A/N: Big thanks to Hiding in the Shadow, punkteacher and galindapopular - so glad you're still enjoying this, there's loads more to come!


EIGHT.

Hearing a horn blaring from outside, Julie Gaffney took a last look in the mirror, making sure her hair looked okay and her lip gloss wasn't smudged. Trying to tell herself she wasn't making an effort for anyone in particular. That there was no harm in just trying to look good.

Another blast of the horn and she rolled her eyes – patience never had been one of his strong points. "Alright, alright." she muttered, "Jeez, anyone would think I was the one who was late!"

Grabbing her heaving rucksack, she trailed it to the door, locking up before hurrying to where the big black convertible was idling by the kerb. The driver popped the trunk, got out and strode over to easily hoist her bag over his shoulder and then swing it into the trunk beside his own stuff. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched him, fixated by the sight of him in ripped jeans, a tight white wifebeater and with his shades pushed up into his dark hair.

"Looking good, Gaffney." he grinned, giving her the once over none too subtley – as was his usual style. "That you ready to hit the road?"

"Yeah, I guess so – what kept you? I thought you said …"

"Just something that needed taking care of." Portman said cagily, "I'm here now, aren't I? Listen, jump in – Fult's been on the phone like a million times."

Nodding, she slid into the passenger's seat and fastened her seatbelt, tensing just a little when his hand inadvertently brushed her leg as he shifted gears and wondering – not for the first time – if she was mad to have agreed to this trip. Spending so much time, especially on the way to their destination, with the man she loved but couldn't have … It was going to be like a form of self-torture.

But little did she know that similar thoughts were running through his mind too.


"Lucia won't budge – says she's not running away." Caitlin sighed, running a hand through her hair distractedly. "I tried to talk her round, but … I don't know what else I can say."

"Hey, she's not your responsibility." Fulton said, knowing his girlfriend was worrying about her colleague. "I know you're trying to be a good friend to her, but … at the end of the day, she's a big girl and she can look after herself. You tried, babe, and she said no."

"But what if something happens?"

"It won't be your fault." he insisted, coming to stand behind her and sliding his arms around her waist to give her a little cuddle. "You've done what you can, Cait – but I'm sure she'll be fine anyway. And Rob and Dan will keep an eye out."

"I guess." she relented half-heartedly, "Any word on Dean?"

"He's just picking Julie up now and he'll be here shortly … Speak of the devil …" he grinned as they heard a flamboyant knock at the door, "Hang on, I'll get it."

Even though she knew that was Portman's knock and even though she knew Fulton was there, Caitlin couldn't help the way she tensed slightly until she saw for herself that it really was their friend.

"Dude, how much is this gonna rock?" Portman beamed as he pulled Fulton into a macho, back-slapping hug and then pushed him aside without pausing long enough for an answer. "Caitie, honey, good to see ya!"

"Hey, Dean." she said, smiling at his infectious enthusiasm and accepting the little kiss he planted on her cheek. "Where's Jules?"

"In the car – I told her I'd only be a second so lets motor!" he said, offering her his arm in a mock-gentlemanly way and grinning when she played along.

"Oh, so I'll bring the bags, will I?" Fulton demanded, pretending to be annoyed but really just glad to see Caitlin looking so relaxed as Portman steered her towards the door – she needed this trip right now and he was going to make damn sure nothing spoiled it.


Staring blankly out of the window, her arms wrapped around herself, Linda Conway never even turned at the sound of her husband's voice. Inside, she silently chastised herself – he was always trying so hard to please her and she knew she never made it easy for him. Part of her hated herself for it. The other part just wondered if it was meant to be this hard all the time …

"Linda!" Charlie tried again, a little louder.

"I heard you, Charlie." she sighed, "What is it?"

He paused and, had she turned to look at him, she would have seen him struggle to contain his exasperation. But she didn't. "Look, Linda, I know you don't want to come on this trip – you've been funny with me ever since we agreed to it. So, just tell me now – do you want to go or not? Because I don't see the point if you're just going to be miserable the whole time …" Help me out

She paused, her gaze shifting to the floor before she found the words to answer him – words she wished she could have bitten back. "Well, I am sorry if I'm such a burden, Charlie – why don't you just go off with your little friends. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you."

"Linda … What's happening to us? Of course I want you there – I just … I don't know what to say or do for the best anymore."

She could hear the pleading in his voice and bit her lip to keep back the tears that welled up against her will. "Look, Charlie, we both know we've been going through a rough patch lately – I just don't know if your friends are what we need right now. When we're trying to save our marriage, do we really want to see another few hundred of Connie and Guy's squabbles and make-up sessions? Or Fulton and Caitlin being insanely cute and perfect together?"

It was the first time she had been so blunt about the problems they had been having and it threw Charlie, made it seem real for the first time.

"Oh." he managed in a strangled tone, looking as if she had hauled back and socked him one in the stomach. "But … But maybe it is what we need? We've been putting so much pressure on ourselves, on each other … Maybe we need to learn to relax around each other, be more like … well, maybe not Guy and Connie …"

She forced a smile at his half-hearted attempt to lighten the mood and turned to meet his eager, anxious gaze, realising for the first time that he wasn't the same boyish young man she had first fallen for. He looked … tired, strained. Had she done that to him?

"That makes sense, I guess." she relented, "And Adam is picking us up anyway …"

"I promise you won't regret it." Charlie said, "Hug?"

"Since when do you have to ask?" Linda whispered, almost sadly, before finding herself wrapped gently in his arms. "I do love you, Charlie, you know that?"

"I know, honey, I love you too." he said, kissing the top of her head. "We're gonna be okay, Linda, I know it …"


to be continued ...