My view of Jacob Hood has always been of a complex, compassionate, sometimes dark, but very human individual. This story is about Rachel's discovery of his hidden side and her growing passion for him. This is the first of 10 chapters.

I have selected a soundtrack to accompany each chapter. The narrative comes from Rachel's POV, the soundtrack reflects Jacob's view. Apologies if the music isn't your cup of tea, but it's what was in my head at the time of writing!!! I did try to paste in a youtube link for each song but haven't been able to do it, sorry. If you have time, go there and have a listen for yourself!

Soundtrack - Because the Night: Patti Smith

"Desire is the hunger, is the fire I breathe

Love is a banquet on which we feed"

"You know that life isn't really about love & romance & happy endings don't you?" he said to her, his green eyes boring intensely into her blue ones. "That most people simply have no idea of reality."

They were sitting in a darkened bar, hidden in the back corner away from the laughing crowds. She could tell he was anxious about something, but had no idea what was wrong. They hadn't worked on a case together for several weeks and she was surprised when she received his call asking her to meet him early on a warm Friday evening.

"What is life about Jacob?" she murmured softly, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"Desire," he answered, his velvet voice barely audible. His eyes narrowed, "desire & lust & want." Her breath caught in her throat as she stared back at him. He had spoken those words with a fierceness that she'd never heard from him before. This wasn't her Hood. Her Hood had a twinkle in his eye and a quiet irreverence that she'd silently adored from the first moment she met him. Her Hood exasperated her with his impracticality and amazed her with his ability. This man was dark & intense & troubled.

"How long have you been here Hood?" she asked quietly. "Do you need me to take you home?" He looked at her, his gaze never faltering.

"Oh I've been here for hours" he finally said, "but I don't need you to take me home. I don't need you to save me, I don't need you to organise anything or to drive me anywhere. I don't even need you to make me laugh". He paused and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly as his eyes bored into her. "I just need you."

She stared back at him. She knew now was the time for her to escort him out of the bar and drive him home. To make sure he was put safely to bed to sleep off whatever the hell it was he'd been drinking all afternoon, but instead she just stared back at him. His intense gaze had her feeling trapped and exposed and helpless. The passion and desire in his words rendered her speechless.

He cupped the heel of his hand under his chin and leaned his head onto it, the tip of his little finger brushing his lip. She realised he had a cigarette between his long fingers. She'd never seen him smoke before, in fact she hated smoking and she thought he did too. But when he put it to his lips, inhaled, and blew the smoke languidly across the table away from her, she couldn't take her eyes off his mouth. She thought it was probably the sexiest thing she'd ever seen.

She felt herself drifting, losing herself in his presence. She snapped herself back to reality, took the cigarette off him and stubbed it out in the ashtray. "I think I might have a drink now" she said crisply.

While he was off at the bar ordering her a large orange juice, she took a few deep breaths. "Come on Rachel" she said to herself crossly, "you know the feelings you have for him do not include this. He is your friend, your colleague, your responsibility. It doesn't matter what he says to you it can never work. Be the adult here and control the situation. Physical attraction is not the basis of a sound working relationship."

As he came back with drinks in hand, he placed them both on the table in front of her and sat down next to her, his leg bushing against hers. She noticed that he was drinking mineral water.

"I haven't been drinking Rachel," he said, noticing her glance at his glass. "I know you think I've been sitting here for hours getting hammered and whatever I say is just the booze talking. But it's not like that. I didn't just call you because I thought you'd be an easy lay." She gasped, her Hood would never, ever speak like that. Especially to her.

He put the side of his finger under her chin and turned her face to his "Look at me Rachel. You know, you know full well that I want you". Unable to look into his eyes she focussed on his mouth, on the words that he was forming. "You know I've wanted you from the first moment I met you. Every day I've worked with you has been a struggle between responsibility and desire. Look at me". She raised her eyes to meet his "And I've had enough."

"Um………." She tried to speak. She was glad she was sitting down because the touch of his hand on her face, his intense green eyes and startling words had rendered legs weak, her stomach churning.

He put his other hand on her lips. "Ssshhhh", he whispered "just let me talk. I know you probably think I've been celibate for the last two years, but I have had other women over the time we've been working together. Some just sex, some of them friends. I'm not desperate or lonely or looking for pity. But life is about want and lust and desire, and you are the one I want. You are the one I lust after. You are the one I desire."

She looked into his eyes, absolutely speechless. She knew she should do something. Do something or say something. But she just looked. Lost in the intensity of his gaze.

He removed his finger from her lips, leant forward and replaced it with his soft mouth. His lips gently brushed hers and she felt his hot breath feathering her face. "I'm not promising you love & romance & a happy ending" he whispered "but I have to have you." His kiss became more urgent as his mouth searched hers. His tongue flickered over her lips, and she tasted the cigarette smoke on him. She felt her resolve disappearing and her nerves tingling. Her body responded to his kiss, pressing closer into his warm chest. His hand trailed down her throat and brushed the side of her breast, and she felt his passion pulsate through him.

"Rachel", he growled into her ear, his voice thick with desire. "We had better leave now or I won't be held responsible for my actions".

As she stood, he grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her to face him. His eyes flashed, dark and intense. "You will come home with me won't you – we will finish this?" She stared at his amazing face, at the beautiful man before her, and was lost. After a few moments she finally spoke.

"Jacob", she said, "I don't care about love & romance & happy endings. I never have. I don't want you bringing me flowers and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. What I want is your body and your passion and your need."

She heard her voice speak the words but she felt like it was someone else talking.