DiP – A Question of Science – In anticipation of the walk
My thanks to Willowsticks who made me realise I needed to have a visit from the exposition fairy
As the speech drew to a close, a sense of anxiety started to wash over Richard – he knew he would face a barrage of questions (not to mention he really wanted his jacket back by the end of the night) but as he tried to replay the conversation with the Commissioner in his mind he wondered if he'd imagined it all.
The process of trying to leave the proceedings as nonchalantly as possible was probing to be an even bigger challenge. As they circulated saying their goodbyes, Richard was sure he saw knowing smiles – especially from Dwayne. Hmm perhaps he could task him with cleaning the Defender – with a cotton ear-bud!
And as for Catherine… oh lord what had he got himself into. Damn that champagne.
As they started to say their goodbyes, Camille noticed Richard getting quieter – the champagne had loosened his tongue – he had been funny, witty, and not that rude about the French, but now he looked pensive.
It was a constant conundrum for her – for every step forward she felt she was taking, they seemed to take two steps back. She found herself thinking about how their dates had come about.
The first time, was just after his case had been delivered to the station the day after he had returned and she, Fidel and Dwayne had giggled behind their screens while he gave the poor courier a total dressing down. She decided to drive him home but was surprised when he flipped the case up onto the bed, threw off his jacket and suggested they go get something to eat.
As she went to head to her mother's bar, he caught her arm and suggested they drive across to the next town where they would be less known. The evening had been some work talk, but as the night wore on, he seemed to want to talk about how he had felt when he returned home – how he realised how much he had moved on.
She was touched by how much he was opening up, but was totally taken aback when suddenly he yawned loudly, his eyes glazing.
"Richard – are you ok, or am I boring you?" this half said in amusement with a touch of pique.
"I think my body clock is upside down" he said, quite sleepily…
Camille really was not sure what to make of this – so she decided to take him home, although she couldn't help noticing how much younger he looked when his face was relaxed, as he was dozing in the Defender on the way back to the shack.
She shook his shoulder to wake him when they arrived, and was stunned into shock when he smiled sleepily and gave her a kiss on the cheek, before getting out and walking into the shack.
The second date improved, in that he ditched the jacket AND tie, and god he looked so much better, but it was as though he had realised that his je-lagged state had lowered his defences, and that perhaps he had given away more of himself that he intended to.
He was a little more shy, and it took a great deal of effort (not to mention a couple of bottles of wine) to get him even close to loosening up.
"Oh, sometimes I wish you would just be permanently jet-lagged," she said, half in exasperation.
"What do you mean?"
She considered what she was going to say carefully – she was trying to weigh up if she would scare him away if she said what was truly on her mind.
"It's just that the other night, after your luggage arrived you seemed to be more relaxed but I realise now it was just you trying to keep yourself up to get back into Saint Marie time but…."
He looked at her, curiously – "But?"
"Well I liked it – I liked going out to dinner with you, I liked it was just you and me and not us just talking about the case over a beer at the shack – it was… nice."
He smiled, but then frowned. "So this isn't nice?"
"You were so much more relaxed – it's like you are on your guard?"
He frowned – this was not his plan. Actually truth be told he wasn't sure what the plan was. He found himself analysing what had happened:
Went out, had a good evening and she let me give her a kiss – CHECK
Second date – AND I left my jacket and tie at home which is what she's always on at me to do – CHECK
"I'm sorry – I just… maybe we should go back then"
"No, Richard. I am not saying I want this to finish early – I just want… I wish…"
He felt miserable – somehow he had gone from her loving being with him to now.. what? In a fit of desperation he clutched her hand, the suddenness of the movement making her jump and causing curious looks from other diners. He dropped her hand as if it was hot.
"I just want to… do the "proper" dating thing – like the taking you out for dinner and paying for it and, oh I don't know, the small talk and getting to know you stuff – you know the proper gentlemanly stuff."
She allowed herself a smile. "Well I don't expect you to do the small talk thing – but I do like hearing about your life before Saint Marie, what things drive you, finding out about YOU and spending time with YOU away from the office, away from the shack, even.
"But I am willing to take this as slow as you want, for you to be comfortable.
"I am not going to lie – I am so happy you came back, but you are right – we have jobs to do as well as relaxing after work. So for as many meals as you fancy going out for and chats you like is fine. It's YOU I enjoy being with."
He called for the bill, pondering what to do. They left the restaurant and drive back towards Honore in silence, but for once it wasn't that uncomfortable silence whenever he had annoyed her, or a self-conscious silence when he couldn't quite get round how he felt about her.
As they arrived, she turned to him: "Coffee? Oh er maybe tea?"
He thought about it, and nodded slightly.
As they walked up the stairs he knew what he wanted, but it felt too soon. Oh for heaven sake Richard he told himself sternly, you've been here two damn years.
Despite wanting to get him back to how he was when they first went out, Camille knew she had to tread carefully. She considered what to do as she looked in the fridge – and settled for… coffee.
Keeping the conversation on firm ground – experiences they'd had of life in general, she waited until that frown subsided and he relaxed a little more – she didn't make any moves towards him, she tried not to touch him in passing – he had to be comfortable around her before anything progressed – she knew that now.
He yawned, and then chuckled "Oh god there I go again – I am a total nightmare"
"No – but maybe you should go – take the Defender, come pick me up tomorrow?"
She walked him to the door, and as he opened it to leave, she felt herself take his hand before she knew what she was doing – it was her turn to drop it as though it was burning her.
He looked at her – part confused, partly with a sense of longing, as if he wished her hand was still entwined in his. He took a deep breath, took her hands in his and planted the quickest of kisses on her lips before shuffling out the door.
Almost in shock she watched him walk down the stairs. He looked back and smiled, sketching half a wave as he got in the Defender and drove away.
She backed into the apartment and closed the door – put her hands to her lips… it was a start.