Title: What happens on the train...
Author: Loz
E-Mail: T
Category: Neil/Andrea…All Neil/Andrea
Series: Story number seven, what follows are titles and story id numbers. (1) After he's at her door – 2486705. (2) When the mighty all – 2506192. (3) While his wife's away – 2525486. (4) While they're away – 2543010. (5) When love's not working – 2543013. (6) Boundaries when broken up - 2562611.
Spoilers: None or so minor it won't hurt anyone.
Archive (if applicable): www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net
Feedback: The good, the bad and the very ugly it's all appreciated.
Summary: Reg and Marilyn's unusual wedding sees Neil and Andrea restrained to a train where they're unable to be resist one another.
Author's Notes: Sorry the last part was a little…? Feeling a little flat right now, love some N/A stories to read, have little break.
Disclaimers: So I don't have to hop on a train and disappear, I don't own anyone featured here.
Andrea survey's her unbalanced equation, a wardrobe full of clothes and an empty overnight bag. She smiles thinking there's truth to 'wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear.'
'Pick something Andrea.' She wills herself discounting the pink dress that has already had an outing to a wedding. The black dress she talks herself out of, too much like a night out clubbing. Briefly she remembers what Leela said about buying something new but there's a shopping event in her recent history Andrea doesn't want to revisit anytime soon.
Buried in the back, protected under plastic hangs the pale pink dress Andrea designed. The silk is so pale it could be forgiven for being white and the simple slip design with the low back is what Andrea had sketched out and taken to the dressmaker. The last time she'd worn it was to her friends wedding where she'd been bridesmaid.
"What the hell?" She tells herself, she hadn't worn it since because it was a bridesmaid's dress. Nothing about it screams bridesmaid – there's no butt bow nor is it a hideous colour. "Maybe it'll bring some luck." For the first time she doesn't necessarily mean Neil.
"Don't suppose there'll be a shower." She mutters letting her fingers do the walking through her underwear drawer. Her hands cross the matching cream underwear set that barely ever sees the light of day…she packs them in along with a few other things she considers essential.
Telling herself she deserves it, Andrea spends the next few hours pampering herself before letting the light and sexy dress shimmer over her body. Grabbing her bag she makes it out the door on time.
She feels uncomfortable passing through the regular commuters in business and casual clothes…she can feel their eyes looking at the fact she's over dressed, the odd one out. She concentrates on her steps, it's been too long since she's been in these shoes and she's wary of toppling from great heights. Checking the invitation once last time for the platform number she locks eyes onto the black sheet put up to keep prying eyes out. There are two men dressed in uniform watching her approach, under their scrutiny she wobbles on her right heel – too many hours in flat copper shoes.
"Your invitation Miss." The older man requests, Andrea reads the word 'conductor' on his badge. She fumbles with her gift and bag eventually handing over her ticket. "And will you be travelling on the Hollis express?" It's all Andrea can do not to laugh.
"Yes."
"May I take your bag?" She hands it over gratefully, now leaving one hand free. In return she receives a key – the old fashioned type with a length of pale ribbon attached.
"May I show you to your seat?" The younger man steps forward offering to take the wedding gift, "Bride or groom?"
"Well both really." Andrea laughs nervously.
"You're a police officer ma'am?"
"Was I that obvious walking in these heels?" Andrea jokes but the young man only smiles politely.
Beyond the black sheet Andrea gasps quietly. The train is long; it's carriages wide and made of ornate stained wood with gold trimming. They're marked dining car and various classes, Andrea looks at the nine on her key wondering if it's high enough to put her in first. A white sheet hangs on the other side of the platform, twinkling in the early afternoon sun - threads of silver woven through it. A similar one provides a backdrop to the ceremony; the platform is decorated with white chairs with bows lined perfectly to create an aisle. Candles and flowers have been placed behind the last row of chairs and around the platform all in pale pink colour. Suddenly Andrea isn't so confident in her choice of dress; she feels part of the wedding party decorations.
Small groups of people have gathered – friends, colleagues and family. Andrea sees Leela and thanks the young man who had her arm the entire walk down the platform.
"That was weird." She laughs greeting Leela, spotting the rest of her friends in various huddles across the platform.
"It's classy." Leela shrugs waving to Lance and Mark who approach behind Andrea. "Let's go mingle."
The group chats away happily; the unusual and unknown aspects of the event give the girls plenty to speculate on. They giggle like teens at a sleepover about what number sleeping berth they're in.
"Who's minding the station?" Andrea asks accounting for the Super, DCI, Inspector and Sergeants as well as a smattering of CID and uniform staff.
"Barton Street is making up the numbers. They couldn't cover for all of us." Sheelagh fills her in. "But those of us here still have to do our shifts in the morning."
Andrea's face brightens with the knowledge she doesn't have to work in the morning. "Don't tell me." Yvonne groans. "So unfair, the first opportunity I have to let my hair down in ages and I get the early shift the next day."
Sympathetically Andrea pats Yvonne's arms grinning but the grin contracts slightly as she sees Neil enter the platform. Philippa's arm is slipped loosely through Neil's but Andrea is more relieved not to see her in a certain red outfit. His eyes are drawn to hers as Philippa greets the Super and Andrea directs her line of sight to the ground as much as she wants to participate in this game they play. Something tells her he's still there, eyes sweeping over her dress, perhaps recalling what's underneath. She can't deny how good he looks in the suit he's wearing and the way he actually smiles when away from work. She will try not to think about them as a couple through the afternoon and whether or not they'll make it to this point… or as much as she hates to think it, has their train left the station? Honey follows her eyes with an unsatisfied sigh. "He's cute isn't he?" It doesn't even register with Andrea that she may be talking about Neil; the others shoot Honey worried glances.
"The guy, what do you call him, he's not a chaperone."
"Usher." Andrea offers.
"Well?" Honey prompts her.
"He's not my type." Andrea says simply.
"Cute and available isn't your type?" Honey says semi astounded. No definitely not Andrea thinks looking over towards Neil again.
"How do you know he's available?" Yvonne asks unconvinced, saving Andrea from a confession she'd rather not make.
"No ring." Honey shrugs and Andrea realises her criteria with Neil was even more relaxed than Honey's – just good looking. The rest of the group looks skeptical. "Well he can check my train ticket any day."
Around her the group groans but Honey seems unfazed. "You really need to get laid tonight, if for no other reason than as a service to the rest of us." Yvonne verbalises what the others are thinking.
Honey's attention is firmly on the rear of the usher but Andrea is distracted taking secret pleasure in what Philippa Manson is wearing now she can see it closer. The colour is not her and the style is unflattering, she feels better about her second wedding dress.
"And here comes the best man." Honey's voice is laced with anticipation but her face drops as she sees Tony Stamp at the front and apparently it doesn't get better from there.
"Ladies and Gentleman could you take your seats please," Tony requests from the ceremony area.
"Hey Andrea," Lance calls as the group of young PC's make their way to the chairs.
"You two boys are looking very handsome." Andrea compliments as Mark joins them.
"We're not up on heterosexual weddings but I do recall something about not showing up the bride." Andrea's mouth hangs open.
"I'll take that as a compliment, you boys are so naughty you haven't even seen Marilyn yet."
"Still you were about to turn poor Mark here."
"I could never stack up next to you Lance." Andrea says kindly and stops as she sees Honey has chosen for them to sit in the row behind Neil. She shuffles following Honey towards the edge of the aisle. Knowing it's foolish doesn't stop her from hoping Neil won't notice her. His eyes meet hers for a moment, a definite flicker of familiarity in them. Uncomfortably she sits between Honey and Yvonne.
"I can't believe everyone's here." Honey starts the gossip.
"It's Reg, he's like an institution." Yvonne argues nostalgically.
"And he's almost as old as the station building." The three girls giggle and Andrea almost forgets about sitting a row back and a chair to the left of Neil.
"Plus everyone thought he'd never marry so they're kind of here to see it happen." Honey adds.
"Tony's next." Andrea joins the conversation that's been flowing past her.
"Yeah Tony, he's such a nice guy. I mean why hasn't he been snapped up." Yvonne asks seriously.
"Maybe that's it; we put him up for auction." Again the three dissolve into laughter.
"I can't wait to see what Marilyn's wearing." Andrea kick starts the conversation again.
"Yeah, they're both eccentric, look where we're sitting, but in a good way." Yvonne decides. Their conversation ends as music flows from somewhere and the guests turn to catch the first look at Marilyn as the black sheets are pushed aside. Andrea turns quickly not wanting to come face to face with Neil or Philippa.
The eyes of the guests follow Marilyn as she makes her way down the aisle. "Is she not wearing white?" Honey says in her lowest voice leaning towards her friends.
Andrea looks back at the dress that is understated and elegant despite her friends' predictions. Well down the aisle now Yvonne leans over, "have you ever heard Reg talk about…?"
"Too many mental images," Andrea stops her causing the group to laugh again.
The three compose themselves for the ceremony that is simple and personalised. As the vows are read Philippa places her arm around Neil, resting on the back of his chair. Her wedding ring shines in the light, taunting Andrea without respite.
