Thanks to everyone who reviewed my opening chapter, the reviews were much appreciated! I have no idea how this story is really going to turn out, except for a few things. This isn't my normal pairing; this Juart business, but I do love them! Hope you enjoy this chap, and please review again!
"Whaddya reckon?" Jo asked, looking over at Stuart from the passenger seat.
"About what?" He replied, his fingers drumming the steering wheel.
"Three o'clock." Jo tilted her head at someone outside of Stuart's window, and he turned his head to look as well.
"What, that blonde girl?" He said, peering at her, also keeping an eye on the traffic light in front of them, currently a vibrant red colour.
"I think she's just your type Stuart." Jo said, smiling.
Stuart smiled. "And how would you know 'just my type', DC Masters?"
"Ooh, just a hunch, Detective Sergeant Turner."
"I'd say she's more your type." Stuart said, casually putting the car into gear as the traffic light in front of them finally turned green.
"Oi! Cheeky." Jo responded, smiling, while Stuart laughed. Their car fell into an easy silence until they parked in a bed of leaves, underneath a massive tree. They both got out, and Stuart locked the car, before making their way down to the canal, having to walk down a slippery embankment first.
"Watch out Jo, these things can be slippery." Stuart warned, walking closely behind Jo.
"I'll be fine … I'm a big girl now Stu -" The last syllable of his name was caught in Jo's throat though, as she lost her footing and slipped, almost plunging down the steep mound of dirt, if Stuart hadn't caught on quickly and grabbed her right arm. She swung around, her feet swiveling in the wet mud, and grabbed hold of Stuart's neck as though her life depended on it.
"What were you saying?" Stuart said, smiling down at Jo.
"Shut it." She said, regaining her balance. She stood up straightly, and was now almost eye to eye level with Stuart. "Well, isn't this cosy?" She said, her arms still around his neck.
Stuart laughed, sounding a little nervous. "Very. However, I think we should get on with our case."
"I suppose you're right." Jo took her arms away from Stuart's neck, and she turned around, making her way down to the canal once again, smiling to herself, when she felt a hand on the small of her back, and another hand on her upper arm, again.
"Just so you don't fall again." She heard Stuart's voice coming from behind her, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
'Down hairs, down!' Jo silently sent a message to her brain. Why was she feeling like this? It was Stuart Turner, her best mate since they had bonded over the supermodel case, their relationship going from strength to strength, considering he had saved her life, and she had saved his career. Anyway, she shouldn't be having these feelings; Stuart was not a woman. Besides, the last time she had felt feelings like these, they were for Tess … definitely not a man.
'Her hair smells like strawberry.' Stuart mused, walking behind Jo. He was smiling; he was rather proud of his act of chivalry, and he was more than happy to keep it going, his hands rather occupied in guiding her down to the water. He didn't know why he was feeling like this … in fact, the last woman he had those kinds of feelings for had been none other than a certain blonde detective, Samantha Nixon. It had worked out alright with her, but there was a difference – Sam wasn't a lesbian, and Jo was. Stuart sighed inwardly. They were good mates, but there wasn't any harm in dreaming, was there?
"Ooh, looks cosy." Gina commented to Sam, standing on her left.
"What?" Sam asked, turning to face Gina. "Oh." Sam spotted Jo and Stuart, slowly walking together down the embankment, through a clearing in some trees. Jo had a small smile on her face, looking as though she was a million miles away, while Stuart had his hands on Jo's back and arm, looking as though he was guiding her down the slippery slope.
"Jealous?"
Sam's eyes snapped to Gina. "No! Why would I be, I've already had that … well, not with Jo, obviously … " Sam trailed off, embarrassed, as Gina raised an eyebrow at her friend.
"Can we just get on with the case?" Sam asked, ignoring Gina's questioning eyebrow.
"You're the boss." Gina said, raising two fingers to her head in a salute.
"Mission accomplished." Jo said, walking onto the flat ground.
"You know what? We make a good team." Stuart said, joining her on the flat ground, walking towards Sam and Gina standing next to the canal where Monet had just been pulled out of.
"I already knew it, sweetheart." Jo said, and Stuart smiled in response, swinging an arm around her shoulders. Together they walked towards Sam and Gina, standing at the canal, looking over the scene.
"Do we have anything yet Ma'am?" Jo asked, as Stuart's arm made its way back to its owner.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, just like the other two." Sam replied, looking out over the water.
"Surely there has to be something though? Have the CSE been yet?" Stuart asked.
"Yes, they have Stuart, and they found nothing out of the ordinary." Sam snapped. Jo and Stuart exchanged looks, while Gina pretended not to have heard anything.
"Well if that's the case, I don't know why you wanted both of us down here." Stuart replied, finally breaking the tense silence. "Come on Jo, we'll go back to the station, if that's alright with you, Ma'am."
"Fine." Sam answered icily, choosing to ignore his sarcastic tone. Stuart and Jo turned and started to walk back to their car, leaving Sam and Gina standing by the water once again.
"What was that all about?" Gina asked, not wasting anytime.
"What? Nothing." Sam replied, shrugging her shoulders in a casual manner.
"Oh, come on Samantha." Gina scoffed, looking at Sam, who eventually met her gaze.
"What? There isn't anything out of the ordinary!" Sam stressed her point.
"That's not what I meant."
"Well then I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm going back to the station before I freeze." Sam pulled her coat tighter around her body and walked to her car, leaving Gina standing alone in front of the canal.
She knew she was being childish, but she couldn't help it. The words just kind of tumbled out, and she didn't mean to snap at Stuart, but there was just something about the way he was being with Jo that made her feel indifferent. Sam mentally kicked herself for being jealous. Just because Jo and Stuart were being all friendly, didn't mean they were together or anything … Jo was a lesbian, after all.
Sam stole a glance at them through the trees. There they were, Stuart closely following behind Jo, this time both his hands around her waist, guiding her up the muddy hill towards their car. Sam could feel her eyes narrow involuntarily. It wasn't that long ago that she was in Jo's position, and now what did she have? A cold, empty house to return to after a long day at work.
Sam sighed sadly, reaching her car. She unlocked the door and slid into the seat, thinking of happier times … with not only Stuart, but her best mate/lover Phil Hunter. He had left quite a while ago, and they promised to stay in contact, but apart from a few emails and the occasional phone call, that was it really. She was all by herself, and although she had her career, it couldn't keep her warm at night.
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Virtual vegemite sandwiches for those who review!