Walking out the sliding doors with Andy, Bianca looks over and shares a glance with Janet. Too soon Janet looks away, seeking Tony and the children. Any other time and Bianca would willingly spend hours gazing into Janet's pale blue eyes, searching for the truths that lie within the gorgeous depths, but today, her eyes are filled with pain and anger, and she can barely eye contact.
Bianca looks away, distraught that she is unable to go to her, ask her the question, perhaps hold her. Janet isn't a "hold me" person. Maybe one day she will be, but not today. Today she's a turn and get business done sorta of person. Which is fine. Bianca hand comes up to her face as she turns away from Janet, a stress reflex. She's finding it difficult to concentrate on her surroundings. A warm hand touches her shoulder as she inhales deeply, trying to ground herself.
"Hey, its OK. Its over now." It's Andy. He rubs her arm, and she lets out a shaky breath.
"She could have…." Bianca trails off. Andy was such a tactile person. Andy, sweet, well meaning Andy, a true, loyal friend. Someone she could call a friend. The ultimate wing-man.
Bianca cleared her throat and inhaled deeply. "I thought it was Heather. I really did"
"It doesn't matter now. It could have ended badly, but we were here. You were here, and that's what matters. She was under our noses the whole time, and she played us all for fools. We had no way of knowing." Andy lets his hand drop off Bianca's arm. "You can come to our station to debrief. I'll drive if you want. We'll let the uniforms finish up here." They both turn towards the cars, and Bianca wistfully watches Janet's audi pull out of the parking lot.
"Did you drive, Andy?"
"No, my car's still at the station."
"OK."
"What now?" Andy glanced at his watch. He didn't think Lina would have knocked off from the DPP yet. Although, she probably would have heard that something went down at the RC that afternoon, and wouldn't be expecting him until later. "Beer?"
Bianca sighed. She wanted to go to Janet's place, but she wasn't quite sure where their relationship stood now, after the shooting, after whatever transpired between Peta and Janet. God, what a mess.
"Yeah. I guess so."
They headed to the local watering hole, the one generally frequented only by police, tourists and non drinkers, ordered two lights and sat in a dimly lit corner. "Wanna talk about it?" Andy prompted. Bianca flashed a tight smile at him and shook her head. She was pretty sure Janet wouldn't want to be discussed at a dive cop bar by her lover and a work colleague.
This time it was Andy's turn to sigh. "Look, Bianca, you probably don't want to talk about it. Maybe not to me, maybe not to anyone, so how about I talk for a little bit and you can listen if you like?" Bianca looked up from her beer and quirked one eyebrow. Andy took that as assent and continued on. "She likes you, Bianca. A lot, I think. I know you guys are just sorting things out, and its pretty new" Bianca gave Andy a cold look, but Andy continued, undeterred. "C'mon, you were putting some pretty heavy moves on at the start, and the other day, after Janet moved back home…" Bianca relented and tilted her head, agreeing with a small smile. She took a long drink to hide her embarrassment. "I haven't seen her that cheery for a long time. I don't think I've ever seen you that cheery at all. You should go over there, and clarify things. I mean, Janet's been a lot better these past few weeks. Better than before…. You know." This time it was Andy who drained his glass awkwardly. He didn't really want to talk about Ash's murder any more than the next person. He pointed to the glasses, and Bianca lifted and emptied hers, signalling that she also was ready for a refill. When Andy returns with the beers, he states; "Go to her. She has the kids, so she cant come to you. I'm not sure she would anyway. She just doesn't seem like that sort of a person. Sort it out. You're good for her and she's good for you. And you're all invited to a barbeque at my place next Sunday. Some of the guys from Lina's work will be there. I expect to see you both there. Together." He grinned, pleased at himself. Bianca chuckled and shook her head.
A few seconds after the doorbell rings, the door opens just a crack. Not unexpected, considering the late hour. "Bianca." Janet smiles, and opens the door wider, moving through to unlock and open the security gate. "Come in." Empty handed, Bianca trails behind Janet, careful to shut the door behind her. "Gee, what time is it? Its quite late, isn't it?" Busy talk, words to fill silence. "The kids are in bed already, they should be asleep by now." She spins to see where Bianca is. "Hang on, why didn't you use your key?" Bianca heads towards the table, pulls a chair out and takes a seat. Janet props up beside the table, in front of her, a guarded smile gracing her features. "What's up?"
"I've been pretty happy with where we are at but now that all the excitement is over I think that its time to iron a few things out" Janet's smile dropped, and her brows creased in concern. "You're amazing, and I love this, this thing that we have, but now the kids a back, and I'm don't have an excuse to be here if you don't want me here" Bianca sighed in exasperation and ran her hand up her neck, through her hair, grasping the ponytail and giving it a gentle tug down before putting her hand back in her lap. "I'd like to be sure… I guess I'd like to know… need to know…" She took a deep, shuddering breath.
"Stop." Janet reached out and tilted Bianca's face up. "I want this. I want you. Here. Tonight. Tomorrow. " Pause. "As long as you want to be here." A longer pause, and a smile. "It's pretty soon, but…You worked so hard… For this… For us… To get under my skin… Have faith in yourself, Bianca. Like I said originally, I remember the good ones. You have me. Completely." With that, Janet leaned in, lips parted, and gently captured Bianca's lips within her own. "So." Janet straddled Bianca, her fingers laced behind her neck. "From now on, you can use your key. OK?" Bianca nodded, her lidded eyes staring deeply into Janet's. She tilted her chin up, seeking the other woman's lips, her eyes drifting closed; Janet met her in the middle, her smile making it difficult to kiss properly. They parted, breathless. "What about the kids? I've never done this before."
"And I have?" Janet looked sharply at the woman. "Sorry." It was a cheap shot and Bianca didn't deserve it. While the pain of Ash's passing was not as strong as it was, it still smarted, and introducing the children to her lover certainly was a stark reminder of all she had lost. But it was also a reminder of all she could have lost, and everything she had gained. "We can tell them first thing in the morning if we get up early. They've had a big day, so hopefully they'll sleep in a bit" She smiled. "Did you bring your stuff?"
"Yeah, its all in the car. I'll go grab it." Janet steps back to let Bianca up, but shadows her out of the house, to the car and back.
"Do you need anything? Its pretty late, and its been a long day. It'd be nice to turn in" Janet moved to take the case of Bianca, but winced as she twisted.
"Whats wrong?" Bianca reached for the other woman's hip, moving closer to her while pulling her other hand, the hand with the case, away, moving the case away from Janet's grasp.
"Nothing. Its nothing."
Bianca reached with her free hand and took Janet's hand in her own. "I'm not convinced. Let me see". With that, Bianca took control and led Janet away.