Title: While his wife's away
Author: Loz
E-Mail: loz06(at)yahoo(dot)com
Rating: M
Category: Neil/Andrea…All Neil Andrea
Series: Yes, first came 'When he's at her door' then 'When the mighty fall'
Spoilers: None or so minor it won't worry anyone.
Archive (if applicable): The good, the bad and the very ugly it's all appreciated.
Summary: While Philippa's away will Neil plus Andrea equal a happy living situation?
Author's Notes: I've been trying to email everyone to say thanx or the great feedback if I haven't been able to contact you…THANKYOU!
Disclaimers: I only play while their owners are away...they're returned only slightly dishevelled
Andrea can't remember the last time she cooked a proper meal, one that took more than a zapping in the microwave or a reheating in the oven. A quick glance at the clock confirmed she was expecting Neil at any time and a test of the pasta tells her it needs a little longer.
As she stirs the bolognaise she marvels at how easy this new domesticity has come to her. She'd made a hasty attempt to tidy the flat when she came home, arms loaded with ingredients for the meal she planned to cook. The table was set and a few other touches done around the house, lost in her thoughts she tries to imagine doing this every night for ten, twenty or even thirty years, some with a child on her hip others with two more at her feet. She pushes the image from her mind; it's too early to think of any of that.
"You cook as well, what a catch you are." Neil jokes wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck with gentle nibbles and light kisses. Andrea jumps slightly having not heard him come in.
"I didn't hear you." She says turning around to kiss him hello, arms around each other the passion heats up till the pasta begins to over boil. "I'm no Nigella Lawson." She confesses crossing the kitchen to pour them a glass of wine; outside the door she notices two large bags. "Glad you didn't bring the kitchen sink, I have one already."
"Funny." Neil replies, once again holding her in his arms. "That's just the essentials and a few necessary luxuries."
"Anything for me?" Andrea manoeuvres, fishing for a compliment.
"You've got all you want and need right here in front of you." Neil affirms, kissing her softly. The bolognaise burns and the pasta cooks to the bottom of the pan, neither are concerned about the fact the meal is forgotten.
"Stop, that's my ticklish spot." Andrea laughs till the tears roll down her face. Squirming she tries to escape Neil's grip however he follows her as she rolls over.
"You win." Andrea concedes, revelling in the glow of having Neil spooned around her. "I have to go to sleep." She says looking over her shoulder.
"I have to do a double shift tomorrow so we can go away on Friday." She tells, turning to face him.
"'Spose that's alright you showed me a good time tonight." Neil teases.
"Tonight, try every night you're here." Andrea corrects proceeding to bite her lip…should she say it now and possibly pour cold water on everything…tonight and the entire week.
"The middle drawer is empty and there's a space in the wardrobe on the right for your clothes." Andrea ventures and then waits for a reaction. Her stomach somersaults as he swallows and avoids eye contact.
"It's just a space to put your clothes while you're here; it's not a marriage proposal. I had to squash my stuff up so I'll want the space back when you…" Andrea realises where her sentence is going and how the few words have made the situation worse.
It takes a minute before he replies. "I'll unpack in the morning." At his encouragement Andrea falls asleep in his arms.
The street is busy but to Andrea no one looks occupied, cars crawl by and people hurry by her with seemingly no destination. The blue car catches her eye because she swears she's seen it before. She tries for a licence check but her radio is dead.
"Andrea!" Yvonne calls approaching from ahead.
"Is your radio dead?" Andrea asks fiddling with the dials; she misses the caution in Yvonne's steps.
"Don't move Andrea." Yvonne advises, confused Andrea turns to see the rest of the station approaching.
"Andrea Dunbar, I'm arresting you on suspicion of adultery, you don't have to say anything…" The cuffs snap around Andrea's wrists and Gabriel manhandles her into the back of the familiar blue car. He slams the door on her.
Andrea's eyes fly open, the clock numbers burn 3:42am and she listens to see if her waking has disturbed Neil. His steady breathing and arms around her are a comfort and she concentrates on them as she falls asleep again.
Not sure what's worse, the stream of sunlight coming through the window or the overly cheerful DJ's voice which abuses her ears Andrea bangs her hand against the snooze button allowing herself time to enjoy Neil…here with her still in the morning. Arms over her back and leg entangled with hers, hair a mess and eyes still closed.
When the alarm re-ignites, Andrea cuts of the easy listening station and talks herself into getting out of bed. Neil groans with the sun, noise and empty spot she's about to leave next to him. As Andrea tries to head for the shower he grabs her hand and pulls her back into the bed.
"I have to get up." She smiles releasing herself from his grip, brushing a kiss across his forehead.
The water is warm and comforting, massaging like tiny little pebbles hitting the top of her head. She stands under the stream letting the water clean the nights sleep from her eyes and awaken her senses.
The shower curtain peels back as Neil steps in joining her under the warm spray. "Good morning," Andrea smiles holding his face in her hands.
"Thought I'd save some hot water." He says brushing back some of her hair that has become plastered to her face with the water. "It got a bit lonely in the bed too." Andrea doesn't want to mention all the mornings after when he's not been there.
"When are you going into work?" Andrea asks grabbing the shampoo.
"Whenever you do, everyone knows Philippa's away this week so they won't think it strange if I work your double shift. I told Philippa I was just going to work longer hours this week and maybe have…"
"…Sometime off later to make up for it." Andrea finishes as Neil takes the bottle from her.
"That time will be spent with you…this weekend." Neil counters pouring some of the liquid soap onto his hand and massaging it through Andrea's dark hair.
"I forgot my toothbrush otherwise I'd kiss you good morning properly." Neil continues to massage the shampoo through Andrea's hair. She pushes back the curtain, grabbing an electric toothbrush and toothpaste from around the basin. Inside the vanity she pulls out a clear plastic package, handing Neil the toothbrush she removes the pink top and replaces it with the blue one from the package.
While Andrea rinses her hair, Neil ignites the electric toothbrush. "It's like a trip to the dentist." He says with a mouthful of brush and paste.
Andrea laughs and wipes away the blue foam that dribbles down Neil's chin while he commented on the toothbrush. Once he finishes she snaps on the pink brush head, body tingling as Neil runs the detangling conditioner through her long locks
"When your shift is over tonight come up to my office and I'll finish up and follow you home." Andrea nods before rinsing her hair of the detangler.
The soap hits Andrea's back first then across her shoulders. Neil pushes her hair so it cascades down her front and Andrea closes her eyes and lets her body move with his strokes. He massages her shoulders, placing tension on key parts of her back as the lather increases.
"Oh you're good." Andrea compliments as the toothbrush hits the shower floor. She tilts her head collecting a mouthful of water to rinse away the foam
"Are you happy Andrea?" He asks resting his arms around her waist, pulling her in close. Andrea turns to face Neil, still in his hold and gives him a proper good morning kiss.
As things progress she gives no thought to being late for her shift.
"You were late this morning." Yvonne comments as Andrea piles her tray with food.
"Overslept." Andrea states as they find a place to sit.
"Eating for two are we?" Yvonne teases looking at Andrea's spread.
Andrea gives her an 'oh please' look. Yvonne won't let it go, she's collecting evidence. "Let's see late today, extra makeup under your eyes meaning lack of sleep, eating lots…come on Andrea this isn't fun anymore, who is he?"
"Ted. D." Andrea says with a mouthful.
"As in teddy bear." Yvonne groans.
"The only man who shares a bed with me."
"I will find out who he is." Andrea can hear the determination in her voice. Neil sits down in her eye line beyond Yvonne; Andrea alternates between her tray and looking at Yvonne so as not to draw suspicion. In her peripheral vision Neil slides out his phone and types a message, moments later Andrea's phone beeps.
Looks like we should have gotten take out last night the message reads. Andrea keeps a straight face and tucks her phone away again.
"It was him wasn't it, I know you're covering." Yvonne steps up the pressure again.
"You'll never know." Andrea replies popping a piece of carrot in her mouth, she smiles in part to Neil and in part to Yvonne.