Romance in the workplace always comes with complications.

We have to worry about rules against dating or the unfortunate fact of one of the characters being dead.

I’ve compiled some of my favorite romances in the workplace that have less than normal circumstances.

Sydney & Vaughn – “Alias”

Sydney and Vaughn’s story begins at the most normal place in the world: the CIA.

These two caught my attention and adoration quickly due to their unique circumstances. Vaughn, operating as Sydney’s handler, has to ensure that their meetings are brief and secretive, true to their jobs as spies. Unfortunately for audiences, that means their meetings are steeped in little touch but many longing looks. This, of course, makes every tender moment between the two that much more precious.

It takes them so long to get together, but when they do, it’s undeniable that the only thing on both of their minds is the love they share.

David & Julia – “Bodyguard”

These two meet when David is assigned to act as Julia’s bodyguard, as she is a high level politician with a constant target on her back.

I find that the way I ship these two is not only different from the rest of the couples on this list, but different from most of the couples I ship. Most of the time, the romance of it all sweeps me off my feet. But David and Julia’s relationship is far from romantic; it’s undefined and largely a means to fulfill basic desires.

I find myself acting the anthropologist instead of the fangirl when I think about them. Julia is the older of the two and the one who holds great political power, as well as power over David, a dynamic quite rare in both reality and television. I greatly enjoy something so refreshing, and what can I say? I love a woman in power who does whatever she wants, especially when it comes to matters of love and sex.

Leslie & Ben –
“Parks and Recreation”

Out of all the couples on this list, Leslie and Ben have perhaps the most normal relationship, whatever normal means.

Their relationship begins in my most favorite way: as enemies-to-lovers.

It doesn’t take long, however, for the two of them to realize how brilliant the other is. They grow to respect one another, and they become quite the formidable team.

When workplace regulations against coworkers dating keeps them apart, I was devastated. It is obvious to everyone involved — Leslie and Ben, Leslie and Ben’s coworkers, and audiences — that these two desperately want to be together.

When they ultimately decided to say fuck it and be together, sealing this decision with one of the most passionate kisses, I was jumping up and down from all the excitement.

— The Passionate Kiss

Nathan & Nora – “Upload”

I only recently discovered Nathan and Nora, but they earned a special place in my heart rather quickly.

Their relationship is so odd, that I’m not sure whether I can describe it as a “workplace romance.” They first meet after Nathan has died and his consciousness has been uploaded onto a virtual world where he can still live some semblance of a life. Nora, who works for the company that runs this virtual world, is assigned to be his customer service representative, or, as they call them in the show, his angel.

These two bond over everything from personal struggles to the mystery of solving Nathan’s murder. Seeing them fall in love is sweet, but it’s tinged with an inherent tragedy because we know it’s practically impossible for them to be together. After all, if people find long distance difficult, how can people make a relationship work when one partner is dead?

Lucy & Wyatt – “Timeless”

There is something beautiful and tragic when it comes to romance amid time travel, and Lucy and Wyatt are no exception.

These two meet when they are suddenly and unexpectedly pulled into capturing a criminal who is committing acts of terror and homicide across time. Romance is the last thing on their minds as they are tirelessly worked to mitigate the effects of these crimes. However, the danger they consistently face makes the formation of a deep bond inevitable.

I can’t get enough of how protective they are of each other or their disagreements about time travel mission strategy.