His lips on her palm made her ache inside, the tiny little gesture of intimacy making her want things she had no business wanting...things she couldn't have, living the life she did, but above all else it made her want to kiss him again and never stop, never move, just let the world melt away while she held onto him.

"I didn't think I'd see you again, and really... I think that would have made me letting you leave the worst choice I've made this whole run."

The words made her chest tight and her eyes burn just a little, just enough to catch her off guard and make her blink, heart in her throat as she shook her head slightly. "Linc..."

But he kissed her again, and time seemed to stop, the way it had that one night, that one perfect night she hadn't been able to forget. It held a promise of things that scared and thrilled her...things she knew in her head she might be able to have, but that her heart wouldn't let her take, not after the last time.

"I'm not letting you run again."

Damn him. Damn him to hell and back again for saying it, for making her *feel* it, that same feeling as before...an easing of tension from her body, a trapdoor falling out from beneath her feet to just let her float, safe and secure in the knowledge that it wasn't up to her anymore because something *good* was on her heels now, chasing her with the same relentless tenacity as the law...

The law. His kid.

Her own subconscious came in to save her from answering as she shook her head slightly to clear it, voice still breathy and soft with passion she tried to ignore. "Linc...I saw on the news. Your son..."