Zoe watched from the loungeroom window as PJ and Nick reminisced in the backyard, beer bottles scattered around their feet as they reached that comfortable state where nothing quite seems as bad as it had. She'd been hesitant about offering PJ beer, but Nick had known better, had known that PJ needed to lose that edginess that had taken up residence in his soul, and that - with Nick there to guide him – a BBQ and beer night between the lads may well be just that the doctor ordered. Zoe's eyebrow's had risen at that last comment, and Nick had laughed, kissing her on the cheek as he had gently herded her inside. This night, this reminiscing was just between them, between the man who had loved Maggie with every fibre of his being, and the man who had considered her family, a firey little sister whom he had both promised to protect and been inspired by.
PJ lay back in his lounger, taking a long pull at the bottle of beer he held in his hand, before placing it back on the ground, hearing it clink slightly as it wobbled amongst the three or four that already lay there. He let his eyes close as he listened to Nick talk, as he listened to his friend remind him of some of Maggie's more memorable exploits. Of the way Nick could stir her up until she reached boiling point – and then of the paybacks he copped when she took her revenge. Of the way she made everyone laugh, of the way she could relentlessly get her own back – and of the way no-one was really angry with her for long. Nick spoke of the running bet they had about when – not IF – PJ and Maggie would ever get together, and the delight on Dash's face when she found out she was the winner of a substantial amount of pennies when they did eventually let the rest of the station know they were together – and it was revealed that Dash had chosen not only the right date, but the right part of the day (yes, they really were that bored at the time!!)
He smiled as Nick managed to gently replace the almost suicidal thoughts that had been rampaging through PJ, with his more usual state of mind. Mags had loved life, had lived it to the full every single day – and PJ usually remembered that he at least owed that much to her. Perhaps the living life to the full bit was a bit more challenging, after all, he could only live life to the full if she was by his side – but, well, the remaining alive bit, he could do that. He owed her that much.
"Yes, you do" Nick said, and PJ jumped as he realised he must have said that last little gem aloud. "You owe it to Margaret to keep going, to never forget her, but to keep going. She would have kicked your butt if she thought you were giving up, and you know it" he grinned. "And I, for one, am not going to face her wrath when we do finally meet up. I mean, can you imagine what she'd do to me if she knew I let you sink? I'd never hear the end of it!"
"You're right there mate" PJ said softly, but with a smile. "She'd beat me up – and then we'd – " and Nick stopped him right there as the look on PJ's face gave away exactly what would have happened next.
"There are some things that I do not want to know about, Patrick," Nick said in a stern voice, his grin almost hidden. "And the dirty details are one of them. More than my sensitive little mind could cope with"
PJ grinned right back. "There was this one time, Nick, I'll never forget it. She was kissing me, and her hands were – "
"LA-lalalallaaaaaaaa" Nick said, fingers jammed in his ears, a smile on his face.
PJ grinned right back, watching as Nick reached over and picked up his bottle of beer, offering it towards PJ. Grasping his, PJ gently cracked his bottle against Nick's. "To Mags"
"Doyle" Nick replied clinking his bottle right back. "One in a million."
"One in a million," agreed PJ. He gazed off into the distance for a moment, then, "Sorry Nick."
"I know." Nick was quiet for a moment. "I know how hard it can be – but I also know it gets better. Mate, when Jen – well, just look at me and Zoe. Anything's possible."
PJ was silent too. "I - yeah. I know what you're saying, Nick, but – well, Mags, she – she was it for me. She's the only woman I'll ever love – and the only one I ever WANT to love. I know I can't predict the future, but that's how I feel. And Nick, I – today – thanks mate. I know I'm not the easiest of people to live with, especially today – so, well, just thanks"
"'S nothing mate. It's what I'm here for. Now, drink up, and where's my burger? And go easy on the spices, I remember your cooking, how Doyley put up with it, I'll never know!!" Nick said, standing and moving over to the bar-be-que.
"Don't knock it until you've tried it Nicholas" PJ grinned as he spiced the food even more. "Maggie LOVED my spiciness" PJ's eyebrows waggled as his grin widened.
"Like I said before – Lalalalalalallaaaaaaaaaa. I'm going to need more alcohol if you're going to talk like that!" Nick said, watching with a grin as the real PJ came back to life. The PJ that could cope, the PJ that could move on with life. Wouldn't be easy – and Nick was pretty sure that there would be more days like today, but Nick was equally sure that PJ would survive.