I am so excited about this chapter. Sorry it is so short, but I hope you all enjoy it regardless. Steve POVs are always fun to write and I just hope I did him justice! Let me all know what you think!
"DI Matthew Cottan has not only distinguished himself but the entire Anti-Corruption division," the Chief Constable praises.
The room erupts into applause as the man is called onto the City Hall stage to collect his award. Dot is being honoured this evening for outstanding bravery in detaining Hari Baines with commendable disregard of his own personal safety. It is a huge event, everyone dressed up fancy and downing drinks. Almost everyone involved in the Waldron case, and a few higher up officials, had been invited. It was a time to celebrate and socialise away from the workplace - a rare occasion. And everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Except for Steve.
His mind is elsewhere as Hastings and Kate at his table join in the applause, watching proudly as Dot makes his way onto the platform.
Lizzie is leaving for Manchester tomorrow. He had hoped she would be here, she said she would. It seems she was running late. These events were bad enough at the best of times, but when everyone there seemed to hold disdain for you, it was hell.
Just then, the door opens at the back of the hall. Steve turns, his knee bouncing impatiently as he hopes it is her.
When it is Lizzie who appears through the doorway, he wants to sigh in relief. But his breath hitches.
He can only gawk at her as she quietly tiptoes her way through the tables toward them.
Steve's eyes strain to not rake over the emerald satin dress she is wearing, and the way her smoothly curled hair swishes behind her. This was such a contrast to the work suit or sweatpants he was used to seeing her in. A very good contrast.
He snaps his gaze back to the front, willing himself not to stare as she gracefully seats herself in the chair he made a point to leave empty beside him.
"Hey," Liz whispers, leaning closer to him and smiling.
"Hey," Steve whispers back, fixing his eyes on hers and not the way her dress seemed even tighter as she was sitting, accentuating her slim frame perfectly. He does not know what else to say.
Hastings turns to her then as the clapping begins to die down, "Glad you could make it."
"Sorry I am late, had to check everything for tomorrow," she says, quietly so as to not disrupt the Chief Constable's speech.
Steve watches as she quickly smiles in greeting to Kate then turns to watch the stage, her smile widening at the sight of Dot accepting the award.
"It's an honour to present DI Cottan with this award for outstanding bravery," the Chief Constable announces to the room, "The commendation reads, "in commendation of outstanding conduct in apprehending a dangerous suspect with commendable disregard for your own personal safety." Well done, Cottan."
"Thank you, sir," Dot says, accepting the other man's hand in a shake.
The room erupts into applause again, but Steve keeps his eye on the woman beside him.
She is smiling as she applauds, watching the man receive his trophy on the stage. Not just her usual, kind smile she used with clients. But a genuinely proud one. He can tell by the way it lights up her already bright eyes.
Steve has seen that smile before. Only once. Back when they arrested Denton. When they hugged. Steve had considered himself honoured to be on the receiving end. His chest swells whenever he recalls it, that special glint in her eye as she gazed up at him that day.
But now, as he sees her look at the other man with the same spark, his chest hurts. The memory is tainted now. It was not just her smile for him. Perhaps, it had just been relief that day. After all they went through with Denton, that would be understandable. Maybe he was mistaken.
He knew Liz and Dot were growing closer, as much as he hated to accept it. Steve was unsure of the extent of their newfound friendship, or relationship, but it worried him. It was common knowledge himself and the man didn't exactly see eye-to-eye. There was something about him. Something that didn't sit right. Steve doesn't trust many people, but he certainly doesn't trust Dot because of that. What if he hurt Liz? Steve would never forgive himself.
But Lizzie was Steve's friend. He trusts her, and her judgement. Liz was the best evaluator of character he knew. Ok, he had doubted her a few times, but that was only when it came to himself. If she trusts Dot, he should too.
Lizzie proved herself to be his best friend time and time again. Supporting him when no one else will, believing in him when no one else will, being there when no one else will. The least he could do is do that for her.
Especially after percent events and the way everyone was disregarding him now, she was the only one to give him the time. That was special, something to be cherished. Something he would owe her for, no matter how much she would protest it.
Besides, she looks happy. Is that not what he wants for her? For her to be as happy with someone as he is with Sam? Well, at the moment, things were not so happy. Maybe happier than he and Sam, then.
He felt how furious she was at him when he acted jealous. And she had every right to be. Who was he to dictate her life? To judge her?
No. If he was going to prove himself to her as a loyal and loving friend, Steve needed to take a step back. Allow her to be happy. That's all he wants.
And actually, on closer inspection, her smile now is close-lipped. When she smiled for him, she had grinned so wide her cheeks looked as though they would split-
Lizzie turns to him, still clapping. She smiles. He smiles back. Steve begins to clap himself.
A little while later, Steve rubs his neck, awkwardly. He is standing beside Kate as she converses with some of their colleagues. He had spoken to them a few times himself, and any other time he is sure he would enjoy this chance to socialise outside AC-12. But Kate, who was clearly attempting to give him the cold-shoulder, was not making any allowances for him to get a word in.
He looks around, over his shoulder, softening as he sees Lizzie stood beside Hastings and Gill on the other side of the room. She looks almost as awkward as he does, not joining in the conversation but taking several sips from the glass in her hand. She seems bored. He assumes it is because Gill is the one talking, dominating the conversation with her irritatingly imperious manner. Her eyes flit around the room, as his had done. She seems to be looking for someone. Probably Dot, he huffs to himself.
Steve's breath hitches again when she catches his eye, Lizzie's expression lighting up immediately as she does. He turns to face her, watching as she excuses herself and makes her way over to him. He does the same, walking, rather hastily, to meet her in the middle.
She grins, "Would you like a drink?"
He nods, gesturing to his empty glass, "Sure."
Liz taps the nearest waiter on the shoulder, asking politely to replace their two glasses. She hands one back to him, thanking the man as he walks away with the tray.
Steve takes a sip. He hates champagne. He covers a cringe as it scratches his throat.
But, this evening had been drab enough, he couldn't imagine how much he would suffer if he was completely sober. (Also, it gave him something to do other than stare at her in that dress.)
Liz takes a sip herself, smiling at him, "How are you finding the evening?"
Steve cannot resist a sigh. She nods, understanding.
Liz decides to change the subject, wanting to lighten the mood for him, "You brush up well. Never seen you in a bow-tie."
Steve chokes, letting out a small cough to hide it. The tips of his ears turn red. Taking that as an invite, unable to stop himself, he lets his eyes admire her attire. From her lithe legs, which he had never seen bare before; to her accentuated hips, also hidden by the suits she wears; to her flatteringly light makeup, not quite hiding the faint blush blooming on her cheeks; to her silky, red hair, perfectly framing her porcelain face.
The ache in his chest burns as he tries to form words in response, "And you- you look-"
"Beautiful," a voice declares as it approaches, confidently, "He means to say you look beautiful."
Steve deflates as Dot appears beside him, not even sparing the other man a glance as his eyes rake over the woman. He watches as Liz's grin widens, her looking to the ground, modestly self-conscious. She shifts on her feet, folding her arms as if to hide herself, clearly not used to such attention.
Dot was right. Lizzie did look beautiful.
Steve wonders why he could not think of the word. He was only complimenting his friend. A quiet voice in his head tells him it is because Lizzie always looks beautiful. That word is obvious. Tonight, she was more than that.
"Congratulations!" Lizzie beams, moving closer to Dot to embrace him, also likely wanting the attention off herself like usual.
Steve can only watch as Dot wraps his arms around her waist, gripping tightly as she winds her free arm around his neck. His fists clench.
Liz leans back, giving the man a swift, sweet kiss to his cheek. His fists shake.
Dot does the same, pulling away with a smirk. He can't take it anymore.
Steve steps away, quickly turning his back on the pair and making his way over to the buffet bar. He isn't hungry, not in the slightest. In fact, as he stands there in front of the finger food, he is sure he wouldn't be able to stomach it. He feels nauseous.
It is better to leave them to it. He has embarrassed her about it all enough and seen how it makes her feel. He doesn't want to say something wrong, or do something brash. Especially after all she has done for him and is doing, Steve cannot jeopardise that. It wasn't his business. He needs to give them space. He needs space himself.
Picking up a paper plate and beginning to pick up food he knows he will not eat, just to distract himself, he risks a look back in their direction. Gill has now approached the two, Liz once again looking at her, distrustful. But she does not seem as bored. As she stands beside Dot as they converse with the woman, she seems more at ease. Like Steve noted before, she looks happier.
Steve's gut twists as he observes Gill say something to Dot before walking away, Liz once again turning to embrace the man, excitedly. Most likely a promotion offer, Steve thinks rationally, though it is soon drowned out by envy.
Dot seemed to have it all. Of course Steve would be jealous. He had plenty of things in his own life to be satisfied with. A job he enjoyed, Sam, Liz as a friend. But Dot had charisma, respect, an ever-increasing rank...Liz. As Steve had considered before, he did not know the extent of their relationship. But he knew it was blossoming into something. To have Liz in his life in any sort of capacity was something for Steve to be grateful for. But now she seemed to be in Dot's too, just in a different way. That was difficult for him to get his head around.
It had always been Steve and Lizzie, before he started to show an interest. How could he not be uncomfortable with the idea of a relationship coming between their friendship? Then again, why should it? Nothing changed when he started a relationship with Sam…
Or had it? Thinking back, they had spent less time together in the past year. Sam had always seemed wary of the other woman for some reason. He had hoped the two would get along, so he could spend time with both without any conflicts. That had not been the case. It was as if Sam wanted him to choose. In fact, his girlfriend has pretty much threatened him with that, after she once again dragged up what happened on the Hurrell case one night. Thinking about it, she did that often. Steve did not understand what Sam had against Lizzie. They were only friends, not like she had any reason to be jealous. But it seemed clear to him now. His relationship had, in some way, come between them.
So how could he not be wary the same would happen if Lizzie were to be in a relationship? With them both in relationships with other people, it could be worse, right?
His friendship with Lizzie meant too much to him for Steve to let that happen.
But how could he stop it? He was not going to 'choose' Lizzie's friendship and forfeit what he had with Sam. For the most part, his relationship with his girlfriend has bettered him, despite the rough patch they were currently going through because of his past antics. But he certainly wasn't going to push Lizzie away by coming between her and Dot. Lizzie was his friend and she deserved to be happy. She had been as good for him as Sam, if not better having known her longer. To ruin whatever was going on for her would be to ruin their friendship, thus pushing her away anyway.
He groans, throwing his full plate of uneaten food in a nearby bin. Grabbing another glass of champagne from a waiter as they pass by, Steve ignores the bitter taste in hopes it will rid him of his aching, dry throat. It doesn't work.
Steve stands outside City Hall as the crowd floods out, spilling into the street. He had come out about ten minutes ago - actually, he isn't sure how long, the thoughts in his head overwhelming his sense of reality - wanting some fresh air to clear his throbbing head.
He pushes himself off the wall he had been leaning against when he sees Kate appear, Liz and Dot following close behind. He swallows down his enmity at seeing their arms linked, making his way through the dissipating crowd to approach them.
"Steve," Lizzie greets as she sees him, unwinding herself from Dot, "I wondered where you had run off to."
He nods, awkwardly as he tries to find an excuse, "Yeah, think I drank a bit too much champagne."
Lizzie laughs, Steve's heart clenching as he thinks of her having thought of him after he left in such a hurry.
"Need someone to walk you home?" he offers, hopefully.
His heart sinks as her face does, "Oh, sorry but Kate offered to drive me back to hers. Some of my stuff is there and I need it before I leave tomorrow."
His heart sinks further.
Steve's eyes flick to Kate and Dot who stand a little way behind her. They are glaring at him, disapprovingly.
Liz twists her mouth, apologetically, "Text me when you get back so I know you're home safe."
He only nods again, unsure what to say, but touched by her concern.
"Good luck," Steve mutters, genuinely meaning it but too disheartened to express it.
"Thank you," she sends him a small smile, "I'll see you when I get back next weekend."
The pair stare at each other, neither knowing what else to say and do. He shifts slightly closer, almost hoping she embraces him before they part, like he had watched her do with Dot all evening. She doesn't.
"We should get going," Kate prompts, twisting on her heel and heading to her car.
Liz looks over her shoulder at the woman, nodding in acknowledgement, before turning back to Steve. She sends him one last smile, an apologetic glint in her gaze, as if she is hesitant to leave, before following after her friend.
He stands still, watching as she walks past Dot, who fixes him with one last glare before encircling his arm with Lizzie's.
Steve's face contorts into contempt as he watches Dot politely open the car door for her, Liz giving him another sweet, thankful kiss on the cheek before climbing into the passenger seat. Dot waves with a charming grin before closing the door behind her, taking a step back as Kate pulls the car away.
With both men watching the car disappear down the road, Dot turns back to look at him. Steve flinches under the other man's stare, his blood boiling. It wasn't necessarily malicious, nor a warning. In fact the man's face was blank.
He knows, whatever the man's meaning, he should glare back. Challenge him.
Instead, Steve turns and walks away, surrendering.