Walford is My Home Town

by MythMoonWitch

Part 3 of the "Walford is" series picks up in a slightly altered Walford.

21. Chapter 21

We do not own Eastenders, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, Doctors or Emmerdale

Chapter 22

Ray reluctantly let go of Rowan as the sunlight streaming through the window woke him. He glanced at the time and grumbled to himself as he climbed out of bed and left Rowan sleeping. He showered quickly and smiled at the sight of Rowan asleep on the bed as he came out of the bathroom. He rarely got to watch her when she was asleep, she always woke so much earlier than him. Ray tore his gaze away from her and pawed through his wardrobe until he found something to wear to work. He dressed himself quickly and made sure that Rowan was still asleep as he left the bedroom.

Ray dug in the fridge and found some bacon and set it in the pan to cook as he made a cup of coffee for Rowan and a mug of tea for himself. He finished with the bacon and set out some bread with it on a tray and set the coffee on it too. He left his stuff in the kitchen as he walked back to bedroom carefully, so as not to spill the coffee. He sat on the edge of the bed quietly for a moment and laid the tray on the floor near his feet as he watched her sleeping. She looked so beautifully peaceful when she was asleep. He sighed and tapped her shoulder to try to wake her.

"Ro," he murmured. "Rowan," he said more insistently as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Rowan drew in a deep breath and opened her eyes to smile up at Ray. She rubbed at her eyes, surprised to see him awake and obviously ready for the day.

"Morning," she yawned and shifted until she was sitting up. She leaned against him and slipped an arm around him, closing her eyes in contentment. She sniffed experimentally and smelled coffee…and bacon? She opened her eyes and peered over the edge of the bed and then looked at Ray.

"Is that breakfast in bed….for me?" she asked with a widening smile.

"I love you," she squealed and launched herself awkwardly forward to shove him onto his back on the bed. She leaned on her hands on his shoulders and looked down at him. "Thank you," she breathed and plastered her lips to his. She kissed him thoroughly and then lifted her head to smile at him.

"I love you, too, and you're welcome," he smiled up at her and reached up to thread his hand into her hair and pull her lips back down to his. Ray broke the kiss and looked up at her face.

"I like you spoiling me," she told him and gazed into his eyes.

Ray grinned as he looked up at her. "I like spoiling you, it's not often I'm awake before you," he smiled as he eased her off him and reached down to grab up the tray. "Wasn't sure what you'd want so did your coffee and made bacon" he smiled as he planted the tray on her lap and slid his arm around her shoulders. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head as he let go of her and wandered back into the kitchen.

Ray rescued his mug of tea from the counter and then brought it back into the bedroom and settled back down next to her and it.

"Though, the reason I made bacon is because if you didn't want it then I could eat it," he grinned at her and chuckled lightly.

"I know, you must have worn me out last night," she chuckled. She quickly put together a bacon sandwich and then took a sip of her coffee. She watched him come back in over the rim of her mug.

"I'm happy to share, you know that," she scolded him playfully and picked up one of the slices of bacon that was still on the plate and held it up to his mouth.

She waited until he bit into it and then let it go to pick up her sandwich and take a bite. She pointed at the rest of the bacon and put her hand in front of her mouth, she hated to talk with her mouth full. "Go on, you can have the rest," she told him around her mouthful. She finished chewing and took a drink of her coffee to wash it down and looked at him.

Ray ate the bacon with a grin and beamed at her happily as she gave him the rest of her breakfast. Then frowned once he had started eating it.

"You're alright aren't you, Ro?" he asked "You hardly ate anything at dinner last night and you've not eaten all this breakfast this morning," he sighed as he took another mouthful. Granted it was only a few measly slices of bacon that she had let him eat but still, he was allowed to worry about her.

Rowan furrowed her brow and looked at him. "I'm eating this whole entire bacon sandwich with…" she lifted the bread to check, "five slices of bacon in it. That's hardly nothing."

She took a drink of her coffee. "It's hard to eat much at one time," she told him and patted her belly. "I'll eat this now and in an hour or so I'll nibble on something else. I'll no doubt finish what I didn't eat last night sometime this morning when I've finished cleaning house."

Ray studied her and nodded. "Make sure you do Ro, I don't want you not eating," he said as he squeezed her shoulder gently.

Ray chuckled and he pressed a kiss to her cheek as he finished his bacon and dropped the plate onto the floor next to his side of the bed. He turned back to her and looked down at her happily.

She ate the last bite of her sandwich and shifted around to lean against him.

"So, I was thinking of bringing you lunch again today. I like getting out and walking and it's good for me. I could have Trevor do up a Philly steak?" she suggested.

Ray grinned at her. "I don't mind you bringing me lunch Rowan, as long as you stay with me for a bit once you've brought it," he smiled. "You must be really bored if you want to come to work with me again," He smiled at her and nodded. "Philly steak is good," he agreed with a grin.

"Of course I'll stay to eat with you," she gasped at him. "And being at work with you is not boring. I just get tired of being stuck in here. I miss you and coming to see you at lunch gets me out of the house and it also means I don't have to worry about you being late to eat lunch here," she told him. "Waiting for you to show up sometimes is tough and I get impatient."

She put her coffee cup on the bedside table and put the tray aside.

"Now," she informed him as she wound her arms around his neck and fell to her back, pulling him with her. "I think I need some quality kissing before you leave for work."

Ray steadied himself above her and grinned as his hand cupped her cheek. "Quality kissing?" he said with a raised eyebrow before pressing his lips to hers.

"I am, I promise," Rowan told him.

He nodded at her. "Good," he said.

"I didn't say moody, thank you very much, just impatient. And of course you're loved. I could never love anyone else," she assured him and traced a finger down his cheek.

Ray shrugged at her indifferently. "Moody, impatient, there's not all that much difference," he told her and his gaze softened at her words. "I'm glad that the feeling is mutual," he smiled. "I love you, too."

Rowan kissed him back enthusiastically. She wished he had the day off and stopped herself. Soon enough he would be here all the time. But now, he was going to work…and sitting across from Debbie. The name made her want to growl. She deepened the kiss instead. She wanted to be foremost in his thoughts when he left. She also thought perhaps, just perhaps, it was time for that photo to be on the desk inside of in the drawer. She didn't like the idea that she was in a drawer, not with that Debbie there.

Ray was hers. End of. This Debbie person would learn that soon enough. Rowan would make sure of that.

Ray was almost surprised at the intensity of the kiss, but enjoyed it nonetheless. He slid an arm around her back to press her closer to him and wished that he had woken up earlier. He would have to set his alarm to go off earlier in the mornings, especially if she was going to kiss him like this. He groaned into her mouth and pulled back from her lips, his breathing harsh.

"Jeez Ro, you're getting breakfast in bed everyday if I get kisses like that!" he said as he gazed down at her and pressed his lips to hers once more, in a softer kiss.

"Now I've got to go to work" he sighed regretfully as he heaved himself off her and grabbed up the empty breakfast things. He smiled at her from the doorway. "See you at lunch time," he smiled at her and waved before dumping the stuff in the kitchen and shoving on his shoes.

"That's not just for breakfast in bed," she told him.

Ray paused at the front door and smiled as he looked towards the bedroom door. "Love you, Ro," he called out before leaving the flat. Lunchtime couldn't come soon enough.

She stayed where she was, flat on her back on the bed, tilting her head and watching him upside down. She smiled and waved back at him and sighed.

"Love you an all," she called back, imitating his accent and wrapped her arms around herself as the door shut. She gazed up at the ceiling and ran her hands over her belly.

"Your daddy is a really amazing man. I can't wait until you meet him," she said to the babies. She idly bounced her feet on the bed and hummed tunelessly to herself. She turned her head and looked at the clock. She could shower, get dressed, go do some food at the pub, come back, make sure she looked as pretty as she could make herself and then take Ray his lunch and have a look at this Debbie while she was at it.

She swung herself around and got busy. She showered, put on the barest dusting of makeup, a bit of mascara and lipstick and slipped on a dark purple and blue maternity dress that had become her favorite. Ray never seemed able to take his eyes off the slightly plunging neckline. She took the time to curl her hair and then sloppily pulled some of it up into a hair claw. She studied herself in the mirror and decided she looked okay. She shoved her feet into comfortable shoes, went carefully down the stairs and out the side door. She slung her bag over her shoulder and drew in a deep breath before heading to the pub.

Ray got to work just on time and grinned at Adam as he passed on his way through to his office. His gaze landed on Alex's empty desk and grinned. Her day off today. He'd have to have some fun with that to annoy her when she got back tomorrow. He smiled warmly at Debbie as he sat down at his desk and switched on his monitor.

"Morning, Debbie," he smiled as he reached for the file he had abandoned yesterday.

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Sean left the house silently early in the morning. He set about jogging around the square. He'd picked up this habit of jogging in the mornings: it cleared his head and gave him time to think. He passed the pub and increased his pace. He still had a week until Roxy got back from wherever she'd disappeared to. He couldn't help the possessiveness he felt over her. She was his wife! She shouldn't be going off to other countries with different men! He make sure that she knew that when she got back and he'd make sure that this guy she'd gone off with knew that Roxy wasn't his! Roxy was a Slater. That made Amy Sean's daughter too! His family! No one was taking that away from him. No one!

Sean pondered what her new man was like as he ran, taking his anger out on the pavement beneath his feet and paying no attention to the people around him. Tall or short? Good looking, well, it was Roxy: the guy had to be good looking. He scowled and a dark mood settled over him as he ran.

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Alex climbed out of the bed as she heard Sam crying. He was sleeping though the night much better now and sometimes was still asleep when the childminder arrived. Though he had developed a habit of sleep-crying. She liked to check anyway, just to make sure. She opened the bedroom door carefully and peered inside to see Sam clutching at his bed and crying. She reached over and cradled her wailing son to her chest as she rocked him gently and calmed him down. She dressed him and set him in his playpen as she went to get a shower. She came out wrapped in a towel and sighed at Gene still asleep. She nudged his shoulder as she passed his side of the bed.

"Gene, you've got work," she told him as she secured her towel around her and pulled out a top and pair of jeans. Today was one of her days off and she needed to go to the shops. They were running dangerously low on food.

Gene grumbled and climbed out of bed. He noticed the way she was dressing and sighed.

"Day off then," he muttered. "Nice for some."

He got up and stretched as he walked to the shower.

"You could make us a tea since you're not in any hurry," he called over his shoulder to her and stepped into the hot water with a sigh.

Alex smiled as she finished dressing and knocked on Molly's door as she passed it. "Up Molls," she called and got a muffled grunt in reply. Alex sighed and made her way into the kitchen and put together breakfast for Sam as she waited for the kettle to boil. She made Gene's tea and left it out on the side for him when he was ready then picked up Sam and placed him on his chair. She set his breakfast in front of him and secured a bib around his neck then left him to it as she went to see if Molly was up

Alex stood in the doorway, hands on hips, at the sight of her daughter's figure umoving on the bed "Molly Drake, you get yourself out of that pit right now," she ordered and caught the pillow that was thrown at her.

Molly grumbled and sat up only to be hit by the pillow she had just thrown. "I'm up Mum," she said and sighed heavily when Alex just stood and stared. Molly pulled herself out of her bed and stood up. Alex nodded and left to go and check on Sam.

Gene got dressed and went into the kitchen, chuckling at Alex throwing a pillow at Molly.

"I got wise yesterday and got that PC that used to be the Super's secretary to come in and be mine. We've put her in your old desk. Since no one else was willing to help me with the paperwork, I've got it taken care of now. Which means, I might actually not have to work late anymore," he called to Alex as he picked up his tea and took a sip.

Alex looked over at him and beamed. "That's good news," she smiled at him as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "It also means you might be in better spirits when you do get home," she teased as she pulled out the bread and made a start on toast.

"Yeah, well, no thanks to you. You're my wife, I thought you would at least try to help me out," he growled at her and took a drink of his tea.

Alex snorted. "I'm also a Detective Inspector and have my own paper work to plow through without the addition of yours on top of what I've already got to do!" she told him. "I don't like doing paperwork either and having both me and you being moody when we get home from work isn't good for Molly and Sam," she chastised him.

"Oh, I'm going to pop down to the supermarket today. Is there anything in particular that you want me to get?" she asked.

"Yeah!"

Alex looked over at the bedroom door as she heard Molly yell. "I wasn't talking to you Molly."

Molly's head appeared around her bedroom door. "Even so, can you get some of that dried mango? Because!" she continued quickly before Alex could protest. "If you get dried mango it means I'll be snacking on healthy stuff rather than biscuits and crisps," she smiled and Alex sighed. "Fine, I'll get your dried mango."

"Thanks, mum," Molly called as she shut her bedroom door again.

Alex looked back at Gene with raised eyebrows. "Anything?" she smiled as she took Sam's breakfast bowl away and deposited it into the sink then got a towel and gently wiped Sam's breakfast off his face.

He shrugged at her question. "I can't think of anything. You know what I like, so just get what you think."

He glanced at the clock. "I better go or I'm going to be late," he told her with a sigh and pulled her around to kiss her. He patted her roughly on the behind and grinned at her before spinning his keys around his finger and heading out the door.

Alex nodded and made a mental note to restock the beer in the fridge. Running out was not an option.

Alex sighed as he left and watched him until the door had slammed behind him then turned around. "Molly Drake, if you want a lift to Albert Square then you'd better hurry up!" she called out as she picked Sam out of his seat and pulled the bib off from around his neck. She cleaned up the kitchen and looked around to see Molly emerging from her bedroom. "Come on then slow poke," she said as she grabbed her purse and shoved it into her bag before ushering her daughter out of the house.

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Ffion headed off towards work, a spring in her step. She loved going in this early and learning how to do the baking. Bradley was enjoying it, too. She was taking what she learned and baking for him at home. She wondered if she would still get to do this when JT got back. She might. Rowan was less in the kitchen, mostly because her normal take-over tendencies seemed to be magnified by the pregnancy. So she had had to promise not to come into the kitchen as often and help, unless she kept herself under control. Ffion giggled to herself and pulled out her phone to text Syed that she was on her way.

Sean caught sight of a familiar figure ahead of him and his lips curved in a grin. Pretty little Ffion. His dark mood, leaving as thoughts of getting to Bradley took over. Sure Stacy had said that she had been the one to leave Bradley, but Bradley had hurt Stacy in the past. Bradley deserved to feel some pain. Sean smirked as he slowed his pace gradually until he caught up with her. He slowed to a stroll and smoothed his face into a smile.

"You look happy," he said.

"Alright?" Ffion greeted him and nodded at his question. "Yes, I am. I get to go in early and learn to do the baking at work, which I'm really enjoying. It also means I get out of work earlier in the day," she told him. "Result all around I'd say."

She walked along for a few minutes, still surprised, but happy to see Sean again.

"And even better, I'll no doubt get to keep doing it after JT comes back from holiday because Rowan's putting in less time in the kitchen," Ffion continued finally.

"She's having twins so she's gotten massive," she added and made a large belly gesture with her hands.

"Yes, she is and she's lush," Ffion replied enthusiastically. "She's an amazing cook, I love that I get to eat there for free. She's very nice, I couldn't ask for a nicer boss," she told him. "Her partner is a bit scary though, but he's nice enough as well."

She swung her arms and spun on her toe before answering him.

"JT works there, too. He cooks. He's from the same place in America as Rowan, I think they're sort of related," she shrugged. "He cooks at the pub for Roxy, too. He's great fun and a good cook. She's really lucky she got to him first. A lot of the women around here wanted him. He's tall, he's fit," she stuck her arms out as if she was hugely muscular, "he's completely lush if I'm being honest."

Sean held in a frustrated sigh as she continued to babble on. He wasn't interested in whatever she was talking about. Bradley had a hell of a lot of patience if he was able to put up with her chatter all the time. Sean couldn't stand it. He clenched and unclenched his fists and forced himself to listen.

Sean's fists clenched again as she reached the subject he was interested in: JT. Of course the guy would be a heart throb. This was Roxy they were talking about. But now he had a brief description: Tall, good looking, and from Ffion's demonstration, the guy had some serious muscles. Now he knew who to look out for.

Sean checked his watch and made his eyes widen. "It's been great Ffion but I've really got to go. Got plans," he told her and grinned. "See you round," he added before running ahead and turning the next corner.

Ffion stopped short as Sean stopped their conversation and hurried off.

She gave him a wave and continued walking to the restaurant, eager to get busy.

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Janine watched Sean catch up to and start talking to Ffion. She glared at the pair of them. What was he doing with that idiotic little tramp when he could have her…Janine? She snorted out a breath. Stupid Welsh tart. She needed to be taught a lesson.

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Jane reluctantly crawled from Max's arms and quickly got ready for work. She glanced at her watch again. She wasn't going to have time to go home! Fortunately she'd had the foresight to stash a clean top in her bag along with her toothbrush. She never knew when she might stay over with Max and so tried to be prepared.

She glanced over at his sleeping form and pulled the clean top on over her head and hurried from the house. She wasn't sure if the girls knew what was going on, though they probably did. Just as clearly, they didn't mind, but Jane still liked to be out of the house before they woke up.

She strode quickly across the Square towards the café, a slight smile on her face, and quickly unlocked the door to get ready for the day's business.

Tanya gathered up Oscar into his stroller ready to go to nursery. She had found it was better than a childminder and cheaper too for those days when both she and Max were working. They had finally worked out a system to suit them both. Her interest was piqued by the sight of Jane hurrying across the square. From Max's house. Tanya shook her head and hoped that Jane wouldn't get hurt. She checked her watch, she had time before she had to drop Oscar off and get to the Salon so she made her way over to the Cafe and knocked on the window to get Jane's attention.

Jane looked up from filling the baked goods display and beamed at Tanya. She hurried over to the door and let her in.

"Hey, how are you? I don't usually see you this early. Are you doing the cake run?" Jane asked. "Since you're my best friend I could be persuaded to give you one of these lovely treats on the house," she said with a gesture at the case.

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Stacy stood at the end of the street and watched her brother catch up to the woman she recognized as Bradley's girlfriend. What was he doing? She frowned, folded her arms and watched them growing smaller before bending down to pick up the milk and heading back inside.

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Tanya shook her head. "Morning," she replied brightly. "Not the cake run no, Kim's turn today," she said and gestured at her son. "Oscar starts nursery today," she smiled as she stepped inside.

"Oh, how exciting. You looking forward to that, Oscar? Loads of other kids to play with?" Jane asked the little boy and handed him a biscuit.

Tanya set Oscar's buggy aside and grinned at Jane. "I'll take one of those cakes now, though," she beamed. "And a coffee, please," she smiled.

She looked at Tanya. "Okay, well pick out what you want while I get your coffee."

Tanya studied Jane for a moment. "So, what's going on between you and Max?" she asked conversationally.

She turned to pour the coffee and nearly dropped the pot at Tanya's question. She put the pot down and then placed the paper cup in front of Tanya, with the lid next to it. She nervously cleared her throat.

"I don't know what you mean," Jane replied. "We're friends, I go over there for dinner once or twice a week if he's not seeing anyone," she added, speaking slightly quickly. "That's it." she finished with a shrug and smiled weakly at Tanya. She cleared her throat again. "That's a weird sort of question to ask."

Tanya picked a small cake out of the display and popped it onto a plate for herself and watched Jane intently as she stumbled over what she was doing.

She took the lid and secured it onto the cup after blowing on the coffee for a moment.

Tanya looked on in minor amusement, but kept the smile from her face as she nodded slowly "So...friends sneak down alleyways and snog each others faces off then do they?" she asked interestedly.

Jane cleared her throat again and looked at her best friend in confusion. She wished Tanya would leave; she wasn't sure how long she could keep up the façade.

"I don't know what you mean," Jane huffed. "I don't sneak down alleyways," she insisted and it finally hit her that Tanya had seen her and Max yesterday, when he'd pushed her into that little alcove near the community center. Not a proper alleyway, but near enough. Why hadn't he kept to the rules about public displays? A little nook like that was hardly private.

Jane looked down and tried hard not to blush as she began to wipe the counter with feverish intensity.

Tanya's eyes widened at Jane's defiance. Surely she had worked out that she had seen her and Max? The blush that Jane was trying to hide behind her hair told Tanya that she had worked it out.

"So, it wasn't you that Max had pressed against the wall outside the Community Centre yesterday then?" she pressed. "Because I could have sworn that it was your giggle that I could hear, and I knew it was Max," she sighed.

Tanya stopped Jane wiping the tables by placing her hand on top of Jane's. "What did you think Jane? That I would go nuclear on you? You know as well as I do what Max is like!" she sighed. "It's not like you don't know what you're getting yourself into, just..." she sighed and shook her head again. "I can't believe you didn't tell me!" she said as she looked back at Jane.

Jane looked up at Tanya and then back down at the counter she'd been wiping. She let out a weak chuckle.

"I didn't know how to tell you. We were just friends, at first, but then he had problems with this woman called Vanessa and then Davina. I didn't expect it. I don't think he did either. We were just all having dinner one night and the girls went to bed and Max and I decided it was late and I was helping him clean up and we both reached for the same napkin on the table," she shrugged and cleared her throat. "And I stayed over that night. I don't…I don't know if…well…how serious we are, really. We've not said 'I love you' or anything. We haven't even really talked about it at all. I'm not expecting anything from him and I don't think he's expecting anything from me."

She sighed and poured herself a cup of tea.

"I'm sorry I didn't say, but, well, you might well have gone nuclear on me. I couldn't be sure. Actually, nobody really knows," Jane admitted. "The girls have probably guessed, but we don't get affectionate in public. Yesterday was the first time anything like that had happened in public."

Tanya nodded slowly and smiled weakly. "Just be careful Jane, don't get in too deep. We both know what Max is like and I don't want you getting hurt. Especially not because of Max. The last thing I need is another reason to hate him," she said sincerely.

Tanya mulled it over in her mind. It might not be such a bad thing if Jane and Max were together. But then it wasn't a bad thing if it was just a fling. She smiled up at her best friend. "Besides, the girls like you at any rate, that's better than him bringing home another Davina that the girls hate," she smiled and gave Jane a one-armed hug over the counter.

"Just watch yourself, okay."

"No, I nearly went there when he met Davina and now, I'm being cool about it," she assured Tanya. "Don't worry about me at all."

Tanya nodded and smiled at Jane. "Just as long as you're careful Jane. This is Max that we're talking about," she sighed before finishing off her cake and handing Jane back the plate. She looked over at Oscar and his now soggy biscuit and smiled as she picked up her coffee from its place on the counter.

"We've got to go, can't have him being late on his first day," she grinned and hugged Jane over the counter again before grabbing hold of Oscar's pushchair and wheeling him out with another wave at Jane.

"Yes, I am fully aware of what Max is like," Jane nodded.

She took Tanya's empty dishes and put them next to the sink.

"Okay, pop in for lunch later if you can. Have fun Oscar, bye!" Jane said and waved Tanya off.

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Gene strode into the office.

"Morning, Debbie," he greeted her, barely looking at her as he looked over the newspaper.

"Morning, Guv," she said. "Your morning tea and a plate of Garibaldis are on your desk."

He stopped and looked at her. "Ta, love."

Debbie beamed at him. "Well, you're welcome of course. Your messages are also on your desk and I'm about halfway through getting the files caught up."

"Good work."

Debbie nodded back at him shortly and dropped back into her seat and went back to her work. She glanced over and watched Gene walk into his office with a small sigh. She really liked her new boss.

Debbie smiled cheerfully at Ray as he came in.

"Morning," she greeted as he sat down. She stood up and walked over to him and made a soft tutting noise as she stood next to his desk.

"What have you done to your collar?" she asked him in an amused tone and reached over and fixed it to make it lay properly. She went to the door. "I'm going to make tea, anybody?" she looked at Ray and then glanced over at Gene.

"I'm fine, ta," Gene called over to her. She looked back at Ray and raised her eyebrows.

"Ummm..." he trailed off and let Debbie sort out his collar feeling a bit baffled. "Thanks," he told her with a small smile.

"No problem, it looked a bit funny," she told him.

Rowan was the only one who ever sorted out his clothes. Mind you, it had probably been Rowan that had messed up his collar in the first place. That Good Morning kiss. How was he supposed to make it through the day with that playing on his mind?

Ray swallowed as she spoke and brought himself back to earth. He nodded at her. "Milk and three sugars, please," he smiled at her.

He couldn't remember the last time someone had made tea for him at work. Alex certainly hadn't. It would've been back at Fenchurch when Shaz grudgingly did the Tea run. He smiled. He quite like this new secretary.

"Milk, three sugars," she echoed and left to go and fix the tea. She came back and put the mug on his desk and a plate with a foil packet of Pop Tarts on it.

She chuckled and winked at him before going back to her desk with her own tea. She picked up her own packet of Pop Tarts and opened it and broke off a piece and nibbled at it as she stared at her computer screen.

Ray looked up at Debbie as she gave him Pop Tarts too. He nodded at her and smiled before opening the packet and pulling one out .

"Cheers," he smiled at her before taking a large bite of the tart and setting his tea on the other side of his desk where he liked to keep it. He wondered idly where she had got the Pop Tarts from. He hadn't raided Alex's draw in a while so he knew that her stash was still intact. He frowned slightly at Debbie before brushing it off and enjoying the Pop Tarts that she had brought him. He definitely liked this new secretary. She was far more pleasant to have around compare to how Alex used to be. She never brought him Pop Tarts or made him tea.

Gene came back from smoking and looked at Ray.

"Is your Rowan bringing you lunch today by any chance?" Gene asked him. "Would she bring something for me and all?"

"I could get you something, Guv, when I go out to get mine," Debbie offered.

"You're alright, love, let me check first," he told her and looked back at Ray.

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Ryan looked at Stacy as they sat on the couch and stared at the TV. Sean had been out prowling around most of the day, but he didn't seem to be bothering anyone, there hadn't been any police calls at any rate.

"So, how long do you think we should stay?" Ryan asked her curiously.

"I know you're keen to avoid Janine, but I think we should stay at least until Roxy gets back. I have to watch him. He can get out of control so easily."

Ryan nodded his understanding and slipped his arm around her shoulders.

Rowan greeted Peggy and Whitney cheerfully as she came into the pub. She went into the kitchen, Whitney hot on her heels, and started making some simple things that could be quickly thrown in the oven or reheated easily. Whitney happily fetching and carrying for her.

"There, all pretty easy to go from there," she told Whitney once everything was ready and the large pan with steak and kidney pie in it was in the oven.

"Just call me if you have any questions," she said and Whitney nodded.

"You're sorted for lunch today, Peggy," Rowan told the woman as she came out. "Can I have an orange juice, please, I'm really thirsty."

Peggy nodded and poured it for her as Rowan levered herself up onto a stool. She sighed and looked at Peggy.

"I don't suppose October came while I wasn't looking?" she asked hopefully.

Peggy laughed. "Afraid not, darlin'," she told Rowan and went to unlock the door to let the punters in.

Rowan watched her go and pulled out her phone and texted Syed to see that a Philly steak sandwich with chips and a chicken salad sandwich were ready when she got there for her to take and have lunch with Ray. Syed texted her back he would get right on it.

Sean sat on his own on a park bench. He was going to have to find something to do, he couldn't stay around here all day doing absolutely nothing. His gaze fell onto the Garage, he saw Ricky working there and made his way over, he was good with cars. He wouldn't go to Peggy and ask for a bar job because he knew that she wouldn't give him one. Though a bar job would be convenient for when Roxy got back. There was always the club, but Ronnie hated him too, so that wouldn't work. He wondered where Ronnie was, he hadn't seen her around at all within the past two days. It was odd to say the least. No one had mentioned her going away with Roxy and JT.

Sean leaned against the side of the Garage as he watched Ricky work and cleared his throat to get his attention.

Ricky looked up from the work he was doing and his jaw dropped, along with the rag he was using to wipe his hands on. He quickly picked it back up and looked at Sean.

"Can I help you?" Ricky asked curiously, from Whitney's description he thought this was probably Sean Slater.

Sean nodded at Ricky. "Yeah, you can," he replied shortly. "Does Phil Mitchell still own this place?" he asked as he looked around the garage curiously. It hadn't changed much at all. In fact it was almost exactly the same.

"No, mate, Pat does, but I run it for her," Ricky replied. "What do you need?"

Sean studied the bloke. He seemed far too pleasant and amiable.

"I was wondering if you've got any jobs going? I've worked in a garage before," he added.

"No, I don't, sorry, mate. There's barely enough work to keep me and Minty busy," Ricky told him. "But look, leave your number yeah, and if something comes up I'll let you know."

Ricky wiped off the screwdriver he'd been using.

"You know, if you're not picky, I think R&R is hiring. One of the lads working there left to work full time at his other job. Peggy's running it while Roxy's away, so you could talk to her about it," he suggested. "Can't think of anywhere else," he shrugged.

Janine walked up to the garage, she had been a little surprised to see Sean go there. She smirked as she overheard him asking Ricky for a job.

"Hi, Ricky," she greeted and then looked at Sean and smiled at him. "Aww, is he asking you for a job?"

"Alright, Janine," Ricky said. "Yes, he is."

"You should know, dear brother mine," she began and shot a snide look at Sean, "that that is Sean Slater, brother to Stacy, the woman who ran off with my husband," she stated.

Ricky looked at her. "Well, it doesn't matter Janine, cause I've got no jobs going anyway." He looked at Sean and spread his hands helplessly.

"Run along now," Janine chirped and waved her hands at Sean.

Ricky sighed and rolled his eyes and went to rummage in his tool box again.

Sean nodded and scowled. Roxy owned the Club? Since when? He gave the guy a half smile and reached for the pen that lay on the side. He wrote his number on a scrap of paper and left it there

Sean's scowl darkened at Janine and he glared at her. What was this woman's problem! Stacy had Ryan! Big deal! From what Stacy had said she and Ryan had been together for a while now. Janine really needed to start getting over it. He half-snarled at her patronising tone and glared at her before stalking away.

"I've heard things about him Ricky," she told her brother quietly. "You should avoid him."

Ricky looked at his sister, huffed out a breath, but nodded. Janine smirked at Ricky's back and left the garage.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Ray looked up at Gene and shrugged. "I'm sure she won't mind," he replied as he pulled out his phone and dialled Rowan's mobile number. "Hang on, I'll ask her," he smiled as he held the phone to his ear and listened to it ring.

Rowan pulled her phone out of her bag and smiled to see Ray was calling.

"Hello?" she answered. "Is that the sexiest man in the world calling me?" she asked cheekily as she walked into the restaurant.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Alex brought Sam into the house first and left him in his playpen while she went and collected the shopping bags out of the car. She dumped them in the kitchen and started unpacking them methodically as she switched the radio on. She laughed as she heard Sam gurgling along with the music. She loved her days off, though found them more enjoyable when Gene was off work with her.

Tanya took Oscar along to nursery and left him in the capable hands of the people there before hurrying to open the Salon.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Jane left Bianca in charge when she came in at lunchtime and went to the car lot.

"Alright, Jane? What can I do for you?" Max asked.

"Can I have a word, in private?" she asked. Bradley looked from Jane to his father, sighed and nodded. He got up and went outside the office, making sure to shut the door behind him.

"So, what's the matter?"

"Tanya knows. Apparently when you decided to have your little fun by the community center, she saw us. She's not mad, though. She just told me to be careful," Jane chuckled.

Max felt his heart stop at her words and slowly relaxed as finished talking.

"Well, I suppose I should be relieved that she knows," he remarked. He put a hand on her cheek and kissed her.

"You can be as careful as you want. But I have no intention of hurting you," he told her seriously. Jane smiled.

"Thanks, I'll see you later. I left Bianca on her own, at lunch."

Max nodded and watched her leave. No, he had no intention of hurting Jane, she was amazing.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Sean waited in the shadows near the community centre for Janine. Someone really needed to teach her how to treat other people. For some reason the woman got him agitated and he didn't like it one bit.

His arm flew out and caught hold of her as she passed and he pulled her until her back hit the wall. He glowered down at her

"You've really got some issues" he growled "We're going to fix them!"

Janine stifled a scream as she felt herself jerked into the shadows. She found herself being slammed against the wall and then face to face with Sean.

Her lips curved into a wicked smile at his words.

"Oh, are we?" she purred and her hands snaked out and pulled his hips to press tight against her. "I suppose I have been a very…bad…girl," she said slowly, her tone provocative as she moved her face close to his.

Sean was a little taken aback at her reaction but he scowled down at her and pushed at her shoulders to move her away as he took a step back from her with a disgusted look before slamming her harder into the wall.

"You need to stay well away from my sister and Ryan," he growled at her.

His eyes ran down over her as he spoke. She wasn't so bad looking, and clearly desperate. He mentally berated himself. She was trash! He shouldn't be looking at her in that way!

Janine bit back a yelp as he slammed her harder against the wall. She looked at Sean and smiled.

"Oooh, so forceful," she breathed and smirked at him.

Sean snarled at her. "Whatever," he ground out as he let go of her.

"Just stay away from them," he told her.

"I haven't gone near them since they got back. She wants Ryan, she can have him. He was useless in bed anyway. He couldn't satisfy me," she said regretfully. "I've never had a shortage of offers anyway."

Janine snorted. "Well, you don't seem to want the same thing I do, shame really," she told him and trailed the tip of her tongue over her lips. "I'm very good."

She looked him up and down. "Come to think of it, you might not be worth it," she sniffed arrogantly and turned to walk away.

Sean stared after her. The woman was presumptuous! Not worth it! He sniffed haughtily. He leaned against the wall as he watched her walk a few paces.

"Then again, I might be worth it" he said just loud enough for her to hear as he folded his arms to watch her.

Janine stopped and slowly looked over her shoulder at him. She put her hands on her hips and bit her lip as she looked him over.

"If I do something for you will you do something for me?" she asked in a teasing tone and ran a finger down his chest.

Sean grabbed her hand with a growl and pulled it away from his chest.

"No," he said and stared at her curiously. Then rethought his answer.

"Depends what you want" he added.

"Maybe next time," she said and tilted her head at him before turning back around and continuing on her way, a self-satisfied look on her face.

Sean frowned after her and waited until she had vanished before heading back to the house.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Ray grinned as Rowan picked up and raised his eyebrows at her question.

"That depends. You might think so," he grinned down the phone. He hadn't realised that just the sound of her voice had brought his face into a happy grin.

"Ro, the Guv wants to know if you can bring him something to eat when you pop in later?" he asked.

"I definitely think so," Rowan told him and rolled her eyes at the faces Syed was pulling at her.

"Of course I can, I was just getting ready to leave actually. What does he want?"

Ray shrugged. "Dunno, hang on," he pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at Gene. "She wants to know what you want," he told him. "She's about to make her way over now," he added.

Gene shrugged. "I don't know, I'll have whatever you're having," he replied with a gesture at Ray.

"There, see darlin', sorted. You just have to know people," he teased Debbie and flashed her a grin.

Debbie chuckled and looked back at her computer.

Rowan giggled as she heard Gene on the other end of the phone. Ray nodded at Gene and made to relay the information to Rowan when she started talking.

"I heard that, Ray, same thing you're having," she gestured at Trevor to get it going and he nodded. "It's started now and I'll leave when it's ready. Shouldn't take too long. I'll see you soon," she told Ray and flipped her phone shut. While the food was cooking she went into the bathroom to make sure her hair was still the nice, artfully messy curls it had been when she'd left. She gave her make up a quick once over and smiled. Soon she would get to see who this Debbie person was.

She went back to the kitchen and picked up the bag that Trevor had packed the food in and headed out of the restaurant.

She nodded at Adam as she passed and went straight to Gene's office, pulling out the container with Gene's food in it as she went. She stopped short at the sight of Debbie and quickly hid her dismay. The woman was very pretty. Rowan felt her heart sink like a stone. She quickly looked at Ray and smiled at him before taking Gene his food. She glanced over at Debbie again who seemed to be deep into whatever she was working on and walked over to Ray.

Ray smiled as he spotted Rowan. He had noticed recently how much being pregnant seemed to suit her. As much as she got moody and impatient, she also seemed to glow. He leant back in his chair and took her in as he passed him to see Gene. She had curled her hair again, he noted with a small smile and his eyes skimmed down her back. And that dress. He grinned broadly as she turned and made her way over.

"Hello, acuisle," she greeted Ray and put the bag on his desk.

"Hello," he smiled.

She leaned over to kiss him and then put her lips next to his ear. "Shall we go somewhere private to eat?" she asked him and straightened up.

Ray grinned up at Rowan happily and sighed once she broke the kiss. He stood and slid his arm around her shoulders. He dipped his head "Where would you suggest?" he murmured quietly

"Well, I don't know, is there somewhere in the building? Your old office maybe?" she wondered. She glanced over at Gene and looked back at Ray. "I don't want to upset 'the Guv'," she told him quietly and huffed a quiet laugh.

Debbie looked up and saw the pretty pregnant woman talking to Ray. She stood up and stepped around her desk.

"You must be Rowan, hi, I'm PC Debbie Allen, DSI Hunt's secretary," she said with a smile.

Rowan stiffened, but turned to Debbie and forced a smile.

"Hi, yes, I suppose I must be," she replied, trying to sound friendly, but knew her words sounded clipped. She shook Debbie's offered hand.

"You're just as pretty as Ray said you were," Debbie told her after shaking Rowan's hand.

"Oh, thank you," Rowan replied, her accent starting to thicken. She inwardly cursed herself; it was the one thing she couldn't control. "So are you," she added, feeling the words like poison in her mouth. She tightened her grip on Ray's waist possessively, her hand unconsciously fisting in his shirt.

"Well, look at me, keeping the pair of you from enjoying your lunch," Debbie said.

"Yes, look at you," Rowan echoed, her accent thickening further. "We do need to go, my time with him is a-wasting."

Rowan smiled, trying hard to keep it from being a grimace. She held the bag tight in one hand and Ray's shirt in the other and urged him out the door.

Ray looked at Rowan with a small frown as she led him away. Why had she started to get angry? He thought carefully and worked out that it had started when Debbie had introduced herself. What was wrong with Debbie? She was perfectly lovely, making cups of tea and giving him Pop Tarts, too. He waited until they were in his old office and the door was shut then rounded to face her. He gave her a searching and reproachful look

"What was that?" he demanded to know as he looked over her "What's wrong?"

Rowan's eyes widened and then narrowed.

"What, Ray, she's….she's…pretty," Rowan said helplessly. "She's going to be sitting across from you all day, how am I supposed to feel when I look like this?" she gestured at herself.

"Sitting there with her thin, perfect figure…and she's obviously single. I brought you lunch today just so I could see who you said was so pretty last night."

She hated how she sounded, but she couldn't help it.

"If she lays one hand on you, I will make sure she doesn't do it again," she continued, feeling her temper rise again.

"You are mine, Ray Carling," she said as she pushed him against the wall, her hands fisted in his shirt. "And she is not getting her grubby little paws on you."

Ray slid his arms around her. She had only brought him lunch because she wanted to spy on his colleagues? He felt a little disappointed. He thought it was because she wanted to spend time with him.

He pulled her away so he could look at her. "Firstly, I wouldn't want her anyway, as nice as she is, she's not you. How could you even think that I would want anyone else Rowan? And yes she's pretty, but so are you Rowan, but you're more than that, you're radiant," he smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Because I'm huge and my hormones are making me crazy," she sighed.

Ray sighed. "You're not huge, Rowan, you're beautifully pregnant," he smiled at her. "Besides, she's not interested in me Ro, she's been drooling over Gene all morning," he chuckled.

She bit back a laugh at his remark. "Well, she clearly has no taste then," Rowan sniffed haughtily and then smiled at him.

Ray pulled her close to him again and pressed his lips to hers. His grip on her was tight and he switched their positions so that she was the one pressed up against the wall. "I don't want her, Rowan," he murmured as he pressed kisses to her neck.

Rowan felt her knees weaken as he kissed her. She slid a hand up around his neck and found herself gasping for breath as he broke off the kiss. She slid her fingers into his hair as she felt his lips on her neck.

"Glad to hear it," she moaned and reached her other hand down to grab his hand. "Oh, Ray, always wanting your pudding before the meal," she breathed and put his hand on her leg and slid it up under her skirt.

"I'm not wearing anything under this dress," she panted. "Never doubt that I was here 99.9% to see you."

She knew her belly made against the wall impossible, but there was a table handy. She slid his hand up farther, over her behind, so he would have no doubt about what she wasn't wearing.

Ray groaned at the feel of her bare flesh beneath his hands. He stroked his way up her leg as he continued his kisses along her neck.

Rowan shivered at his groan.

"Pudding is more enjoyable than the meal," he breathed as he moved his lips back to her own.

Ray moved her away from the wall and backed her against the table. He smiled down at her. "I'm glad you're here to see me, I'd get jealous otherwise," he grinned at her as he lifted her easily and sat her on the table. He slid his hand back down her legs and looked at her questioningly. "So, for what purpose are you not wearing any underwear?" he asked with a smile.

Rowan raised her eyebrows at Ray's question and trailed her fingers down his chest until she reached his waist. "You're a DI, I'm sure you can figure it out," she replied tartly.

Ray curled his hand into the hem of her dress and eased the material up then slid his hands over her bare hips and further up her back. "Well, seeing as I'm a DI, and part of my job is to look for clues..." he trailed off as he pulled on the material again, easing it gently over her tummy. "And seeing as it looks as though I'm supposed to figure it out on my own, I'm going to have to search for clues aren't I?" he replied as he lifted the dress over her head and leant her back onto the table.

Ray took her in, a hungry expression on his face before kissing a line down her neck, he paused as he reached her breasts. "Now, something is definitely amiss here," he said with a small frown. "I'm going to have to investigate," he said before dropping his lips onto her flesh once more.

Rowan couldn't hold back her moan at his lips on her skin.

She was dimly aware that she was naked…in the police station. 'Was the door locked?' briefly crossed her mind, but she was too wrapped up in the fire Ray's hands and lips were igniting in her to care. Her fingers twined into his hair.

"Oh, Officer, do you think you can help me?" she gasped. She could play, too. She stretched an arm out and trailed her fingers up the inside of his thigh and then pressed her hand between his legs. "You have such a big gun, Officer; I'd do anything if you'd help me."

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Rhys and Ginger walked down the hall. Rhys suddenly stopped at a strange noise coming from behind one of the closed doors. He put his ear to the door and looked at Ginger as he put a finger across his lips. His eyes widened and he covered his mouth to keep from laughing out loud. He pointed at his ear then the door and ran down the hall. He stopped when he reached the end of the hall, watching Ginger as he shook with silent laughter.

Ginger looked at Rhys curiously, but did as Rhys suggested. His eyes widened, too and he bolted down the hall after Rhys. The pair of them hurried outside and once they reached the bottom of the steps, collapsed into hysterical laughter.

"I can't believe he's doing that in the station!" Ginger remarked.

"Do you think the door is locked?" Rhys wondered.

"You!" Ginger said and walloped Rhys on the back of the head as they began to walk towards the café.

"I didn't mean it that way. I just meant, I hope they don't get walked in on," Rhys retorted defensively. "Besides, we know the Guv was doing it with the missus."

"True," Ginger conceded. They both shook their heads and laughed again before continuing on.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Ray groaned at the feel of her hand and stopped what he was doing to look up at her. "I think I can help you, yes," he gasped out before pressing his lips to hers again as his hands left her to push his trousers down. He looked at her again and ran his hands up her sides as he kissed her.

"We are here to help after all," he mumbled, "in the job description," he added as he cupped her face and moved her legs to wrap around his waist.

"Then you better hurry, Officer," Rowan moaned and used her bare feet to help him push his trousers down.

The feel of him between her legs was more than she could bear. What was he waiting for? "Because I'm not sure I can wait."

She wrapped her hand around the one he had cupped against her face and pressed her lips to the palm of his hand and then slowly drew one of his fingers into her mouth and slid it out again very slowly. She fixed her eyes on his face, wishing she could hold him tight.

She tightened one of her legs around him to urge him to get on with it. She wanted the feel of him inside her.

"You're so close to solving the case, Officer" she said thickly. "So close. It's right there," she gasped out and nudged him with her foot with every word. Did he want her to beg? She would beg.

"Oh, please Officer," she pleaded.

Ray shut her up by pressing his lips to hers, his hands holding onto her thighs as he finally thrust into her and moaned as he broke away from the kiss.

Rowan had been jealous of Debbie? He could see why but that didn't mean he understood. Sure Debbie was pretty and everything but he had no interest in her at all. Not when he had Rowan.

Rowan's body arched and she couldn't hold back. She cried out as he thrust into her.

"Oh, yessss," she gasped out. Glorious perfection. She wondered if it was this amazing for every pregnant woman. She shifted her leg so that her ankle rested on his shoulder, while her other was slightly looped around his waist. She gazed up at him, wishing she could kiss him but the reach was too difficult, and at the same time, drowning in the sheer pleasure of him moving inside her.

Ray groaned as he moved inside her. She was completely amazing, he didn't think he would ever stop wanting her. Her possessiveness over him had both shocked him and delighted him: he was glad that she felt exactly the way he did when she was around other men.

His hands held onto her thighs and stroked up and down her legs as he moved.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Gene noticed his tea mug was empty and looked up from his desk. Debbie wasn't there. She must have gone to fetch her lunch. He huffed out a breath and got up. He headed down the hall and paused outside the kitchen. He thought for a moment and then decided to have a smoke first.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Shaz had had enough of work. Her stomach was grumbling and she was fed up. She glanced over at Chris and then looked over at the clock. She nodded resolutely as she stood and made her way over to her husband. Shaz perched on the end of Chris' desk and watched him work for a moment. She smiled at him when he looked up and blushed as her stomach chose that particular moment to grumble again

"You ready for lunch yet?" she asked "I'm wasting away" she grinned as she covered her stomach with her hand. She really shouldn't have skipped breakfast.

"Yeah, I could definitely do with some food," he agreed and got up. He spotted Gene heading towards the door that led to the back where they could smoke.

He looked at Shaz. "Just one fag," he promised. "Come with and you can make sure," he urged and dragged her down the hall after Gene.

He nearly ran into Gene as the man stopped short at the sound of a loud cry from behind one of the closed doors.

"What is it?" Chris asked. Gene held up his hand. He heard another noise, that door...there.

He looked at Chris and Shaz and put his finger over his lips to indicate silence and then reached out for the doorknob. He turned it slowly, quietly. It wasn't locked, it turned easily under his hand. He looked at Shaz and Chris again and heard another softer cry from inside the room and pushed open the door and took a step in...and immediately wished he hadn't.

"Jesus Bloody Christ!" he bellowed at the sight of Rowan on her back and naked on that table. Ray still had his shirt on at least and from this angle, the table and Rowan's body blocked anything else. But still.

Rowan gasped in shock at Gene's shout and hurriedly wrapped her arms over her chest. She caught the barest sight of Chris and Shaz and felt her face burn.

Gene quickly turned his back, looked up and down the hall and then staggered away.

Chris stood and openly gaped. He'd almost forgotten Rowan's nice pair-sonality and her flexibility. He reminded himself that Shaz was there and quickly turned his back.

"Sorry," he hurriedly muttered and pulled Shaz away from the door, shutting it behind him.

He looked at Shaz. "Oops."

He quickly turned to hide his body's reaction and tried to think horrible thoughts to make it go away quickly before she saw.

Rowan lay frozen, her body shivering slightly from the tension, her eyes squeezed shut as she heard Chris say sorry and heard the door shut. She was terrified, and embarrassed, humiliated, horrified, but she was still overwhelmed with wanting Ray.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Ray. Just another minute and she'd have been there,and not perched on the edge like she was now.

Gene slammed outside and angrily pulled out a smoke and lit it, drawing a deep long drag into his lungs. He wanted to berate Ray, but did he really have the moral high ground. He'd certainly had Alex a number of times in his office, but at least he'd had the foresight to lock the door.

He paced across the small patio and took another drag. He also hadn't stripped Alex down to the skin. Yes, Rowan was admittedly a cracking bird, very pretty, nice curves, but he'd never really wanted to see her naked. Only Alex. He squeezed his eyes shut and leaned against the wall, hoping the images would soon leave his brain.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Shaz sighed, but allowed Chris to drag her behind him. Why he couldn't snake and walk to the Cafe she didn't know. Her stomach growled and she shushed it in frustration

Shaz peered over Chris' shoulder to see what had made Gene swear and immediately regretted it. She bit back a laugh and pulled Chris away. She hid her face in his chest as she fought her laughter and then tugged on his hand.

"You think they'd have the foresight to lock the door!" she gasped and tugged his hand again. "C'mon, I'm starving, you can smoke as we walk to the Cafe," she smiled and let out a small chuckle.

Chris took a deep breath, grateful his body's reaction had subsided and he gave Shaz a shamefaced smile.

He nodded at her suggestion.

"Probably a good idea," he muttered and hurried along to the cafe with her.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Ray gaped down at Rowan, his eyes still wide. He swallowed and leaned down to press a kiss to her belly. He rested his forehead there for a moment the raised his head up to look at her. He was very aware that neither of them had finished and he reached over to take her hand.

Carefully he thrust into her once more and a groan left him and he squeezed her hand before releasing it and moving again at a slightly slower pace

"Should've locked the door," he muttered.

"I thought you had."

Rowan let her shock fall away as Ray was moving inside her again. She squeezed his hand back and let her mouth fall open as her breathing began to come in great whining gasps.

She began to mutter softly as she felt herself moving closer to the edge, his slower pace exquisite torture.

His name was torn from her in a long, low moan as the force of her orgasm made her body shake. She snapped her teeth together to bite off a scream and slammed her hand over her mouth when she realized she couldn't stop it as she had a second and a third. He always drove her to this, not that she was complaining.

And his always set her off. She loved going with him. It was always the best and last.

Ray shook his head in answer to her comment and gasped out her name as his grip on her thighs tightened and his whole body went taught as his release finally came. He moaned his way through it with his eyes closed. She was incredible, he couldn't put it into words.

Ray looked at her as he panted for breath and eased her up. He held her shoulders as he helped her back onto the floor and smiled at her.

Ray grinned as he passed her her clothes back and pulled his trousers back up.

She slowly calmed her breathing as she gazed at him. She felt completely drained and spent. She gazed up at him, wanting to sit up, but at the same time wanting to be lying next to him, being held tightly in his arms.

Rowan gratefully took back her dress and pulled it on over her head.

"I'm not sure I'll be able to show my face around here," she admitted and finally raised herself up on her elbows.

"But then who is going to brighten my day?" he asked and his gaze fell on the bag of food she had brought with her. "Besides, it's not like Gene and Alex haven't done it at work," he shrugged and kissed her with a smile.

"Oh, all right then. But we can't do this again. Yes, I know they have, you've told me enough times, but, I'm so embarrassed now," she told him and put her forehead against his chest.

She lifted her head and pointed at the desk in the corner.

"Can we eat now? I'm suddenly ravenous," he smiled.

"Yes, but let's eat over there. And what do you mean suddenly? You're always ravenous," she teased.

Ray shrugged. "More ravenous than I already was then," he replied as he led her over to the smaller desk and grabbed up the chairs. He took his seat and dragged the bag of food towards him.

Ray peered inside and pulled out his lunch and licked his lips as he opened the container and grabbed the cutlery that Rowan had brought with her. He looked up at her once more and grinned before tucking in.

"I hope the bread on the sandwich isn't soggy now," Rowan said ruefully. She pulled a pair of clean knickers out of her bag, she hadn't intended to go commando all day, only for Ray, and then sat down.

She grabbed her small container of chicken salad out and a fork and began to eat.

"I imagine they'll all think you're quite the stud now," she said. "I can't get angry about it, but, I'm sure Chris and Shaz won't keep it to themselves," she mused. "And there was me, so shamelessly and obviously enjoying myself."

She glanced at him from under her lashes. "Of course, I can't help it. It's what you do to me."

Ray bit into his sandwich and shrugged at her. "Don't worry Ro, something else will have happened soon enough and it'll be forgotten," he assured her.

He grinned at her and swallowed his mouthful before leaning over and kissing her cheek. He moved his lips to her ear. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," he murmured before pulling back and grinning and taking another bite of his sandwich.

Rowan looked at him and smiled. "I hope you're right, and like I said, how could I not?"

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Gene finally finished chain smoking and calmed down enough to walk back towards his office. He stopped and looked at the door. He could hear the murmur of conversation and tried the door again. Still unlocked. He opened it slightly and then all the way. He stuck his head in, was relieved to see they were finished and dressed and walked inside.

He looked at them both.

"Now, I have no place to judge what you just did in here, apart from being really bloody upset you did not even think to lock the door. But I'll tell you now, it doesn't happen again. I'm DSI now, I have to make sure this place has a decent reputation. I don't do it here, and I expect the same out of you."

He leveled his finger at them.

Rowan hung her head. "Sorry," she whispered.

"Don't apologize, just don't let it happen again."

He turned and left the room and headed back to his office, nearly knocking Debbie down in the process.

"Sorry, love," he said gruffly.

"What's the matter?" she asked curiously, her tone slightly worried.

"Oh, nothing, just walked in on my DI shagging his girlfriend, partner, whatever...in one of the interview rooms," he growled.

Debbie's eyes widened.

"You mean...Ray? And..umm..Rowan?" she gasped.

"Well I could hardly mean my wife," he snapped. He saw her face fall and sighed. "Sorry, I just...I think Rowan is a sweet bird and that's just not how I ever wanted to see her...like she was in there...without a stitch on."

"Oh," Debbie said, her tone implying "awkward" and she sat down at her desk.

"Yes, well, I'm going to finish my lunch if I can," he informed her and went into the office, closing the door behind him. Debbie watched him and sighed.

Lucky Rowan! That Ray was a pretty well set up man and he looked the lusty sort. But if he couldn't keep his hands off her even when she was so hugely pregnant, Debbie knew she shouldn't bother. Her eyes drifted towards Gene's office again. Besides, Gene was so...she shrugged to herself. He just had something.

She turned back to her computer.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Rowan finished her lunch when he did and gathered up the containers and put them back in the bag.

"I should let you get back to work," she told him with a sigh. "I don't want you getting in trouble for anything else, especially don't want it to be my fault."

She got up and sat down sideways on his lap and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"I'll be expecting more of that tonight, I think," she whispered in his ear and gave him a long, slow kiss. She reluctantly broke off the kiss and stood up.

Ray sighed and slid his arms around her, holding her against him. He hated letting her go. If it was up to him, she would never leave him! Though, sometimes it was good that they weren't always together, as much as he enjoyed her company, he still had other friends to mingle with. If they were together all the time then they would get sick of each other. At least, that's what he told himself.

"Walk me to the door?" she asked and headed out of the interview room.

He nodded. "Come on then," he smiled and patted her hip as she slid off his lap. He took her hand with a smile and opened the door to his old office, half expecting an audience. He felt more relaxed when he realised there wasn't one there. He squeezed her hand and walked her down the corridors until he reached the lobby. He glanced outside then turned her and kissed her once more before pulling away with a smile.

"I'll be home around 5," he informed her.

She pulled Ray down for another kiss at the door and then stroked his cheek briefly before heading outside. She looked back and waved and walked off.

/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\/\\/\/\/\\/\\\\/\/\\/\/\

Ffion crossed the Square and saw her brother and Ginger laughing hysterically as they made their way to the cafe. She bounded over and thumped them both on the back of the head before dancing around in front of them and grinning.

"What are you two laughing at?" she demanded to know as she walked backwards in front of them.

"Sorry, can't tell you," Rhys told her.

"Nope, you are too young," Ginger agreed and they both chuckled.

"Oh, come on. I'm not, you know I'm not. Why do you never tell me anything?" she complained.

Rhys grabbed her arms and turned her and pushed her to make her walk into the cafe.

"Maybe later, if you behave."

"Yes, you would have to be a very, very good girl," Ginger agreed.

Ffion snorted and folded her arms.

"And what does that entail exactly?" she asked, her tone petulant.

"You could buy us lunch for a start," Rhys suggested. He looked at Ginger who nodded back agreeably.

"Yes, you buy us lunch and we'll tell you."

Ffion studied the pair of them a moment. "All right, but nothing too expensive, I don't have a lot of money on me."

"Deal," Rhys said and quickly squeezed her hand to seal the deal and stepped up to the counter. Ginger grinned and grabbed her hand, too.

"Cheeseburger and chips?" Rhys looked at Ginger.

"Oh yes," Ginger agreed.

Jane wrote their order down and looked at Ffion.

"I'll just have chips and a coke, please," she ordered, she'd eaten a lovely breakfast earlier at work and wasn't quite hungry yet.

"I'll bring that out when it's ready," Jane told them and handed them their drinks.

Ffion huffed behind them as her brother and Ginger slowly chose a table and sat down. Ffion sat, looked around and then speared the pair of them with her gaze.

"Now, tell me," she insisted.

Shaz smiled at Chris as she dragged him with her to the Cafe. The sooner she ate the sooner her stomach would stop making such embarrassing sounds. She smiled as they reached it and let go of Chris' hand to push the door open and go inside.

She smiled at Jane as she went in.

"Heya Jane" she grinned as she glanced at the menu briefly "Can I have, some of the quiche please? And a cup of tea?"

"I'll have lasagne, cheer," Chris ordered. He saw Rhys and Ginger sitting with Ffion over in the corner, giggling like madmen. He looked at Shaz then got his tea and walked over to them.

"What's so funny?" he asked them.

The three of them looked up.

"I overheard Ray and Rowan having it off in the interview room that used to be Ray's office," Rhys told him in a low tone and then snorted.

"Me an all," Ginger agreed.

Chris quickly sat down. "Yeah, well, the Guv walked in on it, Shaz and I were there, we saw, too," Chris told them.

"No you did not," Rhys gasped. Chris nodded.

"Oh yeah, it were dead embarrassing. Rowan didn't have a stitch on. I think the Guv nearly had a heart attack," Chris told them.

Rhys and Ginger looked at each other and began to laugh again.

"I can't believe it," Ffion gaped.

"Well, we didn't get that, but we heard what they were saying to each other," Rhys chuckled.

Ginger nodded. "Copper and victim roleplay," he squeaked and then burst into laughter.

Shaz stared at Ginger and Rhys incredulously and then burst into laughter. "You're joking!" she gasped out as she held a hand to her stomach in an attempt to stop herself.

"Ohmigod!" she managed to say between giggles "Poor Rowan, Ray will just take this in his stride but Ro isn't going to be able to look any of us in the eye now!" she chortled.

She raised her eyebrows as a thought occurred to her "Why were you two listening at the door anyway?" she accused with a small grin.

"I'm not joking," Ginger assured her.

"Wish we were," Rhys added. Rhys put on a high voice and attempted a bad imitation of Rowan's voice. "Oh, officer can you help me?"

Ginger snickered and deepened his voice to try and match Ray's tone. "We are here to help after all, in the job description."

Rhys and Ginger both went into peals of laughter again.

"I can't even imagine what you saw," Rhys said, trying to calm his laughter. He glanced around again. "But Rowan's got nice...well..." he said and then cupped his hands in front of his chest.

Chris blushed, glanced at Shaz and cleared his throat. "I uh...suppose you could say that," he said and took a drink of his tea.

Ffion shook her head at them.

"You are just terrible," she scolded and frowned as she set about eating her chips.

Shaz choked as she tried unsuccessfully to hold back her laughter. She noticed Chris' blush and raised her eyebrows skeptically. She shrugged it off and looked up as her food arrived. She eyed it and smiled at Jane gratefully before waiting until she left.

Shaz looked down at the plate and then sighed as she looked back at the three men. "My stomach says eat but my head says no," she grumbled "I've got that image locked in my brain!"

"Oh, go on and eat," Rhys said. "You don't want your stomach growling. Besides, we have to think best how we can utilize this knowledge."

Shaz nodded with a smile and tucked into her lunch eagerly, pushing images of what she had seen over Chris' shoulder out of her mind.

Rhys looked at Ginger and their faces both sported identical smirks.

"How do you mean, use it?" Chris wanted to know.

"Well...for one thing, Alex would love this. You know they have that whole thing going on. I think she'd love this," Rhys said.

Shaz frowned, surely Alex couldn't use this against Ray? They all knew that Gene and Alex had done it in his office on multiple occasions, Ray never took the piss about that. Neither of them had the moral high ground so surely Alex couldn't...Shaz sighed, this was Alex and Ray, any tiny little thing and they would tease each other. She kept her mouth shut and carried on eating her lunch as she listened to the plotting going on around her.

Shaz looked up and gave Chris a worried look. She agreed with him about Rowan; she didn't mind Ray getting bullied, but didn't want Rowan to feel that she was being targeted too. She was probably embarrassed enough already.

Ginger nodded. "And we can use it ourselves, somehow, surely."

Chris looked at them. "I don't think he'll mind to be honest," he ventured and glanced at Shaz. "I mean, look how long we've known him, he's always bragged on women he's shagged, or not shagged but said he had. And now, he's been caught, walked in on, while he's in the middle of and well..." he looked at Shaz again.

"She looked to me like she were enjoying it, so I don't think he'll care."

"But he never talks about her, that's the thing," Rhys said. "So, wouldn't that mean he might just be bothered if we have a go at him about it?"

"I'm thinking not," Chris replied. "But, you know, anything's possible."

"You should also think of Rowan though, if you start going on about her, is it going to upset her?" Chris reminded them.

"Oh, yeah," Ginger breathed.

"No, I still want to have a go at Ray," Rhys decided.

Chris scratched the side of his nose. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you."

Ginger and Rhys finished their lunch in relative silence.

"Right, we're going back now? You coming?" Rhys wanted to know.

"I'm done yeah, Shaz, you ready?" he asked as he stood up.

Shaz nodded at them with a smile. "All full and ready to go," she said with a smile and grabbed the rest of the used plates and cups from the table and carried them back to Jane.

Ginger carried his and Rhys' plates to the counter and headed out the door, Rhys right behind him.

Ffion waved and headed off towards the car lot.

Rowan headed toward the cafe, glad Ray hadn't gotten too much into the bag and seen the container of muffins and chocolate cake Jane had called and asked her to drop off.

She saw Ginger and Rhys heading her way, but blanched slightly at the sight of Chris and Shaz farther behind them. She could feel her cheeks burning and nearly looked at the ground.

"Well, hello, Rowan, how are you?" Rhys said pleasantly.

"Um, I'm fine, Rhys, how are you?" Rowan replied uncertainly.

"So, you don't need help with anything, because you know, we are police officers," Ginger began, a sly smile on his face.

"And you know, that's in the job description,"Rhys said and put a hand on Rowan's shoulder. "So, if you need, anything," he told her.

Rowan gasped and looked at him. "You what?"

She realized then that although Chris and Shaz had seen, Rhys and Ginger must have heard them earlier. Her eyes narrowed and she glared at Rhys.

"I'm sorry, do I not have enough clues to solve the case?" he asked, and grinned.

Rowan made a noise low in her throat and her fist flew out of its own accord and she punched Rhys.

"Don't even think it's okay to speak to me like that. Maybe we weren't in private," she snapped as Rhys bent over and groaned.

"But that's no reason to talk to me like that."

"Rowan, ease up, he was only teasing," Ginger urged.

"I don't care. I'm sure you have laughed about it amongst yourselves, but don't...don't put it in my face."

She looked at Chris and Shaz, then back at Ginger.

"Seems they got an eyeful and you got an earful," she said, her voice getting close to tears.

"You keep him in line," she said to Ginger and pointed at Rhys.

"And you, watch how you talk to me," she said to Rhys.

She stepped past them to continue on and then stopped and glared at Chris.

"And you stop looking at my tits," she growled and stomped off to take Jane her things.

Chris blushed and glanced at Shaz before going over to Rhys to see if he was okay.

"I won't lie to you, she sure can punch," Rhys groaned. "Let's get back so I can get something to put on it."

"Better hide it from Ray, or he'll go spare,"Ginger warned him.

Rhys nodded. "I think that would be a wise idea," he agreed.

Shaz gave Rowan an apologetic look then glared after Chris as he ran over to Rhys. She stalked over and looked unsympathetically at Rhys

"It serves you right Rhys, you shouldn't tease her." she said before walking back to the station briskly on her own.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Ray walked back through the station and sat back down at his desk with a small smile playing around his lips as he pulled his file back towards him. He smiled briefly at Debbie before throwing his attention into what he was doing. He had a feeling that Rowan's jealousy for Debbie was half the reason why what happened in the office, happened. He liked Debbie, especially since she as part of the cause of his lunchtime surprise. But he also liked her because she brought him Pop Tarts and cups of tea.

"I forgot how temperamental Rowan might be, what with the whole being pregnant thing," Rhys confessed. He put his hand up to his face and continued walking to the station. Ginger trailed along behind, chortling to himself.

He followed Rhys down the hall quietly when they got back to the station, but as they neared where Ray's desk was, he couldn't help himself.

"Shall I get you some ice for that black eye, Rhys?" he asked.

Rhys whipped his head around and glared at his best friend before hurrying past the room where Ray was and heading to the end of the hall to get to his desk.

Chris gave Ginger a look and followed after him. Ginger snorted a laugh and went to the kitchen to get some ice.

Chris went in and sat down next to Shaz.

"Shaz, I'm sorry," he said to her and put his hand on hers.

Shaz glanced down at his hand that covered hers and then slowly moved her eyes to his face. She stared at him for a few moments then took her hand out from underneath his and folded her arms.

"What are you sorry for Chris?" she wanted to know.

"Just for, you know, this stuff," he answered lamely. "I don't want you upset with me as well as them."

Shaz stared at him incredulously. "This stuff?" she repeated slowly and glared at him before turning to her computer and consequently ignoring him.

Chris moved his chair closer to Shaz and put a hand on her arm.

"Shaz, give over, this isn't all my fault. You heard me tell him not to," Chris implored. He sat and gazed at her, a pleading expression on his face. He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"I'm also sorry for staring at Rowan," he added and looked around. "Look, before you and I got back together, well, I met Rowan and we...ummm...but it was just the one time. Next thing I know, she's giving me your phone number and to be honest, after that I couldn't think of anyone but you. I was so happy when she gave me that piece of paper, Shaz."

He took her hand and squeezed it. "She helped me get back with the woman I love."

Shaz looked over at him and felt herself soften, one thing she hated was that she could never stay mad at him. One look at his unhappy face and she melted.

Shaz squeezed his hand back and then wound her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I love you, too," she whispered.

Shaz pulled back from him and raised her eyebrow. "So why didn't you tell me earlier that you slept with one of my friends?" she asked curiously.

"Because it was just an hour or so one off and it was before we got back together. I didn't think it was important to be honest. It's not like we've talked about it, her and I. It's just something that happened and it really wasn't a bit deal," he explained.

"I hadn't even really thought of it until...well...today," he admitted, glancing over to make sure Ray was well away. He breathed an almost audible sigh of relief as he watched Ray leave.

Shaz glanced over at Ray to and an amused bubble of laughter escaped her. "I take it Ray hasn't got a clue?" she smiled as she tracked their DI with her eyes. She would imagine Ray not being quite so friendly with Chris if she knew that he had been with Rowan, however briefly. She returned her gaze to Chris. "About you and Rowan?" she continued and then pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I've not said anything. If Rowan has, she's made certain that he's not worried about it," he told her.

He looked at her curiously as she began to speak again. His eyes widened at her request.

"I won't. I don't normally, it just was...reflex I guess after what we saw. It won't happen again, I swear, either in front of you or not in front of you."

"Just don't go staring at her chest Chris," she pleaded with a frown. "At least not in front of me."

He leaned over and tapped her nose. "I only want to stare at yours," he said and wriggled his eyebrows at her.

Shaz raised her eyebrows and leaned closer. "You can do more than just look at them, Chris," she murmured with a smile before kissing his cheek and pulling away. She smiled at him before glancing around the office. She pulled a face at Ginger then looked back at Chris with another smile.

"I think we'd best start getting on with some work," she sighed.

Chris grinned at her. Now he couldn't wait until it was time to go home. Chris glanced over at Ginger who pointedly looked away.

"Sooner we get done, sooner we can go home," he murmured at her.

Shaz nodded at him with a smile and wheeled her chair away from him a bit so that she could get back to her work.

/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\/\/\\/\\

Debbie gave Ray a quick smile back as he sat down across from her. He looked a bit...smug...and...she couldn't put her finger on it.

She glanced up at the office door when she heard the commotion of Rhys and the others passing. She frowned as she heard part of their conversation...what would Rhys need ice for? She got up and went into the hall and caught Ginger's arm as he was passing.

"Why would Rhys need ice?" she wanted to know.

Ginger chuckled. "He got blindsided," he told her.

"What?" she gasped and looked around. "Well, where's the person who did it? If someone assaulted him, they should be arrested."

"Calm down, Debs, not gonna happen. He brought it on himself from not being able to keep his mouth shut," Ginger explained. He looked around and noticed they were too close to the office door and that Ray would likely be able to hear. He pulled Debbie further down the hall and into the kitchen.

"He mouthed off at Rowan, teasing her about well..." he paused and glanced out the kitchen to make sure no one was around. "Rowan and Ray were shagging in what used to be Ray's office. Rhys and I overheard them, but we assumed the door was locked and didn't try it."

He glanced out again. "But Chris and Shaz told us at the cafe, that Gene walked in. Seems they didn't lock the door. Chris and Shaz saw everything, too. But when we were coming back from lunch, we ran into Rowan and Rhys started repeating some of the things he and I had overheard. She just lashed out and punched him one," he finished and chuckled again.

Debbie looked at him, torn between shock and laughter. Laughter won out. "So, he sort of deserved it. Well, she still shouldn't have done it, no doubt she's short-tempered from being pregnant."

She joined him in making cups of tea. "But Ray getting up to that, here at work, no wonder he looks like he looks, so smug and all," she remarked and picked up the tea. Ginger picked up the towel he'd filled with ice and headed back down the hall with her.