In the kitchen that evening, Charlie helped Stella clear away. It was rather late when the others had left, and Alex and Holly had dissappeared up to bed. Charlie was drying up the plates while Stella took them from him and stacked them away in the cupboards. Holly had told them all about the school production, and although the play bored him to death, Charlie promised that he would go see it as she was in it, figuring that having Holly in a role would make it more interesting for him to watch. He kept looking out Stella out of the corner of his eye, watching her, and then smiling and looking away when she caught him. It had been a game he had been playing with her now for years when he knew something and she didn't.

Eventually, she gave in. "Ok, what is it?" She asked in surrender.

"Nothing." Charlie lied.

"Nothing?" Stella challenged.

"That's right." Charlie said with his cheeky smile.

"I don't believe you." She said with a raised eye brow. "You've been doing this for years, spill."

"I told you it's nothing." He said, still grinning, which proved otherwise. "What are you going to do? Interrogate me?"

Stella took the plate from Charlie's hand, setting it on the worktop. She stepped very close to him, with their faces only inches apart. "No." She told him. He could feel her breath on his face, and he leaned in to kiss her, but she playfully turned her face when he leaned forward so instead his lips grazed her cheek. "But you certainly aren't getting any of that until you tell me." She teased, stepping away and taking the plate from where she had put it down.

Charlie looked crestfallen, like a kid told that Christmas was cancelled forever. "But-but-"

Stella laughed, her own devious smile over her lips. "Unless you want to tell me of course..." She suggested.

For a moment, he looked torn and bit his lip a little. Stella stood back from the stacked plates and faced him again, challenging him with her eyes. She knew full well that this plan worked with him, but it was always fun to see how long she could keep it up before he cracked. When he didn't say anything, she knew that this would take more work. She went up close to him again, taking the drying up cloth from his hands and throwing it onto the worktop. Putting her lips very close to his ear, she whispered to him: "Lets see how long you can stay silent for, shall we, Charlie?" She teased playfully.

"Stella," He said, mocking a hurt tone. "That's not fair, you know I can't resist you." He reminded her.

"I know." She replied, so close to him now that her nose was close enough to grave against his. "I also know that all I have to do is stand here, and that you would have told me in," She checked the clock over her shoulder. "Two minutes."

"And if I last the two minutes?" He asked playfully, confident that he could do it.

"Then you may kiss me." She informed him.

"Deal."

So the game began. She put her arms around his neck, making sure to keep her lips a safe distance from his so he would not suprise her. Thirty seconds passed, and Charlie maintained his cocky demeanor.

A minute, and his cheeky grin seemed more force.

A minute and a half, and he was biting his lip again, restraining himself. His hands went to Stella's hips to distract himself from the countdown. She raised an eyebrow at him, as if daring him to keep his hands there. Challenging her dare, he snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her whole body closer to him. She smiled, but he could tell that it was one of nearing triumph. He snuck a look at the clock, twenty seconds left. He returned his eyes to Stella's, doing a mental countdown.

"Ten...nine...eight." He began out loud, and her triumph began to turn into amusement. Charlie held her as tight as he could, so that she would not try to extend his torment longer by breaking free of his grasp; the only way they coud be closer now was if they were kissing.

"Five...four...three...two..one." Charlie finished. As he finished his countdown, he saw her smile widen. Claiming his prize, he sought her lips, and she clung tightly to him as he deepened the kiss. Whether it lasted for a minute or an hour, neither knew, lost in each other they exchanged the kiss which made her knees weak and his head dizzy. Parting, but not letting go of her waist, Stella opened her eyes to find Charlie already smiling at her with his cheeky grin once again.

"Well," She began, "You've definately improved over time." She assessed.

"Resisting you or kissing?" He asked.

"Hmm..." She replied after a moment's silence, "I'll decide later." She said teasingly. "So?"

"So what?" He asked, giving her another short kiss.

"What is this thing that you refuse to tell me, and insist on winding me up with?"

"I can't tell you." He said stubbornly. Stella was impressed, he certainly was holding up well this time.

"Because then it won't be a suprise."

"Charlie, please?" She begged, pouting a little.

"Nope." He said with a cheeky grin.

"Well, Mr Bain everything seems to be in order."

"Good. How long?"

"There's a school production in a few months time. January 12th."

"It's too long. We need sooner."

"It's the only shot, unless we can convince them to change the date."

"Make it sooner. November."

"Yes, sir. If you don't mind me asking. How do you expect to get Croker to come to you?"

"Are you a father, Shaun?"

"No, sir."

"Neither am I, but I watched Croker long enough to know that he'll come, and he'll come quickly."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right! You've worked with me for ten years on this one, Shaun. Don't mess it up now."

"No, sir."

"Good. Now, I want you to make sure that the Croker girl gets that place."

"How?"

"I don't know. Send someone in as a talent scout, make sure that she gets the part."

"Yes, sir."

"And if anything goes wrong, I'll know who to go to."

"Of course, Mr Bain."

Wanna make a few guesses? Hope you like this one, it's just a little gap filler with a little bit of fluff.