Claudia watched conspicuously for the reaction Nick was bound to give. He simply backed away; regret swarming his eyes, to lean against the tree nearest the anomaly.
'You know Helen,' Stephen began, shaking his he shead slowly 'I'd forgotten you could be a real bitch.'
Stephen stepped back, a smile playing at his lips. Helen gave a smug look to everyone before leaving through the rip in time that puzzled the team everyday.
'Well, if that's the show over, let's get going shall we.' Lester sighed, inclining his head towards the car.
Claudia made to follow him before thinking about the tension that would dominate the University car.
'Stephen, perhaps it would be better if you shared with Lester, you know.'
Stephen's mouth opened in protest but snapped shut again when he glimpsed Nick's somber expression. He strode away leaving Nick and Claudia alone. He climbed into the driver's seat silently before turning towards Claudia and asking
'Claudia, you wouldn't mind keeping me company this evening, would you? It would be very much appreciated.'
'If it makes you feel better,' she replied in a tone somewhere between sympathy and empathy.
The rest of the journey was made in silence; the only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the tapping of Cutter's fingers against the wheel. Then he turned into the car park and removed the key from the ignition.
Most of the evening was spent with a wine glass in hand. By the time Claudia had said it was definitely time to leave, a smile was pulling at the corner of his lips. Claudia slipped into her jacket and gathered her bag. She was bout to open the door when a soothing Scottish accent tingled her ears.
'Oh and by the way' he began. She turned to look at him. 'Before I went through the anomaly, you kissed me. On the lips. You said sexual harassment is considered an-'
'That's only in the Civil Service, and besides, that doesn't count!' she interjected.
'Can I ask why the hell not?'
'Because you kissed me back!' she teased.
A hoarse laugh came from his parted lips and she couldn't help but join in. She cleared the space between them in no time and crushed her lips to his. She made a mental note to self to get Cutter depressed more often!