Jen and Tilly walked through the secluded alleys of Chester hand in hand. Neither one speaking for fear of ruining the intimacy they so rarely shared, the intimacy they both thought they'd lost. Every now and then Jen would catch Tilly looking at her but she shyly looked away when Jen caught her eye. Jen squeezed her hand gently in appreciation of the warmth Tillys admiration brought her.

They stopped as they reached the cathedral. Jen let go of Tilly's hand and pulled her closer wrapping her arm around her shoulder instead as they both admired the beauty of the building in front of them.

"So gorgeous" Jen sighed

"Yeah. You certainly are" Tilly smiled cheekily and quickly kissed Jens hand that was resting on her shoulder.

"I was talking about the cathedral" Jen rolled her eyes. "But thank you..." She leaned into Tilly and returned the kiss onto her lips. "Let's go sit in the gardens"

"You do realise that it's gone midnight? The gates are locked" Tilly laughed.

Jen raised her eyebrows with a cheeky smile and climbed over the metal railings.

"Tut tut Miss Gilmore! That's not very teachery of you. You're meant to set an example. What would Keeler say about this?"

"I'm in love with one of my students... I think this is the least of his worries. Besides...I'm off duty." Jen smirked and held her hand through the railings. "Come on beautiful, let's be having you"

"Always leading me astray..." Tilly playfully tutted, grabbing Jens hand and climbing over the railings to join her.

"So what now?" Tilly frowned looking up at the old building not quite as taken with it as Jen seemed to be.

Jen smiled at Tilly admiring the little wrinkles on her nose as she scrunched it up. "I've missed you so much Tilly"

Tilly spun around to notice a tear rolling down Jens face. "Hey, come on. None of that. We're sorted now. Well for tonight at least" Tilly smiled and kissed away Jens stray tear even though she herself felt a pang of sadness. Tonight was beautiful but tomorrow they'd both have to return to the grim reality of being unable to be together. Tilly reached up and gently stroked down Jens face. Jen held Tilly's hand to her lips gently kissing the pads of her fingertips. Jen moved Tilly's hand onto her breast. She wanted to be touched by her. Her body craved it. With her other arm she pulled her closer and started kissing her neck. Tilly gently massaged Jen where she had placed her hand and moved her other hand to direct Jen to where she wanted to be kissed. She pulled her up to meet her lips their tongues dancing together slowly and deeply. They jumped apart as they heard a branch breaking.

"What was that?" Jen whispered.

"Probably just a fox or something..." Tilly smirked "probably for the best. Not sure I'd have been able to stop" Tilly put her hands on Jens hips and closed the gap between them again.

"And why would you want to stop?" Jen playfully pouted.

"Oh you ARE kidding me? In the grounds of a church?!" Tilly laughed as Jen shrugged with a cheeky grin. "Oh Miss Gilmore, you are so going to hell!" They both giggled.
"You'd be worth it" Jen stroked Tilly's hair as she got lost in her massive blueness of her eyes, twinkling under Jens gaze.

Tilly's phone beeped breaking the spell between them.

"Oh god... It's my Dad wondering where I am" Tilly blushed. Hating sounding like a child in front of her older lady. "Sorry, I better just text him back. Tell him I'm on my way."

Jen placed her hand on Tilly's stoping her from typing the text. "Or don't... it's really late now Tills, he'll think something's up if you are just going home. Clubs closed an hour ago. Why don't you tell him you are staying at a friends... She got sick or something so you helped her." Jen panicked. Really not wanting the night to end yet.

"And stay where?!" Tilly frowned.

"Mine. I know it's risky but everyone will be asleep now anyway. As long as we're careful in the morning. Should be fine" Jen smiled hopefully. Tilly nodded, a huge smile spreading across her face.

"Christmas has come early." Tilly giggled.

"Actually Tilly I meant to talk to you about that. I'm going away for Christmas. I booked it when... Well you know" Jen looked sad remembering the night she booked the cottage in the middle of nowhere. Crying at her laptop knowing that she had to get away. Not bearing knowing Tilly would be just around the corner and the one thing she wanted for Christmas, she couldn't have. Having to sit faking a smile with Diane and the rest of them all day would be torture.

"Oh." Tilly whispered trying unsuccessfully to hide the disappointment in her voice. She felt guilty when she saw the sadness in Jens eyes and quickly perked up. "Well we better make the most of each other before you go then eh?"

"Let's go then." Jen raised her eyebrows. Both suddenly in a rush to get to Jens. The electricity between them becoming unbearable.

Once they got to Diane's Jen unlocked the door as quietly as possible. She opened it and sighed with relief as she was met with darkness. Everyone was in bed just as she thought...

"Coast is clear" she winked at Tilly who then followed her inside. Jen flicked the light on and they both jumped out of their skin as they were met by a furious looking Diane.

"You've got some explaining to do Jen..."

TBC