He dropped her off just before they reached the yard and she walked in on her own
Des was perkier in the briefing that morning, but Sheelagh still made sure he was paired with her. She found it strange that even Reg didn't know what had been bothering him.
"Come on then" She smiled, walking towards the door
"Yes boss" He grinned walking after her
They got into the area car and looked at each other
"So, how were the dreams last night?" She asked after a moment's silence
"I still had it" He sighed, looking away
"I wonder what it means" Sheelagh said as she looked him
Des said nothing and started the car, and they drove away in silence.
The morning went by slowly and quietly and by lunchtime Sheelagh was relieved that she could get back to the station and have a conversation with someone, anyone!
Des pulled the car over and stopped, he looked across at her
"Do you want to go somewhere for lunch?" He asked eventually
"Like where?" She asked, slightly annoyed that he'd not spoken all morning
"My place?" He said
"Des, I...I don't know if that's such a good idea" She said quietly
"Why not?" He replied, looked quiet hurt
"Do you think it is?" She asked, trying not to upset him
"I don't see why it isn't" He replied curtly
"OK then, lets go" She said, feeling quite exasperated
The drove the rest of the way in silence. They soon arrived at Des's house, he opened the door and let her in, he felt a bit ashamed of his humble lodgings having seen Sheelagh's house, there was no way his was as tidy and well kept. She walked into the lounge and sat down
"Tea?" He asked, trying his best to be a good host
"Yes please" She smiled weakly
Des wandered off to the kitchen and Sheelagh sat there looking at her surroundings, there were no photos, the only thing that illustrated the fact it was Des's house were the empty lager cans and boxes of half eaten takeaway.
He soon arrived back with two mugs, he handed her one and sat down on the sofa beside her.
"Sorry it's not up to much, I don't normally have company" He said nervously
"It's OK" She smiled, searching for a space between the mess on his coffee table where she could put her cup, having eventually found one, she turned to face him.
"Sorry Shee" He said quietly
"Don't be sorry, it's alright" She replied, taking his hand
"I feel like I'm overreacting that's all" He whispered as he wrapped his arms around her
Sheelagh smiled to herself, two months ago she wouldn't have believed that Des could have a sensitive side but here she was being proved wrong and she loved every moment of it. She snuggled in closer to Des, he leant back against the arm of the sofa and she brought her feet up and laid down beside him, her head resting gently on his chest. He kissed the top of her head began to stroke her hair. Des dozed off, and Sheelagh wasn't far behind.
Des found himself back in the car park, in the dark, and the gunshot, and the footsteps, he yelled out Sheelagh's name only to open his eyes and see her staring at him
"It's really that bad?" She asked, looking very concerned
"Yeah, it is" He replied, trying to hide the fear in his voice
"I'm sorry, Des" She whispered quietly
"It's not your fault" He said as he ran his fingers down the side of her face
She rested her chin on his chest and looked into his eyes, and then leaned in to kiss him. As they broke away, Sheelagh cast him a knowing smile.
"Come on, we'd better get back out to work" She sighed reluctantly
"But we've not had any lunch" He protested
"Well we'll just have to pick something up while we're on patrol won't we?!" She grinned, batting him playfully
She stood up, straightened out her clothes and they walked back out to the car together.