Author's note: All usual disclaimers apply. Hello, yes, I am still around, even if I have been kept busy with real life. I thought being under house arrest around the globe, you might need a distraction, even if this has a common theme. A few short chapters every few days.

"Lockdown?" Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers threw her hands in the air. "Have you seen what's happening out there? They need us to help maintain order."

The doctor looked out from behind his plastic shield and shook his head. "No, you've done enough. You were directly exposed to all those victims in that house. I have no choice but to quarantine you."

Barbara turned to her boss. "Sir?"

Tommy Lynley looked down. "As much as I hate it, Barbara, the doctor is right. We might spread this thing and make it worse. I'm sorry."

She stared at him, then sat heavily on the chair. "Fine. How long?"

The doctor leaned forward in his chair. "Three weeks. Maybe more." Dressed in a gown and thick mask, his voice sounded dismembered.

Barbara raised her arms, then crushed her fists against her temples. "Swell."

The doctor handed them thick fibrous masks. "Go home, and I will arrange for the emergency services to bring your meals and do your daily inspections."

"No."

Barbara and the doctor turned Tommy, but it was Barbara who spoke. "Sir?"

"I am not having that. I can afford to pay. Others can't. Barbara, we will go to your flat and collect some clothes and personal items, then you can come back to my place to ride this out."

She raised her eyebrows. The knuckles on her clenched fists turned white. "What if I don't want to spend three weeks locked up with you?"

"You will when you have no one to talk to and get bored. At least in my house, we have room to be apart or together. And both of us would worry less. We would free up telecommunication bandwidth by not being on the phone to each other all day. We could do our own inspections. Multiple benefits for us and the community."

"I don't want you inspecting my back for the rash."

"You would prefer a stranger coming every day who brings with them a risk of catching Wasting Virus?"

The doctor looked at her. "Detective Inspector Lynley is right. It would save resources."

"And it could be fun," Tommy added in what sounded to Barbara like a plea.

"Okay. Okay. I can sleep on your couch."

"You can sleep in my bed," Tommy stated before his ears coloured, and he added, "my spare bed. In the second bedroom. You are not sleeping on a couch."

"I forgot you had a mansion upstairs."

"Probably below too," the doctor mumbled.

Barbara's mind went straight to the unintended innuendo. She looked over and noticed Tommy surreptitiously folding his hands across his lap. He smiled. After a decade together, he had learned how her mind worked. "Let's go," she said to break the awkwardness.

"Straight to your place, then to the Inspectors. No mingling. This is not social distancing, its quarantine. Total isolation."

Tommy went to shake his hand, then retracted it. "We understand."

"And the rash on the back is the first sign, so if either of you develops one, ring the emergency number. Don't come out of your house." They nodded. "And good luck."

"Thanks," Barbara said before standing.

"Thank you, Doctor. We will be fine." Tommy draped his arm over Barbara's shoulder. "You'll see."

Tommy settled Barbara into his spare bedroom. As she looked around with her jaw sagging open, he looked around to ensure she was comfortable. "If this isn't suitable, I can..."

"Put me in the servants' quarters? That's more my style."

His lips closed tightly before he spoke. "I am not putting up with any more of that nonsense. You're my guest and my friend, and you need to grow up and accept that."

"Grow up?"

"Yes. You know that our histories mean nothing to me. You are just as worthy. Probably more so. If I hear you even hint at anything different, I won't be responsible for my actions."

He tried not to laugh as she stared at him. "What actions?"

He held up his hands and wriggled his fingers. "I was the champion tickler at Eton. No one could withstand me."

"Oh, is that so?"

He stepped closer and extended his hands towards her. "Want to try me?"

"I believe you."

Barbara took a step back. Tommy grinned when she bumped into the window sill and her eyes widened. He was close enough to bend down and kiss her. The thought shocked him. He dropped his hands and looked past her out over his garden. "I should organise dinner. I'll let you settle in. Come down to the kitchen when you're ready."

He turned without daring to look at her and strode across the room. He pulled the door closed behind him and leant his forehead on it. More than anything, he wanted to go back in, tell her he loved her, and if she responded as he hoped, spend the night making love. For years he had succeeded in pushing away any romantic thoughts about his partner. He had them, often, but sense prevailed. Now with her under the same roof for three weeks, Tommy was scared he would make a complete fool of himself. Had he asked her to stay for the wrong reasons? He stood straight. He had to behave like a gentleman, even if it killed him.

Opening her suitcase and unpacking, Barbara tried not to see the look on her boss's face as they had stood at the window. For the briefest second, she had seen something dark but compelling in his eyes. Was it desire? No, he would never desire her. She had to control her thoughts. It would be horrendous to be trapped together for three weeks if he knew the truth about her feelings for him. She stood by the window and stared out as she shoved her feelings back behind her barriers. After twenty minutes, she felt confident to go downstairs.

"Hiya. I'm all unpacked. Can I help with dinner?"

Tommy took a moment before he twisted around to look at her. She seemed normal and oblivious to his earlier indiscretion. He smiled. "No, it's all done. I am making risotto. I hope you like chicken and mushrooms."

"Yeah, sounds nice.' She glanced at the empty bench with the stools pushed neatly underneath the overhang. "Should I set the table?"

"No, all done. We will eat in the dining room."

"Oh, should I have bought my formal wear?"

He laughed. "They look like your best jeans, so I think you did."

"Oi, cheeky. I can dress up. I just don't like it."

He grabbed the tea towel that was on the bench and flicked it at her. "My goal when all this is over is to take you somewhere grand and make you dress up."

She rolled her eyes. "If we don't kill each other in the next few weeks."

"It's not on my schedule. I am hoping for a nice peaceful break."

"Huh? We fight like banshees."

"You do. I am more measured than a banshee, thank you." He flicked the tea towel again. "But we don't have to argue. We can live together in harmony."

Barbara felt her face reddening. "Okay, I guess we can for three weeks, but no guarantees."

"Understood. But I am confident. Now let's eat. I'm starving."