The cafe is much busier than normal. Chas is sitting on the chair beside her and Debbie in the chair in front of them. They're prattling on about something that Charity is barely listening to, while she eats a danish.

Vanessa and Rhona are at the counter, in deep conversation about something and Johnny is standing beside them playing with a toy. Charity sees him looking in her direction every once and a while.

She has turned her attention to Chas and Debbie when she feels something at her knee. Johnny is leaning against her and rubbing his eyes.

She glances at Debbie and Chas who are looking on curiously as well as a few others sitting around, but Vanessa is still deep in conversation.

He leans harder into her and mumbles, "Cuddles," he's done it several times before, while she's been at Tug Ghyll when he's particularly tired. She's never turned him down, unable to resist his tiny soft face.

He's leaning heavily into her and she knows she can't turn him away. So knowing she would have to come up with some explanation later she scoops him up wordlessly and cuddles him into her.

"Uh...mum?" Debbie breaks the silence.

Charity glances at Vanessa who has just gotten her drink. She reaches down, and when she finds that Johnny isn't there there's a moment of panic that flashes across her face. She looks around frantically till her gaze lands on Charity and her eyes widen comically.

Rhona says something to Vanessa and Vanessa shakes her head. They make their way over to Charity.

"He doesn't even let me hold him like that," Rhona states, her voice filled with confusion.

"He's spark out. He definitely trusts Charity," Chas points out. Charity can hear the suspicion.

Vanessa's eyes are soft like they are every time Charity does something right with Johnny, "I don't mind holding him," she offers. "You can just let him sleep."

"Thank you," Vanessa's smile says that Charity's done the right thing.

When she glances to Debbie and Chas they are both staring at her like she has two heads, "What?" She shrugs, "It's my good deed for the year."

They blessedly go back to their conversation.

Johnny is the farthest you can get from her own in terms of behavior. She never really got to see how Debbie was as a toddler. But Noah and Moses are both constant energy and go go go. Moses doesn't like to be held down in one place for too long, and Noah didn't either when he was younger.

But with Johnny, there is an almost sereneness to him. He loves to be held and cuddled. He's gentle and quiet. He's an observer. He'll watch you closely. It took it him a while to completely warm up to Charity, but when he did, the bond felt special somehow. Because Charity knows he doesn't just trust anyone.

He sighs in his sleep and Charity instinctively places a kiss on his head and pulls him closer. When she looks up, Debbie and Chas are both looking at her with shock on their faces. She would be insulted if it wasn't so hilarious. Instead, she just rolled her eyes at them and goes back to eating her danish.


The sight of Charity cradling Johnny so lovingly in her arms made Vanessa tear up. She had never had anyone treat Johnny like he was as precious as Vanessa felt he was. She's sure that every parent feels that way about their own kid. But Johnny was different. He was gentle and almost fragile. He didn't trust like normal kids. It was rare that he opened himself up to people outside of his little circle of Rhona, Tracy, and her dad. But for some reason Charity was different and he had taken to asking for cuddles every chance that he got.

They had both been completely shocked the first time it happened. Vanessa had told her that she didn't have to, but Charity had shrugged and pulled him into her lap. She had been a little awkward at first, but when Johnny had curled into her and immediately nodded off she had calmed down. And then it had become one of Johnny's favorite things to do when she was there.

"Why are you not more freaked out about that?" Rhona asked, gesturing to Charity.

"Why would I be freaked out? I'm sitting right here?"

Rhona shrugged, "I don't know. It's weird."

Vanessa sighed and then sighed again almost immediately when she sees Tracy walk in the cafe. She watches as Tracy scans the room and stops on Charity and Johnny, actually doing a double take. The look of confusion is actually pretty hilarious.

She finally walks passed Charity and practically dives into the seat beside Vanessa.

"Why the hell does Charity have Johnny?"

"He just crawled into her lap asking for cuddles," Rhona shrugged. "I'm just as confused as you, but Vanessa doesn't seem to be bothered for whatever reason."

Thankfully, Vanessa is saved from responding by Charity approaching with Johnny cradled in her arms, "I have to head out."

Vanessa stands and steps over Tracy's legs to get closer to Charity. She stands slightly closer than she really needs to just so she can feel Charity against her. She wants nothing more than to kiss her right there. But she controls herself.

Charity is the best at subtle touches and runs her hand down Vanessa's arm. It causes her to shiver, and Charity smirks, knowing exactly what she did.

"Thank you," Vanessa says quietly.

"Anytime," Charity says just as quietly.

Johnny never stirs.


They don't get to meet up until the next night when Vanessa sneaks over to the pub and their in Charity's room.

"I hope I didn't make things weird, by holding Johnny," Charity says when they're recovering from their strenuous activities a couple of minutes before. "Its just impossible to say no to that little face."

Vanessa chuckles, "I know what you mean. It didn't make anything weird. I was going to thank you before I got distracted," she rolls over until she's leaning over Charity. "It was pretty brave to show you're soft side in public," she teases and laughs when Charity scoffs.

"I got grilled for nearly an hour by Chas and Debbie, about why I was acting so weird. I'm pretty sure they still think I'm on drugs."

Vanessa can't help but laugh. Charity smiles and silences her with a kiss.


Later that day in the pub Vanessa is across the room at a table with Rhona and Paddy, and some man that she had complained about having to meet with, for ten minutes when they had talked on the phone earlier. He was a difficult client, who insisted on treating Rhona and Vanessa as Paddy's assistants more than the equals they actually are.

She can tell Vanessa is putting on a good front, but she knows her well enough now to know the smile is completely fake. She's not sure when she started to pay so much attention to Vanessa and her mannerisms. When they started they're little agreement, it had been completely about sex and getting off. But now she knew she was starting to feel things she shouldn't be.

She found herself thinking of Vanessa so many times throughout the day. Wandering what she's doing. How she's feeling. She really enjoys being Vanessa's little secret and Vanessa hers but, there's also a small part of her that wonders what it would be like to walk around the village with Vanessa proudly on her arm.

Vanessa has never brought up moving their relationship passed where it is now, and if she's being honest with herself she doesn't have the self-esteem to bring it up herself. The thought of being rejected by Vanessa hurts in a way she's not ever felt before. So she's decided just to let things be and enjoy what she has.

"Earth to Charity," she's jumps when Chas slaps her on the arm. "There are people to be served."

"Right," Charity snaps out of her thoughts. There's a group of people at the bar that she hadn't even realized were there.

Its the end of a mad rush when Vanessa walks back into the pub on her own. She smiles shyly at Charity as she approaches.

"I have a dilemma," Vanessa says quietly as she leans over the bar toward Charity. She smells of hay, Charity finds it oddly endearing.

"What is it?"

"Tracy has gone and set me up with some bloke. A blind double date type thing."

Charity's heart lurches.

Vanessa seems to read her mind because she quickly continues, "I don't want to do it. But if we want to keep up our ruse, I think it will just be easier to play along."

"When's the date?" Charity hates how petulant she sounds.

"Tomorrow night," she leans closer to Charity. "Nothing is going to happen. We'll have dinner and then I'll politely tell him to do one."

Charity can see the worry in Vanessa's eyes. Worry about what Charity's going to do, Charity smiles to put her at ease, "I guess you'll just have to come by tonight so I can show you what you already have."

Vanessa smirks and nods. Charity watches her leave. She fights down the twinge of jealousy for the unknown man who will be having dinner with Vanessa.


Charity is insatiable that night, and it thrills Vanessa to no end. She knows its Charity's way of showing her what she'll lose if she leaves her. Vanessa knows despite the hidden aspect of their relationship, it's a deep connection that neither of them is really willing to admit to just yet. She feels it in the way Charity caresses her back and shoulders as Vanessa is coming down from her fourth orgasm of the night. In the way, she places gently kisses against her neck, and her lips. The way she looks into her eyes and tells her wordlessly everything Vanessa needs to hear.

Vanessa is still thinking of the night before as she listens to her date, Jeremy, go on an on about himself. She keeps throwing Tracy death stares, Rhona too, who had decided to join in the fun with her own date. They are both conveniently ignoring her. Both of them seemingly having the times of their lives. Which she's happy for them, particularly Tracy who is starting to get out more since her marriage ended.

She had fought against it but had been outvoted, and that's how she ended up entering the pub. Its pretty busy, and Chas and Charity, are running back and forth getting drinks. Charity doesn't seem to notice them right away. But when she does finally look up, her eyes land on Vanessa, and the smile she had been wearing fades.

Jeremy volunteers to get the first round, and she's relieved when Chas is the one to take the order. Jeremy had been getting progressively more handsy through the night, no matter how much she moved away from his touch. She had made three aborted attempts to end the date, but Tracy and Rhona were having none of it.

When he brought back the drinks, he sat beside Vanessa and put his hand on her thigh, she moved further away from him. When she looks toward the bar, Charity is at the end talking to Cain and Debbie, but her gaze is on Vanessa. She's not sure if Charity can see what just happened from her position.

He gets caught up in the conversation for a bit, his arm moving to the back of Vanessa's chair, his hand playing with her hair. When Rhona and Tracy get caught up in their own dates, Jeremy leans closer to her and say in her ear, "I'm going to fuck you so hard."

Vanessa tenses at the words. She starts to stand, but he's faster and clamps a hand down hard, high up on her inner thigh. She grimaces in pain, "Where do you think you're going? You've been asking for it all night."

She most certainly had not been asking for it. She hadn't even dressed provocatively. She had just dressed for comfort, in a pair of jeans and a sweater.

She froze as she felt his hand moving higher. She had never been in a situation like this before, she glanced to Rhona and Tracy but their both in their own little bubble. She glances to the bar, but Charity isn't anywhere to be seen. His hand is between her legs, but then it's gone and so his he.

When she finally registers what's happened he's on the floor and Charity is shaking her hand, her face seething.

"You bitch," Jeremy yells from the floor blood dribbling out of his mouth. He jumps up and rushes Charity, but she's ready for him and knocks him back down.

"Charity! What the hell?" Chas has come in from the back.

"I think you need to leave, yeah," Charity ignores, Chas. "The lady isn't interested."

All eyes turn to Vanessa, who can feel herself shaking, and tears leaking down her face, she can see as recognition dawns on everyone's face.

Jeremy gets to his feet and Charity places herself between him and Vanessa. He stares Charity down but seems to come to a decision and turns and leaves without another word.

Charity turns to her and wordlessly takes her hand, leading her toward the back. She can hear the noise from the pub pick back up once they're in the living room. Tracy and Rhona had followed them, so she sits on the sofa as they try to comfort her. And Charity paces back and forth, rage still evident on her face.

"I can't believe he did that with us sitting right there," Tracy said, once Vanessa was able to explain what happened.

"I didn't even see any signs that he was like that."

Charity scoffed, "There rarely are."

"You should go back to your dates," Vanessa patted them both on the leg.

"We can't just leave you," Rhona spoke up.

"Yes please, don't let me ruin your night," she glanced at Charity. "I'm just going to sit here a minute then go home."

"I'll watch after her," Charity volunteered. "Get a brew down her, and make sure she gets home OK."

They both seem reluctant, but eventually head out to the pub, back to their dates.

Once alone, Vanessa and Charity move at the same time, meeting in an embrace, "Are you OK?" Charity asks once she pulls back. "I didn't see what was happening right way. I'm sorry."

"I completely froze," Vanessa shakes her head, clutching Charity closer to her. "I've never had anything like that happen. He was completely normal, up until then."

She steps back and takes hold of Charity's hand, there's already bruises appearing on her knuckles, "A proper hero you are."

Charity blushes faintly and it's adorable, "I just saw red, once I realized what was happening."

Vanessa pulls Charity into a kiss, soaking in the comfort, "I know you need to get back to work. I'm going to go get Johnny and cuddle him and then go to bed," she reaches into her pocket and pulls out her key. "Can you come to me when you're finished here?" she holds out the key to Charity.

Thankfully Charity takes it and pulls her into another hug, "I'll be as quick as I can."

Vanessa nods, and after another quick kiss, Vanessa leaves.

The more she thinks about what happened the angrier she gets. The audacity of the act. The assumption of it all. She is still away when well after midnight the bedroom door opens and Charity silently lets herself in.

The lamp on her nightstand is on and Charity smiles at the sight of her, "Thought you would be asleep."

Vanessa shrugged, "Just thinking."

Charity kicks off her boots and seems to hesitate, Vanessa smiles slightly and lowers the covers that were up to her neck to show that she's not wearing any clothes. Charity's smile changes.

Vanessa watches as Charity slowly removes her clothes, showing no hesitancy in exposing herself to Vanessa. When she finally climbs into bed, Vanessa moves to straddle her hips. She feels like she needs to take a bit of control back. And the way that Charity looks at her, she knows that Charity understands.

She takes Charity's hands and holds them loosely above her head. She leans over Charity, simply staring at her. Getting lost in the green of her eyes. Finally, she feels settled and she rolls off of Charity and pulls until Charity is the one leaning over her, she takes Charity's hand and places it between her legs.

Charity gets what she's asking and starts to work her up slowly. She kisses her gently. Her orgasm is soft with Charity all around her. Exactly what she wanted. She falls asleep with Charity at her back, their hands clasped together.