A/N: 'Benedict' does his job perfectly now, resulting in a jealous, angry, horny, utterly irresistible Tim. Mmmm... know what I'd do with him... ;)

Chapter 8

Close Encounter Of The Bisley Kind

Tim's body tensed as he ascended the stairs to the flat. He could hear voices coming from inside. Daisy's voice, he was relieved to notice, did not sound panicked, but he did not recognise the voice of her male companion. He crept the last couple of steps and listened outside the door. The exact words were difficult to distinguish, but the tones used were not alarming. Concluding that Daisy was socialising at a time like this, with Mike's life at stake, caused a shard of anger even he found surprising. Tim opened the door to find Daisy and the guy whose voice he did not recognise sharing a cup of tea at the kitchen table. The fact that the man was exceptionally well groomed and wearing a beautifully cut suit caused Tim to take an instant, and quite irrational, dislike to him. The tea drinkers both looked up in surprise, and Tim was fairly sure, guilt, at least on Daisy's part.

"Who are you?" Tim asked bluntly, not finding the man's irritatingly handsome face any more familiar than he had his voice. "I told you not to let anyone in here but me." He directed this last part at Daisy, who blanched in response to his anger.

"Tim!" She admonished with a nervous laugh. The laugh she always produced when she knew she had upset him. "This is Tim, James, my flatmate." Tim bristled at her description of him. "Tim, this is James."

"Hi, Tim." James attempted a smile. It hit Tim's glare and froze, half-formed, on his face.

"What are you doing here, James?"

Daisy stood up defensively.

"I met James at the zoo. He... his friend was also taken, like Mike."

Tim's suspicions were not calmed by this knowledge. He stood silently, scowling, arms folded, eyes narrowed, forcing Daisy to elaborate. "I... I said we could maybe work together, you know? Many hands..." She trailed off.

"Work together? Why? Couldn't you manage it on your own, James?" He sneered, uncharacteristically venomously, and unsure why he found the man so disturbing.

"Well, actually, James got all the ingredients for the spell and very kindly said we could share them!" Daisy huffed.

It was at that moment Tim noticed the huge saucepan containing the beginnings of the potion bubbling away on the hob. Wrong footed, he blushed, something he hated, and consequently hunkered down inside the turned up collar of his sweater.

"Oh... thanks... I guess." He mumbled, teenager-like into the folds of his clothing.

"No problem." James said good-naturedly. Smooth bastard. There was an awkward silence. Tim looked at the floor, embarrassed, and feeling distinctly outclassed, something else he despised. Fortunately, James made his excuses at this point. He and Daisy swapped numbers though, which Tim watched with a startling pang of something which felt suspiciously like jealousy.

"I'll be in touch tomorrow, James. Thank you so much for everything." Daisy said as she saw him to the door. When it was closed behind him, she rounded on Tim.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why were you being so rude?"

Faced with attack, Tim responded in kind.

"Me? What the fuck were you doing letting a stranger in here! What was I supposed to think? I come home to find you with some random guy! At a time like this!" Tim was furious with her, but even more so with himself for being so jealous of James.

"Oh right! So of course I must be trying to pull him, mustn't I?"

"Maybe? How the hell do I know? You certainly looked cosy enough! With your... TEA!"

"Piss off, Tim, you're acting like a complete prat!"

Tim was aware he was being irrational, and that this was descending into a Marsha-Amber scale argument. But he could not stop himself, the idea of Daisy with another man had unexpectedly incensed him.

"You don't even know him! He could be anyone!"

"He's a nice guy!"

"He could have hurt you!"

"Don't be so ridiculous, Tim!"

"Why d'you have to invite him round here?"

"He had all the stuff for the spell! And he's going through the same thing we are! What's it to you anyway!"

"It's... I... I'm not..." Tim spluttered, unable to accurately express the feelings he was only just beginning to realise himself.

"Come on!" She goaded. "What the hell do you care? You obviously think I'm the sort of person who wants to sleep with every man she meets!"

"Of course I don't! I just don't want you... getting with some other guy!"

"It's none of your business!" He had never seen Daisy so outraged. It was actually kind of hot. That was the moment Tim finally realised he wanted her himself, and made the snap decision that he had to man up and tell her, otherwise perfect James might beat him to it.

"It IS my fucking business, I can't stand the thought of it!" He yelled. "I don't want you being with some guy in a fucking suit, Daisy! I want you to be with me!" Silence. Deep breath. Daisy just looking at him, open-mouthed, no indication of returned affection.

"For fuck's sake, say something." He pleaded.

"You're bein' a complete prat." She breathed, staring at him in shock. "But... I... want to be with you too."

A spurt of relieved laughter escaped Tim's mouth.

"Thank fuck for that!" They stood looking at each other for an electric few seconds, then Tim went across the room to her and put his hand up to hold her cheek. He looked into her eyes, trying to convey emotions he was too scared to voice. He leaned down to her, her lips were so close, but those last few millimetres were metaphorical miles.

"No more fucking about then, hey?" He whispered, his voice unexpectedly husky. His eyes were locked on hers, needing a response, a sign that she really did want him to proceed. She tentatively parted her lips, tilting her head by the tiniest degree, edging infinitesimally closer to accept his kiss. Tim finally crossed the space between them, and almost groaned out loud with pleasure as their lips connected. He kissed her slowly, tenderly, but with firm assurance. Unlike with Sophie, who had initially intimidated him, he felt physically confident with Daisy, her familiarity calming his insecurities. He knew her so well that he felt whatever he did would be the right thing. He was gentle at first, savouring the moment, exploring how she felt, how she tasted, gauging what she liked. He slid his hand into her hair, and wrapped his other arm around her, pulling her close. Daisy moaned softly into his mouth in response, and he felt her mould her body to his. Her arms went around his waist, and her hands under his t shirt and up his back, trying to get even closer. Tim gripped her tighter and pushed her backwards until she was pressed up against the door to their flat, crushed between it and his body. He was kissing her hard now, all fast and forceful as his excitement rapidly overtook him. He broke away to grab a quick breath.

"Is this really happening?"

"I think it might be. D'you want me to pinch you to make sure?" She grinned.

"Nah, s'alright. I'll take yer word for it." He moved in again, kissing her lips, her cheek, then down her neck. He pulled her shirt off her shoulder to get access to the skin there. He wanted her desperately, but amid the lust, Tim felt the need to explain himself. He was ashamed of his earlier behaviour, and of the fact that he had only acknowledged his feelings for Daisy when he thought she was interested in someone else. He pulled back to speak to her again.

"I'm sorry, by the way... about being a dick about James before."

Daisy smiled gratefully.

"Thanks. S'alright though, don't worry about it." Then she kissed him eagerly again, and he had to pull away to get his next words out.

"It's just, I thought you fancied him and it made me go a bit mental. I was... jealous, I guess."

"It's alright." She insisted, grabbing another kiss. "It's you I fancy."

Tim flashed his spectacular smile in response to the ego boost.

"D'ya wanna...?" He jerked his head towards his bedroom door by way of an invitation. She nodded, breathless.

"Ah hah."

Tim grabbed her and she pulled his mouth back onto hers as they staggered their way, kissing, across the flat into his room. The lengthy build up of sexual tension between them was now resulting in an urgency that bordered on violence. They ripped away clothing, gripping, kissing, touching, desperate for each other, needing to feel skin on skin. Their lovemaking was hot and sweaty and fast and passionate. Maybe a bit too fast, but Tim had been so ridiculously turned on he could not make himself hold back as long as he would have liked. Daisy certainly didn't seem to mind, though Tim knew she had not orgasmed during their frantic intercourse. He took his time rectifying this, repeatedly, with his mouth, his tongue and his fingers. He stroked and kissed and licked, exploring her thoroughly, discovering exactly how she liked to be touched. He was fairly sure she appreciated his efforts, judging by the way she shuddered and whimpered and moaned his name every time he made her come. Eventually, Tim entered her again and went deliciously slowly this time. It was intense, tender, and eye to eye, until he found his release and collapsed on top of her, soaked in sweat and satisfied, and so dizzyingly in love it made him feel light-headed.