A Fistful of Chips
Author's Note: Set after A Fistful of Chips, again this could be considered a one shot but I am keeping it as a series of conversation as it may diverge from cannon as some point.
"Well don't tell me that you told me so!" Michael said with a serious look on his face, handing her a coffee. Jackie was sitting across from his desk, the new big office really suited him she thought to herself. Although she did miss having him just in the next room, it did give her time to bond more Robbie and Stuart. She sipped her coffee as he sat down slightly swinging on his chair.
"What did I tell you then?" She smiled.
"that Ester's husband would explode one day! POW!" He mocked.
"well in fairness, I thought he had killed his wife and he was completely innocent!" she shrugged.
"you knew he was capable of extreme violence though!" he nodded.
"yeah well… as I said I have seen the type before!" this time she said it with a sadness in her voice, he considered asking if there were more to it than that that. He wondered if she perhaps meant someone specific but before he could think of a way to broach it "you were right too you know!" He looked at her confused.
"I was blaming myself for Bob's apparent suicide." She shrugged "I'm sorry for snapping at you!" She said sincerely. She hated that he knew her that well, that Bob's death would have weighed on her, but in truth she was madder at herself for letting it get to her. He nodded as if he already knew that.
"you really had a soft spot for Bob Ramsey?"
"he was sweet!" from the look on his face she could tell he was expecting a better explanation "ok, to be honest he reminded me of my cousin Jamie. You know, lost in their own worlds not really fitting in! easy to take advantage off, I felt for him" she shrugged, she hated when her sensitivity got the better of her. He nodded, finally understanding that it wasn't just a mutual appreciation of all things sci-fi that had evoked her defence of him.
"you were really good with him! If anyone should feel bad about how he was treated then it's me, I was very harsh!"
"you were doing your job!" He smirked; she would always make excuses for him but beat herself up over same thing. He could almost see the unhelpful thought grow in her mind before she began speaking "Anyways maybe if I hadn't resisted bringing him in he would still be alive" She started firmly but look down at her coffee.
"Jackie you can't blame yourself for that!" he put his coffee down "there was no way we could have known!" she shook her head refusing to look at him. "Jackie, if I had pushed when I wanted to he would most likely have suffered a mental breakdown and/or hurt himself. You showed him kindness and that is something you should feel good about!" he stopped talking waiting for her to look at him. "in fact, the only reason I know I can be the 'bad cop' in those situations is because I know you will be there to be 'good cop' and pull me back!" she laughed. He was relieved to her smile. "speaking of people, you have soft spot for!" she gave him a look of derision. "we need to keep a closer eye on our DI Ross" She had been wondering if he would bring Robbie up. She was aware that they had some arguments during the case, Stuart had told her as much.
"look Michael, I knew he screwed up on this! But he is not bad guy! Actually, I would say he needs to work for someone like you!" he shot her a sceptical look. "maybe has never had someone to expect better from him. Maybe that's we can give him here!" She did not know why she felt a strong immediate attachment to Robbie, he was in most ways Michaels opposite, but she still felt protective of him.
"I want to give him a chance Jackie, but he makes it so bloody difficult for me!" Michael said exasperated.
"I know" she shrugged. "I wouldn't want to be in your shoes Michael, nor would I presume to tell you what to do!"
"hey, whether I follow it or not, I always value your opinion!" She smiled. They sat for a few moments drinking her coffee she noticed him staring at her. She looked at him puzzled.
"I do like it you know?"
"like what?" she sounded exasperated.
"the new hair!" she laughed. "you think I didn't notice?" she shook her head.
"thank you!" she smiled.
"it suits you" he smiled turning to a smirk when she blushed.
"how you are liking the new office then?" he laughed knowing full well she was trying to change the subject, the typical Jackie move he thought to himself.
"it's good, was weird when I first moved in four weeks ago. Although It does mean the CS pops in for a wee chat more often!" he rolled his eyes. She smiled. "I do miss seeing you on my way in and you checking up on me throughout the day!"
"I still do that!" she insisted.
"it's not quite the same!" She laughed shaking her head.
"well I promise to keep up the visits!" she smiled. She looked at her watch. "right I best get back to finishing the reports on today's events!" she stood up and went for the door
"oh Jackie…., before you go!" she turned back as he reached down to his drawer and picked up a packet of biscuits. "I'm sorry for stealing your biscuits!" she laughed very loudly. She leant forward as if to take them then and stopped.
"you know what, keep them in here and it will give me a reason to visit!" she winked heading for the door. He smirked putting the pack of biscuits back into his drawer.