"You sure that you're ok with this?" Kate asked, once they were home and her dirty clothes were in the washing machine.
The 'this' she was talking about was her promotion to Detective Inspector. Ted had finally told her the news after she'd had a shower and changed clothes after the vomiting incident.
Thankfully, Kate had decided to always keep spare clothes at work after the Dot. After running all over the city and getting covered in his blood, she had had to wait until she got home to get changed that day. It was an experience she never wanted to repeat. She had never expected that being covered in a child's vomit would be a reason to need the change of clothes.
"I'm sure," Steve promised truthfully.
"It's just not fair," Kate pointed out. She had been uncomfortable accepting the promotion from Ted and had needed some encouragement from Steve before she had taken it. Kate was under no illusions. If it wasn't for his attack then the promotion would have been Steve's. He was the more senior out of the two of them.
"It isn't," Steve agreed, "but there's nothing I can do about it. If it's not my promotion then I would much rather it be yours than Burgess's, or McGregor's,".
Kate pulled a face at the mention of the other two DS's in AC-12. Burgess was a rather straight -laced individual who appeared to have swallowed every police force guideline and protocol and stuck to them rigidly. McGregor just talked your ear off with nothing interesting to say at all.
"Ok," Kate agreed. "But I promise I won't act like your superior. If I do, just let me know,".
"I will," Steve vowed. "Don't worry too much about it. The gaffer pretty much said as soon as I'm back to active duty then I'll be a DI as well,".
"That's great," Kate enthused, feeling much better about the whole situation. She gave Steve a hug. It wouldn't be long until Steve would reach that target.
"Take away to celebrate?" Steve asked as he kept a hold on Kate, enjoying her closeness.
"Yeah," Kate agreed as she finally stepped out of Steve's embrace, missing his comfort as soon as she did. "Maybe nothing too spicy for me tonight. Feeling a bit blergh if I'm honest,".
"You ok?" Steve asked concerned as he placed a hand on Kate's forehead, a little relieved that she didn't feel hot or cold.
"Think so," Kate reiterated. "I'm going to have another shower and hair wash though. I swear I can still smell vomit all over me. Don't think that's helping,".
"Ok," said Steve as he watched her go. Her rear view as enticing to him as it was when he first saw her. "I'll order. What do you fancy?".
"Maybe garlic chicken," was Kate's response.
"Usual sides?".
"Yeah," Kate replied before locking herself in the bathroom.
Once Steve heard the shower going he quickly phoned the Indian restaurant and put their order in. With that done, Steve had a quick listen to make sure Kate was still in the shower before picking up the phone again.
It was her birthday in two days and after his realisation earlier that morning, Steve had decided to take her out to The Langham again after she had enjoyed his birthday meal there so much. The lovely surroundings would also be the perfect place to finally tell her how he felt and that he wanted them to try a relationship.
The problem with his erections had all but righted itself now and they were almost back to full strength. If Kate felt the same way, Steve felt there was a small chance that they might be able to have a little horizontal celebration at the end of the night, but he wouldn't force her.
The reservation was quickly made and Steve got changed in to some more relaxed clothing before their meal arrived. The shower hadn't helped Kate feel better and she only picked at her meal despite Indian food being her favourite.
The inevitable occurred very early in the morning. Steve was awoken to the sounds of retching in the bathroom. He got up and with one crutch only, made his way to the room where he found Kate hugging the toilet.
"You ok?" He asked.
"Don't come in," Kate urged. "I don't want to give this to you," she explained. She'd only just made it to the toilet in time. Steve would struggle with his mobility issues.
"I'll risk it," Steve replied, before hobbling over to his friend. She now felt clammy to the touch as he rubbed her back after she started heaving once again.
"Oh god I feel like shit," Kate moaned as she pressed the flush and sat back.
"Think you've caught a bug," Steve surmised.
"Maneet did say she thought her son was coming down with something," Kate admitted.
"Great," Steve muttered. "Can I get you anything? Some water?".
"Yeah ok," Kate agreed before Steve headed to the kitchen. He returned shortly with a glass of cold water which he handed to Kate. She sipped from the glass carefully but very quickly was putting it down as she launched herself at the toilet again and recommenced her retching. All Steve could do was stand by and watch helplessly.
"Wish I could do something more to help," Steve said as he helped Kate to bed as best he could, once her vomiting seemed to have passed.
"Not much you can do," Kate said as she let Steve tuck her in to bed and get her some more water. "You just being here is nice," she muttered as she rolled on to her side and tried to get to sleep, hoping her illness had passed.
"Night, Kate," Steve said as he went back to his room.
When he awoke in the morning, it was obvious Kate was not over the worst of it. Steve had heard her going back to the bathroom several times during the night. She would not be going to work that day.
Getting up, Steve poked his head in Kate's room. She was fast asleep so he didn't disturb her, instead he made his way to the bathroom to get ready for work.
With his shower completed, he put his brown dressing gown on and headed to the kitchen. He ordered a taxi to take him to work as his toast was in the toaster.
It had been a couple of hours since Kate had last vomited and Steve hoped that that would be it. Unfortunately, as he ate his breakfast he heard Kate scramble to the bathroom and her retching start again.
"How you doing?" he asked as he popped in to Kate's room once she had made her way back to bed. He knew it was a useless question but couldn't think what else to ask. Kate didn't reply which wasn't unreasonable.
Moving over to her bed, Steve took a seat on her bed. "Should I phone the gaffer and tell him I'm going to spend the day here?" Steve asked.
"No," Kate mumbled. "There's nothing you can really do," she reiterated.
"You're sure?" Steve checked.
"Yeah," Kate sighed. She felt lousy and just wanted to feel better.
"I'll get you some more water," Steve said as he got to his feet and refreshed her glass. "Let me know if you need me here, ok?" he asked her, not completely happy at leaving Kate alone. She nodded in reply and Steve leant forward to kiss her cheek, her skin still feeling clammy against his lips. "See you later," he said as he left her alone.
"Just me today, sir," Steve informed Ted as he made his way in to AC-12. "I'm afraid Kate's sick,".
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" Ted said. "Don't tell me she's been vomiting all night as well,".
"Sir?".
"I've had half the unit phone in sick this morning," Ted explained. "Who would have thought that it would be a toddler with gastroenteritis that brought AC-12 to it's knees and not an OCG?".
"Maneet's kid?".
"Yeah. She's phoned in to say he's come down with something. Quite contagious according to the doctor,".
"No kidding. Kate looks awful," Steve informed his boss.
"You're feeling ok though?".
"Yeah," Steve replied. "Didn't really get close to him and Kate won't let me near her for fear of passing it on,".
"Well that's something," Ted reasoned. "I'll place you in charge today then,".
"I've got physio at 4pm," Steve reminded his boss.
"Ah yes. I'll take over when you leave," Ted said.
The day went quickly and soon Steve was on his way back to the flat after his session with Dan. Reaching the flat he quietly entered, not sure what Kate would be doing. He'd had minimal communication from her throughout the day and didn't want to disturb her if she was asleep.
Poking his head in her bedroom, he found the room empty so made his way to the bathroom where he found his friend kneeling once again in front of the toilet, looking very miserable.
"Oh mate," he sympathised.
"I just want it to stop now," Kate moaned.
"If it makes you feel better, half of AC-12 are off with the same thing,".
"Not really," she retorted. "How was your physio session?" she asked, keen to show interest in her friends day.
"Good," Steve replied quickly. "Down to just one crutch now," he informed her as he waved his single walking aid at her. Kate smiled at his news. It was the best news she'd had that day.
"That's great," she agreed feeling slightly better at the news. It didn't last long. "Oh shit. Think I'm going to be sick again,".
Kate's bug continued through out the night and the next day which was her birthday. Steve reluctantly cancelled his dinner reservation recognising that Kate would not be eating anything that day. His plans about telling her how he felt were completely ruined.
It was the day after her birthday that she showed signs of turning a corner. Just as Steve was thinking he was going to be spending another evening by himself after he returned home to find her still in bed, she appeared in the living room.
"Hey," he said gently, taking the sight of her in. She was in a thick pair of fleecy pyjama bottoms and a hoodie as she made her way over to where he was sat. "How you doing?" he asked as he extended an arm along the back of the sofa. Kate gratefully sank down next to him before his arm went around her.
"Well I haven't needed to go to the bathroom in over four hours which is progress," she informed him.
"You look a bit brighter," he mentioned as he kissed the top of her head, thankful that it no longer felt clammy. This time it looked as though she was on the mend.
"I look like shit," Kate corrected Steve. She'd caught sight of herself in a mirror just prior to walking out her bedroom. Her hair was all greasy and she looked awfully pale and had bags under her eyes.
"You don't actually," Steve argued back. She could be in a sack cloth and he would think she looked good. Kate's stomach rumbling was the only sound to his comment. "You hungry?" he asked.
"Yeah, but I don't know if I want to risk eating anything," Kate informed him. "Don't want to start vomiting again. My stomach is so sore from all the heaving,".
"Mum suggested chicken soup when she phoned yesterday so I bought some on the way back from work this evening,".
"Your mum phoned?". Kate hadn't heard the phone ring but she had probably been asleep as that was all she'd done recently when she wasn't being sick.
"Yeah," Steve informed Kate. "Wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday,".
"Shit! I forgot it was my birthday," Kate said, slightly upset the occasion had passed her by totally un-noticed.
"Well we can have a belated celebration," Steve suggested. "I've still got all your presents,". That seemed to cheer her up.
"Sounds good," Kate agreed. "Think I'll go have a shower," she announced as her stomach growled noisily.
"Did you want me to heat up the soup?" Steve checked.
"Yeah, ok," Kate answered before heading off to the bathroom yet again, but at least it wasn't to vomit this time.
The shower and soup helped Kate feel a bit better, but she was still quite exhausted from her illness. Despite her eagerness earlier, she didn't quite have the energy to open her presents and decided to leave it another day.
Instead, she joined Steve on the sofa, watching TV. She lay with her head in Steve's lap, dozing peacefully as they watched something lighthearted. Steve was gently massaging Kate's head which she was enjoying. He was pleased that after all the care she had given him recently, he could return the favour.
"Bedtime?" Steve asked, as the programme ended.
"Yeah," Kate agreed before she slowly got to her feet. Steve following behind.
"Glad you're feeling a bit better," Steve commented as they headed to their rooms.
"Me too," Kate replied. "Night," she said before turning the light on in her bedroom. "Shit!" Steve heard her say.
"What is it?" Steve enquired at her outburst.
"I was going to change my sheets," Kate explained. "After lying in them for the last couple of days they're all sweaty and horrible,".
Steve looked at her bed. The sheets were all rumpled from her tossing and turning. "You can sleep with me if you like," Steve hesitantly suggested.
Kate looked at Steve whilst remaining silent. She wasn't sure whether to accept his offer or not. They'd never shared a bed, platonic or otherwise.
"I just changed my sheets the other day," Steve added, aware of how his first suggestion had sounded. He didn't want her to think he was after sex so soon after being so ill.
"Ok," Kate finally agreed as she followed Steve in to his bedroom.
"Make yourself comfortable," Steve said as he headed to the en-suite. When he returned Kate had done exactly that, the duvet pulled up around her whilst she waited for Steve to join her. "You ok?" Steve checked as he got under the duvet beside her.
"Yep," Kate confirmed.
"Good," Steve answered. He leant forward and gave Kate a little peck on the lips. "Glad you're feeling better. Hope you sleep well," he uttered before turning the bedside light off.
They both lay awkwardly in bed, each keeping to their side as sleep evaded them. As they tossed and turned they subconsciously drifted closer together until eventually they were lying side by side. Steve gathered Kate in to his arms and once they were cuddled up together, sleep easily claimed them both.