Josh let Kate get out to arms lengths before following her into the
park, but not before glancing one final time back at the spot that
Kate had focussed on before. Although he'd not known her long, he'd
already realised just how spot on her instincts were. That, and
whilst she'd tried to toss the incident aside, he hadn't been fooled
for a moment. But, whilst it concerned him, like many things that
had been happening to the Division and it's members recently, he just
put it aside, focussing on the woman who, in the short space of time
he'd known her, managed to already captivate him.
Josh closed the distance from which she was leading him into the
park, and looped a casual arm around her waist. If anyone had told
him 24 hours ago he'd been strolling the park like this, he'd have
scoffed at them. And yet, being here, like this, felt so right.
Things had progressed quickly between the two of them, but unlike
previously, it didn't concern him. It just seemed a natural
progression.
After a few moments hesitation, Kate relaxed into the embrace, and
they walked silently around the park. Both let their minds wander,
enjoying the cool evening air and the backdrop of the occassional
vehicle and the lights of the city. Both were aware of how strangely
at peace Washington seemed, in stark contrast to the frantic nature
of everyday life. As they wandered, Josh let his mind drift over
everything that had happened recently. He smiled as it drifted over
the events involving Kate.
"I hope that smile is for a good reason!", said Kate, having spotted
the smile that played across his face.
"Oh, I was just thinking about you...and us!", he replied.
"Ah, so it was for a good reason. So, care to let me in on what you
were thinking?"
"Just about how this has happened, how quickly and everything. And
about where this is headed!"
Silence descended on the two of them for a moment, as they continued
to walk onward. Without realising, they'd walked virtually in a
circle, and were now approaching the entrance they had entered the
park through. Josh saw the entrance, and knew that decision time
would come soon. And the tough thing for him was, he didn't know
what that decision was, or who of them was going to make it.
And Josh wasn't the only one thinking these thoughts. Virtually
identical thoughts echoed around Kate's head. For the first time
that evening, there was doubt. Hard to believe that only minutes
before, doubt had been the last thing in either of their minds. But
as doubt started to wash over Kate, Josh made a decision, albeit one
he wasn't sure on. Part of him wanted to overrule the decision, but
it was one that he had to make, rather than necessarily wanted to
make.
"So, where do you think this is headed, Josh?", asked Kate, trying to
hide her own doubt, but also wanting to know what tonight had meant
to him.
"Honestly....I don't know." He saw the cloud that crossed her face,
and knew that he had to follow on with the explanation that was
forming in his mind, and try to bring her back from the doubts that
were forming fervently.
"I don't know where things are headed, but I know I do want them to
head somewhere. But at the same time, I don't want you to feel like
I'm pushing you into anything, or there's any pressure at alll,
or....is any of this making any sense?", he asked finally, unsure
whether he was making any or total sense.
Josh looked at her, searching her eyes for a light of understanding.
Something to convince him he hadn't made an absolute fool of himself,
shattered everything that had developed between the two of them and
hurt her. The last thing that he wanted to do was hurt her. For a
moment, he let his mind wander to a few things he'd like to do, but
he closed the door on those thoughts. He didn't want to rush things.
He wanted, more than anything, to make this work. But, he didn't
want to rush things. He looked at her, wondering what was going
through her mind, and what her response would be!
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