They stood there, neither moving. The conversation was over. They should leave, get back to work, start the investigation. Neither of them moved.
Elena looked up at him. Finn looked down at her.
“We should—” Elena started.
Finn’s hand caught her wrist.
She looked down at where he was touching her, then back up at him. “Finn?”
He kissed her.
Elena made a small sound of surprise, then her hand came up to his jaw and she was kissing him back. Hard. Like something in her had been waiting for permission to break.
Finn’s hands found her waist, pulling her closer. Elena’s fingers slid into his hair. When her back hit the wall, she gasped, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. When he tightened his grip on her, she made a sound that made him forget about every single problem they were facing.
His hand slipped beneath her shirt, palm flat against her back. He needed to feel her skin, needed to touch her everywhere he could reach. Elena broke away just long enough tocatch her breath. Her eyes were dark, lips swollen. For a second, Finn thought she might stop this, might remember that this shouldn’t happen.
Instead, she pulled him back down and kissed him harder. When they broke apart again, both breathing hard, Finn’s forehead dropped to hers. Neither of them spoke for a moment.
“Where didthatcome from?” Elena asked.
Finn pulled back enough so he could meet her eyes. “Honestly, when you brought me in here and locked the door, I thought… I thought that’s why we were here.”
“You thought I brought you here to make out?”
“Yes. So, you can imagine how I felt when you started talking about David. Easily in my lifetime top ten disappointments.”
She laughed at that. “I’m so sorry to have put you through such a terrible thing.”
Finn smiled. “I wanted to kiss you. Does there have to be reason beyond that?”
Elena smiled back. “No. I guess not.”
They reentered the lab, trying to look casual. Casually professional. Like they hadn’t just been making out in a locked conference room. Finn hoped they could slip in unnoticed. But, of course, Derek was right by the door. Refilling his water bottle for some reason. He looked up as they approached and his eyes did a quick scan.
“Where were you guys?” Derek asked.
“Discussing strategy.” Elena responded smoothly.
Technically true, Finn thought.
“Any bright ideas?” Derek screwed the cap back on his bottle.
“We’re going to have you continue with the patient data analysis,” Elena said.
Derek blinked. “So… exactly what I’ve already been doing?”
“Right.”
“Okay.” Derek glanced between them. “And what will you guys be doing?”
Finn didn’t miss a beat. “Taking down the executive of a multi-billion-dollar healthcare company.”
Derek nodded slowly. “Cool.” He put his headphones on and walked away.
They let out a synchronized exhale. “Do you think he believed you?” Elena asked.
“He either wasn’t listening or just didn’t care. Both are fine.”
