Christian slammed the door shut as he came in. He had a habit of doing that; sometimes he was a force of nature that he didn't even realise himself. "More Slater drama in the square."

"Huh?" Syed barely even looked up from his book while lying across the sofa.

"The Slaters. Stacey got into a fight with Janine in the square."

"What, a proper fight?"

"Fisticuffs and all!" Christian moved Syed's legs out the way long enough to sit where they had been, before dragging them back over his lap and smiling at his boyfriend.

"You didn't get involved did you?" Syed folded the book over his lap and leaned up, concerned. Though Christian was clearly unhurt he still automatically felt protective while he was, technically, convalescing.

Christian scoffed. "I saved that girl once, and that's enough for now. Besides, I think she won anyway and Pat broke it up. Full on girl fight though, with dirt flying about the place."

"I'm not surprised with Janine involved." Syed leaned back and picked his book up again, pretending to read while Christian's hands on his legs proved to be a distraction.

Christian leaned forward to the coffee table and grabbed the remote, turning the TV on but keeping the sound low while his other hand stroked the inside of Syed's thigh... up and down... constantly getting closer to Syed's groin as he worked his hand up, the feeling warm against Syed's jeans.

"Haven't you got another session now?" Syed asked.

"No, it's tomorrow afternoon," Christian absently threw back, not taking his eyes away from Eggheads.

"Are you sure?" Syed was tempted to get up and check the diary to make sure.

"Yeah, Alec. Tomorrow afternoon. Usual time slot."

"Oh," Syed mouthed and then turned his head to look at the table. "Are you going to give him that Tupperware back? It's been sitting there for ages."

"Yeah, I'll get round to it."

"Okay."

Syed stared at Christian, wondering if the other man had really taken in what he'd asked. He kept looking until Christian turned to him. "I'll get round to it!" Christian insisted.

Christian had been doing his best to return to 'normal' since he'd been training people again. Though he couldn't take part with them as much as he'd like, Christian wasn't one to dwell on physical injuries so he was going about business as usual.

But at night, in bed, Syed was well aware of the strain occasionally. Most of that came from overworking tender muscles and skin during the day, and wasn't so much down to any night time strenuous activities. But lately he'd been taking things much easier on Christian lately and last night had even been called out on it by Christian, who accused him of babying him.

A few weeks on and, apparently, he was 'perfectly fine, now quit your worrying'.

He wasn't perfectly fine. He was close, but not quite, and until he was Syed was going to continue to take care of Christian, as the man seemed incapable at times of taking care of himself. This wasn't a new realisation, but being with Christian almost 24/7 meant a whole new level of frustration at times. It was sometimes a wonder he wanted to marry the guy.

Christian leaned his head back on the sofa as the credits rolled.

"Who won?" Syed asked, not that he was bothered.

Christian just gave him a look. "The Eggheads. They always do."

Syed sat in silence again for a few moments; while Christian whistled part of a Scissor Sisters song and drummed his hand on Syed's leg. "Fancy going out for dinner?"

"Table for two at the Argee?" Syed mocked.

"No," Christian moaned. "Something nice, a bit further out but walking distance - maybe the Italian place we liked, the one on the other side of the tube station."

"Sure, why not."

"Great." Christian ducked back out from under Syed's legs. "Let me have a shower and then we can head out."

Christian laughed loudly at one of Syed's jokes and the sound travelled around the restaurant, making Syed blush slightly at the attention. He picked up his water and took a sip to settle himself.

Christian leaned forward in his seat and propped his elbows on the table surrounding his now empty plate. "So... you want to go see a film after? We could go the whole hog... dinner and a movie."

"Are you going to invite me home for coffee after?" Syed grinned and leaned forward, mirroring Christian's position.

"Might do." Christian reached over, grabbed one of the remaining pieces of pasta on Sy's plate and popped it into his mouth.

"Come on then, let's pay the bill and get going." Syed looked around, trying to get their waiter's attention.

"Christian Clarke! Fancy seeing you here!"

Both men whipped their heads around to find the source of the voice. Syed turned his head back to see Christian plaster on a smile as he looked up to greet the intruder.

"Alec. Still in Walford, then."

Alec stood between them by the side of the table. "You can't get rid of me that easily." He kept his eyes on Christian longer than Syed would have liked, though he had to tell himself to tone down any jealousy lest he get a reputation for it. But he didn't like it when Alec addressed him but kept his eyes on Christian, who was briefly signalling the waiter. "Syed, a pleasure to put a face to the voice."

The two shook hands slowly and Syed felt like he was being appraised.

"Likewise. So what brings you here?"

"Business dinner." He turned back to Christian. "That deal I spoke about. I'm hoping to sign the papers next week, just finalising the haggling tonight."

"Congratulations." Christian smiled politely and briefly looked over at Syed. Both of them were keen to get on with their evening, but were trying not to appear rude.

"Thank you. Once the deal is done and dusted it'll mean I'll be hanging around quite a bit longer. A nice little knock on effect for you." Alec hit Christian playfully on the arm. "I'll need to keep seeing my personal trainer!"

"Well, it'll be a pleasure."

The three of them looked at each other, slightly awkwardly.

"Listen, uh, we better get going, Sy, or we'll miss the start." Christian broke the silence as he grabbed his coat from the back of his chair, prompting Syed to do the same.

Alec stepped back a little, "Evening out together?"

"Dinner and a movie," Syed answered.

"Sounds nice," Alec nodded. "I'll let you two get on then. I'll see you tomorrow."

After Alec went back over to his own table, Christian paid the waiter and then grabbed Syed's hand. Syed turned and looked back over to where Alec was, curious to know who he was with and what the 'business' was, but all he could make out was that there were two other men in suits at the table with him, with one of them pouring wine for the table.

Once outside, he pulled his jacket further round himself against the cold as Christian zipped his own one up.

Syed looked up at Christian, who just looked back at him. "What?"

Syed put on a silly, low voice, "I'll need to keep seeing my personal trainer."

Christian laughed. "Stop being silly."

"The voice matches the body anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Christian asked as they walked down the street arm in arm.

"The man looks like he just stepped out from an Edwardian Estate for the evening. I swear he turned his nose up at me."

"You're imagining things!" Christian shook his head as he giggled. "Though you are sexy when you're jealous."

"I am not jealous." Syed's mouth hung open at the accusation, "I'm not!" He did realise there was some truth in what Christian said. He couldn't help it, not when he had a boyfriend like Christian, who could have any bloke he wanted.

"Yeah, yeah." Christian nudged his shoulder against Syed's. "You're still sexy though." Christian beamed at Syed and everything was forgotten as they walked down the street together.