Alice lay there, in Matthew's bed. She snuggled into the covers that smelled like a combination of washing powder, her perfume and Matthew's aftershave. Alice felt safe with Matthew. So much so, she had been in public and kissed Matthew and held his hand and people had seen. She amazed herself at how easy it had been to do such a thing, but she thought that maybe it wasn't brave but that she was comfortable around Matthew and that he was showing her that displays of affection were to be cherished and not to be ashamed. Alice thought about the call to the morgue that lunchtime; she thought about what might happen and how she was scared of the thug finding out that she had told the police and what that might mean. Was her life in danger? What if the plan went wrong? She thought about what Charlie had said earlier that day "Doc, it's going to be alright. We'll make sure you're safe. The boss would make our lives hell if anything was to happen to you!" Alice had thought that people would think it strange that Matthew, a respected Chief Superintendent of Ballaratt Police, would be talked about, shunned even, for associating himself with her. It seemed like the opposite from what Charlie had said. Matthew's men clearly respected him and seemed to accept that Alice and he were together. No snide remarks, no harsh words and that gave her some comfort. She never thought she would find herself in such a position but, even though the situation was less than normal, she knew that Matthew would be there and that they would get through this together.
Matthew sat in the living room, trying to read his book but he thought about the day that had just passed: he thought about how much he had been worried about what the boys might say about him and Alice, although he wouldn't want her to know that. Not that he was ashamed of their situation, just that he hadn't really been seen at work with a woman he was romantically involved with before. When he thought about it, there had only been a few women over the years, none of whom had made him want to settle but he had had fun! Alice was different: he knew he loved her, he knew she loved him and one day, at some point in the future, he might just ask her if she'd like to marry him. Be his wife. A wife: now that was something he never thought he'd have, especially since he'd spent all of his adult life without one. Would she want to get married? Or would she prefer things stay as they are? Would she even want to be with him? This grump of a man with a gammy leg? Matthew thought about how Lucien and Jean had only been gone a few months but thought of all of the things that had happened since they had left. The big case in Melbourne, the vital evidence found in Ogden's stomach, Dr Wallace making a hash of things as usual, the man harassing Alice for the evidence and her being so brave to deal with it all and finally, this new relationship between him and Alice. That was the most exciting part. Matthew knew Lucien would love to be involved in this case but as his mind wandered to Alice, Matthew thought about how she had gone to bed early. "She must be knackered" Matthew thought. "Everything that's been going on and, I'm sure she's worried about what's going to happen with this evidence exchange." Matthew sat there in silence and thought about all of the possible scenarios of the plan. What if something was to happen to Alice? He'd never forgive himself. He tried to think of something else but to no avail. Matthew switched off the lights, checked the doors were locked and headed to his bedroom. When he looked around the door, there was Alice sleeping in his bed, hugging his pillow and lying halfway between her side of his bed and his. He just stood there for a minute and looked at this beauty in his bed. "What a lucky bugger, I am" he thought, as he got into bed. He tried to move Alice over but instead he managed to move her so he could just get into bed and Alice snuggled right into him. Matthew kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes. They would deal with all of this tomorrow. Together.