Protective Arms (Completed)

16. More Files

Talking comes easy with Zack. It is something I have never experienced before with anyone, but I know one thing. I don't want to lose this with him, whatever is growing between us.

I would like for it to blossom into something more. Each time he touches me to comfort me with everything going on, I fall for him more and more. It is to the point, I wish he would just wrap me up in his arms.

Officer Gaperal is extremely kind in asking how I am holding up with everything going on once Zack got called into the Chief's office. A small nervous feeling fills me at him being called in there. The only thing I can do is hope he isn't in trouble because of me being here and in the back no less.

It is not like I went through the front to even sign in as a visitor. Zack brought me through the back from the way they would normally come in I am guessing.

Officer Gaperal lead me to Zack's desk and I thank him, taking a seat in his chair. This is a pretty comfy chair, but then again I guess if you work long hours here you would want something that is not back breaking.

With his computer turned off, I can see my reflection and I gush over the work the girls done. I am in love with my hair.

A movement catches my attention. Looking up to see Zack walking towards me, he lets a smile form. That smile does something deep in me, making my heart sing and a smile on my face mirroring his own.

"I hope you didn't get in trouble for me being back here."

"Not at all, just some things the Chief needed to go over with me is all."

"Do you have any more work that needs to be done up with us being here?"

"I am going to grab some new information to look over again tonight."

I tilt my head as he moves to stand over me and goes through a huge stack on the desk.

"Do you work all the time?"

"Pretty much. There is nothing else I do much other than going to my folks place or at a rare time watch something on television." Zack shrugs.

"Sounds lonely." I mumble.

Zack nods his head, my cheeks burn as I blush with him hearing me. Then again this is a pretty quiet station right now, as it seems most Officers must be out on patrol.

"It can be at times but it allows us to be faster too by not giving time to stop really." Zack sighs.

I watch as he moves through files and places them in sections.

"Do you want to sit? I will move to that chair." I offer, pointing to the one at the front of his desk.

"No, please. It is nice seeing you sit here. I am almost finished here." His brows scrunch up as he moves a few more files.

"How many cases do you work at one time?"

"Depends, normally it is just one at a time to where things don't get looked over."

"So these are what is waiting on you after mine?"

"Yes and no. Some of these are ones that just need final touches with trails coming up to make sure nothing was left out. Then here is the ones where I have to sign off being a detective that a normal officer done. These are ones that just need filing and this is the ones that got brought back out from seven years ago that could help trace the perp from yours."

I am in awe with how fast he can move through them and know what each one is.

"No different from how you know things with your line of work." Zack laughs.

My cheeks will probably just stay red at this point with how I embrass myself around him.

"I am sorry. I didn't realize I said that out loud."

"No problem." Zack laughs some.

"Would you like to go grab some dinner?"

I look at the clock and see we have been here for a few hours. Where did the time go? It seems to pass to fast being with Zack.

"Sure. Is there something you would rather have?"

Zack glances at me from the side of his eye, from loading up his case with files. That small look told me he got the wrong idea or my words didn't come out right.

"With food." I stumble.

Zack's shoulders shake as he brings the back of his hand up to his mouth doing this cough to stop from laughing.

"There is a burger joint not far from here."

"I could go for a burger and some fries right now." I hum.

I follow behind him as he moved through the station, but he pulls me up to him closer. His hand resting on the small of my back and it relaxes me so much that I could just melt into a puddle on the floor right now.

We get in his truck and he doesn't drive a mile.

"I didn't know this place was here and have lived here for a good six years now."

"It just opened within the last two months."

"That makes sense." I laugh, and Zack looks over to me.

"I love your laugh. I wish it is something I get to hear more often."

I lower my head, letting my hair cover my face. My door opens and a hand moves under my chin.

"You shouldn't hide, Athena. You're very beautiful."

I go to reply and my stomach decides it must need food now with the grumbling sound it makes.

Zack helps me from the truck and we walk into the place. Putting in our orders, the food is handed over quickly in little boxes.

Right as I go to pull my wallet out, Zack huffs at me.

"You got dinner last night and now this is my treat. I won't allow you to pay for every meal."

Every meal? I am already liking the sound of that, as hope keeps blooming in me that we will be having many more meals together.

A/N---
Hey Hey Guys!!!

Sweet moments starting?

Athena is amazed by the way Zack can move through the files.

Where will they eat their food? Could they be going seperate ways now?