Third Date - River & Hugh

Thank goodness," River sighed happily. Hmm...one more kiss before we try to get ourselves out of this crazy maze? I won't let myself get carried away this time."

River's breath caught in her throat as his fingertips stroked along her jaw, leaving her unable to reply right away. She returned the kiss happily this time, moving her hands up around his neck and knitting her fingers together. Her thumbs were free, gently resting in the space behind his ears.

"Mmmm, I can't argue with that," River murmured against his lips. "I definitely like being wherever I can be closest to you. Buuut...I have a really good feeling about what comes next."

River couldn't help laughing as he kissed her nose, but the kiss moving to her neck shut her up pretty quick.

"Penn! She protested weakly, "I can't think while you're doing that. How am I even supposed to remember my favorite color if all I can think about is you?"

In direct contrast to what she was saying, however, her body had jolted against his and she automatically leaned her head the opposite way to give him easier access.

"And my apartment only has one room... She finished, clearly distracted.

River's knees quivered, and she adjusted her arms to get a better hold on Penn so she wouldn't just melt straight onto the floor.

"N-no..." she answered softly, took a breath, then spoke up with more certainty, and only a hint of pleading. "Definitely not. You could do that forever and I wouldn't mind."

River sighed, absolutely melting under his touch. When he drew back, she hummed a little disappointed noise, then stood on her tiptoes to place a soft kiss at the base of his throat.

"Forever sounds like a pretty amazing a plan to me," she told him quietly, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "If you want me, I'm yours."

Tears sprung to River's eyes again and she held him tightly. With her so close, he was bound to notice that she was trembling.

"Penn, are you sure? What you said before--I mean, I don't want to rush you. I wa--I need you to be sure, if you say things like that. I won't be able to take it, otherwise."

River smiled through her own tears, reaching up to caress his cheek gently. Her other hand, still on his neck, smoothed over his skin, trying to soothe him.

"I know just what you mean. It feels like coming home." She laughed quietly. "I can't believe it was this fast. But it's real."

She paused to kiss the edge of his jaw, gathering her courage. "I love you, Penn."

River gasped when he moved so quickly to bury his face in the curve of her neck and shoulder, but she didn't hesitate to hug him tightly. She rubbed her hand slowly up and down his back.

"Hey...shhh..." she soothed softly, letting him get it out. She was more than willing to let him cry, just as he had done for her. Her voice was just a soft murmur, like comforting a child. "Oh, Penn, sweetheart..."

When he confessed, a sob caught her as well, and she bent her head into his shoulder as she tried to keep it together. "I'm so glad," she mumbled into his shoulder.

She pulled back enough to get her hands cupped under his face, guiding him up so she could softly kiss his forehead, then each cheek, and then his lips. "I love you!" She whispered fiercely, I think I'm the happiest girl on the planet."

River smiled into the first kiss, feeling like she was floating on air. The second, more intense, surprised her, but she responded easily, sliding her fingers off his cheeks and into his hair. She'd follow his lead, for as long as he wanted. She was more than happy to let him kiss her as much as he liked.

"That's my line," she teased when she had a moment to breathe, "I'm still not a hundred percent certain how I managed to convince you I'm amazing, but I am definitely not going to argue. Too happy."

If he let her, she'd gently wipe his still damp cheeks with her thumbs, then give him a sweet little bunny kiss by nudging her nose against his. "Listen, if you're sure, and I'm sure...then I think we should get out of here. Because I have some people I've got to turn down. It won't be fun, but the sooner I get it over with, the sooner I can see you again...or maybe really see you, see you." She bit her lip. "What do you think?"