Walford is My Home Town

by MythMoonWitch

Part 3 of the "Walford is" series picks up in a slightly altered Walford.

10. Chapter 10

We do not own Eastenders, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, Doctors or Emmerdale

Chapter 10

Rowan dropped back down next to Alyssa.

"I'm getting so emotional, this is ridiculous. I almost started sobbing over there," she said wryly. "If this keeps up I won't be able to go out in public. But Ray likes the idea of calling his mother."

Alyssa chuckled at Rowan. "I'm just surprised that you haven't blown up at Ray yet, I would have thought something he had done would have irritated you by now," she smiled. "To be fair, crying is far better than being angry," she mused. "I hate being angry," she sighed.

"He does a lot of things that irritate me, the thing is, he tends to defuse the situation before I go from irritation to blowing up," Rowan admitted. The fact that he could sense her moods, and she could sense his, wasn't something she announced. It was coming in very handy just now, however.

"So, he likes his Mum I take it?" Alyssa asked.

Alex looked up "I would love to see how Ray behaves around his Mum, I reckon it was an experience! What's she like?" she asked her eyes widening in interest.

Shaz laughed at Alex. "You're just looking for more ammo to use against him," she exclaimed and Alex nodded at her. "Well yes, he bullies me, I don't see why I shouldn't get my own back," she shrugged and looked back at Rowan. "So, what is he like around his Mum?" she pressed.

Rowan looked at Alex. "She's…a very strong-willed woman, at least now anyway. I can't say if she was always like that, considering what his attitude towards women used to be. I'm thinking that had to be his father's influence, but hers was there lurking underneath. She feuds with her neighbor and she thinks Ray is too thin and that I'm not feeding him enough," she admitted. "She's very sweet and I liked her very much."

She raised her eyebrow at Alex. "I got no embarrassing stories however, not from her, not yet anyway," she grinned. "He's respectful to her, jokes with her; he doesn't go all weird and childlike really."

She leaned over. "You want some real dirt on them, though," she turned and included Shaz in her glance. "There's a pub there that they used to go to, now that is the place to get some dirt. I heard some stories from the bartender there to curl your hair," she confided and then leaned back as she slowly nodded her head and picked something else off her plate to eat.

Alex frowned. "There has to be something that you can tell me," she pleaded. "You have no idea how he behaves at work, Rowan, he's horrible," she whined and looked over at the group of men. "Gene's no help either," she sighed. "Leaves us to 'sort it out ourselves', I think he doesn't want to take sides," she grumbled.

She grinned at Alyssa. "Jack is a lot of fun to tease, I have to agree."

Alyssa frowned "So what exactly does he do that riles you?" she asked

Shaz snorted. "He steals her Pop Tarts," Alyssa frowned but nodded slowly. "Alex mentioned that earlier," she murmured to Shaz and looked back at Alex. "surely that can't be the only thing Alex, they're just Pop Tarts!"

Alex shot a disgruntled look at Shaz. "It's not just the fact that he steals my Pop Tarts, and stealing is a criminal offence which I can arrest him for!" she huffed.

Shaz laughed. "You can't arrest him for nicking a couple of measly Pop Tarts!" she laughed and Alex frowned. "I don't think you lot understand the significance of a Pop Tart," she sighed. Alyssa shook her head. "Its just sugar, Alex."

Alex shook her head. "It's not just sugar," she replied. "It's a Pop Tart!"

Alyssa rolled her eyes at Rowan.

"Besides," Alex continued, "that's not all he does! He throws paper at me..."

"But you start the paper fights Alex, he never throws it first!" Shaz shot back.

"Not the point Shaz, he throws it back and before you know it, the office ends up covered in paper!" she replied and started talking again before Shaz could interrupt once more. "He mucks up my desk too and constantly takes the piss!"

Alyssa sighed. "Because you give him a reaction! Everyone knows it's fun to tease someone else, Rowan and I wind Jack up all the time because it's so ridiculously easy! You give him a reaction so he does it again. If you ignore him then he'll get bored," she advised.

"I think his behavior would surprise his mother," Rowan began and then furrowed her brow as she considered it, "then again, maybe not. Alyssa is right though, ignore him and he'll stop. At least it's not disparaging remarks."

"It used to be derogatory, chauvinistic stuff, but he seems to have stopped anything like that now which is good," Alex sighed.

Rowan looked back at Alex. "I'm sorry I don't have any of the kind of dirt you want on him," she glanced at Alyssa and then looked back at Alex, her expression mischievously evil. She leaned over. "The only dirt I've really got is what he and I get up to, and believe me, we get up to all sorts. We even joined the Mile High Club," she told Alex softly and then let out a wicked chuckle from low in her throat. She wasn't sure why she was feeling so wound up and feisty, but she was going to enjoy it.

Alex laughed. "I'm sure you get up to all sorts but I don't want to know about any of that. It would just make his ego bigger!" she exclaimed. "And I don't want to make him anymore big headed," she sighed and glanced over at Ray and Chris.

Rowan burst into delighted laughter, although she was mildly disappointed her attempts to shock had failed. She was glad Alex was made of sterner stuff. She got tired of always having to guard what she said.

"I guess I'm going to have to come up with some other way of getting my own back," she sighed.

Shaz chewed her lip thoughtfully then looked at Alex. "Well...you could always lock him in an interview room for an hour or so."

Alex shook her head. "No, he'd make that much noise that someone would let him out."

Shaz grinned. "Well then, take him down to the cells saying you need help with a prisoner and then let him go into the cell first and lock him in," she smiled conspiratorially. "They make so much noise down there and claim to members of the police force a lot to try to get out, no one will know until you actually let him out," she grinned.

Alex sniggered. "I'm liking that idea," she agreed with a thoughtful sip of her wine.

Alyssa sighed. "And what happens when he gets let out Alex? He's just going to do something to make you're life worse," she sighed as she bit into a sausage roll.

Alex smiled. "Yes, but if I let him out at the end of his shift then he can go home," she looked at Rowan. "Which means he'll probably tell you what happened and you can warn me of any plans he may come up with to get me back," she said pleadingly.

She watched the back and forth suggestions of Shaz and Alex.

"What if he doesn't come home and tell me?" Rowan wanted to know. "Because I don't think he will. I only found out about the Pop Tarts because there was a wrapper in the bin and I don't buy them so I asked him where they came from and he told me," she added. "Unless locking him up interferes with something involving me, he probably won't say a word."

Alyssa laughed. "That's cheating," she said.

Alex looked at Alyssa with a shrug. "Maybe, but I prefer to call it tactics."

Rowan glanced at Alyssa and then back at Alex. "There is that, of course, it will make the whole thing escalate and with Gene getting promoted right now do you really want to cause a ruckus like that?"

Alex sighed and grumbled to herself. "I just can't win!" she muttered to no one in particular and Shaz patted her shoulder as she grinned at Alyssa and Rowan. Alyssa grinned back and took a sip of her wine.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Molly looked down at her phone as it went off and dived for it before it woke up Sam, she had got him to sleep 20 minutes ago, he had woken up and it seemed that only her singing to him got him back to sleep, next time she would tried that first before all that other stuff she had tried. She smiled. Peter was coming round. Molly went and got the ice cream out of the freezer and then went to look out of the window. No sign of him so far. She sighed and watched for him.

Once he came into sight she waited for him to get right up to the flat before undoing the latch on the door and pushing it open so that he could get in.

"Heya," she smiled as she gave him a kiss. "I don't know why I even offered to babysit, I've been so bored!" she smiled as she shut the door behind him and got them both a spoon from the drawer as he went to the front room. She handed him the ice cream and his spoon and grabbed the TV remote.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Gene glanced over at the women and frowned. "I think they're talking about us," he remarked.

"I wouldn't doubt it. That's what women do when they get together like that. Men become the topic of discussion," Jack studied the group overtly. "I think right now they're imparting secrets that might embarrass us," he stated sagely.

Chris looked over. "How do you mean?" he wanted to know.

"He means they're probably talking about sex," Gene told him in exasperation. Chris turned to him wide-eyed then looked back over at Shaz and gulped. He wasn't sure he liked that idea.

"If they're allowed to talk about us, why can't we talk about them?" he wanted to know.

"Nothing stopping us from doing so, we just haven't," Jack shrugged.

"I wonder which of us would have the most interesting stories," Gene joked.

"I'm sure Ray has some hair-raisers," Chris blurted out before he'd realized and then cleared his throat and hurriedly walked away at the look on Gene and Jack's faces. He did not want to explain why he might think that. He hadn't meant to say it. He certainly didn't want Ray knowing about his and Rowan's little interlude, even if it was before Ray had even met her, he wouldn't likely appreciate it.

He climbed onto the stool next to Ray and set himself to his food.

"Just a fair warning, Gene and Jack think our birds are over there talking about us," he told Ray.

Gene and Jack stopped at the table before heading back to the game.

"So, all going well?" Gene wanted to know.

"Not giving away any deep, dark secrets?" Jack asked with a cheeky grin.

Rowan rolled her eyes and snorted and looked at Alyssa.

"He has deep, dark secrets?" she asked and jerked her thumb at Jack.

Alyssa looked up at Jack and shook her head. "Not yet I haven't no..." she trailed off with a smile. "However," she turned to Rowan and nodded. "He has secrets, alright," she said and then leaned forward and whispered in her ear. She drew back and smiled at Rowan before turning back to Jack with an overly innocent smile.

Rowan's eyebrows flew up as Alyssa whispered in her ear and she looked at Jack.

Jack's frown grew as he watched Rowan's eyes grow wider and her mouth drop open. She moved away from Alyssa and glanced first at her sister, then at Jack, then back at Alyssa.

"That's….that's pretty shocking," she finally said and gave Jack another look before picking up her lemonade and taking a drink.

"Hey, what did you tell her?" Jack looked at Alyssa and Gene snorted laughter. He grabbed Jack's arm.

"C'mon, they'll never tell you and torture doesn't work on them," he advised as he pulled Jack away.

"That's right, it's like totally against our human rights and shit," Rowan called after him and then collapsed into giggles against Alyssa.

Alyssa gave Jack a little wave as he left and looked down at Rowan as she leant against her. She laughed, too.

Shaz looked on curiously. "What did you say?" she asked.

"Nothing! That's the point, he's so easy to wind up!" she laughed. "Bless him, the look on his face," she said before bursting into laughter again.

Rowan put her hands to her belly as she too, began to laugh harder.

"Oh, my sides are beginning to hurt," she complained. "He really is sooo paranoid!"

Alyssa nodded her agreement as she watched him walk back to the dart board and the gang of men. She sighed as she sat back against the seat. Alex smiled at Alyssa and Rowan. "I bet you two wind him up all the time," she said.

Alyssa nodded "He is such an easy target that's why! We tease him and he falls for it!" she grinned. "He should know by now not to get into anything against us, but every time he does," she smiled.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Rhys shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever you want to talk about," he said and raised his hand from the bar to prop his chin on it as he looked at her. "I am all ears."

Tanya reached for the wine bottle and filled her glass. She frowned at Rhys. "Are you not drinking tonight?" she asked. She hadn't seen him have a drink so far, however her memory was getting deliciously hazy. She smiled. The karaoke later would be interesting.

Jane choked back a laugh and began to cough.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," she gasped, her voice going up an octave. She hurried in the direction of the bathrooms and once she was through the door, gave in to her laughter.

"What's so funny, Jane?" Max asked and Jane jumped. She hadn't heard him come through the door.

She looked at him, swiped at her cheek and sniffed as she caught her breath.

"That…that Rhys….in there trying to chat up Tanya. It's just about the funniest thing I've ever heard and I'm going to have to use it in my next routine and I really hope Tanya doesn't decide to tag along."

Max grinned. "I see. That bad is he?"

"No, I mean, his chat up lines are crap, but he's so good looking that you can't help but find his lameness charming. I don't know how, but it works for him," she explained.

"So, he's not smooth like me?"

Jane shook her head. "He's smooth in a different way. His looks and that accent take him quite far to be honest."

"Aww, Jane and here I thought you fancied me," he teased.

Jane blushed before she could fight it and cleared her throat.

"I better get back," she said and hurried back through the door. Max stared after her in confusion. Had Jane just admitted in a roundabout sort of way that she fancied him? He furrowed his brow and mulled the idea over as he walked back out to sit with Davina again.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

"You offered because you're nice and you don't charge much," Peter teased and dropped onto the couch next to her. He spooned up some ice cream and idly watched her flip through the channels.

"Mr. Hunt didn't actually try to intimidate me, course, I'm not sure he knew I was coming over here. You're mum said it was okay so I just left," he told her.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Ray looked over at the group of girls talking to each other and frowned. There was no telling what they were talking about, but he knew that he had been getting looks off Rowan and the others. He looked at Chris and shrugged. "We talk about them anyway, why shouldn't they talk about us" he said indifferently. Ray suddenly felt a little uneasy, talking about them? Talking about what? He studied Rowan carefully over his pint glass.

"When have I ever talked about Shaz, I mean, the way the Guv and Jack are implying those girls are over there discussing us," Chris complained.

Ray shrugged. "Dunno mate, to be honest I usually switch off when we talk about that sort of stuff now," he smiled as he glanced over at Rowan. "I have other stuff to think about."

Chris followed his gaze over to Rowan. "It's really odd mate that you never go on about her," Chris remarked. "I keep expecting you to come out with things about her great pair-sonality or talk about the things you might get up to, you've got very tame, mate," Chris observed and chuckled.

"So, what we talking about now?" Gene wanted to know as he approached.

"Nowt, really, Guv. Was just noticing that Ray never goes on about Rowan," Chris replied and smirked at Ray.

Ray shrugged. "I don't talk about her because I don't want to," he told Chris with a glance at Rowan and grinned at Gene and Jack.

"No, he doesn't. Shame since you seem to think he's got the most interesting stories. I don't talk about Alex either, how do you know I don't have the best stories?" Gene wanted to know.

"It would be a bit too weird to listen to, Guv, we have to work with her."

"I shagged Alyssa in a changing booth once. She decided to show me some lingerie she was trying on," Jack told them and grinned. "I highly recommend it."

Ray chuckled at Jack "I think I remember Rowan saying something about that," he grinned as he clapped a hand on Jack's shoulder then went back to his food.

Jack's eyebrows flew up in surprise at Ray's comment. Rowan had said something about it? So, Alyssa had told Rowan about it. He knew exactly what he was going to do now. Sing to her.

Chris' eyes widened and he glanced over at Alyssa and then back at Jack. "Maybe you've got the better stories," he decided.

Jack shrugged. "I don't know, but she's over there telling secrets, and I didn't even know I had any," he stated uneasily. "Now they're all laughing. I don't like that one bit."

Ray frowned as he turned back to Chris. "And what makes you think that I've got the most interesting stories?" he demanded to know.

Chris moved back one step. "No reason," he defended quickly and put his hands up in a calming gesture as he moved another step away. He hadn't thought of that afternoon with Rowan since he'd got back with Shaz, he had no idea what had caused it to pop into his mind and even though it had happened before Ray had met her, it didn't mean Ray wouldn't kill him for it…or at least beat him very badly. Now he might have really put his foot in it. He turned back to his food in hopes Ray would just let it slide.

Ray frowned at Chris and watched him. Why would he say that Ray would have the most interesting stories? It's not like he knew anything about Rowan in that department, though he had to admit, he did have some rather interesting stories. None that he cared to share, they were not going to be told to anyone by him. He liked being the only one apart from Rowan knowing what they got up to.

He supposed that Chris must have meant about what he got up to before he got together with Rowan. He used to brag and boast and make up stuff about the women he had shagged. But he hadn't cared about any of them. He cared about Rowan immensely. Too much, he thought sometimes. He sighed and watched as Jack sauntered away.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Rhys looked at her and leaned back a bit to show his nearly empty pint glass.

"However, if I'm honest, I'm getting far more drunk off your beauty than my pint," he told her and smiled at her.

Max heard that as he walked past and couldn't hold back a bark of laughter. He put a hand over his mouth and hurried to sit down.

Jane walked up to Alyssa and the others and gestured Rowan to scoot over. She did so and looked at Jane curiously.

"Thanks, sorry, but I just can't sit over there and listen to Rhys chat up Tanya anymore, although I should. It's brilliant fodder for my show I have to say," she said and glanced over. "But my sides are going to hurt from trying not to laugh soon."

She heard Max's bark of laughter and gestured. "I rest my case. If it made Max laugh I wish I'd heard it."

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Christian finally got up on the small stage.

"Is everybody ready for the karaoke to start?" he wanted to know. "First, though, I'd like to bring Peggy Mitchell up here to say a few words, yay, Peggy," Christian said and began to clap, encouraging everyone else to do so.

Peggy hurried up and smiled warmly at everyone in the pub.

"I just want to thank Roxy for letting me have My Lady back. And you lot better all behave or you can get outta mah pub!" she finished and chuckled. She smiled around again as everyone cheered her and stepped down from the stage.

"Okay, so let's kick things off with Heather singing some George Michael," Christian announced and then handed the mike over.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Gene groaned. "Why does there always have to be karaoke?"

"Because most people like it," Jack replied and Gene snorted.

"I think I'm going to sing to Alyssa," Jack decided.

"Can you sing?" Chris wanted to know.

"Not really, but that doesn't stop anyone else. Besides, she won't expect it and after what she's done it's only fair to wind her up."

He drained his pint and ordered another, surreptitiously sliding a piece of paper with his song choice on it to Tracey. She nodded and took it over to Christian.

Jack clapped Gene on the back. "Here I go."

"Good luck, mate," Gene grinned and shook his head. Chris chuckled and looked at Ray.

"You should sing something, mate. You've at least got a good singing voice," Chris suggested.

Gene let out a wicked chuckle and looked at Ray. "You do at that. But surely you're not that big a poof."

"Jack's going up there, he's not a poof," Chris argued.

"Jack is only going up there to wind up Alyssa, weren't you paying attention?"

Chris raised his hands in surrender and hopped onto a barstool and focused on his food.

Jack made his way casually across the pub, making it seem he was heading for the loos. When Heather finished Christian got back up on stage.

"And now, Jack Rimmer," Christian said, not announcing the song as Jack had requested on the slip of paper. Jack took the mike with a nod and a grin and waited for the song to start.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Rowan took a drink of her lemonade and finally managed to calm herself down. She glanced over at Ray and saw him looking at her. She held his gaze and smiled before putting two fingers to her lips and making a small "kiss blowing" gesture to him with them.

She was suddenly consumed with wanting him and hurriedly drained her lemonade to calm herself.

"I'm going to get another, want anything?" she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking as she carefully stood.

Shaz nodded at Rowan. "I'll have another please, Rowan," she smiled while Alex and Alyssa shook their heads. "No, ta."

"It really isn't fair the way we team up on him," Rowan commented and headed for the bar. She got herself a glass of water and Shaz another drink and looked over at Ray and swallowed hard. She focused her attention back on the drinks being poured and pushed away the thoughts that were invading her mind with a soft sigh. She sat back down with the drinks just as Heather finished singing and Jack was announced.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

"I better get back to Tanya," Jane said. "Thanks for letting me sit here though, it was fun," she nodded at the girls and got up.

"See you on stage, Jane," Rowan called after her and Jane grinned.

Jane walked over and handed her brother the slip of paper with what she and Tanya planned to sing and then went back to Tanya.

Tanya snorted a laugh at him and threw a glare at Max as he passed. She looked back at Rhys with an amused smile. "That was by far the cheesiest thing you've said to me so far," she told him with a laugh. "And you have come out with at least enough cheese to make a pizza."

"I'm not being cheesy, I'm being honest," Rhys protested and smiled at Jane as she stepped up beside Tanya.

"So, Tan, you about ready to get up on stage?" Jane wanted to know. She gave Rhys a kind smile and looked at her best friend expectantly. "I've given our request to Christian."

Tanya gave Rhys a disbelieving look before turning to Jane. "I'm all set once I finish this glass," she smiled as she held up her wine glass to show Jane how much she had left. "I'll have finished it by the time we get up there," she grinned. "You did give him the song we agreed right?" she smiled.

"Of course I did," Jane replied and then burst into laughter at Jack singing to Alyssa.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Rowan clapped her hands over her mouth in surprise and nudged Alyssa as Jack got on stage. She heard the song start and burst into helpless giggles and looked at Alyssa as her eyes teared-up from her effort to keep from laughing too hard at his song choice. He was clearly getting Alyssa back.

Alyssa's jaw dropped as she watched Jack get up on stage and she watched him curiously. A peal of laughter escaped her as the song started up and she realised exactly what he was going to sing.

Jack sang a few words and then stepped down from the stage and paced over to Alyssa, singing his heart out and gesturing dramatically with his arms. He took her hand and knelt on one knee before her as he hit the chorus.

"You've lost that loving feeling, woah that loving feeling. You've lost that loving feeling now it's gone...gone...gone..."

He grinned at her as he sang and dramatically let go her hand and put it over his heart as he sang to her.

Alyssa held in the laughter as much as she could when Jack came over to her and she let him take her hand as he sang. Once he let her go she looked at Rowan and then burst into laughter once more. He was being completely over the top and she was loving it. She had guessed he had chosen the song to try to get at her but she didn't mind, she loved the man. She looked back down at him on the floor in front of her and smiled at him as he finished his song.

Gene burst into laughter and put his pint glass down to keep from dropping it.

Davina's jaw dropped when she saw Jack get up on stage and began to sing to Alyssa. She wanted to laugh at his antics, he was clearly winding her up, but it was also clear how much he loved her. She huffed out a breath in frustration and drained her drink. He'd never sung to her, even in jest.

Davina decided she might try the friendship thing tomorrow. She didn't want to be here, not after that display of Jack's. She was too annoyed.

"Let's get out of here," she whispered to Max who raised his eyebrows but nodded nevertheless and followed her out.

Once Jack had finished and handed the microphone back to Christian, Alyssa stood up and went over to Jack. She rested her arms on his shoulders as she kissed him and then pulled back to look up at him. "Now, you have never sung to me before," she grinned at him. "I rather enjoyed it," she said and dropped another kiss on his lips.

Jack slung his arms around her waist and smiled at her.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. My goal in life is to keep you entertained oh Love of My Life," he said in a humorous tone.

He turned and grinned at Chris, Ray and Gene.

"I'm a rock star, she can't get enough of me," he bragged and turned back to Alyssa. He leaned down and kissed her again before moving his lips to her ear.

"I can't wait to get you home," he breathed and gently pressed his hips to hers. He raised his head.

"Now, why don't you get back to your mates over there and be smug over your rock star fiancé and all," he suggested and gave her a cocky grin. He patted her backside and gave her a small push before winking at her and turning to pick up his pint from the bar.

Gene gestured at Tracey and bought another pint and put it in front of Jack.

"You got some balls, mate," Gene remarked once Alyssa had gone and clapped Jack on the shoulder roughly.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Once the laughter over Jack's performance had died down, Christian introduced Jane and Tanya. Jane looked at Tanya and grinned hugely before grabbing her arm and dragging her to the stage.

"Whoo Tanya," Rhys whistled and clapped as Jane unceremoniously dragged Tanya behind her. Ginger turned and looked at Rhys and shook his head.

"Fiver says she won't go," Ginger challenged. Rhys smirked.

"You are on and you will lose as usual," he countered and drained his pint before ordering another one. Tanya was well up for it, of that he was certain.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Rowan stood up and gave Alyssa a quick hug before letting her sit back down again and then returned to her seat.

"That was too hilarious. I don't think I'll ever forget it," Rowan said, her giggles finally having subsided. She leaned over. "And I'm ever so slightly jealous I have to admit," she added with a grin. She watched Jane and Tanya head for the stage and clapped for them as she nearly lost control of her giggles again.

"I can't believe I'm acting like this and I'm not even drinking," she remarked and took a drink of her lemonade. "Well, not alcohol at any rate."

She looked over at Ray again. She was having fun with her friends, but she yearned to be in his arms. What was wrong with her? She sighed, must be her hormones going crazy she decided. But it didn't stop her looking over at him again. It didn't stop her propping her chin on her hand as she looked at him while listening with half an ear to Jane and Tanya singing about girls wanting to have fun, her eyes glazed and her lips curved into a slight smile as she let her mind run free.

Alyssa smiled at him and wandered back to her seat at the table. She chuckled as she sat down and looked at Rowan, Alex and Shaz. "I've been told to be smug about my Rock Star Fiancé," she laughed and reached for her wine glass as Tanya and Jane started up. She noticed with a great deal of satisfaction that Davina and Max were leaving. She sighed happily and sank back into the seat, suddenly feeling a lot less tense.

"Well, he's got guts" Alex smiled "I'd have to have had a lot to drink before I even contemplated getting up on stage like that!" she smiled "But then if I could sing I probably would do it, just for shits and giggles" she smiled

Shaz smiled back at Alyssa "Rock Star? Do you think it's gone to his head?" she asked

Alyssa chuckled and looked over at Jack, a smile crept onto her face as she watched him. She found that she could hardly wait until they left to go home. Her attention went to Rowan and she smiled. Rowan had a glassy expression and was staring into space, no, staring at Ray. Alyssa grinned but left Rowan to it.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Tanya looked at Jane as she heard Rhys cheer for her and took the microphone from Christian as she took her place on stage next to Jane. She knew full well what Rhys was trying to do and what he wanted. She just hadn't decided whether or not she would give it to him. She liked the attention he was giving her but knew that once she slept with him that he would move on to his next target. She sighed inwardly and smiled broadly as she sang. Maybe she should hold off, she did like him chasing after her, no matter how corny he was. He spouted enough cheese to make a decently cheesy macaroni cheese.

Jane grinned as she followed Tanya back to their places at the bar.

Rhys was clapping wildly and whistling at Tanya as he watched her approach. "I have to say, you were brilliant," he told Tanya effusively and he took her face in his hands and kissed her soundly.

"I'm sorry," he said when he broke the kiss off. "But I have been wanting to do that all night," he admitted softly.

Jane sighed and patted Tanya on the back.

"It's late and if I drink anymore I'm going to be too hungover to recover from and I've got the café to open in the morning," she said.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Ray grinned at Jack as he came back over. He looked over at the table as he sensed someone watching him and spotted Rowan, she had a curious expression on her face and he felt a little uneasy. He gave her a smile and then frowned at her. He turned back to his plate of food and finished it off then drank down the remains of his pint. He turned to the bar and got himself a new pint then looked at the rest of them.

"My round, who wants what?" he asked.

"Well, I've just got one," Jack said and pointed at the pint Gene had bought him. He had noted the direction of Ray's gaze and saw Rowan staring in their direction with an odd, glassy-eyed expression on her face. "Looks like your Rowan is daydreaming over there," he said to Ray softly and grinned.

"I'll have a pint since you're buying, Raymondo," Gene spoke up and caught the darts up and began to throw. He wasn't going to have his game disrupted by karaoke.

"Not just yet, mate, thanks," Chris replied. He was glad Ray had let it go. The last thing he wanted was for Ray to think he might want Rowan. He didn't. He also didn't want to get beaten up for the possibility. Then Shaz would start in on him. He loved that she kept him in line, sometimes, he just lost track of his thoughts. He needed her. She knew him better than anyone and always got him going in the right direction. He hated Shaz being cross with him. He looked at his half-empty pint glass and picked it up and drained it then glanced over at Shaz.

"Right, I'm off out," he announced and walked over to Shaz. He put a hand on her shoulder and leaned down. "I think I'd really like to take you home now, Mrs. Skelton," he whispered in her ear as he slid his hand down her arm to catch her hand.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Rowan sighed dreamily and barely noticed Ray smiling at her. Her gaze had unfocused. She stood on the grass, her long filmy dress clinging to her in the rain and he was striding towards her, in unbelievably tight pants and a white shirt half open and plastered transparent against his skin, his hair wet and falling limply in loose curls around his face as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

The sudden applause when Tanya and Jane finished singing shook Rowan from her reverie. She blinked and looked around. What was wrong with her? She was not some feisty, but sometimes helpless female character and Ray was not the big, strong, dashingly handsome male lead in some historical romance, the sort Rowan had devoured when she was growing up. Only Louisa had known about that and that that was why Rowan had never wanted any of the boys they'd grown up with. They didn't match the characters in the book, however neither did Rowan. She was far too tomboyish to be like one of those sighing heroines in the books she loved. She squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them and glanced over at Ray. He was big and strong though, and, in her mind, he was very handsome. His eyes and his smile made him even more so.

She drained half her drink and looked at Alyssa.

"I think I need some new clothes and things," she said decisively. "We need to go shopping."

Alyssa looked at Rowan in surprise.

Rowan was hardly ever the one who wanted to go shopping, she always complained a little when Alyssa suggested it and she had to plead and bargain to get her to come along. She had only ever asked for Alyssa to come shopping for clothes with her once before. The rest of the time it was Alyssa that dragged Rowan around with her. She swallowed her mouthful of wine as she studied Rowan.

"You sure? You? Rowan Tremaine, want to go shopping?" she grinned. "For clothes," she added and nodded with a small snort. "And that wasn't even a question! That was a statement," she smiled and nodded.

"Sure, when?" she asked.

There was some clothes that she wanted to get for the honeymoon. After randomly pointed at the map, she and Jack had finally decided to take their honeymoon in the Alps and had chosen to go skiing. She had decided that doing something that little bit unusual for their honeymoon had amused her and she liked it.

"Yes, well, I'm going to need some new stuff that will fit me. I can't wear any of my jeans and my skirts don't hang right," she said and patted her bump. She toyed with the coaster under her empty glass. "And I should get some more make up too and I was thinking um…..maybe a curling iron," she ventured and glanced at Alyssa and raised her eyebrow. She thought she might get some other things as well, some lovely scarves and some shoes and the flat definitely needed some flowers. And she wanted to look at lingerie, too. The idea of long, clingy nightgowns appealed to her.

She looked over at Ray. 'When would he be ready to go home?' she wondered. She was ready now. She wanted to be in his arms, kissing him, feeling his hands on her. She noticed he had a new pint. That might take a bit. She looked back at Alyssa and smiled as she forced the images in her head aside.

"We could get a few things for the baby, too," she suggested.

Alyssa's eyes widened "Make up and a curling iron? Seriously?" she asked and put a hand to Rowan's forehead. "Are you feeling okay?" she teased as she took her hand away. "I need to get some things for after the wedding so yeah, I'm all up for a girly day shopping," she replied with a smile.

She wondered silently why Rowan suddenly wanted more make up, she never wore very much really. In fact, Alyssa had seen exactly how much make up Rowan owned. And a curling iron? That puzzled her, Rowan's hair was usually tied up or flowing freely, the only times it was carefully styled was special occasions. Alyssa frowned at Rowan as she tried to puzzle it out.

"I'm fine," Rowan insisted and batted at Alyssa's hand. "I just…I don't know…feel like I should make more of an effort," she shrugged. "But I do need some maternity things and well….under clothes…and stuff like that. None of my stuff will fit soon. So," she shrugged and tried to be dismissive.

She wasn't sure what she was thinking. She reached up and toyed with the end of her braid before glancing over at Ray again. He was gesturing in her direction and she wondered why. Maybe she should stop staring at him. She turned back to Alyssa.

"So, anyway, how about tomorrow? It's Saturday, the restaurant won't be busy, we could go sort of early-ish?" she suggested. "I'm sure Ray will let me have the car."

Alyssa nodded, she could understand that. And she never objected to a shopping trip anyway. It was just unusual for Rowan to want to go shopping, especially for things such as make up and curling tongs. Alyssa smiled and nodded her agreement, there was nothing wrong with wanting to look good. "Sure, I'll meet you round yours then?" she asked with a smile.

"Sounds good to me," Rowan replied and nodded. "Let's say, what 10? We can have a bit of breakfast before we go."

She yawned and toyed with her empty glass.

"I'm going to see if he's ready to go. I'm tired," Rowan said and gave Alyssa a quick hug and waved at Alex.

"You can come if you want," she offered. "The more the merrier and all that."

Alyssa nodded at Rowan and waved.

Alex smiled. "I'll see if I can get someone to look after Sam for me," she smiled. "I'll text you."

Alyssa smiled at Rowan then turned back to Alex.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Tanya was a little taken aback as Rhys kissed her unexpectedly, though she supposed that she should have anticipated it. Her hands rested on his shoulders lightly as the kiss broke. He was a good kisser she had to admit.

She let go of him and smiled at his words as she took a tiny step backwards but stayed fairly close to him. "I did wonder when you would get round to it," she smiled at him.

Tanya looked over her shoulder at Jane. She glanced at the time and sighed.

"I'd best go too, I shouldn't leave Abi alone with Oscar for much longer," she agreed and looked at Rhys. "I'll see you around," she smiled and grabbed her bag and wandered out of the pub.

Rhys' eyes widened and he snapped his mouth shut against his protest of her leaving. He heard a noise behind him and looked to see Simon and Ginger both snickering at him.

"Yeah, ha, ha, it's quite humorous," he remarked.

"Pay up, loser," Ginger said and held out his hand. Rhys grimaced but fished into his pocket and shoved a crumpled note into Ginger's hand. He had really liked that Tanya bird, he thought he'd been well in there. He sighed and sat down and ordered another pint, wondering where he'd gone wrong and trying unsuccessfully to get the memories of that kiss out of his head.

Rhys sighed and drained his pint and left the pub. Sure, he could have stayed and maybe pulled someone else, but he had wanted Tanya.

He left the pub and headed home to his empty flat.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Shaz looked up at Chris as he came over and took his hand in hers. She stood and smiled at him then turned to the girls and waved at them. "I'll see you all later," she smiled at them. She smiled up at Chris and let him lead her out of the pub.

Silently, Ray made a decision, after this pint he was taking Rowan home. As much as he liked the pub he was growing bored. And he reckoned that Rowan would be getting tired, she was pregnant after all and he had noticed her sleeping a lot more than she used to.

Ray watched Chris take Shaz away and handed Gene his pint. He grinned at Jack as he leant against the counter and sipped his pint.

"Looks like you're at a disadvantage now, Jack," he grinned.

"Humph, I'm never at a disadvantage," he glanced over at Alyssa and Rowan in conversation. "At least she's not being all dewy-eyed anymore and staring over here at you," Jack teased. Yes, Rowan and Alyssa were always able to get at him, but he would not allow that to happen with Ray. And Alyssa, well, wait until he got her home. Then, he'd show her who was boss. He'd get her good.

"Do you think she's doing that just cause she's pregnant or did you say something to her when she was over here?" he wanted to know.

Gene snorted and handed the darts to Jack. "Likely both," he remarked and smirked at Ray and took a drink of his pint.

Ray frowned as he thought. "She was fine when she was over here, just her usual self..." he trailed off. "She did get a bit teary-eyed though," he added. "I didn't say anything unusual," he shrugged and looked at Jack. "I'm putting it down to hormones, pregnancy and all that," he said dismissively.

He was most definitely taking her home after he finished this pint. There was no way he was going to stand here while she made gooey eyes at him. No way Jose! He glanced at her over the rim of his pint glass. They were going home. He drank a generous gulp of his pint and hoped that she wasn't going to go all soppy.

He glanced at Gene. "Did Alex get all like that when she was pregnant?" he wanted to know as he waved his hand in the direction of Rowan.

Jack nodded and took his turn.

Gene looked at Ray. "No, she cried quite a bit, but mostly she was either normal or mean. She overreacted a lot. You remember that drug bust? She went way over the top when I asked her to coordinate. She acted like I was intentionally keeping her out of harm's way because she was pregnant. She didn't want to hear the actual reason I needed her to do what she did, never mind she was the only one who could have done it. Rational and reason did NOT enter into the picture at all. Hopefully, all she gets is soppy. You'll be lucky. I would have killed for soppy."

He looked over in Alex's direction. She got soppy now, though, not that he had any intention of sharing that information.

"If she doesn't become a raving lunatic then count your blessings, Raymondo, trust the Gene Genie."

Ray sighed. "I don't know how to deal with women when they go all soppy," he mumbled. "I'd rather she blow up at me, at least then I know how to react and handle her," he admitted glumly and took another drink of his pint.

He grinned at Gene. "I think everyone in the station heard that argument Guv. You know about it when Alex shouts! Everyone avoided her for the rest of the day after that," he told him with a grin. "Bet you're glad she had the baby if it means that all that stopped," he said.

"Yeah well, don't remind me. It was pretty unpleasant. The tiniest thing could set her off," he said. He noticed Rowan coming over but nodded at Ray's question.

"Very glad and all," he commented. He nodded a greeting at Rowan before turning his attention back to the darts.

Rowan got up and headed over to Ray. She gave him a cheerful, but tired smile.

"I'm ready to go if you are," she said and shoved her hands in her jacket pockets.

She glanced at Jack.

"Nice singing there, Rock Star," she chuckled and Jack grinned.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Tanya pushed open her front door and saw Abi sprawled on the sofa. She could hear mumbles of speech coming from Oscar's room and she took off Abi's shoes and grabbed the fleece blanket to cover her daughter, propping her head on the pillows before going to check on her son. Oscar was sitting up in bed talking to himself. She stood in the doorway and watched him for a moment before he saw her and reached for her. Tanya went over and pulled him into her arms and hugged him. "You should be asleep, little man," she told him and kissed his nose.

Oscar yawned in response and Tanya put him back in his bed and covered him with his blanket, then handed him his teddy bear and left him alone. She stretched as she headed for her room and slipped into her pyjamas. She lay back in bed and touched her lips absent-mindedly, she wondered if she had done the right thing by leaving Rhys in the bar. She sighed, she had done the right thing, she couldn't leave Abi and Oscar alone all night and didn't want to upset Abi by bringing a man back home. Not when Abi had deliberately come to hers to escape Davina. She hugged her duvet to her as she rolled onto her side. He was a good kisser though.

/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\\/\/\

Ray looked over at Rowan as she came over and he smiled at her. He drained his pint and placed it on the bar next to his plate then nodded at her. "I'm ready," he told her and nodded at Jack and Gene as he took her hand and lead her outside. He opened the car and got inside it then waited for her to climb in a drove home.

Ray pulled up outside the Restaurant and parked up. He climbed out and waited for Rowan as he opened her door.

Rowan climbed out of the car and stood close to Ray and looked up at him. She closed the car door and then raised her hand to trail a finger down his chest, letting her eyes follow her finger before looking back up at him.

"Alyssa and I are going to go shopping tomorrow, so I'll need the car. I need to get some clothes and things that will fit," she said lightly. "All sorts of things."

She turned and headed for the door of the restaurant, pulled out her keys and opened it. She slipped inside and held the door open for him to walk in. She hurriedly locked the door behind him and bent to pull of her heeled boots. They were hurting her feet. She was going to have to go back to flat boots now, she decided. She quickly slipped off her leggings while his back was to her and then hurried up behind him.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him to turn around as she tossed her boots aside. She felt her breath start to come fast as she grabbed his shirt and yanked it open. She trailed her hands over his chest and looked up at him before grabbing her dress and pulling it off over her head. She looked up at him again as she slipped off her bra and tossed it aside. She left on only the skimpy lace knickers she had chosen to wear. She had bought them for Ray, she rather thought he might like to rip them off her after Alyssa had told her how much Jack like ripping off hers. She stepped close to him again and put her hands on his chest again. She let her hands slide up to his shoulders and slipped them under his shirt to shove it off and let it fall to the floor.

Ray looked on as she pulled his shirt open and lost a few buttons, he watched her interestedly and held in a groan of need as she took off her clothes. He wanted to touch her, hold her, take her. He would. He smiled as she came up to him and pushed his shirt off.

"Oh, Ray, you really are so magnificent," she breathed as she looked at him, her eyes drinking him in. "So big, so strong," she added, her breathing slightly labored. She reached a hand up to his face and stroked his cheek. "So handsome."

She tilted her head as it occurred to her. Had she ever told him that before?

She raised her gaze from his broad chest and met his eyes. "I don't think I tell you enough," she stated breathlessly. "But you are so very, very perfect to me."

Ray looked at her, pleasantly shocked. His arms came around her and stroked up and down her back. "Is this why you've been getting all moony at the pub? Because I'm so magnificent," he grinned down at her and pulled her closer. "You're perfect too, Rowan," he whispered to her and looked down at her, his eyes tracing up and down her body. "Completely and utterly perfect," he said with a smile.

Ray dropped his head and his arms lifted her off her feet so that their lips met. A groan escaped as he kissed her, and he moved her backwards until her back hit the nearest wall. Bracing her against it, and making sure she would stay if he let go of her, he moved his hands to cup her face and he looked at her a moment. This incredible woman wanted him, and was having his baby. He decided that he couldn't be happier. He smiled at her and his lips moved to her neck and his hands moved down to hold her hips and stroke her legs.

Rowan sighed as he pulled her into his arms and she met his gaze.

"Yes," she admitted. She shivered at his words. She decided she didn't tell him enough and she liked hearing him say it to her very much.

She couldn't hold back a smile as he picked her up. She never minded when he did. Soon, he wouldn't be able to, not without hurting himself. She kissed him back hard, she never tired of it.

She met his gaze as he looked at her. She felt so beautiful when he looked at her. And now she was having his baby and she felt...feminine, unbelievably so. A moan escaped her at the feel of his lips on her neck and she wrapped her legs around his waist as her hands plunged into his hair and she held him close.

"Take me to bed," she whispered, her breathing harsh in her throat. "Take me and make love to me, Ray," she continued as her fingers wound through his curls. "I want your hands on me, Ray," she gasped. "I want you inside me, oh gods, Ray, I want you so much," she cried in near desperation and began to press kisses against the side of his head, moving towards his cheek.

Ray detached his lips from her neck and sighed happily as he held her against him and lifted her from the wall. He moved to the bedroom and tumbled with her onto the bed. He landed on top of her and was careful not to crush her. He simply looked at her sprawled on the bed beneath him. He wasn't sure he had ever seen anything more beautiful. He stroked a finger down her cheek and neck, then smiled down at her and his lips followed the path his finger had traced.

His hands slid down her body as he lifted his head and removed the rest of his clothes. He smiled at the tiny knickers that she was wearing and he pressed his lips to hers as he pulled them off her, tearing them in the process and he threw them away as his arms came around her and eased her into the middle of the bed. He lifted one of her legs around his waist and then plunged into her with a groan and he pressed his forehead to hers as he stayed still and just revelled in the feel of her.

Rowan gazed at him as he carried her around. She was sure her expression was soppy, but she was past caring. She giggled as they fell onto the bed and helplessly gazed at him in adoration. How could she not? Not when he looked at her like he was looking at her now. She closed her eyes and let out a soft moan as his touch.

She watched him as he finished getting undressed. He was so wonderful to look at! She couldn't help but smile into the kiss as he tore away the knickers. Alyssa was right! It was thrilling.

She moaned his name as he plunged into her and gazed into his eyes as his forehead pressed to hers. She ghosted her hands over his arms to his shoulders and then to his chest before gently tracing her fingers down his sides.

"You feel so good," she whispered, her eyes boring into his. She tipped her head to brush her lips against his, even that small movement making her shiver as he held still inside her. It was torture, but it felt so good.

Ray looked down at Rowan's face and breathed as evenly as he could. It was taking all his self control to stay still, he wasn't sure he could manage it much longer, no matter how much he wanted to. He trembled at the feel of her nails as they went down his back. He let out a controlled breath and looked down at her face. There was no way she could hold this. He pressed his lips to hers and ravished her mouth as he finally started to move.

Ray let out a groan that fast became a growl as his hands flew over her skin, touching every part of her that he possibly could.

"Rowan," he murmured against her neck as he pulled his lips from hers and left a trail of kisses down her neck and along her collarbone. Another groan came from him as he sped up and clutched her to him even more fiercely. She drove him wild, he couldn't contain himself around her. His lips moved to her ear and he spoke in a hoarse whisper. "I love you Rowan, you're beautiful," he told her and he buried his face in her shoulder as he felt his body begin to tense.

Rowan couldn't take her eyes from Ray's face as he looked at her. She was completely enthralled. She could see the strain staying still was having on him. She couldn't understand how he was managing it. She bit back a yelp of surprise as he suddenly kissed her and she felt him begin to move. Her eyes flew open as she felt her body suddenly jerk as his sudden movement set her off.

His growl vibrated through her and then his hands were on her, everywhere, and she was climbing again. She lost herself, crying out his name over and over again as she dug her fingers into his back. She would have raked his back with her nails if she had any.

Any modicum of control she possessed fled the moment he spoke in her ear. She wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders as her body began to shake.

"Oh, Ray, I love you, too, you glorious man," she breathed. "I was made for you."

She might have blushed at having said such a cliché, romance-novel line to Ray, but she was too lost in him to care. She didn't even realize she'd said it aloud, never mind she believed it to be true. They fit and meshed together too well for it not to be true.

She felt tears spill from her eyes as she came again as she felt how near he was and then again, even harder, when he did. His always set her off, no matter what.

Ray shuddered and collapsed, he made sure to roll next to her and then pull her close. Made for him? It seemed so, there was no one that made him feel anywhere near what Rowan made him feel. He reached out and grabbed a handful of duvet and dragged it over them, making sure that they were all nicely tucked in. He sighed as he combed his fingers through her hair, she fit so perfectly against him and she was so perfect. He couldn't see himself with anyone else, ever.

He pulled her right up to his chest and tightened his arms around her, protectively, possessively. He made a satisfied humming noise deep in his throat and his hand stroked up and down her back as his other held her fast to him. There was no way he was ever letting this woman go!

Rowan sniffed and sighed contently as he wrapped them up, pulling her close against him. She tucked her head under his chin and laid her cheek against his chest so she could listen to his heartbeat. She ignored the tears that she knew were dampening his chest and swiped the ones from her other cheek with her hand before winding her arm around his waist.

She listened to the humming noise he made, feeling it resonate in her. She loved his growls and humming and never tired at the sound of his voice. It was so deep and soothing.

"I'm so happy," she said softly. She lifted her head and then inched up so that she was face to face with him and propped her head up on her hand. Her other hand moved to his face, her fingers tracing the curve of his brow, the hollow of his cheek and the line of his jaw as her eyes searched his features. His beautiful eyes, the cute, very tiny mole next to his left eye, the one wayward moustache hair that never seemed to want to stay in place, the tiny spot on his chin where he'd nicked himself shaving that morning. She leaned over and kissed him softly.

"I don't think I've ever been this happy," she told him. "I don't think I tell you enough how amazing you are."

She softly brushed her lips on his again and then moved her hand and let her head drop to the pillow. She burrowed one arm under the pillow and slipped the other under his arm so her hand rested on his back.

"Will you sing to me again?" she asked

Ray settled himself comfortably and accommodated her accordingly, he raised his eyebrows as she spoke and frowned down at her face. What was up with her? She kept saying really, really girly things. It was unlike her.

"You're not going soft on me are you?" he grinned at her and fished in his head for something to sing to her. He gave up searching after a while and chose the lullaby that he had taken to singing whenever she asked and it was just them two. There was no way he would sing it to any one else.

He wrapped his arms around her as he sang and rested his head against hers. He let out a soft sigh as he finished the lullaby and buried his face into her hair. "You've gone all soppy tonight," he told her with a smile.

Rowan managed a shrug and nuzzled against him.

"I know," she sighed, as she toyed with some of his chest hair. "I'm feeling very soft tonight for some reason."

She took his hand and put it on the swell of her belly and turned her head slightly to look at it.

"I think it's the pregnancy. It's making me feel very...feminine, I guess."

She looked up at him and smiled a soft smile.

"You were pretty soppy yourself as I recall," she reminded. Not that she was complaining. His eyes and his body always told her what he thought of her, but hearing him say it out loud made her melt.

"Anyway, I just started thinking about how much you mean to me and I know we know how we feel, but sometimes it's nice to say it out loud. I know you don't think much of yourself, but Ray, I do. You have such a lovely chest and back and shoulders," she told him and smiled as she touched his belly. "You don't have a six pack, and I'm glad, I like that you're a little soft just there," she told him. "You've got very nice legs, a fantastic bum," she said and grabbed it, "and you have some very impressive attributes," she added and looked at him with her eyebrow raised as she took him in hand so he would know exactly what she meant. "Your face isn't what some might call classically handsome, but it has character and when you smile, proper smile, you take my breath away. And you have the most beautiful eyes."

She paused and sighed. "I just...you're amazing and sexy and I had to tell you because, well, tonight is a special night."

She heaved a great breath and turned over and rummaged in the bedside drawer and turned to him with a box.

"It's um...it's been a year now...since we met," she gave an shaky laugh. "Can you believe it? So, anyway, I got you this and well, since I'm being all stupid and soppy I thought I would give it to you now, because despite some of the not-so-great stuff that's happened you know like oh I don't know...getting shot on Valentines Day," she let out another nervous laugh. "This really has been one of the best years I've ever had, Ray, and it's all down to you."

She felt her eyes begin to tear up and sniffed as she held the box out to him. "Happy Anniversary, Ray."

Ray took the box from her and placed it on the side. He pulled her to him in a hug. "Stop crying you dopey woman," he smiled as he stroked her hair. "We've been together for a year? Really?" he let out a breath in surprise. Well, this was his longest relationship. Ever. Not that he should be surprised. He held her until he felt the tears stop and then carefully pulled her away from him. He brushed at her damp cheeks with his thumbs and pulled her so she was leaning against him as he sat up and reached for the box.

Rowan sniffed and managed a laugh as she leaned against him. "I will, just give me a minute," she retorted tartly and let herself enjoy him stroking her hair.

Ray opened it curiously wishing that he had got something for her, he hadn't known that it had been a full year since they had first met, he remembered that day clearly though, the moment she had stepped into the office he had felt nothing but lust for her. Now he was glad that that lust had grown into something more. He curiously took out the ID Bracelet and looked at it studiously. There was writing on it. He huffed out a breath. "Ro, this isn't English," he told her as he looked at the words that to him were just a jumble of letters. He draped the bracelet over his wrist and fiddled with the catch trying to do it up. Why did these things have to be so stupidly difficult to do up!

She smiled as he brushed at her cheeks and grabbed the sheet to wipe them better.

She bit her lip and waited as he opened the box.

She chuckled at his comment and took the bracelet from him gently and looked up at him.

"No, it's Irish. It says: 'Ray,'" she looked at him and tapped his nose, "that's you, 'gra anois agus go deo acuisle ma chroi' and it's signed Rowan, that's me," she looked at him again, pressed a quick kiss to his lips and then put the bracelet on his wrist. She put her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. "It means 'love now and forever pulse of my heart'," she told him quietly and kissed him intently.

Ray wrapped his arms around her and held her to him tightly as he kissed her back. He could feel the weight of the bracelet on his wrist and he found that he welcomed it. He broke the kiss reluctantly and cupped her cheek with his hand as he smiled into her eyes. "Thank you," he smiled at her.

Rowan felt her heart skip a beat as he smiled at her and fought back the urge to cry again.

"You could've told me that it was a year before you decided to buy me something though Ro, now I haven't got anything to give to you," he sighed as he pulled her back against him and lay back down onto the bed and dragged the covers over them both again.

She shrugged at his remark. "So get me something tomorrow, I don't mind, honestly. You've already given me so much," she told him as she cuddled up to him. She didn't want to admit she herself had only just realized it had been a year and snuck out of the restaurant just after breakfast to get him the bracelet.

His hand twirled a lock of her hair idly as he stared at the ceiling. How he had ended up here like this he didn't know, but he was glad all the same.

She sighed in contentment as she felt his hand in her hair and pressed a kiss against his chest before letting his heartbeat lull her to sleep.

/\\\/\/\/\\/\\/\\/\\\/\\\\/\/\/\\\/\\\/\/\\/\

Alyssa looked at Jack curiously and watched him walk towards the toilets. He wanted her to follow him? Why? She sighed and looked at Alex. "Be back in a sec," she said and smiled at Gene as he came over then stood up and moved towards the toilets. She followed him inside and looked at him, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Jack? What are you doing?" she asked as the door swung shut behind her.

Jack turned and grinned at her before pinning her against the wall. He pressed himself close against her and moved his hands to caress her breasts through the material of her shirt.

"Being a rock star," he chuckled and threw the bolt lock on the door before taking her lips with his. He hurriedly unfastened his trousers and let them and his boxers drop before burrowing his hands under her shirt to stroke her soft skin as he moved his hands to her breasts again.

"You can be my groupie," he told her with a cheeky grin and plastered his lips on hers again.

Alyssa moaned softly and arched into his caresses; her arms came around his neck and held him to her as she melted against him. The toilet of a pub wasn't any worse than a changing room; in fact it was a little more private than a changing room. Her fingers tunnelled through his hair as she slipped off her shoes, she let go of his head and her hands went to the waistband of her jeans and she dropped them to join the material pooling at their feet.

Her leg wound around his waist as she pulled him closer and her hand went back to his neck. She couldn't get enough of him. Her other hand crept under the hem of his shirt and stroked up his chest slowly.

Jack slipped his hand under her leg and hoisted her onto the counter. He twined his fingers around a lock of her hair next to her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. He put his hands on her hips and thrust into her. Oh yes, that was where he belonged. He gripped her hips and caught her lips up into another hungry kiss.

He heard someone knock on the door and pulled back to look at Alyssa and chuckle low in his throat as he moved inside her.

"You wild woman, you," he whispered in admiration and buried his face in her neck with a growl.

Alyssa gasped at the knock on the door, as looked at him in shock, but the feel of him inside her caused her to slid her arms back around him and plant kisses down his neck, she breathed his name as she rocked her hips against his and wrapped her legs around him to pull him even closer.

"Jack," she moaned as she pulled his head from her neck and pressed her lips to his once more, kissing him breathlessly.

Jack gripped her hips tightly, thrusting hard into her. He kissed her back hard. He slid a hand up her back and moved his lips to her neck, letting his teeth graze over the soft flesh before pressing soft kisses after.

He panted heavily, he was so close. He kissed up to her ear and began to whisper in her ear, telling her what she could expect when he got her home. This was merely an appetizer.

He tightened his arm around her and suddenly growled out her name as he felt himself let go. He pressed himself tight inside her and wrapped his other arm around her as he panted for air and tried to recover.

Alyssa clung to him as she came. Her head rested on his shoulder and she shuddered as his words danced through her head. They needed to go home. Soon. Alyssa pressed a kiss to the spot just under his ear and rested her head against his. Her hands stroked up and down his back, smoothing his shirt. She smiled.

Alyssa jumped off the counter that he had sat her on and gave him a light push so he would move out of the way. Her legs were a little shaky, but on the plus side he hadn't ruined her knickers this time, she would be comfortable on the way home. She pulled her clothes back on and smiled at him, his hair was sticking up where she had been running her fingers through it. She reached up and smoothed it out so he didn't look so dishevelled.

She pressed her lips to his and smiled. "We need to leave and go home," she told him as she looked him over. He looked fine; he didn't really look as though he had been shagging her in the toilets. She glanced at herself in the mirror and sighed as she pulled her hair up into a pony tail: there was no use trying to flatten it down.

Jack reluctantly backed up, unwilling to separate from her just yet, but she wasn't going to give him a choice.

He sighed and pulled up his trousers and fastened them up as she smoothed his hair. He glanced around her at his hair in the mirror. It always seemed to be sticking up. He made a quick attempt at flattening it himself, but wasn't really worried about it. He watched as she put her hair into a tail, he hadn't thought he'd mussed it quite that bad, but she could be picky about her hair.

He swept her close and kissed her before he opened the bathroom door.

"We are going straight home and then I can do more rock star things to my groupie," he promised and wriggled his eyebrows at her.

He huffed out a surprised noise when they went in. Gene and Alex were nowhere to be seen.

"I guess they left," he remarked to Alyssa. "Alex would have had Roxy or Tracey take your bag if they did. I'll be outside," he told her and patted her backside gently before he went out and lit up.

/\\\/\/\/\\/\\/\\/\\\/\\\\/\/\/\\\/\\\/\/\\/\

Alex smiled up at him and drained her wine then placed the glass back on the table. "You'll have to buy me another drink" she told him as she picked up Alyssa's bag and drink and took them to the other side of the bar with her. She took her usual place at the bar by the dart board and placed Alyssa's glass down. She smiled at Masood.

"Whatever you say," Gene teased and got Alex another glass of wine. He raised his eyebrow at Alyssa's glass and bag.

"Don't tell me she..." he began and sighed. "Who knows how long we'll be waiting," he muttered darkly and drained half his pint.

Alex took a sip from her new glass and looked over at the toilet door. She sighed and stroked her hand up and down Gene's arm soothingly. "Play with Masood until they get back," she suggested and smiled at him. "Exercise some patience," she added.

Gene frowned and shook his head.

"This is ridiculous. I'll be outside," he snarled and went outside to smoke.

Ricky looked at Minty and then they looked at Alex.

"What's got him so annoyed?" Ricky asked curiously.

Alex shook her head silently as she watched Gene go and looked up at Ricky. "Jack's supposed to be playing darts with him and he's run off with Alyssa instead," she smiled. "He's just pissed off."

She drained the wine in her glass and looked over the bar at Roxy. "Roxy, can you look after Alyssa's bag until she gets back for me?" she asked and Roxy nodded. She took the bag from Alex and placed it safely behind the bar.

Alex smiled at her and hopped off the stool. She wandered outside and patted Gene's arm before slipping her hand into his. "Come on, time to go home," she said and kissed his cheek. "I think we'd best go and relieve Molly," she said as she pulled the Quattro keys from his pocket and swung them around her finger. "Peter went round to see Molly, he's probably still there," she told him.

"Ahh," Ricky nodded in understanding and looked at Minty.

Gene looked at Alex as she came up next to him and he snorted when she told him Peter was at the flat with Molly.

"He better not be up to any funny business," he snarled as he climbed into the car. "I'd have to kill him and that would be a shame."

He looked over at her. "Not that I wouldn't enjoy it, mind you," he added and flashed a wicked grin.

Alex sighed at him with a grin, she was glad that he was protective over Molly, even though she knew it annoyed Molly sometimes. Though most of the time the pair of them just found it amusing. "Just drive," she told him.

Alex climbed out of the car as he pulled up outside their home and she opened the door. The first thing she did was look over at the TV which was blaring quietly and the boy and girl on the sofa. She smiled at the tub of ice cream that would no doubt be empty. As she got closer she realised that the two of them were asleep. She smiled, Gene couldn't blow up, they were merely resting against each other and holding hands. She smiled and decided not to disturb them just yet.

Alex shook her head at the sleeping boy and girl amusedly and went along to Sam's room. She opened the door and stood for a moment listening to Sam's gentle sleeping breaths. Satisfied she set the baby monitor and closed the door softly so as not to wake the baby. She turned to the sleeping pair of teenagers on the sofa and tiptoed over and picked up the two spoons and the tub of ice cream. She set the spoons in the sink and the empty tub into the bin and shut the door once Gene got inside.

Gene looked at Alex tidying up the mess. 'Why wasn't Molly doing that herself?' he wondered. He slung his coat off and hung it up before going into the front room.

His lips stretched into a mischievous smile as he looked at the sleeping teenagers. He sniffed softly and drew in a great breath.

"What the bloody hell is going on in here?" he snapped, just loud enough to wake the sleeping teens, but not loud enough to wake the baby. He was getting good at finding that tone. He bit back a laugh as Peter jumped bolt upright and jerked his hand from Molly's.

"You," he said, stabbing his finger in Molly's direction. "Just what do you think you're doing? You are too young to be sleeping with boys, missy."

He turned and took a step towards the couch and put his finger in Peter's face.

"And you, taking advantage like that. You ought to be ashamed of yourself," he bellowed. "Now get out of here before I get really mad," he ordered.

Peter looked at Molly and then back at Gene, his eyes wide with fear before grabbing his coat and bolting from the flat, calling "sorry" as he went.

Gene folded his arms and burst into delighted laughter once the door had closed behind Peter.

"Now that was fun," he chortled and dropped onto the couch. He looked at Molly.

"You should be ashamed, though, the pair of you ate all the ice cream and I was looking forward to that and all," he told her and then mussed her hair affectionately.

/\\\/\/\/\\/\\/\\/\\\/\\\\/\/\/\\\/\\\/\/\\/\

Alyssa chuckled at him and walked over to the bar. "Roxy? Have you seen my bag?" she asked.

Roxy nodded. "Hang on a tic," she said and reached underneath the bar and pulled up Alyssa's bag. "Here you go."

"Cheers, Roxy," she smiled as she took her bag and left with a wave. She left the pub and saw Jack outside, smoking. She smiled at him as she slipped her arm around his waist and looked up at him.

"Home?"

"Home," he agreed. He tossed his cigarette into the ashtray and slung an arm around her waist as they headed for home. He glanced down at her. "I hope Gene isn't too put out with me."

He idly pulled a box from his coat and handed it to her. "Happy Anniversary, by the way," he said and grinned. "Can you believe it's been a year since Rowan introduced us."

He looked at Alyssa. "I should probably get her a present and all," he mused and took the box from her. "I'll give this to her instead. You wouldn't like it anyway," he teased.

Alyssa looked up at him. "I didn't know that we were doing presents," she told him. "You should've mentioned something," she said with a small frown.

Alyssa reached for the box as he took it away. "Well, why don't I open it and decide for myself, you never know, Rowan might not like it at all," she said as she tried to pull his arm closer so she could get the box. "Please?" she asked looking up at him. "Or I might change my mind about being your groupie."

"Mmmmm," Jack looked down at her, one eyebrow raised and his eyes dancing from barely suppressed laughter. His eyes widened at her threat and he thrust the box at her.

"Might as well have it," he said agreeably. "It wouldn't really suit Rowan, I'll get her something else," he decided and then stopped walking and waited eagerly for her to open the box.

"Well, go on then," he urged.

Alyssa smiled at him and looked down at the box in her hand. She bit her lip as she opened it, then the smile spread over her face. She looked at the emerald earrings and then back up at Jack. She closed the box with a snap and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you," she told him as she hugged him "They match my necklace and ring," she told him as she pulled away and opened the box again. She pulled out the earrings that she was already wearing and swapped them for the new ones. She put the box that now contained her old earrings into her bag and pressed her lips to his. "Thank you," she told him again.

"Well, imagine that," Jack said in mock-surprise. "I guess Rowan wouldn't have liked them then," he teased and pulled her tight against him as he kissed her back. He swung her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way home.

He grinned as he put her down to unlock the door. "I'll need to practice carrying you, won't I?" he said with a shrug and then swept her up again to carry her over the threshold. He kicked the door shut behind him and carried her upstairs and proceeded to make her scream.

Molly frowned at Gene and tipped her head over and then flipped it back in an attempt to fix her hair. She glared at him. "That, was nasty!" she told him as she folded her arms. She punched his arm lightly in retaliation for him waking her and Peter.

She smiled at him though, it had been amusing. "You do scare the shit out of him, though."

Alex frowned. "Language, Molly!" she snapped and Molly had the decency to look reasonably abashed. "Sorry, but I couldn't think of a different word."

"Then use a thesaurus!" Alex advised as she came over and took her place on the sofa. Molly snorted "Yes, Mum, because I'm going to carry round a massive book to search through to prevent me from swearing," she replied sarcastically. Alex nodded. "Good."

Molly sighed and gave Gene a hug. "Night, I'm going to go to bed seeing as someone woke me up."

Molly went over to Alex and wrapped her arms around her Mum. "Night, Mummy dearest!" she smiled. Alex kissed her cheek. "Night, Molls."

Alex looked at Gene as Molly disappeared behind her bedroom door. "I'm turning in to, I'm going shopping with Rowan and Alyssa tomorrow, I've got to be up early. Are you working? Because I need someone to look after Sam," she smiled.

Alex went into the bedroom, changed into her silk nightshirt and climbed into bed.

Gene burst into delighted laughter at Molly's reaction to what he had done.

"I think that's the most fun I had all night. I may, may, mind you, apologize to him for it. Maybe...I'll consider the possibility," Gene admitted. "I'll give it serious thought."

He looked up at Alex.

"Oh, go and let her have that one," he cajoled and patted Molly on the back as she passed.

Bed. Gene perked up and followed her into the bedroom after making sure the lights were off. He ducked under the covers and grabbed her close.

"Yes, I'll look after Sam, but I want something in return," he told her as he toyed with one of the buttons on her shirt. "I want you to get something barely there and wear it for me. I think we should commemorate when you decided to come running back to me because you couldn't live without me," he informed her smugly. "Something like this maybe," he said and dropped a small red gift bag in front of her.

Alex snorted. "Couldn't live without you?" she repeated. "I seem to remember you being stuck in some sort of downward spiral until I turn up," she told him and rolled over to face him. "And may I remind you Mr Hunt, it was you that kissed me first," she smiled smugly. "So, now who can't live without who?" she continued as she pulled the small bag onto her lap. Something barely there? She was intrigued.

"You really are arrogant, aren't you woman?" Gene teased and watched as she pulled the teddy out of the bag.

Alex pulled out the red lace teddy and admired it. He wanted her to wear this? It was gorgeous! "So, if you've already got me one do I have to get another one?" she asked as she smiled at him. The bag still felt heavy though. She looked inside and spotted the box. Alex laid the teddy down and pulled out the box and opened it. She gasped as she saw the necklace and pulled it out. She fixed it around her neck then turned to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you," she said as she pressed her lips to his.

He grinned at her. "Well, you can't have too many barely there things can you?" he asked in an innocent tone.

He broke off the kiss a moment. "You are welcome," he said and kissed her some more. "Now," he began and picked up the teddy. "Why don't you go and put this on?" he suggested and pulled her close with his other arm. "We have to make sure it fits, after all, don't we?"

Alex smiled at him and pressed another quick kiss to his lips as she reached for the red skimpy lace teddy and clambered off the bed. She went to the bathroom and shed her black nightshirt then put on the teddy. She smiled, she was hardly surprised that he had chosen something like this, but she was surprised that Gene Hunt had actually gone shopping. That just didn't happen. And he had bought her jewellery. She couldn't get her head around it. Gene Hunt did not go into lingerie shops, not as far as she knew anyway. And she didn't think he would've ordered online, he didn't like technology!

Alex opened the door to the bathroom and stood in the doorway with a sultry expression on her face. She looked at Gene and slowly twirled for him. "So? Does it fit?" she asked as she took a step towards him.

Gene coughed and looked at Alex hungrily.

"Oh, it fits all right," he growled and roughly pulled her to him. He skimmed his hands over her as his eyes drank in the sight of her.

"Glad to see my pressie all wrapped up," he purred and pressed against her. He hurriedly shoved off his boxers and grabbed hold of the lacy material and yanked it down, not caring if it tore. He'd bought it hadn't he?

"Time to open it, I think," he breathed in her ear and tore at it some more to bare her breasts. "Oh, yes," he growled again and bent his head to her breasts as his hands worked at getting the rest of the teddy off of her. He pulled and tore at the material as his lips and tongue ranged over her flesh, teasing and tasting her breasts. He punctuated the tears of fabric with growls and then pushed her backwards onto the bed.

He grinned as he shoved her legs apart and bent between them, putting his mouth and tongue to work there as he tossed aside the torn scraps of the teddy. His hands gripped her hips as he teased and devoured her. He would never tire of this. He was going to miss their moments in the office. Unless he made good his threat and moved to the Super's office. He would have to think about that he decided and intensified his efforts at the sound of her moans.

Alex threw her head back in ecstasy. If she had known that a skimpy outfit like that would provoke a reaction like this then she would have done it before now! Though now that outfit was scattered all over the floor, she didn't care. All she could think about was what Gene was doing to her. She moaned his name as he pushed her over the brink and sat up as she panted for breath. She pulled him back onto the bed and made him lie down as she straddled him.

Alex traced a finger down his cheek, the leaned forward and kissed him slowly, savouring the taste of him and the feel of his lips on hers. Her hands ghosted over his shoulders and then down his arms. She raised herself up and then sank down onto his with a soft sigh. Alex kept her eyes fixed on his face as her hands reached him and held them down as she began to move slowly. A soft moan escaped her as she continued with her painfully slow pace.

Gene grinned at Alex as she took charge. She was so sexy when she got aggressive. He moaned as she lowered herself onto him and began to move slowly. She was attempting to hold his hands down, he could move them anytime, he was tempted. He didn't want to just watch her body, he wanted his hands on it.

He shifted his hips to thrust up to her as he eyes avidly traveled over her.

"Bolly!" he moaned as it became too much and he pulled his hands and reached for her, his hands caressing her breasts and then gliding down her sides to fasten on her hips as he went over the edge.

He paused to make sure she was finished and to catch his breath, then pulled her to him and rolled so she was next to him.

"You are some woman, Bolls," he growled in her ear and kissed her.

Alex wrapped her arms around him as she broke the kiss and rested her head on his chest. She couldn't help but love this man! She mumbled something illiterate as she curled into his and closed her eyes.