A/N: Thanks again for the reviews, I appreciate every one. Glad people are enjoying the story. I had a few comments about feisty Emily. I think given a few years that Emily would have grown up quite sassy - the sparks were there, at times, in the show. Any way you wash it she's awesome (I'm especially enjoying my-other-ride-is-your-mum's badass Emily right now), and I'm glad you're liking my Ems.

Disclaimer - I sadly don't own or have anything to do with Skins.

Chapter 7

They stood, silent, wrapped up in each other. After a few minutes Naomi became aware that the woman in her arms had begun to shake, almost imperceptibly. She disengaged from the embrace only enough to lean back, focus on Emily's face. Noticing the tears glistening in dark lashes, she once again tightened her hold, rubbed the smaller woman's back, soothing. 'Oh Ems, don't cry. I'm so very sorry. Sorry for being a complete tit. Again. I promise I will trust you. I should have talked to you about it all. God, what a self-absorbed prick.'

The redhead sniffed, settled her head into the taller woman's neck. 'I was so scared.' Her husky voice shaky, upset evident. 'I had this awful feeling that you were just going to... walk away. From me, from this. Us.' Her arms tightened convulsively around Naomi.

Naomi didn't think now was such a good time to bring up that walking away was exactly what she had been planning. She gently stroked red hair, kept a firm hold on the smaller woman. 'I'm not going any where.'

'Good.' Vehement. 'Don't.' Emily took a deep breath, released it slowly in an elongated sigh. Relaxed her hold on Naomi, finally. As she unclasped her arms from around the blonde's waist Naomi reached out, snagged one of her hands. Linked their fingers and held on tight.

'C'mon.' She tugged her hand. 'Let's go and get a drink. We'd better talk.' Wary brown eyes glanced up at her, but she smiled reassuringly. 'It's okay. We just need to clear up some more stuff, I think.'

'Alright.'

They found their way to a nearby pub, took their pints to a vacant table. Hands still linked. There was a strange, semi-magnetic atmosphere between them. As if they were simultaneously being drawn together, repelled. Naomi suspected it was the weight of what was still unsaid between them. It was more than slightly daunting.

They remained quiet for some time, studying each other over their drinks. It was Emily that broke first. 'So you wanted to come for a drink, to talk. So let's talk.'

'Yes. Right. I just wanted to... clarify, really, that it wasn't... all down to you. My...' She paused, searching. 'My issues – no, my... Fuck. Why I thought this wouldn't be a good idea. Before. I mean.' She stared down into her lager, as if it would miraculously provide her with a dose of eloquence. Sighed. 'Before, when you were – very rightly – having a go at me. That was about how I'd made assumptions, and you were dead right, I was out of line. I should have asked you directly, instead of just projecting. But that's not all there is to it.'

'I know. I'm sorry I went off tap at you. I was terrified. And I latched on to that, because it was easier to deal with being mad than frightened.'

'You did the right thing, don't apologise. I was being a right tit, and you absolutely should have called me on it. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking any more. Over and over again I've thought you were actually the mature one here, that I was a stupid, clueless teenager. God, I'm so mental...' She groaned softly at herself. Took a large, fortifying gulp of her beer. 'Just as well you don't take any shit from me hey.'

Emily chuckled softly. 'Someone's got to keep you honest.'

'Mmm hmm.' The blonde gazed into her glass, contemplative.

'Naomi?' The redhead waited until she looked up, an eyebrow cocked in question. 'Get to the point.'

'Oh. Right. Yes. Well... As I said, it wasn't all about you. I'm struggling really. Seriously confused, because I have these conflicting feelings when I think about us. The possibility of us. You know, I just finished a long term relationship last year. It was the only long term thing I've ever really had, and it's been hard. Adjusting, after spending so long with... Anyway, I'm only just getting used to this new life, by myself. And that's where I'm having difficulties. Because I kind of like the independence, being able to do my own thing. But I also find myself wanting to spend every spare second with you. And the thought of not – not seeing you, not spending time with you. It hurts, here.' She thumped her chest with a clenched fist.

Emily reached over and grabbed the fist, gently uncurled the fingers. Stroked her palm. 'Go on.'

'And then there's Harry. I know... I know you can make your own decisions, and you should. But I'm not sure you fully understand what it means. That he's part of the package. At least one weekend a month he's going to be my priority, and at Christmas and birthdays I'm going to be away, more than likely. I want to make sure that you know. Because I don't want it to become something you resent in my life. And I worry...'

'You're right.' Emily straightened her back, released Naomi's hand. Turned her chair so she was facing the blonde directly. 'Intellectually, I know that you have a step-son, that he spends time with you. Theoretically I understand that. But I can't tell you how I'm actually going to feel about that until we spend more time together. It feels a bit daunting right now, I'll admit. But I think... I think I'll be fine. With it. With him.'

'And the flip side. How will Harry go with you? I mean, I'm sure that he'll l... think you're amazing, like I do. But I can't help worry about that too. I wonder if he'll find it difficult, seeing one of his parents... one of the people who raised him until now, at least – with someone else.' She stopped, gazed at the redhead. 'So they're my concerns. I know we can work it out. I just... it all felt a bit overwhelming. Still does.'

'It's not going to be simple. Anything that develops between us. I think that's a given. There's going to be a lot of stuff... stacked against us. But beyond a doubt I want to try. It's worth it, to me. The way I feel when I'm with you...'

Naomi reached over, took Emily's hands into her own. 'I know. I feel it too.' She gazed into rich brown eyes and relaxed her control, briefly. Let Emily see the depth of her own emotions. 'It's worth it to me, too. I just... I lost sight of that.'

'Don't... don't do that to me again.' A raw plea.

Blue eyes broke away, looked down. 'I can't promise that. My brain – I get trapped in my own thoughts sometimes, it can spiral out of control, and I do and say stupid things. But if you call me on it – like you did today... I can promise to always try not to, but I might need reminding sometimes.'

'Alright. And I promise to try not to yell at you.'

The blonde laughed abruptly. 'That probably helped. Shocked me out of my stupidity.'

'Okay then I promise I will yell at you.' The younger woman smiled cheekily.

Naomi returned the smile, but it quickly faded. 'I think that we need to not... rush into things. Take it slowly. There'll be a lot of adjustments for both of us. More than we realise, I'm sure. So I don't want to rush into anything, and then find that it's not... working.'

'I don't think that will happen.' Confident. 'But yes, I agree that we should probably take things slowly. I'd rather not risk messing things up, for the sake of a little bit of patience.'

'Good.' Naomi paused, chewed her lip thoughtfully for a moment. 'You know, we can test out at least one thing this weekend.'

'What's that?'

'Harry's coming down. I'm going to pick him up Friday afternoon. And take him home again Sunday afternoon. I was planning a big outing for Saturday. Maybe cycling to the zoo, and taking picnic things and a football, and hanging out at a park somewhere. Maybe you could... spend some of the time with us. If you wanted. Get a feel for how you'll go with it, having him around.'

'Ah. There goes the plan I was hatching to get you to come out again.'

'Err, yes, I'm not...'

'No, no, it's okay.' The redhead held her hand up. 'It's fine. It's good, in fact. You're right, it will be a good opportunity.' She gazed into the distance for a moment, introspective. 'You know, I don't think I've been to the Bristol zoo since I was in middle school. And I guess I'll have to dig up my bike. Don't think I've used that since college either.'

'Well, the cycling is just an idea. I've noticed a couple of bike shops that do hire, 'cause I've got no room to store a bike of my own.'

'No, it'll be fun. I'd love to come along.'

'Alright then. Great.'

'Great.' Emily glanced down at her watch. A mildly disgusted expression crossed her face briefly. 'I'd better get home. I'm surprised I haven't had a phone call yet.' She sighed.

Naomi stood, picked up her satchel. 'I'll walk you out. Might as well get home too.' She leaned over and grabbed the smaller woman's bag as she stood up, handed it to her with mock gallantry.

They stopped outside the pub. Shared a gentle hug, both now a little gun-shy after the blow up and ensuing discussion. They parted, agreeing to catch up the following day in class, as usual.

When Naomi got home, she flopped down on the settee, exhausted. Something crinkled under her, as she wiggled around trying to get comfortable. Digging under her back, she fished out a piece of paper, realised it was Emily's note. She opened it, and read it again. Couldn't help the grin. She grabbed her phone out of her pocket, composed a quick text.

Thank you for being so wonderful. For fighting for it. N x

She relaxed back on the sofa, waiting, and sure enough within a minute the phone beeped.

You're worth it. E x

They quickly settled back into their routine at university, meeting up between and after classes. The dynamic between them had changed, though, and they both recognised that. They were a little formal, a little stilted, with each other, for a couple of days. But by the end of the week things were predominantly back to how they had previously been, comfortable and friendly.

With the exception of physical contact between them. Casual touches were now fraught with an excess of meaning, real or imagined, so they mostly refrained. Naomi could see that it was hard for Emily. Each time she unconsciously reached out her hand towards the blonde she would stop, frown, and try to disguise the motion. Push back her hair, rub her nose. She wondered if Emily was aware of how many times she'd done the same thing herself.

By Thursday afternoon she was getting a little tried of the awkwardness, and decided to do something about it. She invited the redhead to come over, have a couple of beers after their respective last classes. She finished earlier, thankfully, so she raced home via the off licence, made sure the flat was reasonably presentable.

When Emily arrived, a little later, she very deliberately reached out and hugged her. The smaller woman sighed, wrapped her arms around her waist, squeezed. They stood like that for a moment, re-connecting. When they released each other, there was a perceptible lessening of the tension between them. Naomi smiled, pleased that her hunch had been correct.

'Come in and have a seat.' She gestured towards the settee. 'I'll go and fetch some beers.'

When she came back in from the kitchen, bottles in hand, she saw that the redhead had not in fact sat down. She was perusing the bookshelves, touching small items here and there. 'You've done some more unpacking. This stuff wasn't here last week.'

Naomi handed her one of the bottles, and they clinked them together. 'Cheers. You're right, I finished all the unpacking last weekend. Had to, get ready for Harry and all.'

'Of course.' She wandered over to the far bookshelf, which had been empty on her last visit but which was now filled with DVDs and CDs. She laughed softly to herself as she ran her eye over the titles.

Naomi collapsed onto the sofa, kicked off her shoes. 'Yeah, yeah, laugh away. I know my taste is totally old school. I'm sure it looks veritably archaic to you.' She took in the mischievous glint in Emily's eye, the smirk she was unable to suppress. 'Stop smirking at me and come and sit down.' She patted the seat next to her.

'Wait, I want to put something on.' She looked around for the stereo.

'iPod's over there, in the dock.' The blonde gestured towards the TV cabinet. 'My taste might be old school but I do at least have modern technology.'

Emily scampered over and picked up the device, swiftly scrolling through the albums. Naomi watched her, an indulgent smile plastered to her face, chuckling each time the redhead exclaimed in delight. 'You've actually got some really good stuff on here.'

Naomi snorted. 'Gee, thanks for your vote of confidence.'

Emily slipped the iPod back onto the dock, and the sweet voice of Missy Higgins emerged softly from the speakers. She nodded, seemingly satisfied, and then went and settled herself on the settee.

They chatted idly, for the space of two beers. Throughout the conversation Naomi made a point of reaching out and touching Emily, to emphasise a statement, focus her attention. As time progressed Emily shifted closer and closer to Naomi, began returning the casual touches unselfconsciously. By the time Naomi drained the last of her second bottle, Emily was snuggled up against her side, with her head resting against the blonde's shoulder. She sighed contentedly.

'This is nice.'

'Mmm hmm.'

'It's been weird all week.'

'Mmm hmm.'

'I'm glad we've gotten over it.'

Naomi smiled to herself. 'Me too.'

'I should really go.'

'Mmm hmm.'

'I don't want to leave.'

'I know. You should go though, babes. You don't want the Fitchinator on your ass.'

Emily giggled. 'God no. If mum complains to dad one more time about how late I am for tea, I think he'll have me back on the naughty bar, just to shut her up.'

'The what?'

'The naughty bar. I told you he's a personal trainer. When we were kids, punishment was training of some kind. The naughty bar is chin ups. James is always on there, still. Little git can't keep his mouth shut.'

'Naughty bar, eh? Intriguing.'

'Oh god.' Emily squeaked. 'Sorry Harry.'

Naomi burst out laughing, both at the chagrined look on on the smaller woman's face, and the thought of Harrison trying to complete chin ups. 'Don't worry, I'm not that cruel.'

'Good.' Emily rose to her feet, stretched. Naomi tried not to stare at the slim body in front of her, quickly got to her own feet.

Emily picked up her bag from the table, wandered to the door. Turned to face the blonde, who had followed her. 'Thanks for the beers.'

'Any time.'

This time there was no hesitation. Emily wound her arms around the taller woman's neck. Naomi responded by wrapping her own arms around Emily's waist, pulling her tight against her body. They embraced for several moments, basking in the closeness. Emily lifted her head from the blonde's shoulder and looked into blue for a long moment, licked her lips quickly. Naomi ducked her head, captured her lips in a slow, delicate kiss. As she broke away she saw Emily lick her lips again, a satisfied smile on her face. 'Mmmmm... that was very nice.'

'It was.' She placed another quick kiss on smiling lips, then released her hold on the smaller woman and pushed her away gently, towards the door. 'Get out of here you.'

'Alright, alright. Good luck tomorrow. I hope it goes well, with Harrison.'

'Thanks. It'll be fine. I'll check with him what he wants to do, and then I'll text you tomorrow night with details for Saturday, okay?'

'Okay.' Emily snuck another quick kiss, then turned and opened the door. 'Bye.'

'Bye.' Naomi leaned against the door frame, watched the younger woman walk away. Smiled contentedly to herself. Yeah.