Last one, taken over a year but it's finally done

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I awoke early the next morning; somehow I had managed to end up sprawled across John who was still asleep.

I watched John, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath, he looked so peaceful sprawled out in the depths of sleep.

I sat up careful trying not to wake John; he was even more gorgeous when asleep.

"Wassup Claire?" John mumbled, cracking open an eye

"Its time for me to get up" I replied

"Too early"

"It's half six, I'm getting up"

"Awww no, come back to sleep" John slid his arms around my waist and tried to pull me back down carefully avoiding the various wounds.

"Get off! I laughed as I landed back on the sofa

"I must have fallen asleep" John said looking into my eyes

"You did, like an angel" I smiled, I was happy ensconced in his arms

"What time is it?" John asked before kissing me gently

"Its now quarter to seven, I've gotta be in at eight, can I please get up?"

"Nope, I want you here"

I sighed and lay back against John, wondering why I felt so safe in his arms, my thoughts drifted to what Kerry would say if she could see us now and to what Don, Deakin and the rest of the office would say if they found out about us.

"What're you thinking about?" John's voice broke into my thoughts

"Huh?...Oh nothing, just wondering what Kerry would say if she could see us now, anyway I really have to get up, you can stay since you haven't got to be in until 9"

"Oh ok, if you insist" John replied, releasing me from his strong grip

I scrambled up and headed for the shower, half an hour later I was ready for work. I stood in the doorway, coffee in hand watching John snoozing on the sofa, making a second cup I took it through to John;

"John, it's ten to eight, I'm heading off now, I'll see you later" I crouched down beside him and gently woke him

"Oh ok" John said sitting up

I handed him his coffee;

"Shower's upstairs, towels in the cupboard, milk in the fridge, use what you want. I'll see you at work" I touched John's face before kissing him- a long lingering kiss that showed neither of us wanted to leave the house, reluctantly I broke the kiss and slid my arms around John;

"Will I see you again?" I whispered into his ear?

"Maybe, I haven't really thought about it" John teased

"I've really got to go, I'm going to be later, see you later" I got up and left the room "I've left you my car" I shut the front door behind me and started off down the street.

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"Where's Claire, she's late?"

"I doubt she's going to be in today, not after the state she was in last night"

"What state was that then?" I made my way into the office cheerfully

"Ah Claire, you're late"

"Yeah I know, I'm sorry Guv"

"Are you alright Claire? You were in a bad way last night"

"I'm fine, my arms are sore but they'll heal, might be scarred but it's not important"

"Why did you get involved? What the hell were you thinking Claire?" Kerry demanded

"It was either get my arms slashed or let John get killed, somehow I think my arms are a lot less important" I tried to defend myself, we were still debating when John arrived in the office

"Morning all!"

I nodded and smiled, glad to get away from Kerry and her questions, I finally got to sit down for the first time that morning.

Luckily the morning was quiet, Don was in court and most of the office headed out on enquires, leaving me and John alone

"Find everything alright?"

"Yeah thanks, I put the sofa back together and tidied the cups away, how are your wounds?"

"Sore but healing nicely, good night last night?"

"It started out bad, someone I care a lot about nearly got herself killed fighting over me, but I spent the night with her, looking after her, so it finished wonderfully"

"Will you be seeing her again?" I asked fully aware he was talking about me

"Most definitely, she's an amazing woman"

I smiled as I reached across for John's hand;

"Claire can I have a word?"

"Of course Guv" I stood up watching John's face, I followed the DI into his office

"What's this I hear about you getting into a fight with a member of the public?"

"Yeah, she's been provoking me ever since I met her, have you seen what she did to me?" I unravelled a couple of the bandages on my arms to show Deakin

"Jesus Claire, have you thought about an assault charge?"

"Yeah, I can't be bothered to be honest Guv"

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"Nah it's fine"

"Please Claire go and see the FME, if not for yourself then do it for John"

"Guv, I'll see my own Doctor thanks" I shot back aware that he had resorted to emotional blackmail

"Claire please, just listen to me….Claire!" I heard the DI shout at me as I turned on my heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind me

"Claire?"

"Piss off" I growled at John as I stomped out

"Claire, wait up!" I heard John call after me

I slammed the door of the conference room after me, sinking into a chair I broke down in tears, all the fear from last night came flooding back, I barely registered the door opening and John crouching down beside me

"What did Deakin say to you?"

I shook my head

"Claire he must have said something to upset you like this"

I shook my head again, afraid to open my mouth

"This is about last night isn't it?" John paused watching my reaction "You didn't exactly tell me to go when I came round, you let me dress your arms, you let me hold you for hours, you let me sleep all night without waking once. I'm sorry if you have any regrets but I can't say that I have"

"I nearly died last night protecting you"

"I didn't think Claire, I'm sorry"

I smiled weakly as I slid to the floor alongside John, allowing his strong arms to envelope me and draw me close, sighing deeply I rested my head on his shoulder

"It's the shock kicking in, you'll be alright, I'm here if you need me remember"

"Thank you" I whispered

"I'll take you home when you've calmed down a bit" John said kissing my hair

I was exhausted; the adrenaline had completely left my system making me emotionally unstable.

John helped me back into the chair before he went to make arrangements to take me home.

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"Guv, I'm taking Claire home, she's exhausted"

"Alright, look after her and make sure she sees a doctors with those wounds"

By the time John got back Claire was fast asleep in the chair.

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I must have fallen asleep as I remember John telling me to wake up

"I'm taking you home"

"I don't want to go, I have to work" I protested

"Jesus Christ Claire, I'm taking you home, whether you like it or not" John almost shouted sliding his arms underneath me and scooping me up

"Alright, alright, I can walk to the car" I struggled so much John had to put me down or risk dropping me.

John put his arm around me and together we left the station.