Disclaimer: I do not own Eastenders or any of the characters in it, just using the for the purpose of my story.
Rating: PG
Jane got out of Ian's car, having just returned from the airport. She'd only stayed in Florida for a week; she'd had enough and wanted to come back. She hadn't got on too well with her mum while she was there, and she'd missed the kids. An hour after settling in, her phone rang.
"Masood Calling" it read. Ian had gone off to the café, and the kids were upstairs doing revision, so she could talk.
"Hello?" she answered.
"You're back?" came his voice.
"Yes … how did you know?"
"I've been waiting since Ian left to pick you up …"
An awkward smile escaped her lips. She didn't answer.
"Can you come over?" he asked her.
Jane knocked on the door, shaking nervously. Why, she didn't know. He answered the door, and smiled at her.
"Come in …" he said, standing aside so she could enter. Jane walked in.
"Come and sit down …" he said. Jane sat on the sofa, and waited as Masood walked off to get her a drink. He sat close beside her when he came back, handing her her drink.
"I'm sorry I didn't call to let you know I was coming …" he said quietly.
"It's alright … it was a silly idea anyway," Jane replied with a sympathetic look on her face.
"I wanted to come …" he whispered, putting his hand on her. There was a long pause while Jane stared at his hand, and then looked at him in the eyes.
"Why didn't you?" she asked. Masood looked away and took a deep breath.
"Syed took an overdose …"
Jane looked at him, bewildered. "Oh, Mas …"
"It's alright …"
"I'm sorry …" she said, shaking her head.
"He's okay now."
Jane put her hand on his.
"Jane … all those things I said before I went away … I meant them all. Nothing's changed," he said, looking deep into her beautiful eyes. Jane let go of him.
"Mas … I just don't know if I can do this … I told you … I love Ian and the kids … I wouldn't want to hurt them … not again."
"It's alright Jane … I understand," he said with a slight sigh.
"I still mean what I said … I do love being with you …" she said, stroking his arm.
"I love being with you, too …" he said, running his thumb along her hand.