you and elle had been working on a high profile case, spending hours together at the office. the tension and stress of the investigation had been palpable, but through it all, elle had found herself drawn to your presence.

you and elle were sitting in a quiet corner of the bau office. you were sitting on the edge of a desk, looking over case files, while elle stood nearby, her attention focused on you.

elle had always admired your dedication and the way you handled the complexities of the case. but tonight, she found herself noticing something else.

as she approached, she hesitated for a moment, her usual confidence wavering. elle took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. the silence between you was comfortable but charged with the unspoken words that had been building up over time.

“hey,” elle began, her voice softer than usual. you looked up from the file you were studying, meeting her gaze. her expression was a mix of admiration and vulnerability.

“i’ve been meaning to tell you something,” elle continued, her voice steady but with a hint of emotion. “i’ve worked with a lot of people in this job, and i’ve seen a lot of things. but i have to be honest, every time i look at you, i'm struck by how incredible you are.”

you tilted your head, a bit surprised by the earnestness in her voice. “incredible? how so?”

elle took a step closer, her eyes locked on yours. “you’re not just the best partner i’ve ever had in a case. you’re... the prettiest girl i’ve ever seen. and i don’t mean just in a physical sense. there’s something about you. your kindness, your strength, the way you handle yourself that makes you stand out. i guess i’m trying to say that i’ve really come to appreciate who you are, in every sense of the word.”