In the quiet before the lunchtime rush Krystal found herself staring at Will's letter of resignation. She was going to miss him as her restaurant manager. Marissa had agreed to take the job and was working out her two week notice at the yacht club. Krystal was pleased that her daughter would be close once more.

As she piled the menus into a neater stack, she noticed Jesse enter and take a seat at a table. She hadn't seen him since before the hearing.

Krystal picked up a menu and moved to welcome him.

"Do you know what you fancy?" Krystal asked handing him the menu.

"Do you still have that Barbecue burger on the menu?" he asked.

"We sure do." said Krystal pulling her order pad.

"Then I'll have one of those with everything!"

"And to drink?"

"Ice Tea. Thank you,"

"Is Maya not feeding you?" Krystal joked as she put away her pad.

"Nope," said Jesse sadly, "She's moved out. She's found a shared house with a few girls from work. One of them has also got a kid. She seems happy. It's got to be better than hanging out with some mopey old man."

"You mopey, never!"

"I am." said Jesse. "I admit it. I can't have been much company for her these last months. When I'm at home I don't know what to do with myself. I miss Angie and if I'm not working I just feel lost."

"There's nothing wrong with that." said Krystal encouragingly.

Jesse looked up at her words and gave her a genuine smile.

"Thank you."

"No thank you. Jackson told me about all the work you did to prove that JR shot Marissa. When I think that he almost got away with trying to murder my girl..!"

"I just followed my gut. Something stank with JR's statement and I couldn't drop it. Not until I had proof. Not until I knew every variable about what happened. It became an obsession, until I had every fact about that night and why I lost Angie I couldn't move on"

"And now?" Krystal asked.

"Now," said Jesse deflecting slightly, "I need to eat a burger with everything and not worry about the empty fridge waiting for me at home."

Krystal put a hand on his shoulder, surreptitiously straightening his crooked collar as she did so.

"You need someone to look after you." she said, almost without thinking

Jesse looked back at her curiosity in his eyes.

"You know it's chilli night at home this evening," said Krystal. "Why don't you come on by? Opal always cooks too much and you can spend some time with friends – an intervention to stop you moping."

Jesse smiled.

"I'll think about it."

"You do that." said Krystal, "While I go and fetch your burger."

Krystal gave him a big grin as she headed towards the kitchen, Jesse grinned back.

"I will expect an answer on my return." she called playfully.

When the kitchen door swung shut behind her Krystal froze, had she just been flirting with the Chief of Police?

…

The food order placed with the cook Krystal went to tha bar to fetch Jesse's Ice tea.

David Hayward entered the restaurant. He had a surprising companion. Leora was sat in an oversized stroller her eyes wide as she took in the new world around her.

"David!" gasped Krystal coming out from behind the bar to greet Leora properly, "To what do we owe this pleasure."

"I've just collected Erica's Hospital Shares from Jackson. He stiffed me but I decided I was still going to celebrate none the less; by following your suggestion and taking Leora to the park. I was wondering if you wanted to join us?"

Krystal looked up at David. He did look happy.

"I would love to, but in about half an hour around a third of the wall of press that is currently surrounding your hospital thanks to Erica's return, will be coming for lunch. It's all hands on deck then."

David nodded.

Krystal stroked Leora's cheek making the little girl smile.

"But another time I'll be there. We can go and feed the ducks! Maybe Jenny and Katie could come with us as well - Jenny loves the ducks."

David gave her a grateful grin.

"Leora will love that I'm sure." He said. "Well let's go kid. It looks like it's just you and me."

"Have fun." Krystal called after him, surprised at the change in David. Fatherhood seemed to suit him.

…

With the order up Krystal carried the tray of food to Jesse's table, burger and salad, fries, barbecue beans and onion rings.

"Enjoy your meal." she said.

Jesse was looking up at her, a new intensity in his eyes as he looked at her.

"Yes." He said.

"What?"

"Yes. I'll come for chilli tonight."

Krystal felt her smile pulling at the side of her lips.

"Wonderful. We start plating up around six."

"I'll be there." said Jesse, his smile as wide as Krystal's. "It will nice to spend the evening in pleasant company."

…

As Krystal carried the tray back to the bar she felt as dizzy as a school girl.

Yes, she was definitely flirting with Jesse Hubbard, and if she wasn't mistaken he was flirting right back.

…