Author's note: all usual disclaimers apply.

Please do not expect daily updates as I am very busy at the moment.


Barbara yawned and stretched against the soft leather of the passenger seat that over the years had contoured to her shape. She snuggled back then glanced over at her boss. DCI Tommy Lynley looked tired but relieved. His hunch had been right about the murderer being the baker's wife but Barbara had been the one to work out how she managed to stab him so brutally, dispose of the weapon and the blood-splattered clothing and attend the school play that initially gave her an alibi. She had simply pushed the skewer into a loaf of bread then retrieved it after it was baked in the wood-fired oven. The apron had burnt away with the wood except for one small patch of leather label.

"Penny for them," Tommy said. She smiled. He had not even looked at her but seemed to sense she was deep in thought.

"We make a good team."

He turned and stared at her. "You make it sound as if that's a new revelation. I thought we knew that after our first case together."

"Well, yeah, but...well we do."

"Yes, we do. My promotion changes nothing Barbara. As DCI I just get a bigger squad. I'm still going to partner with you as long as you'll let me but you should consider Hillier's offer, it's more money."

"The money would be good but no, I'm not ready."

"You could stay in my squad. We'd still be working together."

"But not like this!"

"No, not like this." Tommy's smile was full of memories and fear. "I was going to suggest a pint but you look tired Sergeant Havers." The emphasis on her rank was his way of telling her Inspector would sound much better.

"Tired? Since when am I ever too tired for a pint after a challenging case?" she answered with a grin.

Tommy glanced at the clock on the dash. "Damn!"

"What?"

"I had hoped to pick up my new computer this evening. It will have to wait."

"We don't have to have that pint Sir. Will you have time to get it if we go straight there?"

"You don't mind?"

"Nah, course not. We can pick it up then you can drop me home and then play with your new toy."

"It's a tool, not a toy, Barbara. What if we pick it up, drop it at my place, then go to the pub?"

"Deal."

Ninety minutes later Barbara was helping Tommy pull the monitor box from his car but it had become wedged against the door. She swore as her hand got caught between it and the old-fashion metal door handle. "This thing's the size of a coffin! Do you really need such a big one?"

"Most women tell us size doesn't matter but I think bigger is better don't you?"

Barbara stared at him then felt her neck flush. "I wouldn't know Sir, I've never had one this big."

She watched as Tommy grinned cheekily at her. "Well if you help me pull it free we can take it inside and you can have a good look. You might like what you see."

Barbara smiled back. Lately their banter had taken on an edge she found disturbing. Too many innuendos but never any attempt to act on it. "No point looking, it still wouldn't be mine to use though would it?"

Tommy was standing next to her trying to free the box. All he had to do was take half a step forward and he could take her in his arms and kiss her. He had been trying to find the courage to do it for weeks but he worried his attentions would be unwanted and it would ruin everything. Now her eyes had darkened with a hint of lust. He took his half step and the monitor started to move.

"Quick," Barbara yelled and Tommy had just enough time to catch the box.

"Bloody thing!" The moment had been lost and now she was smirking at him. "I've got this. Can you lock the car and bring the laptop box?"

Tommy waited at the door while Barbara used his keys to unlock it. She had not hesitated to choose the correct key. She had keen powers of observation but she had also seen him unlock it a hundred times. Since the Thompson case they had been close. She often ate with him or stayed late into the night after they had spread photos over his study and debated the facts of a case on the whiteboard he had installed so that they did not have to remain at the office. He had no excuse to invite her but he wished there was a way of convincing her to stay all night but he had promised to take her to the pub. He put the large box on the floor of his study. "Still fancy that drink?"

She nodded but did not take her eyes from the box. "Beer if you've got any."

He preferred whiskey but Tommy always had beer in his fridge just in case Barbara came over. "One beer coming right up," he said with far more enthusiasm than he had intended.

He returned quickly with two cans. He passed one to her then clunked his can against hers. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Helping me." He gave her a wicked grin then added, "still want to see how big it is?"

Barbara could not help but smile. It was a silly, stale joke but she was secretly pleased he was comfortable enough with her to continue the innuendo. When he had stepped forward at the car she had thought for a split second he was about to kiss her. It had shocked her and thrilled her in equal measure until the gods intervened and the box almost fell. She had quickly put her foolish notion back into its place. "Of course."

"It has a big curve in it. They say it's a more effective angle." Barbara coughed as she choked on her beer. Tommy was instantly contrite, but amused that his schoolboy humour had not been lost on her. "I'm sorry, I was just being silly."

"Me too," she spluttered. Her smile was mischievous and made him wonder if perhaps her feelings for him had also drifted into the complex mix of emotions he had experienced over the last few months. He hesitated too long and she moved away.

When Tommy made no attempt to kiss her Barbara shook her head, as much to clear her thoughts as her throat. She bent down and began to pick at the edge of the packing tape sealing the box. "Come on, let's see this big, bendy tool of yours."

An hour later the new monitor and laptop sat proudly on his antique mahogany desk. The monitor was almost three feet long and curved around him as he sat and connected the old computer to enable him to transfer files. Barbara stood beside him as he sat at the desk. She watched the joy on his face. He was like a little boy as he excitedly explained all the features of the screen and dragged several open windows into place so he could check his email, interrogate the internet, read a novel and listen to music through the inbuilt speakers simultaneously. "Isn't it wonderful?"

She smiled at him and was tempted to lovingly ruffle his hair. "Yeah, great Sir. I bet you can play lots of games too."

"Games? No, I use it mostly for managing the estate accounts. I was finding I needed to compare a lot of documents. This will make it easier. I should wipe the old computer and dispose of it."

Barbara pricked up her ears. "How much do you want for it?"

"Nothing. I'll give it to charity."

"Oh."

"Ah, do you want it?"

"I'll pay."

"No you won't. I'd be happy to give it to you."

Barbara looked at her feet. "My old netbook died. The screen went all funny and your old laptop is far newer."

"I'd rather it goes somewhere it's wanted. I can wipe the hard drive then we can pack it up and take it over to your place in the morning. Want another beer?"

It was almost midnight by the time they had transferred files, wiped the old data and selected the software Barbara wanted to keep. Tommy proudly showed off what his new computer could do. He had pulled the piano stool over so they could squeeze next to each other in front of the screen. Barbara even persuaded him to download a crime solving game and they spent another hour racing through the level one and two cases. Barbara yawned then glanced at her watch. "Good job we're not on duty tomorrow. I should call a cab."

"No!" he replied too sternly. He softened his tone, "I thought you were staying so we can take this over tomorrow."

"I don't want to put you to any trouble, Sir."

"You're not. The bed is made up." Tommy put his arm around her shoulder. "I want you to stay Barbara."

"If you're sure." For a moment she allowed herself the indulgence of leaning against him and enjoying their proximity. She then straightened and his arm dropped away. "It's the neighbour I'm sure."

Tommy had trouble not smiling too broadly. He did not want her to feel staying over was momentous, he wanted her to feel relaxed and casual about it. "Do you want to pay for a clue or should we work through it again?"

"Work through, we're smarter than some game writer when it comes to crime."

Tommy fetched the last beer from his fridge and poured himself a large scotch before settling back next to his sergeant who was staring at the screen and jotting notes on the onscreen scratchpad. He had not expected to spend the evening playing computer games but he was enjoying it far more than he would admit. Barbara had a way of calming his demons and making him feel safe and wanted. He had thought a lot lately about what it would be like to have her live with him but he was not sure he could cope with her untidiness. "I could hire a maid."

Barbara turned and gave him a quizzical look. "Sir? There's no maid in the case."

"Sorry. Just thinking out loud about here."

She looked around. "You do a better job than me. Now do you think the neighbour's alibi is weak?"

"Yes, very." It seemed the oddest of times to him but in that moment he knew without doubt he had lost his heart to her. He had suspected for months that it was heading that way but tonight he knew there could never be anyone else for him. He put his arm around her shoulder and leant into her. "Barbara, let's go to bed," he whispered.