"I hate the rain".

Several hums of agreement sounded in unison as lightening lit up the crowded office. Rain trickled down the windows; the outside world shrouded in thick white fog as stormy clouds descended on the city of Greater Manchester. The dim greyness of the sky seemed to reflect the general mood of Syndicate 9's best detectives, as they sat pondering what to do with themselves on this wet and miserable day. None of the electrics were working properly due to the main power supply being hit by lightning and the entire building was working on emergency backup. It wasn't long before everyone had given up trying to work in the dark.

"If only I could go and get a coffee" DCI Murray said to herself as she glared out of her window in frustration. Affectionately known as 'Godzilla' by her colleagues; Gill Murray's temper often got the best of her well-controlled emotions. When it came to coffee – which of course was a necessity – Gill knew that without one it wouldn't take long for her temper to flare up, and she would soon be harassing members of her team.

"Anyone willing to go and fetch a cuppa?" she called jokingly, half hoping that someone would answer, but nobody said a word.

"I guess that means no then" Gill muttered under her breath. It had been raining all day, and showed no signs of letting up. There were no phones, no computers, no fridge, no kettle... no coffee.

Gill was pulled out of her thoughts by a quiet laugh.

"Oh Gill I'm sure it can't last much longer. It's only a little rain!"

Gill turned away from the window to find Janet standing in the doorway to her office.

"A little rain?" Gill pointed out of the window, "You call that a little rain?"

Janet shook her head, "It won't last forever Gill".

DCI Murray slumped into her chair and let out a groan, an unimpressed expression on her tired face. Thunder rumbled loudly overhead, reminding Gill of her rumbling stomach. Janet walked over to her, amused by her Boss's lack of enthusiasm. Usually she would make the best of a situation and grumble at anyone who complained; yet here she was complaining about coffee!

"Gill" said Janet, leaning forward in the attempt to gain her attention, "if you really want a cup of coffee why don't you go and get one?"

Gill looked at her as if she had gone mad. Go out in this rain? Was she crazy?

"You just asked if anyone would be willing to go" Janet pointed out.

"Jan, anyone willing to go out in this weather would have to be completely insane. You'd be soaked through within a minute!"

Gill put her head on the desk and groaned. Janet couldn't help but laugh, "Gill, if you really want a coffee I will go and get you one".

Gill's head snapped up, "Oh no you won't".

Janet raised an eyebrow, "Won't I?"

"No!" said Gill, pointing a finger at her, "If you get soaked through - which you will - and come down with something, I will not only loose a valuable member of my team - temporarily of course - but I'll be responsible".

"Gill it's just a little rain!" Janet argued, folding her arms across her chest. Gill held up her hands. She could not argue with this woman. After twenty years of friendship she should know that by now.

"I'm going to go and get you a coffee" Janet confirmed, walking out of Gill's office with a smile on her face. Gill's mouth dropped open, the shock of her friend's statement mingling with the delightful thought of coffee: a creamy white coffee sprinkled with dark chocolate with just a hint of... Coming back to her senses, Gill rushed after Janet who was standing by her desk putting her coat on.

"Janet, don't be daft!" she exclaimed, "I was just being ridiculous. It's only coffee for goodness sake".

Janet laughed, "Gill I am going to get you a coffee because one - you won't stop complaining without one, and two – I want one as well".

Well she couldn't argue with that could she?

"Janet come on you'll be drenched by the time you get back" said Rachel, with a look of concern. It was starting to rain harder.

"Don't you start on me too!" said Janet, slinging her bag over her shoulder, "Besides I'll be back in a couple of minutes".

"Anyone else want a coffee?" shouted Rachel, to which there was an eruption of conversation and a rise of hands.

"Latte for me!" called Rob.

"Cappuccino!" shouted Pete.

"Mocha please" said Lee.

"Oooh mocha how posh!" teased Kevin, making everyone laugh.

Rachel grinned at Janet, "Well if you're gonna go you may as well do them all at once".

'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea' thought Janet, pulling up the collar of her coat to try and shelter herself from the battering rain. All this for a cup of coffee! The street was deserted, but she could feel the eyes of everyone peering out of the office windows on her back. Fog had descended on Greater Manchester, mingling with the grey sky overhead. It was raining harder now, the thunder rumbling louder than ever.

Janet could see the cafe on the corner of the street. She felt like running, but in the shoes she was wearing it would be easy to fall over. A car came past and she had to jump out of the way to avoid being splashed by the puddles that gathered near the curb. Janet laughed a little half-heartedly, "When it rains it pours".