A/N: Ok, so after writing "Paint" I felt the need to write another 'early days' fic and thought I'd do something about the movie night tradition that I have created for a few of my other stories. So this is meant to be how it all started :) Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Movie Night
It was the end of another long day and Michael sat at his desk glaring at the mountain of paperwork. Fortunately more of it was done but, in his opinion, that wasn't the point.
He'd had a horrible sleep the night before and had been off all day as a result; having Taggart on his case about the paperwork had not helped matters either.
"Come on," Jackie announced, appearing beside his chair and startling him from his brooding. "Let's go," she continued, giving his arm a slight tug.
"Where?" he asked, sounding a little petulant, even to his own ears.
Jackie just smiled, "You'll see."
He stood up with a sigh and show of reluctance. He had just enough time to pick up his jacket and wallet before she grabbed his hand and whisked him out the door; calling out a cheery farewell to McVitie and Taggart as they passed.
Michael didn't miss their amused expressions as Jackie dragged him out the door, but he wasn't complaining. He knew Jackie well enough now to just go along with his crazy schemes, it was easier in the long run and he always ended up enjoying himself.
Sometimes even in spite of himself.
Usually her schemes would end with them at an ice cream parlour before going for a walk through the city streets or by the river. Sometimes she even convinced him to have a picnic and he still denied that she had even once succeeded in getting him onto a swing at a nearby park.
But he was pleasantly surprised when they ended up at her place with takeaway and movies in tow.
"What no paint balling?" he teased as she led him into the living room.
"Maybe another time," she replied with a grin, disappearing into the kitchen.
Michael took the time to look around him; he'd been to her place before but never for more than a few minutes at a time. This was a new step for them.
After a few minutes Jackie reappeared, carrying drinks. "It is safe to sit down, Michael,"
she teased, putting the drinks down and taking a seat.
"Who knows what might happen in your house," Michael shot back, sitting down as well.
Having lost some of his discomfort, Michael soon settled down with his share of the takeaway to watch the movie. As he had predicted to himself, he found himself relaxing and enjoying himself, marvelling at Jackie's ability to know exactly what he needed.
They conducted the same ritual the following week at his place and then again at hers the week after that. And that was how, with very little ceremony, their Friday night movie nights began.
Two months later, at their latest movie night, Michael glanced over to where Jackie was curled up asleep on the couch next to him and marvelled over how easily she had become a part of his life.
It was only a little less than a year ago that he didn't even know he name. Now he couldn't imagine life without her.