TashaAmy1803-Hope it's to your liking! So sorry it's a tad long. I really liked this one haha

Sand. It gets everywhere. You were sweeping the police/detective headquarters when you heard the familiar footfall of your favorite detective just outside. You sourly wished you didn't look like a scullery maid.

"Good evening (L/n)."

You looked up and smiled at him, brushing a loose hair from your face. "Hello, Detective Goodman."

Humphrey chuckled and shook his head as he searched through some papers strewn across his desk. "How many times must I tell you; you may call me Humphrey. Especially after hours."

You swept up your last pile and disposed of it before walking over to his desk and leaning against it. "In that case, I must insist you call me (Y/n)."

Humphrey looked up and gave you a small nod, grinning. "A fair point, (Y/n)" He looked back to his desk, still rummaging through his desk.

You cocked your head to the side. "You missing something?"

"Hmm?" He glanced at you then nodded. "Ah yes. A small tear of paper. Has my ex's new number on it. I seemed to have misplaced my glasses and am in need of her sending my second pair, along with my last few belongings."

Your heart ached for the man. A year and eight months later and you could still see how broken up he was about his wife ditching him here all on his own. But about a year of that time, you have been harboring not only pity for him but attraction. You never thought you would be one to fall for a detective with a dangerous line of duty. But it's how he acts about it and handles situations that first opened your eyes to him.

That and he saved you from a druglord's band of mercenaries. You were a journalist but decided to quit and work here after you got yourself into some trouble and Humphrey used his quick wit and detective skills to get you out. Now you are a secretary of sorts. You document the cases and make sure no good deed goes unrecognized.

You nodded your head, looking around with him. A small yellow corner of an envelope peeked from under his keyboard. You lifted it and there it was, a small piece of paper with a number scrawled sloppily across it. You hesitated to pick it up but your actions drew the detective's attention.

"Ah! You found it. Perfect thank you. The sooner one interacts with one's ex, the better." Humphrey nodded his head to you and picked up the paper piece. "I will be just a moment."

Assuming he wanted to come back, you waited. You watched him go but soon pried your eyes away from him once he called her, not wanting to get caught eavesdropping. You would be lying if you said you weren't worried about him contacting her. You were harboring a secret you felt you should have told him long ago.

Sally had tried to contact Humphrey almost three months ago. But each time he was busy with paperwork, asleep or on a case, so you would "take a message" and tell her to wait before contacting him again. You told Humphrey about it when she first called a few times but he said he wasn't too pressed about talking to her. Yet, she seemed more anxious with each call. The most recent one, which was yesterday morning, she sounded upset and overly eager to speak to him. You asked what it was that she wanted and she slipped and said that she missed him.

You glanced up and saw his face change emotions several times. Not wanting to tempt yourself to listen in you moved to the back of the place to finish up cleaning, leaving him to his ex-wife.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Humphrey pinched the bridge of his nose as he blinked hard. Sally wanted him back.

"Please say something, dear."

With a heavy sigh, he shrugged despite her not being able to see it. "What do you want me to say? You didn't exactly give me a say when you left..."

"I know and you have no idea how much I regret doing that. Please, think about what I said. I will be here, waiting for you."

Humphrey walked over to the balcony and leaned against it, facing the inside of the headquarters. He didn't say anything as he absentmindedly watched you pick up his desk. He smirked. So that's how it got clean every morning.

"Humph?"

Sally's voice brought him back to the present. "Yeah..."

"I love you, dear."

Without a second thought, he hung up. He was angry. Angry that he'd rather work a case than talk to Sally. Angry that she wanted him back, after all that time. Angry that her voice and those words still made him feel warm and giddy after all that time. But mostly upset with himself for not moving on like he wanted to just so this exact thing would be easy to avoid with saying "I am with someone else". And that 'someone else' just bumped their head on his desk after grabbing something that landed on the ground.

You rubbed your head and winced. Maybe it's time to invest in a vacuum that can reach under tables. You glanced outside to see of he was done and you blushed. He was looking right at you with that silly grin of is plastered over his face. You shook your head and joined him. You leaned against the balcony rail, looking over at him.

"How did it go?" You asked with a small voice.

Humphrey didn't say anything for a little bit. He had an idea and was contemplating on seeing what you would think about it. Turning to you, he crossed his arms and bumped your shoulder lightly with his.

"How does lunch sound tomorrow?"

You gave him a small smile. "I usually eat lunch every day. What's so special about tomorrow?"

Humphrey chuckled, his spirits instantly lifted. "Well, you won't be eating alone and I am offering to pay for it."

You pretended to think about it. "Hmmm. I think I can spare a lunch for you." You bumped his shoulder back. "Thanks. What's this for?"

Humphrey shrugged, but it was lighter, happier. "Usually when a man would like to get to know a woman they ask for their time by buying them food. Or so I was told."

Your grin turned into a huge smile. "Yeah. Alright. Thank you, Humphery."

The detective wasn't looking at you directly but once you said his name he met your eyes, making your heart beat fast and your ears warm. Humphrey smiled, nodding.

"Of course. Now go to bed. I think you have done more than enough tonight." He winked before pushing off the guard rail. "Allow me to escort you back to your place." He stuck out his arm for you to take.

You giggled. "Oh, how charming. Thank you." You took his arm and the both of you continued in a comfortable conversation as he took you home safely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the next month and a half, Humphrey took you out to dinner, lunch, and breakfast several times. He had you over and you had him over. Your small friendship grew and soon you were sure you were not the only one wishing for more than casual small touches and the occasional hug of friendship. But knowing him and what happened with Sally, you kept to his pace and dared not rush anything in fear of screwing up what you already had.

Coincidentally, you weren't the only one who was afraid of screwing up the budding relationship. While he wasn't thoroughly enjoying his time with you, he was on the phone with his ex-wife doing who knows what. He was hoping to patch things up and make sure she was alright. He didn't want to get back with her. Did he?

Although the both of you may be hiding a secret from the other, the both of you were determined to tell the other of their hidden truths. And soon. A little sooner than you had thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You walked into HQ happy and smiling since Humphrey asked you to lunch all those nights ago. Today you were going to finish up a few case reports before going out to see a play with Humphrey. He has been so sweet and so kind, it was almost like a dream. Perhaps you should escalate things a bit and kiss him or something. Just a quick peck. You have kissed him many times on the cheek but...

You found the case files and turned to head to your desk when you ran into someone. You were so lost in your mind you didn't hear them come in. The papers went flying and the visitor let out an alarmed shout.

"OH my goodness, I am so sorry," you stammered as you hurried to pick up your papers.

A woman's voice sounded above you, clearly in no rush to help you. "Of course you are. Perhaps you can direct me to the detective of this place. He knows me."

You stood, brushing off the sand on your sundress as best you could. Forcing a smile you held the papers to your chest. "Of course. May I ask who wants to see him?"

The woman eyes softened and she gave you a small smile that looked real. "Sally. Sally Goodman."

You blinked. So this was who left him in such a heartless manner. Before you could reply the detective himself stepped through.

"Oh good, you're early. I think I may have an explanation for the second murder and why he used a duck as his weapon." Humphrey smiled at you, apparently only seeing you.

You gave him a strained smile and motioned your head to Sally. "Ah yes. But I think this is more pressing. You have a visitor."

He nodded. "Great. A visitor, I love visitors." He placed his hands on his hips.

Sally stepped forward. "Then my presence here should make you nothing less than euphoric."

Humphrey's smile dropped and his hands dropped. "Sally. I- uh...you're- you're here."

Sally set her purse on his desk. "Yes, of course, I am. How else did you think I would finally convince you I truly love you."

Your eyes widened and you looked at Humphrey pointedly. He caught your gaze and he swallowed. "Ah, yes. About that. It seems I am in need of clearing up a few things."

You nodded, walking to the other side of him and away from Sally so she couldn't see the unshed tears in your eyes. "Yes. That would be greatly appreciated."

Sally crossed her arms. "And what is there to explain? And for who?"

Humphrey stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet. "I am afraid I have made a large miscalculation and the both of you need to hear it."

You nodded. Sally continued to give him an incredulous look. You sat on the corner of the table and looked down. "You aren't the only one who needs to say something."

Sally dropped her hands. "Great. I've walked into a confessional."

You ignored her and looked at Humphrey. "Your ex-wife called several times before but...I always made an excuse for you not to talk to her. I feared you would- you would go back to her."

Humphrey winced.

You looked up at him, wringing your hands. "But it looks like it took only one call for your glasses for her to come back to you." You gave him a small sad smile.

Sally looked between you two. "What are you talking about? Yes, I have his spare glasses but we have been talking for several weeks now."

Your heart dropped. Oh.

Humphrey walked up to you and gently grasped your shoulders. "That is was I have to tell you. While I was, admittedly, dating you I was talking to Sally. I only wished to clear the animosity. Not bring to life what broke me so long ago. Believe me when I say I did not plan for her to come here."

Sally scoffed. "You practically begged me."

That started a fight between them. You barely paid attention. You were working through your mind about what was going on. It did look to be a big misunderstanding. A huge misunderstanding.

Finally, Sally stood next to you and grabbed your arm, forcing you to stand next to her. "Fine. Fine. Humphrey, it is now or never. Her or me."

Your heart stopped. Humphrey blinked. His hesitation worried you but what you didn't know what that he was shocked she would make such a request. He knew his answer.

Without a word, Humphrey stepped up to you, toes almost touching, noses dangerously close, his hands taking your elbows then sliding down to your hands. "Forgive me (Y/n). I did not mean for it to end up this way. I hope you find it within you to forgive me."

Tears sprang to your eyes. Sally scoffed, smiling cheekily. But what he did next she did not expect. Gently, he reached up and wiped at the tears that fell on your cheeks. With a breath he pressed his lips against yours, cradling your head with one hand as he snaked the other around your back. He kissed you gently as if asking for forgiveness.

You heard Sally gasp and your eyes widened. But soon you melted into his arms, deepening the kiss as you wrapped your own arms around him. Neither one of you heard Sally storm off and Sally never looked back. Humphrey pulled away but only enough to kiss your cheek then nose before pecking your lips again.

"I promise to be completely and wholeheartedly honest with you from now on." He searched your face, stroking your cheek with his thumb. "Can you forgive me?"

With a small smile, you nodded as you played with the hair at the nape of his neck. "If you can forgive me for being selfish with her calls."

Humphrey let out a great laugh. "I will only ever thank you." He kissed you, loving the feel of your lips against his. "I hope this wasn't too rushed for you."

It was your turn to laugh. You shook your head, smiling wide. "No. This is a much appreciated and anticipated leap in the right direction."

His shoulders relaxed. "Wonderful because I finally got a reservation at that nice restaurant you wanted last week."

You giggled and kissed him as you held him close, giddily looking forward to the many lunch outings and late-night talks ahead.