"Where are we going?" Liz pestered Aaron as she fiddled with his fingers in the back of the limo. Aaron had gone all out tonight. They hadn't had a 'date night' in a while and it was certainly needed.
"Do you not understand the meaning of surprise?" He kissed her temple and smiled.
"Can I have a hint?"
"No."
She punched him playfully then rested her head on his shoulder. "Love you." She mumbled.
"Love you too babe." He kissed the top of her head. The rest of the ride was silent as Liz continued to play with Aaron's fingers and daydream out the window. At some point the car came to a stop and and Aaron fidgeted next to her. "We're here!" He beamed at her.
She was surprised he'd managed to put this whole thing together in only two days while they were on a case but he did and she'd like it no matter what. The air was warm when it hit her skin and the smell of the city filled her senses. She latched her arm around his and the walked into a busy and loud casino. Liz was secretly disappointed she was around people all day and wanted to be alone. However she cheered a bit when Aaron led her up some steps into a hotel hall and down to a door. When he opened she smiled and hugged him. It was huge, dinner was set and they had a view of the city from the suite.
"Aaron this is amazing."
"I'm glad you like it."
"I love it. "
"Now sadly we still have to be back at the station by seven but the room is ours for the night."
Without saying anything she leaned in and kissed him. It was filled with passion and love and he could see the lust in her eyes when she pulled away.
"We have to eat first." He whispered pulling her toward the table set for two.
She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Fine." She breathed tagging behind him.
Dinner was great with red wine and seafood from the best place in town. They laughed and talked and for a moment the case and work and nothing else was of importance.
"You know, we should do this more often Aaron."
"For sure." He smiled and she stared into his glistening eyes.
"I think it's time for dessert." A smirk played on her face and she moved from her seat to his lap.
She sat there just looking at him for a moment. "I love you." She whispered, running her hands through his hair.
"I love you too."
She sighed then and got up.
"What's the matter?"
She just sat on the bed and looked at him.
"Seriously Liz, what's wrong?"
Her mood seemed to change rather quickly, something she did often but still threw Aaron off.
"I'm just savoring it, love. It's not often we get away." She sighed.
"I know, but you know the the best way to savor something is to have fun, not mope." He gave his best puppy dog eyes and a smirk. He made his way next to her on the bed and planted a light kiss on her temple. They enjoyed the rest of the next few hours tangled together in the sheets, not caring about the rest of the world.
Two am rolled around and Liz stilled laid awake in the dark. She tried putting her focus on Aaron's even breathing and heartbeat but she couldn't seem to do it. She felt him move under her hold, and then settle again.
"Why are you still awake?" His voice startled her. It was a raspy whisper, but she hadn't been expecting it.
"How'd you know?"
"I don't know, maybe a profiler knows."
"Stop being a smart ass."
"Elizabeth, what's going on?"
She took a deep breath and looked up at him. "I've been thinking." She sighed.
Aaron couldn't read her now. It made him nervous, he felt like she was about to break him in half.
"About?"
"Aaron, I think I'm going to quit the Bureau."
He got up now and flipped on the light and just stared at her.
"What?"
"I want to quit." She repeated.
"Why?" He couldn't seem to mutter anything else. "Liz you should've talked to me about this." He was calm but she could hear the agitation in his voice.
"I am talking to you about it. Aaron I think it's a good idea."
"When were you planning on telling me this?"
"After this case, when we got back home."
He took a deep breath of his own. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it certainly took him by surprise.
"Okay." He said.
"Okay?"
"You should do it, if you think it's what's best."
She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
"But Liz why?"
"Because I want someone there with the boys. We're never home and it's not fair to them to have to grow up like that. And I couldn't ask you to give this up, it's to much of who you are so I figured I would and I'll stay at home or find some part time work, but it's not fair that we're both always gone."
He thought about what she said for moment before responding. "You're right, but hear me out okay?" She nodded for him to go on. "If you ever decide you want to come back, the spot is still yours, you will always have a place on this team."
"Okay."
He leaned in and hugged her tight. "I love you."
"I love you too Aaron. This is all going to work out."
"I know." He pulled away and flipped the light off before laying back down in the bed. She cuddled in close to him. "Get some sleep, babe." He kissed head one least time before they both drifted off to sleep.
