“Hey,” he said quietly and she looked up at him, her lip quivering. “I’m OK,” he reassured her and she nodded as she took a shaky breath.

 “I know,” she said, clearing her throat. “I just...” she trailed off, shaking her head, doing her best not to imagine what could have happened.

 What almost did happen.

 Jane watched quietly as the paramedics finished examining Kurt before he stood up, extending his hand to her.

 “Let’s go home,” he said and she nodded, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her back to the car. She waited in the passenger’s seat as she watched Kurt give some last instructions to Reade and Zapata. She looked down and realized she was still holding his vest. She pressed her fingers against the two bullets, feeling that familiar tightening in her chest. She shook her head as Kurt opened the door and turned to place the vest in the backseat.

 “Are you hungry?” he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot but she shook her head, gazing out the window as he drove them home. He reached over and took her hand in his, glancing over at her as they stopped at a red light. He gave her hand a squeeze and she looked down at their joint hands in her lap before up at him.

 “I just want to go home,” she said softly and he nodded, continuing on as the light turned green.

 Once they were home, Kurt headed to the shower and Jane changed out of her work clothes and into one of Kurt’s T-shirts. She sat cross-legged on their bed as she heard the shower turn off and a few moments later, Kurt appeared in their room, with a towel wrapped around his waist.

 She looked up as he walked towards the foot of the bed, stopping in front of her as he reached out and took her face in his hands. She looked up at him, offering a small smile as he leaned down and brushed his lips against her forehead.

 “You’ve been quiet,” he murmured and she nodded, sitting up on her knees as she rested her hands on his hips. She stared at his chest, at the bruises already forming there from the impact of the bullets.

 “You scared me today,” she whispered, gently reaching out and brushing her fingers against the red marks on his skin. She leaned forward, softly pressing her lips to his chest before tilting her head up as he leaned down to kiss her.

 “I know, I’m sorry,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again. “But everything’s OK.”

 She took a deep breath and nodded, sitting back on her heels as she moved her hands back down to his waist.

 “I know. But it almost wasn’t...and if you hadn’t been wearing your vest...”

 He shook his head, reaching to take one of her hands in his and holding it up against his chest.

 “I was,” he said softly, pressing her hand against his chest, right above his heart where she could feel it beating, steady and strong. “I’m fine.”

 She nodded, reaching up and wiping away at the tears that had escaped from the corners of her eyes. They were quiet for a few moments before Jane cleared her throat, threading her fingers through Kurt’s. He raised his eyebrows at her as he waited for her to speak.

 “I don’t think we should go out in the field together anymore,” she said quietly and his eyes widened as he sat down beside her.

 “Why...why would you say that?’ he asked, furrowing his brow. “Because of today?”

 She shook her head, turning to face him as she crossed her legs.

 “Not just today...it’s every day. You...” she paused, biting her lip but he squeezed her hand, urging her to continue. “You know I think you are an incredible agent. And I trust you with my life.”

 He nodded as he tilted his head to the side, confused by what she was saying.

 “Then...what’s wrong?”

 She took another deep breath, looking down at their joint hands and then back up at him.

 “You’re always going to put my life first,” she said quietly, blushing as she said it. “Before the mission, before anyone else on the team. Before your own life. And it almost got you killed today.”

 He cleared his throat, looking away as she said it. He couldn’t argue with her, he knew she was right.

 “It’s not just you,” she admitted, reaching out and gently brushing her fingers against his cheek, turning him back to face her. “I do the same thing with you. And we have to stop.”

 She saw his eyes well up with tears as he looked back at her and she reached out, brushing her fingertips against the bruises on his chest again.

 “We owe it to the team to be as objective as possible when we’re out in the field,” she said quietly, tracing her fingers around the bruises before reaching up to rest her hand behind his neck. She leaned forward, resting her head against his forehead as they each took a deep breath. “And we owe it to each other.”

 He took a deep breath and nodded, leaning forward to kiss her softly.

 “OK,” he agreed, clearing his throat. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll pair you up with Zapata, and I’ll team up with Reade.”

 She nodded, hooking her arms around his shoulders as she crawled into his lap and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his chest.

 “It’s not going to be easy,” he muttered into her shoulder and she nodded, pulling her arms tighter around him. “I just want to protect you,” he said quietly and she nodded, pulling back so she could look at him. She brought her hands up to either side of his face, brushing her lips against his.

 “I know, me too,” she said with a small smile. “But this is how we do it. This is how we protect each other.”

 He nodded, hugging her close again as he pressed his face against her neck.

 “Promise me something,” he said quietly and he felt her nod against his shoulder. “Promise that you’ll always do everything you can to come home to me.”

 He felt her wrap her arms tighter around him.

 “Only if you promise me the same thing,” she murmured into his shoulder and he couldn’t help but smile as he leaned back to look at her.

 “I promise,” he said, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. She smiled as she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his.

He stands up as she reaches him and reaches out, gently lifting her yoga mat off her shoulder and taking her bag from her, setting them both down on the bench. She looks at him curiously, raising her eyebrows as he turns back to face her. But before she can ask him again, he reaches out and cups her cheek, leaning down to capture her lips with his.

 She leans into him instinctively, wrapping her arms around his waist as she pulls him closer. She smiles against his lips as he brushes his against hers, tilting her head back as he gently pulls away.

 She opens her eyes and sees him grinning down at her and she returns his smile, keeping her arms around his waist.

 “What was that for?” she asks and he smiles, leaning down to press his lips to hers in a quick kiss.

 “Do you know what today is?” he asks quietly and she furrows her brow, biting her lip as she tries to remember.

 “Tuesday?” she eventually guesses and he laughs, shaking his head as he pulls her closer.

 “No. Well, yes. But not just Tuesday. It was a year ago that you kissed me. Right here in this spot,” he says quietly and her eyes widen as she realized he’s right.

 It feels both like yesterday and a million years ago that she had snuck out of her safe house, escaping the watchful eye of her security detail, and waited for him here, just as he had waited for her tonight.

 She remembers how she felt, in his arms, his lips on hers. How happy she had been, how full of hope. And how quickly that feeling had vanished.

 “Wow, I...” she shakes her head slightly, looking down at his chest before she feels his fingertips under her chin, gently tilting her head up to look at him.

 “I know that a lot has changed since that night,” he says quietly, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers. “But one thing hasn’t changed and I just thought that should be our memory of this night. Not anything else.”

 She nods, swallowing back her tears as he leans down and brushes his lips against hers.

 “You have good ideas,” she murmurs against his lips and he chuckles, wrapping his arms around her as he kisses her again.

 “You’re good inspiration.”

 ***

 The next year, it’s pouring rain as the cab pulls up in front of the building. She can’t believe it when she sees him sitting on the bench, no umbrella, no rain jacket.

 “Kurt! You’re going to freeze!” she says, opening her umbrella and rushing over to cover him with it. He laughs and shakes his head, taking the umbrella from her and tossing it over his shoulder.

 “You’re a lunatic!” she exclaims, laughing as he reaches out and pushes her wet hair off her face.

 “Well, I hope I can be your lunatic,” he says, raising his voice over the rain pounding against the sidewalk. He leans down to kiss her and she laughs against his lips, hooking her arms around his neck as he lifts her up off the ground.

 “Come on,” she says, grabbing his hand as he sets her down and she starts towards the door. “Let’s get inside before this rain washes us away.”

 But he gives her hand a tug, pulling her back towards him and she raises her eyebrows at him in confusion.

 “Just one more thing,” he says with a smile, before he bends down on one knee in front of her.

 She gasps, bringing her free hand up to her mouth as he feels her other hand start to tremble in his.

 “Will you marry me?” he asks and she nods over and over as she throws her arms around his neck and sits down on his knee, kissing him as the rain soaks both of them.

 “Yes,” she mumbles against his lips and he pulls away, grinning from ear to ear as he slightly turns his head.

 “What was that?” he yells and she laughs.

 “YES!” she shouts, throwing her head back before looking up at him and leaning in to kiss him again. “I’ll marry you.”

 “Even though I’m a lunatic?” he asks, glancing around at the downpour they’re in the middle of. She stands up, reaching for his hand as she pulls him with her and throws her arms around his neck again, shrieking as he lifts her up and she wraps her arms and legs around him.

 “Especially because you’re a lunatic,” she says, laughing as he carries her towards the door. She leans down, kissing him as he fumbles with the handle before swinging it open. They step inside he lets the door swing shut behind him as she looks down at him, her hair dripping onto his face and shoulders. She kisses him once more before pulling back with a grin as he walks them towards the elevator.

 “You’re my lunatic.”

 ***

 She’s nine months pregnant the following year when he leads her outside, holding the door open for her as she steps out onto the sidewalk.

 She rests her hands on her belly as she turns towards him, smiling as he takes a step forward and places his hands over hers.

 “Just a little bit different than that first night, huh?” she says, looking up at him with a grin. He laughs and nods as he leans down, kissing her softly and slowly. He grins against her lips as he feels their baby move beneath their hands.

 “A little different and a whole lot better,” he says and she nods, looking down at her belly and then up at him.

 He presses a quick kiss to her lips before leaning down, brushing his lips against her belly. She smiles, resting her hand on the back of his neck. He stands up after a moment, reaching for her hand to lead them back inside but she gently pulls him towards the bench.

 They sit together quietly, watching the cars and people go by, smiling as a little girl rides by on her tricycle, her parents following behind. Kurt squeezes Jane’s hand and they share a hopeful, knowing smile, allowing themselves to daydream about the day that will be them and their little girl.

 Kurt’s about to suggest they head upstairs for some lunch when he notices Jane shifting uncomfortably in her seat, rubbing at the side of her belly.

 “What? What is it?” he asks, looking down at her belly and then up at her. She shakes her head, reaching out to pat his knee before she flinches and brings her hand back to her stomach. “Jane?”

 She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before opening them and smiling calmly at her husband.

 “I think you should go upstairs and get my bag,” she says, her smile growing as she sees the realization on his face. “I think our daughter has a new memory to add to this day.”

 ***

 It’s the middle of the night the following year. Ruby is cutting a new tooth and doesn’t seem to want to sleep at all. None of their usual tricks to calm her down seem to be working.

 Jane tries nursing her, Kurt tries singing to her. They lie in their bed with her between them, try sitting her in her playpen. Kurt lies on the couch with her, holding her against his chest – usually her favorite place to sleep. But she just cries and cries and cries.

 “Let’s take her for a walk,” Kurt says, walking over towards the window where Jane is holding Ruby against her chest, pacing back and forth as their little girl fusses tearfully. Kurt reaches out and gently brushes his fingers against Ruby’s cheek before leaning over and pressing his lips to the top of her head.

 He kisses Jane softly as he stands up, sensing how upset she’s getting at not being able to soothe their baby.

 “She’s OK,” he reassures her and she offers him a small smile, nodding as she takes a deep breath. “Come on, some air will be good for all of us.”

 They change Ruby into some warmer clothes and wrap her up against Jane’s chest before setting out into the cool night air. She seems to calm as they walk a few blocks, eventually dozing off against Jane’s chest. Jane sighs in relief and leans into Kurt’s side as he wraps his arm around her shoulders.

 “Finally,” she whispers and Kurt chuckles, leaning over to kiss the top of Jane’s head.

 “Should we head back?” he murmurs and she nods, allowing him to lead her around the block back towards their apartment.

 “Though I’m a little afraid she’ll wake up if we stop,” she says quietly, gently resting her hands against her baby’s back, feeling the rise and fall with each breath she takes. Kurt smiles and pulls them both closer as they reach their door, turning to stand in front of Jane before they head in.

 “Our little Ruby wanted to stay up for her birthday,” Kurt says with a grin, looking down at their sleeping daughter, now drooling against Jane’s chest. Jane chuckles and nods, tilting her head up towards her husband.

 “Somehow we always end up in this spot, don’t we?” Jane says smiling as Kurt reaches out and cups her face in his hands. He leans down and kisses her softly, pulling her as close as he can without squishing Ruby between them.

 “I’ve had a lot of reasons to be happy in this spot,” he murmurs against her lips and she nods, glancing down at Ruby before looking back up at Kurt as he smiles down at both of them. “You’ve given me all of my reasons to be happy.”

 He leans down to kiss her again and they both jump slightly as they feel Ruby stir between them. She fusses as she starts to wake up and Jane looks up at Kurt with wide eyes as she gently rocks her back and forth.

 Kurt extends his hand to her, tilting his head towards the end of their street.

 “Once more around the block?” he asks and she nods, placing her hand in his as they start walking again.

 “Only if you promise to kiss me again when we get back here,” she says and he threads his fingers through hers, bringing her hand up to his lips to press a kiss to the back of it.