#ncis ny

It was like all the feelings that developed in Los Angeles flooded your heart once again. And all the memories did, too.

You met six years ago, on a sunny morning at the beach where you both went swimming before your workdays. It had been impossible not to notice him. He was what most people would call tall, dark and handsome. But that's not all there is to him, oh no. Above all, Sam was kind. He’d come over the moment he caught you smiling at him, introduced himself, and after a bit of easy conversation, asked if you wanted to swim together the next morning.

It became your routine. And slowly, that routine developed into something more. It started with smoothies after your morning swims and ended with long, deep talks on his boat, in your apartment- wherever you happened to end up. Conversations that stretched late into the evening, easy and unforced.

And honestly, it could have gone on like that forever, and you would have been perfectly fine with it. Even though your lives couldn’t have been more different, you just... worked, like two peas in a pod. Your core values and beliefs aligned perfectly and you balanced each other in a way you'd never known was possible before.

But, life had had other plans. He had to go undercover for an extended assignment and your job had pulled you to Washington.

You'd kept in touch obviously. Texts, calls, showing up for each other in whatever ways you could. But yes, it's been a while since you'd actually seen each other.

Time to get a grip.

You wanted to make the most of the time you had with the former SEAL, so you got to work. Boxes were pushed aside, the couch pulled out into a bed, fresh sheets tucked into place. Maybe, you hoped, it would be like old times and you'd read or watch a movie together until you fell asleep.

Afterwards, you headed out for groceries and by the time you returned, the quiet of your home was replaced by your latest favourite songs as you started cooking. Knowing Sam the way you did also meant knowing his dietary preferences. You couldn’t let him stay over without making something he’d actually like.

You paused.

Was this too much? Would it feel like a date? Or worse- would it make him uncomfortable?

No. No. This was Sam, for God's sake. You've cooked for and with each other plenty of times. You'd be fine.

Right on time, there was a knock at the door.

Your breath hitched the moment you opened it.

"Oh my god. You look so good."

Sam laughed. It was a deep, genuine laugh and you felt your heart relax immediately. “Yeah? You like the beard?” he asked, rubbing a hand along his jaw.

"You have no idea. It suits you so well, what the hell. But don't stand there like that, come here!" You opened your arms and when Sam engulfed you in a hug, everything felt right again. Not that anything was necessarily bad before. But now, everything was better.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured, his arms tightening around you as he pulled you closer against his firm chest.

Oh, how these words healed something in you.

You arms tightened around him. "I've missed you, too, Sam."

The hug lasted longer than it needed to and when you finally parted, you both had a smile on your faces.

"So," he said, looking around, "I see you're ready for New York."

You nodded. "It's gonna be a big change though. New job, new city and I don't know anybody."

A small grin tugged at his lips. "I wouldn't say that."

You led him into the kitchen, grabbing two glasses and a bottle of juice. "What do you mean?"

“Nothing official yet,” he said, leaning casually against the counter, “but they’re opening a new NCIS office. In New York.”

You raised your eyebrows, waiting.

“They asked me to lead the team there."

It took you a few seconds to register what he'd just said. "What did you tell them?"

The smile he gave you was answer enough and you squealed as you bounced on your feet, excitement spilling over.

"We're moving to New York!"

Sam laughed, pulling you into another hug.

“I was hoping we could pick this back up,” he said quietly after a while, his hand lingering at your waist.

You leaned back just enough to look at him, something warm and bright in your chest.