"Welcome back Jim..." Polly chirruped as he stomped right past. "How was the..." Jim looked at her with a glare that could curdle water.
June glanced round and looked away quickly. A few moments later, she turned around again and looked at him for longer
Jim turned his computer on. He opened a drawer in his desk, got something out and then slammed it shut.
June looked round again, telling him off with a glance. He shrugged. Polly wandered over to June's desk. "What's up wiv 'im?"
"Probably upset cos he's had to get out of bed and come here."
"People usually come back from their holiday relaxed... specially when it's their honeymoon." Polly hiked an eyebrow.
"Would you if you'd been away with Marie?"
"Well...you may have a point. You don't think it's going wrong, already, do ya? They've only been married two weeks."
"I suppose I should go and talk to him... welcome him back..."
"Careful, you might get your head bitten off." Polly warned her. June picked up some files from her desk, stood, holding them against her chest and wandered over to the still fuming Jim, who was banging his mouse against the desk, trying to get it to work.
"Careful... you'll break it."
"Stupid thing... why can't I just use a pen like we used to?" He flung the mouse against the desk.
"You know why." June sighed. "Can I put these down on your desk or are they likely to fly across the room too?" She gestured at the folders.
"Whatever." Jim looked up at her through the corner of his eye.
"Well if they do - you're the one picking it all up." She dumped them down.
Jim shrugged, swivelled his chair so he could look out of the window at the rain that cascaded down it.
"Missing the sunshine?"
"It was too hot."
"So you're glad to be back in grey Sun Hill then?"
"Yeah, it's great." Jim picked up a pencil and began to bend it.
"You'll snap it." June cringed in anticipation.
"It's only a pencil." Jim fumed, flinging it, too, at the desk.
"Watch out Pol. The monitor's likely to follow." June lowered her voice, crouching down beside Jim. "You sure you're ok?"
Jim looked down at her sadly. "What do you care?" He made to stand.
"Of course I care."
"What was the last thing you said to me, to call you Sergeant Ackland?" Jim pushed past her. "You made your feelings pretty damn clear, Sarge."
"Well if you're going to be like that..." She moved over to her own desk shaking her head.
Jim stopped halfway to the door. "Don't YOU start." He said, not turning around.
"What have I done?" June looked up
"Criticising. That's all I ever get."
"I haven't said anything." June shot an exasperated look at Polly.
"No, you never DO, do you?" Jim spun around to face her.
June sighed, refusing to look up and started typing on her computer.
"I wish I'd never come back." Jim mumbled.
"What's up Jim?" Polly looked up from her pile of paperwork.
"Nothing. I'm sorry." Jim wandered back to his desk. As he moved past her, Polly spotted a lone tear snaking down his cheek.
"June..." Polly hissed, nodding towards Jim.
"What can I do?" June hissed back, shrugging. She turned her chair to regard Jim, who was rubbing his eye like a tired little boy.
"We've got to do something."
June sighed. "Jim... I think we should talk in private."
"Whatever." He shrugged. "Now?"
"Well, yes..." June rolled her eyes. She trotted to the side room, waiting impatiently as Jim mooched towards her. As he stepped into the room, she shut the door behind them. "I don't think you're in a fit state to work today."
"I'm fine..."
"Don't start that." June snapped. "I know you, remember."
"So you keep saying."
"If you wish your holiday wasn't over, fine, take another couple of days and come back in a better frame of mind."
"There's nothing WRONG with my frame of mind."
"Oh, no?!" June stared at him, her hands on her hips. "Then why are you hell bent on destroying half of the CSU?"
He shrugged, looking steadfastly at the carpet.
"What am I going to do with you, Jim Carver." June shook her head and sat down.
"Just leave me be."
"Not if you're going to be like this. How is anyone expected to work with you with an attitude like this?"
"I'm not asking anyone to work with me. Just let me get on with it." He slumped down opposite June.
"The work of the CSU is dealing with vulnerable, scared people. I'm not letting you anywhere near any member of the public while you're like this. Now either shape up or go home."
Jim buried his head in his hands. "Can't you leave me alone for one day?"
"I'm your Sergeant. And you may or may not believe it but I do ca....worry about you."
"Just get off my back." He yelled.
"Jim!" June got to her feet. "I will not tolerate this! Do you WANT to be suspended?"
"I don't care." Jim muttered. "You'll do what YOU want anyway."
"And he calls me the selfish one." June rolled her eyes.
"That's right get at Jim. I can never do anything right where you're concerned can I?"
"How do you EXPECT me to feel?" June stepped closer to him. "Come on, tell me, I want to know. How do you EXPECT me to feel after you've broken my heart not once but OVER and OVER again?"
"Back to this again. You never stop do you?" He shouted. "Me, me, me... well I've had enough." He stood and crossed the room slamming the office door behind him so hard that the walls shook.
June flung the door open just as Jim was heading toward the doors. "It's pretty obvious you and I cannot work together any more."
"If you'd let it go there would be no problem." He slammed the CSU doors into the wall as he stormed through.
"FINE!" June yelled after him. "I'll let it go. But you're suspended for a week - I will not tolerate being spoken to in such a fashion!"
"Whatever!"
"And when you come back you can clear your desk!"
Jim stopped. "Sure you wouldn't prefer it if I did it now?"
"Do what you like." June seethed. "Just get out of my sight."
"Sarge!" Polly hissed.
"I've had enough, Pol!" June looked at her. "I've had...." She sobbed, and ran from the room, her hand clasped to her mouth.
"June..." Polly stood frozen for a moment, then gave chase.
Jim watched them, the wandered back into the CSU and back to his desk. He sat down and placed his head in his hands.
***
Polly ran into the ladies toilets, just in time to hear a cubicle door slam. "June... you shouldn't let him get to you..."
"Either he goes or I do." June sobbed from inside the cubicle.
"Surely it's not come to this..."
"Are you going to open the door?"
There was a moment's silence, then the lock slid open and June emerged. "I'm tired of this... crying in the toilets."
Polly hugged her then stepped back. "You're way above this June... I'm going to give him a piece of my mind... I saw him sloping back into CSU."
June shook her head. "There's something wrong with him, Polly."
"He shouldn't talk to you like that... shouldn't talk to anyone like that."
"No... he's not right..." June wiped at her face and shook her head.
"He obviously doesn't want to talk... still doesn't excuse his behaviour though."
"I know... but... oh... why am I bothering?" June regarded her reflection in the mirror. "I think... it's time I left."
"I won't let you do that... If anyone should go its him." Polly placed her hand on June's shoulder. "Promise me you won't do anything rash."
"I'm just tired, Pol." She sighed. "When I'm in here, or when he was away, I could be rational. Thought I could move on... but, as soon as I see him..."
"He doesn't deserve you June... After what he said to you today, I'd be surprised if you'd even look at him."
"Even after all of this, the pull is so strong. It's like... like I'm addicted to him."
"Reckon there's a Jim Carver Anonymous group out there somewhere?" Polly smiled.
"It's not funny, Pol, it wears me out. I just..." She placed a hand to her chest. "I ache for him. I've never felt like this before."
"You'll get through this, I got over Dave didn't I?"
"Dave left." June turned on the tap, splashed her face with water. "Out of sight...."
"And didn't you just sack Jim..."
"I don't want him to leave..."
"Maybe it'd be for the best."
"If he left, moved away, I'd never know..."
"Never know what June?"
"If him and Marie are going to make it. If she's the one for him...or if I..."
"Don't torture yourself... I 'ate him for what he's done to you... I'm going to give him a piece of my mind." Polly headed for the door.
"No, Polly, don't!" June ran towards her. "Please don't hurt him more...."
"After what he's done to you? He needs to hear some home truths June..." She carried on along the corridor.
"No... Polly..." June called after her. But it was too late, Polly had reached the CSU, the double doors flapping behind her. June leaned up against the wall and sighed loudly, placing a hand to her aching head.
***
"I hope you're satisfied with yourself..." Polly hissed at Jim. "Do you know what you've done to her? Do you even care?"
"Just leave me alone, Pol." Jim had his fingers pinched on the bridge of his nose.
"She's been crying over you again. The way you spoke to her today was disgusting... she's supposed to be your friend."
"I asked her to leave me alone, she wouldn't stop digging away."
"She was concerned about you... more fool her."
"Nice to know someone is." Jim rolled his eyes.
"Like you care." Polly sat down at her desk, her back to Jim. "She's talking about leaving Sun Hill you know."
"So is my wife." Jim said flatly.
"What?" Polly stopped and spun round in her chair. "What did you say?"
"Marie wants us to move away from Sun Hill."
"Would suit June right now..." Polly snorted. "You don't want to go I take it?"
"Of course I don't." Jim snapped.
"Where does she want to move to?"
"She wants to be closer to her family."
"Where is that then?"
"Liverpool."
"Ah." Polly said mutely. "So this is what all *this* has been about then?"
"Marie's made my mind up for me. I was supposed to tell June today, hand in my notice."
"But you thought you'd do your best to get yourself sacked instead... you've really upset June this time."
"I didn't mean to. I was alright until... I saw her."
"I think you should be telling her this... not me. Have you calmed down now?"
"Tell June that... she's the one in tears over your behaviour."
"She'll never listen. Maybe it's best I do go."
"If she didn't care would she be crying? Talk to her Jim..." Polly shook her head. "The pair of you are *so* stubborn."
"It's too hard... I'm married, but...." He shook his head. "I'm not supposed to love someone else as much as I love June."
"You're telling the wrong person Jim... go find June..." Polly sighed. "She was outside in the corridor."
"Thanks Pol." Jim stood and headed to the doors. June hadn't moved, and looked up as Jim came through the doors and stood, gazing at her.
"Calmed down have you?" She sighed, looking up at him with damp eyes.
"Yeah... I'm sorry. Will you let me explain?"
"I suppose I owe you that much." June shrugged.
"Come on." Jim pushed open the door. June followed him into the side room.
"So..." She sighed shutting the door behind them. "What was that little outburst all about? Or did you just feel like destroying CSU?"
"I'm sorry, I've just been... tense these last few days. If anything's damaged I'll take full responsibility for it."
"I think the budget will stretch to a pencil... not sure about a mouse though." She smiled, sinking down onto the sofa. "So tell me what's going on."
"This... is what's going on." He reached round to the back of his jeans and pulled out a crumpled envelope. He passed it to her. "Read it."
June took the letter from him and ripped open the envelope, squinting at the text on the page. "My glasses are in the other room..." She smiled, her face falling as the words sunk in. "Jim... you're resigning?"
Jim shrugged. "Yeah, I suppose I am." He sighed and slumped down into the chair opposite her.
"Are you going to tell me why?" She swallowed, biting her bottom lip nervously.
"Marie wants to move back to Liverpool to be near her mum. She hasn't been well."
"Ahhh... but you don't want to."
"I don't have much choice, do I? Marie's made that abundantly clear. Doesn't seem to matter that Marie's one of seven kids and any one of them is more than capable of taking care of her mum..."
"I can understand why she wants to be up there... but marriage is a partnership... surely she can see you're unhappy."
"I don't think she can see anything past herself." Jim sighed, swivelled round on the chair aimlessly. "She sprung this on me halfway through the honeymoon."
"Lovely..." June rolled her eyes. "I take it you don't have any choice in this either." She waved the letter.
"No. I can hardly commute from Liverpool, can I? She wants me to quit the police, do something safer." Jim rolled his eyes.
"She won't let you transfer?"
"No. She wants me to get an office job or something... I don't know."
"You wouldn't last five minutes in an office... I don't know what to say Jim."
"What can you say? I got myself into this mess."
"You fell in love..." June shrugged.
"Did I?" Jim took back the letter and began to fold it into a paper aeroplane.
"You did... I take it you're retracting your resignation." She watched as he threw the plane and it looped and nose-dived into the carpet.
"She's set on going." Jim shrugged. "I know when you get married you're supposed to make some sacrifices, I just never expected that I would be the one to have to make all of them."
"Have you tried talking to her?"
"What do you think I've been doing the last week?"
"Don't snap at me Jim..." June shook her head. "Surely she can see how unhappy this is making you?"
"I really don't think she can." Jim sighed. "She just doesn't understand... when I try to explain I get "you don't love me" or "you just want to stay with..." Jim came to a halt.
"With?"
"With... you."
"Ah. She thinks something's going on between us?" June snorted.
"She's jealous. And insecure."
"Well I'm certainly no threat."
Jim didn't reply, just shrugged and ducked his eyes away.
"There's something you're not telling me... out with it."
"It's nothing."
"It's obviously bothering you."
"Her mum isn't the only reason she wants us to move away. She is pathologically jealous of you, June. She wants to know that... there's no chance... and the only way she can be sure is by putting 200 miles between us."
"Do you want me to tell her that there's no chance of anything happening between us?"
"She won't believe you."
"It'd be the truth." June looked away.
"I guess it would." Jim sighed deeply.
"Surely she can tell that you love her... you're married to her after all."
Jim shook his head and placed his head in his hands.
"Jim..." June turned to him. "There's something else isn't there?"
"What is it they say, you made your bed, you've got to lie in it? I guess I deserve all of this. I didn't listen to you and I didn't listen to myself."
"I don't understand Jim."
"There's nothing to understand, it's too late." Jim stood, headed to the door, picking up the letter as he went. He got to the door, turned and handed it back to June. "I'll work out my notice."
"Jim..." June sighed as the door slammed. She watched him as he headed back to his desk, then buried her head in her hands.
***
Two days later, June pulled up outside Jim and Marie's house. Jim's mood had not improved over the last two days, he was silent and elusive, refusing to be drawn on anything personal. He had no idea she was here, and she sucked in a breath as she walked down the path and rang the doorbell.
"Marie..." June forced herself to smile. "Can we talk?"
"What about?" Marie opened the door reluctantly to let her enter. "Is Jim alright?"
"Not really..."
"Yeah, well, we have had... words." Marie shrugged. "But that's between me and him."
"I don't mean to pry... he's just not been himself."
"Yeah, I suppose you'd know that better than me, wouldn't you." Marie snapped. "Is this about our moving away?"
"He's made it clear to me he doesn't want to go..."
"I bet he has. But he knows my reasons."
"And I understand that..." June sat down on the sofa. "But can't you see what this is doing to him?"
"He'll adjust."
"I'm not so sure... he doesn't cope well with change."
"Well, he'll have to learn, the decision has been made."
"But who made it?" June muttered. "Marriage is supposed to be a partnership Marie... give and take in equal measures..."
"I didn't make him write his resignation letter you know."
"Did you give him a choice?"
"He agreed, in the end, that it's for the best." Marie looked away.
"Best for who? Jim or you?"
"Both of us." Marie snapped. Then she looked back at June. "Why are you doing this?"
"He's the best officer I've got... he's a friend. I hate seeing him like this."
"There's more to it than that and you know it." Marie spat.
"There is nothing at all between Jim and me."
"Are you sure about that? If there's nothing, what difference can his moving away make?"
"He's nothing more than a friend, believe me." June shook her head. "I just don't like seeing him hurt."
"Then stop trying to come between him and his wife! God, why do you think I want him away from here!" Marie got to her feet and began to pace.
"So it's all down to me is it?" June snapped. "Using your mother as an excuse?"
"I would never use my mother in that way... but yes, let's just say you are a factor. You never stop interfering do you?"
"I'm not interfering..."
"Oh no - you promised me you wouldn't tell Jim about my past."
"That..." June swallowed. "That was a mistake... what went in on the cellar... he goaded me into it."
"It's a breach of confidentiality, isn't it?"
"Technically..." June stuttered, her eyes widening.
"What would your Inspector, or your Superintendent think. Breaching confidence in a ridiculous effort to win back the man who dumped you because he didn't WANT you anymore." Marie stared down at her.
"Are you trying to blackmail me?"
"I'm just trying to make you see sense. Jim hates the way you've been clinging on..."
"I HAVEN'T been clinging onto him. We've barely spoken since he came back."
"He hates the way you've destroyed your friendship."
"I've destroyed it?!" June snorted, standing suddenly.
"You couldn't let go, could you, couldn't accept he's come to his senses, I mean, who would want an old witch like you who walks round like she's got a rod shoved up her arse!"
"Better than a sad old tart like you."
"Who are you calling a tart!?"
"You're the one who jumped straight into bed with him... first man to look at you was he?"
"What about you, it took you nineteen years to make your bloody mind up! He must have tried you out and figured that it wasn't worth the wait!"
"What's so special about you then... you're nothing to look at!" June sneered.
"Looked in a mirror lately, have we? At least I'm still on the right side of fifty."
"And I'm not?"
"You must be what 51, 52? Jim must have been mad going for someone as old as you, past their prime in ALL respects. Bet you didn't go for anything more than the good old missionary position with him, did ya?"
"As opposed to a woman with a face like a slapped arse?! I don't know what he even sees in you..."
"Maybe I gave him what he wanted. He must have been so bored with you and your slippers and your cocoa. Jim has needs, physical needs, that YOU could never sate... you'd have a coronary if you tried."
"You're jealous aren't you?" June laughed. "You know you'll never have what Jim and I had..."
"And what DID you *have*?"
"A damn sight more than you can ever dream of..."
"Then why wouldn't he marry you? Why did he choose me?"
"That's what I'd like to know... what did you do? Drug him? Blackmail him?"
"He loved me. Pretty obvious he didn't love you. Do yourself a favour love, let him go, stop deluding yourself."
"I'm not the deluded one, lady. I mean look at you... you're not exactly catch of the month... you must have done something to snare him... tell him you were pregnant did you? He'd rush to marry you then... he's such a man of morals."
" I didn't have to. We knew how we felt about each other. Come on, admit it, you still love him, don't you. You're still clinging on to the vain hope that you may get him back yet."
"My feelings aren't anything to do with you... do you have screech quite so much you're voice is grating on me...? How he puts up with that..."
"Oh, come on Sergeant Ackland, if you don't still love him why do you hate me so much? Why are you here now?"
"Because I can see how much you're hurting him... do you care about anyone other than yourself?"
"Do YOU?" Marie stepped closer to her. "If you care for Jim you'll LET HIM GO!"
"Into the arms of a spiteful cow like you who'll do her utmost to destroy him? I don't think so..."
"He LOVES ME! Accept that!"
"If you know he loves you, why are you paranoid about me?"
"Because... because... he..." Marie shook her head. "He still loves you. I'm sure of it. It's not YOU I'm worried about. It's him. I'm scared he's going to leave me." She dropped, defeated, to the sofa.
"The truth at last... well for the record I do still love him..." June made her way towards the door.
"Don't take him away from me." Marie sobbed suddenly.
"You took him away from me..." June said softly.
"I didn't know about you... until just before we got engaged, he never spoke about you...about what you had. And then when he did..."
"If you're playing for sympathy then don't bother..."
"I had to propose to try to make him forget you, to make sure I had him... I wouldn't let him say no."
"Well that explains why he married you then."
"I told him it was everything or nothing."
"And like a child in a sweet shop he took everything..." June rolled her eyes.
"Didn't change anything though, did it. He didn't just want everything, he wanted it all. He wanted me here for sex and housework and you at work too."
"You married him, of course he wants it all. But you've got him so what are you complaining about... get him up to Liverpool and he'll never see me again."
"I know he doesn't want to go, I know what Sun Hill means to him. But I have no choice. I'm going to lose him any other way."
"He still loves you... he said he'd go with you, he's handed in his notice... You've got him Marie. Battle over."
June turned to leave. As she pushed open the door of the lounge, she jumped as she found someone was standing in the middle of the hallway. "Jim..." She stuttered.
"I left my mobile..." Jim stood staring at her.
"I was just leaving..."
"Don't." Jim swallowed. "I heard what you said."
"How much?"
"I don't know, from the part where you said you love me."
"Oh." June looked at the carpet.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't... you were happily married."
"I was happily married for about an hour." Jim glanced up at Marie, who was standing in the lounge, looking horrified.
"I think you two should talk..." June looked from Jim to Marie. "I'm sorry..."
"I don't know what to say." Jim walked into the lounge. "Marie... I can't go to Liverpool with you. I just can't."
"So you do still love her."
"If I thought that I'd stopped I was lying to myself. My feelings for June never changed, even though the feelings I... *had*... for you were overwhelming."
"Just get out Jim." Marie slumped onto the sofa.
"I did love you... but I can't deal with your jealousy, your possessiveness. I need... someone who wants me for who I am, accepts me the way I am, accepts my life the way it is. And who doesn't try to change me."
"I had every right to be jealous, you've just proved that... You two deserve each other." Marie sneered.
"Don't be like this... you knew it was coming, you as much as admitted it."
"And you always have to be right don't you. What's she got that I haven't anyway?"
"She's... she's my soulmate." Jim shrugged. "I didn't realise it before."
"In other words you're not telling me."
"I am telling you. Marie, what we had was great, but... I have to be with June. I don't expect you to understand and you're entitled to be angry."
"Angry... I'm furious." She stopped and looked at Jim as she heard the front door close.
"I..." Jim stuttered. "Marie, I'll come back later, we'll sort things out... I..."
"Go and chase your tart." Marie reached for the remote control and turning the telly on, increasing the volume until it filled the room.
Jim ran from the room and out of the house, seeing June just about to get into her car. "June - WAIT!"
June looked up at Jim, then slowly climbed into the driver seat.
"June, please!" Jim ran over, held the driver's door open so she couldn't close it.
"What?"
"June, I'm sorry..." Jim got onto his knees on the concrete in front of her.
"I shouldn't have come round here..."
"No, you should have, I would never have had the courage to... end it... otherwise."
"And now I've got the guilt of breaking up your marriage on my shoulder... on top of everything else..." June sighed.
"*I* broke up my marriage."
"Because of what *I* said."
"Because you gave me the slap round the face I needed."
"Metaphorically speaking." June smiled.
"June... I made the biggest mistake of my life finishing with you. I thought I was doing it for your benefit."
"Stop Jim..." June turned to look at him. "I don't know if I can do this."
"June, please..." He looked up at her with huge grey eyes.
"Don't look at me like that... you know what it does to me..."
"I made a mistake - a huge mistake and I won't blame you if you feel you can never trust me again."
"I don't know if I can put myself in a position where I could get hurt again."
"I don't know what to do to convince you I would never hurt you again. But... June, I can't live without you. The pull is still so strong... too strong."
"I know what that pull is like... but I'm scared to give my heart to someone again."
"Let me try... please."
"I don't know Jim..."
"Please June, I love you... so much." Tears began to snake down his cheeks. "I don't deserve your love but you still held on for me..."
"You destroyed me Jim." She looked away so he couldn't see her tears.
"So that's it." Jim shook his head and turned so he was sitting on the concrete in front of her, leaning against the door. "I knew one day I would screw up and lose the most precious thing I ever had in my life."
"I didn't say you'd lost me..."
"It can't be the same though, can it? Every time you look at me you'll wonder if I'll do it again, if I'll leave you again, go off with someone else..."
"Would you?"
"No. This has taught me that. Nobody compares to you, June Ackland. They don't even come close. You're the most extraordinary woman I've ever known."
"You know how much I've always loved you... I just don't know if I can trust you again... yet."
"Then can we at least start off as friends?"
"We never stopped being friends did we?" She turned to face him again, wiping her face with the back of her hand.
"If you feel that we can never be anything more, I'll understand." Jim shifted round to her once more. "No pressure. I'd rather live with you only as a friend than live without you."
"I want more than friendship... but I'm not jumping in blind this time... we take this slowly or not at all."
"It will be slow. Almost imperceptible. Just a drink maybe, or a walk... or.... just one day at a time."
"One day at a time..." June echoed.
"I love you." Jim took both her hands in his. "Thank you for freeing me."
"And I love you... you know that." She bit her lip. "So where do we go from here?"
"Back to the nick?" Jim smiled.
"I suppose..."
"And I'll need to arrange a flat."
"You will..."
Jim got to his feet. "See ya back there." He hesitated before bending down and kissing her lightly on the cheek.
"It's my day off Jim remember..." She smiled up at him.
"Lucky for some."
"Have you taken lunch yet? We could... maybe go for a bite to eat..."
"I'd like that." He looked at the house in front of him and sighed. "No regrets, no looking back."
"Look to the future Jim. So what do you fancy?"
Jim looked down at the floor and smiled. Then he shook his head, moving round to the passenger door.
"What?" June looked at him
"Nothing... just... you." He bundled himself in and touched her face.
"What have I done? Jim, tell me."
"You've made me smile. Really smile. It feels so good. I've missed you."
"I've missed you. The impostor I've been working with these last few days wasn't the same."
"I know, I'll put him back in the cupboard." Jim met June's eyes and kept intense contact.
"I hope so. He was grouchy, miserable... and kept stretching Sun Hill's budget."
"Mmmm." Jim nodded.
"And he... why are you staring at me like that? You're making me paranoid."
"Can't help it. Can't believe I'm so lucky."
"You'll give me a big head." June grinned
"Give you a big head?" Jim laughed. He kissed the tip of her nose lightly. "You're a fool."
"And you're not?" She chuckled, slapping him lightly on the thigh.
"Oh, I am, we're both fools. Totally and utterly compatible." He looked at her, his eyes seeking permission, then brushed his lips against hers.
June pulled away. "We're on my terms this time." She smiled, hooking her arms around his neck and pulling him into her. "That OK with you?" She leant closer, capturing his lips with hers.
"That's perfect." They kissed deeply, hungrily. Jim pulled back suddenly. "I thought we were taking this slowly?"
"We are... I'm just catching up on what I've missed. Then we can take things slowly." She kissed him again.
"Sounds good to me." They kissed for a moment longer, then June pulled back, buckled her seat belt and gunned the engine. "Let's go eat." She smiled. She pulled away, neither of them seeing Marie standing in the window, looking out at them. As soon as they were out of sight, she turned away, disappearing into the darkness.
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