Barbara had not been inside his new flat. He had moved after Helen had died and then twice again after Julia Oborne had been murdered. Barbara had thought he was searching for peace or trying to escape his torment. He seemed much more settled here but it had only been here three months. The flat, or more correctly penthouse apartment, was at Lambeth. The curved windows framed the Palace of Westminster perfectly. He had the iconic London view. "Oh wow! This is fantastic Sir."

"Cost me a small fortune but I feel comfortable here."

"You own it?"

"Yes, I thought if I bought it I might be compelled to be less restless. I'll show you around."

The gourmet kitchen was nestled into a quiet corner of a large open area that housed a dining table that seemed larger than her lounge room and an impossibly large black leather sofa with double chaise lounges that looked inviting. Barbara winced at the thought of Lynley snuggled up on it with a leggy blonde as they sipped wine and looked at the view. She tried to blot the image from her mind and turned to explore the kitchen. The stark black granite surfaces, brilliantly white cupboards and gleaming stainless steel appliances contrasted with a bright red coffee machine. The red seemed so un-Lynley and she looked at him.

"What?"

"Your coffee machine is pillar box red."

"Yes."

"That doesn't seem like something you would buy."

Tommy put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to him. "You can take the woman out of the police station but you can't take the policewoman out of the woman." It sounded much more awkward than he had thought before he spoke. "Very perceptive, it came with the flat Detective." Tommy laughed softly to hide his embarrassment and moved away feeling her quizzical eyes on his back.

He showed her the other rooms. There was a large master bedroom with the same view as the lounge. The windows ran parallel to the huge bed and curved around to form half of the wall at the end. It was as if the bed extended to be part of the view; interacting instead of just observing. Barbara wondered what it must be like to wake up and watch the river and the ants of London scurrying about their work. An oversized flat screen TV dominated the rest of the wall as if the room gave occupants a choice of escape; reality or fantasy.

"You'll be comfortable in here I think. I have Sky and I wrote the code to download movies on the notepad near the remote."

"In your room?" Barbara was both thrilled and uncomfortable at the thought. "I assumed I'd be in your spare room."

Tommy would not have been surprised if she had assumed she belonged in his cupboard. "Barbara, you're my guest and you are not well. Your comfort is part of the reason you're here."

"Thank you." She was glad Tommy insisted. She was tired now and the doctor told her that would only get worse over the next few days. It was hard to lie comfortably with her wound and she expected to slept fitfully. The stitches seemed to pull if she lay on her back and it was painful to lie on her right side. His bed looked soft and luxurious. Having this view would be a wonderful antidote to a restless night. "Thanks but I am sorry I have put you out."

She was tempted to say that his bed was so large they could share it. It was not as if anything was going to happen. They were just friends and she was hardly in a condition for any type of romp but after his reaction about the dog bone she was not game to even joke about it. Her DI was far too conservative and would be mortified at the suggestion and truth be told, she was too. That would be too close, too tempting. She could not trust herself to not try to touch him and in doing so ruin everything. It must be the drugs, they've played with my head. Keep repeating Barb, you are NOT in love with your boss, you are NOT in love with... No mantra would change the truth.

"There's new sleepwear in the wardrobe and the bathroom is through here," he said oblivious to her dark thoughts. "I have arranged fresh toiletries for you but if I've forgotten anything just tell me and I'll get it."

Barbara looked at the range of options on the bench. It was far more comprehensive than she would ever need. She was touched by how helpful he was trying to be and amazed that he had thought about sleepwear. That could have been awkward. "No, thanks, you have thought of everything."

The other room was smaller but still had its own ensuite. The view directly across the river to the white stone buildings of Millbank was less impressive but still intriguing. the room was furnished as his study and had a large, brown leather Chesterfield under the window. Tommy noticed her frown as she saw the pillow and blankets. "These are for me."

She began to protest about inconveniencing him and how she thought he would have a bed and not have to sleep on a sofa. "I've spent a lot of nights on that in the last year," he said with a degree of regret, "sometimes my bed is just too lonely."

"You should have come round to my place."

Tommy stared at her. Barbara realised what he thought and blushed. She wanted the ground to open up and swallow her and rushed to correct him. "No, I mean like that night, when you came over. To talk. You don't have to feel alone Sir. You have a friend, if you need me."

Tommy smiled softly at her. He wanted to hug her but was afraid he might hurt her. She was a kind and loving friend and he was ashamed of his earlier thoughts. He promised himself to behave and honour their friendship. "Thank you Barbara. It means a lot to me."

Barbara yawned and Tommy seized on a change of conversation. "You're tired. Sorry, you shouldn't be standing around. Go and get changed and hop into bed. Would you like some lunch?"

"What've you got?"

"Chicken broth with some small pieces of chicken followed by some jelly. I have a choice of lemon or strawberry."

Barbara screwed up her nose. "What about some chips?"

"No chips; too much oil. You have to have plain food for a week at least and only soups and jelly for the next few days." Tommy saw the petulant look on her face. "See, that's why I have to look after you. If you have too much too soon your system won't cope and you will spend all your time in my bathroom."

"Oh great."

"Now run along and get into bed while I get it ready."

"Yes Dad! Actually I think I'd like a shower."

"Right. Well be careful. Leave the door open and call me if you feel faint. The dressing over your wound is waterproof and we don't have to change that until tomorrow."

"We? I'm not having you change my dressing!"

"We can have that argument tomorrow Barbara," he said sympathetically as he put his hands on her shoulders and guided her towards his room, "I'm serious. Leave the door open or I will come in."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Tommy looked at her with his most reproachful glare. "Really? Do you want to test me?"

Barbara muttered something under her breath and toddled off to the bathroom. The door stayed open and Tommy smiled. Maybe if I have them take out other organs she will be less argumentative at work! He chuckled to himself as he returned to the kitchen.

He heard the water running but it was a short shower. "Are you alright?" he called to her.

"Yeah. Just a bit tired. I'm going to lie down."

Tommy stood near the door listening for any sign that she might need him. He could hear rustling cloth as she dressed and then a sigh as she got into his bed. He entered the room to check on her. "Comfy?"

Barbara was amazed at how comfortable she actually felt. Any awkwardness about whose bed it was was replaced by bodily relief as the bed softly cradled her. "Too comfy. I might never leave." Barbara swore to herself. Why the hell did you say that?

"Right, well you can stay as long as you want to but I will have to change the sheets every few days." Tommy was trying to make it sound like a normal joke. He knew she had meant it that way but the way she blushed told him she had also realised the ambiguity of her statement. He had wanted to tell her he would prefer if she stayed forever but he had promised himself to forget those thoughts. He did not even understand those thoughts. "I'll bring you you lunch."

Barbara was not overly hungry but was surprised that he could make chicken broth something she liked to eat. "It's good," she reassured him, "but why are you eating it too?"

Tommy was sitting next to her on the bed, carefully ensuring he did not get too close. He had brought in two identical trays. "It would hardly be fair if I sat up eating something else while you ate this type of food. So whatever you eat I'll eat."

"Noble and very sweet of you but also stupid. I can cope with you eating something else." She was mildly annoyed that he assumed she would be tempted but it was more to hide the way she reacted to his thoughtfulness. Everything he did made her want to be closer to him. They were friends but she wanted something else but she did not know what. She could not even think about intimacy with him. That would be inappropriate but she did want to just feel him hold her and protect her. It must be an aftermath of the anaesthetic!

"Hello?"

"Sorry, what?"

"I asked if you wanted anything more?"

"How did you know?" Barbara was alarmed that he had read her mind.

"I didn't. I just thought you might be hungry. Soup or jelly?" Tommy wondered why she was embarrassed.

"Oh no, neither thanks I'm full."

Tommy frowned at her. "You do realise you're not making much sense."

"Maybe if I rest for a while Sir. Thank you for lunch. I really enjoyed it."

Tommy stood and gathered the trays. "Call me if you need anything."

Barbara was asleep by the time Tommy had loaded the dishwasher and returned to check on her. She was lying on her side facing the window. He wondered if he should draw the blinds but worried the noise might wake her. He stood watching her for several minutes. He had no coherent thoughts just a jumble of emotions. He was relieved she was safe and happy that she was here where he could protect her and care for her. He knew others thought it was odd that they bickered constantly and yet were inseparable in so many ways. Barbara was like family to him and yet in the last few days he had recognised that his feelings were very different to thinking of her as a sister or even cousin. They always had been in some vague way. He closed his eyes and tried to blot out the confusion. I am just tired. "Sleep well," he whispered then went to his study to read.