Author's Note: First I want to apologize for the lack of readability in the last two chapters. I have very quickly gone through and edited the two pieces and will attempt to do a more thorough cleanup in the future.
Consider this update your xmas present. But I do have the next chapter almost finished, which may be up by xmas eve if I'm inspired by motivation between now and then. Again, please let me know what your thinking in regards to this piece. And remember, Xmas is an even better time to give reviews.
On that note, reviews are excellent motivation for writers so I urge you all to consider leaving one. And if anyone is reading 'Man Made Memories' by Catty, please leave a review in hopes that she will update soon.
Part 2: Chapter 6
Maggie sat at her new desk, files stacked high, as she remained momentarily paralyzed by the sheer volume of work surrounding her.
"Feel good to be back?" Dash commented as she sauntered past, taking a seat on her chair, her own desk now located inches from Maggie's.
"Yes" she replied, a slight strain in her voice "A little daunting," she admitted as she eyed the mountains of paperwork in front of her "Where did all this come from" she stated, motioning to the large piles that were currently creating a fort around her desk.
"We've fallen a bit behind," Dash admitted throwing her a sympathetic look as she indicated to the piles "Since you have no file reports, I think Tess saw it as a good opportunity to get the general station filing done"
"Well at least I'm helping," she stated positively, and Dash snickered slightly at the air of reluctance in her tone as she slowly grabbed the first file off the top of the highest stack.
"Yes you are," Dash commented a slight teasing in her voice "Except the fact that your dying to get back out there," she finished knowingly and Maggie opened her mouth to protest, before shutting it, giving a small nod.
"But it's still police work," she stated as she picked up the pen, flicking the file open "It's better than nothing," she added, trying to enjoy the task despite the monotony.
Dash shook her head "See if you're still saying that in a few hours" she replied dryly, as she turned back to her own desk, papers strewn from one end to the other.
Maggie was half way through her second report, when she felt herself frown as she squinted at the form, trying to make sense of the writing. She peered around the station area and gave a sigh of relief when she noticed that Ben had just hung up the phone.
She picked up the page as she rose from her chair, walking over towards his desk and he sent her a smile as he watched her approach.
"Hey there stranger," he greeted, looking her up and down as he gave her an appreciative glance "How does it feel to be back in uniform?" he asked, genuine interest sparkling in his eyes.
"Almost like I never left," she responded with a smile "I mean it would help if I knew the crazy new procedural policies but I'm getting there," she finished, a hint of frustration in her voice.
He let out a small laugh in response, indicating to the paper in her hand "Is that to what I owe your sudden appearance" he stated with a laugh as she let out a resigned huff passing the paper over, his eyes skimming the contents.
"I don't understand what it wants me to do," she admitted and he indicated for her to make her way around his desk, tilting the computer screen so she could read the information provided.
The sudden BANG snapped her attention from the screen as she instinctively turned to the source of the intrusive noise. The screen door was still vibrating from the force as PJ stormed into the station, his posture tense, eyes focused as he moved straight into his office, a louder THUD indicating his departure from the main area. She looked around the station as each of her colleagues grimaced before turning back to their work, ignoring the detective odd behavior. Self-preservation was a wonderful thing. Tess, however, looked convincingly irritated as she sauntered to his door, giving a symbolic knock before wrenching the door open and clicking it shut quietly behind her. Maggie felt a small stab of jealousy as she watched the other blonde enter his office, hating that she was buried in paperwork and he was in there, detecting with someone else.
Ben subtly cleared his throat as Maggie snapped back to attention, banishing thoughts of PJ from her mind. She gave Ben a slight nod to go on, silently communicating an apology as he continued his explanation of the new form.
Three hours later, Maggie could not help the sigh of relief that escaped when Jack plonked down the lunch box. She was instantly on her feet as she shuffled through the box, claiming her sandwich hungrily. She casted a quick look over towards PJ's office, before giving a small shrug and picking up his lunch as well. She walked over, lightly tapping on his door and for the first time waiting for the polite "Come in".
She tried to hide her surprise when she saw Tess still seated across from him, both focused upon the file in front. Two sets of eyes turned to look at her and she felt slightly self-conscious as she passed PJ his lunch.
"Thought you might not get to it," she supplied somewhat awkwardly, not quite use to Tess' presence "I didn't see your lunch in there," she stated, turning to Tess as PJ gave a small shake of his head.
"Tess brings her own," he supplied distractedly, eyes briefly flicking back to the file before glancing up "Thanks by the way, I'm starving" he admitted, eyes meeting hers briefly before turning back towards Tess and his work.
"I'll leave you to it," she stated with a small half-smile as she turned to leave the office, feeling somewhat out of place.
She clicked the door shut behind her and exhaled the breath she had not even known she had been holding. She shook her head slightly, as she contemplated the situation, trying to rationalize her feelings. What was wrong with her, she thought inwardly as she tried to quell the territorial jealously that was coiling in her abdomen. She had never had a problem with separating them from work before. Nevertheless, the little voice inside her could not help but point out that that was before a three-year separation, before the appearance of Tess and back when she actually knew how to be a police officer. She let out a small sigh, it must be the paperwork, she thought to herself, slowly making her way back to her desk. A day of endless paperwork would make anyone emotionally loopy she thought as she again picked up her pen, adamant that the faster she got through it the quicker it would end.
It was just over five hours later when PJ finally emerged from his office having suffered a barrage of telephone calls in the afternoon that had doubled the amount of work on his desk. It still amazed him how one ten minute phone call could result in four hours worth of extra work. He made his way out to the main station area, a slight tweak of jealousy forming as he watched Maggie and Ben lean across the desk, her laughter echoing through the air, both having knocked off for the night. Maggie turned at the sound of his footsteps, giving him a small smile as he walked over to the pair.
"I was waiting for you" she greeted giving him a warm smile "You've been in there for hours" she noted and he gave a small tired nod in reply.
"I just thought one of those giant stacks of paperwork had fallen over and finally crushed you" Ben joked humorously, smirking slightly at PJ's pointed look.
"Coming for a drink?" Ben asked, eyes alternating between the two of them. PJ was about to decline when Dash's voice interrupted from behind "You have to, first day back celebratory drinks," she declared with a smile and Maggie gave a small nod enthused, "Sounds like a good idea,"
"OK well I'll grab the others and we'll head on over now," Ben commented as he moved from the desk towards the locker room "Say meet in twenty," he called over his shoulder as he headed out of sight. Dash made her way towards the door, stopping momentarily "You two coming?" she prodded and PJ gave a small nod "We'll be a long in a minute," he stated as Dash headed out.
Maggie turned to him, noting his tired eyes "You okay?" she asked concerned and PJ gave a small nod, unable to suppress the yawn "Just tired, long day," he supplied as she placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Can I talk to you for a minute," he stated and she nodded as he led her back towards his office, closing the door behind them.
He had barely closed the door when she felt his arm encircle her waist, pulling her towards him as he met her lips in a hungry kiss, gently nipping at her lower lip as he rested his head against hers, his breath warm against her cheek. .
"If Tess sees us…," she murmured as he recaptured her mouth with his, soft and gentle.
"We're off duty" he responded, placing another small peck upon her lips as she moved her hands down to his chest.
"And in uniform, at the station" she reminded him, and herself, as she slowly broke apart from his embrace.
He gave a small nod but did not break his hold upon her waist as he leaned in towards her "So what was so funny?" he pried, indicating to the station area where she had been talking with Ben.
She retracted slightly, a small frown on her features and he knew his question had not come across as casual as he had hoped.
"You're kidding" she stated, irritation seeping into her tone as she eyed him expectantly, her body having gone tense in his arms.
"It's not what you think, I don't have an issue with Ben," he stated meeting her gaze as he tried to sooth her before letting out a resigned sigh at her questioning look.
"I…" he started diverting his gaze briefly from hers, obviously slightly embarrassed "I'm not trying to be possessive" he stated, irritated by his own actions "I just…want to…god I don't even know" he admitted softly, unable to deal with his unfamiliar emotions.
Maggie felt her heart tug as she watched her normally composed detective shuffle under her gaze. She met his eye and felt her cheeks flame as she turned to him "I know the feeling," she admitted meekly and he tilted his head, curiosity written on his expression.
"Tess," she supplied and felt herself blush in embarrassment as he stared at her baffled.
"Tess," he repeated although his tone seemed to suggest how ludicrous he believed that notion to be.
"She got to be in here today working your case with you," she replied in explanation as she pouted, breaking eye contact "While I was at my desk, filling out paper after paper"
His eyebrows shot up amused at her childish outburst and she sighed, cheeks continuing to burn with embarrassment as she shifted under his gaze. She opened her mouth to apologize but he lent forward capturing her lips in a soft kiss, silencing her.
"I don't want Tess, or anyone else," he stated, meeting her gaze and she gave him a small smirk in response "I know," she admitted before adding teasingly "No one else would put up with you anyway,"
He gave her an indignant huff before letting a small smile form as she met his gaze, opening her mouth to speak. "I think this…feeling…" she began deliberately sidestepping the word 'jealousy' as she met his gaze "It will fade, I just think it's because it's my first day back and I'm still settling back in and with us…and everything" she started but was interrupted when his lips covered hers, silencing her with another gentle kiss.
"You're rambling," he noted with a grin as he pulled back slightly. She nodded in recognition of the truth of his words before grinning back at him, his eyes twinkling with amusement as she leaned forward. She sighed when a sharp knock at the door signaled the end of their activities as he took a step back from her.
"Come in" he called, turning to face the bemused Ben as he poked his head into the office, giving them both a knowing look.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked teasingly, taking into account Maggie's flushed cheeks and the slightly off-balanced detective.
"No" they both replied in unison and he stifled a chuckle at the warning glare they both casted his way.
"You guys ready to go then?" he asked as they both nodded, joining the group as they headed towards the pub. Jack has sauntered up to Maggie and she turned to him, falling into step as they fell into conversation. Despite his tiredness, he could not help the small smile that tugged his lips. She belonged here. Every day it was beginning to feel like no time had passed.