A/N: Here be fluff. Thank you all for the lovely reviews!

xx,
~ejb~


Just after nine-thirty she hears the glass door of her office slide open. She looks up from the desk where she has been sat signing off on charts, a smile lighting up her face. "Richard!"

He isn't sure what endears her to him more: the relief he can hear in her voice or the look of her in the glow of the banker's lamp on her desk; the way she glances up at him over the top of her reading specs. She moves to stand, but he can tell from the fact she's forgone the overhead lights that her headache is still present. "Hello, beauty," he says. "No, no … don't get up." Setting a cup of coffee down on the desk, he kneels beside her. "Hi," he whispers, kissing her lightly.

"Mmm," she sighs against his lips, "hi." She holds him out away from her. "Let's have a look at you." He grins, lowering his eyes as she takes him in: the crisp white shirt and grey jumper, the aubergine tie and black velour dinner jacket. "Dashing," she proclaims, her hands smoothing over his lapels.

"I aim to please," he demurs. "Drink that." He indicates the coffee cup with his chin and moves to stand behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. He waits while she takes several sips and then goes to work kneading her tired muscles. They are silent as he works, she content to rest in his presence; he enchanted by the silken softness of her skin where his fingertips meet the neckline of her scrub top. He can feel the way she relaxes under his touch and he is gratified by the intermittent soft sighs that issue from her lips.

She leans her head back against him, looking up through her lashes. Don't you know what those eyes do to me? he muses.

"Thank you," she murmurs. He leans down to kiss her forehead.

"Nonsense. I'll have to leave it for home to do a proper job, but … any better?"

Turning her chair toward him, she nods. "Much. I felt better the minute I saw you." He's got enough good graces not to blush, but only just barely. He is still caught on the wrong foot by the fact that she loves him, that she returns the feelings he has had for her for so very many years, that he doesn't have to conceal his affection for her any longer. That she is his wife; she, who could take on the world single-handed.

She is no fool; she knows what's on his mind. "... And stop it, love. You're thinking too loudly again." At this she rises from her chair, stepping close to him. She smiles at him, that silly, besotted smile that is just for him and him alone, but her words are dead serious. "I'd be lost without you, Richard."

Unable to respond, he captures her face in his hands and brushes his lips against hers in a tender kiss.

She lays her head against his shoulder as they break apart. "I'm so glad you're here. I've been looking forward to this all day." This time it is she who looks shy as her eyes meet his.

Beautiful, he thinks with a grin, shaking his head. "As have I, darling." His hands are on her hips, and as his thumb caresses her the hem of her top rides up just enough that he makes contact with her skin.

Their eyes hold one another's as he touches her, the atmosphere alive with anticipation. "Ohh," she breathes, chuckling, "I am so tempted to ask you to jack it in and take me home."

He smiles, kissing the tip of her nose. "All in good time, beauty." He rests his forehead against hers. "Are you ready to go?"

She nods, regretfully stepping out of his embrace, and moves round him to tidy the stack of charts on her desk. "I'll get dressed. Have you sorted what I ought to wear?"

"It's just there." He indicates the garment bag hanging from the coat tree by the door. "Shall I pack up while you change?"

"Please," she answers, nodding again. Catching his hand in hers, she pulls him in for another gentle kiss. "I won't be but a minute," she tells him softly. He watches her walk away, captivated by the sway of her hips.

She is gone just long enough that he begins to fret over his plans as he packs up her briefcase. Spontaneity has never been one of his strongest virtues, but he is learning. There is in Isobel the barest hint of a wild streak, tamed with maturity and the passage of time, but still present in great enough a measure as to intrigue and inspire him. There is much to be said for careful organization and forethought, but he has observed, in the course of his relationship with her, that there is also life out there, and that it's meant to be lived.

To that end, he has brought their evening to Isobel. It had taken some doing, but once he'd got the ball rolling one item after another began to line up seamlessly. He has only to hope now that it will all go off without a hitch. Mentally he runs through his checklist one last time. Steady, old man, he tells himself. Nothing's been overlooked.

Just then she returns, and he rises from his seat with a smile, crossing to her. His concerns are forgotten the instant he lays eyes on her. Soppy old git, he thinks.

"Well then … will I do?" she asks, her eyes sparkling. She is elegant in a black tunic and slim trousers, and the heels of her boots make her long, slender legs appear even longer.

"Stunning," he pronounces, drawing her to him. It would be so easy to get lost in the soft warmth of her body, the subtle fragrance of her perfume, the love and trust that shine in her dark eyes.

"Are you alright, love?" she asks.

"Oh yeah … yeah! Sorry, it's just … you're a bit of a … distraction."

"Oh, get away with you," she giggles.

"Well it's true, you know. D'ye know what I want to do right now?"

"Mmm. I've seen that look before. Come here, darling." Her arms go round his neck and his fall to her waist. She moves in close. "I love you," she breathes, letting her lips brush against his in a whisper of a kiss. He nips at them and she answers hungrily.

It is she who breaks away, reluctantly, after a moment. "I don't want to spoil your plans," she says softly, running her fingertips over the line of his jaw. "I'll just get my coat."

"Give it to me, aye? You'll not be needing it just yet."

She eyes him curiously. "No? How's that?"

"Just come along, lass. You'll see soon enough." He ushers her through the door and locks it behind them. With her briefcase in one hand and her coat draped over the same arm, he links the other one through hers.