A/N: four more sleeps until skins series 7, can't wait :)

But in the meantime, here's the next chapter of draw back your bow.

It's the day of the pitch so lets hope it goes well.

Also JJ has something on his mind and maybe Cook can help.

[broken record time, again] thank you for the reading, reviewing and alerting, it is really appreciated.

Hope you like it.

"Please Cook, wipe that stupid grin off your face." JJ requested for the hundredth time.

Cook's smile broadened, "I can't help it if I'm in a good mood."

JJ scowled, "I'm not going to give you the satisfaction..."

Cook shrugged, "Don't care, I'm gonna say it anyway."

"Oh not again." JJ said exasperatedly, "that'll be four times already this morning, not to mention the dozens last night."

Cook stared at him, "There's a really easy way you can get me to stop."

JJ's lips pursed, "I'm not prepared to concede anything."

The smile returned to Cook's face, "Fair enough, you'll just have to put with me doing this all day then won't ya?"

JJ rolled his eyes as his supposedly 'grown up' partner began to do a silly dance around him. It would be bad enough on it's own but the chanting made it ten times worse.

"Three-nil to the Cook mon-ster, three-nil to the Cook mon-ster, three-niiiiiiillllll..."

"I thought it was Cookie Monster." JJ said surlily.

Cook shrugged, "that don't fit as well does it?"

JJ scowled, "You are a childish, infantile, puerile, juvenile, idiotic baby."

"Rattled your cage eh?" Cook grinned.

JJ clenched his fists and growled, "I was prepared to admit you were correct about using the arrow on Freddie, I even conceded that Emily's motivations were not just about love but also sexual in nature, but I will not yield about Naomi's feelings. I maintain she is confused and insecure which is making her act out of character. I believe her when she told Emily she was sorry and would stop leading her on."

Cook snorted, "I will not yield? This ain't some medieval sword fight. Trust me, Naomi may keep pretendin' it don't mean anything but she's a lot more interested than she's prepared to admit."

JJ sighed, "I really can't believe I'm going to do this but I'll give you one last chance to provide me with some empirical evidence. Otherwise, you shut up and finally admit you are basing your assertions on your own filthy mind and nothing more, ok?"

Cook paused, "Does that mean prove it or admit I'm a sad perv?"

JJ nodded. "Affirmative."

"You could have just said that." Cook said exasperatedly.

Silence descended until a smile spread across Cook's face, "Right I'm going to ask you a series of questions and you have to answer them quickly without thinking too much ok?"

JJ regarded him warily, "Ok."

Cook held up his hands, "You gave me a last chance to prove it, that's what I'm gonna do."

"Fine go ahead." JJ sighed.

"Clear your mind," Cook instructed, "Who instigated the kisses, Naomi or Emily?"

"Naomi."

"Does Naomi flirt with Emily, yes or no?"

"Yes"

"Did she run away when Emily got upset?"

"No"

"What did she do?"

"She cuddled her."

"Did she violently object when Emily suggested something might happen between them?"

JJ paused.

"Instinct." Cook snapped.

"No," A look of realisation dawned on his face. "no, she didn't."

Cook looked triumphant, "No she didn't my friend. If Naomi is so straight then surely the normal response would be to scoff at the thought of anything happening in the first place, not agree Emily was worth more than being labelled a drunken mistake."

JJ folded his arms and pursed his lips, he had to acknowledge Cook had a point, "Fine, three nil to you, but this isn't a competition, we're supposed to be a team."

Cook grinned, "We are and like all good teams there's one person who carries them."

"How dare you..." JJ spluttered.

Cook ruffled his hair, "Take a chill pill Gay J, there'll be plenty of time for you to shine later on."

"You're a total prick sometimes." JJ snapped.

Cook laughed, "Now that's more like us bein' a team."

Naomi arrives at the office early, it's the day of the pitch and although she felt crap yesterday, today she's pumped full of adrenaline and raring to go. Even though she spent half of last night tossing and turning, she doesn't feel tired at all.

It's show time.

She stops as she sees Effy at her desk. She sits down next to the brunette and raises an eyebrow. "And now it's your turn to look shit."

Effy rubs her temples, "Don't ok? If I push it, we might just have something to present later today."

"Drink?" Naomi asks kindly.

Effy nods, "at least three spoons of coffee, no milk."

Naomi laughs, "Jesus Eff, what time did you get in?"

Effy gives her a withering look, "I'm wearing the same clothes as yesterday Naomi, you work it out."

"You've done an all nighter?" Naomi questions.

Effy shrugs, "Didn't have a choice, told you it was a shambles."

Naomi makes her way to the kitchen, thinks about how much Emily has done and knows this wouldn't be nearly as polished if the redhead hadn't been involved. Emily has helped out with everything, even the parts that were new to her. It isn't the first time she's had this thought but Naomi's glad she got Emily as a partner and not just because of the work, but because they're friends now. As she waits for the kettle to boil she draws parallels between Jamie and Katie, both of them coast through work, they let other people put in the graft and then they take the joint credit. It's not fair on Emily and it's not fair on Effy either. As she finishes the drinks she's incensed.

She puts the coffee down too firmly and Effy's head snaps up, "Thanks totally blowing up my computer is just what I need."

"There wasn't a danger of that, I just get pissed off with all these wasters who think it's ok to sponge off other people. Why don't they ever get found out? They always get equal credit and yet they do fuck all." Naomi rants.

Effy smiles slightly, "Wow Naoms, your crusade for Emily is admirable."

Naomi tuts, "It's not about Emily."

Effy's eyebrow raises.

"Ok it's not just about Emily." Naomi concedes.

Effy stays silent.

Naomi huffs, "Yeah, alright, I want to make sure this time Emily gets the credit she deserves, she's earned it and for once her twin won't be able to muscle in. But look at Jamie. He's done nothing, now you've been up all night and have to do the pitch while he sits back and watches. Why doesn't Harriet realise he's talentless and shit at everything?"

Effy shifts in her seat before she turns back to the screen. "He's not totally shit at everything."

Naomi pauses and looks at her friend, Effy blushes, she's sure of it, "Eff? What's going on?"

Effy shakes her head, "nothing."

"Eff, look at me." Naomi requests.

The brunette refuses.

Naomi gasps, "You're shagging?"

Effy becomes fascinated by her screen.

"Oh my God, instead of working on the pitch, you've been fucking?" Naomi says with glee.

Finally Effy snaps, "Yes. He might not be brain of Britain, maybe he has no concept of advertising and perhaps he's just a pretty face. But oh my God he definitely knows how to make you feel good."

Naomi tuts, "So here I am feeing sorry for you when in fact the reason you had to stay in the office overnight was because you couldn't resist some good looking bloke?"

Effy's eyes narrow, "Seriously? You're taking some sort of warped moral high ground?"

Naomi frowns, "I don't know what you mean."

The brunette laughs, "Oh I think you do Naomi. Look me in the eye and tell me you haven't been distracted by Emily."

"Excuse me? Have we been shagging? No. Have we lost sight of the fact this is work? No. Have we got a damn good pitch? Yes. I wouldn't call that being distracted." Naomi replies smugly.

"Oh fuck off, don't tell me all this tip toeing around, kisses that didn't happen or mean anything and repressed feelings shite isn't diverting your attention. At least I'm up front about it." Effy retorts.

Naomi's indignation returns, "I've been honest! Ok so Emily and I get our wires a bit crossed sometimes, but it isn't anything major and it certainly didn't stop us working."

Effy snorts, "You keep telling yourself that hun."

Naomi slowly smiles, "It doesn't really matter what either of us say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let's wait and see what Harriet decides eh?"

Effy turns back to her computer, "If you've quite finished, I've got work to do."

Naomi laughs, "Face it Stonem, you're going down."

Effy bites her tongue, thinks for a second about letting it go until she sees the complacent look on Naomi's face, knows exactly how to wipe it off.

"Do you say that to all the girls or just the special ones?"

Emily walks into the office, she's surprised that Effy and Naomi are already there, she thought she'd be early. As she gets closer she hears them bickering, she knows this is normal for them on the day of a big pitch, they're famous for the sniping that signifies they're nervous and desperate to win. She stops as she hears some of the conversation and insults.

"Bitch." Naomi shoots.

A snort, "cow."

Naomi smiles, "slapper"

The brunette retaliates with a casual "lezza."

Emily waits for the indignation but all the blonde says in return is "whatevs"

"Hi, I got you a coffee." Emily states as she places the cup down.

Naomi flashes a smile, "Thanks. Do you want a last run through? Or would you prefer we came at it fresh?"

Emily pauses, "I know we should be spontaneous but a run through would be good."

Naomi nods and picks up her coffee, "Ok, let's do one last practice. Anyway, Effy probably needs the peace if she's going to get anything to present."

Effy smiles sarcastically, "Missing you already..."

Naomi and Emily walk into the meeting room, "what was that all about?"

Naomi smiles, "Apparently Effy's found Jamie's special talent."

Emily gasps, "no way?"

The blonde nods, "Yep, and apparently it means their pitch isn't up to much."

"Do you believe them?" Emily asks.

Naomi shakes her head, "Do I bollocks. Effy might pretend she's been doing something else but trust me, she never lets herself down. She stayed in the office last night, it wasn't to sleep."

Emily sighs, "there was all sort of drum and bass crap coming out of Katie's room too, they rehearsed for ages."

Naomi smiles, "Really? So nothing to worry about there then?"

Emily laughs, "I guess not."

"Listen Em, I said to you at the beginning Freds and Eff were our main competition right?" Naomi asks.

Emily nods.

Naomi smiles, "I was wrong, we don't need to rely on them being bad, we should focus on how bloody good we are."

Emily takes a deep breath, "Christ, I didn't realise this would be so pressured. I mean, I think our stuff is good but what if it isn't good enough?"

Naomi smiles, "Em, it's great, really, really, great, as long as we don't choke it's a no brainer. It doesn't matter about anyone else, this is all in our hands."

Emily swallows nervously, "I'm not sure about the not choking, what if I mess it up? What if I ruin things? I don't think I could forgive myself if I fucked up and it cost us the pitch."

Naomi takes her hands, "sit down, you need to relax."

Stop it! Really stop it! Emily tells herself as she does as she's told. Her breath catches as the blonde walks behind her. Her body tenses slightly as Naomi places her hands on her shoulders, this is about as far away from relaxing as she can imagine. It takes all of her strength not to moan out loud.

"Christ Em, you're really tense." Naomi is oblivious as her hands rub the redhead's shoulders.

I'd be a lot less tense if you weren't massaging my shoulders, Emily silently voices

"How does that feel?" Naomi asks.

"Wonderful" Emily replies huskily.

She hopes Naomi hasn't noticed.

At first Naomi is oblivious, but then the tone of the voice strikes her, well that and the soft murmurs that escape Emily's lips.

Naomi jumps away, "Shit Em, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to..."

Emily sighs, partly because she's been found out, partly because the gentle rubbing has stopped. "It's ok, I know it wasn't deliberate."

"Honestly, I meant to help... I wasn't flirting... I promised I wouldn't." Naomi stutters.

The redhead smiles, "like I said, I know that."

Naomi stares at her, "Emily, you won't mess this up. I believe in you, I believe in this idea and I believe in our team."

Emily bows, "Thank you sensei."

"Fuck off, I was trying to make you feel better." Naomi says with bravado.

Emily smiles, "without touching me inappropriately this time?"

Naomi's eyes narrow but she smiles, "Like you were complaining..."

Emily takes a deep breath, "Thanks, it was a bit off putting but actually quite relaxing in the end. So...ready to pitch?"

Naomi nods, "let's kick some ass."

Emily's nails dig into her palms, she can sense the blonde next to her also desperately trying not to laugh, out of the corner of her eye she sees Naomi bite her lip.

Effy leans towards her, "Fuck my tall hat, I thought we were in the shit."

Emily stifles a giggle. They're about halfway through the presentations, most of them were dull and uninspiring, it's given the redhead confidence, makes her believe more in the pep talk Naomi gave, their idea is good. It's far superior to most of the others and it is about a million miles better than what they are currently watching.

Katie and Freddie, in matching track suits and baseball caps, covered from head to toe in bling.

"So Katie, wassup?" Freddie drawls.

Katie bounces, "Tell ya man, this checkers is the dogs bollocks. It's well cool, ya know what I mean?"

"Respec' let's eyeball the commercial." Freds continues.

Suddenly the room is filled with loud music, strobe lighting and attention focuses on the projector screen. The assault on the senses continues for a few minutes, until Harriet switches it off and the lights return.

"Hmmm, right who'd like to start with the questions?" She asks.

Effy smiles as Naomi raises her hand, "I will."

Harriet nods as the presenters look wary.

"My first question is... what the fuck was that?" Naomi states.

"Was it a bit too trendy for you babe?" Katie says sarcastically.

Naomi snorts, "I'm not sure I'd use the word trendy."

Katie sneers, "They've used something similar in the past, if it ain't broke..."

"Jesus Christ, didn't you read the brief? Did you totally misunderstand what we were being asked to do? This sort of crap is exactly why they sacked their last agency." Emily said exasperatedly.

Katie glares, "Oh so you're starting now? It was your bloody idea in the first place, don't sit there smugly and pretend it's shit."

Harriet stares at them and then over to Emily, "Excuse me?"

Emily immediately clams up, "Nothing."

However this time Emily has Naomi on her side and she won't let it go, "Fair enough, it was one of the early ideas we had when we brain stormed, but we discounted it almost immediately. Any moron could see it was exactly what Checkers were trying to avoid."

Harriet folds her arms, "Are you honestly telling me not only did you get the brief totally wrong, it wasn't even your own idea?"

Freddie tries to distance himself, "Of course not. It was all Katie's idea. In fact, I tried to tell her it wasn't what you wanted but she bullied me into going along with it."

Harriet stares coldly at him, "Is that right Mr McClair? I understood your teamwork was particularly impressive during this task."

"Wouldn't be the first time you've stolen ideas from Emily would it Katiekins?" Naomi jibes.

Harriet stares at the shy twin who is trying to make the floor open up and swallow her, "Emily is this true?"

Emily shrugs, "It's about the company getting the benefit right?"

Harriet waits until the redhead glances up unsurely, "Do you know why I started this business?"

Emily shakes her head.

"Because advertising is often dominated by people who would sell their grandmother to win accounts, it's ruthless and dog eat dog. I wanted to show that you could be successful and still create a good place to work. This company's success is built on the strength of its people, that's how we become greater than the sum of our parts. I made it my personal mission to make sure I never lost sight of that. The company can't prosper if the wrong people are being rewarded Emily, surely you see that?" Harriet explained.

Emily reddened, "I suppose so."

Harriet stares at Freddie and Katie, "I didn't think it was possible but you've gone even further down in my estimation. I want to see you both in my office after the pitches."

Naomi smiles, "You ok?"

Emily shrugs again, "I'll live."

"Katie might not." Naomi says.

Sure enough Freddie stares daggers at her as he rips the jewellery off.

"She probably deserves it." Emily concedes.

Naomi winks, "That's the spirit."

Effy finishes her pitch, "Any questions?"

Naomi fights the urge to ask about Jamie's contribution.

Emily leans in, "Effy lied then? That was really good, using back to my roots was a clever idea."

Naomi nods, "I did tell you she'd underplay the strengths, pretend it was all a bit slapdash. Effy would never stand up there with something shit."

There are a few questions, general murmurs of agreement it's a strong contender. Even Harriet looks impressed.

"So can you outline how you and Jamie worked together? What did you discover and how has it helped the company?" Harriet questions.

Naomi suppresses a laugh as Effy nods sagely.

"Well, I think we worked out what our strengths were and used them fully don't you agree Jamie?" She states.

He nods, "Absolutely, it was very much knowing about what each of us could bring to the table, or the floor..."

"Or the bedroom." Naomi whispers.

"Speak up Naomi, I'm sure we all want to know how the teams got on." Effy challenges.

Naomi shakes her head, "No Eff, this is all about the synergy between you and Jamie, I'd hate to steal the limelight."

Harriet looks at them strangely, "as I said ladies, competition is one thing, back stabbing is another."

"Don't worry Harriet it's all perfectly innocent." Naomi clarifies.

"Fine, now let's get on shall we?" Harriet moves things forward.

There are a couple more pitches before it is time for Naomi and Emily. Again, there's nothing that shakes their belief that what they have planned isn't the winner.

Naomi begins her introduction, explains the rationale for change and then hands over to Emily. The redhead talks them through the concept and introduces the commercial. They smile at each other as the camera focuses on the footwear before panning out to reveal their twists. Finally the tag lines of "no matter what your goal, we'll help you get there." And "Checkers, proud members of you family since 1936" flash on the screen.

"We'll happily take any questions you have." Naomi says as the lights come back up.

The room is silent, Emily swallows and looks nervously at Naomi, who smiles back reassuringly.

Suddenly Effy rises to her feet and starts clapping, "Fucking genius... that's brilliant."

Soon most of the room is joining in, including Harriet. "Naomi, you've really surpassed yourself this time well done."

Naomi looks at Emily's beaming face, "Actually, it's Emily's concept, it's mostly her idea."

Emily blushes, "That's not true, I came up with a really vague notion, Naomi turned it into all this."

"Harriet, that's not fair, I couldn't have done it without Emily. She worked her arse off, put in long hours, tried lots of new things and picked up the slack when I couldn't." Naomi counters.

Emily smiles, "honestly Harriet, the fact that Naomi trusted me to do different bits has really improved my understanding. She could have just given me boring, safe things but she let me get involved, even if it meant it took slightly longer. I've learnt so much from her."

Katie makes a gagging noise and mutters, "fucking love in."

Harriet smiles at the them, "this is exactly why we paired you all up, this is a total success story and I think we obviously have our pitch. Well done to you both."

Effy stares at them, "I think this calls for a drink to celebrate?"

Emily smiles shyly, "Ok, that would be good."

Naomi nods, "Sure why not."

They watch as Katie and Freddie argue as they go towards Harriet's office.

Emily rolls her eyes, "Not going to be much fun at home tonight."

Naomi shrugs, "Have plenty to drink then you won't care."

They make their way to the bar downstairs, just as they are about to enter Effy stops.

"Oh God, I forgot." She states.

Naomi eyes her sceptically, "Forgot what?"

Effy looks serious, "That thing."

Naomi snorts, "What thing?"

"Gotta go guys, but you enjoy." Effy smirks as she sneaks off.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want." Emily offers.

Naomi smiles as she holds the door open, "We can have one drink, after all it's been a pretty good day."

Emily smiles, "I suppose one little drink won't hurt."

Cook guffawed as Naomi tried to flip and catch a beer mat, she had started out with ten stacked up but it quickly became apparent she was far too pissed and it was far too ambitious. She was struggling even with one, Emily sat opposite and laughed each time the bar mat spun out of control.

"Aw look at them, riding along on the crest of success." Cook said fondly.

"They're drunk and quite disgraceful in my view, they have work tomorrow." JJ commented as the pair of them collapsed into a fit of giggles about nothing at all.

Cook stared at his partner, "Seriously? What the fuck is up with you today? Everything is fallin into place and all you can do is piss and moan."

JJ sighed, "Lara is getting disgruntled with the lack of physical contact."

Cook stared at him, "Did she say that?"

"Well... Erm...not exactly." JJ stumbled.

"J did she actually say it?" Cook pressed.

"No ok, she didn't, but I can tell." JJ said in exasperation.

Cook shook his head, "Mate, you wouldn't even speak to her in the pub, how the fuck would you be able to tell?"

JJ tutted, "I just can. Do I ask you to quantify your success with women? No I don't."

"Charm and a big cock. There you go, one easy phrase." Cook teased.

JJ clenched his fists, "Cook, do you always have to be so base? I've done everything right, I have treated Lara with respect, listened to her, laughed at her, quite frankly sometimes unfunny, jokes. Yet she'd still rather I was ripping her clothes off, I don't understand."

Cook sighed, "JJ, no man ever understands women, they ain't supposed to. It's part of the way they control us, no consistency, no logic most of the time. But it's also why we like em, the unpredictability."

JJ visibly paled, "But... No... I can't deal with it... It's all... Wrong. I thought Lara was different."

Cook patted him on the back, "Don't you think we all feel like that?"

"Do you, I mean we?" JJ asked curiously.

Cook nodded, "Yep, right back to cavemen, always been twisted round their little fingers. Go off and get us a mammoth, no it's ok I'll stay and look after the kids, you go into the danger zone."

JJ's shoulders slumped, "But what if we decide to be, hmm, imitate and it's all over too quickly."

Cook shook his head, "So what? Lara likes you mate, keep trying, and I'd recommend thinking about something really dull to, you know, keep the excitement at bay."

"Like what?" JJ asked.

"Normally I'd say numbers or some shit like that but it probably won't work with you." Suddenly a smile appeared on his face, "Got it."

JJ looked at him eagerly, "yes?"

"You know that story you told me the other day about your shoes and the sound they made on different surfaces?" Cook said.

JJ nodded.

"That ought to do it. I mean it made me think I was dead in places I never knew existed." Cook said with a grin.