So, just remember that we're going AU with this story, so it's not going to fit in with everything exactly as it happens in Season 3, obviously. For one, many of their attitudes would have been different had this relationship been going on in the background. Things will be a bit different here with Beth and Mark as well. I'm still working it out, but I am going to keep plugging in some of the scenes form Season 3 as we go along. Once the case is complete, I'm not sure how much further I'll go with this one!
"So you really are taking me on a date then? For a moment I thought that perhaps I had dreamed it all up," Ellie said with a grin as she greeted Alec at the door.
He smiled back at her, something she was still growing used to. "So, you got dressed up while still dreaming, then?" Alec commented as he eyed her up and down a moment, appreciating the black knee length dress she wore. Her curly hair was down, something he was fairly certain he had never witnessed, and had grown almost past her shoulders —the effect left him stunned. "Ellie—you look—amazing."
He was glad he had gone a bit more dressed up this evening, wearing black dress trousers and a blue dress shirt with the top few buttons undone. He had gotten the hint earlier in the day that Ellie seemed to appreciate him not wearing a tie, and so the bit of discomfort was worth it.
She smiled and glanced at him. "You look nice, too. Come on in. If you don't say hello to Fred, we'll never hear the end of it."
He grinned and stepped in past her as she held the door open, leaning over to plant a quick kiss on her cheek as he walked by. She was thrown off guard and shook her head and smiled as he walked towards the living room where her youngest and the three teens were gathered. Would she ever grow used to the affection this man was growing more and more comfortable with showing her?
"I understand there is a train driver here who would like to speak with me?" Alec said as he walked into the room.
The teens all chuckled as Fred jumped up and squealed, "Awec!" He ran over and jumped into the man's arms, who picked him up and held him in front of him. The boys legs wrapped around Alec's waist as far as they could go. "Have you come to play with my trains some more?"
"Oh, not tonight, wee Fred. Tonight I have come to take your Mum to dinner, if that's alright?" Alec tilted his chin so that he could look the boy in the eyes.
"Aww, but I really needed another driver tonight for Percy." Fred pouted a bit as he placed his hands on the man's bearded cheeks.
"Well, I happen to know a little secret." He leaned over and turned, eyeing Daisy with a smile. "Now Fred, you see that one over there," he whispered as he nodded towards his daughter. "Now I know she's a girl and everything, but she happens to be a fantastic train driver. I bet you she would handle Percy just right for you."
Fred eyed Daisy skeptically. "Are you sure, Awec? Can a girl be a train driver?"
Alec bounced the boy up. "Well, of course, my boy. If a girl can be as fine a Detective Inspector for the Wessex Police Department as your mother is, then I've no doubt a girl can be a train driver." He winked at Daisy and set Fred down. "And I promise, I'll be over again soon and we'll play with the trains, alright?"
Fred sighed and decided he was satisfied, bouncing over to Daisy. "Alright, Awec. Mum likes fish n' chips, you should take her for fish n' chips for dinner."
Alec smiled and heard Ellie giggle behind him. "I'll keep that in mind Fred, thank you."
"Alright, boys, remember the rules. The girls are in charge, don't misbehave. Fred, in bed by 8. Tom, in bed by 10. Love you both. Thanks girls, for keeping an eye on them." Ellie kissed both her boys on the cheek, much to Tom's dismay and Fred's delight, and waved to the girls before Alec escorted her out with a hand at the small of her back.
After opening Ellie's car door for her, Alec went around and got into the driver's seat. As he belted himself in, he asserted, "Rule number one of us dating, when we go out, no talking about work. I want this to be about us as people, not us as detectives."
She nodded in agreement, but commented, "Alright, but before we drive away and the date officially starts, one thing."
Alec's left eyebrow raised as he turned towards her. "Yes?"
"Are we going to the match on the beach tomorrow, to check out everyone there?" she asked of the get together that Cath Atwood had told them about during the interview at her home.
"Seems like a good idea. You think we should?" he asked back.
She nodded. "Yes, it might give us some added insight into how our suspects interact with each other."
"Alright, anything else?" he asked as he put his hand on the gear stick.
She shook her head and with a smile he put the car in reverse and pulled out of her driveway. After a few minutes of silence, she turned a little in her seat so she could face him. "So, where are we going?"
"The Fairmount—it's just a little out of Broadchurch, heading towards Sandbrook. Thought a dinner outside the town might help us not run into anyone we know."
"Worried about what people will think?" she asked.
He frowned and glanced at her. "I was more concerned that you were. I thought you might be worried what the townsfolk would say if they found out we were—"
"Should I be worried what they think? I guess I maybe should care? But I really don't. You're a good man—to me, my children, and you've done good by the people in this town. To hell with our past, I want to stop thinking about the past and start looking at the future. At our future."
A small smile crept across his face and he rested his hand atop hers. They drove in silence, neither quite able to believe they had come this far. Ellie had an easier time of looking at Alec occasionally, while he had to glance while watching the road. Occasionally they'd look at the same time and smile at each other and he'd squeeze her hand. As they approached, and he put on the turn indicator, he broke the silence. "Here we are."
"Alec, it's gorgeous!" gasped Ellie as she looked at the huge mansion size hotel and restaurant they would be dining at. She continued to be pleasantly surprised as he escorted her from the car park into the restaurant and found they had live music. It was quiet, enjoyable, slow music in a jazz and ballad style. Alec gave his name and they were soon being escorted to their table.
"You've outdone yourself, how are you ever going to top this?" Ellie marveled as she looked out from their table into the gardens before opening the menu in front of her.
"Oh, I don't know." He glanced up at her over his own menu. "But I'll keep trying as long as you'll let me."
"I can't believe you!" she chirped at him as she set the menu back down to punctuate her exclamation. "What happened to the grumpy old man who barely growled and grunted if he wasn't yelling and snarling?"
He quietly and calmly set his menu back down and leaned in closer to her as he spoke quietly. "He died on the operating table. I was given a second chance at life, and I don't plan on wasting it. However, if you prefer 'grumpy old man' I'm sure I can revive him." He took the hand she had resting on the table in his own. "Now, are you going to choose what you're eating, or should I have taken you to a fish and chips restaurant as Fred suggested?"
"Knob. I'll take this over Mr. Grumpy any day." She smiled and picked her menu back up, and spoke from behind. "And you couldn't drag me out of here if you tried."
His eyebrow perked up as looked over the menu further, mumbling as he did so, "I'm going to try and not take that as a challenge."
After they finished their meal they moved to the bar on the other side of the restaurant for drinks. After ordering their first round and starting to drink, their conversation had gone quiet as they both watched the jazz band and lead female singer perform. As Alec saw Ellie's drink get near empty, and heard a familiar song begin to play, he cleared his throat and stood up.
She noticed his movement and frowned. "Time to go, already?"
"No, time to dance," he said with a straight face.
"What!?" she exclaimed. "What was in that drink?"
"C'mon Mil—Ellie. Dance with me. Please." He held his hand out to her and she hesitated a moment before taking it and allowing him to pull her towards the dance floor.
"At last my love has come along…my lonely days are over…"
As he pulled her towards him on the dance floor, she put her left hand on his shoulder. When they arrived at an open spot on the floor, he took her right hand in his left and rested his right hand on her lower back. "I didn't know you could dance," she whispered as she looked down shyly.
"Can't really," he grumbled quietly. "But I figured it was worth a try, with you."
She looked back up into his eyes, a look of awe in her eyes as looked back. She quietly spoke again, "You know, for a man who says he's no good at social situations and relationships, you're doing a really good job at this."
A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as she leaned back in, resting her cheek against the center of his chest, hearing his now stable heartbeat as they swayed to the music.