I'm sorry it took longer than what I said it would, but life happened. This is the last one. Enjoy.

Dark Wings...

Chapter 3

Danni expected a lot from Stella but to actually be picked up at the airport and be greeted with a kiss on the cheek – something that felt so out of character from the older woman – was not something she was counting on.

"Where do you want to go first?", Stella asks once they both settle in the car.

"Your bed" is what first crosses her mind, however as bold as she is inside her own head, she's not that brave to actually voice it, so she settles for a quiet "Anywhere", her shyness coming around full force in the DSI's presence.

"Well, how about we get something to eat, let's say brunch, and then we go to my house for dessert?" Stella suggests, her words communicating clearly all of her intentions.

"Forget about brunch, then, I want you" Danni answers in a sudden burst of confidence which goes as fast as it comes; and she ends up apologizing at sensing the other woman's shock. "Sorry"

"Don't be, I want you too" the detective replies and reaches for the younger woman's hand to reassure her, "But, after that, I'll introduce you to London"

"Perfect" Danni says a shy smile on her lips as her eyes focus on Stella, the feel of their entwined hands a welcomed sensation.

…

It's everything both of them imagined, yet, somehow something more lingers in the air, probably because after the two of them are fully sated Stella snugs closer to Danni and allows the other woman to hold her; wrapped in each other they drift off into a peaceful slumber. When they wake up it's the middle of the afternoon and both are starving. Stella gets up to shower, pecking Danni on the lips before going in.

"I would invite you, but I don't think we would, actually, shower", the blonde says playfully and it causes the younger woman to pull her closer by the waist and whisper in her ear, "Having trouble resisting my charms, ma'am?"

Stella Gibson does not swoon, but hearing Danni saying this in such a sensual tone turns her on more than she would like to admit – it may be a good thing the constable never showed this side of her before, otherwise they would still be chasing Spector since the DSI wouldn't be able to focus on much aside her lover.

"You say something like that again and I'll end up fucking you 'til morning light" Stella states before capturing the other woman's lips in a hot passionate kiss.

"Sounds good to me" the redhead replies breathlessly after breaking their kiss.

"You'll be the death of me, Ferrington" the older woman moans as the girl decides to assault her neck, leaving goose bumps in her wake.

"Good" the younger woman agrees before pushing the blonde on the bed, her hair sprawled all around her, the after-sex glow still on her skin, she was a vision laid like that, a true goddess in all her naked glory, and the smile she had on her lips just made impossible for Danni to resist.

…

"How long will you be able to stay?" Stella asks once they finally manage to sit down to eat – keeping their hands off each other turned out to be quite the challenge.

"They gave me permission for two weeks" Danni answers and wonders how long the blonde will want her to stay.

"Good" the older woman replies and she feels it might not be enough, considering how much she seems to enjoy the girl's presence, but it will have to do.

"Do you want me to stay for the two weeks?" the former constable asks hesitantly and she's not sure she wants to know the answer – a 'no' would pretty much break her heart, however, a yes might be just as dangerous.

"Yes" short and direct, and true, oh so very true, and more meaningful than most can actually guess.

They both smile brightly at one another and try – and fail miserably – to control the damned fluttering feelings that insist on making an appearance.

…

While they go around London, they walk side by side, close enough to touch if they felt like it but not doing so during the first couple of days - didn't mean they didn't think about it. Danni as the hopeless romantic she was had wanted to reach out to the other woman from the moment they left her house - intertwine their fingers and let people see how lucky she was to be with Stella, however she had no intention of overstepping any personal boundaries the other woman must have – and on a bit selfish note, she also had no intentions of cutting short such an amazing time because of her inappropriate feelings.

Stella was struggling with putting limits between them and the overwhelming feelings Danni stirred within her. She was at a loss of what to do, her feelings that were as foreign for her as her work is for a child – strange, scary but so, so, alluring – screamed at her to stop being a coward and simply join their hands while together, it shouldn't be that hard. Reason, however, talks her out of it every time she let their finger brush, arguing that she could care the woman away by doing so – which, honestly, she knew it couldn't be farther from the truth, but then again, Danni makes her rethink everything.

It takes her a few days but eventually she finds the courage and takes young woman's hand in hers - an action, that may or may not have to do with the fact that a beautiful brunette was certainly about to make an approach at her companion - and the warmth that invades her at seeing Danni smile at their joined hands is worth anything.

…

They walk hand in hand through the city, and Danni takes a million pictures like the tourist she is, she even manages to get a few with Stella, and well, if one of them end up as her lock screen wallpaper, later on, no one needs to know.

Stella is amazing in bed, but that was something she had already guessed, what she hadn't thought about and was quite surprised to find out is that even though the other woman had a reputation for not spending much time with a single lover, she seems to be enjoying Danni, quirks and all.

It turns out that in private both are so different from what each of them thought they would be.

Danni, although still a little bit insecure, is actually quite the tease and flirtatious and despite not being sure what is happening exactly between them, she does seem to welcome it and own it.

Stella is confident as always but as the days progress she finds that Danni is someone she can actually trust and little by little she shows the young woman her softer side. She smiles more, she laughs more, and on a few late nights, she even finds in herself the will to open up about things she never let anyone in before. She feels pretty damn good and she is not sure she wants to let go of it.

...

"May I ask why now? Why not when you were in Belfast?" Danni asks one night after another strenuous sex session, both completely spent and simply glad to bask in each other's presence.

"It didn't feel right, then" Stella answers not sure if she wants to look the girl in the eyes, afraid of what she might find.

"You didn't want to" the redhead states trying to keep the hurt from her voice and failing to do so.

At the young woman's comment, the DSI has no other option than to make eye contact and let her know she couldn't be more wrong, "I wanted too much"

"What?" the DS questions, already lost in those beautiful blue eyes that haunted her many dreams.

Stella leans in and kisses her, slowly, gently, because as objective and articulated as she can be when it comes to feelings and Danni, she is at a loss for words, so she acts and hopes the young woman understands what she is trying to say. And when she breaks the kiss Danni is looking at her like she's the only person in the whole world - and how cliché it is, but true – and she knows the young woman understood her – the better part of it all is to find her feelings mirrored deep inside enchanting brown eyes.

"Do you really want this?" Danni asks, her hands caressing the blonde's face in the most tender touch anyone has ever given her.

"Yes. More than you can imagine" no hesitation, no insecurity, no fear. For once it just feels right. It is right.

Danni leans in and when she kisses Stella it's just as slow as before, but the passion, the fire in it it's noticeable.

Brushing her fingers on the older woman's heated skin, the redhead finds blue eyes glazed with the same intense desire she feels and it is more than enough for her to move on with all she has in mind.

The sounds the DSI lets out are nothing like before – this time she actually allows herself to vocalize everything she's feeling - while Danni lavishes her body with kisses and caresses. Her arms reaching out for the young woman, her hands finding her face and bringing it down to hers, crashing their lips together, her nails leaving their trail on the Irish's back as they kiss until both of their lungs burn for air.

Danni explores her body with her lips, leaving light feathers kisses in her wake, gentle touches that drive her – and the redhead, herself, as she listens to the sounds the English blonde makes – insane, she takes her sweet time before finally going to where Stella wanted and needed her most.

It's not long before the blonde's coming undone in her arms, chanting the girl's name much to Danni's pleasure. The redhead helps her come down from her orgasm before going back to her side and laying down, their lips easily finding each other once more.

Stella, feeling more than sated and just enough rested rolls over to position herself atop of her brown-eyed beauty, capturing her in a slow sensual kiss before showering her with the same attention she just received.

And for the first time in what it feels like forever Stella Gibson makes love, rather than fucking or simply having sex. For Danni is the first time someone showed her as much devotion as she did.

They fall asleep in each other's arms happier than ever, and the notion that this just might be what they always needed, that they as an "us" might be what had always been missing – and as they figure out as they go, they come to the conclusion, years down the road, that they were always meant to be.

I hope you liked it, please leave kudos and/or a comment if you feel like it - it brightens my day! Thank you. See you soon.