Chapter 21

"He has no prior arrests," Maggie answered, rubbing her hands over her eyes to stave off exhaustion. PJ eyed her warily from across the room, leaning against his office door. It was almost ten and they were the last ones left at the station. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he let out a frustrated growl before turning and facing the whiteboard, eyes scanning the information.

"What about Fairfield's alibi?" He asked and he heard Maggie sigh as she shuffled through the papers on his desk.

"His whereabouts are definite until about three and he's accounted for between five and seven" she supplied, exhaustion evident in her voice.

PJ nodded tiredly in response "So there is a window of opportunity" he mumbled, tapping his finger in thought, he could feel Maggie's disagreement before she spoke.

"I don't think he did it" she replied, rising to stand next to him at the whiteboard "It just doesn't feel right"

PJ shook his head "Your basing this on what evidence?" he snapped and he gave her a small apologetic smile, as her head snapped around at his comment.

"Gut instinct" she replied curtly, eyeing him menacingly "I think the answer lies with the wife or possibly the brother" she added, turning back to the board "he had opportunity, motive...they both did"

"I don't think so" he responded, cutting her off from elaborating further. Maggie shot him an indignant glare "And this is based on what evidence" she responded mockingly, throwing his words back at him. He shot her a fierce look and she held it, silent argument and irritation crackling between them, before Maggie finally diverted her eyes back to the board.

"We're not getting anywhere" she responded curtly, moving away from the board and taking a seat "We will re-interview tomorrow, we can't do anything else tonight"

PJ nodded his head warily, propping himself against the desk, by her side. "Come on I'll drop you home," he offered as he rose and grabbed his bag, not bothering to collect the files and notes scattered throughout the office. Maggie gave him a small thankful smile but shook her head "I drove," she stated, holding up her car keys as if to prove her point.

"Alright I'll walk you out" he stated and Maggie rose from the seat and headed towards the office door, but stopped at the entrance turning to face him.

"You hungry?" she inquired but frowned when he did not respond to her question. She gave him a small nudge with her shoulder and his head whipped around at her touch, a puzzled look on his face "What?" he asked, obviously having not paid attention.

"Are you hungry" she repeated, a bemused smile on her face despite the squabbling between them earlier "We missed dinner" she added.

"No I'm fine" he replied distractedly as he motioned for her to move forward so he could lock the office door. She waited as he set the lock and walked across the station, ensuring that all other doors had been locked and the windows were closed.

"Come on Mags" he called from the front door entrance, waiting for her to pass before locking the main door. The night breeze was refreshing from the stale air in the station and she felt herself enjoying the breeze despite the slight chill. PJ fell into step with her as he walked her down the gravel driveway to her car. As he walked, his mind seemed to wonder from work to Maggie. It had been a few weeks since their fancy night out, but with their jobs being what they were, there seemed to be very little time for just the two of them. Sure, they were seeing each other at work everyday in fourteen-hour blocks, but when they were on duty, he forced himself to separate her from the job, keeping his mind focused on the case, evidence, facts. The last few days, however, they seemed to be fighting more so the normal; disagreeing on almost every point and when they were not bickering, they were locked in a passive aggressive struggle. He stifled a sigh at the thought, he had to admit that his mood the last week would probably be a large cause of their bickering, but Maggie could defiantly be stubborn when she chose to be. Then there was the issue of Ben Stewart, a detective that had been in Mount Thomas a few days prior. He seemed like a nice bloke but he hated the way his eyes followed Maggie, hated the small lingering kiss she had given him when he had left last and hated the fact that he couldn't claim her as his. He sighed, barely being able to see her was also leaving him more frustrated then he was willing to admit.

He managed to shake his head clear as they came to her car and he gave her a small smile as he headed off towards his own parking space, when a touch on his arm from Maggie stopped him. He turned, surprised by the gesture and Maggie gave him a slight smile "Could we talk for a minute?" she asked, voice hesitant.

PJ nodded his head and moved back towards her, a mystified but concerned expression on his face "What's wrong?" he asked tone attentive.

"I was going to ask you the same thing" she replied, voice soft eyeing him intently. She saw him take a step back in surprise, his stance changing from one of perplexed concern to slight defensiveness.

"What does that mean?" he replied, arms folded across his chest, gaze unwavering.

Maggie shook her head. "Don't take it like that" she replied exasperated. Taking a deep breath, she met his eyes briefly "Just the last few days you've just seemed…" she shrugged uncertain "Distant"

PJ shrugged in response "We've been busy" he replied matter of factly and Maggie stifled a sigh.

"I know but..." she started, unsure of what to say, "You just seem…"

"What?" he asked defiantly, prompting her to continue.

"That!" Maggie replied frustrated "Your tone...what's going on?" she ended, slightly concerned.

PJ said nothing his jaw set and he gave her a small shrug "Just been over tired I guess" he replied.

"Have I done something?" she asked, softening her voice as eyed him carefully, watching his reaction.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but his face softened "No" he replied assertively but refused to meet her gaze. Maggie frowned and opened her mouth to protest when she suddenly felt the warmth of his mouth on hers, capturing her in a heated kiss. He deepened the kiss as he sensed Maggie's shocked but immediate surrender, his left hand reaching up to cup her face whilst the other stabilized them against the car door. He felt her slowly shift in his embrace, partially breaking the kiss, in order to speak.

"What was that?" she whispered, finally steady enough to lean away from PJ, confusion at his behavior evident. He gave her a suggestive smile and moved forward but Maggie placed her hand on his chest, keeping the distance "What's going on?"

PJ gave a small sigh "Nothing Maggie, I just wanted a moment," he stated as he trailed a finger down her forearm.

"PJ" she stated, pushing him back slightly "You can't argue with me for days and then kiss me like that…" she added slight irritation in her voice.

"I thought we were able to separate us from the job" he replied.

"PJ, we are in public, in uniform…" she stated, eyeing him exasperatedly "We have been so careful about us…" she began but stopped, exhaustion suddenly overcoming her, pushing past him to open the car door.

He took a few steps back, allowing Maggie to open the door but held out his hand to stop her. She paused staring up at him, waiting for him to speak.

He exhaled and met her gaze "I'm sorry," he admitted "I'm tired of fighting"

She nodded in response "I don't want to fight either" she replied, holding his gaze "I guess it just takes practice to be able to separate us from work"

PJ nodded in response, studying her closely. He could see the small flicker of hurt in her eyes and he cursed inwardly, knowing that he was the cause. She was right, however, he had been taking his frustration at the case out on his colleague, which was not uncommon, but when your colleague was your lover, it was hard to ignore the constant arguments and snippy comments.

"I.." he started but stopped, unsure of what to say. Maggie nodded in response, intuitively knowing what he meant.

"There is no solution to this," she stated, gesturing between them tiredly "We are just going to have to learn how to be colleagues and…lovers" she added, for want of a better word.

"Sorry I've been an ass," he offered and Maggie snorted in response "Your not an ass" she replied warmly "Stubborn, pig-headed and arrogant, however" she replied trailing off and he gave her a small playful tap on the arm.

"Listen to the pot calling the kettle black" he retorted and Maggie let out a small laugh, relieved to have finally broken the tension between them.

"So, what else has contributed to your foul mood the past week?" she asked probingly, willing him to speak.

"Ben" He replied, spitting the word.

Maggie shook her head in confusion "That detective?" she inquired.

"He called me last week, he has been posted here. Once his suspension is over, he is being transferred down here," he informed her.

Maggie shook her head "But you're the detective here" she stated and PJ rolled his eyes in response. She stifled a groan before elaborating, "Why would he come here?"

"He's back in uniform, something about punching Romano, I'm not really sure" he informed her.

"Why is this a bad thing?" she asked, still confused. At the look on his face, realization suddenly dawned "You think I want Ben?" she exclaimed, obviously shocked.

PJ just gave another shrug "He likes you," he stated and Maggie met his gaze "So?" she enquired, "I'm with you."

"He doesn't know that" he retorted.

"But you know" she replied meeting his gaze, voice soft. He did not reply but broke eye contact, allowing the silence to hang in the air.

"Ben will be my colleague," she stated, placing her hand on his wrist "And I can definitely not, under any circumstance, date somebody I work with." She stated, a small smile creeping onto her face.

PJ's head snapped up at her last comment and he allowed a genuine smile to form "Liar" he countered, meeting her eyes.

Maggie stifled a yawn before taking a quick glance at the clock "I better get going" she stated, giving him a quick grin.

"It can't be that late" he countered and she raised her eyebrow before replying "Eleven thirty"

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow" he conceded, leaning forward and giving her a quick peck on the lips, her car door framing them from view "Goodnight" he added, before taking a few steps back and allowing her to shut the door before turning and making his way to his car. She gave him a small 'beep' as she drove past him and he waved in response before unlocking his own car and making the journey home.