Rose was tossing and turning most of the night as Alec did the same back in his bedroom, the one he'd spent Sunday night really being with Rose since that Saturday night when if he'd had an attack and died on the spot it would have been more than worth it but to have survived it twice was a miracle in his books.

It was after one when Rose finally gave up, she would be in no fit state to work and share the responsibilities in the morning at this rate. One week spent with Alec had made a big impact on her, taking her mind off being stuck here and forgetting James to the point it had suddenly crept up on her and now she still couldn't make her mind up one way or the other so what was she to do?

She got out of bed and fished for her mobile after putting on her robe and brought up Alec's number, hoping he wouldn't be mad at her for waking him. He wasn't as he answered on the third ring.

He'd been awake half an hour, glancing at the clock/radio and wishing Rose was with him when suddenly, his phone lit up and started to ring. He didn't need his glasses to see who it was.

"Did I wake you Alec?"

"You are making this a habit Rose."

"I know, I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep."

"So you thought you would wake me eh?"

Rose didn't know how to take that. "Sorry, I'll call you back in the morning then."

Before Alec could stop her she hung up. She was driving him away at an alarming speed and she would lose him altogether if she wasn't careful. Why was she still holding back from him? He'd been supportive throughout but he had his limitations.

A few seconds later, her phone rang but she ignored it then got a message: 'I'm awake now so talk to me Rose'

When she didn't reply, he turned out the bedside lamp he'd put on to find his glasses as he wasn't even going to attempt to send her a message when he was half asleep without wearing them. If he went round, he would just make things even worse, he just had to give her the time she needed, there was nothing else he could do. She was beginning to cave in and call him when they weren't meant to be seeing each other which was a good sign, even in the early hours of the morning and he knew he shouldn't have made it sound the way it had come out – like he was annoyed with her, which he wasn't.

The next morning, Rose looked at the message again – should she call and apologise? No, she would go down to the harbour at lunchtime and see if he was around, staring over the balcony of the police station and probably feeling as bad as she was, well not quite, she'd woken feeling a bit 'off' but since she'd not slept well, put it down to that. She had a bad case of missing him but to get through this and sort her feelings out, she had to stick to the plan and not give in on a whim.

Thankfully, Claire didn't make an appearance at work, she was at home plotting what to do next and wondering if she could take advantage of this Ellie Miller taking an interest in interfering between her and Alec's new love life. Maybe the next time, if there was one, she could get Alec's DS to listen to her side of the story that she was making up as she went along and it was far from finished.

Alec had got to his office early since he wasn't outside Rose's apartment delaying as much as he could. He'd woken up cursing himself for being stroppy with her over waking him up, why the hell had he come out with that? That was a good way of getting her to tell him she loved him and if he continued, he'd get to see her even less, maybe drive her into going back where she'd come from as soon as her device started working and as for her getting over the Doctor and James, he really wasn't helping her.

He decided he would set off for lunch five minutes early and be waiting for her but events were going to put paid to that as Ellie came into his office just after twelve.

"Sir, there have been reporters outside the harbour newsagents, Bob just called it in and Jack Marshall has been on the phone demanding we do something about it."

"Is this all over us bringing him in for questioning yesterday?"

The local newsagent had been to the Latimer house on Sunday, claiming he'd found Danny's phone in the bottom of a delivery bag and handed it to Danny's father but Ellie had been there despite Alec and Rose declining the invitation and had brought it to the station and logged it in as evidence and Jack Marshall had been questioned over it.

Alec had been told on his arrival that morning there had been a scuffle outside the sea scout hut last night and Olly Stevens had been involved, which didn't really surprise him and now the newsagent was besieged by reporters. He knew it was only going to get worse. So they walked across the harbour and around the back of the shop, Alec banging on the door and Jack Marshall letting them in.

"What are you going to do about that lot?" Jack asked Alec as the blinds were pulled down and they could see the outlines of reporters scrambling to get a look inside.

"You should have been honest with us yesterday, DS Miller here found out you'd already had a conviction for offences in North Yorkshire."

"They were nothing to do with anyone, I served my time and it was nothing to do with boys, it was a girl, we had an affair and her father found out a month before she came of the age of consent so they made an example out of me."

"What happened then?" Ellie asked, Alec just wanting to get out of there and go see if Rose had ventured down to their usual meeting place.

"We got married when I got out of prison. What has this to do with Danny's death?"

"Everything, it all connects," Alec told him as he heard the shouts of the press outside.

"Get them cleared off, I have a business to run," Jack insisted.

"Not today, go home and it will have died down by morning, they'll get tired of waiting. I'll have an officer go round the back and escort you home and another to stop the press following you."

As they walked back along the harbour, it was already after one, Miller wanting to know all the details had delayed them and Rose would be leaving to walk back up to the salon but he thought he may have time to see her for ten minutes or so or would she be mad at him?

Rose had sat down at what was becoming 'their' table when it was vacant and looking across to the station's first floor balcony but the door wasn't open and there was no sign of Alec. She thought he may have had to go out somewhere with Ellie, well that or he was mad she didn't answer his call or reply to his text at one in the morning but she was confused as to him asking that if she was awake she thought he should be as well but that wasn't why she had called him.

She had rung to say sorry and wanted him to come round and forget about only seeing each other weekends and her days off because she was going to have to make her mind up before it was too late and if it didn't work out then it wouldn't be her fault but she had lost her nerve and her telling him she didn't want to be on her own and wanting to break the arrangement now, he would think she was doing it because she thought he'd been mad at her for waking him.

Alec was about to walk up the steps to the station when Ellie nudged him.

"Go see her," she told him as she looked over to see Rose at a table, her head buried in her phone.

"Leave it Miller, she has to leave soon to go back to work."

"Then stop messing around – Sir, go to her."

"You said you would not get involved – Miller," he replied as they reached the top step.

Rose just happened to look up and saw the two of them had stopped so she picked up her shoulder bag and got up, debating whether to run across the road and catch them but Ellie turned around and waved so she had no chance of just creeping away now anyway. She crossed the road and Alec came down the steps and Ellie knew she wasn't wanted and went back inside the station, shaking her head at the two of them as anyone could see how they felt about each other but they were behaving like a couple of kids.

"Hi Alec."

"Rose, I wanted to apologise for snapping at you earlier this morning."

"I know what you're like, I shouldn't have hung up, sorry. Walk back with me?"

"You still want to be seen with me then?"

Rose smiled, the first time all morning despite her stomach feeling like it was churning.

"What do you think, DI grumpy boots?"

"Hey, less of the grumpy if you don't mind," he smiled back as she took the arm he offered and walked off around the corner to walk back up to the High Street.

They hardly said a word on the way back up until they were across the road from the salon, Rose having a few minutes to spare.

"I'm sorry Rose, I never meant it the way it sounded."

"I know you daft thing, I was stupid to call you at that time."

"You called me late that Saturday night, for me to rescue you. You wanted me to rescue you again?"

"Yeah, what da ya think?" she asked as they crossed the road.

"I'm out of practice love."

"I know. Can we talk later? Come round and I'll make dinner then if we can't sort this out, you can leave."

"Why won't we talk it out Rose? I know you have to go now but whatever is still bothering you, we can get over it. Now you'd best not be late."

He leaned down to kiss her cheek, not caring anyone could see them, especially Olly Stevens coming out of the newspaper office a few doors down and Becca Fisher altering the menu board outside the hotel who both saw each other, Olly shrugging his shoulder that the whole town would just have to get used to the fact the disagreeable detective had a young blonde girlfriend and didn't care if he showed himself up with her.

Rose felt slightly better as Alec said he would be around as soon as he could get out and would call and get her something to say 'sorry' and they could make up.

Claire had decided to get a bus into Broadchurch just after four and had perched herself on the wall near Alec's cottage, no-one would bother her until early evening and if either Rose or Alec spotted her, she would just move again like she'd done on Sunday. She had been annoyed Rose had forced her to get on the bus last night, she could have got off at the harbour but knowing Alec, officers would have swooped on her as she got off.

When she had seen neither of them by six, she decided to go take a walk to the harbour stores and get a sandwich and a drink since it was cheaper than going to one of the food stalls and she noticed the newsagents next door was closed early but as she went to sit on the wall, suddenly, car after car pulled in a bit further up by the small hut in the corner and loads of men got out of them, all heading for it. There was a policeman there who was already on his radio for re-enforcements Claire thought as she turned to get a better look, seeing a tall man with a shaved head take the lead and begin shouting at the man outside the hut.

Not wanting to get involved, Claire stayed where she was then saw another car pull up and two men get out, one making his way through the mob as it became apparent they were out for blood as they began shouting they were going to get the man who was talking to the ringleader.

Alec had already left the station by now, not bothering to move his car as he'd got a nice box of chocolates for Rose on his way back to the station and had got him a look from Ellie when she'd seen him trying to sneak them past her. She had remarked on it when he was leaving.

"What?" Alec had asked as she stopped him.

"What did you do now?" she smiled.

"Nothing, what makes you think I've done something?"

"Maybe the way you'd been snapping at everyone all day and not being bothered about Jack Marshall?"

"What do you want me to do about Jack Marshall? We left a officer with him and for your information, I am going round right now to apologise to Rose."

"Well I didn't think they were for Jack Marshall. What did you do to upset her?"

"Very amusing Miller. I may have been a bit off with her when she called me around one this morning."

"No wonder but why was she calling at that time?"

"She missed me."

"And you were off with her? You need your head examined – Sir so stop being such an ass with her. You went to see her that Saturday night and you said you got woken then."

"I'd been asleep on the sofa, that was different and she needed a friend."

"She doesn't need one now?"

Alec frowned at her. "She was the one who wanted space, not me, I'm trying to give her it but it's not easy. I think she's changing her mind though."

"Well in that case you'd best not stuff it up – had you? Sir."

"Thanks for the advice Miller, you said you were staying out of it."

"I am but I'll give you that for free, just don't make me go after Claire again."

"I think you would be perfect going after Claire though maybe when all this is over?"

"Forget it, when this is over I'm going to need another vacation though one that when I come back no-one has taken my job."

"Well I am not apologising for that, if I had not come here, Rose and I would never have met."

"Well there is that I suppose so you'd best treat her right and I might forgive you, she's doing you some good, we wouldn't have been talking like this two weeks ago."

"Two weeks ago you were threatening me with fish and chips in paper, amongst other things."

"Two weeks ago, I meant the other thing. Am I keeping you?" Ellie nodded to the chocolates under his arm.

Rose had got home and started making a meal for Alec, trying not to change her mind about this but they would have to go easy tonight, she was still feeling queasy and she'd have to tell him so. "Some way of making up," she thought as she stirred the contents of saucepan. Why did she feel so off? It was well over a week to her monthly so it wasn't that and she wished now she'd done something about it when she'd got back to this world but hadn't intended getting involved with anyone so soon after leaving James behind.

She heard the door opening and Alec calling her. He hadn't been sure about using his key after snapping at her earlier but he had been given it so he may as well use it. She stopped what she was doing and stepped out of the kitchen as he took his overcoat off, Rose wondering why he wore one in the warmer weather.

"Hey sweetheart, something smells good."

"Hi. It's not much, I wasn't expecting you."

"These are for you love, to say sorry for being an ass this morning."

"No Alec, that was entirely me and you were right, I shouldn't have woken you because I couldn't sleep, you need yours more than I do."

He put the chocolates down and went to put his arms around her, Rose doing the same and burying her head into his chest.

"I'm so sorry Alec, you don't need all this and I don't want to stick to our arrangement, not any more."

"Hey, it's ok love, whatever makes you happy. I was only doing as you asked."

She let go and he followed her into the kitchen and getting a glass of water, took his pills, something he was now getting used to.

"I have to work in the morning, I told Miller I had to go somewhere in the afternoon so why don't you wait for me at my place?"

"Yeah, I'll make my way over there, you never said when your appointment is."

Picking up the stirring spoon, Alec tested the contents of the pan.

"It's at two so we leave at one."

"You'll need to find a parking spot."

"Do I look like I care where I park?" he smiled.

"After the last time?"

"Only if you have some change this time love."

After they had eaten and Alec had pulled the curtains, they lay on the sofa.

"What's wrong Rose?" he asked as he kissed her neck and seeing she wasn't as enthusiastic as she'd been on Sunday night.

"Nothing, I felt a bit off when I woke up, it's probably nothing."

"You should have said when you called, instead of hanging up."

"Yeah, I get that from my mother, sorry. I was ok then, it was when I got up, I must have got out of bed too fast or something."

"You always get out of bed fast Rose," he smiled, unfastening the buttons on her pink top.

"So do you, I never get a good look at your ass when you go scurrying off to put your shorts on."

"Well, you take your time and I'll take mine, deal?"

"Yeah, deal but I'm not really fit for much tonight, I should have told you that earlier."

"No love, I never expected to come around tonight, it was a nice surprise, just like Friday night."

Rose had finished unbuttoning his shirt, running her finger down the gap until he grabbed her hand.

"Rose, whatever I am told tomorrow, I am going to risk the surgery, before I leave it too late."

"Alec, I know you're taking a risk and I'm sorry I'm just making things worse for you."

"Shush love, you are not making things any worse, don't say that. I'm going to need someone to keep me out of trouble, before and after the surgery, know anyone?"

"You interviewed anyone for the job yet?" she asked, parting his shirt and kissing just near his heart.

"Do I really need to?"

"No, consider the position filled."

Meanwhile, Claire had deduced neither Rose or Alec were going to his place and if she sat in the shelter, she would only get moved on again so she got the next bus home and decided that would be the last time and come Friday, she would pack and leave but not before she got her revenge on Rose.

Alec was woken just before five, his phone buzzing on the bedside table and Rose sprawled across him after they had compromised and they had both fallen asleep, content they seemed to have resolved at least one of their problems.

He grabbed his phone and moved Rose gently and since she had insisted he put his shorts back on before going to sleep, he grabbed his shirt and answered the phone as he went into the living room. He scowled when he saw 'Miller' on the display.

"You do know the time Miller?"

"Yes, do you think I like being woken at this time – Sir? We've been called to the Harbour Cliff Beach, there's been another incident."

"Not another child?"

"No, Jack Marshall was found by an early morning dog walker half an hour ago. Looks like he took his own life, I'm down there now."

"Send a car for me, I'm at Rose's apartment, I'll be ready in five minutes."

Ellie agreed and smiled to herself, at least he admitted it and they'd made up. Rose had just woken up and was propping herself up on one arm as Alec came back in and took his trousers from the back of the chair.

"What's wrong Alec?"

"Nothing love, I've been called to an incident, a car is coming for me."

He had told Ellie where he was and she'd mumbled something about not being lazy and walking over.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes, go back to sleep love, you don't look well."

"I always look like this when I wake up," she yawned and flopped back on the pillow Alec had been laid on, it was still warm.

He leaned over to kiss her forehead, which felt clammy so he touched it gently.

"You should go see a doctor, you are not well."

"I'll be fine," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

Alec had to let it go as he pulled the curtain back to see a marked car turning around just past where he was.

"I'll see you later love, just take it easy."

He got no answer as he quietly closed the door and let himself out. While Ellie had been waiting and the ambulance was standing by to take the body of the newsagent away, she thought about what Alec had said, that he was admitting he had spent the night with Rose and she hoped now he would be far less disagreeable considering he'd kissed Rose outside the salon yesterday lunchtime, well according to her nephew he had although Olly did tend to over-exaggerate sometimes. She was all for it if the grumpy detective got his act together and got Rose to move in with him or he with her.

Rose woke with a start, realising Alec had gone out earlier when he wasn't there and she wasn't lying on top of him. She squinted at the clock, half past ten and she was meant to meet Alec at one but really didn't want to get out of bed. Making the extra effort, she crawled out of bed to get her robe and put her feet into her fluffy slippers and went into the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror and thinking she was glad Alec couldn't see her but what had he thought when he'd gone out at whatever time it had been?

Did he know what he was letting himself in for? James used to make fun of her if she got up after him, which was most of the time since he still didn't need that much sleep but this was new to Alec, he had no idea what she could be like but would he get used to it? She was about to head for the kitchen when she felt sickly though nothing happened when she held her head over the sink so she went back to the bedroom and threw herself back on the bed.

Alec was just finishing his report from that morning and was twenty minutes away from leaving, providing nothing else needed his attention and he'd already warned Ellie if something else came up, she was going to have to deal with it.

"So you're putting me in charge for the rest of the day?"

"Come on Miller, you've wanted to be in charge since I got here. Now is your chance or are you not ready?"

Ellie was going to show him if she was ready or not, she wasn't going to grace him with an answer to that. Alec was thinking she may be in charge permanently if things didn't go well later that day. He'd tried to call Rose, twice but had got no answer but considering she'd felt really hot and feverish when he had left, he assumed she'd taken his advice and was trying to sleep it off. He decided he would go see her first before going back for his car and going to the hospital.

He left five minutes later, he needed the extra time to go check on Rose as he'd already told Ellie she hadn't been well when he'd left.

"Are you going to check on her?" Ellie asked, trying to forget what he'd just said about her not being ready to take charge, even if it was only for the afternoon and he was being secretive about where he was going. Maybe it was personal and to do with his new girlfriend?

"She was all hot and clammy earlier, she may have just eaten something that disagreed with her."

"Tell her I hope she feels better soon."

Alec just nodded and left, waiting for the lift downstairs, he'd had enough just being out earlier and getting woken at 5am on the morning you were seeing a cardiologist about a pacemaker was not good. He let himself into Rose's apartment, calling her name and seeing the living room door open and Rose not sitting there, went into the bedroom to see her in her robe on top of the bedclothes.

He sat beside her and touched her shoulder, gently, putting the duvet over her as he moved.

"Rose, sweetheart, come on, wake up for me."

Rose seemed delirious. "James, is that you?"

"No love, it's me, Alec. Rose, come on, you know me."

"Alec? What time's it?"

"Almost time for me to go to the hospital love, you should stay here."

"Is there something wrong with you?"

"Sweetheart, I have an appointment in an hour and I have no idea where I am going when I get to the hospital. Go back to sleep love, I'll be as quick as I can then I'll come back and we'll get a doctor's appointment for you."

"You can't get the Doctor, he's gone."

Alec knew he would barely get to his appointment at this rate, since he had to find the hospital let alone the right ward. He got his phone out and called for a cab, asking if the driver would know where the hospital was and being assured they went there on a regular basis and his cab would be there in five minutes. He knew he'd been stupid to think an hour would be enough time to find his way there on his own and fortunately, he'd had the letter on him since it had arrived in the post on Monday morning.

"Rose, I have to go now love, just stay in bed until I get back."

"James, you're very bad."

Alec shook his head then leaned down to kiss her cheek as Rose's eyes closed again. He had no choice but to leave her but he didn't want to, not like this. He could have months to wait for another appointment and he may not survive that long, not with this case being no nearer being solved and he had no real evidence he was right about Miller's husband. He heard a car horn and went to the window, waving to the cab driver and leaving Rose, he let himself out and locked the door behind him and prayed she would be feeling better when he got back because he hated seeing her like this.

As he got into the front seat of the cab, the driver confirmed his destination, Alec saying what department he wanted and glancing up at Rose's bedroom window. She had called him James, twice but she had been well out of it, how did he feel about it though? Would it change his mind once he got to his appointment and he told the specialist to forget the whole thing? Who was he doing this for, himself or Rose?