"Thanks" said Laura, taking a topped-up glass of wine from Robbie before she took a substantial drink and placed it on the table in front of the sofa.

Robbie did the same and then sat back into the sofa next to Laura. He had put another log on the fire and the warmth from the flames was a comforting distraction from the recent drama that had unfolded.

"What do you think it is, Robbie?" Laura said, turning as she spoke. The knocking hadn't come again but Laura felt an acute anxiety that it could start up at any time.

"I don't know; snow falling off the roof, perhaps?" He grasped at the theory from the last time but he knew they were both aware that it didn't really hold any water

"Icicles falling off the gutters, maybe?" He raised his eyebrows but neither he nor Laura felt satisfied with that theory either. But a theory it was and it was just enough to keep them both calm and after a little more wine they both relaxed and started to chat again. Laura realised she was close again to Robbie on the sofa and she couldn't help but feel her attraction rising again for him once again. He was close to her too and she realised with a thrill that he seemed to be making an effort to be even closer to her; although it was a small sofa there was room to sit apart if required. Still, she knew she couldn't make a move, no matter how much she desperately wanted to and even with how close they had been the night before. They nursed their glasses of wine and carried on talking, reminiscing about old times at the station, unsolved cases and sharing stories of Christmas past. If this was as good as it could be then she was happy, she thought, just this one time and perhaps. . .

The lights guttered again and flickered on and off like morse code. They stuttered for a few seconds more and then they went out completely.

"Oh" said Laura

"Hopefully it won't be off for long" Robbie said as their eyes adjusted to the low light.

"Let's hope so," said Laura

The light from the fire took over and the room was doused with a soft apricot glow that came from the hearth.

"Robbie, it's Christmas" she said, glancing down at her wrist as the light caught the crystal on her watch face

"Oh, so it is" Robbie said and he half turned and she to him and suddenly they both found their arms around each other in a soft, close embrace

"Happy Christmas Laura" Robbie said into her ear, feeling his cheek against hers. He felt her arms around him, her hands were very lightly caressing his back, expressing, he realised, much more than just Christmas wishes between two friends. Robbie knew he wanted to return the touch and he found himself gently caressing her back, feeling the soft fabric of her top and the warmth of her body beneath.

"Happy Christmas Robbie" Laura said, taking in the scent of his closeness, the feel of his skin on hers and the soft graze of his stubble. Cheek to cheek their faces lingered closely as they embraced and then she felt him slowly move his face against hers, and she followed, hoping she was telling him it was ok for him to be this close. And then, Laura felt Robbie's face move a little more, she felt his nose on her cheek and then his lips next to hers and she knew; without any words, he'd finally asked the question she'd been waiting for.

Now she turned her head, just enough for her lips to be close to his. She had told herself that she would let him take the lead if ever this was to happen but their lips were almost touching now and she answered his silent and tender question.

And they kissed, softly at first, both caught in the wonderful realisation of the sensation of what they were doing was shared and vivid for them both, and once the reply to the question had been answered the kiss expanded into more, a much deeper kiss.

And then the light flickered back on, pulsing at first in rapid beats before fully regaining power and brightness.

"Oh" Laura said as the room illuminated, a blush and a smile on her face which turned into a self-conscious laugh as they pulled away from the kiss. She looked down, avoiding his eyes briefly. Robbie followed suit for a second but then their eyes met and she knew there was no mistaking what he was feeling.

"I've not got the wrong end of the stick, have I?" Robbie said. A brief shadow of doubt had crossed his mind

Laura laughed softly and put her hand on his chest, just like the night before but this time with a slow and unmistakable sensuality that was at the same time full of reassurance

"No. No you haven't" she said, shaking her head as her hand caressed him with a clear message to him of how she felt. But then her expression changed to something more intense and an almost worried look crossed her face

"I haven't got the wrong end of the stick either, have I?" She said, and it was her turn to doubt what had just happened

"No, not at all" he said quickly, to reassure her; with his face momentarily concerned before he too laughed at their shared nervousness, which despite perhaps being inevitable, quickly became a feeling that seemed to be fading in strength with each second.

Laura laughed back with him, at the wonderful simplicity of things, understanding both the emotion and the levity of their new found situation

"Good" she said and her hand caressed his chest again

"Robbie"

"Mmm?"

"Don't sleep down here tonight, come and keep me warm" Her eyes shone with an intensity that took his breath away and he felt his heart thud as he looked at her

"You'll keep me warm" he said softly, his expression serious again and he grasped her fingers which were still resting on his chest. It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded "Always" she said.

And she pulled him in for another kiss and in the stove the last but substantial remains of a log burst into a final cloud of tiny sparks before catching the heat and igniting into a roll of flames.

there is now a standalone chapter that links this one to the next. It's called A Winter's Night and it is of course rated M. You will find it on my profile page if it's not showing up on the archive.

ML x