A/N: beautywithin16 asked for a 'Gingerbread' AU where Michael and Jackie were dating, where it's still a bit new and they say their first 'I love you'. I have also borrowed heavily from the dialogue in the episode - particularly for this chapter and chapter 2. Anyways, this is what I came up with, hope you enjoy it!

Dedication: For beautywithin16.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Must Be Love

"What do you think of this for an eight year old?" Jackie asked, holding two books up for Michael's inspection.

Michael glanced at them and shrugged, "Maybe a bit young," he replied, distracted by something at the back of the book store.

Jackie frowned down at the covers, "Maybe I should ask…" she trailed off as Michael walked away to join a dark haired woman in the middle of a book signing. Jackie frowned as the woman jumped to her feet, looking a little too excited to see Michael.

Jackie set the books aside and came to join them, trying not to grit her teeth at the easy familiarity between the pair.

"Gemma, this is Jackie," Michael said gesturing vaguely in her direction, "a colleague. I, ah, joined the police force."

"There's no need to sound so reticent about it," Jackie commented, a little bit stung by the 'colleague' comment.

Although they'd been keeping their relationship quiet, it was hardly a secret (they'd even told Taggart) and it was of at least five months duration.

"You? Joined the police force?" Gemma exclaimed, "I heard something, but I didn't believe it. You were going to become an airline pilot."

Jackie had to bit her lip to keep from laughing, amused in spite of herself.

"I was going to do a lot of things when I was seventeen," Michael replied.

"Just think what aviation's lost, hey?" Jackie commented, breaking what had suddenly become a tense moment.

"What are you doing for lunch?" Michael asked, surprising both women.

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's a cheese and wine party upstairs for publicity," Gemma replied, "a meet the press kind of thing. Come up, be my guests, my first book," she pressed with a wide smile.

"Why not?" Michael replied.

"Wonderful," Gemma beamed, taking Michael's arm and leading the way.

"Why not indeed?" Jackie muttered, following them.

A few minutes later, they were standing off to the side watching Gemma schmooze with publishers and reporters.

"She was the best looking girl in my school," Michael said finally, taking a sip of his drink, "she always wanted to be a journalist."

"Yeah, I had a crush on the best looking boy in mine," Jackie replied, "you should see him now, seventeen stone and running a chippie."

Unlike some, she added privately to herself, trying to smother her irrational dislike as she watched Gemma.

"It was more than a crush, we nearly got engaged," Michael commented.

Jackie choked her drink, "When you were at school?"

Michael smiled, "When we were seventeen, if she hadn't gone to university we might have."

Whatever Jackie might have said in response was cut off as Gemma came to join them.

She didn't hear much of what was said after that and almost jumped when Michael touched her arm, indicating for her to leave the room ahead of him.

The drive back to the station was made in silence as Jackie reminded herself that she had nothing to worry about. She trusted Michael and she wouldn't allow herself to be jealous of a former girlfriend.

"You're awfully quiet," Michael commented as he parked the car.

"I could say the same about you," Jackie retorted with a small smile.

Michael chewed his lip for a moment, "Gemma asked me to dinner," he said finally, focusing on the steering wheel.

"Oh."

"I said yes, but I don't have to go," Michael hastily assured her.

Jackie smiled, "Its fine."

"I can call and cancel," Michael continued as though she hadn't spoken, "but I promise, it is just dinner."

Jackie stifled a laugh, "I trust you."

Once again, Michael didn't seem to have heard her and he continued to ramble: "I mean, after what I said today, you have every right to be worried. But you're the only woman for me."

This time, Jackie did laugh, "Michael, you don't have to explain yourself to me, I love you," she told him, "and as you said yourself, it's just dinner."

"What did you say?" Michael asked with a wide grin.

Jackie looked trapped, "It's just dinner?"

Michael shook his head, still grinning, "No, before that."

Jackie sighed, "I love you," she repeated in a low tone, not quite meeting his eye.

Michael leaned over, "Well, that's very good news," he informed her, tipping her face up with a finger under her chin, "because I love you too."

They smiled at each other for a brief moment before Michael closed the distance between them and kissed her.