March 2018
The last few weeks had been challenging, she had been so worried about the possibility of bumping into Dec at work, she had become somewhat aloof. Smithy attempted to get her engaged in cases but she was constantly worried her path would cross with her tormentor. Everyone was talking about her, she could feel people whispering every time she walked through a door, weighing up if she was telling the truth or if she was ruining Declan's life. Smithy had gone out of his way to protect her, as had Jo and even Callum. Neil had kept his word and had her and Dec on different shifts but she was still frightened with every moment she was there. She had been sat at Smithy's desk playing tetris, she had paperwork to complete and she had been avoiding it, she hated sitting at a computer typing. Smithy was in a meeting, Smithy was always in meetings, she knew he loved his job but he hated meetings. She switched the screen to her paperwork as he entered the room. "How's the meeting?" she asked
"I swear, meetings will be the death of me, just the boredom of it"
"Not as exciting as out there nicking the criminals"
"Nothing is"
"You clearly need to get out more Smithy, or in with the right bird"
"Clearly" he winked at her. The knock on the open door pulled both their attention to Callum.
"Gov, you got a minute" he asked. Smithy nodded and left the room with the sergeant. Stevie glanced over her case notes for what felt like the hundredth time, even though she hadn't so much as glanced at them in the last hour.
"Cheers mate" Smithy spoke before entering the room and closing the door "Stevie" he started and she looked to him, he had a worried expression on his face. "The local paper has ran a story on you and Declan"
"What?"
"He has done a story about force claims and gas lighting" Stevie remained silent, he took her hand, "Callum has said it don't name you but anyone who knows him"
"They will guess it's me" she whispered
"Yeah, they will darling"
"Okay"
"What do you want to do?"
"There is nothing I can do Smithy, everyone is already whispering about me anyway, so I may as well just get on with my paperwork"
"You Stevie Moss, never cease to amaze me" he kissed her forehead "You really are an incredible woman and that lying bastard can't take that away from you"
"Thanks Smithy" she responded, tears watering in her eyes "I better get this paper work finished and I'm pretty sure you have another meeting"
"Oh the joy" he laughed as he walked to the door. She flicked the screen back to tetris and continued with the game. "Don't beat my high score" his voice sounded the room as he disappeared. She let out a slight giggle before continuing with the game.
The day had passed quickly enough but Stevie had been so worried about the newspaper article that she had hidden herself away more so than usual, not even venturing to the canteen for lunch. When Smithy had alerted her to the fact it was home time, she had been thrilled. They had planned to go to Andy and Lexi's for a takeaway and although she could easily crawl into bed and cry, she knew it was a good idea to go. She had put on a pair of white jeans and a purple jumper, it wasn't her glammed up but once she had put on a little make up, she looked good. She knocked and pushed open the bedroom door "Smithy, I'm" her words come to an abrupt end as she took in his naked body. He quickly grabbed the towel from the bed and wrapped it round his waist, to cover his dignity, his chest was smooth and defined, he clearly worked out, his muscles were firm, she wanted to reach out and touch them. He had a tattoo over the left side of his chest and abdomen, she would guess it was an army tattoo.
"Stevie" his voice pulled her focus back to his eyes. He had a cheeky smirk covering his face and she swallowed hard as she attempted to recompose herself "Did you want something?"
"Yeah, erm, I'm ready to go"
"So I see, you look beautiful"
"Thanks" she replied as her eyes drifted back down his body
"Did you want anything else Stevie?"
"No" she replied but still remained, watching his muscles move as he took each breath
"Well, I am a big boy Stevie, I can usually manage to dress myself"
"Of course" her cheeks flushed a deep red, she could feel the heat of them "Sorry" she turned and headed quickly from the room.
They had walked the short distance to their friends house, he had chatted about work, she had been distracted, thinking about his body, in fact she couldn't stop thinking about his naked body. Arriving at the door, he knocked and frowned down at her "You okay? You seem quiet?" he asked.
"Yeah" she responded, dragging out the word as an attempt to keep it going until the door opened, no such luck. She took a look down his body and it clearly hadn't gone unnoticed as her eyes returned to his after a few long moments, he had a huge grin across his features "What?" she asked
"You not get a good enough look earlier?"
"It's not that, I was looking to see what you were wearing"
"Course you were Stevie"
"Fine" she giggled "I was checking you out, happy?"
"Yeah actually, I am" he laughed before leaning towards her, his lips only a few centimetres from hers, his hand moving into her hair.
The door opened and he stepped back from her quickly as Andy began to chat about taking so long to open the door, Smithy gave her a smile as they stepped inside and their evening continued, their near kiss forgotten.
The evening had been fun, Stevie had enjoyed time with Lexi and watching Smithy and Andy chatting away. Smithy was tipsy and clearly the last beer was one too many. They had walked home, well he had stumbled and had both flumped on to the sofa. He sighed as he finally made eye contact "So" he began "Don't think I haven't noticed you flirting with me all evening"
"You were flirting too" she replied.
"We decided this wasn't a good idea"
"No Smithy, you decided" he gently moved her hair from behind her ear. He leant forward and his lips gently pressed against hers, he began to apply pressure and she relaxed under the tender touch of him, his hand playing in her hair. The loud bang on the door startled them both, he pulled away and looked at the clock, she followed his eye line. It was gone 11 and Stevie felt her heart beat faster "Smithy" she whispered, clearly startled, he smiled and pecked her forehead
"It's fine, I'll go and see who it is". He disappeared and she opened the app on her phone but only just in time to see the door close, she moved to the living room door. Smithy appeared a few seconds later with Neil in tow "Stevie, let's sit down"
"What is it? What's happened?" she asked as she moved to the sofa.
"Stevie" Neil began as he rested down next to her. Smithy leant onto the arm of the chair behind her "Declan has made an official complaint"
"About me?"
"Yes, defamation of character, we will be completing an internal investigation"
"Seriously?" she asked "He has made a complaint about me"
"He has also taken legal advice, you may well get served with a court summons"
"What do I do now?" she asked
"Stevie, I wonder if we should try mediation?" Neil asked
"You want me to sit in a room and talk things through with the man who has made my life a living hell"
"It may help, just think about it. I'll show myself out. Goodnight"
They both said goodnight and Smithy moved next to her on the sofa "It's going to be okay Stevie"
"How? How is this okay Smithy? My life will never be the same again"
"Stevie, I promise you, I'll make things right for you, I will do whatever it takes to make this right for you" he kissed her forehead "Stevie, it will be okay".
Hope you enjoyed
