So, I've had this idea in my head since episode 1 but only just got around to writing thanks to my growing obsession with both Jo and Kate. Anyway, not too sure how far I'll take this yet but please let me know if you enjoy, it's been a while since I wrote any sort of fanfic but I'm so excited to give this story a go. Starting off tame to get me into it.

"Morning" Jo Davidson entered the room where her team were sitting themselves down. Jo had followed in just behind DI Kate Fleming and had noticed that she was a few minutes late. Both the DSU and DI had begun to develop a good relationship so far since Jo had taken control in MIT and more so since the murder of Gail Vella had given them something to get their teeth into. Jo had been slightly concerned about Kate joining MIT. She was ex anti-corruption and she was worried that along with not being trustworthy, that her fellow colleagues would never accept her, but so far Kate was managing to become one of them, everyone liked her, there wasn't really any way you couldn't like Kate. She was everything that Jo liked in a person, quick witted, brutally honest, dedicated, and easy on the eye. Jo had noticed this the first time she met Kate, the older woman glanced up every so slightly to meet ocean blue eyes that had such life in them that Jo had to force herself to divert her gaze before it got weird. They had spent the next week or so chatting occasionally, the DSU always had her office door open and Kate found this to be a refreshing change. Jo felt different to other bosses she'd had previously, whilst she loved being in AC-12 and she had the utmost respect for Hastings, it was always a hierarchy. Jo felt like someone she worked alongside, rather than for and it had been refreshing, making her glad of her decision to move from anti-corruption and over to the MIT. They had good rapport, Kate knew her boundaries and had respect, but she still found herself joking with Davidson from time to time. Jo had wondered if sometimes it verged on having a flirtatious tone, but she put that down to Kate always spending time with a lot of men, she could just give as good as she got.

Feeling her eyes glance over Kate as she watched her take her seat and begin to get a file out in front of her, Jo couldn't help but take her in for a second, she always looked effortlessly good. The beige jumper, the jeans that sculpted her figure, the hints of blonde through her hair. Forcing herself to move towards the front of the room, she tried to bite her tongue, but she just couldn't help herself.

"Don't think I didn't notice DI Fleming skulking in last minute like a dirty stop out" Jo smirked slightly, glancing down at her files before daring to cast a glance over to the younger woman, she was waiting for the comeback, most likely a sarcastic comment about her being a hypocrite, but instead as her eyes seek out the younger woman she watches as she responds with a simple sad smile.

"Sorry Boss"

This was not what Jo had been expecting at all and she simply nodded back at Kate, she desperately wanted to talk to her, worried by that exchange, but she couldn't, she knew if she didn't just continue now it would cause suspicion. The Scot made a mental note to try and catch Kate after they were done.

After around an hour of Jo discussing the complexity of their new leads within the Vella murder case throughout which she had watched as Kate had switched back into her usual professional self, taking notes, glancing up at the slides that Jo was flicking through, proving to be the brilliant Detective that everybody knew she was. Jo had tried to gain eye contact, wanting to silently check on the younger woman but had failed to do so. She knew there was something wrong, but she couldn't help but admire the DI for being so professional, it was something that drew her to Kate even more.

"DI Fleming, can you spare 5 minutes before you leave?" Jo's tone was serious and professional, it had also dropped a few decibels, she had tried several times to get Kate alone today but had been unsuccessful and she knew her time was running out as she watched the team begin to pack their work files and belongings up ready to retire for the day. This was the only way she was getting her opportunity to check on the younger DI, who had been unusually quiet all day, she had thrown herself into the work on the new leads and Jo swore she had barely come up from her notes all day, not even to grab lunch. The DSU had been so concerned that she found herself going to the canteen simply to get her colleague a coffee at least, she came back towards her office, discreetly placing the paper cup next to Kate who was engrossed in a case file, and ghosted her lower arm as she retreated back into her office, the gesture could have been passed as an accident although Jo knew full well it wasn't.

"Of course boss, give me a minute" Kate glanced up, flashing Jo what she hoped was a convincing smile but she knew it was pointless, she knew deep down that her boss had seen straight through it.

Closing her laptop, she began placing it back in its bag when she noticed the smirk of Lomax from across the desk.

"Detention with the boss for you Fleming" he teased, gaining an eye roll from his colleague in response.

"Boss?" Kate appeared at Jo's office door, the building had emptied out, all the others desperate to get home to their families, live their actual lives. The place was so quiet, such a contrast to how it is in working hours and it makes her feel on edge as she stands before her superior, now very worried that she hadn't covered her own emotions up well enough today and that Jo would be angry and think it had affected her work, she knew how much pressure Jo was under to get this case closed, the press were all over it and it was the most high profile case in years. It didn't get much more important.

"Come in Kate, sit down" Jo didn't even look up from her laptop where she was still typing away, and Kate did as she was told, having to force her legs to move, she had felt rooted to the spot. Her fear still didn't subside as she took place directly opposite the DSU. Kate noted her stern expression, how her brow creased as her fingers tapped away. The woman before her oozed power, and it was captivating.

"Sorry, just needed to fire off this email so that you have my full, undivided attention" Jo stated, closing her own laptop, and smiling at the younger woman. Jo leant forward on her desk; hands clasped around each other as her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she looked at the younger woman in front of her. She noted how the usual glint that usually made her melt slightly was absent, she looked tired, tinges of grey underneath her eyes which were not usually there, her whole demeanour was off, her eyes casting down to the desk at any opportunity.

"I hope you didn't think I was being serious this morning, for reference I was only joking"

"I know boss, don't worry"

"But I am worried Kate, worried about you, you haven't been yourself at all today..."

"I'm sorry… God, I have been shit today haven't I. I promise it won't affect my ability to get on with solving this case, you don't have to worry about that"

Of course, she should have know that Kate would think she was only bothered about her work ethic. Jo was perplexed for a moment because the issue of Kate's work had never been given a single thought. Jo's focus all day had just been genuine concern for her new colleague. Maybe this showed how she was perceived, usually she didn't mind people viewing her as cold, but things were different with Kate.

"Kate, you are one of the best detectives I know, I wouldn't ever insult you by questioning your work or your work ethic… this is about you, are you okay?" Jo placed emphasis on the last "you" her eyes locking onto the woman before her. This was unknown territory now and Jo knew she probably shouldn't be getting involved, but she just couldn't help herself. She watches on as the DI's shoulders sag slightly and on closer inspection tears are filling up those beautiful eyes. Kate tries her hardest to blink them away but fails as they refill once more, with just a single tear escaping its confines and slowly cascading down her cheek with a light grey trail from her mascara.

Jo knows she shouldn't, but once again logic and reason has gone out of the window and she unclasps her own hands and leans further forward, gingerly reaching out towards the younger woman, giving her every opportunity to pull away, show that she isn't comfortable with the situation. To her surprise Kate doesn't move, finally looking up at Jo properly, just in time for the older woman to gently take hold of her face, and then slowly wipe away the stray tear. Kate could have gasped at the contact, her emotions were beginning to take over despite trying her hardest all day to keep them at bay, but now sat here with Jo being as caring as she is, she feels overwhelmed, and she might be crazy but at this moment she needs someone to be strong for her and right now Jo seems like she will be that person.

"It's just some stuff at home boss, I don't want to put this on you though I know how much pressure you yourself are under"

"Kate, please call me Jo, we aren't working now" it didn't need saying, this was Jo telling Kate she wanted to know.

"My husband has left again, we split for the first time a few years ago when I was AFO and undercover, he said it took up my life and that I wasn't being fair to him, and that I was being a rubbish mum to our son"

The last sentence was clearly painful for Kate to even say, any defence she still had up dissolved in that moment, Jo didn't say anything, just leant over to take hold of Kate's hand that had been resting on the table close to hers, she gave it a gentle squeeze in encouragement for her to continue.

"We got back together later, I left that role in the hope I could prove to him that being a mum to Josh would always be my most important job, it fucking hurts though because why do women have to choose? When a man has a good job he doesn't have to feel guilty about working so many hours or having to always be available, it is just expected that their partner will pick up the slack at home, look after the house, and the kids, but when it's a women we are made to feel guilty, feel like we are failing. We ended things again last night, for good this time. He said I'm a useless wife and mother, that I am married to this place, that I had allowed it to consume my life again. I love my job, and I love my son, it's just not fucking fair"

Jo didn't have any words, she was shocked. She had heard from others that Kate was married but never thought it would be to someone who could have that opinion of her. How could someone be grudge their wife of having a successful career? She knew how hard Kate must have worked in a male dominated environment to work her way up to where she was now, and she deserved nothing but credit for it. How dare someone try and tear her down and make her feel bad for accomplishing what many could only ever dream of.

She simply walked around the desk, pulling Kate up to stand before throwing her arms around the younger woman and pulling her in tight, this was totally over stepping a boundary, it was not how she should conduct herself but at this point she did not care, she thought more about this woman in front of her than anyone else in a long while.

"Kate, he doesn't deserve you" she whispered, her voice soft against the gentle sobs she could hear emitting from the younger woman.

They stood in the DSU's office for a good while, with neither of them wanting to let go.

I have maaany idea's for this, all of you on twitter and here have spurred me to write and I can take it a few different ways (as can these two 😉 haha!)