A/N: Once again, thank you all for all the reviews and what-not, it's LOVE for me so thanks ") Sorry for the lack of speed but like I said before, school is far too full on but I'm trying my best, I promise. Also, I actually managed to find time to watch a few eps recently so I'm going to try and factor some bits I liked/saw in later on. So once again, read, review and enjoy!
He didn't notice it occurring but somehow, Stevie ended up staying a lot longer than a night. Days turned into weeks and neither of them noticed. Their shifts so far hadn't combined, meaning she'd work early and him, late. As a result, the bed issue didn't manifest - she'd sleep in it whilst he worked and by the time he came home, she was up, showered and ready for the off. She had fitted into his routine in a way that was so perfect and efficient, that Smithy realised he'd never felt happier. Everything worked, it just worked - no fuss, no change. Despite popular belief at the station that their relationship had somewhat blossomed, Stevie and Smithy thus far had remained purely platonic. He felt protective - as any man would given Stevie's unfortunate past few weeks - but he forced himself to believe that was where it stopped. The only trouble? He couldn't quite make her believe it too.
Stevie emerged from the kitchen, dressed entirely in his clothes; his grey joggers falling at her hips and a baggy blue t-shirt that had clearly evaded the iron for at least seven years. He rubbed his hands together cheekily and sat at the table.
"I could get used to this; getting home to a tidy house after a tough day at work, with my girl cooking me a slap up meal. What could be better." Smithy's wink did little to disperse Stevie's grimace - albeit one fully accompanied by poorly hidden laughter.
"A tad sexist, Smith?" Smithy just could not take Stevie serious as she stood in his clothes, in his kitchen, one eyebrow raised with the look that only served to remind Smithy of his Year 4 teacher, Miss Adams, when she'd found him eating the entire school's play dough resources.
"I think you mean sexy," Smithy interjected, tapping Stevie lightly on the backside as she made her way towards the living room.
"Ha! Dream on, dumbo." Smithy merely grinned, shrugged and tucked into his meal. From tomorrow, their shifts were to change, and they were back working together. Shaking her head as she settled into Smithy's sofa, Stevie didn't feel herself dropping off until she was gently awoken a couple of hours later.
"I'm thinking bed," Smithy whispered softly as he knelt beside Stevie, who was curled up on the sofa.
"A bit presumptuous, don't you think?" Stevie laughed, her voice coated with tiredness and exhaustion. Smithy rolled his eyes as she rubbed hers open and it was only when her eyes fully focused that Stevie realised just how close long his eyelashes were, and just how close his face was to hers and just how dry his lips felt as they came into contact with hers..