This is my first fanfic so please, please be kind!

The Night That Changed Their Lives!

Summary: Ben and Kate spend a night of passion together and the consequences are life changing.

Chapter One: The Beginning:

Kate was sitting at her desk, face planted firmly in the palms of her hand trying to collect her emotions from an undeniably very stressful day. The current case she was trying to mediate was hitting close to home and she could almost swear someone was reading a book that detailed her married life with Justin. Kate desperately tried to separate herself from the case but during the last meeting when Jake made the same argument about his infidelities as Justin did, she snapped and made an emotionally compromising outburst that shocked everyone in the room.

The meeting had finished several hours ago and the offices of Reed & Reed were now dark. Taking two deep breaths, Kate lifted her face from her hands and sat back in her chair feeling the uncomfortable tightness in her back that was caused by sitting in a very un-ergonomic position. Kate hissed in pain and reclined as far back as she could in an effort to stretch out the sore muscles.

Unknown to Kate, she was not alone in the office and was being watched very intensively by a certain male co-worker. Ben couldn't think how long he'd been leaning against the doorframe of her office just watching her and he honestly wouldn't care if it had been 5 minutes or 5 hours.

Now stretched fully back, Ben was able to get a better view of this beautiful woman. His eyes travelled from her slightly parted lips to her slender neck and then down to her chest which was being pushed out. Ben turned his gaze away fearing she may catch him looking and think of him as some sick perv that she would undoubtedly bring up every chance she got. Instead, he produced a cough to steal her attention.

Kate jumped at the sound and rolled her eyes when she saw Ben standing there looking smug. "I didn't mean to scare you" he confessed looking away again.

"You didn't scare me" she replied hastily trying to stand from her seat. The pain in her back muscles increased and she gasped in more pain. Kate looked around and concluded from the darkness of the surrounding offices and the night like atmosphere around, that she had been sitting there for many, many hours and had stuffed her back completely.

Ben didn't miss the gasp and rushed to her side to lend a hand to support her. She gratefully accepted his offer and placed a hand on his shoulder and used it to leverage herself into the correct standing position.

"Sorry" she said heaving herself against him pulling their bodies into an almost tight hug.

"Don't be sorry" Ben said quietly against her cheek. Kate who was now completely flush against him was able to feel the contours of his body and he couldn't help but close his eyes and breathe in the scent of her hair and perfume. "I could help you stretch those muscles" he said impulsively before thinking.

"Normally… I wouldn't accept but… I am feeling very stiff and could use a hand" she admitted gesturing with her body towards the couch.

Ben mentally groaned and though 'Me too'.

Taking her hint, he began manoeuvring both their bodies to the couch trying as hard as he could to limit the amount of contact they had with their hips.

Ben looked at the couch and tried to figure out how to get them both in a position to help relax Kate's muscles. "How about if I sit behind you and you sit on the edge? That way I can massage your muscles and still be comfortable" he suggested.

Kate smiled and poked his chest "I see you're still thinking about your own comfort first"

"Always" he answered letting go of her body and moving to sit on the couch. Kate turned slowly and began to lower herself to sit in front of him. The stress on her back was painfully intense and finally she just let her leg muscles go and allowed gravity to bring her.

Unfortunately for Ben, she landed smack bang on his own stiff muscle causing him to squeak. This was a very embarrassing moment for him and on instinct he was quick to respond, jumping back into the cushions on the couch and pushing Kate forward. She didn't say anything but he knew that she had felt him from the gasp she made upon contact.

Ben grabbed a pillow and rested it over his crotch trying to shield her from more contact with the now painfully throbbing member. The situation became awkward and it didn't help that he was frozen and didn't know what to do or say. His mouth just hung open while he waited for something to happen.

"Well? Are you going to help me or not?" Kate said pushing herself back against him feeling the pillow cushion between their bodies.

"O…Of course!" he replied quickly putting his hands on either side of neck and using his thumb to work the shoulder and high back muscles.

An involuntary moan escaped Kate's lips and she rolled her head forward giving him more access to the back of her neck.

Ben smiled and adjusted his own body to fit more naturally with hers. "You like that?" he asked moving his left hand to her side.

"It's good" she moaned out before realizing what she was saying. Kate tried saving her comment by almost immediately saying, "I'm not surprised… you would have plenty of experience with many woman". Although she knew that to be a false statement, it didn't make her feel better. In fact, it made her feel worse. The thought of Ben with another woman made her feel anger, sadness and jealousy all at once.

Ben laughed and began rubbing his right hand up and down her spine "Contrary to your strong belief, I'm not a player, slut or man whore".

"Are you trying to convince me that you have never been with a woman and had one or two on the side?" Kate said in a sarcastic tone.

Ben pulled his hands away from her body and looked away. He returned one hand to her right shoulder and the other to her left hip before responding in frustration "Just because I've not been in a real committed relationship doesn't make me some sex crazed animal"

Kate was surprised by his answer. Ben had never been that honest about his personal life before and she was feeling guilty for rushing to judgement. "Look Ben, I didn't mean…"

"Don't worry about it" he said softly cutting her off and resuming the massage

She felt awful for insinuating that he would be an unfaithful partner. She looked down before sighing, "Ben… stop".

Ben removed his hands and put them by his side and remained silent. Kate took this opportunity to lie back against his chest and rest her head on his shoulder. Kate turned her face and whispered "I didn't mean it like that… You know what I said was in jest"

Ben felt chills from her breath running along his neck and turned to face her. His eyes looked directly into hers, "How do you see me?" he asked

Kate was a little confused by his questions and replied slowly "Attractive?"

He smiled and winked at her "That isn't what I meant. I was asking whether or not you saw me as the kind of guy that you could settle down with, start a family… grow old with?"

Blown away by the question, Kate moved her hand up to cup his right cheek. "You mean us?" she asked more nervous than she's ever been in the past.

'YES, YES, YES!' Ben thought privately. He wished he could be honest and tell her how he feels. Tell her that when she's near his heart beats twice as fast. Tell her that she is always on his mind. Sadly all he could muster up was "No… I mean in general. Do you think I'm that kind of guy?"

Getting closer to his face she asked, "Honestly?"

Ben dropped his head so that his nose was point to point with hers, "honestly"

"I think that you would make an excellent husband someday. Any woman would be lucky to get you… and your magic hands" Kate said reaching over and grabbing his hand and giving it a tight squeeze.

Ben smiled and squeezed her hand back "Kate, there's something I want to tell you…" he paused "I…"

Just as Ben was about to confess his feelings, Lauren just happened to walk into to the office after noticing the light was still on "Kate? Ben? Everything OK in here?"

Kate quickly jumped up from her comfy seat and brushed herself off. "Ben was just helping me out with some stiff back muscles"

Lauren raised an eyebrow and turned her attention to Ben.

Ben looked from side to side before pointing over at Kate and saying "What she said"

Lauren rolled her eyes and turned to Kate, "We have an important settlement meeting tomorrow with a big client. Make sure you're not late". Kate simply nodded and Lauren left the two alone.

Kate blushed and looked at Ben still motionless on the couch. "I guess I should be getting out of here"

"Me too" Ben said getting up from the couch and walking past her.

Kate wanted so bad to just climb back on Ben and cuddle some more. Being with him on that couch was so comfortable and natural. Kate saw him collect his briefcase from his desk and walk out into reception area. "Good Night" she called out to him.

Ben stopped and looked back and replied "It already is" before continuing his way to the elevator.

TBC

Author Note: That concludes chapter one! Time to think of Chapter two!