Author's note: My imaginary friends belong to the BBC and Elizabeth George but with an idle hour or two they tend to run riot in my head and on my iPad.

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Patience is a virtue but it was not one of Detective Inspector Tommy Lynley's better known traits. "Hurry up Havers," he shouted impatiently up the stairs at Barbara, his long suffering Sergeant. He was eager to leave and started tapping his foot as he waited for her to finish instructing the team.

"Keep your shirt on Sir," she yelled back. She was not easily intimidated especially by Lord Asherton when he was in one of his moods. Even so she hurried and instead of holding the handrail and descending gracefully she charged down the stairs two at a time. 'A disaster waiting to happen' were the words the doctor later used.

Barbara tripped about eight steps from the bottom and crashed ingloriously down the stairs. Lynley reacted quickly and grabbed her arms to break her fall. For a long moment she was held up only by his strength with their faces inches apart. Shock registered on both their faces but as they became lost in each other's eyes they both realised it was from their proximity, not from the fall. They both felt magnetically drawn to each other in a way that they had previously not noticed or had deliberately ignored. Tommy lent forward intent on kissing her but Barbara saw it coming and turned her head so that his lips softly brushed her cheek. Chastened by her swerve he pushed her away gently from his body but still held her arms firmly. He felt his face redden as he realised he had crossed an unspoken boundary by trying to kiss her and that she had rejected the move. And in the office of all places, what I was I thinking?

He focused on checking for any damage. "Are you hurt at all?" he asked slightly breathlessly.

"No, I'm fine thanks," she replied brusquely but as she put her right foot to the ground she yelped then swore colourfully.

"Havers really, such language," he chastised her before noticing that her foot was twisted at right angles to her leg. "Oh God, look at your foot!"

She glanced down and swore again. She wanted to push him away but knew she could not stand alone. If he had not been so damned impatient none of this would have happened. Now he had seen that she fancied him and typical of men had tried to take advantage of it. She had thought he, of all people, was better than that but then she remembered his other dalliances with women. He was hopeless but he was a man after all.

"Better to be there by eleven than in heaven by seven!" she quoted.

"What are you talking about?" Lynley was puzzled. "Did you hit your head?"

"No, I did not hit my head," she said as if talking to a five-year-old, "if you hadn't been so bleeding impatient then I wouldn't have a broken foot! And by the way to you intend to hold me here all night or are you going to take me to Emergency?"

Lynley muttered his apology then called for Winston to get a chair. They made her as comfortable as possible while Lynley fetched the Bristol. Barbara protested but he lifted her effortlessly and carried her to his car where he positioned her with great tenderness. His strength surprised her and as he had carried her she had needed to wrap her arms around his neck to balance. It seemed natural and relaxing and much to her horror she enjoyed it and wanted more. She rested her face into the soft hollow of his shoulder and inhaled his scent. He always smelt crisp and clean and slightly woody but up close she found it hypnotic. Every day she was drawn to him more. She knew it was unrequited but just for these few minutes she could imagine what it would be like to be able to hold him close. She wished that his attentions earlier had been because he shared her feelings and not just because he was a man with poor self-control.

He drove with purpose and avoided conversation, finding it hard to focus on anything other than what had happened. He was guilty and angry with himself and yet had a sensation of renewal and hope. In the last half hour his life had taken a highly unexpected turn. It was as if a lid had been removed from a sealed container and now it was impossible to re-pack the contents. He had desired Barbara for a long time, much longer than he dared to admit, but he needed her friendship much more and had been able to maintain his relationship at a level they both understood and accepted. He had been tempted many times but Barbara had always held firm and never even hinted that she might share the same longings. Now he had seen the look in her eyes and knew it was mutual. This offered him promise but he had no idea how to progress as she was still fighting it. It was not her nature to give in to pleasure and he knew she would sacrifice any hint of happiness to be seen to do the right thing. The trouble was the right thing was a construct only inside her head and bore no resemblance to what other people really thought. A case in point was her refusal to call him Tommy even at times he had been pouring out his soul to her. At least in those times she had not called him anything. He wondered if she had known how she felt until tonight or even if she understood what she felt. She had shied away from his crude attempt at a kiss but had nestled into his neck. The messages were conflicted and as he stole a glance at her now he knew she was in just as much turmoil. Then again maybe she was just in pain.

"Is it sore?" he asked.

"Is the Queen English?"

"Hmm, okay stupid question I suppose. Well we are almost there."

"Will you wait with me please?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"

"Well you still need to interview that stupid woman about whether or not she stabbed her neighbour."

"I will send Nkata, I really don't need to do everything myself do I? But I do need to get you fixed up. I don't want you off too long on sick leave." As he said it he realised that he did not want her off at all and a broken foot would put her out of action for weeks. He groaned at the thought.

"I don't know why you are groaning," she said, "I'm the one with the injury."

"Sorry, I am rather selfish at times aren't I?"

"Yes, but you make up for it in self-awareness." He looked at her and they both laughed and relaxed slightly.

Four hours later Barbara's foot was in a lightweight plastic cast and she had strict instructions about rest and elevation. The crutches dug into her armpits and she was very wobbly. She wondered if it was a side effect of the morphine she had been given. The doctor had wanted to admit her and she had avoided hospitalization only by agreeing to stay with Lynley for the next week. As they drove away from the car park she began to negotiate with him. "We only agreed that to get out of there right? So I don't expect you to look after me. Just drive me home and perhaps tomorrow you could send Winston over and he could buy me some groceries."

"And how exactly are you going to manage the basics like cooking and bathing?" he asked.

"I don't cook anyway and you are most certainly not going to help me bathe!"

"Be reasonable Barbara. I promised the doctor so tonight you are staying with me and then tomorrow we can discuss getting you some help. It was my fault so I will fund it and I WILL NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER."

"Alright, alright, there is no need to shout at me Sir," she said feigning offense, "I am sick after all and need care not criticism. You will help me, won't you?" Secretly she was relieved he had insisted because she was not sure how she would manage tonight but she instantly regretted sounding so pathetic.

Tommy looked at her as if he had an alien in his car. Havers had actually asked for help. His heart did somersaults but his voice betrayed nothing. "I will always look after you Barbara."

She did not respond and they sat silently with their own thoughts. He unlocked his house and then insisted on carrying her inside. He had seen her with the crutches and did not want her to fall and break the other ankle. He placed her gently on the sofa and helped her remove her coat then started to gather cushions to support her back and elevate her leg. "We need something to eat and then I will make up the spare room."

"No need Sir," she said in a low voice. They both stopped and stared at each other very much aware of the implication. Barbara had been thinking how pleasant it would be to curl up next to him and flushed red when she realised what she had suggested. She added hastily, "I mean… I can sleep on the couch."

"You will not sleep on the couch." He would very much prefer she shared his bed but he would happily make up the spare room.

"How big is your bed?" Barbara suddenly felt lonely and frail and did not want to be left alone.

Tommy stopped fussing with the cushions around her feet and looked directly at her. Barbara was being very forward which was so out of character he could only presume it was the effect of painkillers. Even so he answered, "it's a Super King, plenty of room for two." He swallowed hard trying hard not to get his hopes up.

She could not look at him. "I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way. I don't want to lead you on. It was a stupid thing to say."

"What's happening here Barbara? We both know something changed tonight when you fell down the stairs. We are both adults and if we both feel the same way then what is stopping us?"

Tommy unconsciously started to massage Barbara's good leg. His touch excited her but what disturbed her was that it felt so natural. She wanted to feel him hold her and shelter her. She just wanted to melt into him and feel loved. It was not a sexual thing although those urges lurked dangerously beneath the surface. "I don't know what I feel anymore. I know it sounds stupid but I don't really want to be alone tonight. I would just like you to hold me. I want to feel safe and I guess...wanted."

Tommy moved up the couch and embraced her. "It doesn't sound stupid at all, it sounds wonderful. You have no idea the number of times I have just wanted you to hold me, to comfort me. It is not about being wanted Barbara, it is about being loved."

Barbara extended her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder. She could feel tears seeping from her eyes onto his shirt but the feel of him holding her was so exquisite she honestly did not know if they were tears of sorrow or joy.

Tommy lifted her carefully and carried her upstairs. It was an effort that taxed him and he thought lessons on the use of crutches would be a priority for the next morning. He sat her on the side of the bed and bent down to remove her shoe. He helped her slide in under the duvet and then removed his own shoes and belt and slipped in beside her. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and snuggled close as she rested her head on his chest. They did not speak; words were unnecessary. The world stopped around them and their only awareness was of each other. They both felt loved in a way that brought them a tranquillity neither had known for years.