She frowned at the drink, lifting it to the light before leaving it on the bar. Someone slipped and she only just avoided them knocking her off the barstool. A hand lifted the man by the collar and pulled him away before taking his place.

"Sorry about my friend there. He's celebrating getting married on the weekend and I think he got a bit carried away with the native brew."

"Seems to happen here." She commented and noted the man's eyebrows raising.

"You're not from around here."

"What gave you that impression?"

"Your accent's a bit more North than I expected."

"A lot of places have a north," She shrugged, "But you're right, I'm not from Dublin or even this island."

"I'm going to put my money on Yorkshire somewhere."

"Whitby, specifically." She extended her hand, "Anna Smith."

"John Bates, London."

"Really?"

"Well," He winced, "I was raised there by a mother from Belfast who's grandfather was from Aberdeen so I guess there's arguments to be had about it."

"Not from me." She nodded at the man John had moved from the bar. "If he's getting married then why's he drinking like it's his last night on earth?"

"There's a bit of nerves to it." John held up a hand for the man behind the counter to practically shouted his order over the noise of the room before turning back to her. "I was so soused before my wedding that I don't even remember the actually ceremony."

"I'll bet your wife loved that."

"She loved it when she divorced me."

"Oh," Anna cringed, "I'm sorry, that must've been awful."

"One of the best days of my life actually." He pulled at his drink, "The day I signed those papers and freed myself of the shackles I got drunk all over again."

"And since?"

"I've not taken hard alcohol." He shrugged, "No reason to bury pain that no longer exists if you get my meaning."

"I think I do."

John nodded toward her drink, "Not your brew?"

"It's…" She flailed a hand. "I've got to stay sharp."

"Planning on doing something tonight?"

"It's more tomorrow." Anna adjusted her legs on the bar stool, noting how John's eyes flitted toward the rise in her skirt a moment. "I need to make a good impression on some future coworkers that won't like that I'm coming."

"You seem pleasant enough."

"My personality isn't the problem so much as…" Anna bit her lip, "Sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this. It's still a bit hush-hush given the sensitive nature of it all and I don't want to ruin it before I've even begun."

"Then, from now on, no more talking about work." He raised his glass to her, "I'll be honest though, if it were me getting you as a new coworker I don't think I'd mind."

"You wouldn't see it as England invading Ireland?"

"Wouldn't have the time to since I'd be too busy admiring your eyes." John stopped, "I hope that didn't come off too creepy or awkward for you. I know that sometimes men can say things that-"

"I took it as a compliment, Mr. Bates."

"Oh," He grimaced, "Please, I'm off the clock and I refuse to have formal appellations when I'm at a bar."

"Alright then, John," She stressed with a smile, "Are you here as designated driver or just designated manager?"

"It does help to have someone making sure everyone's keeping their shit together doesn't it?" He grinned, finishing his drink and digging bills from his pocket to pay his tab. "But no, I already served my role as partner and wingman so I'm also heading back home to make sure I'm ready for tomorrow as well."

"Something big happening?"

"Just-" He waved his hand, "Someone thinks we can't do our job as well as they can and so there've assigned someone to take the project from us. It's bollocks but when it's come down the line what can you do?"

"Not much." Anna agreed and paid for her drink as well. "Would you find it too much of an imposition if I walked with you a beat. I think I could use a walk to clear my head of the fug in here."

"It'd be my pleasure." John held the door open and joined her in step on the street. "Is it your first time to Dublin?"

"Yes and it's unfortunate it's not holiday."

"Why's that?"

"I'm relatively sure the only parts of Dublin I'll be seeing, outside of the office where I'll be slaving away, are those skeezy parts where vagrants and degenerates go."

John snorted a laugh, "Deal with those types a lot do you?"

"It's part of the job."

"What's your job?" John shoved his hands into his pockets and turned to her but Anna only shrugged.

"I work in criminal psychology."

"So you're starting up at the University or something?"

"It's more of a consultancy."

"Well," John blew out a puff of air, "I guess your earlier comment about them not taking to you nosing in our their territory makes more sense."

"I'm an expert in my field."

"We're Irish, we tend not to care about that beyond 'English Invader'." They both laughed, stopping at the corner to wait for the light. "But, in all seriousness, just show them you're all you're cracked up to be. Earn their respect through hard work and a take-no-prisoners attitude."

"I don't want to conquer them."

"Like I said, we're Irish. We respond to strength." John led the way across the street, pausing briefly. "I don't suppose you'd like me to walk you to your hotel or something."

"I'm not quite ready for that kind of quiet yet." Anna flicked her gaze toward him, "You wouldn't find me horrible invasive if I asked for a coffee at yours would you?"

"It was actually the next offer on my mind." John swept his hand dramatically, "Right this way milady."

"Thank you kind sir." Anna chuckled, "Chivalry isn't dead."

"Not in my house anyway or my poor, deceased mother'd rise from the grave to put me in one of my own." John dug his keys from his jacket pocket and worked them into the door. "I'll assume you're a tea drinker mostly though."

"Why'd you say that?"

"Something about being British is we can't escape it." John pushed his door open and entered to turn on the lights before giving her space. "But I don't have any good tea in my house."

"But you've got coffee?"

"I like a good Irish coffee every now and then." He winked, shutting the door and shedding his jacket before holding out his hands awkwardly. "Do you want me to take your coat?"

"I'd like that very much since your house is rather pleasantly toasty." Anna handed her jacket over. "I don't suppose you've got the secret to that?"

"A good central heating system." John frowned, "Why?"

"My hotel's got a rather shitty one that coughs off in the middle and I ended up laying on three jumpers just to stop my fingers turning blue." Anna followed him into the kitchen as he set two glasses on the island. "It's part of the reason I went out at all."

"To get warm?" John started the coffee maker, making sure the right roast was in the top before pulling out other ingredients.

"And to not be alone. There's nothing more depressing, in my experience, than being alone in a hotel room in a new city."

"Do that often?"

Anna shrugged up a shoulder. "Often enough that I've gotten used to kicking myself out of my rooms to find something to do."

"Must be a lonely life, your consultancy." John turned at the sound of the coffee maker and poured it into both glasses before adding the right amount of whiskey, sugar, and cream to the top.

"It's got its ups and downs." Anna took hers, clinking glasses with John. "We'll see if your Irish coffee's as good as you claim."

"I never claimed it was good, only that I make it." He grinned over the top of his glass at her and Anna swallowed.

"I take back any negative review I planned to jab in your direction." Anna raised her glass, "This is fantastic."

"I hope it doesn't get you so soused you can't find your way home in a straight line."

"I may be small but I can hold my liquor." Anna set her glass to the side, staring at john with narrowed eyes. "How do you stand it?"

"Stand what?"

"Living alone here?" Anna opened her hands to the kitchen around them. "It's a beautiful house, don't get me wrong, but I couldn't bear living in it alone."

"It's all about what you're used to I guess." He leaned over the island. "Ever since my wife and I divorced it's been me in this house but I got used to the quiet a long time ago. It's all I wanted when we were married and now that I have it I probably relish it a bit too much."

"Really?"

"Really." John sighed, "It's one of those things you get so used to that when you've got a chance to change it, even for the better, you wonder if you even want to."

"For the better how?"

"Well," John scratched at the back of his head, "My friend from tonight, Tom, he keeps trying to set me up on these dates because he thinks it's tragic and embarrassing that I'm single and alone."

"And you don't like the women."

"They're nice girls and they've been pleasant but…" John shrugged, "I'm going to sound too picky but I can't seem to work up enough energy to like any of them enough to do more than a nice dinner and a film."

"Better than driving away any potential suitors with your dedication to your work." Anna leaned forward as well, resting her chin in her hand. "I think the idea that I study criminals for a living's a bit of a turn off too."

"How so?"

"No one wants to hear the top ten facts about the world's most notorious serial killers or gets excited that there's a conference in Lyon all about how to better find DNA from scraps of material." Anna shrugged, "It tends to ruin the romance when you drink wine and then taste it for possible poisons."

"Sounds a bit exhausting, I'll admit, but given that I work in the constabulary myself-"

"I thought they called you all the Guards here."

"Potato, potahto." John waved a hand to hush her and they sniggered. "I hope you're not laughing because you're a happy drunk."

"I am a happy drunk but, in this case, I'm not drunk." Anna stood, "I think I stole enough of your evening though."

"Wait," John stood, biting at his teeth a moment, "I don't want to sound like one of those guys who thinks he should only be nice because he'll gain something from it but I was wondering if I could give you a kiss before you leave?"

Anna smiled, "I think I'd rather enjoy that actually."

"Bear with me," He carefully placed his hands on her face, "I haven't kissed anyone in awhile."

"Neither have I so I guess we can practice together."

"You're already making me nervous."

He leaned forward so her next words whispered against his lips. "Well we can't have that now can we?"

Their lips met and Anna's fingers immediately moved to grip the back of his head and hold him in place. She smelled the coffee on his breath, could taste the sugar and cream on his tongue, and relished the fiery lick of the whiskey. Her body molded toward his as one of his hands slipped from her face to hold her hip until he broke the kiss.

"Wow." He breathed and Anna nodded her assent. "I'd say you don't need any practice."

"You either." Anna trailed her fingers in his hair. "And I know you wouldn't ask this, since you seem like the respectful and chivalrous type, but if I told you that I wouldn't mind a very indecent proposal what would you say?"

"That I have some condoms and a king-sized bed."

Anna grinned, pulling him closer, "Just the words I needed."

He guided her up his stairs, the two of them tripping slightly when they attempted an over enthusiastic kiss, but their giggles did not distract from the goal. They reached the door to his room and Anna already wanted his warm fingers moving higher up her shirt than the teasing forays he made just under the hem. John managed the knob so they could enter.

With the light from the foyer below they ignored the lights, lost in the tangle of tongues and the clash of lips. Anna slipped slightly, holding to John's arms, and laughed as he tumbled onto his bed. He took a moment, laughing with her until she reached down to pull her shirt over her head.

"You're beautiful Anna."

"Thank you." She leaned over, dropping her shirt on the floor, "I'd like to see if you're beautiful too."

"I'm-"

"Shh." Anna put her finger on his lips, "Let me decide that?"

John only managed a nod before she helped him lift his shirt over his head too. Her hands smoothed over his chest and worked her lips over his neck while his hands gripped for her hips. Anna gripped his shoulders and straddled his legs before taking his lips again.

They moaned into one another's mouths to the clink of belts and snapping buttons before Anna could grind herself over the comforting tent in his boxers. She smiled against his mouth, leaning into the tentative touch he applied to her breasts until he gained enough confidence to unclasp it at the back.

Keeping sight of his shadowed face, Anna leaned back and let her bra drop. John's jaw dropped to match the action before kissing over her breasts. Her fingers cut crescents into his skull when he sucked at a nipple before groaning at the lift of his hips to drive against her.

She pushed him back to the bed to remove her knickers and tug at his boxers. He lifted his hips, reaching over to his bedside table a moment while she dropped the fabric to the ground, and jarred her to reality with the rip of a package. They both paused until John rolled the condom in place and winked at her.

"Still want it?"

"Oh yes." Anna straddled him again, sinking down as both of them groaned.

"This may not last long."

"Not a problem for me." Anna rocked against him. "I'm just fine with this."

"Good." He ran his hands over her back, setting a pace with thrusts she tried to meet. "I promise round two'll be better."

"Then we'd better get over round one." Anna took his lips back.

John's hand moved to her nerves and Anna ground against him with her nails scoring over his shoulders and tugging at his hair. They panted, both running toward their end as quickly as they could, until John broke. Anna drove herself to follow him before they both collapsed together.

She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes until she managed her breathing. "Wow."

"Agreed." John leaned up, removing the condom and tossing it before turning back to her. "And I can honestly say that round two'll be better."

"I'm already excited."

Anna opened her eyes and blinked before wincing. She shifted from under the arm around her waist and slipped to the floor to dig her ringing phone from the pocket of her jacket. Ending the alarm she pushed her hair back from her head and gathered her things, working into her knickers one handed before checking over her texts.

"Walk of shame?" She smiled and turned to John, sitting up on his bed.

"I did stay the night in strange man's bed."

"Not that strange." John shrugged, "But definitely enjoyable."

"I enjoyed it." Anna leaned over, kissing him, "Both times."

"If you're in Dublin for awhile we could do it again."

Anna stopped, leaning over to write her name and number on the pad next to his light. "Call me if you're free and I'll tell you my schedule."

"Looking forward to it." John eased himself out of bed, reaching for his own phone. "And not just because you were the best I've ever had."

"Sure that's not your deprivation talking?" Anna straightened her shirt and John caught her hand.

"It was the best."

"Then don't hesitate to call." Anna gave one last kiss, pulling at his lips. "I'll see you."

She hurried back to her hotel, showering as quickly as she could before dressing and running for a cab. The driver gave her a look when she gave the address but she ignored it and sorted through her files until she reached the building. Replacing them in her bag, and paying the driver, Anna hurried inside.

At the door she took the directions to the main office and knocked at the glass. The gray-haired man inside waved her in, hanging up the phone and coming around the desk to hug her. "It's been too long Anna."

"Yes it has." She pulled away, "Look at you, Chief Crawley. How's it feel?"

"It's a pleasure and a burden." He opened his hand toward the office, "Let me introduce you to the rest of your team while you're here."

"You mean the people who think I'm coming to stomp on their grounds?"

"They'll get over it." Chief Crawley guided her between the desks and stopped at two. "This is Tom Branson."

The man at the desk pushed back in a hurry, wincing and risking a palm to his head. Anna shook the hand extended to her and frowned a moment. "You look familiar."

"He's the one marrying Sybil on Saturday."

"It's not that." Anna pointed at him, "Did you visit a pub last night?"

"Might've done, it's a bit fuzzy." He snapped his fingers, then groaned before pointing to the side while sitting. "He'll tell you. He took me."

Anna turned and her eyes widened as John walked toward them. He froze, eyes round as saucers, and swallowed before Chief Crawley spoke. "Perfect, the other half of the team handling this case with you. I introduce, John Bates."

"Pleasure to meet you." Anna let her hand hang a little limp in his grip but John's grip lacked the same enthusiasm. "I'm sure we'll get along famously."

"I'm sure." He turned to Chief Crawley, taking his hand back. "This is the English cop we couldn't do without?"

"It's been her case for a long time John and she's the most qualified to help us catch this bugger." Chief Crawley smiled at all of them, "I'll let you get settled before we start our briefing."

"Thank you." Anna waited until he walked away, and Branson had his head in his arms on the desk. "What are you doing here?"

"My job, which obviously I couldn't have been doing very well if you're here."

"I never said anything about your work ethic."

"I would've thought that spoke for itself last night."

Anna frowned, "I do believe you're the one who said I could earn respect by doing my best."

"You'll have to do a lot better than that now."

"Why, feeling intimidated?"

"This isn't what I planned when I gave you that advice." John hissed at her as Anna collected her things and turned to him.

"Then we'll both be equally disappointed." She managed a tight smile, "I'm so glad to be welcomed to your investigation Mr. Bates."