Tea
The outer doorbell rang in his flat and he went to answer it. On the screen was the face of his ex partner, looking quietly concerned.
"Steve? It's me. Can I come in?" she asked.
He buzzed her in and opened his own front door. He was still wearing his work clothes but had taken his waistcoat and tie off.
His face wasn't especially friendly, he looked sad.
"Look, I'm sorry mate," she pleaded.
He rubbed his chin. He looked even sadder.
"You know I can't trust you anymore, don't you Kate? I mean, we worked together for so long and we were good friends. I'm just hurt, I guess. And surprised," he replied.
"It's not like that, Steve. I had to. You can't imagine what it's like coming from AC-12...nobody trusts you. I had to work my bollocks off just to be part of the team. If there was any other way, I wouldn't have passed on what you told me. I know it affected your investigation and I'm sorry." Kate looked directly at Steve and their eyes locked in challenge.
"Alright Kate. Let's try and put it behind us," Steve decided. "Do you want a cuppa? There might be some biscuits here somewhere too."
"Thanks Steve," said Kate. She walked over to him at the sink and gave him a hug. Their arms lingered around each other for a long time as neither chose to break the hug.
"I miss being your partner, Kate," admitted Steve. "Working with you helped me get up in the morning."
"I know what you mean", laughed Kate. "We had lots of fun together, didn't we?"
They drank the tea and moved onto an open bottle of wine from the fridge. Neither of them had eaten, which wasn't such a good move. When that bottle was empty, Kate looked around for a bottle opener in the kitchen cabinets to open the second bottle. Too late, Steve realised she had opened the cupboard filled with his pain relief medication.
"What's this?" asked Kate, a little puzzled. "There's a lot here."
Steve looked away and didn't answer. Kate looked at him tenderly. "Oh, mate. Is this because you're still in pain after the accident?"
"Yes", said Steve, very quietly. He was ashamed.
"Come here," beckoned Kate and they embraced. "We do need to do something about this," coaxed Kate.
"I know," said Steve.
"I'll help," said Kate. The hug continued. They both looked at each other, somewhat surprised, but neither was uncomfortable.
"I've always fancied the pants off you," admitted Kate looking Steve directly in the eye.
"Really?" said Steve, genuinely surprised. "Your poker face must be good then; I'd never have guessed."
Kate laughed. They were so comfortable together, so used to each other's ways, but still surprised each other. "Well can you imagine what the gaffer would have said if I'd started seeing you when we worked together?"
"Mother of God," laughed Steve, trying for Hastings Irish lilt and not managing a very good job. They both laughed, the wine having taken the edge off their inhibitions.
"Nothing stopping us now though, is there?" offered Steve, as he took Kate's hand and drew her towards him, smiling at her smile.
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Steve woke early, feeling elated but suffering a twinge in his back. He smiled, remembering the fun they had had last night and wondered again how he would ever have guessed it possible that they connected in that way. He had always thought of Kate as a sister, albeit a wildly attractive one, but he was very pleased at her honesty, and where it had led. Kate's head was resting on his chest and was a warm and comforting sight. He had slept better last night than he had done in a long time. Things had just worked between them with none of the awkwardness of a new partner. None of the problems he'd had with Sam. The more he thought back, the more he realised that with Kate, it was just perfect. Amazingly so.
She woke gradually an smiling up at him. He stroked her arm gently, and marvelled at her slim figure. Of course, he'd noticed before, but now he could openly gaze upon her bare form without reproach.
"I didn't actually come over last night to jump your bones, you know," she said quietly, smiling.
Steve just smiled in reply.
"What time is it?" said Kate.
"Nearly seven am," said Steve.
"I'd better get back to mine to change before work," she said.
"Come over after work this evening?" questioned Steve.
"Yup, okay," agreed Kate. "I'll bring my running gear and we can go for a run. I'll get dinner too if you like, something healthy. And we'll ring your doctor. I think you need to talk about this pain. "
Steve smiled in agreement. He liked the way she was organising him, something he hadn't quite managed to do for himself just yet.
"Oh, and congratulations by the way for making DI. It's about time," she said and despite what she had said about getting up, rolled onto her side and stroked his chest. "I knew under that shirt you had a fit bod," she acknowledged laughing.
He laughed with her. Hastings would soon realise something was up with all this laughter, he thought. He was falling for her. He had probably fallen for her years ago. She was his soul mate. He pulled the covers over them and they didn't get up. They'd be late in to work that morning he suspected.