Eric nodded and felt a rush at Ryanâ€™s mischievous smile when he said there was nothing to fear. It was true there really wasnâ€™t. He was completely comfortable in Ryanâ€˜s arms, so to speak, and he didnâ€˜t want to go anywhere. It did not matter that Kat was up there and that she could come down, it did not matter that he was on a mission. At that point in time he was focused on what was going on in the moment. That was the entire reason he was a little shocked at Ryanâ€˜s words.<br/><br/>He opened his mouth to say something but the words didnâ€™t come out. Did he? The questions caught him off guard and he didnâ€™t know exactly what to say. He liked her company and she was a good partner. There were times when it frustrated him that she didnâ€™t understand the situation or allow for some leeway because it was needed from time to time. What Ryan said was true and the more he thought about it the more he wondered whether or not it was a good fit for the two of them to be pared. As much as it pained him to think about it, it was probably true.<br/><br/>He had been about to speak again when Ryan kissed him. It almost felt like the first time and the time on the ship all at once. He felt himself getting lost in it and it didnâ€˜t bother or scare him. Ericâ€™s heart beat faster in his chest and he could feel a small hunger coming out in himself as he kissed Ryan back. He didnâ€™t want to pull away, he didnâ€™t want to break it, and he wouldnâ€™t.<br/><br/>The feel of Ryanâ€™s arms around him felt right. There was a small logical part of his brain that wondered if Ryan could feel the heat coming off of his bare skin and in a small way it made him feel a little self conscious. The rest of his brain had given up. It knew heâ€™d wanted something like this since the ship and it was not going to get in his way. He wondered briefly if Ryan felt the same, or if this was just a preview of something to come later.