Alesha didn't wake for a while. 'What's the time?' she asked as she walked into the light of the living space. She scrunched her eyes and rubbed her neck.

'Eleven.'

'Woah, eleven hours.' She knew she'd been out a while, she was stiff again.

Matt got up, a mischievous grin taking its place. Alesha was getting a glass of water from the tap as he walked up behind her silently and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck and let her turn around to face him, letting her lips reach his.

'You look like you could do with another massage.' He took her hand in his and pulled her over to the sofa, gently pushing her down so that she lay on her front. He knelt on the floor and started rubbing gently, still aware of the light shadows on her bare skin.

He lifted her top slightly this time and let his hands slide up her smooth back.

'Do you look after all your guests this well?' Matt smiled to himself and kept his eyes on his hands.

'Only the special ones.' Alesha smiled and hoped that he wasn't lying.

Another minute passed, 'You know we should really go out today. We could both do with the fresh air.'

Alesha smiled again, he didn't seem like the walking type. Alesha was beginning to think that pretty much all of her observations had been wrong.

When they'd both finally got dressed they headed out the door. Alesha marvelled once again at the sight of him and he did exactly the same. He was wearing another thin long sleeved top. He left all the buttons undone, leaving enough of his chest showing that Alesha's eyes stopped there for a moment before continuing. He was wearing another military style jacket, similar to the other one but this was black. Her eyes fell to the blue jeans, and then the boots, no high tops today. His hair was carefully messy and he'd shaved now, his prominent jaw and cheek bones much more clear.

She was wearing a pair of skinny jeans with converse trainers. She didn't usually wear them but it was what she had been wearing during the attack and they seemed like the most comfortable things to wear considering she was still limping slightly. Her short black double-breasted coat was done-up but Matt caught sight of the purple v-neck jumper underneath before she wrapped a scarf around her neck. It was his favourite colour on her.

Matt took Alesha's hand as soon as they were outside and they walked to a nearby park. They spent the afternoon walking and talking. Alesha wanted to know more about Matt now and by the end of the afternoon it felt like there wasn't anything either of them didn't know about the other.

They got home and Matt called Ronnie to update him. They'd got a new case and Ron said they needed him back though he suspected he was just missing him again.

They settled to watch some reality show that neither of them were really interested in. Matt held Alesha's hand in her lap and sat, content with staying there all night.

Alesha needed to tell him how she felt, she couldn't keep her feelings to herself forever and if Matt wasn't going to stick around, it was probably better he kicked her out sooner rather than later. She turned to him and leaned in.

The kiss was long and deep. Alesha was the first to pull away. She let her forehead rest against Matt's and took in a deep breath. He raised his eyebrows at the reaction and held her face in his hands in front of him.

'I love you,' Alesha whispered, maintaining eye contact. Matt pulled their heads further apart and looked into her eyes, searching for any sign she was joking. She pulled him towards her again and kissed him, running her hands through his soft hair.

'I love you too.' Matt said the words without thinking them. They were true. Thinking back to the night of the attack, he realised there was no other explanation for his panic. He loved her.

He grinned. That was the first time he'd ever said the words to a woman and meant them. 'I love you.' He said the words again, he liked the sound.

He kissed her again and it grew much deeper now. Alesha lay down on the sofa, pulling her with him. Her fingers moved down to the bottom of his shirt as he knelt above her. With one slick movement she pulled the top over his head and dropped it to the floor. Her heart was racing, but in a good way. She wasn't scared.

Matt struggled to drag his thoughts away from the lips on his and the body so close, to the bigger picture. He pulled back from the kiss and made eye contact again. 'Are you sure.' She knew what he meant.

She just smiled and pulled his face back to hers. He took that as a confirmation and returned to kissing the woman he loved.