Authors Note: This is a complete AU story, set after Skin Deep. Hopefully, you will like it.
Michael followed Jackie out of the bullpen, eager to have a chat with her before she left. "So what have you got planned for your leave? I have never known you to take this amount of time off!" he smiled. He always had to force her to take leave, so when she requested leave, albeit at short notice, he was just happy that she was finally taking some time for herself.
"I'm going up to Inverness with a friend of mine!"
"friend is it?" he smirked.
"just a friend!" she protested "and I could do with a break!" she shrugged.
"well, I'm just thankful that I don't have HR breathing down my neck because you haven't taken your leave... again!" she nodded "I just don't know how I will survive with those two, for a full…. three….. weeks! Why did I approve this leave again?!" She laughed.
"as much as I am integral to the team, I am confident that you will be just fine without me, well at least for a wee while" she teased. She stopped just shy of the stairs "I was thinking.." she paused, as she often did when she was not sure how her comments would be received. He found it mildly irritating, as he was always interested in what she was thinking, whether he agreed with it or not.
"go on!" he teased.
"it's been a while since we did something together, you know, just us!" He nodded, they both had been so busy. After Jackie and Brian's relationship ended, she had thrown herself into the DNA database reform and opening the new rape crisis centre, and he had been to management seminar after management seminar, they really hadn't made time for each other "when I get back, you fancy going out for dinner or something?" he smirked.
"sounds like a good plan!" She smiled, seeming to be relieved. Although he could not work out why.
"Ah Jackie, glad I caught you!" CS Gordon approached the pair of them, he nodded to Michael.
"Sir?" She responded to him.
"I heard you were going away for three weeks?" CS Gordon stated mildly surprised.
"yes sir!" she nodded
"where are you off to?"
"just up to Inverness, I have some friends up there!"
"oh that will be nice this time of year!" Jackie nodded, glancing at Michael who was all aware of Jackie's distaste for making small talk with the 'powers that be' he smirked. "anyways, the reason I stopped you. I just wanted to thank you for all your work on the rape crisis centre, it given us a lot of good PR! You really did an incredible job!"
"thank you sir!" she blushed.
"I was thinking maybe when you are back, if you are keen? We could discuss some more initiatives you could get involved in!" CS Gordon smiled.
"sure sir!" She nodded, not all too comfortable with the attention she had been receiving. She had been working on similar projects for years, she was perplexed as to why the higher ups where suddenly paying attention.
"so… when do you set off for highlands?" he smiled.
"first thing tomorrow, sir" she smiled
"well enjoy! See you when you get back!"
"thank you sir!"
"Michael!" CS Gordon nodded as he turned to walk away.
"well that was weird!" She looked to Michael. "that man has not spoken to me once in the three years, he has been here!" Michael smirked moving to stand next to her as they watched CS Gordon walk down the corridor.
"well you are making quite the name for yourself, the rape crisis centre, and updating the procedures for the managing the DNA database, both of which have been well received! So in my book any praise of you is justified!" He bumped her shoulder with his. She gave him a look of derision. He smirked in response, knowing just how uncomfortable with praise she had become.
"right, I am off!" She smiled. "I will call you when I get back, for that dinner!" She moved in and kissed his cheek.
"have good time Jackie!" he smiled pleasantly surprised to have received a peck on the cheek. She walked away, stopping for a second and turning back to him!
"Don't let Robbie push your buttons!" She smirked, and he nodded "bye Michael!" She turned heading for the stairs. As she disappeared from his view, he took a deep breath suddenly realising this would the longest time they would be apart since they started working together.