AUTHORS NOTE: Just a quick word to say a massive thank you for all the positive comments and feedback I am receiving for this story. I was totally convinced it would fall flat as it was so different from canon Crossfire and a million miles away from the original story, but people seem to be really enjoying it and I am quite astounded by the response it has received, so thank you to you all.

CHAPTER 38

Five weeks later…

"So, you are going to another place today?" Maisie asks me as I push her lunch into her school bag.

"Yes sweetheart, remember I told you we were going to another depot, and I explained to you what a depot was" I say and she nods but still looks concerned so I quickly try and reassure her, "but don't worry, gran-gran is going to fetch you from school tonight and as soon as your mum and I are finished we will come and get you" I say.

"Where are you going to?" she asks me. I smile and pull out my phone, and I remember the first time I had done this when I had showed her where Manchester was.

"We are going to a place called Bristol" I say, as I crouch beside her and I tap in the maps on my phone and show her where Bristol is in relation to Stoke. She leans in and places her hand on my shoulder as she looks at it and nods at me.

"Why do you need to go there, you don't work there?" she asks.

I pull a chair over and sitting down on it I lift her on to my lap, "Because I am in charge of the whole company including the bit in Bristol and I need to know if they are doing everything that they should be doing, and to do that I need to go and see them all working for myself" I say.

Maisie nods, "So why does mummy have to go as well?" she asks.

I smile, "Because your mummy also knows how everything is supposed to work and she can go around and check things while I am checking other things. So that way it all gets done quicker, your mum is not the only one. I also take some other people with me, and they all know what they are looking for and if everything is as it should be. It all gets done really quickly and that way we will get home quicker" I say thinking that Eva probably knows how things are supposed to work better than I do.

Maisie nods, "OK" she says simply.

Eva appears and makes a beeline for the coffee. She is dressed in her usual work clothes, her jeans and her Cross Industries T Shirt. She has her hair tied up in a pony tail and I can't take my eyes off her. She is beautiful, as I never fail to tell her every morning when we make love, and I still can't believe I am so lucky as to have her in my life. I notice that once again she looks pale, she has looked a little pale for the past week or so when she has first gotten up but she has assured me that she is fine and as the day has progressed she seemed to gain more colour in her cheeks, and I wonder if the fact that Dominic Stanton has failed to reply to her is getting to her more than she is letting on.

"Are you nearly ready Maisie?" Eva says to Maisie as she takes a gulp of coffee. I gesture towards the plate of toast I have made for her and she thanks me and grabs a slice.

Maisie nods and then goes to clean her teeth.

As we are leaving the house the postman appears and hands me a number of letters. I quickly scan them and then pause as I see a handwritten letter with a Bristol postmark addressed to Eva, she sees me looking.

"Anything interesting or is it all bills?" she asks.

"A letter for you Angel" I say as I hold it up, "Bristol postmark" I add.

Eva's mouth drops open, and she holds out her hand for the letter. I drop all the others inside on the table and after setting the alarm I close and lock the front door. I watch as she stares at it for a moment and then pushes it into her pocket.

"Come on, let's go or we are going to be late" she says brightly.

We drop Maisie off at school and this forcibly reminds me, as it seems to do every morning, of the court hearing and its outcome a few weeks ago. We had gone and given our evidence and then after we had done so we had watched as Charles had laid out all the evidence and the facts. We were lucky as we were the first witnesses to be called so we were then able to sit in the court room and watch the rest of the hearing, the police had been questioned and the statements had been read out. It had been pointed out that Megan had done something like this before and been cautioned and that she had had numerous complaints made against her for unreasonable stalking behaviour. We were all totally shocked when the magistrate had passed a sentence of six months in prison, no-one more so than Megan herself.

The magistrate had told Megan that he was taking into consideration the fact she had two young children which was why he was only sentencing her to six months in total which was far less than the maximum sentence combined for the two offences she was charged of. He had also told her that the reason why he was imposing a custodial sentence rather than a fine was because she had been warned by us on many occasions to stop her behaviour and the fact she had ignored those requests and escalated it to the point of actually breaking into our house was a fact he took a very dim view of.

"What time do you think we will get there?" Eva asks which brings me back to the present time and I turn towards her as I pull away from the school.

"It's about a two and a half hour drive, depending on traffic on the M6 so we should be there by midday, and to be honest I think it will all be pretty straightforward as I can't see any major issues arising from this visit" I say.

I watch Eva as she settles herself beside me and pulls out the letter and carefully opens it. I continue driving and wait for her to say something.

"He wants to meet me, he also wants to meet Kyle and Maisie" she says after a moment, the surprise evident in her voice. I think with the time that had elapsed since she posted her letter to him she was beginning to think that he wasn't going to respond at all, let alone respond positively.

"And is that a good thing?" I ask carefully.

"I think so" she replies. "I will obviously have to talk to Kyle before I agree to anything but even if he doesn't want to meet him, I still do" she says.

I watch her take a deep breath, and I frown she really does look pale and she is taking deep breaths as if she is trying not to be sick. "Are you ok Angel, you're not ill are you?" I ask.

Eva shakes her head and smiles, "No I just feel a bit sick, I think looking down reading the letter while in a moving car did it, it made me feel a bit queasy that's all" she says.

I nod, "If you need me to pull over just say so," I say, and I turn on the air conditioning and make the car feel cooler for her.

"Thanks, I'm fine now" she says. "Oh I meant to tell you, the college is dead pleased with me. I had a review with my tutor last night. You know how I started in the New Year? Well, I have not only caught up with and overtaken all the people who had been there since September, the college reckons that if I carry on the way I am doing I will have completed the two year syllabus in one, and be able to take my exams this summer instead of next, they said they are having trouble keeping up with me and that they have never had anyone go through everything like a dose of salts the way I have. They reckon I am a pleasure to teach as I get it straight away and just get on with it, they say they have never experienced it before as normally the people who retake are the people who really struggled at school and they suggested I sign up for A levels or something afterwards, and they even talked about going to uni and doing a degree".

I smile at her, "I am so proud of you, you are finally living your dream Eva, and I am so happy that I was the one who has helped you do so, and if you decide that you want to go to university and get a degree Eva I will support you to do so. By the way, how are your driving lessons going as when we went out at the weekend I couldn't fault you?" I say.

Eva grins widely, "My driving instructor said I was doing well and he thought I should soon put in for my theory test and when I have that, he said give it a month or so and he would be happy to put me in for my test. He said that because you take me out regularly to practice it has made me come on quicker than his other learners as obviously I am getting more time behind the wheel, he said if I carry on getting the lessons from you as well as him he thinks I will be passed by the summer" she says.

"And why haven't you told me this before now?" I ask with mock sternness.

Eva laughs, "Because you have had enough on your plate it's been one thing after another. The court case with Megan and everything that is going on with the restructuring of Cross Industries and the moving of head office down to Stoke, not to mention the fact Charles has now set the ball rolling with Maisie's adoption, so I didn't want to bother you with my stuff" she says.

I shake my head, "You are my wife Eva, family comes first, you and Maisie come first before everything else and I want to know everything, and this is good news… in fact this is fantastic news" I say.

oooOOOooo

The depot visit is going as I anticipated, that is like clockwork. I can't find any fault with the Bristol depot. Hayley, George and Wayne have all said the same thing and when I spoke to Eva about her views she was very complimentary about the Picking Area and its supervisor saying they were 'bang on'. I glance at my watch and smile as I leave the depot managers office after giving Kalpana Chowdry the depot manager my warm thanks and congratulations on running a tight ship. I recall how she had flushed and thanked me profusely.

I smile as I think about her, she was a very intelligent and able depot manager. She had her finger on the pulse. She knew exactly what was going on and she had my work ethic and didn't tolerate laziness or bullying… and she was also very friendly so Eva had hated her on sight. I had almost seen her bristle from the moment she had laid eyes on her. She was tall and slim and I could almost feel Eva's jealousy heighten, and her possessiveness of me increase. But all it did was make me love my wife even more. I love it when she gets possessive over me, as it makes me feel important to her.

I leave the offices and make my way down to the Picking Area, looking for Eva as I want to go home. Hayley and Wayne fall into step beside me.

"It's a bit different to what we found at Burnley isn't it?" Hayley says.

I nod in agreement, "It certainly is" I say, "By the way Hayley how are you coping with the position of Despatch Supervisor? Is everything ok, no problems with anyone?" I ask.

I had made the decision to give Hayley Len's position, not only because she was one of the few in despatch who had a good work ethic when I arrived at Stoke but she has been invaluable on these visits and I felt she could handle it, and she has dealt with the streamlining of the process of that department.

"It's good, I'm enjoying the challenge. Nobody is taking the mick as they know you pull the productivity stats weekly and they also know I would be straight in your office if they did and it's all much better now since the new system was put in place and eliminated all the paperwork, other than what goes with the goods to the customer, everything is really efficient now" she says.

"Good, I'm glad to hear it" I say. I turn to Wayne. "Is everything ok and going well in IT?" I ask.

Wayne nods, "Yep, the new office space is looking fab, and the whistle blower hotline is just about ready to go live within the next week or so, and we are just about ready for the rest of the essential staff to make the transfer down here from Manchester" he says.

"Excellent, my father will be visiting when the new head office is officially open, so I am aiming for week commencing the 18th March" and I hold up my hand at his shocked expression, "Yes I know that is the week after next but it's all looking good" I say.

"When are you planning on doing the Luton visit?" Wayne asks warily.

"Realistically I know it's a big ask, but I was hoping on sometime this week. I do think it will be just as straightforward as it has been here if I am honest as the stats look good and there are no obvious issues. I get it is another trek for you both at a time when especially you Wayne have a full plate with everything else that is going on but it should only take a couple of hours to get there pretty much the same timeframe as it took us to get down here but once it's done, it's done" I say. Hayley and Wayne nod and I hope I can talk Eva around as easily.

I walk into the picking area and I see Eva immediately. She is surrounded by a group of men and they are all chatting and laughing. She has a clipboard in her hand and I hear her tell them that everything is so brilliant here she is going to ask me for a transfer to work here.

One of the men puts his arm around her and I feel a surge of jealousy streak through me, I speed up but I see Eva push him off and step out of his reach.

"Eva, George, I think we are about ready to leave" I call.

George looks up and grins at me. "Ok boss, can't fault them here. No issues whatsoever, everything works as it should do and there are no Norm's and no Len's it's a bloody utopia!" he says.

I laugh, "Well that is good to hear and hopefully that is how all the depots will be" I say.

Eva walks towards me and as she reaches me she turns and waves, "Bye guys it's been a pleasure working with you all today" she says.

The man who had put his arm around Eva, leers at her and shouts that he would be willing to offer her a different kind of pleasure. That does it for me and I walk towards him. Eva grabs my arm and tries to stop me but the fury is surging through me.

"I beg your pardon, what did you just say?" I spit at the man as I get right into his face. Everyone around him is staring silently.

He looks startled and he takes a step back, "It was just a joke" he stammers.

"Well I did not find it funny, you do realise what you just said could be construed as sexual harassment don't you?" I ask.

He nods, "Yeah but I didn't mean it, it was just a bit of banter. I have a girlfriend I didn't mean it" he protests.

I decide to approach this differently, "You have a girlfriend? Tell me, how would you react if a man had said something like that to your girlfriend?" I ask and anger flashes in the man's eyes.

"I wouldn't like it" he says instantly.

I nod at him "Well I have a wife" and I turn to glance at Eva, "and I don't like it when my wife is subjected to that kind of 'banter' either" I say, putting the emphasis on the word banter. Realisation sinks in as to who I am referring to and the man's eyes fall to Eva's finger and her wedding ring, as he does so the colour drains from his face.

I hear the men murmuring and I realise that it seems to have come to a surprise to all of them that Eva is my wife, I feel a pang of hurt that she has kept that fact to herself.

"I…I…I…" he stammers.

"Gideon, it's ok" Eva whispers, as she is still gripping my arm tightly and she tugs gently to pull me away.

"I'm sorry Eva, it was just a joke but I shouldn't have said it" the man says sincerely.

Eva nods, "Thanks," she says and she tugs on my arm again.

I glare at the man once more, before turning my attention to Eva, "So are you ready to go?" I ask stiffly.

She nods and smiles at me and we turn to leave. When we reach the car park George whispers in my ear that he wants a word. Eva climbs into the car and pulls out her phone to call her gran to let her know we are leaving Bristol and I turn my attention to George.

"You did the right thing calling that chap out. He was all over Eva like a rash all day, and you could tell she was uncomfortable about it sometimes. They don't have any women in the picking area here so I think Eva was a bit of a novelty but everyone else was very respectful but he came close a few times to stepping over the line" he says.

"Hmm" I say.

"I mentioned it to the supervisor and he made a note and I think after you picking him up on what he said he will probably have a word, they don't tolerate any type of bullying, harassment or anything there" he says.

I nod, "Good, it's just a shame that he marred what was otherwise a very successful visit" I say. I pause, "George can I ask you something?" and he nods and waits for me to speak.

"How did Eva introduce herself on this visit?" I ask.

I watch him smile, "She introduced herself as Eva and no, she didn't mention her surname, and yes I think that was deliberate" he says.

I nod and I wonder why, but he answers that before I can say anything. "It is deliberate as she wants to get the truth and she wants to see things as they are, if she was to walk in there announcing she was married to the big boss they would immediately only show her what they wanted her to see, this way she gets treated like one of the guys and she gets more information out of them that way" he says.

"Thanks George" I say, that sounds reasonable and I can understand her reasoning and it satisfies me.

George pats my arm, "It's nothing personal, she loves you to bits but she also likes to keep it professional. Partly as she doesn't like to look as though she is using her relationship with you to her advantage and in the case here, she wants to know everything that is going on and if she came waltzing in saying I'm Mrs Cross they would all be on their guard straight away" he says.

I nod understanding and accepting what he is saying and I say goodbye to him and climb into the car.

Eva is just finishing the call with her grandmother and from what she is saying she is talking to Maisie, she glances at me as she says her goodbyes.

"Let's go home" I say as I start up the car.

"Gideon" Eva says quietly as we leave the depot car park.

"Hmm" I say as I pull out into the line of traffic.

"Thank you" she almost whispers.

"What for?" I ask.

"Protecting me, what you said to that guy. He made me uncomfortable for most of today, I know logically he didn't mean anything and he was only joking but I didn't like it, it unnerved me as he was a bit full on for a lot of the day, even George told him once to back off" she says.

"That's why I said what I said Angel, it wasn't just me being a jealous husband although I admit I did feel jealous. I didn't want you to feel frightened or uncomfortable, I never want you to feel afraid or threatened ever again" I say.

I feel her hand reach for me and touch my knee, I pull one hand off the steering wheel and place it on top of hers.

"I love you Eva" I say earnestly.

"I love you too" she replies.

I decide to mention my plan to visit Luton this week and she nods, but doesn't look too happy with the idea. I assure her that Maisie will be taken care of and that if Sandra can't help us out then I will put it off for a week or so. That seems to pacify her and I don't mention it again.

Eva falls asleep in the car on the way home, she had complained about feeling tired so it wasn't totally unexpected. I don't bother to wake her when we arrive at Sandra's. I go in to collect Maisie and Sandra greets me warmly.

"Hello Gideon, she is all ready for you. She has had her tea and I have done her reading with her, but she said she wants to do it with you as well as she has a new book" she says. She looks round, "Where's Eva?" she asks.

"Asleep in the car" I say, "Thank you for taking care of Maisie for us… erm, I don't suppose I could impose on you again this week as I am planning on a site visit to Luton later in the week? But we don't want to take advantage" I say.

Sandra shakes her head, "Not a problem, just let me know which day you are looking at" she says.

I bite my lip as I consider what I want to say but I don't want to embarrass or offend this wonderful woman.

"I just want you to know that if… I mean… I don't want to offend you but… if there was ever anything…" I trail off not knowing how to put this without sounding arrogant and as though I am trying to buy her.

Thankfully she seems to understand what I am trying to say, "Gideon, it's fine. I get what you are trying to say and that is very kind of you. I know you paid for the DNA tests for Monny and Vic, and we are all very grateful for that, and yes I know you don't like to take advantage but please don't feel you need to financially compensate me for taking care of Maisie, it's a pleasure. It is something I have always done and enjoyed doing, I don't need to be paid to do it. But I will bear in mind that if there is anything we ever need or if we get in a sticky situation that we can turn to you for help, and thank you" she says.

I smile with relief that she isn't offended.

"Eva is asleep?" Sandra asks with concern and I nod.

"Yes, it wasn't totally unexpected though as she was complaining about feeling tired after the site visit today" I say.

Sandra nods, "She has been saying for a few days now that she is tired, I hope she isn't sickening for something" she says.

I make a mental note to ask Eva if she is feeling ok when we get home.

As I bundle Maisie into the car, Eva opens her eyes. "Oh, why didn't you wake me?" she asks as she realises where we are.

"You looked so peaceful and I didn't want to disturb you, but it's ok I have handled everything. I have spoken to your gran about my intended visit to Luton and she is happy to take care of Maisie for us" I say.

Eva looks towards the door and sees Sandra standing hovering with Maisie's bag, "Thanks gran!" she calls and Sandra waves her hand dismissively before handing me Maisie's bag. She walks round the car to the passenger side and Eva opens the door.

"Sorry about that, I fell asleep" she says.

"You are looking a bit peaky are you feeling ok?" Sandra asks her.

Eva nods, "Yeah I'm fine, just a bit tired after today" she says.

I round the car and give Sandra a hug, "Thanks again" I say gratefully and Sandra returns the hug and tells me not to be so stupid. I grin at her and go to get into the car.

I look at Eva and she does look quite pale, "Are you sure you are ok Angel?" I ask and she nods and smiles.

"I'm fine, honestly" she says.

"What do you want to eat, Maisie has had her tea. Do you want me to stop off and pick up a Chinese or something before we go home?" I ask.

I watch as Eva thinks about that, "I'd prefer some fish and chips" she says.

"Ooh Chippy!" Maisie says bouncing in her seat.

Eva turns around and grins at Maisie, "You have had your tea, but you can share some of my chips" she says.