Part 6 of 6

She lowers her head and gives him a long appraising look from under her lashes. He has no idea what it means but some part of him does as his blush begins very low and rises like hot mercury.

"Do you know what I'd REALLY like?" she purrs.

Before his suddenly dry throat can make a single sound, there is an abrupt clatter. Dwayne leaps into view, grinning and laughing and so relieved! He whoops, "Whew! You two had us worried! So you've made up and everythin's OK again?"

Richard stiffens and gives him an incredulous glare. Camille's hot glance matches it.

Fidel comes into view, smiling and nodding, then freezes just as still as the tableau before them when he suddenly understands what he's seeing! He grabs Dwayne by the arm and swings the man around and practically catapults the two of them back down the stairs, calling back over his shoulder, "Sorry, sir! We didn't see anything! We are going on patrol! Right NOW! Back in an hour!"

The sound of them fighting their way back down the steps and across the parking lot goes on for quite a while until there is sudden silence. Richard is just starting to uncoil himself when there is a shout of exuberant volume, "BONDYE! GOOD ON YOU, CHIEF!" There is the sound of a scuffle and muffled laughter then silence. They are gone.

Richard takes out his handkerchief and mops his brow. Honestly! Is this any way to run a police station? Or a life? He climbs a bit shakily up off his knee and sits carefully down beside her… not quite looking at her but watching her all the same, "Um, I hope some of that made sense to you because I'm not…"

She gives him a quick grin, "Fidel explained it to Dwayne and they are both happy for us."

"Oh. You sure?"

"Yes."

"Well, now that my moment of madness is past… I don't remember if you answered me or not."

"I was going to be cheeky and make a smart remark that would embarrass us both now if I were to say it. Instead, let me tell you plainly and truthfully that I will marry you if you will marry me."

He lets out a pained breath and passes a hand over his eyes, "Oh. I'm so glad. I didn't fancy you being insulted by my offer. I know I'm not much… being thin and weedy and all… but I'm very sincere in my intentions. It's time I made a decent woman of you… no more blind dates… no more flirting at La Kaz." He leans back, relaxing, feeling something new and wonderful washing over him. He tests it cautiously… is this confidence? Is this what it feels like?

She throws her head back and gives a high peal of laughter, "ME?! How about YOU? It's time I made an INdecent man of you… no more quiet evenings in your monk's cell… and no more pyjamas!" Relief and excitement are washing over her. Is this l'amour vrai? If so, it feels wonderful!

He sits up quickly, his eyes flashing in alarm… and maybe something else, "Now JUST a moment!"

She lays a hand on his knee and he hushes instantly, "Pyjamas… OFF! Remember that entry?"

He looks at her for a long moment then gives a tiny cough, "Agreed. I will learn to sleep in the nude… just like you suggested so long ago. Anything else?" His eyes sharpen.

She sees this and smiles a long slow smile, "Oh, yes. Lots and lots else. But not here."

He stands, looks about a bit helplessly, "I see. I think I see. I HOPE I see." He looks down at her, "Shall we go back to work and try to relax a bit? Get used to our new standing with one another? I know I could use a strong drink but I supposed I'll have to make do with a cup of tea?"

She stands, "No work… not yet… and NO tea! We still have things to discuss."

He nods, "And we need to start making plans." At her look, he clarifies, "You know, wedding plans?"

"Rrrrrrriiiight, wedding plans. I know, let's get down the calendar at your place and choose a date. We can pick up a nice bottle of wine on the way."

"Um, we can't leave the station unmanned, you know. We'll have to wait for them to come back."

"No, we don't. We'll put up the notices and…"

"There's a perfectly good calendar right here in the office…"

"Richard…" He gives her a little 'yes, dear?' smile that makes her pulse leap, "I want to use YOUR calendar… at YOUR place… your quiet, secluded, far-from-the-maddening-crowd place. Do you understand me?"

"Well, I…"

"Oh, honestly! Here! Let me write it down for you!" She picks up the journal, takes his little silver pen from his inner jacket pocket and carefully prints for several moments then shows it to him.

His eyebrows jump, "Oh. Ah. Um. Do you think we're ready for such a big step? I was thinking more of a quiet dinner and perhaps a walk on the beach."

She tucks the pen back into his pocket and smooths his profile from shoulder to belt, "I can do that, sure. As long as you keep my suggestion in your back pocket in case the conversation drags."

His solemn visage slips back to that little grin, "Right… just in case." He stands aside and gestures for her to precede him into the station. Within minutes the doors are locked and the notices posted. "What will they think when they come back and see this?" he frets.

"They won't think anything at all. Fidel will likely open up and finish his shift. Dwayne will take the opportunity to get off work early and…"

Richard whirls to meet her eyes, "… and he'll go right to La Kaz and tell your mother! Oh, I'm DEAD!"

"Well, if you're worried, we can stop there on our way to your place so she hears it from us first."

He swallows, "I guess that's the best thing but I must admit I'm a bit trepidatious."

She steers him towards the steps, "Not to worry, chéri. I'm at your side from here on in. No one gets to you except through me. Does that calm you a bit?"

"Not really. You're a danger to anything in pants and that puts me high on the threat list."

"Well, there's a simple solution to that… if you think on it," she murmurs.

He puzzles on this all the way down to the lawn then stutters to a halt, "Oh, surely not! Camille!" He is laughing like he can't believe his luck.

She slips an arm through his and gets him moving again, "Oh, yes. I intend to make a VERY indecent man of you… as soon as you let me."

END

*the journal under discussion can be found here on FanFiction as "How It Happens - Year 1*