Disclaimer. Characters and show do not belong to me

At almost precisely eleven Ally walked in, frazzled and tense from whatever cloud problem she had been dealing with. Dez instantly knew not to say anything about the kiss or Trish's current state, the last thing he wanted to be dealing with was a neurotic Ally. Unlike his blonde best friend, he wasn't near so good at dealing with her hysterics, and despite their friendship he would much rather avoid them if and at all possible.

"Hey, Dez. No Trish?" She asked, in response he shook his head, not wanting her to probe any further. It was all arranged, he didn't need anyone screwing about with the plan at this point. He would tell them tomorrow, when they couldn't do anything about it. Taking his silence for apathy Ally walked round to behind the desk and Dez turned the closed sign on the shop doors around to open. Pushing the door open and jamming a doorstop underneath it. Leaning against it he pulled out his phone and began going through his emails, smiling when he saw the three confirmation emails he had been waiting for, watching in horror as they were swept away by the incoming call screen, and the name that was displayed there. Rejecting the call with a decisive tap and pushing the phone back into his pocket, he grimaced as he headed back to the practice room, he should have seen it coming, and of course it would have caused suspicion…Moron. He cursed himself silently. Once safely concealed he pulled out his phone and without having to think keyed in a familiar house number.

Dez fidgeted in the chair as he waited for the receiver to pick up, breathing in relief when a warm thick Latino accent sung down the line "Hello" the sound made him smile, and that familiar prick of envy went through him again at Trish's mums voice. "Hello, Mrs De La Rosa. It's Dez" he explained calmly, polite and well-mannered as he spoke to her.

"I know, Honey. I recognise your voice. But I'm confused, you usually direct call the phone in Trish's room, or her mobile. Why the landline?" she questioned. And for a moment Dez smiled at how concerned she seemed for him, before that fell away and he realised how difficult it might be for him to convince Trish's mum to agree. He quickly bumbled an excuse, which was also in reality totally true, even if he was sure that Trish wasn't sleeping…Hell, she was probably up doing work or something.

"I know Trish is sleeping, I didn't want to disturb her. I actually have a favour to ask of you, if you don't mind that is" he heard his voice crack on the last part and knew the difficult bit was coming up. She sounded completely calm when she answered, not suspecting anything amiss

"Of course, anything" she offered sweetly, and once again he understood exactly why Trish always worked so hard.

He blurted out what he wanted quickly, going for the quick and painless method "I need you to agree to let Trish go somewhere" he sounded as nervous as he felt, and he felt his face flame red, annoyed at how difficult this was. Annoyed when her following question made him feel both embarrassed and guilty.

"Are you going with her?" He stammered a quick reply, hoping her mother would get of the topic "No" he sounded as terrified and worried as he felt, whilst she still sounded smooth and calm, if not a little amused by her daughters friend

"Who is?" she interrogated coolly, unfazed by his easy embarrassment. Dez tried to school himself into composure, secretly wishing for the bloody natural confidence and suaveness of his best friend.

"It's a specialised get away. A thank you for her working so hard" he felt beads of sweat dot his forehead and once again hated his own inept awkwardness. A kind laugh floated down the line before she responded.

"And here I thought the lie- in was her gift" Dez tried to shake the terror off, the worst was either over, or coming…And just like the proverbial piano her next question crushed him where he sat.

"She'll be safe?" He gaped for a moment, amazed that she thought so little of his concern for Trish, before shaking his head clear, and explaining just how safe.

"Completely. It's all private and secure and stuff…" The mother's response was steely and hard when she spoke again.

"I mean it, she's my daughter, Dez" Dez sighed and wished he could explain just how safe her daughter would be, settling for an attempt at reassurance."

"I understand, completely. And I assure you, she will be safe". A few seconds of considering silence went by before the soft Latino voice finally gave her verdict.

"Then I see no problem." Dez let out a very loud, very non internal whoop of victory, making the concerned mum laugh. He begged one final favour, knowing she would have no problem with it.

"Also, could you not tell her? I want it to be a surprise" a final giggle down the line and an agreement off "Of course, sweetie" from her, then the line went dead.

Less than two minutes of celebrating later the same number from earlier flashed up on his screen. In a stupidly brave move he picked up the line. Sighing as he waited for what he suspected would be a verbal skewering.

"Hello, Dad."…