Episode One: Vanguard

"He fancies you, you know?" Kate lounged casually in the doorway as she watched Osgood go about her work. She was diligent and hard-working which Kate admired but she was also shy in large groups and completely dense when it came to reading social signals. She'd only come back to say goodnight before she went off to the party. She would have been lying if she said she hadn't been disappointed when Osgood had turned down the invitation to accompany her, but she understood her reluctance and that it wasn't personal.

"Who?" If the scientist had been surprised by Kate's presence she hadn't let it show and remained engrossed in her work.

"Josh." The new boy; Kate had a good feeling about him as a UNIT Officer but she'd also sussed out his interest in Osgood pretty quickly.

"He's just being friendly." Osgood shrugged off Kate's suggestion nonchalantly. The older woman gave her a few seconds to think about it before it dawned on her. "Oh… Oh no!" Osgood groaned and held her head in her hands. Kate stepped closer to the workbench so that they could have a more discreet conversation.

"Oh yes. Do you want to tell him or should I?" It sounded as though they'd had this sort of conversation before, judging by the amusement in the older woman's tone, and Kate was used to seeing the funny side of it by now. Osgood finally looked up at her then and noticed that she was dressed up to go out. Her charcoal grey suit with black shirt was stunning; elegant but professional at the same time. And ever so slightly butch, but with the feminine twist that only Kate could give it. Of course, it was accented by some short heels, the bright orange ones that strangely seemed to work with the grey.

"It depends, are you going to be kind and friendly or are you going to warn him off like a jealous spouse?" The younger woman ginned up at her with a crooked smile, which let Kate know that she'd finally noticed her outfit.

"I am a jealous spouse! Sort of." Kate inched closer and they both leaned in for an all-to-brief but no less heartfelt kiss.

"Enjoy schmoozing, I know how you love these things." Kate did like to network and keep her ear to the ground about what people were saying about UNIT. She was also always scouting for talent she could lure into her fold.

"And I know how you don't. Make sure you get some rest, see you tomorrow." Osgood would probably work too hard, too late and just about fall into her own bed around the same time as Kate arrived home from the party.

"Osgood, do you want me to give you a lift back?" Osgood knew it wasn't a question but Kate had to say it to keep up the pretence. It was bad enough not being able to get through a day without her father's name being mentioned, it would be twice as bad if people knew she was sleeping with one of her staff. It was also why Osgood continued to call her 'ma'am' in front of her colleagues. Kate helped Osgood to lift her equipment into both the boot and back of the car. Kate drove quite a large vehicle, which wasn't great for parking but it came in very handy for occasions such as this. They simultaneously got into the car and pulled across their seatbelts before Kate turned the key to start the engine.

"How was the launch? Apart from the terrible canapés?" Osgood thought to make something substantial for Kate to eat once they got back to The Tower. She'd not eat for days if someone didn't remind her to. Osgood always had a packet of Hobnobs in her desk drawer and though not a meal replacement, they were better than nothing.

"Devlin was predictably charming in that smarmy way most businessmen are. There's something a bit dodgy there but I can't quite put my finger on it..."

"Alien?" Osgood naturally surmised.

"There wasn't any indication, just a gut feeling. I see you haven't managed to speak with Josh yet?" Osgood glanced over at Kate with a slightly puzzled look on her face. "About him fancying you. He was flirting outrageously back there, or didn't you notice?" The younger woman blushed in embarrassment and adjusted her glasses out of nervous habit.

"I was too busy with the Nestene control sphere."

"Sweetheart, I do love you but you really are awfully dense. You need to let him down gently, before it gets out of hand. Unless there's something you're not telling me?" Kate's usual humour was out in full force, although Osgood knew her well enough to pick up on the slight hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"Of course not!" Osgood reached out and put her hand on Kate's knee. The intrepid UNIT Leader freed a hand from the steering wheel to briefly squeeze it in response.

"Good, because you and your brilliant, quick-thinking mind were pretty damn sexy just then. I want to wrap up this incident, send off the reports and take you home as soon as I possibly can." The natural huskiness in Kate's voice had dropped a couple of octaves and it send a wave of desire through Osgood. Most nights they went back to their respective homes but occasionally they'd both end up at one or the other's; especially after a tough event, just to unwind and enjoy being with each other.

Unfortunately it was not to be and Kate received a call from Geneva before she could leave HQ for the night. She put a call through to Osgood and made it clear they were not going to be able to go home together that evening after all.

"Pack a back, you'll need to travel light. Be ready to leave at dawn." It sounded urgent and Osgood instinctively knew that something else was afoot.

"Yes ma'am." Osgood sounded confused and a bit surprised by the turn of events but she knew that Kate would tell her in good time.

"I'm am sorry, it does rather spoil our plans." Any lingering arousal Kate had felt after their car ride had been immediately quashed by the call from Geneva. There was a bigger and more urgent issue to deal with now.

"It's fine, I understand. See you in the morning."