A/N- Just a quick note to say a massive thank you for all the follows and favs and stuff, you guys are fab. Enjoy your new chapter! Hannah x

"Nothing"

Jim gleefully hopped down two of stairs and turned to look back at the girl who followed through the front door of the flat complex a few steps behind him, grinning at the sight.

"What?" She smiled as she riffled through her bag, checking she had everything she needed for the day.

"Nothing," he replied, brushing his hands up and down her arms gently. "I just can't believe how beautiful you are." His dark eyes met with her emerald ones as he drank her in, savouring this moment.

"And I can't believe you're that soft." Colleen laughed, playfully batting his chest with the back of her hand.

He sighed, feigning defeat, before turning to face the street and offering her his arm, "Shall we?" he grinned.

"We shall." She giggled, threading her arm through his and placing her free hand on his forearm.

They walked in the direction of the cafe in comfortable silence for a few moments before Colleen found a topic of conversation, "You know, I never thanked you for last night!" She chirped, looking up at him.

"I should be the one to thank you my dear," he purred, meeting her gaze once more, "never have I had such a wonderful date."

Colleen accepted the complement for just a second before giggling, "You really are soft aren't you!"

"No!" he defended himself, "I am merely a gentleman who enjoys complimenting his lady!"

"Well they are a rare occurrence these days!" Colleen agreed, trying to supress yet another burst of giggles.

"Which is exactly why I'm such a catch." He winked.

"Oh, and he's back!" Colleen laughed a little too loud, drawing judging looks from passers-by.

Jim quickly raised a finger to his lips in a half-hearted attempt to hush her.

"I will not be hushed Richard Brooke!" She gasped, stopping dead in her tracks.

"People are looking!" Jim laughed, trying to playfully pull her along the street, but she wouldn't budge, digging her heels defiantly into the ground.

"Good. I love attention." She smirked, pulling herself free from his side and performing a series of leaps and turns along the pavement before turning back to face him. "And if you can't handle that," she continued, "then I think we best call this off right now."

Jim approached her slowly and wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing his face so close to hers that she could feel his breath on her lips. "Oh, I would never dream of calling this off my dear." He purred.

"Well that is good to hear." She replied, her tone mimicking his. He leaned in slightly to kiss her but she playfully retreated. "Ah, ah, ah, I have to get to work. Come on." She smiled offering him her hand. His fingers intertwined with hers as they began walking down the street once more.

Jim couldn't help but love the dynamic that had been created between the two of them. It felt so refreshing to have someone who wasn't scared of him, who would freely defy him, even just in playful little arguments. For so long there had been no one to dare stand up to him, for fear of what he could do to them even for simply denying him a cup of tea. But Colleen didn't know any of that. She constantly defied and argued with him. Yet Jim had never even dreamed of bringing her any form of harm. The very thought of it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand. The thought of anyone bringing harm to her made him feel sick.

In that moment he realised. No one could ever know about her. Not about her involvement with him. His enemies would not hesitate to use her against him. The government could steal her in an instant. Lock her up. Wait for an opportunity to use her as bait or a piece of a bargain. Or worse than that. One of his "associates" would not hesitate to put a bullet through her head purely to make a point. No. No one could ever know.

His shoulders suddenly felt twice as heavy as they had two minutes ago. He unconsciously let out a long sigh and tightly squeezed the hand that was resting in his.

Sensing something was wrong, Colleen stopped abruptly, almost causing a collision behind them. Jim looked down to her, drinking in her emerald eyes.

"What's wrong?" She demanded softly.

"Nothing." He sighed, earning a sceptical look from the girl in front of him. "I'm just tired." He smiled sadly, leaning down to place a light kiss on her forehead. "Come on, we need to get you to work."

She decided not to argue, for once, and gave his hand a tight squeeze as they began walking down the street once more.

Laura sighed as she removed the empty paper cups from a table and threw them towards the bin. "You know, I don't know why it's so hard for some people to just take their cups and put them in the bin." She muttered to no one in particular, although a few customers seemed to have heard her judging by the guilty looks that crossed their faces. As she returned to her position behind the counter she aimlessly scanned the room, looking for some tiny task to keep her entertained in what she'd dubbed the "post-apocalypse" shift. After deciding that there was absolutely nothing left for her to do her eyes fell to the door, praying for a new customer. Or an explosion. Just something to make her already dull day more interesting. Within seconds her prayers were answered.

Her jaw physically dropped when she saw who was approaching the shop. "You can't be serious." She squeaked. A smug look plastered itself across her face as she rested her elbows on the counter.

Colleen and Richard entered the shop giggling to one another, seemingly in their own little world. Laura coughed, catching their attention and forcing them to compose themselves. "Well, well, well, Little Miss Ireland is a big fat liar." Laura smirked. Colleen shot her a murderous look and Laura took the hint not to continue her teasing.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Richard laughed surveying the board.

"Oh nothing." Laura chimed. "Girl stuff. What can I get for you, sweet? The usual?"

"Nah, not today. I think I'll take," He paused, checking his options. "A St. Patrick's day special." He handed her the cash, turning to Colleen. "Jesus, is it nearly St. Patrick's day already?"

Colleen's face dropped. "You did not just ask me that."

"Oh, you've awoken the dragon!" Laura joked as she handed Richard his change.

Colleen ignored the comment as she continued her assault on Richard. "You really are a travesty of an Irishman!" She said, genuinely shocked.

"Well, we never really celebrated it that much in my family." He defended.

"What." Both girls spat at the same time.

"Yeah, it was just never a big thing."

"It's a big thing for every Irish family!" Colleen shrieked. "I'm really beginning to doubt you're actually Irish. I think it was just a rouse to get me on a date!" She joked.

"I am Irish! Honest!" He laughed. "My parents were just extremely boring. The most we ever did for St. Paddy's was a chicken dinner."

"I am going to show you how do it properly." Colleen smirked.

"Will it involve dancing and alcohol?" He asked sheepishly.

"Lots and lots of alcohol." Colleen smirked as she turned to walk towards the staff room. "And a little bit of dancing." She threw over her shoulder.