Needless to say, Bennet Drake passed a sleepless night following his afternoon with Adelaide. There was far too much to think of, he went over their conversations in his mind over and over, in truth his inner critic was trying to find numerous things to pick fault with. However overall on reflection he was pleased with how the afternoon had gone, they had both felt moments of awkwardness and mortification but the main thing was they bypassed them and enjoyed one another's company. As the night went on he became more and more excitable by the memory of the touch of her hand against his cheek and when she threaded her hand in his. Was he becoming some silly adolescent with childish fantasies, before his war days he imagined passing his life with a girl or two who he saw about London and took a shine too. Now he lay a man in his forties dreaming a similar sort of thing, his mind planned out future visits he could take her on, then as he moved sleepless into the hour of the wolf his mind fell more lustful. Bennet felt guilty for doing so but he couldn't help it, he was too fond of her not too imagine thus. Adelaide was an honourable woman, with Rose it wouldn't have been long before they fell into carnal delights together, but not with Adelaide. She was a lady and whatever he felt, he would have to patiently respect that.

The following morning he rose, his lids heavy from the short amount of sleep he had managed. Bennet was used to sleepless nights or rather light sleeping afflicted with nightmares, but somehow today, the fatigue seemed more trying in one way, yet in another he strode with a spring in his step. Upon walking into the station Reid immediately commented.

"You're looking somewhat sprightly today Bennet."

"Thank you sir."

But of course where there was a Reid, there was a Jackson.

"Dark circles around the eyes yet a spring in the step." Jackson jibed. "You didn't spend last night in your own bed did you?"

"Jackson!" Reid sighed woefully at his surgeons uncouth prying. Bennet however was not to be irritated by Jackson this morning; he had nothing to shame him or to hide from them.

"I did as it happens, though i didn't sleep much."

"You weren't alone then?" Jackson continued, whistling at the Sergeant. Bennet was still unmoved.

"Jackson, really. This isn't on the order f the day." Reid groaned, Jackson acquiesced to leave it but not before giving Bennet a sideways look.

As the day progressed Bennet became more and more impatient for the end of his hours, he worked diligently and thoroughly in the hope each little task or interrogation would be completed quicker, that was not so.

"Bennet! Whatever this new revelation is, i'm glad to see that cleaning up filth from the gutter can be done with so much pleasure." Reid said astounded towards the end of their day.

"Are you home to Mrs Reid sir?" He asked.

"Yes, tonight I am."

"Must be nice having someone to go home too."

"Yes it is." Thought Reid, though Emily and her religion made that difficult sometimes. "I hope you don't mind my asking Bennet but... are you taking out Miss Rose again?"

"No! No!" Bennet said almost with a laugh, he fund it funny he was once so enthralled by the girl. She was nice enough and easy on the eye but alas no Rose could measure up to Adelaide now.

"But there is... someone?"

"Hopefully sir, yes."

"Do you go to meet her now?"

"Not quite yet sir why?"

"Because... you've put on your coat."

Without realising Bennet had grabbed his coat and hat, slinging them on with casual ease, thankfully Reid offered a small smile instead of an annoyed look. With that Jackson entered, eager to leave himself.

"On your way out Drake?" He aid elbowing him in the arm. "Any chance you could take me to this new brothel that's put such a mile on your face?"

"I ain't visited a brothel!" Bennet replied, a slight grate returning to his voice that Jackson had so missed this morning. Teasing Bennet was a highlight of his day.

"Well whoever she is... enjoy her till she realises a coppers wife isn't a romantic one."

"How do you know it's a woman?" Reid interjected to Jackson. "Bennet might have had a windfall at the races."

"Well now you're sticking up for him, I know it's a woman." Jackson laughed. "In all fairness Drake, you're a good guy, may she treat you better than Rose did."

"Thanks, I daresay." Bennet replied, not quite sure what to make of the mild kindness of his sparring partner. Usually he mentally fantasised about knocking a few of Jackson's teeth out, now he could have shook his hand.

"Well seeing as how you're both itching to go, you may as well." Reid said. "Emily will be pleased to see me at a Godly hour."

"One more thing to praise the Lord for." Jackson quipped.

"Easy now!"

Bennet was impatient and he strode towards Adelaide's home, needing to arrange their next outing so he could have something to look forward to. Upon arriving on the doorstep he reached for the knocker, but inside he knew trouble was brewing. He rapped anyway and after a minute or so Mrs Grayson answered.

"Mr Drake, now is not a good time."

Behind her was a chaotic argument between a hysterical Letty and Adelaide whom he could tell was trying her best to remain calm. Frustration tinged her voice, but it was strained smooth.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Mrs Grayson looked kindly at him, for the first time he was not an unwelcome visitor or an imposition.

"Letty is having one of her episodes. You would be best to return later, or better yet tomorrow."

"Do you mind me asking what the trouble is?"

Mrs Grayson did not look annoyed at this question, but as the roar from the kitchen grew louder she sighed.

"A difference of opinion, Letty sees the world in a strange way, she sees and hears strange things. It can put her in danger, like it did with the boiling water."

A commotion fell, there was the sound of something crashing to the floor and Adelaide now shouted. Bennet knew a scuffle when he heard one but before he could step inside to try and help, Mrs Grayson apologised quickly and shut the door in his face. For a moment he stood there in shock, listening to the muffled clamour inside, he was half tempted to knock again or try the door but then he realised after one outing he had no right to impose himself. Disheartened he moved away from the house and walked down the street.

Heading for The Bear he was intending to quash his disappointment with drink and so he did. After several glasses, his wages disappearing he felt it was time to stagger home and sleep. His head would hit the pillow and he would be out like a light compensating for lack of sleep the night before. It took a familiar amount of extra effort to co-ordinate his feet to get him home, ever street seemed longer and more uneven than he remembered and at least once he staggered.

As he approached his tenement, he saw a figure stood in the darkness at the bottom of the steps. Upon nearing Bennet realised with increasing mortification that it was Adelaide, a shawl wrapped around her hugged arms for warmth. She was cold and how long had she been standing there. For several moments Bennet took advantage of the shadow he was hidden by and determined not to leave it. There was no way this meeting would end well in the state he was in, he was safe leaning against the wall in the shadow.

For several minutes he remained thus, Adelaide paced a little back and forth to keep herself warm, she looked up at the sky and he saw her visible breath disappearing in the air. As she moved a little she stepped into the illumination of the moonlight and he saw her eyes, they were heavy and tired, red from crying. Her hair had been casually bundled onto her head, it looked liked it had been pulled out slightly at the back and he could guess who by. The sight was too much for Bennet to remain in the shadows and he moved forward, calling her name.

"Adelaide."

She turned quickly on her heel, crying out a little in surprise. Her face almost lit up at the sight of him, he realised he might just be the most pleasing sight she had seen today. Coming forward he smiled at her, his intoxication making his smile larger than he meant it and his walk much less certain.

"Bennet." She replied then seeing his state she added. "Are you... drunk?"

"I'm afraid so. Forgive me Adelaide I didn't expect you to see me like this..."

"Would you like a hand?" She asked, coming forward and offering her arm. Bennet grinned stupidly at her, his mind screamed he looked a fool but his face muscles were taking instruction from his heart.

"Very gentlemanly." He laughed.

Adelaide helped him climbed the stairs, is arm in hers when it should have been the other way round. As they reached his door he fumbled inside his pockets for his keys, his smile dropped when it took far too long a moment to discover them. Then there was the debacle of unlocking the door.

"I shall let you get to bed."

"No please, don't go just yet!" He begged.

"Well... i don't think it's proper for me to come in at this hour."

Bennet realised he had to sober up and be serious, he straightened his face and looked at her more levelly, it took all his concentration but he managed it.

"Are you well?" He asked.

"I gather you heard some of the problem earlier, I came to apologise and once again to apologise for Ms Grayson's rudeness."

"There's no need to apologise for either."

Bennet looked her up and down and his eyes were caught by marks on her arms, in his drunken state he seized her hands and raised her arms closer to his face for further inspection. For a second he felt her resist but then she relented. Before taking a much closer look he happened to see her eyes, she looked worried. The marks were easy to identify, they were bruises from hard pressure of fingers, there were even angry, red indentations from fingernails.

"Did Letty do this?"

Adelaide nodded, her face written with shame, Bennet mourned seeing her so.

"I think... you should put some ointment on them." He suggested.

"I will. I just wanted to come by and apologise..."

"Listen Adelaide, I hope you don't mind me speaking plain. It's the drink I can't help it but... should I ever see you here again with the purpose to apologise, I hope it to be for some actual injury you have given me... not apologising for matters you cannot help." Bennet explained, still holding her hands with gentle firmness.

"You're too kind."

"Then maybe you can come out again with me next week?"

"Of course, you know I would love too."

"Shall we say Thursday next?"

"Yes." She smiled.

His head feeling suddenly clearer from the sight of her arms he felt a protective urge towards her at so late an hour.

"Let me see you home." He assured her.

"No no."

"I insist."

Bennet Drake would take no arguments today.