Maybe a drink down the pub wasn't one of Janet's best ideas but at least it gave them some time to talk before things got much worse. The suggestion that she was enjoying it annoyed her and she realised as she answered that she was only being like this because she really did love Rachel Bailey. She knew that she was the one who had to apologise because otherwise they'd never get anywhere. What she didn't expect (but had hoped for) was that Rachel apologised back. She looked up into her friend's eyes and saw it, the acceptance that she'd screwed up really badly and hurt Janet in the process. Those eyes said something else as well. 'I will never hurt you like this again.' It was spooky how quickly they slipped back into their friendship, with Janet teasing Rachel about the statement, and it felt so right. It felt more than right, especially with the flirty glance between them that sent tingles down Janet's spine.

Janet sat back in her chair.

'You know when we were in the car, after... it?' She hated bringing it up again but she had to say it.

'Yeah.'

'When you said I was jealous.'

'Oh, really, Janet. I was pissed and annoyed. I didn't know what-'

'You were right.' She looked straight into those beautiful brown eyes opposite her and saw a realisation, followed by an understanding.

'You don't mean of me, though do you?' Rachel said finally, and then she leaned over and took Janet's hand in her own. Janet only looked down at her lap.

'I get it if you just want to be friends. God, we weren't even that five minutes ago!' She glanced up nervously at Rachel who was wearing the biggest grin she'd ever seen. Whoever said smiles were infectious didn't know the half of it. Janet's mouth tilted up at the edges as she leaned in towards Rachel, knowing that they wanted the same thing.

'Friends with benefits?' whispered Rachel with a smirk.

'Rachel Bailey, you don't hang about, do you? How's about we go back to yours until we find out what's happening with this party, eh?'

'You don't need to ask me twice.' Rachel stood up and pulled Janet up with her.

The car journey to Rachel's was as silent as car journeys the past few days, but this time, the air wasn't filled with anxiety and unspoken angst. Oh, no. Instead, it was rife with anticipation and excitement. It wasn't quick enough for either of them and as soon as Rachel's front door was shut behind them, there was no stopping them.

Bags were dropped, coats abandoned, both of them occupied on much more important things: each other. They headed towards the lounge, but then Rachel changed her mind and turned to Janet, who nodded before anything had even been said. Bedroom it was, then.

'Fucking hell, Rach,' said a well and truly exhausted Janet.

'Yeah. I was just about to say the same.' She rolled over to face Janet and pressed their lips together. The fireworks going off inside of Janet were fuelling her so she felt like she could carry on forever.

Just her luck, her phone went off. She reached over to look at it.

'Fancy going to a party?' she asked Rachel.

'She's going ahead with it?' Janet nodded. 'Wow. Well, to answer your question, I'd prefer to stay right here with you for all of eternity but that's never going to happen. Plus, you have to turn up, for Gill's sake.'

Janet smiled.

'You want to stay here forever?'

'Yeah, that's what I said, wasn't it?' Rachel looked confused.

'Well, yeah, but I didn't know you felt like that.'

'You remember when we first met? On that shooting in Shore?'

'It's not the first time that's come up this week.'

'Huh?'

'Forget it. Yes, I do remember.'

'Well, I felt a connection with you like I've never felt with anyone else.' Guilt was the only word Janet could think of to describe how she felt. Only the other day did she tell Rob that there never was a connection.

'I felt it, too.' There was a long pause.

'I love you, Janet Scott.' She thought Rachel's grin earlier was huge, but the one she felt forming on her own face was so big it hurt.

'This has to be a dream. I love you, too.' They kissed again before Janet remembered the text and sat up, trying to find her clothes.

'Right, come on you sex goddess. You've got a party to crash.' She gave her... lover – God, this was really happening! – a wink and then strolled into the bathroom.

'Listen here, Rachel. If you behave yourself at this party, then I'm coming back to yours after. If not, I'm coming back to yours. Got it?' They giggled as Sammy opened the door.

'I've seen more dead bodies than you've had embarrassing and inappropriate sexual encounters, but...'

Janet couldn't help but smirk a little at that statement, given what she and Rachel had been up to all afternoon. Gill cottoned onto the fact that they weren't being hostile anymore and then came the debate about who had apologised first. Janet knew it had been her, but she couldn't stop herself from winding Rachel up. Forget that, though. The only thing Gill asked was why they'd been in a pub in the middle of the afternoon. Janet exchanged a glance with Rachel and knew that everything was looking up.

If anyone wants me to carry this on, please say. If not, I think it's a nice place to finish.