Based on certain episodes.

I don't own Crossing Lines or the characters.

The first time something happenend was after the drink of whiskey he'd given her when she was mourning Shirley. They'd left work and gone to a pub but they had only stayed for one beer before she'd felt her emotions overwhelm her. They'd already lost one of them, and now this unknown woman whom she didn't even know…it overwhelmed her. He made sure she got home okay, and then made her a cup of tea. She teased him about it and he laughed.

"Look at you, being all domestic."

"Who knows," he quirked an eyebrow, "maybe you tamed Tommy McConnel."

"Sounds like an impossible task."

"Oh come now…tell me, how many boys do you have falling at your feet, huh? One little wink, a little smile here, a nudge there…I bet they are eating out of your hand."

She smiled then, it felt good. "Not you though."

"I'm Irish love, the only thing that rules me is the drinking."

Little did he know that he'd be eating his own words.

"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered.

"You can, trust me Eva."

"Should I? Trust you?" she asked.

He was quiet for a few seconds, before answering his voice low and serious. "I'll always have your back. No matter what."

Suddenly the memory of Sienna dying in his arms came back and he stood up abruptly, making her eyes widen in shock. "You know what, do what you want, doesn't matter."

"What? Tommy!"

"Geez Eva, I just…"

"Right," she nodded and stood as well "you hate everyone, and we're not these kind of people right?"

He could see the hurt in her eyes, but the fear of getting close made him take a step backwards instead of going to her as his body screamed at him to do. "It's for the best anyway." He turned to leave, but flinched when a glass hit the wall beside him.

"You're a fucking coward McConnel!"

He turned harshly. "What?"

"You heard me. You're a coward, you're so afraid of having a friend that you can't even..."

He took the steps seperating them and grabbed her arms, pulling her to him. "You think that's the problem here? You think I can't stay here and be your friend because I'm scared?" he laughed harshly. "I wish that was the problem Eva."

"Then what?" she yelled in his face. "What is so important that you have to push everyone away?"

"People close to me, it never ends well for them."

"Fine. Fine. If that's how you want it then go, get out!"

"Eva…"

"I said get out!"

He left, slamming the door behind him.