Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, as Emma awoke the next morning. Callum's side of the bed was empty, and she felt a pang of disappointment, at his absence.

She moved to his side of the bed, which was just starting to cool; he hadn't been up long. The sound of the shower turning off, confirming her suspicions.

She settled back on his pillow, inhaling in his scent. She smiled goofily, as she recalled their first night together. It hadn't been planned, and its complete unexpectedness, had somehow made it all the more special.

He'd been attentive and gentle; knowing that in some ways she was still healing from the explosion; and from the struggle with the burglar the previous night. He'd shown her more passion and love in just a couple of hours, than she had ever experienced in all the time she'd been with Matt.

She was brought from her reverie as she heard Callum walk into the living room, and then the radio was turned on, as he pottered about the kitchen.

She glanced quickly at the clock, just after 10 am. Not intending to have slept so late, she gathered some of her things together, and headed down the hall for a shower.

When she entered the living room, her hair still damp; from the shower, Callum was just dishing out two plates of scrambled egg, bacon and toast. Cups of orange juice were already waiting.

He turned, and smiled as she entered, tossing the tea towel over his shoulder, as he brought the plates over to the breakfast bar.

"Morning," he smiled, tentatively, as he put the plates down and went back for the two coffees. "I don't have any sugar…sorry," he said, as he sat down next to her.

"It's fine," she said, before taking a mouthful of scrambled egg. Her mouth watered. Damn, it was good; and she smiled in appreciation.

Callum watched her as he ate his own breakfast. "What?" he asked, as he saw her smile. Her mouth full of food, she could only shake her head, her eyes sparkling.

He raised an eyebrow. "You find it surprising that I can cook?" he asked, fighting back his own smile. "I've looked after myself since I was sixteen…" his voice trailed off and his face clouded, as if he hadn't meant to reveal so much.

They ate in silence for several minutes, before he asked casually, "Do you have any plans today?"

"I have a check-up at St. Hughes', but that's not till about 12.30."

He glanced at her quickly. "If you wanted some company, I don't mind tagging along, and then, maybe we could…grab some lunch?" He rose to his feet and headed towards the sink with their empty plates.

Emma followed him, as she took a sip of her coffee. "Don't you have work tonight?"

Callum shook his head. "The Inspector gave me tonight off…to make sure you were ok. I'm covering Smithy tomorrow night, instead. I have to go in later, and make a statement about last night." He paused in his washing up, and licked his dry lips, nervously. "So, if you wanted to grab some lunch…" he repeated.

Emma smiled over her coffee cup. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

He dried his hands, and leant against the sink, before he answered her. "I want last night to mean something more than a one-night stand. I want more, with you. So, yeah, I'm asking you on a date."

She moved closer to him, and he moved his feet to make room. "Aren't we doing things a little backward?" she asked, her eyes sparkling. "Aren't we supposed to date first and then sleep together?"

His cheeks coloured slightly. "I just…" he began, but she silenced him with a kiss. His startled gasp; made her grin against his lips.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, being careful of the plaster cast on her arm, deepening the kiss, as his hands rested lightly on her waist, pulling her closer. Finally they parted and she looked into his mesmerising blue eyes. "I'd love to have a date, with you," she smiled.

She stepped back, and her smile fell slightly. "However, I'd really like to do this appointment on my own. I need to, after what happened last night, with the break in, otherwise I'll be looking over my shoulder every time I'm alone. I refuse to live like that."

Her heart lurched, unexpectedly, at the disappointment on his face. "How about, instead of coming with me, you go and do the statement from last night, while I have my appointment? It'll mean we'll have more time to spend together, afterwards."

He thought it over, and then nodded. "Only if you let me drop you off, first," he relented. "And that you call me, if you feel like it might be too much."

She wanted to protest, but thought better of it. He was trying his best to be supportive, and his compromise wasn't really that bad an idea. She'd planned on getting a taxi, and now he could save her the trouble.

Sally entered the station and headed towards the Sergeant's office, wondering why Callum had called her, asking her to meet him in his office. She knocked gently on the door, and he looked up from the report he was reading.

There was something different about him…he seemed much more relaxed than he had been in recent weeks.

"How is Emma, Sarge?" she asked quietly. "The Inspector told me that she is staying with you, until SOCO were finished."

He shut the door to his office, allowing them more privacy so they could talk. "She had a bad night which was to be expected, but she was fine this morning. Who else knows that she's staying with me?"

Sally shook her head. "The Inspector just told me; I was wondering if it was okay to go and see her…"

Callum thought for a minute as an idea came to mind. "Actually I wanted to ask you a favour. It's about tomorrow night, and I don't want it to go any further. I have to do a statement about last night, but I'll come and find you, yeah?" he said as he opened the door to indicate the brief discussion was over.

Callum was waiting for Emma when she returned from her hospital appointment, later that afternoon. She sighed with relief as she collapsed on to the sofa, taking off her heels as she did so.

"Been busy?" he asked, eyeing the bags of shopping she'd been carrying.

She smiled shyly, colour rising in her cheeks. "Just a few things," she said with a shrug.

"How'd the appointment go?"

Emma raised her right arm; the plaster cast was gone. "Better than I hoped," she said eagerly. "Dr Sinclair thinks I can return to work next week. As long as its light duties, he thinks I'll be fine. I just need to talk to the Inspector first."

"Do you feel ready to go back so soon?" he asked, sounding dubious.

"I'm more than ready to go back, Callum. I'm going stir-crazy, having nothing to do. I need to work. Even if it is station duties." She pulled a face at the thought; station duties were every copper's nightmare.

"I guess if you feel up to it, we should go out and celebrate."

"Celebrate what and when?"

"Well, we do have a date, so why not turn it into a celebration to your clean bill of health and returning to work?"

Four hours later, Callum led her down a side street, towards a nondescript looking, pub. Its exterior was oak panelled, and at first glance Emma hadn't thought much of the place.

But once she stepped inside she instantly fell in love with the place.

The walls are tastefully decorated, with several large landscapes hung strategically around the room. Although there was no carpet the wooden floors added to the attraction. It had a homey kind of feel about it.

As it was mid-week, the place wasn't packed, but the amount of customers still allowed an element of privacy.

Callum, still holding her hand, led Emma to the bar. They'd barely sat down when the barman appeared, as if some sixth sense had alerted him to new customers.

When he realised who was waiting to be served he's face split into a wide grin.

"Mister Callum, my friend!" he said, in jovial accented English, grabbing Callum's hand, and pumping his arm up and down in vigorous delight. "You have been long time missing," his jovial tone changing, to a slightly more reprimanding tone.

Callum's smile, transformed his face as he returned the bartender's handshake. It was obvious that they were good friends.

"I'm sorry, Jose," Callum apologised, suitably contrite, when the greetings ended. "With the bombings, things have been busy…"

Jose's smiled faltered slightly, his face becoming serious and he shook his head. "Nasty business," he agreed. "I hope you catch, and throw away key," he said solemnly.

Then Jose's face broke into a grin once more. "What can I get you and your lovely lady friend?" he asked, now turning his attention to Emma, and the prospect of earning some money.

"Well, you wanted to celebrate, so one glass of champagne isn't going to hurt," smiled Emma, as Callum turned to her with an enquiring look.

Jose's mouth dropped open, and Emma fancied that she could hear his chin hit the floor. "Mister Callum, congratulations!" Jose gushed, his clipped accent making him hard to understand in his excitement. "It's about time, no?" he asked, pumping Callum's arm again.

Emma couldn't help laughing at Callum's confused expression as he asked, "Congratulations?"

"On engagement, yes?" asked Jose, suddenly feeling deflated.

The penny finally dropped, and Callum shook his head. "I'm sorry, Jose. We're not engaged. We're just celebrating Emma's returning health."

"Ahh!" replied Jose, his good humour returning. "Lady in bomb, yes?" he asked, nodding his head. Then, he shrugged, before winking at Emma. "On the house, Mister Callum," and walked off to get their drinks.

Once their drinks came, they found a quiet table away from the bar. The place was starting to fill up a bit. Emma was still giggling as they sat down.

"I'm glad you find it so funny," he grumbled as he took a sip of his drink.

"It was an honest mistake, and your face…" she shook her head, still smiling. "You know Jose, well?"

Callum nodded as he put his drink down. "We struck up a friendship when he took over the place," Callum explained. "I'd just started at Sun Hill, and it had been just one of those days, and the last thing I wanted was trouble with young lads unable to hold their drink. A fight broke out, and I broke it up, kicking the lads out. When he realised I was a police officer, it just went from there."

"I love this place," she said looking around appreciatively. "I can see why you like it."

"Less chance of bumping into people I know," he said taking another sip of his drink. He watched her a moment and then added. "You look fantastic." He thought she'd looked stunning on the undercover operation, but tonight, she'd blown him away.

Emma blushed at his compliment; and murmured her thanks.

When he'd thought of where to take Emma on their first official date, it had been an easy choice to make. He wanted a place where they could be alone, with little chance of meeting anyone he knew. He might be ready to let Emma know of his feelings, but he wasn't quite ready to share that knowledge with the rest of the world.

They talked for a while and then Callum ordered some food. When Callum went to the men's room, Emma went to the bar, ordering them both soft drinks.

Just as Callum returned to the table, Jose was just bringing them their meals. "You first lady friend, Mister Callum, bring here," he confided. "You a special lady friend."

"I hope you're not revealing all my secrets, Jose," said Callum, his ears turning red. "You'll frighten her off."

Jose looked kindly at Emma, and smiled as he turned back to Callum. "No way, Mister Callum, " he said tapping his nose knowingly. "She's a keeper."

"I really enjoyed tonight Callum," said Emma when they returned to Callum's flat. She flopped down on the sofa and took off her heels, sighing with relief as she did so.

He grinned, and came and sat down beside her, grabbing her foot and began massaging it. She sighed contentedly.

"You're a man of hidden talents, Callum Stone," she breathed, wriggling her toes.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," he acknowledged. It had been nice to relax and just enjoy her company without having to worry if anyone had seen them together. "Although I do apologise for Jose..."

"I can see why you like him," she giggled, remembering the look on Callum's face when Jose thought they were engaged.

"He was right, you know," Callum, whispered, breaking into her thoughts, his hands moving up from her foot to her calf. "You're the first person, I've ever took there. Lady or otherwise."

"I'm honoured," she said, as she caught his hand, and pulled him closer, her mouth meeting his.

Her hands locked around his neck, as the kiss deepened, and his hands began to wander.

Somehow, her fingers found the buttons on his shirt, and had managed to undo three of them, her hand slipping into the opening, his chest hair tickling her skin.

Callum pulled her to her feet, without breaking the kiss; shredding clothes as they headed towards the bedroom.