The next day they spent mostly in bed. It was very unlike Lorraine to waste a day like this, but she felt like it was about time she gave herself a chance to be happy. Other people gave themselves the weekend off all the time, so one wasn't going to hurt. They'd had breakfast in bed, and spent the morning cuddled up together, just talking. It felt so nice to be comfortable enough with someone to just relax

Nikki hadn't stayed for the whole weekend, she'd left Saturday afternoon to go home. She didn't want Lorraine getting bored of her, plus, she only had the clothes she was wearing, and she felt like changing. Instead of going straight back over she gave Lorraine a bit of time to herself, slept at home Saturday night, and went over Sunday to help her out with the figures.

Monday morning came and they were in school early to confirm the figures before Lorraine had to address the staff before morning registration. She was back to feeling stressed out. As much as Nikki had helped her, she knew that what she had to say to the staff was not going to go down well. And as much as she knew she wasn't the most popular person at Waterloo Road, she still wanted to be respected.

Lorraine was sat on the desk very close to Nikki. Today she was wearing a black skirt with a white blouse, black tie, and red heels. Simple, but very sexy. Nikki couldn't keep her eyes off her. After going through the presentation for the last time Nikki had her say.

"It doesn't mean they're going to like it though", said Nikki business-like, half interrupted by Tom walking in.

Lorraine didn't like that they'd been interrupted, and asked Tom to give them a minute. He wasn't happy at the request, after-all it is a shared office, but he exited shortly after leaving them alone to finish preparing the presentation.

As they'd both expected the news didn't go down very well. The words 'voluntary redundancy' never do. The staff were unhappy that they had to meet a certain criteria to get the go ahead to run an A-Level class. But Lorraine had to think of the financial side, it wasn't profitable to run a class with only 4 students in it, so a minimum of 20 per subject had been set. And any subjects unable to fill the places would be scraped. Harsh. But in Lorraine's mind this was the fairest way to do it. She wanted Waterloo Road to offer the subjects the students wanted, and not lose money on those they didn't.

After a long day it became clear that Lorraine might not be getting her way. Somehow the teachers managed to fill the 20 places in the subjects she'd expected to scrap. After an argument with Audrey she finally snapped in front of a large proportion of the staff.

"I am fighting to keep this school open. I am not doing any of this to spite you. I just want the best for Waterloo Road, and you just don't seem to get that!" she exclaims, walking away very unhappy. Nikki follows her in a fairly obvious manner. Catching up with her she starts to talk.

"Lorraine. Stop. Look, you knew this wasn't going to be easy. Deep down they all know you're doing what's best for the school. They just need someone to blame, someone to be angry at, and unfortunately that person is you".

Lorraine looks at Nikki with a weak smile.

"How is it even when you say something like that you seem to cheer me up?!"

Without another word Nikki kissed Lorraine tenderly on the lips, praying that none of the other teachers had followed them out into the corridor. They hadn't on this occasion, so they were safe.

"How about I come over later and cook you dinner? That and take your mind off today in anyway you'd like?", Nikki says in a flirtatious manner.

Lorraine just smiles.

Nikki had cooked Lorraine an amazing meal last night, home-made chicken and leek pie, the best she'd ever tasted. They'd then stayed up late even though Lorraine had wanted to get an early night. As much as she'd wanted to protest, there was something about Nikki that made her act differently. She knew that most people would jump at the chance to be kept up all night by a beautiful woman in their bed.

They'd taken a shower together before a night of what Lorraine could only describe as the best sex she'd even had. She'd always wanted to shower with someone, and when Nikki had instigated it she'd jumped at the chance.

The morning after Lorraine was tired, and when she was tired she wasn't the best company. She'd gone downstairs to her indoor swimming pool to do some laps in an attempt to wake herself up. She liked to swim, it gave her time to think. She could focus completely in the water. She had a lot to think about, more than she even let on to Nikki.

Nikki woke and showered, this time alone. She had assumed Lorraine was still in the house somewhere. It was so big she'd still not properly explored it. So after she was dressed she went downstairs to find her. She was in the pool, and didn't notice when Nikki entered the room, so she took a seat and started to read the paper, not wanting to disturb Lorraine until she was ready.

Lorraine spotted Nikki and made this her last length. Getting out of the pool she pulled on a white bathrobe and greeted Nikki. She didn't want to say too much this morning, trying to keep her bad mood away from Nikki. As much as she'd enjoyed last night, she was tired, and she looked it.

"I knew last night was a mistake. Look at my eyes!" Lorraine exclaimed, looking in the mirror at the bags that had developed underneath her eyes. Nikki got up from where she was sitting and moved closer to Lorraine, putting her arms around her waist from behind.

"It was worth it though", Nikki confirmed, in her deep satisfied voice.

"Seriously, I'm not some slapper who stays up all night", she says pushing Nikki away without realising that's what she's doing. Nikki looks a little offended, but doesn't say anything, not wanting to start an argument this early on in their relationship.

"Look, I'm gone. Got to go home and get changed. You know what maybe I should just leave a few things here? Would just save the hassle"

Lorraine gave her a brief panicked look, but Nikki didn't seem to notice. This was getting serious. Too serious too fast. Or at least those were her initial thoughts. But she'd never had anyone want to leave stuff at her house before. This was probably a normal part of a relationship. But she just didn't know how to deal with it all. Emotions were something that were difficult for Lorraine to handle. Internally all she could do was panic, she needed time to think. How could something that made her so happy also make her feel like this?!

As Lorraine gave Nikki a quick kiss goodbye Sonya happened to be walking up the drive and witnessed the exchange. It didn't really phase her that much, her sister was a very private person, and it was no surprise to her that she was seeing someone and hadn't told her. The fact that it was Nikki Boston was a little strange. Lorraine wasn't usually the type to mix business with pleasure, and she'd never known her to date a woman. But Sonya doubted she'd get much out of Lorraine on any of this, and she was right.

"Grow up Sonya, it's none of your business", Lorraine exclaimed, once Sonya was inside and tried to breach the subject.

Lorraine could already tell it was going to be a long day.

Author's Notes – Okay so here we are. I personally don't want to break them up. But I am going to have a think about where I am headed with this before I take it any further. I didn't like what they did with episode 24, I felt sad for them both, because I don't think Lorraine really thought it through before she broke it off.