Here at last! Last Chapter- Enjoy!


"I know, I'm sorry, we were just establishing a close friendship and now I've gone and spoilt it"

I moved my hands down John's chest while I considered what to say:

"We're still close, nothing can change that, we're friends whatever happens" I rested my chin on John's shoulder

"I've ruined everything by being a pompous git as usual"

"Stop calling yourself that! You are not a pompous git, would I like you if you were?"

"How should I know!" John snapped

"Oh for goodness sake, stop it John! Use your brains for once, why do you think I choose to work with you more than anyone else? Why do I stay late to help you finish paperwork?"

"What do you see in me? I'm just an aggressive, stupid, pompous scouse git, who doesn't know the difference between aggression and diplomacy"

"You know diplomacy; look at what you said this morning"

"I even buggered that up, I've been searching for a way to tell you for weeks and I still messed it up"

"John listen to me, I knew what you were trying to say even before you said anything, why else would you have protested about coming in for coffee last night? I know you've been wanting to say something for weeks, I know you want me but I also know I probably put you off last night, talking about redheads"

"What…. How did you know?"

"I could see it in your eyes every time we worked together, I could see it this morning when I smashed the cup; you rushed over, only someone in love does that, for you that's something you'd never do for someone like Kerry for example. You were the first person on your feet this morning when I threw everything to the floor, you stood there while I hammered my fists against you, you held me until I calmed down and you still didn't let go…."

"I didn't want to let you go, I was scared of loosing you even though I never really had you" John cut me off

I crouched down in front of John and let my fingers gently skate over his face;

"You can have me; you just need to find a way to ask me. I know you can, I know deep down there's a true gentlemen hiding, he's just well hidden. I've got to get back- got a whole mountain of paperwork waiting for me" I got up and made for the door

"Claire wait…."

I turned back to face John

"Fancy being my girlfriend?"

I laughed, John certainly knew how to get a girlfriend

"I thought you'd never ask, been waiting weeks" I let John wrap his arms around me, it felt good and totally the right the thing to do.

"I wanted to know if you felt the same first, didn't want to look stupid"

"You could never look stupid just daft and cute"