After arriving home that night, they worked efficiently together to get everything squared away. Dinner was made (the steaks were fantastic), they changed into something more comfortable and settled down to watch some crappy cable movie neither of them had seen before.

Audrey's attention wasn't held for long. She looked down at him, he had his head in her lap. She ran his fingers through his hair and smiled as his eyes rolled at the sensation. He hadn't shaved since they'd left work on Friday and she liked him looking a bit dishevelled. He always looked so clean cut and controlled at work, which she loved, but she was enjoying this side of him. Relaxed and easy going. It seemed she could have the best of both worlds.

The movie eventually finished and she dragged him off to bed. She was sure that he would have slept the night on the sofa if she hadn't. They got into bed and Neil shuffled closer, wrapping his arms around from behind and burying his nose in her hair. She shivered as goosebumps covered her from head to toe. It seems he was more awake than she thought as he began nibbling just behind her ear, the day old stubble scratching deliciously. They melted into each other and finally fell asleep intertwined.

The following morning, Neil woke to find the bed cold and empty. "Audrey!" he called "you here?" The was no reply. He checked his phone, the was a message waiting for him.

'I got an Uber back to mine. I need to refresh my overnight bag and grab some bits and pieces'

He replied quickly 'Ok, need me to come get you?'

'It's Ok, I'll be back in about an hour'

'Bring breakfast' he countered.

'Sure, see you soon!'

She arrived back at the condo around an hour later. She had taken the spare key from the kitchen drawer so let herself in. Walking through the hall, she hears a muffled woman's voice coming from the living room and her footsteps faltered. He'd invited someone over while she was out? She never thought he would do something like that. Her heart pounded in her chest and she moved towards the door to peer through the gap. She smiled inwardly when she saw what was going on. She saw Neil holding himself strongly in a crane pose, his muscles straining to hold his balance. The woman's voice resonated from the TV instructing and encouraging him. 'Yoga' she thought 'that explains a lot' and chastised herself for the moment of doubt that crossed her mind.

She watched for a few seconds more and headed off to the kitchen, not wanting to disturb his practice. She pottered around readying breakfast, not making noise on purpose but making it obvious she was back. Around 10 minutes later, Neil appeared in the doorway. "Hey" he said. "Hey, yourself" she replied with a soft smile. "Worked up an appetite I see" she joked. "Missed you this morning. It would have been more fun to work up an appetite with you" he said trapping her against the counter.

"You're all sticky" she commented pressing at his shoulders with her fingertips. His vest was stuck tight to him after his practice. "Go shower , then we can eat"

"Come shower with me, we can have dessert first"

"Who has dessert with breakfast?!"

"We do. We'll be doing all sorts of things differently this week coming. Why not start now?" He asked with a big grin.

"I hope you're not going to use that smile in every disagreement we have?"

"Will it get me what I want?"

"Maybe" she replied as she took his hand and led him to the shower.

They eventually got to eating a very late breakfast and started getting bits together for their visit to Gabi. They travelled to the home in Neil's car with the radio playing in the background. Audrey was apprehensive and fidgety. What if Gabi didn't like her? She'd never been bothered in the past about whether people liked her but Gabi was so important to Neil that she was really starting to get nervous.

Neil reached over and held her hand in her lap. "She'll love you, just like I do, don't worry."

"How in earth did you know what I was thinking?"

"I've known you a long time Audrey Lim and this is the first time I think I've ever seen you nervous. You'll get along just fine."

His hand stayed in her lap the rest of the drive but she couldn't relax. They pulled up outside a nice looking building with lovely gardens. They checked in at reception, her hand in his the whole time. They directed them towards the day room that Gabi was using that day and they took a brief moment to watch her from the door before going in.

As they approached, Neil tightened his grip on Audrey's hand. "Mi amorcito, there is someone I'd like you to meet"...

As they got back in the car a couple of hours later, Audrey left out a sigh of relief. "You ok?" He asked.

"Yes" she replied. "I think that went well don't you. She's a lovely young lady."

"It went very well, I felt like the third wheel today! Exactly how I was hoping it would go."

She smiled so beautifully at that. She was so happy to meet Gabi and even happier that she liked her. The puzzle gift definitely worked as an ice breaker and there was no stopping them after that.

Heading home, they stopped off for takeout at a place around the corner. Something quick and easy as it would be an early night tonight. They both had a busy week ahead in work with new roles and planned surgeries so needed to be at their best.

As they settled under the comforter, and into each others arms. Audrey took a deep breath and asked "How are we going to do this? What's our plan?"

"Why do we have to have a plan?"

"I always have a plan. I feel exposed without one. I mean, how will we arrive in work? Do i kiss you goodbye? Do we meet for lunch? I'm not used to not knowing what I'm doing."

"We'll drive in together tomorrow, just like we did last week and then we can wing it. I'll happily hold your hand and walk you right up to our office doors before kissing you goodbye and wishing you a good day. But if that's not what you want, that's fine too. I also promise not to drag you into any supply closets to make out no matter how much i want too!"

She laughed and smacked his arm. "Ok, you made your point smartass."

He gave a chuckle and kissed the tip of her nose. "Night Audrey" he said.

"Night... love you" she replied.

"Love you too Chief" he retorted and they settled into sleep.