This story is set post S4. Jean and Lucien are married, settled and happy. Jean has made her peace with Ruby they are getting along reasonably well.

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'I'll get it!' Jean moved up to the front door, patting her curls back into place, while Lucien watched, his eyes on those delicious swaying hips. She opened the door, expecting a patient or perhaps Matthew, no one was actually expected to call, surgery was over for the day;

'Ruby!'

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Six months earlier:

'Well thank you for having us, Ruby. Perhaps, when Christopher has enough leave you'll come and stay with us?' Jean kissed her granddaughter and daughter-in-law as she and Lucien headed back home to Ballarat.

'I'd like that, Jean.' She answered, 'I've never actually been to Ballarat.'

'Well, we'll have to change that then, won't we?' Lucien smiled and kissed her cheek. Ruby had stopped blushing when the doctor kissed her cheek, he greeted her with a kiss every morning when he came down to breakfast, and Amelia and eventually Jean, though her's was a longer, deeper kiss. She'd found this rather touching, after all they had just left the bedroom where she was sure more than kissing went on, Jean had a particular giggle, usually followed by 'Shh!' But after all she had been through she deserved some fun.

In the taxi Lucien turned to Jean,

'You look thoughtful.' He said, gently.

'Mmm...oh it's nothing.' She smiled at him.

'Jean, I know you, and there is something bothering you.' He squeezed her hand as he looked into her lovely eyes.

'Can we talk about it at home, please?' The subject was closed...for now.

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Ten days earlier:

Ruby greeted her mother-in-law and her husband at the door of the small house she and Christopher lived in on the base. In her arms was Amelia, wriggling, desperate to get down and show her grandmother what she could do.

'Hello, Jean, Lucien.' She turned to let them in. 'Amelia, stop wriggling.'

'Ruby,' Jean kissed her on the cheek, 'are you sure it's not too much trouble, we could go to a hotel.'

'No,' Ruby wanted Jean to see that she could cope, 'I'm glad you're here, Christopher is looking forward to having you stay, and so is Amelia.'

'She's grown.' Jean observed. They followed Ruby into the kitchen where the kettle was singing on the hob. Ruby put Amelia on the floor and she pulled herself up on the furniture and toddled, unsteadily over to her grandmother.

'Walking, eh?' Lucien smiled, was it really that long since Jean had come to help when Amelia was born? So much had happened. He sighed.

'Penny for them?' Jean leant up and kissed his lips, lightly.

'Just thinking how so much has happened in such a short space of time.' He returned the kiss, they were no longer reticent about showing their love for each other in front of friends and family.

Ruby set tea on the table and they sat chatting about this and that, how Amelia was now babbling, toddling and exploring her world. She loved being taken to the park to play on the grass, theirs was such a tiny garden, and throw stones in the pond. Jean said they'd be happy to take her for walks while they were there. Ruby just smiled.

After tea Ruby showed them to their room, it was the one Jean had used when she had last come to stay but her son had arranged that a double bed should be installed, to allow them to sleep more comfortably. It hadn't worried Jean or Lucien, they were quite happy to cuddle close at night! They didn't say that, it would embarrass Ruby, they just thanked her for their generosity.

Jean and Lucien spent a pleasant ten days with the family. They took Amelia for walks, Ruby out to lunch and, having found someone to babysit, managed to persuade Ruby and Christopher to accompany them to the theatre. Ruby had thoroughly enjoyed herself, wondering why they didn't do this more often, even a birthday treat would be nice. When she put it to Christopher, saying how nice it was of his mother and her husband to treat them, he just harrumphed, using babysitting as an issue. Ruby turned over in bed, hoping Christopher would reach out to her, but he didn't, he hadn't done for a long time, and she lay there listening to his snores and Jean's stifled giggles. Was it all going wrong?

The highlight of Ruby's day was when Lucien greeted her with a good morning kiss. At first she had found it unnerving, then worried it was inappropriate, but Jean did not seem to mind, so she got used to it, and got to like it, wishing her husband would greet her so. But Christopher just grunted 'good morning' and sat down at the table for his breakfast. Jean had noticed, she noticed far more than Ruby would have liked, even though she didn't say anything, waiting for Ruby to say something to her. She commented one day that Christopher still didn't like early mornings.

'No, he doesn't,' she admitted, 'he needs tea before he's human,' and she laughed half-heartedly.

On their last evening Jean and Lucien insisted they all went out for a meal, Amelia included. Christopher said they couldn't take one so small into a restaurant and they couldn't find a babysitter, so thanks, but no thanks.

Ruby looked daggers at him, and mouthed 'sorry' to Jean. Jean was having none of it.

'Christopher,' she spoke severely, 'we are all, yes all, of us going out for a meal. Ruby has cooked for us every day and she deserves a night off as thanks.'

'Mum,' he said, sounding exasperated. She had changed since she had married the doctor, 'Amelia is too young to be taken to a restaurant, she'll fidget and be noisy.'

'And if she is, we can all take turns looking after her, she loves a cuddle. But if you don't want to come, that's fine, we three will go without you.' Jean was cross. When Ruby was expecting Amelia he tried to find a way to phone her during those dark hours while the murder of Jacqueline Maddern was investigated, almost protecting his wife from his mother, now she was doing the same, protecting Ruby from her husband, now he didn't seem to want to be in the same room as her. She had followed her son into the kitchen. Grabbing him by the elbow she, small as she was, turned him round and faced him,

'What's wrong, Christopher?' Her voice softened.

'Nothing.' But he spoke through gritted teeth.

'Well, it's up to you, we'll be going out in about ten minutes.' She turned and left him standing in the kitchen like some naughty boy caught up to mischief.

Christopher didn't join them, nor was he left to babysit, Jean, Lucien, Ruby and Amelia went out and had a lovely meal in a local, relaxed restaurant. The friendly place catered for families and had a highchair for the very young. Amelia made sure she was the centre of attention but wasn't naughty or noisy. When she'd had enough to eat she settled on her grandmother's lap and fell asleep. Jean managed to finish her meal, Lucien tried to feed her until she batted his hand away, grinning in delight at his attention. Ruby enjoyed such a relaxed atmosphere and said she'd try to get Christopher to take them again, she liked having the evening off.

They laughed all the way home, Amelia fast asleep in her push chair, Lucien with his arm round the two women, as Ruby pushed the baby. She felt so much more at ease with the doctor now, he was charming, gentle and loving. She could see even more why Jean had fallen in love with him, and she was happy for her.

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Jean unlocked the door while Lucien unloaded the cases from the taxi and brought them into the house. He had noticed she was deep in thought on the journey home, and felt there was something about Ruby and Christopher's relationship that bothered her. He'd noticed Christopher did not appear to be close to his wife, crusty and sullen, were there problems there? Was that Jean's worry?

He put the cases in their bedroom, they could be unpacked later; then headed to the kitchen where Jean was making tea.

He sat next to her and took her hands in his,

'Alright, what's on your mind?'

Heaving a big sigh she looked into his eyes,

'Don't tell me you didn't notice?' She almost whispered, 'Christopher is almost ignoring Ruby, you kissed her more than he did.' Noticing him raise his eyebrows, 'Oh it's ok, I know you only meant it in a fatherly way, but unless he's kissing her all over at night, I don't think he kissed her at all while we were there. And she'd been crying, quite a few nights.'

'I did notice, and yes I did wonder.' He squeezed her hand, 'you think they're in trouble?'

'Yes.' It was a simple answer, but it was all she had.

'Well, if we are aware, we will just have to wait for one or the other to ask for help. We can't interfere.'

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Adelaide:

'Why can't we go?' Ruby challenged him. Lucien and Jean had invited them to stay to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, they hadn't made it to the wedding, Amelia was too young for the journey then, and Christopher gave that as the same excuse.

'We could go by train.' Ruby argued.

'I'm not taking a baby on a train for two or more hours just for a weekend!' That was the end of it, Ruby called to thank Jean but they would not be able to attend, sorry. She could hear the disappointment in Jean's voice and she felt sorry for her.

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'Christopher, it's your mother's birthday, we really should go. You've got leave, why are you being so difficult about it?' Ruby stood with her hands on her hips, facing him, defiant. She was fed up with his reluctance to go to Ballarat, to see his mother. Ok, he didn't approve of his mother's choice of a husband, but he was her son not her father. Maybe he thought that two people in their middle years should not be so demonstrative, at least not in public, but she thought it was lovely, touching, and would have liked her husband to take a leaf out of their book.

'I'm not being difficult about it!' He shouted back. 'I just don't see we need to drag an eighteen month old all the way to Ballarat for a short stay. Perhaps when I have longer leave...'

'That's what you always say, but you had a fortnights leave a while ago and still refused to go. It's because of Lucien, isn't it?' She was pushing and she knew it, but she was sick of his poor excuses and frankly sulky behaviour.

'We are not going, and that is final!' Christopher stormed out of the house leaving his wife fuming in the kitchen, gazing at a small package on the table.

She picked up the package and went into the living room where Amelia was playing in her playpen. Looking down at the child, becoming more like Jean every day, she smiled. She bent down and picked up her daughter, kissing the curls and smelling the definitive smell of babyhood.

'Fancy going to see Grandma, sweetie?' Her mind was made up.

Ruby was up bright and early the next morning, Christopher's breakfast was on the table when he sloped down the stairs, for a military man, Ruby thought, you are so un-military.

'Morning, dear.' She smiled, just, and poured him some tea.

Christopher grunted his usual greeting, and sat down to eat.

She saw him off to work and closed the door, leaning heavily against it. When she'd put Amelia to bed the previous night she had checked the train times to Ballarat and she knew she could catch one and get there by mid afternoon. She daren't call Jean, she would have suspicions she and Christopher were having problems. She supposed they were, but she didn't want to share, well not over the phone. She had no idea why her husband was distancing himself from her, was it work, was it his lack of promotion or, heaven forbid, was it another woman?

Once Christopher had left the house she set about tidying the kitchen, leaving it in a state Jean would have been proud of. She wrote a note to Christopher, just telling him she was going to take the train to Ballarat, to see Jean and Lucien, stay for a few days, as they had been asked. She assured him she would be back but maybe the solitude would give him time to think whether or not he still wanted to be married to her. She added her love to the bottom of the note, she really did still love him, but wasn't sure he loved her.

Upstairs, while Amelia played on the bed, she packed a suitcase with enough clothes for her and her daughter for a few days, then putting Amelia on the floor she tidied the bed and took the child downstairs to put her in the push chair. She ran back upstairs and brought the case down, sliding it into the shopping tray under Amelia's seat with a basket of food for the journey, and left the house.

The walk to the station was a good stretch, but it was a nice sunny day, perfect for walking. Amelia sat smiling, pointing at things and babbling away quite happily. They didn't have long to wait for the train and a friendly guard helped her pull the pushchair onto the train. She found a quiet carriage and sat with Amelia on her knee, watching the landscape slip by. They ate their picnic lunch and Amelia fell asleep. Ruby put her back in the chair and used the time to tidy away the basket and think for a while on how she would get up to the house. She didn't know if it was a distance she could walk or if she would have to take a taxi. She had made sure she had enough money with her in case.

The friendly guard helped her off the train and wished her a nice stay, tipping his hat. She smiled her thanks and walked out of the station. Looking around her she saw a police man. He looked friendly and was able to tell her that she would be better taking a taxi, the walk was quite long and uphill. He hailed one for her and he and the driver helped her put the suitcase and basket safe and fold up the pushchair.

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Ballarat:

So here she stood in the porch. Before she knocked she looked around thinking it was just what she would expect, a hanging basket with flowers in bloom, a chair, the door knocker polished. She knocked and waited.

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'I'll get it,' she heard Jean call from inside the house, bright and cheerful, welcoming.

The door opened and Jean stared at her as if she had seen a ghost,

'Ruby!'

'Hello Jean, I hope you don't mind me taking you up on your invitation to come and stay? and Happy Birthday.' She held out the gift.

'Oh, Ruby, I'm so glad you were able to come.' Jean looked around, 'where's Christopher?'

'Er...he can't make it, sorry.' Ruby looked down at her feet, this was so awkward.

'Oh,' Jean replied, 'well no matter, you're here and so is Amelia, so come in.' She turned round to find Lucien at her shoulder.

'Want a hand with that luggage, Ruby?' He grinned and held out his hand for the suitcase. The pushchair was still folded, leaning against the wall.

'Thank you, Lucien.' She smiled as he took the case from her and as she entered the house, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek in welcome.

In the kitchen Jean made the customary tea while Ruby sat playing with Amelia.

'How was your journey?' Jean asked.

'Easy, thank you. The guard helped me with the pushchair and Amelia was very well behaved.' Ruby smiled, it had really been easy, and she was going to be sure to tell Christopher that would be no excuse in the future.

'I've always found the rail staff very helpful too.' Jean smiled and took Amelia onto her knee, giving her a biscuit. Lucien sauntered into the kitchen,

'I've put the case in the guest room, darling,' he informed Jean, 'is there anything else you want doing?'

'Hmm...would you ring Mrs Sinclair and ask if we can borrow her cot for Amelia? I saw her yesterday and she said her youngest had gone into a bed so she was thinking of getting rid of the cot. If she hasn't perhaps we could borrow it.'

'I'm sorry, Jean I never thought about where Amelia would sleep. She can share with me if it's easier.' Ruby had gone red, in her haste to leave she had not considered where her daughter would sleep.

'No problem, we'll sort something out. Really we ought to in case she comes to stay again.' Jean reached over and squeezed her daughter-in-law's hand.

Lucien made the call and finding the cot was still available he arranged to go over and collect it. It was bound to fit in the car, one way or the other.

'Before you go, Lucien,' Jean stood up and went to the counter where some shortbread lay cooling. She put some into a spare tin and handed it to him.

'I've counted them so I'll be checking they all get there.' She warned, smiling coyly, she knew his liking for her shortbread.

Lucien saluted, 'Yes, ma'am!' he made a swift exit before she playfully slapped his arm.

'Silly boy!' She said.

Jean turned her attention to the birthday gift Ruby had handed to her. Undoing the ribbon and removing the paper she found a small box. In it was a silver locket containing a photograph of Amelia.

'Oh Ruby, it's lovely, thank you.' She leant over and hugged her, she was touched by the thought that had gone into the gift.

Ruby smiled, pleased that she had got it right, Christopher had not helped her choose the gift, in fact he had no idea she had got any gift at all for his mother.

Jean showed Ruby where the guest room was, the bathroom and gave her a quick tour of the house, just so she wouldn't accidentally interrupt Lucien when he was taking surgery.

'I'll take Amelia into the kitchen while you unpack, if you like.' Jean offered, holding out her arms for the child.

'If she won't get in the way.' Ruby usually put Amelia into a playpen when she was cooking.

'Oh, I'm used to it, trouble is Lucien is too big for a playpen!' She giggled.

Ruby looked at her and then joined her in the laughter, it was some time since she had had the chance to laugh at anything, Christopher seemed to have lost his sense of humour recently. She was going to enjoy the break, her worries about her marriage could be put aside for a day or so. Even so, she knew Jean would want to know why she had not waited for her son to be able to join them, so she would perhaps find a time when she could have a heart to heart with her mother-in-law, the one woman she used to avoid was now the one person she felt she could confide in. Funny how things turn out, she thought.

Lucien arrived with the cot and it was duly erected in the corner of the guest room. Ruby set to, making it up with the linen Mrs Sinclair had kindly provided while Lucien went to find his wife.

In the kitchen Lucien sat at the table and lifted Amelia up onto his lap. She happily played with his tie and pulled at his beard while he talked to Jean, quietly.

'So, any idea why Christopher didn't come?'

'I'll find out in time, I expect. Until then, we'll make them welcome and wait until Ruby feels able to tell me what she wants me to know. No questions, Lucien, she isn't a suspect in a case.' Jean warned. 'It'll be nice having a little one in the house, though, won't it?'

'Hmm?...Oh yes.' He thought this was a loaded question and decided to leave it at that.

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So many questions: how does Christopher react when he finds his wife and child have gone away, albeit only for a few days? Was that a loaded question? What will Jean say when she finds out her suspicions are correct?