Bea had been awake for hours, she couldn't get the image of Allie out of her head. The blonde had looked devastated, and she knew it was all her fault. She had hurt the only person she had ever loved in this way, and it was tearing her apart. The second she started to have feelings for the blonde, or admit that she had feelings for her at least, she knew that she had never loved Harry. What she felt for him, even in the beginning, before everything turned to rat shit, paled into insignificance compared to what she felt for the young blonde. Allie had awoken something in her she didn't even know existed, something she thought she would only ever see in movies. Yet her stupidity and insecurity had potentially gone and screwed it all up.

It was just gone ten when she arrived at Bea's. She had been pacing the flat for hours, the sleep that had claimed her so easily the previous evening had deserted her in the early hours, making for a restless night. She had been tempted, at one point, to go over to Bea's, but turning up in the middle of the night and disturbing her sleep probably wasn't the best way to work out their issues. Nor would it help her girlfriend's temper, and she was in no hurry to be yelled at again. Raising her hand, she went to knock, the door opening before she had the chance

"Hi"

"Hi, come in" the older woman said, stepping back to allow her to pass

Closing the door behind them, she followed Allie into the kitchen

"Can I get you a drink?" she asked, trying to break the tension in the room

"No I'm good, thanks though. Look, Bea…" Allie said, taking a seat at the table, opposite the older woman

"Please Allie, I need to say something" the redhead interrupted, needing to get this out before she lost her nerve

"First of all I'm sorry for snapping at you. I know you were only trying to look out for me, and it's no excuse, but I'm so used to having to take care of myself that having you here taking care of me, it threw me for a loop. I hate sitting around more than anything, but you were right, I needed to rest" she continued

"Thank you for that, but we both know that's not the problem here Bea" the blonde said, not giving much away

"I know, and I'm coming to that. I could stand here all day and make excuses for why I said what I did, but that's all they would be, bullshit excuses. The truth is I panicked, this whole relationship thing is new to me, and I don't know how I'm supposed to act. At the time I thought you were overreacting. I felt out of control, and when that happens my first instinct is to put my walls back up, and when I do that I push people away. I'm not proud of it, but it seems like the best solution at the time, and that's why I said what I did. I knew you hadn't taken anything, and I would bet my life on that, but it didn't stop me saying it. I love you Allie, with everything I am, and I'm so sorry. I've never been as happy as I have been since we met, and it kills me that I've thrown it all away" Bea said, a single tear running down her cheek as she spoke

"This is all new to me too you know. At the time I thought I loved Mia, but as it turned out I never even knew her. I loved the idea of her, and that someone wanted me. I got so swept up in it all that I mistook it for something that it wasn't. And then I met you, and you showed me what real love is. I'm scared too, and I have no idea how to be in a relationship either, but I love you, and I'm not prepared to give up on us. We can figure it out together, but we need to talk to each other when we're struggling, or if something is bothering us, not pull back, or lash out. I will always want to take care of you, and I may fuss too much, but I have my reasons, and I want you to be safe. When Oli was ten he fell out of a tree and banged his head. He's stubborn and pig-headed, just like you, and swore he was fine, and that it was just a scratch, but it wasn't. He had a blood clot, and it nearly killed him. I wasn't going to sit there and risk the same thing happening to you, and I'd do the same again in a heartbeat"

"I'm sorry, I had no idea" the redhead said, understanding why Allie had reacted the way she had

"I know, I just needed you to understand why I wanted you to follow Bridget's instructions. I also need you to know that no matter what happens, whatever shit comes our way, I will never touch another drug, and I haven't since we met. I don't need them anymore, I just need you"

"I'm so sorry Allie, this is all my fault. I never meant to hurt you. Are we ok?"

Leaning forward Allie captured the redhead's lips, her hand stilling at the nape of her neck, pulling her in closer. The feeling of the older woman's breasts pressed against her own was driving her wild. "We are now" she said as Bea took her hand and led her up the stairs

Two weeks later, Allie was working at the bar. She had been there since Bea had dropped her off at eight that morning. They needed to place the order with the brewery and she had offered to do a stock take, saving Liz the trouble of coming in early.

It was just before four when Boomer came bounding through the door, arms flapping as she excitedly filled them in on the fire two streets away that teal watch were currently attending to.

"You need to see this blondie, it's fucking awesome"

"Go on love, it's quiet in here anyway" Liz said to Allie

"Hurry up, I don't want to miss anything" Boomer replied, practically dragging the young blonde out of the door and down the street.

She had never seen Boomer move so fast, she was like a kid at Christmas. Rounding the corner, Allie took in the scene before her, a six storey apartment block was on fire, the top two floors ablaze. She could see someone being led out of the entrance door by one of the firefighters, and from their build, Allie could tell it was Vera.

Scanning the scene in front of her she saw the boom ladder extended up to the top floor. Bea was climbing down it, one arm wrapped around an infant, holding them close to her body. Half way down she handed the child over to Fletch, before running back up to assist the next victim. The ladder was moving as she made her way back, and just looking at it made Allie's stomach churn. She had always had a bit of an issue with heights, hated them if she was being honest, and she had no idea how her girlfriend could race up there like that.

She continued to watch in awe as one by one, the residents of the building were brought to safety, either through the door or down the long, long, ladder. The scene was awful, and she felt for those poor people who, looking at the state of the building, had just lost everything. But she was glad she had an opportunity to see her girlfriend and friends at work, it really was an incredible sight.

Fifteen minutes later and Maxine and Vera were out of the building, dealing with the rescued victims when all hell broke loose. She could hear Bea calling out to Franky over Maxine's radio, telling her to get out. A few seconds later there was a loud bang, and two things happened simultaneously. The windows on one side of the building blew out, and Franky launched herself out of a sixth storey window towards the ladder.

Reaching out, she managed to get one hand on the rung as Bea wrapped her leg around the stringer and leant over the side, pulling her to safety. The ladder shook beneath them as they held on, catching their breath for a minute before making their way back down. Once they were clear of the ladder Fletch ran up, carrying the hose as Maxine turned the hydrant on, a crew from another station already tackling the fire from the ground. Wandering over to the truck, Bea and Franky grabbed a bottle of water, the redhead taking a drink before removing her helmet and pouring the remainder of the liquid over her head to cool her down. Watching on, Allie could feel the familiar pool of wetness in her underwear, and the rush of heat cursing through her body, the blonde biting down on her bottom lip to stop herself from moaning.

Sensing that she was being watched, Bea turned her head, spotting Allie and Boomer across the street, along with several other onlookers. As her eyes locked with the blonde's she could feel the intensity of the younger woman's stare. Throwing her a wink she wandered over to them, Franky close behind.

Coming to a stop in front of her girlfriend, Bea took her hand. Glancing over to Franky and Boomer, who were stood watching the interaction, Booms giggling at her

"Ay Bea, I think you broke her" Boomer said, snapping Allie out of her daze

"Hey, where did you go just then?" Bea asked her girlfriend, the blonde's eyes glazed over

"Sorry, just got a bit distracted. Do you think anyone would mind if I dragged you into the back of the truck and fucked you senseless" Allie whispered into her ear, her finger trailing along the older woman's jaw

"Patience beautiful girl" Bea said, smirking at her girlfriend as she ran back to her crew, leaving a very frustrated blonde on the opposite side of the street. A few minutes later Allie and Boomer headed back to the bar, leaving them to it.

It was almost seven when they had finished putting the fire out. After speaking to Franky and getting her to collect her things from her locker, she asked Fletch to drop her off at the bar on their way back to the station. She had called Liz beforehand to make sure Allie had finished work, and once the older blonde confirmed that she was up in the flat, they headed over there. Franky had agreed to drop her keys off later, so she had to go through the bar. Wandering across the room she ignored the strange looks she was getting from some of the less regular customers, and headed for the back, climbing the stairs to the flat. She could hear the blonde's guitar playing softly. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door, calling out as she did

"Fire department, open up"

A few seconds later the door opened, and Allie stood in front of her, mouth open. Smirking at her girlfriend, Bea picked her up, kicking the door closed behind her, before walking over to the far side of the room, the blonde still in her arms. Putting her down, she unzipped her jacket, removed it and threw it on the floor.

Allie's body was a mass of raging hormones. Bea had discarded her jacket and was now standing in front of her in one of her tight t shirts, over trousers, boots and helmet, a look of pure want in her eyes. The older woman tearing her shirt open, buttons flying everywhere as her hands kneaded her breasts through her bra.

Grabbing at the blonde's skirt she lifted it up, pushing her underwear to the side as her fingers dipped into her soaking wet folds. Wrapping her left arm around her lover, Bea lifted the blonde, pushing her back against the wall as her fingers plunged into her, the younger woman crying out as she felt the redhead fill her.

"Oh god" the younger woman moaned loudly as her hips jerked trying to increase the pressure

"You like this don't you, me fucking you like this"

"Yeah…fuck…"

"I've been thinking about you all day, about making you come, about what I want to do to you, about fucking you" the redhead said, her voice low as she kissed her lover's neck

Grabbing her helmet, Allie removed it, throwing it down on the sofa, giving the redhead better access to her skin. The blonde had been wound up all afternoon, after seeing her girlfriend at work. And she had fantasised about this moment so many times, but her imagination, as good as it is, hadn't even come close to the feeling of Bea deep inside her as she rode her fingers, her back slamming into the wall with every movement.

"Harder, fuck me harder" she gasped as the older woman thrust another finger deep inside her, biting down on her neck as she entered her, leaving a mark.

Bea's arms were burning, but there was no way she was stopping. She loved it when Allie gave up control like this, begging her to take her, and that's exactly what she was going to do. Her teeth grazed over the blonde's right nipple, through her bra. The friction from the lace causing the younger woman's hips to jerk, pushing Bea's fingers deeper into her. Picking up the speed, she thrust into her, the blonde's movements becoming more erratic, before she exploded all over Bea's hand, crying out as wave after wave of pleasure tore through her body. Her body stilling, as she collapsed into the older woman's arm. Removing her fingers slowly, Bea walked over to the bed, gently placing her down.

A couple of hours later Bea's phone rang, it was Franky, letting her know she was downstairs and had her keys. Jumping out of bed the redhead threw some of her girlfriend's clothes on before heading down to collect her keys, the brunette coming to the bottom of the stairs so she didn't have to venture into the bar.

Making her way back up the stairs, she unlocked the door before stepping into the flat. Her heart skipping a beat as she took in the sight before her. Allie was standing by the bed, in nothing but her helmet, a sultry smirk on her face. Kicking the door shut behind her she raced across the room, her body crashing into the blonde's as they fell back onto the bed.

A week later, as she was leaving the station, Kaz was handed the perfect opportunity to get the proof she needed. She was heading down the corridor when she spotted Smith and Doyle chatting near the shower room. Coming to a stop, she hid around the corner, listening in to their conversation. They were arranging to meet at Franco's, an Italian restaurant in town, the following evening. After Franky informed Smith that Bridget had made the reservation, she headed into the locker room. Knowing she needed to move, Kaz ran into the shower room until the redhead had passed. Once the coast was clear she headed out. After getting into her car she called the restaurant, pretending to be Bridget, and confirming their reservation. Once she had all the information she headed home, making the call to her friend as soon as she arrived. In a couple of days she would have all the proof she needed, and Smith wouldn't have a clue.

The following evening Bea and Allie were running late. The taxi was due in fifteen minutes and neither of them were close to being ready. They had started out with good intentions, but they had gone out of the window the second the blonde had walked out of the en-suite in nothing but her red lacy underwear. She had tried to protest, tell her girlfriend that they didn't have time, but once she caught the look in the redhead's eye, she was a goner, and couldn't care less about timekeeping.

By the time they arrived at the restaurant they were half an hour late. Traffic had been a bitch, but they were fifteen minutes, and a very grumpy taxi driver, late by the time they left the house, so they couldn't blame it all on the congestion. One look at their flustered appearance and Franky knew exactly what had held them up, and she was looking forward to teasing her friend about it over dinner.

Bea was surprised how natural it all felt, being out with Allie and their friends. On the few occasions her and Harry had gone out with another couple she had felt uncomfortable to put it mildly. It hadn't helped that they were always his friends, and she had to play along with the pretence of their perfect marriage, all the while trying to hide the bruises he had inflicted on her a few hours before. But that was not the case now. Allie was everything she had ever dreamed of, and so much more.

The conversation had flowed easily, her girlfriend and Franky trading playful insults and jokes, leaving the 'grown up's' to chat amongst themselves. It was nice to catch up with Franky and Bridget away from work, and the bar. Bea had a lot of time for the older blonde. She was good for Franky. Bea had never seen her like this with any of her previous girlfriend's, not that they had lasted more than a few weeks anyway. But Bridget was different, she challenged the brunette, brought the gentle side out in her, the one she tried so hard to hide from everyone. That, and she didn't put up with her bullshit. Bea had witnessed it on a few occasions, the morning Franky had found her, a bloodied mess, on the hall floor for one. And as much as Franky has ranted and raved, paced the hospital room and shouted about what she was going to do to the prick when she got her hands on him, she had been so calm and together when Bea had fallen apart later that night. Holding her, and telling her that everything was going to be fine, she had stayed with her, holding her hand until she eventually fell asleep. The tattooed brunette was such a complex character, and very few people had taken the time to really get to know her, the kind, gently, loyal side of her that she kept so well hidden.

Franky hadn't had the best start in life. Her Dad walked out when she was a kid, leaving her with her alcoholic mother, a bitter woman who would use her daughter as an ashtray, the brunette's back covered in burn marks as a result. A few years later she had ended up in care, and had shut down the vulnerable side of herself, seeing it as a weakness that others could exploit. After that, confident, flirty Franky was born, and she kept most people at arm's length. Over the years she had come to trust Bea, maybe seeing her so vulnerable made her less of a threat, but aside from her, Boomer and Liz, she still remained rather closed off. Bridget had crashed through those barriers at a surprisingly alarming rate, in a very similar way to which Allie had broken down her walls. And yet here they were, the four of them, all very different, and from a variety of different backgrounds, finally finding happiness.

Allie's hand resting on her own broke Bea from her thoughts. Looking up she saw that her girlfriend was watching her, a look of concern on her face

"Are you ok? You looked like you were miles away" the blonde asked

"I'm more than ok, I was just thinking"

"About?"

"About how lucky I am, and how much I love you" Bea replied, reaching over and caressing the younger woman's cheek. The waiter arriving to take their order putting an end to the moment.

He went around the table taking everyone's order, coming to Franky last. As the brunette placed her order of chicken Marsala, Bea could feel the laughter building. Clenching her jaw, she tried to hold it back, managing just long enough for the waiter to be out of earshot before letting it out, her three companions looking at her like she'd lost her mind. Of all the times, now is the moment that her brain decides to replay 'that' conversation. Composing herself she glanced around the table, finding three pairs of eyes fixed firmly on her, all three of them looking utterly confused.

"Everything alright there Bea?" Bridget asked, setting Bea off laughing again

"Yeah, sorry. It's just…" she tried to reply, laughter taking over again

"Fucking hell Red, what's gotten into you?"

"Something just came into my head, sorry about that"

"Nah, you've got to share now" the brunette said

"It's nothing, really. But for the record Franky….so much better than chicken" Bea finally managed to get out, both her and Franky laughing now

"Did we miss something?" Allie asked Bridget, both blonde's completely at a lost as to what was going on

Once they had calmed down Franky filled them in on what had set Bea off in the first place, relaying the chicken / McMuff conversation they had that night months ago, in the bar. Pretty soon all four of them had tears streaming down their face, especially after the brunette had told them how red Bea had gone when she had asked her about it.

The rest of the evening went particularly well, Bea loving how at ease Allie was with Bridget. Franky and her girlfriend had developed a rapport right from the start, but the blonde had always seemed a little more guarded around the Bridget. Whatever it was that had held her back previously, appears to be forgotten, and they were chatting away like old friends.

After they left the restaurant they said goodbye to Franky and Bridget, deciding to take a walk before heading home for the night. They had been wandering around for about twenty minutes when they passed the park. It was still light outside so they decided to sit on one of the benches for a while, watching the ripples on the pond as the fish swam below the surface. After a while Bea turned to the younger woman, her hand diving into her pocket to produce a little black bag as their eyes locked.

"I have something for you. I've been meaning to give it to you for a while. You don't have to use it, I just thought it would be easier and you wouldn't have to wait around for me…" Bea rambled. The feeling of Allie's soft lips ghosting over her own stopping her

"Breathe baby" the blonde kissing her again slowly, causing her to relax instantly

"Sorry. I don't want to rush anything but I want you to have this" she replied, handing the small bag over to her girlfriend.

After studying the bag for a few seconds Allie opened it, a key dropping into her hand. "It's for the house, if you want it that is, there's no pressure" the older woman said, nerves creeping back in again

"Of course I want it. Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me" the younger woman said, tears in her eyes as she pulled Bea close. This time the kiss was anything but slow, Allie's arms wrapping around her girlfriend's waist, her hand grabbing her toned arse as she moaned into her lover's mouth. Bea's hands were roaming all over the blonde's back before coming to rest in her hair. Breathless, they stepped back, their eyes black with desire. Leaning in slightly Allie tugged on the redhead's ear gently as her fingers trailed over her stomach, desperate to fee her skin.

"I'm hungry, we need to go" she whispered, kissing down her girlfriend's neck, Bea tilting her head to give her better access

"We've just eaten Alliecat, how can you be hungry?" the redhead asked, clearly confused

"I am, and I really…really…really…want…a…McMuff" Allie said between kisses

Grabbing her hand, Bea pulled her out of the park and towards the road, hoping they wouldn't have to wait long for a taxi.