Chapter Four

"When the sun goes down, and the band won't play...I'll always remember us this way."

Seven days had passed since Tom left Kembleford and Emma in his rear view. Their parting wasn't sad. It wasn't bitter. It wasn't really anything but what it was...goodbye...for now. The thing he'd been running from for four years was out of the way. She knew. She had always known, and she forgave him. That's all he ever really wanted.

He stepped into his boss's office, and took a seat. He'd spent the past few days in his own office getting the reports in order. He was expecting his superiors to send him off on another assignment straight away. He was ready. However, he was told exactly the opposite.

"Sullivan, you've been doing good work. This break is earned,"

Tom sat straight in the chair, "But sir,"

"Don't argue this, man! There's a line behind you of officers who would love to be told to take a vacation."

"Sir, I just prefer to stay on the job,"

"I've been doing this long enough to know a burn out when I see one coming. If you don't take a break you won't be any good to anyone,"

His boss made it clear the conversation was over. Tom was stunned. What would he do with a two week vacation? He could go back to Kembleford. That was dangerous and the old Tom Sullivan would never even think of going back there. So that's exactly what he decided he should do.

Emma may have a boyfriend, but he didn't care. He could say he had no intention of starting anything between he and Emma, but that would be a lie. When he saw her last week it was as if no time had passed whatsoever. They went together like a hand and a glove and it felt so right.

Besides, he would like to check up on Goodfellow once more. He'd have to avoid Inspector Mallory like the plague, but he'd manage. He found himself driving the country roads into Kembleford before noon that day. He tossed his hat into the back seat along with his jacket. Two weeks back in Kembleford. The thought danced it's way into his mind along with endless possibilities and he couldn't stop the smirk from curving his lips.

At the B&B, Emma was trimming the hedges outside in the garden. The day was overcast as usual in Kembleford, but warm and breezy. Emma had her firey hair tied back with a ribbon. Tom parked his car by the curb across the street and sat, for a while, just watching her. The effortless motion of her hands as she trimmed and brushed the clippings away.

He decided he should get out before she caught him staring at her, and the smile on her face when she caught sight of him warmed him through and through.

"Tom!" She beamed.

"Emma,"

"Decided to come home after all?" She dropped the trimmers next to the walk and went to him.

He took a deep breath, "For a couple weeks, at least." He nodded his head slightly.

"Do you need somewhere to stay?" she asked with a smile.

"No," He said flatly.

Emma straightened. "Oh. I-"

"Emma," he whispered. A slow smirk tugged at his lips.

She didn't think she liked his little joke. Squaring her shoulders she said, "Well, what if I don't have any vacancy?"

A rather ungentlemanly thought ran through his mind and almost found its way out of his mouth.

Not even in your bedroom?

He may still be hopelessly in love with Emma Kennedy, but he was also, to his credit, still a gentleman.

"Then I guess I will just have to find somewhere else-"

He turned to go, but Emma caught his hand. The touch set him on fire. He almost forgot that they were in the garden. In Kembleford. Instead of pulling her closer, he only gave her hand a tiny squeeze before letting it go.

Emma gave him a smile before going back to her gardening, and her back was turned when he brought his bags into the house. He used his key to let himself into what he knew was his room. The place was quiet. He assmued there were no other boarders. That meant that he could look forward to dinner alone with Emma tonight.

He hoped.

Lyrics- Lady Gaga