9.

"Except it's not," Grace said just as firmly and in the background Jack grinned as they squared off against each other, Grace stepping in and placing a quick kiss against Neil's lips. "I – ok, look I've been back in touch with Special Projects and they've got an opening, and I'm going to take it. Neil, I know I should have told you, but - well when I realised how I felt about you, when I realised that I liked you more than I should, I started putting the feelers out. Whatever way we ended up, I knew I couldn't stay. If you didn't feel the same way I did, I knew it would hurt too much to stay and if you did - if in the incredibly unlikely event that you felt the same way I did - well I knew one of us would have to leave to be able to stay together. This way, I'll just be over at Scotland Yard, ten minutes away, and - cover your ears, Guv – I'm going to find plenty of ways to just have to drop in for a visit. I love you Neil Manson, and I'm pretty sure I love Jake too," she finished with a grin, a grin that was smothered as Neil swept her into his arms and proceeded to kiss the living daylights out of her.

Breaking off breathlessly, he took a step back, their hands still clasped together. "Grace – "

"I'm sure" she said with an air of confidence.

"But – "

"I'm sure. I love you Neil. This way we can be together, you and me, and no-one can say a thing or do anything about it. I love working at Sun Hill, don't get me wrong, but I love you more, and this is the best way to fix things."

"So you're sure then," Neil grinned, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm sure," Grace grinned back, her arms around his neck, holding him tight. Jack was grinning too, his grin widening as he caught sight of a certain supposedly tired Jake Manson who was standing in the doorway watching his Dad and Grace realise exactly how they felt about each other and sort out their future. Grace glanced triumphantly over at her boss – ex boss – only to see him smiling at something behind her and Neil.

Burying her face in Neil's shoulder, Grace knew with absolute certainty who Jack was looking at. Drawing back, she moved to step away from Neil, who was having none of it, only allowing her to turn around, before wrapping her back into a hug, her back flush against his chest. It wasn't that she was in any way unsure about the way she felt about Neil, but telling her boss, and telling his son were two completely different things.