"Nicholas Shultz, you get yourself back here this instant!" came a loud angry whisper, and the sounds of shuffling and a yelp were heard. Out on the verandah, the sounds were not lost on PJ and Maggie, who broke apart from their kiss with a grin. When Zoe had Nick in the firing line, much enjoyment was to be had, and so they silently stood, moving over until they were just out of sight by the front door. Maggie smiled as she felt PJ's arms wrap around her and his chest close against her back. He pressed a soft kiss to the side of her neck, his arms tightening as she wove her fingers amongst his.
"But Zo, it's gone quiet out there! Goodness knows what might have happened – "
"If it's gone quiet out there then there's only one thing that I want to think has happened and despite what I just said, I don't want to think about that. Now get yourself away from the door, Shultz, before I put you on ….on….on doing the school talks programme!" came Tom's response, halfway between a yell and a whisper.
That was all together too much for PJ, who's snort of laughter alerted them to the fact that the subjects of their conversation were not only listening in, but were thoroughly enjoying it all. Nick pulled the flyscreen door open, poking his head around it, jumping in surprise as he came face to face with PJ and Maggie.
"Should have listened to the Boss, mate" PJ grinned.
Nick grinned right back, his smile widening as he took in the fact that PJ held Maggie in his arms, and the fact that she was leaning back against him, a content smile on her face.
"Where's the fun in that" he said, "and besides, I'm only a stop gap, and I'll just make sure we make a run for it back to the city before the Boss has a chance to put anything into motion"
"Speaking of that," Zoe said with a grin, pushing the screen door open and coming out to stand on the verandah. "I've been thinking. I know we're happy in the city Nick, but I've - well, I loved Mount Thomas when we were there, - and well, I was wondering if you'd ever think about moving back there?" she glanced over at PJ and Maggie, giving them a quick smile as she took the attention off them and whatever they had decided.
"Shultz back in Mount Thomas?" Tom groaned, "I thought we'd got rid of you!" he said, joining them on the verandah.
"Now that's a challenge if ever I heard it," Nick said, the glint in his eye sparkling as he thought about it. "I'd soon knock them all back into shape." He said, running a thoughtful hand over his face. "Yep, I'd have CI doing all of the legwork, the youngsters bringing me my tea and biscuits every half hour, I'd have the crime spree sorted in minutes – "
"What, the mystery of the missing tim-tams? Don't think we didn't know it was you who nicked the last one each time, and then left the wrapping in the fridge" Maggie teased, feeling PJ's arms tighten around her as another memory slotted into place.
"Of all the things she has to remember, she remembers that" Nick groaned. "Except, ah, yes, that wasn't me, " Nick tried, "that was – ah, it was – it was Patrick here. Yep, that was our dashing Detective."
"Nope. No way. Wasn't him, because if it was, he would have offered it to me. And seeing as he didn't, then it wasn't him, and seeing as you are the one with the addiction to chocolate, the evidence all points to you. Plus the fact that I saw you do it once!" Maggie laughed, watching as Nick's eyes widened and he struggled for a comeback.
"Oh you did, did you?" Tom said with a grin. "Come here, Doyle"
"Nup," PJ said with a grin of his own. "She's staying right where she is. I'm never letting go of her again"
And just like that, the atmosphere changed. Maggie froze, guilt washing over her in waves. She'd broken his heart, she'd left, had torn them all apart, and there was nothing she either knew about it or could have done about it. She turned in his arms, seeking out those blue eyes of his, the blue eyes that had never been able to hide anything from her. Ever since they'd got together all those years ago, she'd been able to read him if she looked deep into his eyes. It was as if they were a mirror to his heart, to his soul, and only she had the key.
"PJ" she whispered, "PJ, I'm sorry."
"Hey, it wasn't your fault, and you know it. What matters is that you're back here – " his arms tightened around her, and he placed a soft kiss on her lips, " and whatever battles we've got coming, we're going to face them together."
Tom reached over and placed a gentle hand on Maggie's shoulder. "He's right, you know. We're all here for you Maggie, and whatever it takes, we'll do it."
Turning again, she faced them, and the words were out of her mouth before she had time to think. "What if I don't remember? What if I never remember?"
"Then we'll face that too." Tom told her, with a smile. "Maggie, you're a strong woman, and I'm not saying that it's going to be easy, but you've remembered some things, and I think having PJ here will help you remember more. The connection that you two have – had – whatever, that connection may well be the key to unraveling it all, and even if it isn't, then judging by the way he's holding you, and by your face when you look at him, I should think that you'll have a whole lot of new memories between you very soon. And I did not mean that in the way it sounded to you Shultz!" Tom pre-empted Nick's comment, and a helpful Zoe nudged her husband in the ribs. "And so I suggest we get some food, have dinner and just relax" he finished, before pulling the door open and heading towards the kitchen.
"Move it you lot!" he yelled back over his shoulder, and, grabbing his hand, Zoe pulled Nick into the house after her.
Left behind on the verandah, Maggie and PJ stood together. "He's right, you know. We can work through this, if you want to."
Even before he finished speaking, Maggie had pulled him in for a tight hug. "Of course I want to" she breathed into his chest, before looking up at him. "PJ, this – this link, or whatever it is between us, I want it back. I want to know you again, I want to remember you, to remember everything, but – "
"But?"
"But what if I don't? What if I never remember?" she choked back a sob, a lone tear escaping as PJ placed a gentle finger under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his.
"Then like the Boss said, we'll make new ones. Sorry, still sounds wrong, the Boss thinking about us making new memories" he grinned, his grin widening as he saw Maggie smile. "No, but you know what I mean. We'll work through this together. I love you Mags, and I never stopped and never will. So suck it up Doyley, you're stuck with me" and he wove his arms around her again, leaning down and kissing her until they both forgot where they were.
"Ah, excuse me?"
Nothing. In fact, he was quite sure the kiss deepened.
"Er, hello?"
"What?!" PJ growled, turning to face the poor unfortunate who had interrupted his reconciliation kiss.
"I think he brings food, PJ" Nick grinned, reaching round the still entwined couple to take the take-away bag from the delivery boy, while at the same time grappling in his pocket to find his wallet.
"Yeah, ah, let me get that" a blushing PJ said, as Maggie once again buried her face in his chest, her blush an equal fire-engine red. "There you go, and, er, sorry about that"
Nick laughed as the boy grabbed the proffered money and fled. "Come on, you two. Food!!" he wafted the bag under their noses. "There'll be time enough for all that romantic mush later" he told them, reaching around PJ and grabbing hold of one of Maggie's hands. "Put the Detective down Doyley."
Letting herself be led down the hall, she was followed by PJ, who held her other hand. "Besides judging by the grin young Patrick is wearing, I reckon you're going to have to be building your strength up Margaret! " Nick said, bolting down the corridor, followed by PJ and Maggie, before hiding behind Zoe. "Save me Zo! They've gone mad" Nick laughed.
"We've gone mad?" Maggie yelped, reaching around Zoe to try to get Nick, "You're the one telling me to build up my strength. What for I'd like to know??!!"
Obviously, she regretted her choice of phrase the second it left her lips, as Nick's grin would have now lit the night sky. "Well Margaret, if you don't know my know, I'm sure the dashing Detective could tell you!" and PJ had to grab Maggie before she lunged at Nick, wrapping his arms tightly around her both in thorough enjoyment, and to save his friend from Maggie's smiling wrath.
"ENOUGH!!" roared Tom, "I'm hungry – not a word Shultz, you too Hasham. I'm hungry, and I can't eat with all of this innuendo floating around. So shut up you – " he pointed at Nick, "You two put each other down, and where's my food?" he yelled, a smile struggling to stay hidden as they all did as he said and Zoe slid a plate piled high with food in front of him.