. "Bet you were a cute kid."

"Oh, I know I was," he smirked. "But my mother said I was a pain in the ass as a child."

She laughed. "Oh I'm sure my brother could give you a run for your money. Hell, my baby sister could."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Avery was very active and never listened. Evie...well she's still a pain in the ass." She smiled, realizing for a moment that she missed her family.

"I was a bit of a combo of the two," he nodded. "Piano was pretty much the only thing I'd sit still for."

"I think it paid off."

"I'm glad you think so."

She smiled and looked down as they walked on. Colin continued walking with her, hands in his pockets as they went. After a couple blocks she glanced over at him. "I'm sorry, I'm...not a big conversationalist."

"Not a problem," Colin said with a shrug. "Don't always need to talk."

She nodded, then stepped out of the way of someone jogging past, stepping into Colin by accident. Colin's arm came out to catch her waist, shifting so that he was turning into her a bit. She stopped against him, her hands falling to his chest. He looked down at her, one hand coming up to brush the side of her face lightly. Her eyes closed slowly at the touch.

"Will you slap me if I kissed you right now?" he asked softly.

"Not if it's good," she replied, the corners of her lips tipping up.

He smirked back at that, before dipping his head to kiss her gently. She met the kiss, leaning against him a little more as she returned it. Colin slid his hand back to brace the back of her neck, pulling her in closer and sliding the other arm around his waist. Her hands moved up his chest so her arms could wrap around his neck, and she pressed her body closer to his with a soft sigh. Colin moved his other hand down to her waist and rubbed her back lightly, continuing the kiss. It had been a long time since she'd been kissed like that and a longer time since the kiss was new, so she pretty much melted against him.

He continued the kiss for a while, before pulling back to catch his breath. "Wow."

All she could do was nod and bite her lip slightly. His thumb brushed her waist lightly, before looked down at her. "Look, if I'm being too forward -- " She raised a brow in question. He bit his lip slightly. "I want to take you home with me."

Her nerves went into overdrive and she held them back by fiddling with his shirt. "Innocently?" she teased.

"To start," he teased back. "But it could turn into not so innocent eventually."

She took a deep breath and looked up at him again. "When I say I was with my ex for a long time...it was a long time. And...he's the only guy I've been with since...pretty much college."

Colin paused. "If I'm moving too fast -- "

"No..." Her hands brushed his chest slowly. "I...just...don't want to disappoint."

He picked up one hand, pulling her fingers to his lips for a soft kiss. "Don't think you could."

She smiled slightly and her thumb brushed his lip. "Setting high expectations for me there."

"I like to be optimistic."

She sighed. "Well...I guess if it doesn't work we can try again." Teasing again, but...for it as well.

"Practice does make perfect," he nodded with a bright grin.

"That it does," she laughed. He smiled back at her for a moment, before leaning in to kiss her again, moving his hands back to her waist. She chuckled into the kiss. "You won't be getting too much practice standing out here on the street corner."

"Mmm-hmm," he murmured softly, kissing her one last time, before taking her hand and double back towards one of the apartment building.

She kept her hand in his and raised a brow slightly. "And here I thought I was the one in a dry spell."

"I never said I was or wasn't," he shrugged, turning off at one of the buildings and starting to lead her upstairs. "I just wanted to kiss you again."

She went with him, still teasing. "And not at all in a hurry to get home?"

"I'm not rushing," he said, matching pace with her as they headed up the stairs. "But I can't argue with the point that we can't really do this in the street, now can we?"

"Fair enough," she smiled and looked down at her feet as she moved with him.

A few floors up, he turned her off onto one of the hallways, before leading the way down to his place. A few minutes later they were in the door and he was closing it behind them. His place wasn't fancy, not by a long shot. He's good with his money, and knows how to budget. The place wasn't run down, either. Nice, clean and organized with simple furniture and open spaces.

Bailey glanced around with an approving nod. "Nice place."

"Thanks," he said with a nod, leaving his keys on the table next to the door. "It's simple, but I like it."

"I like simple," she agreed, lingering by the door. She was still nervous, but she was trying to not let it show.

Colin watched her for a moment, tilting his head to the side slightly, before reaching for her hand. "Can I get you something to drink?"

She bit her lip and shook her head. "I think I had enough to drink."

He paused for a minute, before moving closer to her, letting his hands rest on her hips gently. "As I said -- I'm not in any rush."

"Okay," she nodded with a sigh, looking up at him.

Colin looked back at her, just waiting for her to decide what she wanted. He had made the first move, but he was going to leave it to her to set the pace. Her hand moved up to his face and she leaned up on her toes a bit to kiss him. That much she knew she could do. He kissed her back, leaning into the kiss softly as he moved one hand around to rub her back gently. Her fingers brushed his cheek gently as she leaned closer into him. He continued the kiss, pulling her in closer and starting to move her towards the nearest wall.

She gasped against his lips slightly when her back his the wall, then she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Colin took that as encouragement and deepened the kiss, pulling her in closer and moving one hand down to slide against her leg. Her leg moved up slightly to meet his touch and she leaned back more against the wall. As she leaned back, he pulled away from the kiss, nipping at her lips before starting to make his way down her neck. A soft moan sounded in her throat and her hand slipped up into his hair.

His hands slid back up to her hips, pulling her in closer as he did. "Am I moving to quickly?"

"No," she whispered, her eyes closed as she just enjoyed the feelings.

"Good," he murmured, before leaning in to kiss her again, starting to pull them away from the wall and in the direction of his bedroom. She still wasn't completely relaxed, but she went with him. She really did want it, her nerves had nothing to do with that. He pulled back from the kiss after a moment, pausing at the doorway to his bedroom. "Just -- let me know if I'm crossing a line I shouldn't."

"Okay," she nodded. She gave him the softest of pushes and leaned in to kiss him again.

Colin followed her lead, returning the kiss and keeping her as close as he could. When they got in his room, she pulled from him for a moment to catch her breath. Colin let her, waiting for her to direct him where to go next. Bailey met his eyes and started to raise her arms slightly so her could pull her shirt off. Colin did so, pulling it off over her head, before leaning in to kiss the side of her neck gently. She leaned into him, closing her eyes again.

His hands slid down her sides, before turning and starting to direct her towards the bed. She let him back her to the bed as her fingers moved to the buttons on his shirt, softly pulling at them. As soon as she reached the bottom, he helped her slide the garment off his shoulders, stopping when her knees hit the back of the bed. Her hands moved slowly against his chest as she started to get to know his body. She leaned in and set a soft kiss on his chest. His hands moved up over her hips slowly, pulling her in closer.

Her lips continued to brush down against his chest and her hands moved to run along his back. He moaned softly at the touch, before starting to lower her back onto the bed, kissing down her chest. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the bed, arching up against him a bit. Colin continued to move closer to her, letting his hands wander and shedding the rest of their clothes. She cried out softly as his hands moved against her. She had forgotten how good something like that could feel when it was new.

Colin kept moving them closer, going slowly and taking as much time as he could. Eventually, his body collapsed against hers, resting his forehead against her shoulder as he tried to catch his breath. Her head tilted so her lips could brush his cheek softly. She kept her eyes closed as she rested her forehead to the side of his head. After a minute, he moved off the top of her, and laid down next to her, pulling her close.

She curled up against him with a sigh. "Thank you," she murmured.

"You're welcome," he whispered, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. Bailey relaxed against him and lay quietly until she drifted off to sleep, sleeping more comfortably than she had in a long time. Colin wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, letting himself relax and drift off to sleep.

She slept straight through the night, and when she woke up she mumbled slightly and blinked her eyes a bit trying to remember where she was. Colin was already up at that point, making coffee in the kitchen. He was a habitual early riser and didn't sleep in often, even on his days off. As she rolled on her side to the empty spot where Colin had been she smiled slightly and curled up there. She could smell the coffee, but she was far too comfortable to move.

He returned to the room a few minutes later, a cup of coffee in his hand. "How'd you sleep?" he asked as he handed her the cup.

Sitting up a bit, she took the coffee and nodded. "Very well. You?"

"Same," he nodded, before sitting down on the bed next to her.

She sipped the coffee and kept her eyes on him. "Did...do you have to get going? Work?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "Day off."

A little smile came to her lips and she looked down at her coffee. "Okay." Then she bit her lip and glanced up again. "I mean...I can...go. If.."

"Only if you want to," he replied. "I wouldn't mind having the company for a little while longer."

"Me too," she nodded, still watching him.

"Good," he nodded. "I can make breakfast, if you'd like."

"I'm not much of a breakfast person," she shook her head. "But...I wouldn't mind just laying here a bit."

"I can work with that," he nodded, before shifting to sit back on the bed next to her.

She set her coffee cup down and leaned against him, wrapping an arm around his waist. "This good for you?" She glanced up with a little smirk.

He smirked back, sliding an arm around her shoulders as he settled back. "Perfect."

Bailey relaxed again and closed her eyes, softly stroking his chest. "You are a very sweet man, Colin."

"Well, I do try," he sighed.

She chuckled and hit his chest softly. "Well, it's far different than what I assumed. From the way Miranda spoke of you."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow in her direction as he looked down. "And what did she say about me exactly?"

"Nothing bad. She said she's known you forever and you're a nice guy. Maybe made it sound like...you've had your share of women?"

Colin paused for a moment, before tilting his head to the side slightly. "I -- take my opportunities where I have them."

She nodded and looked up at him. "Nothing wrong with that. Well, unless you're an asshole, but...I'm thinking you're not."

"I try not to be," he sighed. "That usually ends with me not being very well liked."

"It works for you," she nodded.

"Good."

Her hand moved up to his cheek and she pulled him in slightly to kiss him. He kissed her back, moving to set the coffee cup to the side as he went to move his arm around her. She let her arm slide around his neck as she moved up closer to meet him. He pulled her in closer, before starting to roll her over onto her back. She smiled as she moved back, holding onto him. He settled in on top of her, sliding his hands down over her body.

Her lips moved against his cheek and closed on his ear. "Get me started...I might keep you busy all day," she murmured.

"Good thing I have plenty of free time then, isn't it?" he murmured back, letting his lips trail down her neck.

She moaned softly and tilted her head back. "And just how much free time do you have over the next couple weeks?"

"Not as much," he admitted. "But I can do the best I can in the time allotted."

Her fingers trailed down his chest and stomach. "Won't force it."

"You're not."

"Good," she whispered, looking up at him. Her hand continued to move against his body and started to slip between the waistband of his pants.

He pushed himself up slightly, helping her to get them off. Her leg propped up to his hip as she started pushing his shirt off as well. His shirt came off just as quickly and he pulled himself in closer. Afterward, she leaned back against the pillow and closed her eyes. He settled in next to her again, running a hand over her stomach.

She felt so calm and relaxed. More than she had felt the entire time she was in the city. More than she had in a long time. It must have been the chemicals running through her brain, but she pulled a hand up to rub her eyes and they started to tear up. She didn't want to be that strange woman, so she did her best to just breathe and not let him notice.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head gently. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she whispered, a little shakily. "I'm fine."

He nodded a bit, and just kept her close. "Okay." She rolled close and curled up against him. Colin slid his arms around her, rubbing her back lightly as he did.

"Sorry," she said. "I..don't really know what came over me."

"It's okay," he murmured. "It happens."

She gave another sigh and nodded. "Long as you don't think of me as the crazy chick."

"Not at all."

"Okay," she murmured, already feeling sleepy again. Colin continued to rub her back, keeping her close as he did. It didn't take her long at all to fall asleep.