'To Sleep, Perchance to Dream'
'Waking the Dead' short story, set during Series Eight, Episode One
Eve looked up from the computer screen at the sound of the lab doors. The new lab doors. New sound too, a gentler swooshing noise compared to the forced efficiency of the old doors. Stella stuck her head around, returning Eve's smile with a eager grin.
"I'm going to the hospital, see you later?"
Eve wandered around her desk to lean on the other side of it. She didn't need to ask; her expectant pause led Stella towards her.
"What time will you be done do you think?" asked Eve, sliding her hands around Stella's waist, and pulling her in closer. Stella let her do it, but Eve could tell that she was itching to get away, to prove her worth to Boyd.
"Don't know, seven or eight? Whenever some uniform can come and relieve me for the night," Stella replied, picking at imaginary fluff on Eve's lab coat. She glanced at the clock on the wall behind them. "I should go. Meet you at home?"
Eve nodded, then moved forward to meet Stella's lips in a swift but strong kiss.
"Be careful," she warned, suddenly, feeling her heart tug as Stella pulled away.
Stella cocked her head and smiled. "Of course. I'm just babysitting..."
Again, Eve nodded, quicker this time. She wouldn't admit to it, but both her and Stella knew that something was up.
"I love you." The words tumbled out of Eve's mouth quickly and clumsily. There was a sudden importance, a sudden impetus to remind Stella of that single, vital fact.
"I love you too," said Stella, tucking a wisp of soft brown hair behind Eve's ear, and looking deep into her eyes. She kissed Eve once more, then turned and left the lab, pausing by the door to give a sweet little wave.
The new doors to the new lab closed with their new sound, leaving Eve struggling to understand why every nerve in her body had been screaming warnings at her, to not let go of Stella.