The next couple of weeks went quickly for the new couple. Any time they weren't working they would be at one of their flats. They usually spent the night at the person who managed to leave work the earliest or who had the day off. Gradually, belongings were moved between both abodes so that each contained a good selection of personal stuff for both Steve and Kate and they could happily stay at either flat. They were basically living together but in two apartments.

Apart from Steve's parents, they hadn't told anyone about their relationship in case things hadn't worked out. Now that they had decided to officially become a couple they knew they should finally go public with their romance. Letting MIT know was fairly easy as no one on the team knew Steve. The more scary prospect was informing AC-12 that they were now a couple. They knew both Steve and Kate and there had always been office gossip that the two might have been more than friends when they had worked together.

Steve and Kate faced up to the challenge though and decided that a regular Friday evening trip to the pub that AC-12 still did regularly would be the best way to do it. A lot of people would find out in one go rather than only a few and then the news spreading.

The evening they decided to do the deed, Kate was hoping she would spot Steve as soon as she entered the pub. Unfortunately it didn't happen as he was away from the table that AC-12 had commandeered for the night. The gaffer however recognised the familiar face and waved her over. They hadn't said many words to each other since Kate had left AC-12 so it was a little bit awkward. Her old friends made room for her around the table as she took a seat. "Nice to see you, Kate," Ted said. "How's MIT treating you?".

"Not too bad," Kate replied cautiously.

"I didn't know you would be coming this evening,".

"Steve invited me. Is that ok?" Kate replied, instantly on the defensive.

"Of course," Ted said. "It's going to be quite the night. Steve's told us he's invited his new girlfriend along as well to meet us," he continued, trying to sound friendlier. "Have you met her?".

"Err," was all Kate could say as she wondered how to answer that question whilst wondering where the hell Steve had got to.

"Between you and me," the gaffer went on conspiratorially to Kate, "she's actually done him the world of good. He's matured wonderfully in to his DI rank and he's back to his enthusiastic self," Ted observed. Kate was pleased that people thought she was good for Steve. She hoped that Ted would feel the same when he knew she was the new girlfriend they were talking about. "Tell us what you think of her,".

"That's a bit difficult," Kate answered.

"Why's that then?".

"Because I'm Steve's girlfriend," Kate announced.

The gaffer was a little embarrassed at his faux pas but quickly recovered. "That actually makes sense," he revealed. Now that he thought about it, Steve was back to how he was when he had been partnered with Kate. She was obviously keeping him in line like she had before.

"Are you happy for us, sir?" Kate asked.

"Steven, why didn't you say it was Kate you were seeing?" Ted asked, ignoring Kate's difficult question as he caught sight of Steve approaching the table with Chloe. "I've just put my large foot right in it again,".

"You've told them?" Steve asked Kate as he took a seat beside her

"It came up," Kate answered.

"Am I missing something?" Chloe asked as she took her seat the other side of Steve.

"This is my girlfriend, Kate," Steve informed his DC.

"Nice to meet you," Chloe said as she extended her hand to Kate.

"You too," Kate said as she shook Chloe's hand.

"Sorry for interrupting your first date," Chloe apologised.

"That's ok," Kate replied. She had long since forgotten about it.

"We also used to be partners here at AC-12," Steve told Chloe.

"Oh," Chloe said. "You're that Kate. I've heard a lot about you," she exclaimed. Lots of people had told her about Kate Fleming when she had started at AC-12. She had no idea that was who Steve was dating.

Kate looked aghast, wondering what exactly Chloe had been told about her. She looked at Steve to see if he knew. He just shrugged his shoulders. "That sounds ominous," Kate said.

"Don't worry. People really liked you," Chloe informed Kate.

"Hope they still do," she said.

"I definitely do," Steve said as he put an arm around his girlfriend.


It wasn't just work that Steve and Kate told about their new relationship. "We should probably introduce you to Josh," Kate mused out loud one weekend as they lay in bed.

"Yeah?" Steve replied. He'd been thinking the same thing but Josh wasn't his son and therefore he'd decided to take Kate's lead on the matter.

"Yeah. Now that we know this isn't just some fling it's probably the right time,".

"Ok. When do you have him next?".

"This weekend. You want to do it then?".

"I've got three tickets reserved for the home football match this Saturday. Do you think he would like to go?".

"Err...yeah!" Kate replied. "How did you manage that?".

"Been thinking about this a while," Steve revealed. "Maybe a burger or something afterwards,".

"You bribing him into liking you?".

"I want him to like me," Steve replied. "I can't see us working out if he doesn't,".

"He will," Kate said, encouragingly as she stroked his arm.

The weekend arrived and Mark dropped Josh off as per usual. Steve wasn't there. Kate was going to tell Josh about him by herself. She thought it best to talk with Josh alone so he didn't feel ambushed.

"What are we going to do today, Mum?" Josh asked as he helped himself to a glass of milk.

"What about going to watch the match?".

"Seriously?" Josh asked excitedly.

"Yeah," Kate replied, glad to see Josh seemed very happy about what Steve had chosen to do at the moment . "My friend Steve got us the tickets,".

"Steve who you spent Christmas with?".

"Yeah," Kate answered. "Is it ok if he joins us?" she asked preparing to tell Josh she was in a relationship with Steve.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, I suppose he is," Kate eventually replied. It seemed a bit childish to call Steve that but that was what he was. "Is that ok?".

""I suppose so. Dad has Jackie,".

"Can he come over here now? Steve would like to meet you before the match,".

"Ok," Josh agreed.

"I think he's a bit nervous so you'll be nice won't you?". Josh just nodded. Truth was, he was a bit nervous about meeting Steve as well. Kate quickly gave Steve a text to let him know it was safe for him to come over and it wasn't long before she heard a soft knock at the front door.

"How did it go?" Steve asked anxiously as he stepped in to the hallway.

"He sort of guessed," Kate confessed in a whisper.

"Is he ok?".

"Think so. He likes the idea of going to the match," Kate revealed and Steve smiled.

"Mum!" Kate heard Josh shout from another room. "Are we going to go? The match starts soon,".

"Come and say hello to Steve and we will be on our way," Kate instructed.

"You finished kissing Steve?".

"We weren't kissing!" Kate hollered back.

"You sure? I don't like seeing Jackie kissing Dad. It's gross,".

"I'm sure," Kate replied, trying not to think of her ex and his girlfriend kissing in front of their son. "Get your coat and come and say hi,".

They didn't have to wait long before Josh shyly appeared in the hallway.

"Alright, mate?" Steve said, suddenly also shy at meeting Kate's son.

"Hi," Josh replied quietly.

Not knowing how to greet a child, Steve stuck his hand out and Josh gave it a half hearted shake. "Shall we get going?" Steve asked. "Kick off's in an hour,".

The threesome took Steve's car to a car park nearer the stadium before joining the other throngs of fans as they made their pilgrimage to the football ground.

The seats Steve got were behind the goal and Josh was very impressed. He thoroughly enjoyed the first half, made even better by his team being ahead at half time. Steve went to get them all a drink and Kate took the opportunity to speak to Josh privately.

"Good game isn't it?" she asked, knowing her sons answer already. She herself had been entertained by the match so far as well.

"Yeah!" Said Josh, still buzzing with excitement.

"You like Steve?".

"Yeah," Josh replied. He and Steve had discussed tactics throughout the game so far and they seemed to be getting along. "At least he's not all over you like Jackie is with Dad,".

"You don't like that?" Kate asked, making a note to speak to Mark about it at some point soon.

Josh shook his head. "It's embarrassing when we are out," he admitted. "Holding hands is ok. I don't mind if you and Steve do that when I'm with you," he confided. He had noticed that his mother and Steve had kept apart whilst they had walked to the match.

"Ok," Kate replied.

Steve returned with their drinks just before the second half commenced. It was a good day for Steve and Josh as their team continued their winning streak and won 2-0. "Celebratory burger?" Steve asked after the final whistle.

"Yes!" Josh agreed. His mum didn't often let him have one and he wasn't going to pass up on the opportunity.

"Yes, what?" Kate prompted.

"Yes, please," Josh corrected his previous answer.

The trio headed to the nearest burger restaurant, Kate slipping her hand in to Steve's as they walked. "Josh said it's ok," she whispered when Steve looked shocked at her minor display of affection.


"Steve, can you play FIFA?" Josh asked once they were back at Kates. His mum was rubbish at computer games but maybe her new boyfriend would be better.

"A little bit," Steve replied. He and his football team occasionally played computer games when they met up socially.

"Wanna play a game?" He asked.

Steve looked at Kate who nodded her assent. "Yeah. I'd like that mate,".

Soon the two boys were sat on the floor in front of the TV. Kate left them to bond whilst she went and prepared their evening meal. She was very happy that the day had gone so well.

"How's it going?" Kate asked as she entered the room a bit later.

"Steve's better than you, Mum," Josh declared, "but he's still rubbish,".

"Cheers, mate," Steve said in reply to Josh's rather blunt assessment of his computer skills. The boy was correct however. He'd just been beaten in every game they played.

"How about a break whilst we eat?" Kate suggested.

"Ok," Josh agreed. He was hungry all the time.

The trio had a lovely meal and evening together before Josh went to bed. "You gonna stay the night?" Kate asked once they were alone.

"You think Josh will be alright with that?".

"Yeah. Jackie stays over with Mark," Kate pointed out.

Ok then," Steve agreed.

"Pyjama bottoms?" Kate queried as she saw what Steve was wearing to bed. He usually slept in the nude. They both did. Tonight he was wearing something on his bottom half but his chest was bare.

"Yeah. I don't feel comfortable wearing nothing with Josh here," Steve said, blushing.

"Didn't realise you were a bit of a prude," Kate retorted.

"I'm not!" Steve replied as he got in to bed. "Maybe when I know him better,".

"Does that go for sex as well?" Kate asked as she joined Steve under the covers. She had taken his lead and put a camisole top on with three quarter length pyjama bottoms.

"For the time being," Steve answered as he gathered Kate in to his arms. He had no problem with them sleeping in each other's arms. Kate took his face in her hands and gave him a kiss. "What was that for?".

"Putting such thought in to today and making it such a success," Kate said. "Josh likes you,".

"He does?".

"Yeah. I asked him at half time and again at bedtime,".

"That's good," Steve said, greatly relieved Josh wouldn't become an obstacle to his relationship with Kate.

"Told you you were good with kids," Kate said as she settled down and rested her head on Steve's chest. It wasn't long before she was snoozing.

Steve however wasn't so lucky and lay staring at the ceiling, one arm still around Kate whilst the other was tucked under his head. He was thinking about how much he had enjoyed the day. He'd never dated women with kids before, it being far too much of a commitment for him, but he'd really enjoyed spending time with Josh today. He found himself dreaming about days with his own kids and how fun they could be.

A movement at the door disturbed him. Josh poked his head through the door. "Mum!" He whispered.

Steve lifted his head off his pillow. "Sorry mate. She's asleep. Can I help?".

"Is there a spare blanket? I'm cold," Josh said.

"Let me get you one," Steve whispered as he slowly got out of bed, being careful not to wake Kate. He was glad he had put his pyjama bottoms on as Josh stayed in the room. He picked up his hoodie that was lying over the back of a stuffed chair Kate had in the bedroom and followed Josh out the room. He knew Kate kept blankets in a cupboard in the bathroom and went there before joining Josh in his bedroom. It was freezing. "Jeez, it is cold in here," Steve noticed as soon as he entered.

He placed the blanket over the top of Josh's duvet and then went to the radiator to see if he could find out why it was so cold. It wasn't hard to work out. The dial was on 1. He remembered that Kate had turned it low one weekend as the room wasn't in use. She must have forgotten to turn it up with Josh in it. He moved the dial up to 4. "That should be better," Steve said. The room would definitely warm up in the morning when the heating next came on. "Fancy a hot chocolate to warm yourself up?" Steve offered.

"Really?" Josh asked.

"I make quite a nice one according to your mum," Steve continued.

"She doesn't let me have hot chocolate after I've brushed my teeth," Josh replied.

"Well just brush them again after you've finished your drink," Steve suggested, conspiratorially, hoping Kate would forgive him for teaching her son bad habits.

"Ok," Josh said happily as he followed Steve to the kitchen and listened as Steve imparted his knowledge on how to make the best hot chocolate ever.

"The secret is full fat milk, some plain chocolate as well as cocoa. I'm going to just heat the chocolate up in the microwave a bit, " Steve explained before pressing the start button on the appliance.

Kate awoke to an empty bed and voices in the kitchen. For some reason she thought she heard the microwave going as well. She checked the clock on the bedside table. 1:30am. Why the hell was the microwave being used at this time of night? She got out of bed and put her dressing gown on before heading to the kitchen. She found Josh on a bar stool in the kitchen, watching Steve who was stirring something over the hob. "What's going on?" Kate asked.

Steve and Josh looked up at the interruption. Josh instantly fearing a telling off from his mother.

"Josh's room is freezing. We forgot to turn the radiator up," Steve said and Kate immediately realised he was right. She felt awful. "I was treating Josh to my hot chocolate to warm him up,".

"Is there enough for me?" Kate asked as she took an empty seat next to Josh. If her boys were up she might as well join them. "And get the marshmallows and whipped cream out," she instructed Steve with a smile at her son. She had noticed they were missing from the ingredients out on the side and that was a crime.