Steve thought he was imagining when he heard her name being shouted across the bar. It had been a good night so far. A nice date with a new DC he had met on a case but everything changed when he heard the voice. He looked across the bar and around the room to see where it came from and there was no doubting that it was her. He was surprised to ever see her again. Then again, this wasn't his usual drinking establishment. More out of his way than his usual pub.

Maybe that's why he hadn't saw her since then. Maybe this was her usual pub. Maybe she was living her life, happily, it seemed and that he just wasn't around to see it. He watched her as she stepped towards a group at the table and got enveloped by a hug from each of the members. They looked happy to see her and she looked happy to see them. It was so unusual to see such a smile on her face.

Maybe it was because he has stepped in at one of the lowest points in her life. Maybe it was because Lindsay now actually had friends who enjoyed her company, who wanted to see her face every day, to spend time with her and make her smile. It made him smile at the thought that she was actually happy, for this first time in her life. He imagined her at work. Stocking shelf's, singing to songs on the shop radio, eating lunch with her colleagues. Knowing that it wasn't entirely the job that she wanted but it was a job she was happy to have and that made him smile inside. A warm, fuzzy feeling that maybe everything was going to work out for him, for her, for them all.

He turned back to his date but he couldn't concentrate on her. All he could think about was Lindsay across the room. His date had ended soon after that. She could tell that she wasn't the thing on his mind and so he sat in the same spot at the bar, nursing his 4th pint that he had sitting out for hours. Thinking back on the night, how had it gone so wrong. He thought he was going to get lucky at least but now that wasn't going to happen.

He looked over at the booth. The banners hanging on the wall behind them. The balloons on the table flying high to the ceiling. He watched as the ladies ate, drank and sang happy birthday to her. Watched her unwrap her gifts from them and smiled as she thanked them and then wondered how he could be so stupid at forgetting her birthday.

He wondered if he should go over, make himself known but then decided against it. He didn't want to spoil her night by showing up like a ghost of the past and try to explain himself to her friends. To watch her as she squirmed trying to say something without letting them know of her past. So, he would sit here, he thought and drink another and another till the barmaid called time and he would stagger his way home. Trying to forget about the circumstances of tonight while lying in bed and trying not to think about her or the night they shared together.

He looked over once more and was caught in the headlights. She was staring back at him. Probably thinking the same thoughts that he had earlier. He looked back again to his drink, the menu, anything that could focus his attention on. Trying to take him out of the awkward situation he had just found himself in. Curiosity got the better of him and he looked up again, she was coming over to him. He looked down again until she was right by his side.

"Hello Steve."
"Hello."

"My friends noticed you've been staring at us all night. I had to make up and excuse that you were an old ex-boyfriend just to come over here. Is there something the matter?"

"Nothing, It's just. It's been a while. I didn't know you drink here. You just look like you're enjoying yourself. You seem happy."

This seemed to side step her a little bit but she finally smiled back at him. Comfortable with the fact that it was an honest question and not the result of gloating.

"Yes, I am. Finally, for once in my life I feel like I'm actually liked. I know the job is a bit mundane for my liking, for anyone's liking really, but the staff, my colleagues are lovely. I'm invited to places; I have inside jokes with them. We chip in for pizzas on Fridays and they made this lovely surprise party for me. For once it feels I'm finally free. Free to do whatever I want with my life, free to make my own mistakes and free to live the way I want to without laws or rules or hate and I'm actually enjoying it"

"That's great Lindsay I'm so glad to see that your finally happy. Happy birthday by the way and you look nice."

"Thanks. It was a birthday present. Anyway, why are you here? This isn't your usual."

"I was on a date tonight"

"Where is she? Is she in the toilet? Do I have to leave before she comes back?"

"No, she left. It seems like it wasn't meant to be."

"Sorry about that"

"Don't be. There's plenty of other fish in the sea"

"Well, I best be getting back or they'll feel like you've stole me from them and I don't think I'll be able to withstand the interrogation they'll put me under. Bye Steve and if I don't see you again have a nice life."

"You too Lindsay, you too."

He looked down at his watch. 11:30. The bar would be closing soon and he wondered how Lindsay would be getting home. Maybe they could share a cab for old times' sake. Maybe they could kiss in the back like teenagers, not caring what the taxi driver thought as he wished them off into the sunset. He would like that, he thought but that's all it could be.

He slid off his chair and picked up his coat from the back off his chair and noticed as across the room, Lindsay's group was doing the same. Maybe his was his chance. He followed the group as they exited the pub leaving a safe distance between them both so they didn't notice he was following them. He stood at the door and watched as Lindsay watched her friends get into a taxi, reassuring them that she would make it home in one piece. She shut the door and watched as the car pulled away. He let out a cough, loud enough to let her know that he was there and she turned around to face him.

"You know it's rude to stick your nose into other people's business. That's the second time tonight that you've done that."

A smile filling her face making Steve know not to take her too seriously.

"Well, I can't help it if the woman whose business I'm snooping into is pretty."

"We all know how much trouble you got into the last time that happened...but If you keep talking like that, you'll get exactly what you're hoping for."

"Well at least this time it won't be frowned upon. Can I interest you in sharing a taxi? Can't have a pretty woman like you walk home alone."

He stepped towards the road and hailed a cab. When it arrived, he opened the door and waited and watched as she got in the back. He closed the door behind her and went around to the other side. Slipping in after her he realised that maybe he got what he wanted after all.