Tommy was deliberately late hoping that Judith's guests were already sipping pre-dinner drinks. As they stood in the lift ascending to her apartment he fidgetted nervously. What had seemed like a good idea yesterday could go horribly wrong. The doors opened directly into the spacious penthouse. Judith was spending more time in London lately and Tommy knew it had a lot to do with her new partner Jackson. He had only met him three or four times but he seemed to be a good match for his sister.

Barbara stood back and Tommy put his hand on her back to guide her into the room. He could feel her trembling. "Relax, I'm here," he said reassuringly. He saw his sister and Jackson coming towards them. They were holding hands and looked happy. He wished he was able to hold Barbara's. "Judith, thank you for inviting us."

"Hello you two," she said hugging them both. "All set," she whispered in Tommy's ear.

"Hello Judith, thank you for inviting me," Barbara said politely.

"No, thank you. Tommy is miserable company when he's the fifth wheel or I try to set him up. Barbara this is Jackson Trindke. He's a banker but if you can look past that you'll find he's quite nice."

Barbara shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise. Come through and meet the others." Jackson was tall and blonde with boyish good looks and an immaculately tailored suit. Barbara began to worry that she was out of her depth but she was propelled forward by Tommy's hand that had not moved from her back.

Havers followed the new couple into the main room and gasped. Across the river Parliament House was lit up, its golden reflection shining off an unusually calm Thames. The room was huge with an enormous cream leather lounge suit facing a modern, wall-mounted fireplace at one end and a large twelve seat dining table set with shiny silverware and fat white candles at the other.

"Everyone else is on the balcony," Judith said as she linked Barbara's arm with hers. "Come on, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Barbara looked at Tommy who shrugged and went to fetch drinks.

The balcony was as large as the room and swept around the building. Barbara was in awe of the Lynley money. "Barbara I'd like you to meet my good friend Elizabeth and her husband Ben."

Barbara quickly wound her mouth up from where it had fallen to the floor. She was face to face with Elizabeth Large! She stammered an awkward greeting as she shook hands. Elizabeth had frowned as if she may have recognised her from the other night's crowd then said, "hang on a mo. Matthew!"

Barbara turned to see Matthew Walker coming towards her with a huge grin on his face. He was holding hands with his wife, Victoria. "Hello," he purred as he extended his hand to Barbara and then Tommy who had to pass Barbara her gin and tonic before he could shake hands.

Her powers of speech deserted her but Tommy smoothly covered. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Tommy, Judith's brother, and this is Barbara, my partner." Barbara was about to protest that partner sounded too personal and that they were work colleagues but no sound would come. Instead she managed what she hoped was a gracious smile.

Tommy hovered close and it gave her confidence. After some small talk between the men about the view she had calmed enough for her heartbeat to not be the only sound she could hear and for her to be able to trust her voice. "I saw Medical Miracles the other night. You were both excellent. The same chemistry from the series was still there."

Matthew's grin broadened. "Thank you," he said sincerely, "Elizabeth is like my baby sister. That kiss was a little weird at first truth be told but I am glad you enjoyed it. What did you think Tommy?"

Without missing a beat Tommy covered any ambiguity. "I wasn't able to go but I've heard it was a wonderful play."

"Not your cup of tea eh? I must say we never imagined reviving it but the series was good for both of us and opened many wonderful opportunities. The series ended abruptly when funding was cut. I think a lot of the audience felt cheated. This was one way of paying back our loyal fans and perhaps drawing a line for us under Leyland and Hebersham. Most people only ever associate me with him."

"What a waste," Barbara said, "you are terrific in everything you do. I've followed your career since Trench Rats."

"Oh goodness, that's over twenty years!"

Tommy watched happily as Barbara and Matthew chatted about his roles. Victoria sidled up to him. "You might have lost her for the night Tommy. He'll talk to real fans as long as they'll listen. Most of them only know him for Leyland. Why do I suspect that you might have arranged this especially with Judith?"

Tommy smiled. "I hope you don't mind but I wanted to do something for Barbara."

Victoria gave him a knowing smile. "My husband is charming, not in a swarmy way. He is truly a beautiful soul. What if you're found wanting by comparison?"

Tommy was surprised by her directness and perspicacity. "Oh, you think I arranged this to show he has feet of clay? No, on the contrary. I did it because she missed out on meeting him the other night and I know how much she was looking forward to it."

"I see; you did it because you love her."

Tommy lowered his eyes. "Yes."

"And you've never told her."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Then perhaps you should tell her. She's been listening to Matthew but her eyes have barely left you." Tommy went to turn. "Uh, no, don't do that or she'll stop looking. Just find a way. It's a romantic night on a balcony overlooking a river with a great view. I'm sure even a policeman can find something romantic there." Further conversation was cut short by Judith calling them in for dinner.

Judith watched her guests with great satisfaction. Everyone was engaged, even her grumpy brother who had managed to sidle closer to Barbara and put his arm protectively around the back of her chair. Dinner had been hilarious with amusing tales of acting and banking. Ben was a wildlife photographer who had poked his lens into the nests and dens of many exotic creatures. His story about being chased by an angry bear in Canada had them all captivated. Jackson told the story of his visit to the Bank of England vaults and the smell and feel of millions upon millions of pounds of bullion. She would never have imagined that they had to wear sunglasses to shield their eyes from the gleaming gold. Victoria told the story of Matthew, an excellent rider, having to learn to fake a fall from a horse only to have the horse on the day trip and really throw him. They had caught it on film and much to his chagrin used it instead.

"Some people go to extraordinary lengths to meet actors," Jackson said. Tommy and Judith glared at him. "My aunt, she's American, once waited to meet Marlon Brando and then convinced him she should go to his apartment to interview him for her varsity newspaper. She interviewed him but she had nothing to do with the paper."

"She's got more nerve than I'd have," Barbara said thinking of her own meagre attempts to meet Matthew. She looked across at the actor and smiled. This evening had been priceless.

Matthew asked Tommy about funny moments. Lynley had seen the way Barbara looked at Walker and felt his jealousies rising. "We deal with murders mainly. Not much humour there I'm afraid."

"No, sorry. I imagine it's a bloody hard job at times." He turned to Barbara. "Vic and I found working together a joy and a strain. How do you two cope?"

"We argue like cat and dog," she replied ignoring the implication, "but we have a sort of... understanding."

Matthew nodded sagely and smiled broadly. "I'm glad Barbara," he said in a way that sent shivers down her spine.

The guests adjourned to the balcony to enjoy the balmy evening. Judith suggested photos and organised group shots to mask the one she wanted, Barbara with Matthew. He happily posed with his arm around her waist, a cheeky grin and twinkling eyes. Barbara looked happy and Judith noticed Tommy smiling at her. She had suspected Tommy had finally realised that Barbara was his soulmate. "Come on Tommy, let's have one of you and Barbara. That's it, closer."

Barbara had been oddly calm posing with Matthew. It was incredible to have met him and he had proved to be everything she had believed. Standing next to her boss as he put his arm around her was far more confronting. She knew her face was beetroot red and he was grinning sheepishly. She knew he had set this dinner up for her but she had no idea why, or even how he knew about her obsession with Matthew.

Elizabeth and Ben had to leave to collect their son. A round of farewells and kisses followed. Barbara was shocked when she whispered in her ear, "Tommy's a good man, like Matthew. Don't be afraid of that."

"Well we should leave too," Matthew announced. "We had a fantastic evening and I am so pleased to meet a fan who remembers Trench Rats." Matthew kissed Barbara on the cheek and Tommy watched enviously wondering if she would ever wash her face again.

"Well that was fun," Judith said as the lift doors closed. "Jackson will you give me a hand please? We'll only be about ten minutes. You two enjoy the evening air."

Tommy escorted Barbara back onto the balcony. His sister had not been very subtle but he suspected Barbara was still dreaming of Matthew and had not noticed. "They were very nice and down-to-earth."

"Thank you Sir."

"For what?"

"Organising tonight. I don't understand why though."

Tommy was trapped between lying and confessing. "I knew you liked the Medical Mysteries series and I didn't have to be much of a detective to know you went to see Medical Miracles the other night. I thought you might like to meet them, that's all."

"I've admired Matthew for a long time. When I saw him I was scared he wouldn't match the image I had built in my head but he did. It was incredible. So thank you."

"He's charming," he said slightly begrudgingly, "do you think he's as handsome as they say?"

Barbara smiled. Lynley sounded almost jealous. "Oh yes, maybe not classically handsome but that voice and those eyes and that wonderfully cheeky smile make him quite...hot." Rather like you!

Tommy harumphed. "Hotness is a little overrated at times."

Barbara felt sorry for Tommy and his fragile ego. "Hmm, but with him it's backed up by his personality. You know half the women at the station think you're hot too."

"Really?" Tommy had always assumed they eyed him for his money. "And which half do you fit into Sergeant?"

"I am invoking my right to remain silent," she said quietly.

Tommy's heart started to thump in his chest. He had to kiss her. He was already standing close to her as they stood at the railing and faced the river but now he reached out and draped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He cursed himself. He had to confess first or any relationship would be built on a lie. He could not kiss her with his guilt hanging over him. "Barbara, I'm sorry but I didn't tell you the whole truth. I knew about Matthew and the play because I followed you. I saw your face when you didn't get to meet him and I wanted to fulfill that dream for you."

He counted to ten while he waited for the fireworks. It usually happened around six. "I know."

"You know? How?"

"I thought I'd seen you standing by the fence at St Martins but I wrote it off on my imagination but tonight I knew it was you."

"And you didn't say anything?"

"No, there was no point. It would have been too embarrassing for both of us. It couldn't have been a coincidence or you would have come over to me. I was sitting where you had to have seen me. So I couldn't imagine how you would explain following me and I couldn't explain a twenty year old obsession with an actor. It was best to ignore it."

Tommy leant down close to her face. "I can explain it."

"But I can't, so nothing needs to be said beyond 'thanks'."

"Yes Barbara, it does." Tommy kissed her lightly then pulled away.

Barbara's heart flipped in her chest. She waited for his next move. He kissed her again and she tentatively replied. She turned towards him as he embraced her. Slowly they grew more confident and the kiss intensified. It felt natural and right kissing him. She had dreamt of it but never thought it would happen. He was urgent and slightly awkward as if he too had wanted this for years. Barbara was in heaven.

He had expected hesitance and even reluctance but Barbara's kiss was certain yet tender. Years of desire and love flooded a vacuum inside him and for the first time since he was a child he felt happy. "I...I've wanted this for so long. I'm hopelessly in love with you Barbara."

She smiled lovingly at him. "Me too Tommy. I've loved you longer than you can imagine. When I saw Matthew kiss Elizabeth on stage the other night all I could think of was kissing you."

"Really? That's all you thought of?" he asked as he nuzzled her neck. "Make love to me." Barbara nodded and Tommy kissed her with every ounce of his love.

Judith and Jackson were watching from the bedroom on the floor above. "Oh thank goodness. Look at that Jack, he's finally kissed her."

"I think it's time we stopped watching them now," he replied as he began to kiss her shoulder.

"I told Tommy earlier he could stay if he needed to. I made up the spare room and bathroom."

"Barbara might feel set up."

"Oh she must know Tommy arranged tonight. And where better to consummate their relationship than in a room with this view?" She looked out again and smiled. They were still kissing. Tommy whispered something to Barbara and she nodded before he kissed her with such passion that Judith had to look away. The tension between them was sizzling and could have lit up London.

"You might have been right. I don't think they will make it home," Jackson chuckled. "I only hope they make it off that balcony!"