Potentially awkward subject matter but when canon decides to contradict what you've got in your head, the only sane response is to decide that canon's wrong!

CHAPTER ONE

Sky paused in the door and looked back at her wife. "You sure you're going to be okay on your own?"

Lana let out a light laugh. "I have been left on my own before."

"Yeah, I know that,"Sky confirmed. "I guess I'm mainly worrying about leaving the kids here. I mean, Grandad and Dylan will be popping round…"

"Don't you trust me with them?" Lana said it jokingly but Sky had a worrying feeling she'd hurt her feelings.

"Of course I trust you,"Sky assured her. "I just don't want to assume."

Lana took Sky's hand. "We're married now, remember? That means your children are part of my family. Besides, Kerry pretty much looks after herself."

"Not as much as she thinks she does,"Sky corrected. "And Scotty definitely doesn't. Claire's only five!"

"I've got this,"Lana said firmly.

Sky let herself relaxed. "Yeah, of course. And they like you and like I said…"

"I've got Dylan and Harold's numbers if I need them,"Lana finished for her.

Sky gave her a hug. "Love you."

"Enjoy the conference,"Lana told her.

"Right." As Sky headed off, she tried to ignore the intense pang of guilt about her lie.

Sky found the place easily. It was, after all, one they'd used before, on the outskirts of Cairns. She pulled into the hotel car park and found a parking space before heading inside. A brightly smiling receptionist greeted her. "Can I help you?"

"My name's Sky Mangel,"she explained. "I have a table booking for this evening."

The receptionist checked her computer screen. "Yes, of course, it's this way."

"Has my companion arrived yet?"Sky checked as she followed the woman to the restaurant.

"Yes, he's been waiting a short while."

Sky didn't need anyone to tell her which table it was. It was the one Boyd was standing at. He smiled as she approached. "Hi, Detective."

"Hi, Doctor,"she responded, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Gosh, we sound like grown-ups, don't we?"

"Yeah, somewhere along the way I think that happened." They took their seats and Boyd glanced at the receptionist. "Can we have a moment before we order?"

"Yes, of course, just signal the restaurant staff when you're ready."

Sky noticed Boyd already had a beer. "Can I have a white wine while we're deciding?"

"Yes, I'll send one over to you."

Sky studied the menu for a moment before looking back at Boyd. "Did I tell you I was back in Erinsborough a few months ago?"

Boyd nodded. "Well, I saw your announcements. A wedding and a murder investigation, you know how to mix it up."

"Mmm. Not entirely successful. My cousin Jane's back living there now though, so I get more updates."

"Yeah, I haven't heard much since Steph moved away again. Did you really arrest Karl and Susan's niece?"

They ate and chatted, until finally the meal came to an end and they were handed the bill. Sky glanced at the amount. "Go dutch?"she asked.

"Like always,"Boyd confirmed. The waitress set the card reader up to take half the amount and they both tapped it. The waitress smiled and left them alone.

Sky looked across at Boyd. "So…have you booked us a room?"

Boyd hesitated. "I wasn't sure if I should."

"We always have before."

"You've never been married before."

It was a good point, Sky had to admit. But it wasn't something she felt like thinking about at that moment. "But you did?"

Boyd obviously gave up on playing coy. "Yes. In case."

Sky got up, pulled Boyd to his feet and kissed him. "Good,"she confirmed. "Let's go."