This chapter is dedicated to Tess 4 5 whose mischievous comments and PMs are responsible for Any frustration you feel waiting for ...

Tommy asked the cabbie to stop a few hundred yards short of the bandstand entrance on King Edward's Parade. His eyes had barely left her during the ten minute ride from their hotel which had made it hard for Barbara to concentrate on his instructions. Focus on his words not his face! The plan was simple. She would go inside and wander around hoping that Wallace would spot her. She was supposed to be a little socially inept and unsure of herself to give the impression of vulnerability. She needed to talk and mix just enough to not look like a copper on the beat but not too much. She still had to scream 'target'. With a quick reassurance that Winston and Smithers would be watching her every move he disappeared into the crowd.

The bandstand was a unique venue. At night the place shone as the light reflected off the gleaming cream tiles that lined the inside of the complex. It was on the promenade but was cordoned off from the ocean; its semi-circular dais enclosed by huge, elegantly designed mahogany and glass sliding screens to provide protection from any wind. The evening air was cool but there was only a wispy breeze from the south which was broken by the high-domed roof capped with large, glazed tiles in a blue that mimicked the sea. The same tiles lined the edges of the stage. It was very art deco, as could be expected from a 1930's building, but the blue roof with its two layers of tiles and squat stainless steel spire reminded Havers of a space ship from one of those children's programme she had watched as a child. Only now it was her that was the alien. Without Tommy beside her the dress no longer made her feel sexy. Instead she felt exposed and hoped that it was tight enough not to reveal anything as she moved. She meandered through the growing throng of happy partygoers watching the joy on the faces of the couples. It made her feel very alone. She was not of course. She knew he was watching; she could feel his eyes on her. The thought of him as her silent voyeur added to the sense of danger radiated by his dark clothes and slicked hair. She had never seen him like that but it was alluring. Her pulse quickened and her mind and body reacted just as if he had touched her. She quickly swept the crowd but he remained tantalisingly hidden.

Tonight the stage was open to the three tiers of the viewing platform that enclosed it. Normally they would be filled with deck chairs for the many concerts held here but tonight the space was crowded with a moving kaleidoscope of black and gold. Behind the tiled Doric columns that disguised the bar Tommy stood in the shadows and observed Barbara as she wandered in front of the stage. She was beautiful and yet looked vulnerable. It was the perfect combination to attract Wallace but he knew she was not acting. He wondered if the murderer was here and who would spot him first. Smithers was on the next level up and Winston was positioned near the exit on the third tier, the same level as the road.

He tried to focus on the scanning the crowd but he was drawn only to Barbara who was standing gazing wistfully up at the band. The large band was elegantly dressed in back with gold ties and cummerbunds for the men and delicate gold sashes for the ladies. It was playing orchestral versions of some classics. It was fitting for the occasion but Tommy felt trapped inside a giant easy-listening prison where he was able to see but not touch the object of the songs that in his mind were playing just for her.

Until tonight he had not known her body was so magnificently proportioned. Never before had she been confident enough to dress like that, always hiding beneath oversized coats and terrible haircuts. She had never been able to hide her eyes and when he had fallen in love with the dowdy Havers whose spirit lifted him to heights he had never before known, it had been her eyes that had told him everything. They had also been her last layer of defence. Yesterday when he had seen her look at him in his lounge those defences were down and he had known his future lay in her arms. He rued not telling her he loved her then but he had not wanted to spoil that moment of tension and unspoken desire. Then he had started to doubt and rationalise every look and had made a complete mess of it. Why isn't love ever simple? When she opened the door tonight though he had known she had dressed this way for him. She wanted him to look at her. She wanted to arouse his body as well as his mind. He wondered if she knew just how much she had affected him.

The evening dragged for both of them. Barbara tried to focus on the job and spoke with quite a few people but none of them were Wallace. She moved around all the tiers and once or twice noticed Tommy discreetly tailing her. Each time she spotted him her heart raced. She wanted to be with him and to run her hands through his hair as she kissed him. In the room as he put on her shoes and ran his hands over her leg she had given up any pretence that she was not completely under his spell. She had been for years but now she could not hide it from him. He knew and if he wanted her she would sleep with him tonight. She had waited ten years for him to notice her as a woman and whether it was one hour, one night or one lifetime she was going to make it count.

He leant casually against a column and examined every inch of her wishing he could run his hands and lips along her arms and up her legs. His thoughts were unapologetically carnal and he revelled in them. He would feel shallow and unworthy if underneath his almost excruciating desire there was not a very deep love for this wonderful woman who had metamorphosed from caterpillar to butterfly just for him.

"Well hello! Aren't you exquisite, standing here all by yourself." Suddenly there was a woman with long flowing fake-blonde hair and a plastic champagne flute in her hand pulling at his tie. Her short black dress was so tight it looked painted on and her overwhelming, cheap perfume smelt like dead geraniums. "Why is someone like you alone and looking like they need a good…" She licked her lips. "Woman."

Tommy was aghast and jumped back knocking his elbow painfully against the pillar. The woman was clearly very drunk and the way she wobbled her breasts at him made Tommy feel ill. She obviously thought it would attract him but he felt oddly violated. He hit her hand away from his tie. "I have a good woman thank you. One I love very much."

"Then why are you standing here all alone sweetie?"

"That's a very good question," he said as he started to push past the blonde.

"Leave him." Tommy heard her friend say. "If he doesn't want you he is probably gay!"

Around eleven o'clock she wandered back to the area in front of the stage where groups of mildly intoxicated couples were trying to dance. There was a female vocalist on stage with them now singing love songs. She stood watching, feeling lonely and sentimental, when suddenly a hand was in her back propelling her authoritatively towards the dance floor. At first she thought it was Wallace but then as he spun her around into his arms she was relieved to see it was Tommy. His smile made her heart thump and her knees weaken.

"I thought this was suitable cover to talk," he said as his left hand enclosed her right and his other arm encircled her waist and pulled her close to him. Her whole body came alive and where they touched her nerves tingled with anticipation.

"I can't dance you know," she said panicked that she might trip him up.

"It doesn't matter; it's only an excuse." Tommy had said it as if he meant an excuse to talk but he hoped she knew it was an excuse to touch her. His desire had become unbearable and he needed to feel her pressed against him. She was soft and warm and the silk of her gown slid over her skin enticingly as he ran his hand down her back to settle in the curve above her hips. He was not holding her in any manner that was not consistent with dancing but the way he touched her was intimate and he hoped would signal his intentions.

"I haven't seen Wallace," she said as she put her hand tentatively on his back, uncertain whether he was just dancing or sending her a message.

"No, I don't think he's here." He still held her hand and instead of extending it to dance he placed it on his chest and pulled her closer so that most of her body was touching him. She glanced around quickly to see other couples entwined in similar ways. The band started to play a new tune. She recognised it as an up-tempo dance tune but the slower beat of this arrangement matched perfectly with the rhythm of their bodies.

*I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me,
I still feel your touch in my dream.

His jacket was open and whether by accident or design she was pushed against his shirt. She could feel the comforting warm of his body seeping through the fabric of her dress.

Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why
Without you it's hard to survive.

As they swayed together in an imitation of dance they were rubbing against each other in ways that she did not think people could do in public. The racing of his heart and the pressure of his groin against her hip answered her question; this was not dancing, it was the first step in making love. Electric shocks ran to her core in response. She tried hard not to show how being so close to him was affecting her but he would be a fool not feel it.

'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling.
And every time we kiss, I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast? I want this to last.
Need you by my side.

Tommy had waited long enough and leant down closer to her face. He did need her; the song could not have been more accurate. Her hair brushed his face and his hand moved lower on her back. He tilted his head towards her and softly kissed her cheek. She moaned and taking his cue he ran a line of slow and tender kisses towards her ear.

'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static.
And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...

She tried to pull away but he held her tight. "Sir, what will Smithers and Winston think?"

I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

"I send Smithers back to the station and Winston is probably cheering. I think we drove him quite mad yesterday."He resumed his kisses down the length of her neck. She tasted as sweet as he had imagined and the words to the song coincided flawlessly with his thoughts as he nuzzled her neck and ran his lips along her shoulder making her shudder and dig her nails into his back. All day Tommy had thought about how he would make love to her but none of his fantasies had done justice to the way he felt now.

Your arms are my castle; your heart is my sky.
They wipe away tears that I cry.
The good and the bad times, we've been through them all.
You make me rise when I fall.

"Sir." She sounded scared and he softened his grip and stood up to look at her.

"What Barbara? I'm sorry. I thought we both wanted this." Tommy was confused. How could I have misread her so badly?

'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Sir but they've found Wallace." Tommy groaned loudly and turned around to stare at Winston who was shuffling his feet and looking anywhere but at them. Poor Winston!

"Right," Tommy said, "we were just…"

"Trying to blend in," Barbara interjected. She looked at Winston and knew he understood exactly what was happening. Oh, poor Winston!

Tommy wanted to sound professional and unfazed so instantly adopted his most pompous bearing that he used to disguise his inadequacies. "Where exactly?" he asked seemingly unaware that he was still holding Barbara tightly to him.

"He's dead. Been hit by a car driven by a woman we think was his next target."

Lynley and Havers looked at each other and broke their embrace. They had instantly ceased to be potential lovers and were back into their professional stride. Winston drove them to Beachy Head where a woman wrapped in a police blanket was being consoled by two constables. The wind was much stronger up on the cliff and Barbara hugged her arms to ward off the cold. Tommy stripped off his tie and folded it neatly before he placed it in a pocket of his jacket which he removed and placed over Barbara's shoulders. She smiled gratefully at him and slipped her arms into the sleeves. Instantly his scent drifted up to her and she smiled. It was too big but it made her feel closer to him.

The body was bloodied but still identifiable and they were both relieved it was indeed the man they knew as Wallace. It was over an hour before they were back at the station and another two by the time they had completed interviews and prepared preliminary statements.

"I think we can go now Barbara," he said just after three o'clock, "we can finish the rest tomorrow. It's been quite a night." Tommy was tired and regretted that the moment between them seemed to have passed.

The three police arrived at the hotel to find it locked. Tommy found the night bell and eventually the porter arrived to open the door. His striped pyjama legs and bare feet stuck out beneath his red woollen dressing gown and Barbara could not help but laugh. This was not the night she had planned when she had bought this gown.

There were no rooms for Winston and so much to Nkata's horror it was agreed he could share with Lynley. Tommy was still huddled in the corner talking to the porter and Barbara could swear she had seen him pass him money.

"Can't I share with you Barbara?" Winston asked, "Or maybe the DI could share with you?" He nudged her in the ribs and she stared him into silence.

Tommy came back and they headed up stairs. "Did you bribe the porter?" she asked.

"No. I gave him a financial reward for his services. We did get him out of bed at three in the morning!"

Tommy tossed Winston the key. "Next door, room 203. Barbara needs me to unzip her dress." It was direct and firm and everyone understood Winston had been dismissed.

Barbara's hands shook as she opened the door unsure if his ambiguous statement was a euphemism or not. She flicked on the lights and moved into the room. Tommy followed and closed the door quietly. There were two light switches, one for the lights above the desk and near the door and another for the lights near the bed. Tommy flicked off the second set leaving only a diffuse glow in the room. "It's too late for too much light," he said. She was not sure what was going to happen but she was starting to remember how she felt when they had been interrupted. She still wanted him and sensed he wanted her.

Barbara undid his coat and allowed it to slide off her arms. "Thanks for this," she said as she handed it to Tommy. He took it and threw it over the chair by the desk.

"Your feet must be killing you by now. Let me help you with your shoes."

Barbara sat nervously on the edge of the bed as Tommy bent down and slid them off her feet without touching her. She flexed her toes and was mildly disappointed that he had not run his fingers over her ankle or calf. Suddenly his hands engulfed her left foot and he started to rub the sole with his thumbs in long firm strokes that ran from the base of her instep up to her toes as his fingers gently caressed the sensitive skin on the top of her foot. He massaged her toes in small circular lines with his nail. No one had ever touched her like that before and she did not know where to look. As he moved to the other foot he said, "The Chinese believe that each part of the foot is directly connected to a vital organ. The big toe is the brain; this part is the lungs and heart, and this part I think you might like."

Tommy pulled her feet together and rubbed his thumb backwards and forwards over the area near the base of her heel. He increased the pressure then pushed on the spot and released, pushed and released. "Oh Sir," she murmured, "the Chinese were right." She simply fell back on the bed and savoured the sensations. Her heart was pounding and her muscles had tensed. Her body was responding to him with urgency. Even though he had not touched anywhere but her feet her nipples had hardened to the point of pain. Blood had rushed to her groin and she could feel the arteries pulsating. As soft, involuntary contractions caught her by surprise she wondered if it was possible to climax only by having your feet massaged.

"Not yet," he said roguishly seemingly understanding what was happening in her body. He stood and pulled her to her feet. He had not expected such a strong reaction but it excited him. He would need to pace his seduction, for both their sakes. "Was that nice?"

His grin was wicked but playful and Barbara simply groaned. None of her reading or fantasies had prepared her for what was happening now. Tommy still had hold of her hands and he started to kiss the inside of her left wrist then moved slowly up the inside of her arm. At her elbow he moved to the outside of her arm and began to trace a line to her shoulder with his tongue. Barbara did not know what to do except to put her other hand on his hip. She felt him smile against her skin. Somehow he managed to move around until he was behind her. Her hand fell away and she was standing with both arms draped by her side. She tried to move back against him but his right hand gently closed around her right wrist and held her arm straight keeping her body teasingly away from his own.

Tommy stopped kissing her and whispered, "You're good enough to eat Havers." His mouth opened and on the point of her shoulder he gently bit her. Her groan told him she liked what he was doing. He brought his left arm around her waist and pulled her back towards him as he ran his tongue along the line of her collarbone.

"Oh Sir!"

"Tommy," he sighed, "you have to call me Tommy."

"I don't think I can,' she said breathlessly.

"I won't kiss you properly until you do. Do you want me to continue doing this all night?" He nuzzled the nape of her neck and she quivered with delight.

"Yes! Oh God yes."

He laughed. "I'm enjoying it too Barbara but I have other plans."

"Okay, you win! Tommy." It was hard to do but it felt good on her lips.

He spun her around. He was grinning at her in his special way and the lock of hair had fallen carelessly across his eye. He was simply adorable. Hot, adorable and hers!

"Say it again Barbara."

"Tommy. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy!" The last one was almost shouted.

He smiled and started to lean towards her. She quickly licked her lips anticipating the kiss. "I love you Barbara."

She could not help but grin but she did not have time to reply. Just before his lips reached hers there was a loud, firm knock on the door. Barbara swore which made Tommy laugh. She was far from amused. "What the hell is it now?"

Author's notes: Did you really think I would put you out of your misery today Tess?

*'Every Time We Touch' by Cascada. I am thinking of the slow version that was released as a re-mix, not the original techno dance version.