A/N Sorry It's been so long since an update on this. I know I've said it a lot lately, but writing is slow going. Is anyone even still reading this?

Content warning. Violence, sexual assault (nothing too graphic)


After dinner, Lucien rose from the table and began to collect the plates. "Delicious, Charlie."

Jean smiled at him, "Yes, Thank you Charlie. It's always lovely when you cook."

Charlie stood and began to help Lucien with the plates. "You're welcome Mrs Beazley. Actually Danny helped me this time so I have to give him some credit."

Danny looked around at them beaming proudly.

"Ugh," scoffed Mattie and she rolled her eyes with a smile, "Do you want a medal, or a chest to pin it on?" she teased him.

Jean's eyes almost popped out. "You?" she laughed, "I've been trying to teach you to cook since you were 12!" she glanced at Charlie. "Well done for succeeding."

"Well, he's still got a long way to go until he can make a meal himself. This was just lesson one. The basics" he looked at Danny and grinned. Then he glanced at the clock. "I'll just serve Rose's dinner up and put it in the oven shall I? She shouldn't be too far off."

"Good idea," Lucien agreed. "I'm sure she will appreciate the hot meal when she gets here. I'll pop the kettle on. And now, about this cake…" he followed Charlie into the kitchen.


Alice wiped the last dish and put it away. Artemis wound around her legs as she looked around her small flat. This would be the first time she and Matthew were deliberately choosing to spend an evening in each other's company and she was slightly nervous. She chewed her lip. Would they have things to talk about, outside of work? She'd invited him over for dinner, so she could work on his sore leg, but would Matthew be expecting something more? Though they had shared a bed and a few kisses, she wasn't sure if she was ready for anything further. Her boldness from earlier had deserted her, and she was anxious about Matthew's arrival. She mentally went through a possible evening in her head. Dinner at the kitchen table, then to her room for her to massage Matthew's leg, Then they could come out to the lounge room and have a cup of tea and maybe listen to some music or… wait… She glanced around her lounge room in alarm trying to work out what was bothering her about that idea, her eyes finally settling on the large armchair that Artemis was now curled up in. Her only armchair. It had never bothered her. She never entertained visitors and if someone unexpectedly dropped around, the single seat usually stopped them from overstaying their welcome. Now however she eyed it with frustration. There was no time to wonder on the subject however, as there was a knock on the door. She wiped her hands on her yellow dress with the navy flowers, and checked her appearance in the mirror that hung on the wall. Suddenly feeling self-conscious and unusually shy she opened the door.

Matthew was standing on her doorstep with a newspaper wrapped bundle under one arm, and a single long stemmed yellow rose in his hand. "Hey," he greeted her and offered her the rose. "Hey look! I managed to match the flower to your dress!" He smiled at her and her eyes sparkled. "You look beautiful."

Alice felt her cheeks flush as she took the flower. No one had ever brought her flowers, or told her she looked beautiful before, and she took a moment to smell the fresh scent of the rose as she closed the door behind him.

"Alice, don't take this the wrong way, but your place looks like a dump from the outside," Matthew observed as he placed the steaming parcel on the table and began to unwrap the newspaper.

"Oh I know," Alice replied as she looked around for something to put the flower in. She'd never had the need for a vase before. "That's one of the reasons I chose this place." She reached over and grabbed an empty wine bottle and began to fill it with water.

Matthew scrunched his face, "Hey? You chose it because it looked like a dump? I don't follow."

"It's a case of 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. It reminded me of myself. Not much to look at but worth getting to know." She fed the rose into her make-do vase and turned to put it on the table.

Matthew stepped away from the food and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. "I think you're something worth looking at and getting to know." He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers.

Alice smiled against his lips. They'd shared so much in the last 24 hours, but there had only been a handful of times where he'd actually kissed her lips, and Alice thought she'd never get used to the taste of him. "Matthew," she pushed him away gently, "Dinner is getting cold." She smiled at him and he looked slightly abashed.

He turned back to the table as Alice reached for the plates. "Two pieces of battered whiting, and chips with extra chicken salt, as requested."

"Thanks. Beer?" Alice asked as she reached into her fridge.

"Yes, thanks."

Alice pulled out two beers and, after opening them, placed one in front of Matthew and took a long sip from the other.

"I didn't know you drank beer," Matthew commented as he watched her.

Alice raised an eyebrow and smiled. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

Matthew watched as she picked up a knife and fork and pushed her chips away from her fish with her knife, clearly separating the two things. "Well, you can be a very private person."

"Only with some people. I'll tell you anything you like." Alice looked up and saw him watching her and she chewed her lip, slightly embarrassed. "I don't like my food to touch, is that weird?"

Matthew smiled and his blue eyes shone. "It's adorable."

Alice felt her cheeks flush as she hid a smile. No one had ever found her quirks adorable. Odd, strange, weird, yes. But never adorable. She looked at Matthew who was happily tucking into his piece of fish, and Alice felt them falling into the same comfortable rhythm they had begun last night. Alone, in the privacy of her own home, the worry of being discovered was removed, and Alice relaxed into Matthew's easy company.


"Oh Charlie that looks amazing." Jean's eyes were glued to the chocolate cake, as Charlie brought it to the table, followed by Lucien who carried a tray with mugs, plates and a steaming teapot.

"Should satisfy even your sweet tooth Mrs Beazley," Charlie smiled as he began to cut into the cake.

Jean poured out the cups of tea, and as she added sugar to her mug the front door banged shut and Rose appeared. Her eyes were wet and puffy, her lip was split, and one of her cheeks was red.

"Rose?" Lucien rose from his seat but Charlie beat him to it, as the knife in his hand clattered onto the table.

"What happened?" Charlie touched her face gently where the skin was swollen and discoloured.

"Edward Tynemann," Rose offered by way of an explanation, as Mattie went to get a cold compress.

Danny gasped. "He did this to you?"

Rose nodded numbly as Charlie pulled Rose tightly to his chest in a hug.

"Bastard!" he muttered into her hair. Screw the break up, Rose was still his friend.

Rose felt hot tears escape her eyes. They burned the skin where Edwards hand had struck her cheek.

"What happened?" Lucien repeated Charlie's question. His voice was dangerously quiet, full of barely concealed rage.

Jean reached out to hold his hand to try and calm him. Lucien certainly had a temper. He'd hit Edward before and there was no doubt in Jean's mind that he would do it again.

"It's nothing. I can handle him" Rose sniffed.

Jean reached out and smoothed a hand over her hair "It's not nothing" she countered gently "If it was 'nothing' you wouldn't be standing here in tears with a mark on your cheek."

Rose sniffled again. "I really don't want to talk about this."

"Come and sit down." Jean led her to the table where she pushed the cup of hot sweet tea into her hand "Here, drink this."

Rose brought the cup to her lips and sipped the hot liquid as she tried to compose herself.

"Did he hit you?" Lucien stared at her stonily.

Rose ran her tongue over her cut lip as Mattie appeared at her shoulder.

"Rose?" Mattie bobbed down next to her and held the cold wet flannel against her cheek.

Rose nodded, almost imperceptibly. "Backhanded me across the face," she whispered as she covered Mattie's hand with her own, pressing the cold fabric against her still stinging cheek.

Charlie put a hand on her shoulder. "Was this to do with the report on Terry's death?"

Rose's breath hitched in her chest. "Sort of," she began. "He… he wanted to write it, but he was making a total cock up of it. We argued and he grabbed my arse and told me there was one thing I could do, that would make him let me write it" her voice trembled.

Lucien could feel a muscle in his jaw twitch as he ground his teeth.

Rose continued haltingly, "He… he grabbed my hand… and he… he put it… on… him," Rose stared into space not wanting to make eye contact with any of them. "He tried to push me onto my knees, but I pulled my hand away and told him he was disgusting, and then… and then… he belted me across the face…" she fairly whispered.

Charlie exhaled and shook his head in disbelief. His eyes wide and his jaw tight with tension.

Lucien clenched his fists. "That complete and utter lowlife piece of scum," he growled.

Rose finally looked up. Lucien's face was turning red.

"You should press charges," Mattie urged as she struggled to continue to hold the wet flannel to Rose's cheek.

Rose snorted angrily, "Against my boss? What? For being a dickhead?

"Rose!" Jean scolded gently.

"I mean who knows, I probably don't even have a job anymore!" Rose spat bitterly.

"What a prick"

Jean's eyes widened in surprise "Mattie! Language!"

"I want to march in there and give that disgusting slimeball what for," Mattie continued, ignoring Jean's sharp eyes.

Charlie joined in, "You can get behind me, I've got the law on my side."

"Guys! I'm not pressing charges ok?! Edward's my boss! And if I do that there is no doubt in my mind that I definitely will be out of a job."

"You're not going back to work for him?" Lucien's voice was low and full of venom. "No. I won't let it happen."

Rose looked at him, "Lucien, what else am I supposed to do?"

"NO!" Lucien roared. "I WILL NOT HAVE HIM TOUCH YOU LIKE THAT AGAIN."

Rose was taken aback. She'd always fought her own battles, not having anyone to stand up for her, but Lucien was pacing the floor, pushing a trembling hand through his hair.

"Perhaps Mr Edward Tynemann needs to spend some more time in a prison cell to remind him just how lucky he is to be free" Lucien scowled.

Rose looked to Jean who had covered her mouth with her hand as a tear rolled down her cheek, and one by one looked to each of the others who all looked angry and upset. "Look can we please all just forget about it for tonight? I'm done talking about this." She looked at Charlie, "Did you save me some dinner? I'm starving."

Charlie nodded dumbly but didn't remove his hand from where it sat on Rose's shoulder.

Jean saw his reluctance to leave her "I'll get it for you shall I?" she asked kindly.

Rose nodded and watched as Jean, followed by Lucien, left for the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen Jean took the meal out of the oven and turned to see Lucien standing behind her with a stormy look on his face.

"I had to get out of there Jean, I know Edward is a piece of work, but this? This is too much. He can't hurt Rose and get away with it."

Jean put the plate of food down on the table and went to him. She saw his hands were shaking and she placed her own hands on his. "Perhaps I will pay a little visit to Patrick tomorrow, have a little chat with him about his son's workplace manner, or lack thereof," she shook her head, "Not that I think Patrick has any control over him anymore."

"Good idea. I'll come with you."

Jean looked her fiancé in the eyes "No Lucien. I don't think so. You and Patrick don't exactly see eye to eye on things."

Despite his anger, a hint of a smile appeared on Lucien's face. "Maybe you're right." He sighed and his face fell once more. "I just feel so useless"

Jean took his face between her hands. "You can't protect the world Lucien," she whispered gently and she pressed a kiss to his lips.

Lucien closed his eyes and let himself be momentarily distracted. When Jean's lips finally left his he missed her touch and opened his eyes once more. She was staring into his face lovingly.

"Come on, let's get this food into her. Some hot food in her stomach, a piece of cake and a cuppa tea, then maybe Rose will see things differently.


"I saw that Matthew." Alice raised an eyebrow.

Matthew straightened up in his chair, radiating innocence. "What?'

"I saw you sneaking fish to the cat. Quit it, or she'll develop expensive tastes."

Matthew grinned good naturedly. "I couldn't eat another bite, and she's got those eyes… actually they remind me of yours."

Alice hid a smile as she looked sideways at him. "Smooth talker."

Matthew just crossed his arms in front of him and leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh.

"How's the leg feeling?"

"A little better," Matthew admitted. "It's just been such a full-on day. I was glad to have this to look forward to."

Alice shifted slightly as she tried to deflect the comment. "Oh Matthew, Fish and chips in a tiny flat? It's hardly exciting."

"Sweetheart, I could have eaten snails and I would have been happy." He took her hand, "Don't you see? It's not the food I was looking forward to."

Alice felt her face flush as she once again tried to downplay the compliment. "I've eaten snails, they don't deserve the bad rap they get. I mean I'm not saying I'd like to sit down to a bowl of them regularly, but they weren't revolting. Like buttered pieces of india rubber." She glanced back at Matthew who was staring at her, slack-jawed.

"What?"

Matthew smiled at her softly, "You're amazing. Did you know that?"

Alice rolled her eyes. "Alright enough flattery, if you want me to work on your leg, go take your pants off and lay on my bed." Alice smiled to herself as she realised she liked the way that sounded.

Matthew stood, "And to think that just yesterday I was shocked by that suggestion." He pressed a kiss to the top of Alice's head, "By the way. I think you'll find it's not flattery if it's true."

Alice watched him go as a smile played on her lips. She looked down at the cat who had fixed her grey eyes on her. "Don't give me that look!"

Artemis just yawned and rolled onto her back feigning disinterest.

Alice rose from her seat, picked up the plates and put them in the sink. They could wait until later. Her eyes swept to her bedroom door. Would it be awkward? Would Matthew be expecting a different kind of massage all together? She washed her hands, wiped them dry and approached the door with some trepidation, Artemis following behind her. She knocked, "Are you decent?"

Matthews voice came through the door, "Never, But you can come in anyway."

Alice could hear the smile in his voice and when she pushed the door open, she found Matthew sprawled on her bed in a similar position to last night. His trousers, shoes and socks neatly stacked in a pile on the floor.

Artemis brushed past her legs and leapt onto the bed. Finding much of it already occupied she turned and glared at Alice. Then turning back to the prone form splayed on the bed, simply climbed onto Matthew and settled down in the small of his back.

Alice could see Matthews muffled laughter against her pillows as she scolded the cat, "Artemis. Get down!"

"Oh let her be sweetheart, She's not hurting me, and it's not like you're working on my back."

Alice shook her head in disbelief as she moved to the foot of the bed and took Matthews leg in her hand, "You're spoiling her, first the fish and now this? Who would have thought that the under the grumpy policeman exterior, you would have a soft spot for a silly grey cat."

"Some might say I have quite a soft spot for her owner too."

Alice's cheeks flushed but she didn't say anything, she just smiled and pressed her thumbs into his leg.


Rose scraped the last of the gravy up with the side of her fork. Her friends' reactions had startled her. Especially Lucien's. She'd accepted long ago that this kind of thing was what she had to put up with as a woman in a male dominated world, but judging by their reactions tonight, her friends didn't share this opinion. "Thanks for keeping some for me Charlie, That was delicious" she tried to keep her voice light and forced herself to smile at Charlie.

Charlie tried to smile back but it didn't reach his eyes and Rose could tell he was still stewing. Lucien hadn't said much, He'd been drinking his tea quietly but she felt his eyes flick to her every now and then and his first would clench. Jean had put her hand over his at one stage and it had stalled him.

Rose stood and went to take her plate to the sink. She felt all eyes follow her out of the room. Once she was out of sight, she let out the breath she'd been holding. She knew no matter how hard she tried to put a brave face on, and pretend she was alright, she was unravelling rapidly. But she was determined to try and hold it together.

Charlie pushed his chair back and indicating to the others that he would speak to her, trailed after her. When he got to the kitchen Rose was standing at the sink breathing deeply. She still held her plate in her trembling hands. He gently pulled the plate from her hands and placed it in the sink. "Rose?"

She turned to him as tears spilled from her eyes. "I've lost my job Charlie. I just know it. All because Edward bloody Tynemann couldn't keep it in his pants."

Charlie pulled her close to him and felt her hot tears through his shirt, "Hey. We'll work something out."

"What?"

"I dunno. But for starters you should report him." His hand made soothing circles on her back. "Rose the next person he tries this on might not be as strong as you."

Rose turned her face to his. "Are you speaking as my ex-boyfriend or as a copper?"

Charlie smiled gently, "Both." He took a deep breath, "And I'm speaking as your friend. Rose, I've been completely unfair towards you during this breakup, and I'm sorry. Terry's death kinda made me think about things," Charlie took a deep breath, "and the truth is Rose, I haven't been entirely straight with you. Or myself. Or anyone else for that matter." He snuck a look at her, "Cos I don't think I'm entirely straight." He bit his lip and waited.

"Oh," Rose blinked. First Mattie and now Charlie? She stared at the wall behind his head, unsure of what to say.

"I'm only just working it out myself, It's only since I met Danny…"

"Do you have feelings for Danny?" Rose looked at Charlie with surprise.

Charlie pushed a harassed hand through his hair, "I don't know alright?! Just give me a bit of time to think things through."

"Is he gay? Is Danny gay?" Rose continued, "Cos that's making a lot of sense right now, some of the things he said and did last night."

"Um. He's uh, bisexual. He's pretty open about it actually. He's been in relationships with men, back in Melbourne."

Rose raised her eyebrows. "Seems like Ballarat is a bit behind the times, once again." She saw Charlie looking at her curiously and remembered her promise to Mattie to not say anything. "I mean if it's commonplace in Melbourne…"

"Rose, just drop it, alright. Just let me work through it myself. I'm all confused. A lot has happened in the last 24 hours."

Rose's face dropped, "Including me losing my job," she whispered sadly.

"Come on," Charlie took her hand in his, "You don't know that. How about tomorrow we start by making an official police report?"

"Uncle Matthew's gonna flip," Rose muttered. Then after taking a deep breath and looking Charlie in the face she nodded. "Alright."

Charlie smiled at her gently, "C'mon. We saved you some cake. And I'll make you another cup of tea."

As Rose followed Charlie back into the dining room she looked around at her friends who were talking amongst each other. So if Danny was bisexual, Mattie was a lesbian, and Charlie was… what? She glanced at him and wondered if she was the only straight one out of the four of them. Or was she? She remembered Mattie's soft lips on her hand just last night and how it made her heart flutter.


Alice gently put the leg down on the bed as Artemis, still perched on Matthews back, watched her through lazy eyes.

"Thank you" came the deep rumble of Matthews voice from her pillows.

"You're welcome." Having finished the deep tissue massage, Alice wondered how the next part of the evening would proceed. She watched as Artemis stood, stretched and yawned, and leapt gracefully from the bed, padding off in the direction of the kitchen. Alice's eyes scanned back to where Matthew still lay on the bed and an idea came to mind. She kicked of her shoes, climbed onto the bed and knelt next to him.

Matthew groaned and began to roll over to make room for her.

"No. Stay there," Alice whispered as her hands went to his shoulders.

"Alice, what are you doing?"

Alice smiled, "Just repaying the favour from last night superintendent."

"You really don't have to do that."

"I know. I want to," she trailed her fingers down his back to where his shirt met his undershorts, and hesitated. Her fingers inched onto the bare skin that was revealed, the shirt creased from where Artemis had sat, and she saw Matthews skin prickle. Emboldened by this she pushed her hands under his shirt and pushed it up. His muscled back was now fully revealed to her and she couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"Alright?" Matthew uttered, hearing her sharp intake of breath and nervous at so much of his skin on display.

Alice ran her fingertips lightly across his back. "I didn't know you were so toned," she sighed appreciatively.

Matthew grinned, "It's all those damn exercises Lucien has me doing."

"Well, they're working," Alice quipped. Then before she could think about what she was about to do, she threw a leg over him, and knelt on the bed, one knee either side of him.

Matthew looked back to see what she was doing, and the sight of her straddling his back, her yellow dress rucked up around her thighs and fanning out behind her made him swallow heavily.

Alice continued kneading her strong fingers into Matthews well defined muscles. "You're strong, yes, but you also hold so much tension here." Her fingers hit a particularly tight spot and Matthew grunted.

"Well, what do you suggest I do to release that tension?" Matthew teased.

"I'm sure I could think of something." Without thinking about it, Alice reached down and pressed a gentle kiss to the middle of his back. She watched as goosebumps spread across the wide expanse of skin.

Suddenly Matthew couldn't bear to be facing away from her and he wriggled around to look at her, with some difficulty. Taking her hands he entwined her fingers in his own, pulled them to his mouth and kissed the inside of her wrists. "Your hands are amazing."

Alice froze as she suddenly found herself in a much more intimate position. She smiled apologetically and removed herself from where she straddled his hips. Laying back on the pillow next to him she felt Artemis jump back up on to the bed. The grey cat wormed her way in between them and settled. Her hand went to pet the cat, relieved for a distraction from the awkward silence that bloomed between them.

Matthew internally kicked himself as he realised he'd made her uncomfortable. "Sorry," Matthew muttered, "I just wanted to be able to see you." His hand also reached out to scratch Artemis between her ears.

Artemis yawned. She liked this other human that had now come to visit twice. He made her human smile. Plus there were twice as many hands to pat her. And feed her. She gave a began to purr and closed her eyes.

"It's alright, really it is. It was just a bit too much all of a sudden. I'm sorry Matthew."

"Don't be sorry sweetheart. I said we'd take this at your pace, and I meant it."

Alice smiled at him and continued to pat the cat.

"Should we uh, remove ourselves from the bedroom then?" Matthew suggested, his ears reddening.

Alice made an embarrassed face. "Ah, well see the thing about that is… I only have the one armchair in the lounge. So it's either here or the kitchen." She pushed a hand through her hair. "I didn't really think things through, it's never been an issue before, no one ever stays," she babbled on uncomfortably.

"Hey it's alright." Matthew took her hand in his own "We can stay here if you're ok with it. I won't push you."

Alice raised her hand, still enclosed in Matthew's and stroked a finger down the side of his face. "Thank you. I like being next to you. I like being with you. But It's been some time since I've been intimate with anyone, And the last time I was it was… shall we say… Unfulfilling."

Matthew's ears reddened at her bluntness but was encouraged "It's been a while for me too sweetheart. I meant it when I said I was an old fashioned guy."

Alice gave him a sharp look. "You're not a 'wait until marriage' guy are you?"

Matthew grinned, "No I'm not that old fashioned." He kissed her hand still entwined with his own, "But I am a 'wait until we're ready' guy. I'm not interested in one night stands. When I'm with a woman I make love to her. It's not just meaningless sex." He raised his eyes to meet hers. "You deserve more than that." He kissed the tip of her nose.

Alice closed her eyes and tried to cuddle closer to him, forgetting about the grey tabby that currently lay between them.

Artemis yowled indignantly at them and they both burst out laughing.

"Oh Artie, did mama squish you?" Matthew cooed as he stroked the grey fur.

"Artemis," Alice corrected him, "And it's her own silly fault for laying there."

Matthew kissed the top of Artemis's head. "Oh Artie don't listen to mama. She loves you really."

Alice just rolled her eyes.