I don't own the rights to Tommy Lynley and Barbara Havers. I have read the books and watched the TV series. So I am inspired by both.

2 months before Christmas.

"And what are you going to cook"?

Barbara Havers looked up and saw Winston Nkata standing next to her desk. "Excuse me?"

"What are you going to cook"?

"Nothing. Why"?

"We are having a Christmas party and everyone brings something", said Winston with a grin.

"I am not going to any Christmas party".

"Oh come on Barb, everyone comes, even the D I". The last thing was said with a wink.

Barbara blushed, but shrugged her shoulders. "Not everybody is coming. I am going home".

"You can't. It is in the boss's time", said Winston with a smile.

"That's ok. I have plenty of free days left, so I can go home if I want to.

Winston sighed and walked away.

Barbara shook her head and went back to work.

7 weeks before Christmas

"Barb, are you sure you are not coming"?

Winston was on the war path again.

"Do you ever listen to what I say? If I say no it is no. Which part of no do I have to explain? Stop asking Winnie".

Tommy Lynley saw this exchange between his colleagues. Usually they could get along, but this was different. It was like Winston was walking in a minefield. He saw Winston come his way.

"She still says no Gov".

Tommy heard the sadness is his voice and looked at Barbara. "She will come around".

"Can't you talk to her"?

Tommy looked amused. "You really want her to come don't you"?

Winston nodded.

"If I didn't know you better I would say you are in love with her".

Winston's mouth fell open. "Me and Barb"? He looked at Barbara who was on the phone not even looking their way. "I think you are more her type".

"Me? She hates everything I stand for. My title, my inheritance, everything".

"Please have a word with her".

"I see what I can do", said Tommy. But while he said it, he knew that she would never come to the Christmas party. He saw Winston walking back to his desk and work.

A day later

"Sergeant, do you have a moment"?

Barbara saw Tommy standing in the doorway of his office. He was up to something, she was sure of it. Otherwise it would be Barb or Barbara.

"Now please".

"Coming Sir", she muttered. She followed him into his office.

He shut the door and saw her taking her seat at his desk. He followed her and sank down in his own chair.

"What is it Sir? I try to do my best to..."

"It's not about your work Barbara", he interrupted her.

She was relieved it was not about her work, but what then? Barbara saw his brown eyes were a bit weary. "Working to hard Sir"?

He shook his head. "No, just to much on my mind. John Pennelin is enjoying his pension, so that leaves Mother to deal with everything. I can't ask that of her. And she is not the youngest. But I didn't ask you to come here to talk about that".

"I see", said Barbara. Her heart made a leap in the air. She had loved him for some years now, and she was hoping he would declare his love for her. But then, he would never do that here in his office.

"Why are you not coming to the party".

"Because I don't want to come. These bastards out there are nice in your face, but when you turn your back they throw a knife in your back".

Tommy didn't believe what he was hearing. "These bastards are your colleagues".

"So what? You know aswell as I do that they are sexist pigs too".

"Barbara enough".

She rarely saw him angry, but now he was not angry but furious. While she spoke he jumped out of his chair.

She did the same thing. "I am not coming to this bloody party".

Behind her he saw that their colleagues had stopped their work and were looking their way. "Whatever you want. But don't expect an afternoon off. There's still work to be done".

She gave him a cold stare. Finally she said "Whatever. As long as you don't bother me with that party again. Oh, and tell Winston I kill him if he asks me about it again". She didn't gave him time to answer. She walked out of his office and slammed the door shut.