Matthew had got up, washed and dressed pretty smartly. Today was a day for making plans and as much as he knew they could sort this; he was still nervous. Alice hadn't woken when he left the bed and he had left her to sleep a little longer. He thought about, when all of this was over and the Blakes were back, he'd like to take Alice away for a few days. Somewhere quiet with nothing to do but relax and not think about anything. When Alice woke, she moved her arms over to find Matthew but found only an empty bed. Alice suddenly felt fear; she wasn't sure what had gone through her head, but she shouted "Matthew!Mathew?!" She heard Matthew's distinctive gait, but clearly quicker than usual, as he was trying to get to her as fast as he could. Matthew sat down next to Alice on the bed and moved her hair from her eyes. She was breathing hard and Matthew took her hand trying to get Alice to focus on something else, but she continued to become more panicked. "Alice? Love? Look at me." Matthew put his fingers under her chin and made her look at him. "Take a deep breath Alice. In…and out…in…and out…" Alice looked at Matthew and copied what he was doing as he still held her hand. After a few minutes, her breathing had calmed and Matthew asked her what had happened. "I woke and reached for you and you weren't there and…I…you…" Alice looked Matthew in the eyes and said, "Matthew I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I know I'm being irrational. I'm normally so calm and logical but not at the minute. I'm sorry, Matthew. Please forgive me." She lowered her head, but Matthew would not allow it. He lifted her chin back so that she was looking at him. "Alice, love, right now there's a lot going on: at work and at home. 4 months ago, sure we had tough cases, but no one was threatening our lives. And, I mean no disrespect when I say this but, you were closed to emotions. You had started to let Lucien, Jean and I in and you were getting more comfortable, but now…" He motioned between Alice and himself. "Alice, you know how I feel about you and I hope you feel the same. In fact, you've told me you feel the same. This last few months have been like a therapy session for both of us. I'm glad that you have felt comfortable enough to share everything that you have shared with me and I want you to know that I cherish this fledgling relationship that we have. I feel safe with you and I don't think that you'll judge me for what I say. I'm not angry with you but stop apologising. There is nothing, and I mean nothing to be sorry for. You're scared, and that's ok. Alice, I'm not going to lie to you: I'm scared. I'm worried about what will happen. You think I haven't thought about what could happen if things go wrong? What if I lose you?" at this last comment, Matthew's breath hitched, and Alice saw tears in his eyes. She lifted her hand to cup his face and Matthew covered her hand with his. He kissed the palm of her hand and pulled her towards him. "Alice, I love you and I don't want to lose you; not now that it has taken us so long to do something about this and especially not now that I know you feel the same way. I will make sure that me and the boys do everything in our power to keep you safe and catch the man who is doing this." Matthew leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. They sat there in silence in each other's arms for a while, but Matthew was the first to move. "We need to have some breakfast and head to the station. We need to go through the plan, and we need to get Dr Wallace on board." Alice looked in disbelief at what he had just said "Matthew? Dr Wallace?" Matthew looked at her and said, "don't worry. I mean we need to make sure he's not in the morgue or anywhere near Ballarat tomorrow!" Matthew got up and kissed her on the lips. "It's going to be just fine, Alice. You get dressed and join me in the kitchen when you're ready. I'll get breakfast made."
Alice and Matthew made their way to the car and headed to the police station. They entered the building and Charlie stopped them before they went into the bullpen. "Boss? The top brass from Melbourne are here in the interview room. They said that you and the Doc had to join them when you arrived." Matthew looked at Alice, saw the look on her face and pulled her in for a shoulder squeeze. "It's going to be fine, Alice" then kissed the side of her head. "Tea, boss? Coffee, Doc?" said Charlie and both Matthew and Alice said yes, in unison.
Alice would drive to Lake Wendouree and park up in the meeting place. Alice would bring the evidence and the report and would meet the thug to do the exchange. Charlie and two other constables would be hiding in the dark and Matthew would be hiding in another car at the Lake. He would stay in his car and one of the top brass would be hiding at the side of Matthew's car so that he could move quickly when the time came. It was a fairly simplistic plan but so many things could go wrong. They couldn't have too many people there at the Lake, otherwise the guy might get suspicious. When the time came to arrest the thug, the police would make out like they had followed Alice and arrest her for tampering with evidence. Matthew would stay in the car and watch. Make sure the thug didn't see him and upset the whole situation.
Alice went over and over the plan all day; all she had to do was pass the evidence along, look shocked when the police arrested her and stay alive. That was all she had to do. Alice passed the day in the morgue with Charlie, but she couldn't remember what she did. She knew she'd need to go back to that paperwork when this was over. There's no way any of it was right. Charlie and Alice went back to the station at the end of the day, and Charlie noticed that she was fidgeting. "Doc, I promise I'll be there. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I know I said the boss would make our lives Hell if anything happened to you but I kinda like you too. So…you know…" Alice looked at him and smiled, "thank you Charlie. That means a lot to me." Charlie reached out to touch her elbow but thought better of it. Alice saw this and reached out to touch his elbow instead. "Thank you" she said, and she wasn't sure whether she or Charlie was more dumfounded by her action. They both walked into the bullpen and Matthew was waiting. "Don't bother sitting down sweetheart, we're leaving now. That ok with you?" Alice nodded as her face grew red at his endearment but took his hand and they left the station.
They drove in the direction of Alice's house and Alice looked at Matthew and said, "there's nothing to eat and you don't have anything to change into at my place." Matthew looked over at her and briefly touched her knee, then put his hands back on the wheel. "I nipped home at lunch and collected some clothes; they're in the back seat! I bought a few things from the store but I also thought that we could pick up fish and chips now. What do you think?"
"Sounds lovely Matthew." Alice followed Matthew's example and put her hand on his knee and said, "you're far too good to me."
"Never" Matthew said. Alice only moved her hand when they went to buy fish and chips and when they arrived at her house.
It was cold and dark when they went inside, but she hadn't been there for a while. They hung up their coats and Alice went to the kitchen; she picked up two wine glasses and a bottle of white from the fridge. Matthew took the fish and chips to the living room and set about lighting the fire. By the time they had eaten, the living room was cosy and warm. Alice got up to clear the chip wrappers and pour them both another glass of wine. "Matthew? Don't you want to change out of your uniform?" Matthew looked at her and said "no, I'll just wait till we're going to sleep." Alice sat back down next to Matthew on the sofa, she sat as close as she could then turned and started kissing Matthew on the jaw, moved to his cheek then to claim his lips. She moved over to kiss Matthew more forcefully and eventually moved over till she had her legs astride Matthew's. She started to unbutton his shirt and was kissing down his throat to where her fingers were. Matthew, as much as he was enjoying what was going on, drew back from Alice and took both of her hands in his. Matthew looked at her and said, "Alice, sweetheart? What's going on?" Alice tried to move her hands from Matthew's to start where she had left off, but Matthew held her still. "Alice, I want this, I really do but this isn't how it should be. You're scared; I know you are, but this isn't the way to deal with this, is it?" Alice lowered her head and started to cry. She grabbed fistfuls of Matthew's shirt and released heart-breaking sobs. Matthew pulled her in to his chest and held her tight while she cried. When her sobs subsided, Matthew lifted her face from his chest and said "Alice? Talk to me love."
"I…Matthew…what if I you lose me tomorrow? What if something happens and we never get to do this?" Tears fell again but this time they were Matthew's. "Alice. Beautiful Alice. I love you and I'm not going to lose you tomorrow. Everything is going to be fine. I know it's hard, but let's not think about what might happen. Are you off this weekend?" Alice looked at him and said, "yes, are you?" Matthew kissed her lips softly and said "I told the boys I was having the weekend off and not to bother me on any account except world destruction or war. What's the chances I get called in?" Alice laughed at his last comment. "We could go and buy some food on Saturday and spend the whole weekend here. We do nothing. Maybe even try something new?" Matthew winked at Alice and pulled her closer for a long and sensuous kiss. "Alice, I'm scared too but we will get through this. The boys know the plan and we all know what to do. It's the fear of the unknown and I know we're all a bit scared but we're going to get this bastard and put him away. It's up to Melbourne to get the rest out of him about the Potted Lads gang: when he's gone, we'll have played our part." Alice looked at Matthew and said, "I like the sound of that: you and I here for a whole weekend with nothing to do and plenty of time to do it!" She leaned in for a kiss and Matthew cheekily patted her bum and said "let's go to bed. It's a big day tomorrow and we need to get as much sleep as we can." Alice smiled and removed herself from Matthew's lap, before helping him up off the sofa. They both fell asleep in each other's arms that night but at 2.30 am, Alice woke up with the thought of what might happen if something went wrong. When she turned to move her hand over Matthew's chest, she realised he too was awake. "Can't sleep Chief Superintendent?" Matthew looked at Alice in the dark of her room and said, "was just thinking." Alice leaned in and kissed his chest through his pyjama top and said, "Please Matthew, let's get some more sleep. We're both worried, I know we are. Will you hold me Matthew?" Matthew moved to kiss Alice on the forehead and pulled her into an embrace. "'course sweetheart." They both fell back to sleep thinking of the other's arms around them and all the things that were to come, after tomorrow.