(Later that evening. Rachel sits in her car parked outside of the cocktail bar where she agreed to meet Robin. He just text saying he got them a table. She checks her mirror again and with her index finger rubs fresh lipstick off of her teeth. She frowns at her reflection. She remembers Will once saying she could wear a sack as long as it didn't cover her "beautiful face." She did not have a terribly low self image. She knew she was reasonably attractive. But she also knew she had the tendency to slouch when she was not feeling confident. She wasn't feeling very confident. It was one thing to have a "good" face, it was another to be "good" company or a "good" person. She sighs and resolves that even if she botches this up at least she'll get a good shag out of him. Rachel enters the restaurant and takes a quick glance around it was very "hip" with metal and inside shrubbery and colorful abstract art. She spots Robin who sits alone at a high-top table. She smiles at the sight of him and walks over.)

Robin:(looks up from his mobile.) Oh. (He quickly stands, startling Rachel by his sudden movement and she watches as he pulls out her chair. She laughs at the gentlemanly gesture that seemed so entirely unnecessary.) Hello. (Her eyes watch his smile as he stands close to her, it was definitely one with appetite.) May I help you with your coat?

Rachel: I've got it. Tah. (she pats his chest, dismissing him from his dutiful attention. He nods in understanding and returns to his side of the table while she strips off her jacket. She does it slowly, hoping he's imagining her slipping off everything else. She takes her seat.)

Robin: (points at the votive candle on the table between them.) I told you I'd manage candles the next time.

Rachel: Excellent. A man of your word-

Robin: I try to be.

Rachel: Is that what made you choose this place?

Robin: No. I saw it online. Good reviews and I wanted to take you somewhere, ya know, different but also without an audience. Private.

Rachel: (smirks) So you don't like to be watched. What sort of things do you get up to in "private"? (Rachel emphasizes the word and Robin blushes at her forwardness.)

Robin: To be honest, not much these days. It's been ages since I've been on a proper date. (He clears his throat. Neither of them had outrightly declared this a date but he very much wanted it to be.) I'm surprised you'd never been here when it's so near the office.

Rachel: I don't get out much anymore. What with work and having a four year old. (Points to the bar.) Do we go up and order?

Robin: No, we've got a waitress. I told her I was waiting on someone.

Rachel: So, now that you've got a week in, an open case, a short staff, a doubled workload and an office scandal, how would you say you're liking Manchester?

Robin: Great. I've ended the week sitting across from you. So I'd have to go with great.

Rachel: I, uh, I just wanted to say thank you again. For reporting the leak. I was warned today about my growing in-popularity. So, I can't imagine coming into a new team, and causing such big waves across all syndicates. It was brave and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. I was told many years ago that I was mad to think anyone would ever stick their neck out for me ever again because I brought my reputation into disrepute. So, for you to, socially sort of take a bullet for me, someone you don't know from Adam. I really... (she reaches over to gently touch his strong and exposed forearm.) Really appreciate it. (something about her sincerity makes Robin sad. He's not entirely sure why.)

Robin: I didn't do it for any recognition or any reason besides it's the right thing. I didn't do it because I fancy you. I did it because regardless of who the woman in the video was, she was a victim and she deserves some bloody sensitivity and to be treated with respect. (He notices that she removed her hand from his arm when he used the word 'victim' and her eyes move over to the bar again.) I'm not a hero. I didn't even want to make it known I was the one who reported it. I didn't do anything extraordinary. I exhibited basic human decency. You do understand that?

Rachel:(looks aside and fidgets with her fingers) Well I-

Robin: The only reason I told you, again, was not because I wanted recognition or even your gratitude. I only told you because I do fancy you. (she smiles and blushes) And I would like to get to know you better. And seeing that, knowing that, it's very personal information. Something that most people don't disclose unless they're really close. So I thought it was only fair, to you, to know that I know.

Rachel: You may look at it as basic human decency but as you must know, doing this job as long as you have, that most people are not decent. That is why you deal with, on the daily, rape and torture porn, and pedophilia. So when the baseline is 'scumbag'. I would say your honesty is different, refreshing.

Robin: Well, that's bleak. You can't go through life thinking everyone you encounter is going to be a bad guy.

Rachel: Why not? They could be. And in my experience they are. I mean to be fair I haven't been to a great many places but I can count on my fingers how many people I think are good. And it goes down to one hand if I count how many I trust.

Robin: I suppose I can 't blame you considering everything.

(When the waitress finally arrives Robin dares Rachel to think outside the "bottle" and order herself something other than wine. They both order specialty cocktails off the menu, offering each other a sample sip when the drink is placed in front of them. They both are two drinks in now. Rachel was never a lightweight before Charlotte but since she's given up hard-drinking, hard liquors go very quickly to her head. She's feeling buzzed and happy.)

Rachel: So then I just said 'ok' and I just fucking let her. Because I mean, for a four year old, her logic was solid. I couldn't argue with it. (Robin laughs)

Robin: I wonder how Charlotte and Emma will get on. I bet Charlotte will be the boss, our Emma she's so timid.

Rachel: Yes, my girl will be a boss. She's clever and beautiful and I'm going to raise her to be confident and assertive and she's going to have everything. And she's going to be happy.

Robin: It sounds like she's most, if not all, of those things already.

Rachel: I'm trying.

Waitress: Would you like another? (Rachel looks to Robin to make the decision. She wanted more but she knew the right answer was 'no'.)

Robin: I'll just settle our tab.

Rachel: I can grab it.

Robin: No, please, allow me. (He presents his card to the waitress who takes it and walks away. Rachel smiles warmly at Robin.)

Rachel: Cheers.

Robin: It's been a pleasure. I hope it's not the last time.

Rachel: If you play your cards right. (she shrugs.)

Robin: Did you drive or bike today?

Rachel: I've got my car.

Robin: Bugger. I'd really like a ride one day.

Rachel: (smirks suggestively) Would ya?

Robin: (laughs) On ya bike. I mean not "on ya bike" like... I mean your motorbike. (Rachel laughs)

Rachel: That can be arranged. (the waitress returns Robin's card. He thanks her and then stands. He shrugs on his jacket and then walks over to Rachel's side of the table. She's already grabbed her coat and he helps her get one of her arms in. They both laugh.) I don't know how I'm a mum sometimes.

Robin: Parenting is a whole lot of pretending you know what's going on.

Rachel: That couldn't be more true. (He offers her his arm and she smiles taking it. Even through the wool of his jacket she fantasized about gripping his sculpted muscles. She pictured herself naked in his arms. They walk outside together arm in arm into the crisp night air. Rachel felt the cold air against her warm cheeks and became even more aware of her tipsiness. She leans into him a little exchanging body heat. He was just taller than her and she liked that. He walks her to her car and she lets go of his arm. She gets out her key and beeps the security alarm off but keeps her eyes fixed on Robin. The dim street lights only partially lit his features, casting light on the hard edge of his nose and jaw. She focuses on his lips.)

Robin: Goodnight. (He steps forward to kiss her on the cheek and Rachel to his surprise presses herself into him, gripping the collar of his jacket with one hand and gently pressing against the back of his neck with the other. He feels her push her soft lips against his and then part them gently with her tongue. His eyebrows raise. Her eyes are closed and she kisses him more fervently. To her dismay, Robin doesn't respond in kind. She pulls away with a flirty smirk only to see Robin's baffled expression. She takes a step back.)

Rachel: Oh. Sorry, did I, uh, did I get that wrong?

Robin: No, it's, you're-

Rachel: Oh god. Sorry.

Robin: No no need to be-

Rachel: I thought, god, I thought you fancied me?

Robin: I do. No, I absolutely do.

Rachel: Oh.. (squints and smiles in her confusion) Alright then.

Robin: I just, it was a bit full on.

Rachel: So you... don't want to shag?

Robin: (laughs) I do yeah, but, it's only our first date. I've only known you a few-

Rachel: (blushes) Yeah, gosh, you're right. I'm sorry. (Rachel shuts her eyes, wishing she hadn't just shown herself to be the sort of girl that shags on the first date. The sort that doesn't need to know your family-name to pull her knickers down. He must be used to much classier women.) I'm gonna, I've gotta- (she opens her car door.)

Robin: Sorry you just caught me off guard.

Rachel: No, I'm sorry. (she gets in her car and starts the engine. She shifts into gear and decides since Charlotte isn't home she could treat herself to a nightcap to help wash that embarrassment away. Robin stands in the dark cold and watches as Rachel's car pulls away. "How did that end so badly?" he wonders to himself. He enjoyed every bit of her. She was funny, she was cute and bashful, and obviously a fighter and survivor, which he found admirable and sexy as hell but in her Kiss she betrayed herself. It wasn't the warm sweet goodnight peek he had anticipated. She wasn't drunk enough to blame the overreach on alcohol. That was what she really thought the appropriate response was and this left Robin feeling like something just wasn't quite right.)

(As Rachel drives home she's feeling low. She felt trashy and she didn't like it. She always said she enjoyed casual sex and wasn't ashamed of how she uses and enjoys her body. The only bit she was ashamed about was when other people found out. People were so judgemental. It's like they didn't understand that sex doesn't have to be personal, sometimes it can be transactional. So what? There are a few blokes in there that she doesn't know their names. Who cares? In the moment, she got what she needed, she felt good and that's all that mattered. So why was she suddenly made to feel guilty over having exchanged a back-alley blowjob for some drunken tosser to return the favor and eat her out? She remembers, once, it started raining right when he finally made her climax and he said something vulgar about how wet he made her. No, she couldn't pick that bloke out of a lineup now if you asked her. But why should she feel ashamed about that? It meant nothing. It was exactly what it was, sex. And in the moment, it was just what she needed.

Maybe Robin was just a prude, like Janet. A judgemental holier-than-thou-art type. Maybe this whole date was just a laugh. Maybe because of everything, he thought she was the office bike and just had to test it out. He almost seemed repulsed by how easy she was. There was no doubt in Rachel's mind now, that it was a laugh, a joke on her. No doubt he'd be in the office tomorrow, telling the blokes how she basically threw herself at him. All that for a laugh? Why go through the bother of pretending to be nice to her? Pulling out her chair and helping her with her coat? Just to make a fool out of her? She really should have been more suspicious. He was very fit. Clearly a 10 when she felt at her best she was a 7. She knew, she'd learned from Nick and Sean, handsome blokes settle for girls like her, she's never their end goal.

Rachel remembers, being 14. She emerges from under the covers to see a very satisfied Sean. His eyes close, relishing the remnants of immense pleasure. He looked relaxed finally and that's what she wanted. Sean had been unusually stressed and a little off with her the past few days. Finally that dumb smile was back on his face. She curls under his arm and kisses his chest. He finally opens his eyes and smiles down at her, gently rubbing his arm on her bare shoulder.)

Sean: You are naturally talented.

Rachel: Shut up.

Sean: It's a compliment.

Rachel: I'll put it on my CV shall I?

Sean: No. No one else needs to know. You're MY girl. (She smiles. She liked being his. He chose her. Sean was popular. He was handsome and a talented rugby player. She was awkward and quiet and didn't make friends easily. There were a number of jealous girls at school that didn't think she deserved him. Sometimes she agreed with them. They didn't even know how often he "saved" her.) It's almost the end of the term.

Rachel: Hm? Oh, I know. I've been getting anxious about it too. But I spoke to Dad and our Ali last night and she agreed to letting me get a summer job.

Sean: That's good. Get you out the house.

Rachel: Yeah. 60/40. To the house and for myself.

Sean: Speaking of getting out the house…

Rachel: Yeah?

Sean: I've been thinking.

Rachel: Careful, you might pull something. (She tousles the hair on his head and he laughs.)

Sean: No seriously.

Rachel: Ok, seriously. (She mimes zipping her lips and can't help but smirk.)

Sean: Well, I was thinking, the end of term disco is coming up. Paul is throwing a big after party at his, because his dad's away on business in America. And, uh, I want to go.

Rachel: Alright.

Sean: But you'd never get permission from your Dad, would ya?

Rachel: (shrugs) I could lie.

Sean: And risk missing more school to stay home and recover?

Rachel: Only if I get caught.

Sean: And what would you wear? (Smirks) Have you even got anything apart from your uniform? (Rachel laughs but blushes from embarrassment. She didn't have much outside of her uniform. Money was tight and so were her shoes. Ali's check only stretched so far and it certainly didn't go to keeping Rachel fashionable.)

Rachel: Maybe, I could- ( Dom was getting really good at nicking stuff from the high street shops but she didn't want to encourage him breaking the law by asking a favor.)...I dunno.

Sean: Well, I was thinking, it's not fair that I can't go. Just because you can't.

Rachel: Right well, I-

Sean: So I've asked Melanie to go with me.

Rachel: (sits up to look him directly in the face) Melanie?

Sean: Yeah, Melanie G. She's in our year.

Rachel: So what, you're?

Sean: (sits up and puts a hand on her bare back) It's not like a date. We're just going as mates, me and Mel.

Rachel: Mates?

Sean: Yeah. She was just feeling sorry for me because I was saying how you probably wouldn't be able to come.

Rachel: You were talking to her about me?

Sean: Don't get upset. I didn't say owt. Just that your Dad is strict and would say 'no'.

Rachel: My business is my business.

Sean: I swear I didn't say anything that'll make you look bad. I was just saying, that I really wanted to go and it's not fair if I can't, just because of your Dad being a dick.

Rachel: So, she offered?

Sean: Yeah. To go as mates. I mean, do you think it's fair, that I have to miss out because of your dick of a Dad?

Rachel: (sighs and shrugs) I s'pose not.

Sean: (kisses her cheek) You're still my girl. (She nods and forces a doubtful smile. He kisses her lips.) You still want to be my girl, don't you?

Rachel: Yeah. (They kiss and Sean's fingers find their way inside of her.)

Rachel decides she's not going to go home and cry about it. When she sees her therapist next, she'll talk to her about having reasonable expectations. But tonight, was never meant to end in tears. Instead of heading home she heads to a bar downtown. She wanted a happy ending.)

(The next morning. Rachel wakes up to her alarm and the smell of coffee. She was home and she wasn't alone. Her fanny was sore but it was worth it. She gets up and slips on an old t-shirt that was on the floor from the night before when she slept alone. She scans the floor but doesn't see her knickers but decides it's probably best to let her parts breathe some. The shirt is long enough and she decides against knickers at the moment. She had to be at work in a couple of hours so she needed to get this lively and generous person out of her home. Rachel walks into her kitchen to find a pretty but somewhat boyish woman sitting in her kitchen. The woman's hair is long on top and buzzed on the side and Rachel definitely enjoyed running her hands through it. The woman wears a button up shirt and dark jeans, a casual version of Rachel's regular.)

Woman: (smiles) I hope you don't mind. (the woman sips her coffee.) I took the liberty.

Rachel: (smirks, suddenly shy by the light of morning. The choices she made in the dark should stay there.) Allowing you a coffee is the least I can do.

Woman: (laughs) I did have my hands full with you. (Rachel remembers, both of them on their knees in her bed, one of the woman's hands inside her and manipulating her with mastery and the other of her hands gripped Rachel's buttocks.)

Rachel:(goes to the cabinet and grabs a mug. She can feel the woman's eyes on her.) I have been called 'insatiable' before.

Woman: Were you -satiated?

Rachel: (laughs) yes. Were you?

Woman: Yes.

Rachel: I've never-

Woman: I could tell. You're straight, aren't you? I usually fall for the straight girls.

Rachel: I'm... well... mostly. Mainly. Not lately.

Woman: Single?

Rahel:(laughs sipping the coffee she poured herself.) Like that matters now?

Woman: I noticed you've got a kid.

Rachel: (points to the alphabet letters on her fridge.) What gave it away?

Woman: So, what? Husbands away, pussy's at play?

Rachel: No. I'm single.

Woman: Oh, good.

Rachel: Why?

Woman: Because, you're delicious and I'd like to eat you out sometime. I mean take you out to eat sometime. (Rachel laughs enjoying the vulgarity.) No, actually, I had it right the first time. What do you say?

Rachel: (smirks) Why not? (sips her coffee.) Do you work? I've got to be in the office soon.

Woman: I told you, I'm a tattoo artist.

Rachel: Oh, I thought that was a joke.

Woman: Why?

Rahel: You've got no tattoos.

Woman: Other people bare my art. And what do you do again?

Rachel: I told you.

Woman: I don't think Detective "chest" inspector is a real job. (Rachel laughs remembering how that corny joke allowed her a fondle of this woman's breasts.)

Rachel: I'm the Detective Chief Inspector of Manchester's Metropolitan Police Major Incident team.

Woman: So you're a copper.

Rachel: Yes when you cut to the point. (Rachel leans against the counter and smiles enjoying how easy this feeling was. Nothing about this felt awkward, not like her fumble with Robin last night.)

Woman: So how much time have you got?

Rachel: One hour and forty-five minutes.

Woman: (stands and walks over to Rachel) My coffee would be so much better with- (she kisses Rachel's neck.) some (she kisses her lips) Sweet cream. (she raises her eyebrows suggestively.)

Rachel: You don't seem to have a problem with helping yourself.

Woman: Then don't mind if I do. (she kneels in front of Rachel, pleasantly surprised to see she has no knickers on and then kisses her. Rachel lifts her left leg a bit, allowing the woman a better angle and the woman grips her thigh. Rachel moans and for a moment she realizes, this was the counter she was pressed against when Spencer was holding a knife to her throat. The realization makes this moment of pleasure feel even more like a victory.)