Author's note: Alright, Ladies... I've started this a long time ago and someone was asking for a continuation or a sequel, but I've just written the following short text, got distracted (probably by a snowflake flying by) and never continued. Since I'm clearing out my scrap book at the moment, this has to be published. Don't expect much, don't expect a third chapter ;-)

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A date

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She hugged both at the same time and her voice was a bit husky when she told them that this was the best birthday present since Judith had given birth to her only grandchild.

"So, there still is hope for more." she winked, turned and called for Judith, leaving two blushing detectives in the hall.

"Well..." Tommy said with a shy look at his Sergeant. Barbara tried once more to free her hand from his but he would not let her go at all. "...this could wait a bit, I think."

He cleared his throat. "Now will you please stop trying to leave hold of my hand, Barbara!?"

They started to move to the stairs.

Barbara laughed nervously. "It's just..." She kept staring at her feet climbing the stairs.

"This is... I don't know..." With a blushed face she looked at him. "It felt entirely good outside in this wonderland of snow but now... I feel..."

Patiently Tommy waited. He wanted to tell her straight away that he loved her but felt it was not the right moment. Something was bothering Barbara and when he blurted it out he only would scare her away. Barbara looked in his dark eyes that watched her lovingly. Heavens, she could get lost in those eyes.

"I'm feeling out of place, Tommy. At the coast when... when you've kissed me... it was so... normal. Natural. Wonderful, indeed. Even at the stable. Well, actually I'm out of place on a horseback too, huh? I mean, an Acton girl on a horse. It probably only happens when she was a member of the mounted police, hehe... Yah, a donkeyback on the beach at Scarborough - that's a proper ride but look at me - I don't even fit into those tight breeches. I look ridiculous! And then coming into the manor, being hugged by Lady A as if I'm part of the family just because her son had kissed me. Haha! I mean... We've just kissed. You are the eighth Earl of Asherton and-"

"-love you." This was the only way to stop her rambling. Barbara looked at him with big eyes expressing shock, pleasure, fear, anticipation, anxiety, love - and a certain desire he had not expected. Tommy smiled. "I really love you, Barbara. And I'm going to kiss you now before you'll take a refreshing shower and meet me at the back door in half an hour. We are going to talk and we're going to talk on much quieter grounds. Oh, well, look at me," His hand automatically pushed the usual unruly strand of hair out of his face. "I've acquired your habit of rambling. Ah, I really do love you."

Then he finally took Barbara's other hand and gave her a long soft kiss. "See you in 27 minutes."

She chuckled.

After another quick kiss he let go of both her hands and hurried down the corridor to the master bedroom. Barbara struggled a bit to regain her composure - all that was a bit too much too fast for her mind to follow. But who cares about the mind when the heart already jumps forward?! Now she had to hurry to refresh herself.

They had a date.

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Author's note: Now let your own minds flow from here - I suggest the stables where it had felt so normal. Hay, leather, horses, privacy... enjoy it ;-)

Thanks for reading. Tess

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