Disclaimer not mine

Chapter 3: Sleepless

Lucas walked into his flat unsure of how he felt. He wandered into the living room and switched the television on knowing that there would be nothing worth watching so late at night. He picked up the remote and turned the news on hoping that just for once there was a story he would know nothing about.

What is wrong with me? Zoe is a nice girl. Funny, attractive and she asked me out. Since when do normal women find me attractive? Since when have I dated anyone remotely normal. I really liked her when we were in South America. She's a great girl. So what do I do? Call her a gossip and ruin everything. Nice job Lucas John North. Nice job. Idiot. He shook his head and left the television on while he went in search of biscuits he knew he had bought earlier in the day.

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"Hi." Ruth looked up as Zoe walked into the living room. "I didn't hear the key." She lied fluently. Zoe smiled slightly before sitting down on the sofa.

"Thanks for staying with Emma tonight."

"No problem, really." Ruth smiled. "She's a lovely little girl. As good as gold and before you ask she was fast asleep ages ago."

"Good." Zoe smiled as she thought of her daughter. Emma had seen so much compared to other children her age. It was something she knew she would always feel guilty about. Ruth watched her for a moment. She was desperate to ask how the date with Lucas went but knew that Zoe wouldn't tell her anything if she didn't want to.

"I'll leave you to it." Ruth got to her feet just as her mobile beeped to tell her another text message had arrived.

"Who's that? Harry?" Zoe teased. Ruth shrugged her shoulders.

"Don't worry it's not a red flash. Probably can't find a report he asked me for." Ruth lied fluently. She had no idea why she was keeping her relationship with Harry close to her chest but she knew it was what they both agreed. She was under no illusions it would be a secret for long.

"Right." Zoe raised an eyebrow.

"Are you seeing Lucas again?" Ruth was keen to get the topic of conversation away from her and Harry.

"No, I don't think so. Not like that anyway."

"Oh?"

"Ruth, how well do you know him?"

"He's a good guy. I'd have warned you off if I thought any different. Lucas really is one of the good guys."

"Yeah." Zoe nodded. "I don't doubt that but is he seeing someone? Or is there something going on?"

"No." Ruth answered honestly. "Not that I know of. Why?"

"Ros Myers. The Section Chief? He mentioned her more than once."

"They work together. And Ros is probably the best Section Chief we've ever had."

"Yeah, maybe it's just me." Zoe shrugged. "Too soon after coming home. You know? And he has appalling taste in films. I mean comedies are supposed to be funny."

"I'll see you in work." Ruth headed towards the door.

"Yeah, thanks again." She smiled as Ruth pulled on her coat and headed towards the door. "Tell Harry I said hi." She watched as Ruth blushed a shade of red she was sure wasn't healthy. Seconds later Zoe was alone once more.

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Ros stared at the contents of Malcolm's frdge wondering when the man ever had a chance to shop. Her fridge probably still had a half pint of milk that had gone off and a yoghurt that was festering since before she had been admitted to hospital. Domestic chores such as a trip to the supermarket were the last thing she had any time for. On the other hand Malcolm was quite the domestic goddess. She smiled slightly as she fished out a bottle of wine they had opened the day before.

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Lucas boiled the kettle as his mind wandered to Ros. He knew she was his best friend. He spent more time with her than most people. He grabbed a mug and tried to force his thoughts away from the blonde Section Chief. Instead he made a mental note to call Zoe in the morning and appologise for his behaviour, the last thing he wanted was there to be bad feeling on the Grid when she started work. He took his tea into the living room just as his phone began to ring. Checking the caller ID he smiled as he picked up the phone.

"Ros? Ros? Is that you?"

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A/N More soon. Please let me know what you think.