Author's note: Small spolier for Wedding Blues

I have almost completed the final three chapters, which should be posted in the next few weeks. Please, if you have any thoughts or feedback on this story please click the review button, let me know your out there and what you thought.

Chapter 32

Maggie opened her eyes slowly before nuzzling her face back into the pillow, the morning sun to bright for her tired mind. She felt the bed shift and fluttered her eyelids back open in surprise to be met with crystal blue. She let a lazy smile tug at her lips as he rolled slowly to his side and leaned forward pressing his lips to hers.

"Morning" PJ murmured sleepily, voice gruff as he moved his hand to her waist, holding her gently.

"Morning" she mumbled as she shifted closer to him, resting her head on his chest as he tangled his fingers through her hair. They stayed sleepily intertwined for a few minutes, the warmth of his body and the comfort of his presence slowly luring her back to sleep. She had almost fallen back asleep when she felt him nudge her softly.

"We have to get up" he whispered softly into her ear and she grunted in response choosing to ignore his words as she snuggled further into him.

"Mags" he started again, gently nudging her arm and she let out a disgruntled noise as he shifted his weight, trying to make her open her eyes. She felt his chest move as he let out a soft chuckle before placing a small kiss on her forehead.

"We're going to be late for work" he started again and she let out a deep sigh, his constant movements keeping her from sleep.

"Just let me sleep" she murmured and groaned as he finally rolled to his side, moving her small frame off him as he guided her to the other side of the bed.

"You have ten more minutes," he whispered as he moved the blankets around her to keep her warm. She let out a small cry at the loss of his presence but allowed her eyes to flutter back closed, too tired to fight him.

He shrugged on a pair of sweats and his old t-shirt that he had taken the liberty of placing in her dresser draw, before taking a quick glance at her sleeping form, shaking his head fondly. He clicked her bedroom door shut quietly behind him as he made his way into the kitchen, reaching for the loaf of bread that she had left on the counter. He flicked down two pieces of toast before plugging in and boiling the kettle, stifling a yawn as he eyed the clock warily. At this rate neither of them were going to make it into work on time, he thought to himself. Hopefully, his colleagues were having the same hard time.

Nick's shotgun wedding had been the day before and as one of the best friends of the groom, it had been his job to ensure that the day had been an enjoyable event. He had to admit the ceremony had been nice, Zoe making a radiant bride. He had however, had a little too much of a good time when it came to the reception, the dull pounding in his head was currently reminding him of the glasses of scotch he had deemed necessary in order to properly celebrate the occasion. He still could not believe that Nick was married but had to admit he was relieved that the big oaf had decided to stay in Mt Thomas, Zoe opting to do her medical course long distance.

The toast popped with a click breaking his thoughts and he took out the pieces before replacing them with another two for Maggie. The kettle also chose that time to boil as he poured himself a cup of coffee, willing for any form of energy. The click of the bedroom door alerted him to her presence as she snaked an arm around his waist, snatching a piece of toast as she did so.

"Your toast is cooking," he stated as she eyed him, happily munching on his food.

"My kitchen" she responded, wrapping her blue dressing gown tighter around her to ward off the morning cold.

He rolled his eyes in response although not even remotely bothered that she was currently eating his breakfast. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she moved closer into him, placing a light kiss on his lips.

"We have to do this more often" she whispered as she leant in for another kiss, lingering slightly before breaking apart.

"No complaints here" he responded giving her a quick peck, his eye catching the clock as he did so "But not this morning" he admitted unhappily as he broke apart from her, motioning to the clock on the wall.

She turned her head slightly confused and he watched as her eyes widened in alarm as she realized the time. He stifled a laugh as he heard her curse, her own lack of sleep eliminating her usual pleasantries.

"I have to have a shower!" she exclaimed making her way towards the door but he grabbed her arm, halting her.

"I need one first" he replied, "Eat your breakfast," he added motioning to the toast that was still currently sitting in the toaster.

"No time" she responded as she attempted to shrug her arm loose "PJ!" she bit out exasperated, as he kept his hold on her.

"Uh-uh, I'm first" he replied softly nudging her smaller frame away from the door, his larger frame blocking her access to the door.

"PJ I'm going to be late" she responded irritation clear in her tone as he slowly began backing his way towards the bathroom.

"Only if you keep arguing with me," he retorted, attempting to open the door while blocking her entry, slightly amused by her behavior. "You could always join me," he added, wagging his eyebrows suggestively.

She let out a snort in response "I don't think so" she replied sternly. PJ however took advantage of her momentary distraction to finally close the bathroom door, clicking the lock as he did so. She let out a huff as she tried the handle, knowing the door was locked.

"PJ" she yelled, banging her hand on the door, cursing him as she heard the water begin to run.

"You didn't want to join me," he mocked through the closed door and she let out a growl, knowing that she had lost the battle. She shook her head, muttering to herself as she got out the iron board, heating it up for PJ to iron the clothes from his overnight bag.

It was twenty-five minutes later when she finally emerged from her bedroom, leaving her exactly fifteen minutes to make it to work. If she was late, she thought to herself, PJ was going to be sorry. She was surprised to still see him there as she emerged from her bedroom, normally the both of them making sure to show up at least a good ten minutes apart.

"What-" she started but was cut off as he moved past her, two plastic containers in his hand as he indicated for her to follow.

"You drove me back here last night" he commented over his shoulder "My car is still at the Imperial, so you're going to have to drop me into work" he added, pausing at the front door while she grabbed her bag and keys from there place by the cabinet.

"But what about the others" she replied cautiously, her own tired mind attempting to function.

"I came back here to sleep it off" he answered shrugging his shoulders "Trust me, today of all days everyone is going to be too tired to even realize that we came in together" he added reassuringly as he followed her out the door, the sunlight reminding him of just how late it was.

He gave her a small smile as he lifted up the two containers in his hand, passing one to her "Coffee" he stated giving her a lopsided smile.

"Thank you" she responded gratefully, taking one of the cups from him, fingers brushing slightly. He gave a nod in acceptance as he moved around to the passenger side, buckling in his seatbelt as she slowly moved out of the driveway. They sat in silence for a few minutes, before he caught her giving him a guilty smile.

"What?" he asked softly, curious to her odd expression.

"I'm sorry about threatening you with bodily harm," she admitted, diverting her gaze between him and the road.

He let out a chuckle in response, taking a sip of his own coffee "Well despite popular opinion you are definitely not a morning person" he responded humorously.

"I would have been if I had my shower" she responded jokingly, although still somewhat peeved she had lost that battle.

He let out a small laugh in response at her indignant tone "Hey, I was being thoughtful. I let you sleep, made you breakfast, made your coffee" he added motioning to her cup, "and I ask for ten minutes in the shower…" he added lightheartedly but trailed off as she rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.

"Oh please" she responded, a smile on her face despite her words.

"Well I was going to give you this since I know that you didn't get around to the toast" he started holding up her favorite flavored breakfast bar "But I might eat it myself.." he started, letting a grin spread across his features as her eyes lit up at the concept of food. He shook his head as she reached a hand out for it, trying to keep her eyes on the road while she did so. He thought about teasing her with it but decided against, as he unwrapped it for her, passing it over. She let out a soft groan as she bit into the food, stomach-growling impatiently.

"I don't know how you can eat those things" he commented, his face cringing at the thought.

"Just because it isn't fried doesn't make it taste bad" she responded teasingly, as she finally pulled up at the station, glancing at the clock as she shut down the car.

"How late are we?" he asked as he followed her up the driveway, both suddenly conscious that they were in the public eye as he unhappily shifted away from her a few inches.

"Your ten minutes late, I'm five minutes early" she replied as she walked passed him to open the station door.

"You start after me" he whispered voice hushed "You had me thinking we both started at nine"

"I hate being late" she responded with a smile, as she pushed open the door, greeting everyone as she walked past. He shook his head in disbelief before letting a small smile tug at his lips. He suppressed his grin as he went to open the door, knowing that it was going to be a long day.