Bea's head was in a spin, she could barely concentrate as her group of friends gathered all around again. They were joking, laughing, knocking back drinks like there was no tomorrow but all the redhead could think was how on fire she felt. It was a simple touch, a gentle stroke on the inside of her knee from the confident blonde and Bea felt more than she had in a long while. Since Harry, if anyone touched her, she'd freeze up, flinch and want them as far away from her as possible but Allie was different. Yes, she froze but there was no flinching, no eagerness to swat the younger woman's hand away. The panic was there because of how close everyone was but on the whole it felt nice. That little bit of attention was nice.

Allie intrigued Bea from the beginning, ever since she stood on the driveway, explaining why she brought Debbie home, the redhead felt like she wanted to know a lot more about the helpful blonde. Over the last few weeks, she'd gotten to learn more and the more she did, the more she liked.

As the girls busied themselves over drinks and general chatter, Bea slipped off to the toilets, returning a couple of minutes later only to bump straight into the young blonde who was heading in the direction the redhead had just come from.

"Sorry about all that before," Bea blurted out quickly, wanting to get the words out before Allie found her voice. "Boomer gets a little over excited after a drink sometimes,"

"Oh that's really okay," she replied, a drunken giggle following. That amused the redhead, Allie was really okay a half hour ago. Those shots of tequila had done a bit of damage but she was doing her best to act completely sober. "I like her, she's nice and she's hilarious. Everyone has been really nice actually, they've all made me feel really welcome,"

"Well, I think they really like you,"

"Look Bea, about before,"

"It's alright,"

"No, it isn't," the younger woman insisted, shuffling her weight from one foot to the other. She seemed nervous, nothing like the confident woman that was present a little while ago. "I didn't mean to freak you out,"

"I ... I wasn't freaked out,"

"You weren't?" Allie asked and with Bea not trusting her voice, she simply shook her head. "I've just called myself a taxi, if you fancy sharing, we can drop you off on the way?"

"You're going already?" Bea followed, showing her obvious disappointment. "It's still early,"

"I've got an early start on the other side of town tomorrow," she explained, wishing she could cancel and, after picking up on the tone of the older woman's voice, she wasn't the only one wishing. "Maybe we can pick up from here another time,"

"I'd really like that,"

Allie spent the best part of the next five minutes saying her goodbyes to everyone who had been in her company for the night. Franky had got considerably more drunk in the last half an hour and Bridget was doing her best to keep her girlfriend upright, something Bea found amusing. The tattooed brunette seemed to enjoy teasing everyone else at one point or another but this was something that could definitely be used against her in the future and the blonde noted it mentally. Catching Maxine and Boomer by the bar, she spent a few minutes thanking them for a great night when the older redhead reappeared.

"She is fucking hammered," Allie laughed, nodding in the direction of a swaying Franky.

"Yeah, she'll suffer a lot in the morning," Bea returned the same giggle, watching her drunken friend from a distance. "Will you let me know you get home alright?"

"Sure," the blonde almost couldn't hide the smile that threatened her lips, without hesitating, she leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on Bea's cheek and lingered for a few seconds, the redhead's scent was addictive, everything about Bea was becoming addictive. "Just so you know when I said we could pick up from here another time, I did mean just us. I knocked back that other woman for a reason,"

Allie's flirty tone sent shivers straight up Bea's spine and the sideways smirk the blonde directed at the older woman as she left said she knew exactly what effect her whispered words just had. It was all the redhead could think of for the remainder of the night and even when she finally rested her head down in the comforts of her bed, her dreams were filled with thoughts of the younger woman.

A couple of days had passed since the night out and Allie was filing some papers at her desk whilst glancing up at the time, nearing it towards five o'clock. She'd been at it since seven that morning and even earlier the morning before that, tiredness was just about taking over. It was just after six, the blonde arrived home and after having a shower, some food and a coffee, she felt a lot better. Settling down on the sofa, she picked up her book from the side and began reading, only completing a couple of pages when the vibration of her phone distracted her. Seeing Bea's name flash up onscreen, it was a distraction she really didn't mind. They'd only managed a couple of messages to one another since the night in the bar and Allie left it at that, not wanting to suffocate the redhead.

'Hi, do you fancy that drink? B x'

Allie battled with herself, typing out a cheeky 'I fancy you' response before she deleted it.

'Sure. Usual place? Can be there in an hour A x'

'Great. See you there B x'

Just under an hour later, Allie was on her way to the bar, wondering if she had ever got herself ready in record time before. She didn't want to be late, that and she was really looking forward to seeing Bea again. Picking out the right clothes, she threw them on, fixed up her hair and called a taxi. The tiredness she felt before didn't even cross her mind now. The bar wasn't as busy as it had been, in fact, tonight was usually one of the quieter nights of the week which was perfect and Allie found the redhead instantly. She was sat by the bar having just bought two drinks from Ben who sent a cheeky knowing wink to his friend as she approached.

"Hey,"

"Oh hi, I got the drinks in,"

"Shall we grab a table?" Allie offered, sending a somewhat playful glare to Ben who was lingering. Bea agreed and moved off first, the blonde poking her tongue towards her friend before she followed. She knew she would no doubt be grilled by him later but right now, all she wanted was a seat at a table away from everyone else around. They took an empty booth, both slipping into the seats opposite one another.

"So," the older woman began nervously before Allie decided to take control of the conversation.

"I'm really sorry I had to take off early the other night,"

"Oh it's alright, don't worry about it,"

"I was having a lot of fun," her eyes glistened. "I didn't want to go,"

"Early starts and horrible hangovers aren't recommended, take it from me,"

"You've had previous?"

"Oh yeah. Got halfway through cutting someone's hair before I had to bail, left her uneven, needless to say she's never returned,"

"Fuck," Allie chuckled, taking a mouthful of alcohol from the bottle. "And there was me thinking you were a professional,"

"Oi, watch it, I may not be so kind with the scissors next time," she warned playfully, noticing the time. "I think my friends will be here soon, they usually pop in after work,"

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"No, it's not that," Bea smiled, it sounded worse than she intended. "It's just, I was sort of hoping it would just be us for a while,"

"Oh,"

"Sorry, that sounded so,"

"Perfect," the blonde interrupted with a wide grin, she really liked Bea's friends and enjoyed being in their company before but she wanted nothing more than for some time alone with the older woman.

"So, how about I do share a taxi with you this time? I've got beers at home,"

"Sounds great,"

With the emerald being quieter than usual, they managed to grab a taxi almost straight away, much to Bea's delight. Her friends were arriving soon and she'd told them her other plans would prevent her from meeting them like she usually would have done. She felt guilty for blowing her friends off but she had really been looking forward to spending time with Allie again and ever since the blonde suggested they be alone, it's all Bea had thought about.

"Shit," she cursed, fumbling the key in her hand as she struggled to find the lock. Nerves were getting the better of her, something she really couldn't control. "Fuck sake,"

"Here, let me," Allie stepped forward, giggling lightly as she took the key from the older woman's visibly shaky hand. She unlocked the door straight away, shooting a smirk at Bea for a moment. "After you,"

"I can take your jacket,"

"Where's Debbie tonight?" She asked, slipping the leather coat from her shoulders before handing it over.

"She's staying at her friend's," Bea replied, taking a few steps towards the kitchen area, before spinning around. "She's taken quite a shine to you, you know?"

"Uh huh, can't say I blame her for that,"

"You're so sure of yourself, Novak," her eyes rolled as she scanned the contents of her fridge. "Beer or wine?"

"I'll stick to beer, thanks,"

"Feel free to make yourself at home," Bea said, handing over an open bottle. "I'm just going to get changed out of these, you don't mind do you?"

"Course not, go ahead,"

"I won't be long,"

With Bea gone, Allie made herself comfortable in the lounge, flicking on the television to find a music channel. She settled back on the sofa, catching a glimpse of the redhead's sketch book that was laid open on the side table. Curiosity got the better of her and she lifted the book onto her lap, studying the amazing work in front of her. The drawings were incredible and it was pretty clear the older woman's talents didn't just end at cutting hair. There were finished sketches of Debbie, some landscape drawings and one of her group of friends, she carefully turned from page to page when she heard Bea come from upstairs, she placed the sketchbook back where it was on the table.

"Cute pyjamas," she teased, Bea wandering into the lounge in her nightwear, Allie had to stop her mind from drifting and her eyes from wandering.

"They were a gift from Debbie," she explained, sitting herself down on the sofa next to the younger woman.

"I didn't know you were so talented,"

"With what?"

"The drawings," Allie added, nodding towards the book. "Seriously Bea, they're amazing,"

"You looked at them?"

"Erm, yeah sorry, it's just the book was open,"

"Oh,"

"I only saw these two," the blonde continued, reaching round to take the book back into her lap. "And the two on the other pages,"

"Right, that's enough then," Bea said cautiously, chewing her bottom lip. "Can I get it back, please?"

"Why? You haven't got some naughty pictures in here have you?" Allie giggled.

"What? No,"

"So, let me see then," despite the redhead's best efforts, Allie managed to get to one of the last pages of the book, the drawing was unfinished but the blonde could always spot herself a mile away and knew instantly it was herself. "You started to draw me?"

"Yeah I er, I needed someone new, someone different," Bea's cheeks were blushing, her words stuttered. "You probably think I'm really weird,"

"No, that's not what I think at all. I'm actually very flattered. Your face has went the same colour as your hair though,"

"Fuck," she cursed aloud, making a feeble attempt to cover her coloured cheeks. "Can I get the book back now?"

"Sure," Allie agreed with a smirk. "If you can get it,"

"Come on, don't play games,"

"You can do better than that,"

"I can," Bea unexpectedly launched herself forward, pushing the younger woman down onto the sofa and onto her back. The redhead grabbed her work book back, not realising she was practically hovering above Allie until she felt the gentle steadying touch of the blonde's fingers on either side of her waist.

"Are you okay?" Allie's throaty whisper could barely be heard from underneath Bea's body, she was surprised that she could even manage that, the feeling of the older woman's frame on top of hers was driving her crazy. She kept her hands steady, her fingers stroking Bea's side through the fabric of her top. "What are you thinking about, right now?"

"You really want to know?" Bea asked, Allie simply nodding as she watched the woman above her gulp. "I'm thinking about how much I want to kiss you,"

"So, why don't you?"

"Because I don't really know what I'm doing,"

With that, Allie took a breath and slowly leant forward, capturing Bea's bottom lip perfectly between her own. Gently and lovingly, she engaged herself in kissing the redhead and smiled when she felt a response. It was electric. Her heart was thumping in her chest as she savoured the taste of the older woman's lips with her own. It was just how she thought it would be, in fact, it was even better. Carefully moving her hands up, she cupped Bea's face, deepening the kiss, feeling the vibrations of the groaning against her mouth.

"I have wanted to do that for so long,"