A/N: People asked for another update tonight, so luckily I had a day off today. It's a little shorter, but if people are enjoying I'm happy to start a proper storyline on this in the next chapter! Thank you again for your feedback! :)

Michelle

"Mm." I hear Carla croak from behind me, turning around from brushing my hair in the mirror, to where she was opening her eyes, adjusting to the surroundings.

"Morning." I smile, lowering the hairbrush and going to sit down on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Alright I guess." She mutters. "Tired."

"Go back to sleep if you want?" I suggest, and she hums contently as I stroke a finger along her forehead.

"Where are you going so early?" She murmurs, eyeing me up. "You look nice."

"Ah... Thank you." I smile appreciatively. "I need to go and get the rest of my stuff and then sort out what's happening with work."

"So you've spoken to Robert then?" She assumes.

"Just a text." I assure her, getting my phone out and offering it to her, which makes her laugh slightly.

"Don't worry I trust you." She mumbles adorably, pulling the duvet up to her chin. "Although I am a bit put out if that's why you've made the effort."

"I've hardly made an effort." I scoff slightly. "Besides, who's the first person to see me this morning?" I add and she smiles slightly at my comment. "Thought we could go for lunch or something?"

"...Are you asking me on a date, Michelle Connor?" She opens her eyes and I laugh, curling the hair back behind her ear.

"If you want to call it that." I smile and I soak up the loving look she is giving me. "Let me know how you're feeling anyway."

"No, I want to go." She assures me. "Except I can't say I'll eat much... But I can enjoy the company."

"Ok, well I'll come back here beforehand, we can go into town." I tell her.

"Hey, sorry for falling asleep on you last night." She chews her lip. "...Bet this isn't the kind of steamy romance you anticipated."

"Steamy romance?" I laugh, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "It's fine. It was sweet."

"Mm." She hums, closing her eyes again and falling back to sleep. I watch her for a moment, not wanting to leave. I was desperate to stay and hold her. But I also wanted the loose ends tied up as soon as possible, and I needed to know where I stood with everything. I place another kiss into her hair before standing up, glancing back at her before leaving the room.

"Oh... Uh... Good morning." Roy stands up abruptly from where he is sat at the kitchen table. "Enjoyable... Sleep?"

"Listen thanks for putting us up, I really appreciate it." I tell him. "And don't worry, I'll be out of your hair as soon as I can be. I'll probably drag her with me mind... If I've got your blessing."

"Blessing?" He almost splutters. "Yes, yes... A-as long as Carla is taken care of."

"That's my priority." I assure him. "I know this probably all seems like a shock. It is for us, as well."

"It's really not my place to pursue involvement." He holds a hand up, before daring to look me in the eye. "But I can tell you make her happy and that, for me, is the most important thing."

"Thanks." I smile, before gathering myself and heading towards the door. "I'll be back in a few hours if her majesty is up by then."

"Bye." He mutters awkwardly, even though I know he doesn't intend to be.

"Hello." Robert mutters from the sofa as I enter. He looked completely drained, nursing a cup of coffee between his hands as he dares to look at me.

"Hi..." I shiftily close the door, putting my handbag down as I always did. "Did you get much sleep?"

"Sleep." He scoffs slightly, before shaking his head and lowering it into his hands. "I bet you slept well... Booked some posh five star hotel, did we?"

"I slept at Roy's." I correct him and he almost splutters with laughter before stopping himself.

"Oh wow, ideal set up that is." He raises his eyebrows. "I bet Roy is really pleased he's got you two... In the room next door."

"We haven't done anything yet." I stupidly tell him, despite it being none of this business.

"Ah, you taking this slow?" He mutters. "Or do you just not know where to start?"

"Oh shut up." I glare at him. "I just came here to get my stuff and sort out what's happening with the business."

"Well you're going to need a fair few suitcases." He points to the bedroom. "So I got them down from the top of the wardrobe for you."

"Oh..." I reply, surprised. "Thank you."

I watch as he sighs, trying to pull himself together before lowering the coffee cup. "I'm not going to tell anyone. I don't know why I shouldn't, but your dirty little secret is safe, ok?"

"Why?" I narrow my eyes, confused as to why he was suddenly being so nice.

"Because I might think the whole thing is a pile of rubbish, and I think it'll last about two seconds, but past the point of the break up, it's not really anything to do with me." He relays. "And I wouldn't want to ruin the awkwardness of telling your family yourself."

"...Well, thanks." I murmur, shocked at his compassion.

"If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be alive, so." He shrugs. "I suppose I owe you for that, even if I can't bear to look at you right now."

"You owe me nothing." I sigh and he nods, agreeing with me. "I did what any girlfriend would do, and I wouldn't swap what happened. I did love you."

"Did." He repeats, quietly. "I think you're deluded; falling completely out of love with someone and getting besotted with somebody else in the space of a couple of days."

"I haven't fallen completely out of love with you." I sigh and he looks hopeful for a moment, which is something I didn't want to entertain. "But I don't feel the same about you as I did."

"...At least it's not Steve." He manages a small smile and I laugh softly. "Uh, in regards to the business, I'm going to the solicitors today to retract the contract so the Bistro is mine again."

"I was going to say, do you need me to come and sign anything, or?" I ask, not the slightest bit bothered by his decision.

"I can't imagine so." He shrugs. "I mean you didn't sign anything in the first place. You can work there for as long as you need before you find another job."

"...Thanks." I reply, his calmness bewildering me. "I don't want to get in the way though."

"You mean you don't want to spend anymore time with me than you have to." He guesses. "I'll put us on separate shifts for the next few weeks. I don't particularly want to be around you either, if I'm honest."

"That's understandable." I clear my throat. "Are you going to tell everyone we've broken up?"

"Well I'll have to, won't I?" He replies. "You know what they're like, they're wasted working in a restaurant, they'd make brilliant detectives..." He trails off. "I'll just say we split, it wasn't working or something. The standard reason... Other than my girlfriend has moved on to women."

"It's really not-" I begin to try and excuse myself again, before realising there was no point. "I'll go and pack my stuff."

Carla

"Hi, Roy let me up." I turn my head at the sound of Michelle's voice, who stacks two suitcases against the wall and I stare at them in awe.

"How did you get those up the stairs?" My eyes widen as she sits down in the armchair.

"With great difficulty." She replies, narrowing her eyes at the television. "What you watching?"

"Next Top Model." I tell her.

"Ooh." She claps her hands excitedly and I gaze at the side of her head for a minute, until she realises. "You eaten?"

"Not really." I shake my head and she sighs. "How did everything go?"

"Uh... Surprisingly alright." She seems in a more high spirited mood than anticipated, which was a good sign. "There was the occasional dig but, he's told me he's not going to say anything about us."

"Really?" I ask, surprised. "...Why's he doing that?"

"Says he owes me for everything I've done for him." She shrugs, meeting my gaze. "So at least we don't have to panic now, hey? We can do things at our own pace."

"I guess, yeah." I nod, before looking back at the television.

"Did you still want to go into town?" She asks, still watching me and I turn back to her. "If you're not feeling up to it, we don't have to."

"No, I want to." I pull myself up off the sofa, going over to the kitchen to take my medication. She stands up, coming over to me and sitting on the edge of the table as I pour myself a glass of water, studying her over the rim.

"What?" She narrows her eyes.

"Nothing." I try not to smile.

"Carla!" She objects in the same scolding and pushy tone she always does and it makes me laugh as I lower the glass.

"...You look beautiful." I mutter, my eyes darting down to the floor momentarily, before noticing her expression has softened at my words.

"Ah..." She smiles, standing up and wrapping her arms around my neck, kissing me for a few seconds. "So do you."

"Doubtful." I scoff and she shakes her head meaningfully, releasing her arms from around me. "Come on then, I need to get out the house."

"So what's the deal with work then?" I ask, twirling my fork around my plate disinterestedly.

"He said I can work there until I find a new job." She replies, studying the motion of my fork. "Are you not hungry at all?"

"Well that's good then." I avoid her question. "You can work there until Underworld reopens."

"When did you last eat?" She asks, stopping my hand and I look up at her, lowering my fork, my eyes fixated intently on hers.

"I had a cake this morning." I shrug. "Half a cake... From the café... Look I'm paying for this anyway so it doesn't really matter."

"That's not what I'm worried about." She laughs slightly. "And besides, I'm paying."

"No you're not." I argue.

"Is this how it's going to be every time we go for a meal now?" She smiles, amused at my stubbornness. "So your appointment is tomorrow?"

"Oh no, no, no." I cover my ears and she suddenly looks apologetic. "Please I don't want to talk about... That. Can't we just enjoy ourselves?"

"Yeah, of course. Sorry." She swallows, moving my hands down from my ears and I gaze around the restaurant before clasping one of them in mine. "See this is nice... What did we even used to talk about?"

"...Men." I respond abruptly and she laughs. "Got any more gossip on Kate and Rana?"

"No, but I can assure you now that she'll be shocked when she finds out." She replies. "She still down in Devon?"

"Yeah she texted me this morning; 'the boiler keeps flashing and your bread is out of date'." I imitate. "I said, Kate, that's probably because I was intending to go back after Christmas, I didn't think to throw the bread away. The fridge must be a state."

"It's only been a month." She reminds me. "Feels like longer."

"Feels like I never left." I sigh and she squeezes my hand.

"Oh God." She suddenly mutters, removing her hand from mine as I turn my gaze to where she is staring at the door, Steve and Tracy entering.

"Brilliant." I mutter and she looks back at me.

"Well it's not like they're going to clock anything is it?" She prompts me. "We go for lunch all the time, in fact you could probably jump across the table and snog my face off, they still wouldn't think anything of it."

"Don't tempt me." I smile slightly, as Steve notices us.

"Oh hello." He comes over, Tracy reluctantly following after him.

"What are you doing here?" She looks at me exasperatedly.

"Having lunch? That's usually what these places are for." Michelle sasses her.

"Hi? Are you here as a party of four?" A waitress approaches us. "I can add another table if needed-"

"No." We all shout abruptly, minus Steve, who just looks awkward.

"Ok..." The waitress trails off, walking away.

"Well we're here to celebrate my birthday." Tracy tries to tug Steve's arm away from us.

"Oh is that today?" Michelle screws her nose up slightly. "I thought I got a bad feeling about it."

"It's tomorrow actually." She rolls her eyes, before smiling sickeningly at Steve. "Thought you'd treat me early, didn't you babe?"

"Yes... Yes." Steve mutters. "By your command." He adds, looking at Michelle. "Um, has Robert had chance to talk to you about the delivery partnership yet?"

"Uh... No." She responds awkwardly. "I don't even know what that is."

"Oh well, maybe he'll tell you later then." He tries to make conversation. "It's an exciting new venture-"

"Steve, come on!" Tracy snaps and he waves awkwardly before trailing off after her.

"Miss that?" I raise my eyebrows, as soon as they're out of earshot.

"What, when I'm sat here with you? No thanks. I know which end of the deal I'd rather have." She says and I bite my lip excitedly at her words, before moving my heel up her leg. "Stop that now." She hisses, slapping my leg lightly and I laugh. "Tease."

"Do you want to get a hotel?" I lean forwards, my eyes searching hers as they sparkle slightly. "No Roy..." I play with her fingers seductively. "Interrupting us tonight... I can try not to fall asleep."

"Where has this spurred from?" She questions.

"I want you." I whisper and she dips her head slightly. "You want me too, admit it." I continue and she has to look at the wall, trying to stop the smile creeping across her face. "Admit it." I poke her hand gently.

"Stop it." She hisses, blushing slightly which I find insanely attractive. "Very full of yourself, aren't you?"

"Oh are you turning me down?" I tease her and she shoots me a look. "Please?"

"Well I'm hardly going to say no, am I?" She replies and I hum excitedly at her response. "I'm beginning to find that you're very hard to resist."

"Like you didn't already know that." I whisper, our eyes colliding for a moment.

"Are you finished with your plates?" The waitress suddenly asks and I snap away from Michelle, as if she would go and relay what she had seen to Steve and Tracy, who luckily, were situated around the corner.

"Uh, yes sorry." I cough, as she glances at mine. "Sorry, big breakfast."

"Can I get you anything else?" She looks at Michelle.

"Just the bill." She replies and she nods before walking off, as I bury my head in my hands.

"Ugh..." I groan, peeking through my fingers to watch her lean back on the table, pulling my hands away from my eyes. "Sorry..."

"Will you stop saying sorry?" She asks. "This is new to both of us, I understand."

"I bet they're complaining about me in that kitchen." I mutter. "Don't deny it, you'd do the same at the Bistro if somebody left all that food."

"Does it matter?" She asks and I shrug, as the waitress drops the bill on the table. "Come on, let's get out of here."

"Why do hotels always give you a Bible?" I call to Michelle, lying on my front on the bed as I open it. "Maybe I'll become a Christian."

"Well that's a sentence I never thought I'd hear you say." The bathroom door clicks and I continue to scan the pages, as Michelle walks in front of the mirror, towel wrapped around her. I stare at her, watching as she assembles her freshly dried hair around her shoulders, her figure so perfect. She catches my eye in the mirror, smiling slightly before looking back at her reflection. "Stop watching me."

"No." I smile, putting the Bible down and standing up, going over and tentatively pushing her hair to the side, kissing her neck. It was something I had never done before, but it felt so good as I breathe in the scent of the shower gel that she had just cleansed herself with. I dare myself to look in the mirror, shocked at the reflection which she is also staring back at, before turning around to look at me. "This is quite possibly the weirdest thing ever."

"Oh thanks." She laughs, as I grab the hem of her towel, gliding my fingers under it.

"Good weird." I mumble, looking up at her again. "Hm." I kiss her affectionately and she returns it, as I move down to kiss her neck. "You smell nice."

"Well that's hotel shower gel for you." She exhales slightly as I place kisses along her collarbone. "Carla."

"What?" I look back up at her biting my lip, noticing how she is looking at me. She swallows slightly, and my face grows serious as I lean in to kiss her again, tugging on the knot in her towel and allowing it to fall to the floor, closing my eyes momentarily before looking at her, my breath catching in my throat. "Ok, wow."

"Stop." She grabs me, playfully pushing me onto the bed, being careful not to be too forceful all the same.

"I'm going mad." I stare up at her, as our eyes scan each other's expressions. All the lust and the love and the care. "You're making me mad. I blame you."

"This was all your doing." She grazes a finger along my cheek. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Neither am I." I move a hand up the silky skin of her arm, twirling a piece of her hair around my finger. "I've fallen in love with you and it makes no sense. But I don't even care. I don't even understand how it happened... When it happened... I just..."

"Then don't overthink things." She whispers, kissing my jawline affectionately my hand moving to her back as she moves down to the sensitive spots on my neck. I sigh, embracing the feel of her lips against my skin, following her advice and letting myself slip into the cravings I had secretly desired for so long, as she gradually moves down my body.

"You're quiet." I stress, as she pours out two mugs of coffee, dressing gown now wrapped around her. She flicks her head around, smiling as she places them down on the side table, climbing back into bed. "Should I be worried?"

"No." She whispers, as I pull her dressing gown open, allowing me to rest my head in her chest. "You can tell you haven't had sex for a while."

"Michelle!" I snap, rolling onto my front suddenly so I can watch her, still leaning against her body. "Oh God... Is that how I came across? Did I seem really needy?"

"Carla, sweetheart." She laughs, trying to settle me. "Calm down."

"Oh no." I dip my head into her chest. "I probably seemed so desperate. It was rubbish wasn't it? I just-"

"Listen, listen." She cuts me off, shaking me so I force my head up to look at her amused expression. "Rubbish? Really? Sorry, were you around about twenty minutes ago?"

"Yes." I mutter, completely embarrassed all of a sudden. "But it's... Different isn't it? I understand if you hated it."

"Will you stop putting words in my mouth? That was the best I've ever had." She silences me and I smile slightly as she blushes. "...You're the best I've ever had."

"...Really?" I smile, suddenly relieved and she nods. "So you did like it?"

"Did it seem like I didn't?" She laughs and I close my eyes momentarily, shaking my head. "Yeah, exactly."

"Ok..." I can't stop smiling, fiddling with the necklace around her neck. I bite my lip gently, before my eyes dart upwards to meet hers. "That's always a good start... I don't really think I need to... Elaborate on how I think it went."

"I got the general idea yeah." She teases me, nudging me gently.

"I did warn you." I mumble, looking back down at where my fingers are playing with her necklace and allowing myself to completely relax around her. "I'm like a kitten, you see. I need affection and love."

"A kitten?" She repeats, massaging my scalp comfortingly and I look up to realise she is staring at me adoringly, leaning forwards to kiss my forehead. "I love you."

"I love you." I lay my head back in her chest, as she runs her fingers up and down my bare arm.

"Do you want anything?" She offers, patting the menu on the side with her spare hand and I shake my head. "Nothing at all? I'll literally go out and get it for you now."

"You're sweet." I smile slightly, content in her arms before closing my eyes as the usual thoughts invade my head, clouding my happiness once again. "You know... When you're pregnant and you just have those days when anything edible just makes you feel nauseous?"

"Yeah." She whispers, understandingly.

"Well it's like that but all the time..." I swallow. "That's the perks of my body shutting down I guess, it just rejects anything... Like I'm not in control of it anymore."

"You're the strongest person I know." Michelle whispers and I roll onto my front again, lying flat against her. "You can do this, ok? My tests are literally in a matter of days. I'll try and move everything along as fast as I can."

"Yeah and what's the possibility of you being a match, Michelle?" I murmur. "In fact I'm sort of hoping you're not because you're the most special person in my life and the fact I'm putting you in danger for selfish reasons-"

"Ok stop that now." She tilts my head to face her. "I made this decision. Me, you never asked me to do it. No matter how much you try and talk me round, it's not going to change my mind."

"I deserved this." I tell her. "It's my body's way of punishing me for all the drunken nights, the sleeping tablets, physically poisoning myself because I could-"

"Stop giving up." She begs me, the desperation in her eyes conveying how much I really meant to her. "And never say you deserved this."

"At least I've got something to fight for now." I murmur, trailing my finger along her jawline. "So what's the plan?"

"The plan?" She smiles, watching my eyes flutter closed contently at the feeling of her fingers in my hair.

"The plan for telling people, not telling people." I sigh, as she holds out an arm, pulling me into her. "How do you feel?"

"Terrified." She admits and I link our fingers, watching them intertwine perfectly. "Nervous."

"We don't have to." I reply.

"What, ever?" She muffles a laugh into my hair and I smile. "Just keep this to ourselves?"

"Sounds quite exciting." I reply, allowing my eyes to close. "Tracy's going to explode when she finds out."

"Well, let her." Michelle sighs. "What she does is none of my concern, and what anybody else says will have no impact on how I feel about you."

"Peter..." I add, going through the mental list and considering their reactions.

"Oh brilliant, yeah." She pokes my arm. "Thinking about your ex while you're in bed with me."

"No." I tilt my gaze to look at her, and she smiles, stroking a finger across my cheek. "Come here." I mumble, pushing myself up and kissing her gently. "Can we never leave?"

"What just stay here forever?" She whispers, her eyes so lovingly focused on mine. "That's a very tempting proposition, I'll tell you now."

"Thank you for everything." I whisper.

"Thank you?" She frowns.

"For everything you've done since I've been back." I tell her. "I don't just mean this; supporting me, looking after me, throwing pints at people to defend my honour. Being gentle... You know. I'm not used to being in a... Relationship." I smile slightly at the word. "With somebody who actually understands the things I've been through from day one. And... As nervous as I am, I'm also excited. Despite everything looming over me, I don't feel as lonely anymore... And like I said, I've got something to hold onto now." I finish, tapping her chest gently as she smiles. "This."

A/N: There's been a site glitch I think, hence why I've had to try and upload this so many times, so hopefully it's showing up for people now!