"Barbara!" Tommy chased her down the concourse. "Wait!"

She stopped and turned. Her glare was unreadable, even for him. "Why?"

"Because we need to talk."

"And say what?"

"Maybe you could start by explaining why saying I love you has upset you so much."

"It hasn't."

He raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, I must have misread your fleeing for dear life as a negative."

"Don't be sarcastic."

He stepped closer. "Then talk to me."

Barbara looked down then nodded. "Not here."

People were staring at them as they stood in the middle of the overpass. Tommy put his hand on Barbara's elbow and steered her to the side. He could feel her shaking. "My place?"

"No! Definitely not."

Tommy wondered why she was so adamant. "I'd never try to take advantage."

"I know. It's not that."

"We can go back to your flat then," he suggested. She shook her head. "What about the King's Head?"

"No. Sorry. I'm... all out of sorts."

He still had hold of her elbow, so gently stroked her arm while he Tommy waited for her to make a decision. "It's okay."

"It's not. It's a mess. I didn't think asking you to a baseball game would turn my life upside down."

"Maybe we needed a catalyst to shake us out of our rut."

"Our rut worked. I got up each day knowing I'd see you. I'd spend the day with you, go home and try not the think about who you were with, and then wake up and do it all again. Now... I've lost that."

"I wasn't with anyone."

"You have been, historically. Anyway, that wasn't my point."

"What was?"

"I was... content. Now..." She shrugged.

"Now, we have a chance to be happy."

"How? When they will split us up." Barbara pulled from his grip and walked in a circle. People were looking at her.

"Is everything alright, love?" a burly man asked her giving Tommy a suspicious look.

"Yes, fine," she snapped. "I'm sorry. Thanks for checking but there's no problem."

The man nodded and walked away. Tommy stepped closer to Barbara. He wanted to embrace her and comfort her but knew she was not ready. "Maybe we should walk while we talk."

Barbara nodded and strode beside him as he led her towards Vauxhall. He had no plan other than to get away from the crowds. Neither spoke. They continued past the station and out onto Albert Embankment. Barbara turned right in front of MI6 towards Lambeth. Tommy walked beside her waiting for her to speak first. When they reached the river boardwalk, Barbara slowed. It was only early and the first of the evening shadows were starting to creep across the path.

She stopped by the wall and looked over towards Lambeth Bridge. Tommy stood as close as he dared beside her. The spires of Parliament shone like gold in the long light. It seemed like a sign. Even though Barbara was having trouble seeing a future together, Tommy had no doubts. His mind had already covered many of the issues she might raise.

As they both leant on their arms and stared at the view, she finally spoke. "How could we ever be happy?"

"I think we could be much happier with each other than we could ever be with anyone else."

"I could never be happy with anyone else."

Tommy smiled. That was the closest she had come to saying she loved him. "Neither could I."

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

"Love is not the issue."

"It's a fairly central one."

"No, it's not. There are many forms of love, Tommy." Barbara was still staring ahead.

"Do you want me to be specific? I love you as my best friend, as the colleague who always has my back, as my confidante, as the person who keeps me in check and inspires me to be a better person, as the only one who never lets me down, as the friend who is never afraid to tell me I'm a fool, as the woman who forgives me even when I disappoint her, and the only person who has ever touched my soul."

"Is that all?"

He heard the smile in her voice. "No, I also harbour desires about your body. I love the way your blush, the way you bite your bottom lip... and especially the way you kiss me."

He heard Barbara sigh. "You know I love you too, don't you?"

Tommy could not help but smile. "Yes, I could tell from that kiss, but it's wonderful to hear you say it." He chanced his luck by putting his arm around her shoulder and was relieved that she did not shy away.

"I feel like I am on third base."

"I don't understand," Tommy said.

"Remember there was a Yankee?"

"There were several of them."

"One of them got to second when the Os were too slow; then he stole third base. He was there trying desperately to get home, and he kept having to go back when batters got out, or the Orioles threw the ball to third. In the end, he was stranded there. When they showed his face on the screen, he was devastated."

"I'm still not sure I understand."

"What I want more than anything might not be what I can have."

"Why not?"

"For a start, they will split us up, even if we're not lovers. After being on national television..."

"Yes, unfortunately, they will."

"What if that's all we have? Solving crimes and working together. I'm not exactly the ideal cook and housewife. You'll be promoted, and I'll be out somewhere working long hours, and we'll drift apart. Then I'll have nothing. You'll have nothing."

"We could both resign. We could work together on something else. Maybe we could start a family or work together for charity. And there's always the estate. Mother's not getting any younger."

"See? I know nothing about charities or estates or living in Cornwall. We have nothing in common except our work."

"We do. We complement each other. We can both learn, and we can find new interests we both enjoy."

"I can't dance. I don't know about classical music. Test Match cricket bores me. I hate fishing."

"I don't fish. See something in common already."

"And then there's sex."

Tommy was not sure how to answer that. "Hmm?"

"From all accounts, you excel. I am apparently quite bad."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I fear gossip is no recommendation. And there is no way you could be bad."

"Don't you dare say I just had the wrong partner."

Tommy squeezed her shoulder. "I don't have to."

"Why aren't you arguing with me?"

"Because you haven't said no. You've just told me your fears. I'm scared too. I stuff up my love-life regularly remember? I don't want to hurt you. I know I can overwhelm. I..."

"So it's not just me?"

"Scared? No. I have wanted to take the next step for a long time. I was the coward. You at least made it to third base. I kept striking out."

Barbara laughed. "I only made it to third today. I was still in the dugout. Maybe we should stop with the baseball analogies."

He smiled. "Agreed."

Barbara laughed. "You know maybe Paul was right. Maybe we should hit a home run."

Tommy was not quite sure she understood the analogy. "He meant we would sleep together."

His sergeant blushed but nodded. "At least we'd know."

"I'm not going to sleep with you to prove something." He leant in close so that his lips were just beside her ear. "I want to make love to you, slowly and with great love and tenderness, not have some multi-position romp to prove we are, or are not, compatible."

Barbara laughed. "See, I hadn't even thought about different positions."

"Barbara, a relationship is about far more than sex. We already have so much to build on. We can do this. I want to do it."

"And if we fail?"

"Is fear of failure any reason not to try?"

"It's not fear of failure. It's fear of losing you."

"Then we have to be patient and keep communicating. If we haven't given up on each other yet, I can't see why that would ever change."

"You want a family."

"You don't? That surprises me."

"I do, but at my age..."

"That doesn't change my mind. If it happens, wonderful. If not, then we will still have each other. That's enough."

"Really? No heir?"

"That's the last thing I care about. Peter might have children or Judith's daughter. I'd give it away now if that were necessary to have you."

"No! It's part of who you are."

"But not all of me. Part of who I am is also a man who loves you."

Barbara turned her head to face him. Her lips were tantalisingly close. Tommy moved towards her slowly, hoping she did not back away.

"Smooth talker," she said quietly.

"Hmm. Part of my charm."

He stopped just short of her mouth. Barbara closed the distance and kissed him. They twisted their bodies. Their arms locked each other in place as the kiss rapidly turned passionate. Tommy's heart raced, and the world swam giddily. Her hands fisted his shirt and pulled him closer. Her tongue sought his with a fury that ignited his whole body.

"Oh my..." he said as they eventually released each other. He was having trouble thinking. All he wanted was more.

"Maybe we should go to the pub. Or we might be arrested for public indecency."

Tommy grinned at her. "If we do that in a pub, it's still public, but that was not indecent. Not indecent at all."

"I'm not sure racing into bed solves our problems, Tommy."

"Barbara, this is not the place I would choose for this." He sunk to one knee. "I don't want to race you to bed. I want to spend my life with you."

"Tommy! Get up."

"No. Barbara, I love you. I want us to be together. I don't expect you to say yes yet, but don't say no. Keep this moment in mind and remember it was my intention from the first time you kissed me in front of millions of witnesses. We have a unique, unbreakable bond. Will you do me the honour of consenting to marry me?"

Barbara's eyes filled with tears. He was uncertain whether that was good or bad. He stood and pulled her against him. She mumbled something against his chest. Did he dare ask her to repeat it?

"Tommy?"

"Sorry, I didn't hear you clearly," he confessed.

"I said yes, on the proviso that you have a three months cooling off period."

"I'm not buying a fridge."

"They're my terms."

"Three months is too long. One month?"

Barbara paused. "Two."

"You drive a hard bargain. Two months, not an hour more."

"And we resign tomorrow before Hillier can say anything."

"That would give me great pleasure."

"And..."

Tommy pushed some hair off her face while he waited for her to continue. "And...?"

"What about our sleeping arrangements?"

"When you're ready, I want you with me."

"I'm sorry, Tommy, but I'm not sure I can live in your house."

He frowned. "Your flat is rather small."

"Maybe we could let them and rent somewhere else for a while."

"We could sell them and buy a place where we both feel comfortable."

"I can't ask you to sell."

"You didn't. I offered. I think it's a good idea. Some of my furniture can go back to Howenstowe. The rest can go to charity."

"Most of mine is worthless."

"Then we buy things we both like. Any thoughts on where you'd like to live?"

Barbara shook her head. "Listen to us planning a future. It's surreal."

"No, it's wonderful."

Tommy kissed her again. Her body moulded against him in a way that was highly seductive. Her hips swayed against his thighs. Surely she could tell what effect she was having on him?

"We should stop that," he warned.

"Why?"

"Public indecency, remember? We should..." This time she kissed him. It was urgent and demanding and impossible to resist. "Get to my place quickly."

"There's a hotel around the corner."

Tommy smiled. "I thought we weren't going to race to bed."

"If you'd rather not, then..."

"No," he said cutting over her. "I'm not objecting. Not objecting at all." Tommy kissed her again to reassure her. "Lead on."

2 MONTHS LATER

Tommy looked at the clock. Barbara was late. It was unusual, and he hoped it was only the buses. The key turned in the lock, and he stepped back into the kitchen and pretended to stir his pasta.

"Hiya. The traffic was a nightmare. I'm exhausted."

He walked over and took her in his arms. "Is everything okay? Have your tenants settled in?"

"Yeah."

She looked distracted. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not feeling too well." Barbara pulled from his grip and dodged around the boxes and up the stairs.

Tommy followed her into the bedroom. He could hear her vomiting in the ensuite. So much for his romantic dinner. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know." He heard her gargling mouthwash before she came out of the room and sat on the bed. "I've felt off for the last couple of hours."

Tommy put his arm around her. "I can call my doctor."

"No, it's nothing. I saw the candles and your table. That's sweet."

"It's our last night here before we move. It's only pasta."

"I know I said I didn't want to live here, but I will sort of miss it."

"I won't. Our new place is much better." He slipped off the bed onto his knee. "And your two months is up. Will you marry me?"

"I'd forgotten. I sort of assumed that had been overridden by... bloody hell." Barbara pushed past him and raced to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Barbara, I'm calling my doctor."

"No, wait."

"You're not well."

Barbara opened the door and held up a stick in her hand. "I'm not sick; I'm pregnant. I..."

"Have to marry me now." He raced over and pulled her into his arms. "Good job the new house has a yard big enough for a kid-sized baseball diamond."

Barbara laughed. "I love you, you idiot."

"I love you too."