Flying Under Radar (9)
Apologies about the massive delay in updating, but my wonderful beta reader has gone MIA, and I wasn't keen on updating without her approval. As it is, chapters 8 and 9 are "un-beta'd" so I'm not sure if the fic is up to scratch or not...
CHAPTER NINE
Back at the station, Jo and Sam checked up on the arrests, finding that Mickey had got it all sorted out and was already on his way home. Up in CID they collected their changes of clothes from earlier, and Jo rang Tess to come and pick her up, having written off the unmarked car she was responsible for.
Sam jumped as Jo slammed the phone back into its cradle, tiredness getting the better of her temper as she found the phone line engaged.
"Who the hell is on the phone at 2 am?" Sighing, Jo dug out the phone directory and began flipping through the pages, searching for the number of a local cab firm.
"Erm, Jo... I don't suppose you could drive me home could you? I mean, my car is in the car park, but I'm not supposed to be driving. Then you could drive back to your place, and pick me up on the way in to work tomorrow? I mean if that's alright with you and y'know...stuff." Tiredness reducing her coherency to that of an embarrassed teenager, Sam presented Jo with her car keys.
"Yeah, sure...hang on. You're not supposed to be alone with concussion and well you know it. You're not getting away with it that easily DS Nixon." Jo teased, the use of Sam's rank making both women smile.
"I'll be fine Jo, honestly. Look, if I feel worse, then I'll ring you, ok?" Sam said, thinking rapidly. Jo really needed to go home and sort things out with Tess; she just didn't know it yet.
"And you'll ring me just before you go to bed, so I know you've not collapsed or anything?"
"Alright Roadrunner, you've got yourself a deal."
"Roadrunner?" Jo quizzed, confused by the nickname, but liking it all the same.
"When you warned that driver earlier, you bipped the horn like Roadrunner, y'know, Meep meep?" Seeing that Jo looked most unimpressed, Sam continued. "Incredible driving?"
"I'm not convinced..." Jo joked.
"Alright... cheeky bird?"
"Oi!" Jo chuckled, giving Sam a dig in the ribs. "C'mon then Babybear, let's get you home."
The journey to Sam's house was mostly spent in companionable silence, Jo relaxing back into driving normally, while Sam amused herself by attempting to focus properly on various items, catching Jo's eye with a wink as she focused on the rear-view mirror, smiling cheekily as her exhausted mind decided that she would find it much more useful if the mirror really did give a better view of the driver's rear.
Upon reaching her house, Sam thought it would be best not to invite Jo in, knowing that she had to deal with Tess when she got back. Turning around on the doorstep as Jo walked her to her house, Sam thanked Jo for her help.
"Fantastic result today Jo, you've made me proud. We couldn't have done it without you."
"What are you talking about Sam? I nearly got you killed..." Turning away as a lone tear escaped, slipping slowly down her cheek, Jo replayed the events of the crash over in her mind.
Seeing Jo wince, Sam could practically hear the impact of the two vehicles ringing in her ears. Taking Jo's hands in her own, Sam interrupted the nightmare the other woman was reliving.
"It wasn't your fault Jo, I got stuck with the seat belt, it's just one of those things." Seeing that Jo was fighting back tears, Sam instinctively wrapped her arms around the taller woman, feeling her shoulders shake as she fought to regain her composure.
Clutching the smaller woman, Jo reassured herself that Sam was still alive, and pulling back slightly, looked meaningfully into Sam's eyes, taking in the look on her face, the intensity of her gaze. Slowly leaning in, Jo was astonished when Sam leant forward to give her a peck on the cheek.
"Goodnight Jo."
Confused by her apparent misunderstanding, Jo bade Sam goodnight and walked back to Sam's car, informing her that she would pick her up at 8.30 the following morning. Driving the short distance home, Jo wondered why she had considered kissing Sam anyway, she loved Tess, Sam was just, well, she was tired and Sam was lovely and Sam was alive and concussed and lovely and just, well, there. Tess was the woman she loved though, Jo told herself, nodding emphatically as if to prove the point.
Watching Jo leave hurt Sam far more than she had thought possible, the pain in her head unnoticeable in the wake of the damage done to her heart in that short moment when she had evaded Jo's kiss. Cursing her brain for always making her do the right thing, Sam put the kettle on, wishing she could have just thrown caution and common sense to the wind, kissing Jo with reckless abandon, inviting her in for a drink or something, anything. Tipping some powder into a mug, Sam proceeded to make some hot chocolate, determined to relax before succumbing to exhaustion.