The nerves in Allie's stomach had been churning all day and had only highly intensified as the hours went on. The blonde was usually a confident person, she had become sure of herself over the years but the thought of meeting Bea with all of her friends present was certainly daunting. The older woman held her friends in such high regard, Allie remembering being told that they were more like a little close family than a group of friends. She was about to walk in and be surrounded by all that and she really wanted to make some sort of good impression, unsure of how her relationship with the redhead would develop without it.

The taxi dropped the blonde outside the bar just after 8pm as she had arranged with Bea a few hours before. Pulling her phone from her bag, she left the older woman a short text message, letting her know she waiting outside, something that was also previously planned. Allie was a little conscious of walking inside on her own and Bea was only too happy to vacate the table for a few minutes to head outside and meet the younger woman.

As soon as Bea got outside, she spotted Allie. She had her back to the entrance of the bar but the redhead knew it was her. She paused for a minute, her eyes taking in the sight before her. Allie was wearing a figure hugging black dress that complimented every perfect curve of her body, from behind, she looked absolutely breathtaking and she almost needed a couple of seconds longer just to compose herself before making it known that she was there.

"Allie, hi," Bea cleared her throat, the younger woman turning quickly. She looked even better from the front, she swallowed hard as Allie stepped forward, immediately leaning in to greet her with a quick kiss on the cheek. Bea felt her knees weaken, the younger woman's scent getting caught up in her nostrils. She was getting used to that amazingly addictive Allie scent and she loved it. It was always so fresh, so beautiful but it did nothing for her voice which had hitched in her throat. "Wow. You er, you look...fantastic,"

"Thank you," she grinned, averting her gaze towards her feet as her cheeks started to flare up. She hated how easily she would embarrass but she was also delighted with the reaction the little black dress had gotten. At first she debated whether it was too much for a night like tonight but then decided that she didn't just want to impress the redhead's friends. She wanted to impress the redhead herself, albeit in a completely different way of course and given Bea's almost open mouthed reaction, Allie was quite certain she could already tick that box.

"How're you? You okay?"

"A little bit nervous," she confessed pausing for a brief moment to chew her bottom lip. "A lot nervous actually,"

"Don't be," Bea reassured gently. "They're a crazy bunch but they're lovely, they're looking forward to meeting you,"

"I do hope you haven't built their expectations too high or they'll be disappointed,"

"Never. Don't worry, I'm sure they're going to love you,"

"Let's hope so, lead the way then Smith,"

Bea's group of friends were comfortably huddled around their usual table when the redhead led Allie into the bar, making a brief stop to order a couple of drinks, which Bea insisted she was paying for. Allie argued her point for only a few seconds, knowing the older woman would inevitably win anyway and made a point of saying she would buy the next lot. After a couple of minutes, where they chatted together about their day, Bea led the way across the dancefloor and came to a stop just before the table that was filled with chat and warm infectious laughter.

"Hey everyone," Bea piped up first, sensing the nerves radiate strongly from the woman next to her. She gazed at her, Allie's blue glazed eyes meeting hers before she smiled reassuringly. "This is Allie, who I was telling you about earlier. Allie this is Maxine, Boomer, Liz, Bridget and you've already had the immense pleasure of meeting Franky,"

"Alright blondie, nice to see you again," Franky smirked that usual smirk, shifting down the booth to make space for the newbie about to join the group. "Come on, come sit down,"

"Hi love," the older blonde smiled warmly, making Allie's nerves settle slightly. She seemed nice. From first view, they all did really.

"Hi,"

"Hi I'm Boomer you can call me Booms though. So, what is it you do Allie?" Boomer questioned, leaning across the table slightly as the young blonde sat between Franky and Bea, who had also just made herself comfortable. She felt more relaxed, the older woman already had that sort of effect on her whenever she was near.

"I'm a support worker," Allie answered, sipping at her beer. "I have been for a few years now,"

"That can't be easy at times," Maxine added, extending her hand across the table, avoiding the glasses of alcohol scattered all around. "It's great to meet you hun, I'm Maxine. I work with Bea in the salon,"

"Nice to meet you too. Bea's talked a lot about you all, I was a little nervous about intruding tonight,"

"Oh love, not at all," Liz assured, Franky interrupting before she could continue. "You're very welcome here,"

"Yeah blondie, you're Bea's guest and despite all you've heard, we don't bite, do we Red?"

"Feel free to ignore her, we all do sometimes," Bea whispered, Franky feigning offence which made Allie laugh.

"So, how did you get round to meeting our Bea then?" Boomer asked, Allie figuring out early that the dark hair woman liked to ask a lot of them.

"She was recommended to me," Allie answered, realising Bea's mouth hung open slightly as if she was about to answer for her. Whatever happened with her and Debbie that night, that led to the younger Smith leaving home, was between them. "I was looking for a good hairdresser and as it turns out, I found myself a really really good one,"

"Thank you," the redhead mouthed silently, appreciating the blonde's discretion.

The next hour or so of the evening went really well for Allie. She engaged herself in conversation with the rest of the women, who did everything to make Bea's new friend feel comfortable. Bea was pleased, Allie was doing great and her friends had really taken to her like she'd hoped they would, especially Boomer who had told her older friend on a number of occasions that she thought the blonde was really cool.

With Maxine and Franky off showing their ridiculous drunken dance moves, Allie giggled along with Bea before she slipped out from her seat and made her way across to the bar. Two people were served then Allie ordered her round, waiting patiently by the edge of the bar as drink after drink was lined up.

"Oh hey Allie,"

"Hi," she greeted the woman approaching, taking a brief second to recall the name on the tip of her tongue. "It's Bridget isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's me," she confirmed, perching herself on one of the stools. "Are you having a good night?"

"I am. Everyone is really lovely,"

"We're a good bunch," the older woman smiled, pausing briefly to glance over her shoulder where her girlfriend was laughing and joking with the remaining group. She looked back at Allie, who was too deep in thought, looking straight over Bridget's shoulder to where Bea was sat messing around with her best friend. "Especially Bea,"

"Huh?"

"Oh come on, Allie. You haven't taken your eyes off her all night,"

"Shit," she laughed nervously. "Is it that obvious?"

"Just a little but from what I saw earlier, it's all very much mutual,"

"Really?"

"Honey, Bea's eyes have never left you and, don't make it obvious I'm telling you this but she is still looking over here now,"

"I really, really like her," the blonde admitted, her stomach fluttering at the thought of Bea watching, her broad smile dominated her face for a few seconds. "I don't think she's into women though,"

"Between me and you, Bea has never really been into anyone since her ex husband,"

"I heard all about him,"

"He was a prick. He nearly ruined her completely, he was enough to put anyone off meeting anybody again and for a long time Bea hasn't been seen with anyone," Bridget continued, Allie listening in to what was being said. "For all the years I've known Bea now, she's always had this guard built up around her, she very rarely lets anyone in but if she's told you all about Harry then that's a massive step for her. Most of the girls don't even know the full story,"

"I hate that she had to go through all that, she must have been so scared,"

"She was. It wasn't nice to see her like that, to see what he reduced her to but she's strong,"

"She's the strongest person I've ever met,"

"See the thing is Allie, I don't think it matters what you are. All Bea craves is for someone to love her, someone to treat her properly, be everything to her that Harry wasn't,"

"Do you really think she likes me like that?"

"I haven't seen Bea look at anyone the way she's looked at you tonight and it isn't just me that's noticed," the older woman explained. "Franky mentioned something too,"

"Of course she did," Allie laughed slightly, the tattooed brunette was pretty observant and she'd been teasing her redhead friend all evening. Allie had overheard on a couple of occasions but Bea always diverted the conversation onto something new. "How long have you and Franky been going out?"

"Two years next month,"

"Wow. You look great together. She scared me a little bit when I first met her,"

"She can be a bit much," Bridget smiled knowingly. "You gotta learn how to deal with her,"

"It seems like you did, she's obviously mad about you," Allie added, taking a mouthful of beer from the bottle. "She's a really good friend to Bea,"

"They've been through a lot together,"

"Yeah, Bea mentions her a lot, it's nice to have a friend like that, I'm glad she was around when all that shit with Harry was going on,"

It was a few minutes later when Bridget returned from the bar, placing the new drinks on the table before slipping into the seat next to her girlfriend who gently pecked her lips. The rest of the group had scattered all over the bar, Maxine and Boomer were dictating things on the dance floor and Liz had disappeared to see another friend who had arrived.

"Is Allie alright?" Bea questioned, accepting her drink whilst wondering why Allie hadn't returned with Franky's girlfriend.

"She's fine, she's just got caught up talking to someone, said she'd be over in a minute,"

"Say Red, it looks like someone is muscling in on your territory," Franky nodded in the direction of the young blonde, who was leaning in close to another woman as she whispered in her ear. Bea watched them laughing together, the darker haired stranger placing her right hand on Allie's forearm as they continued talking for a few more moments before she began making her way back over. "You best get a move on,"

"Shhh," Bea hushed quickly, well aware Allie was rapidly approaching the table.

"Sorry I was so long, been single five minutes and I'm already getting asked out on a date,"

"That's pretty impressive," the redhead forced her best fake smile, completely ignoring her best friend's glare from across the table. Despite what Franky wanted, Bea wasn't ever one for jumping into things with both feet. She wasn't in the least bit surprised that someone had taken a shine to Allie, she looked the best Bea had ever seen her tonight. "What?"

"Nothing," Allie replied, realising she had been staring for a few seconds, Franky and Bridget were deep in conversation across the table and with the music turned up a little louder, Allie leaned in closer to Bea's ear. "I didn't say it earlier but you look amazing tonight,"

"Scrub up well yourself, Novak. That girl clearly thought so,"

"I knocked her back,"

"What? Why?"

"I think you know why," the blonde whispered, confidently grazing her fingers lightly over the redhead's thigh under the table. The several drinks the younger woman had enjoyed was giving her the courage and when Bea didn't flinch, hesitate or immediately jump away, Allie continued. "And if you didn't, you really should now,"

"Shots everyone!" Boomer arrived out of nowhere, placing the tray of shots down as Allie quickly brought her hand away from where it had settled on Bea's knee.

Suddenly everyone was back huddled around the table and the redhead, who usually stayed away from the shots Boomer ordered, grabbed one and knocked it back quickly doing her best to keep her flustered state to herself.