Jim rolled over in bed and punched the pillow in frustration. Yet again he had woken at the crack of dawn and his brain had kicked into action. His first waking thought was of June and his heart ached. How he wished she was there sleeping peacefully next to him. But she's with someone he told himself, it will never happen, you're dreaming.
June too was awake. She glanced over at David still sleeping next to her. They had been together nearly a year now but she couldn't bring herself to reach out and touch him. They may have been sleeping in the same bed but that's all it was. David never cuddled her or told her that he loved her. Sex was sex to him, it wasn't making love. An image of Jim (her secret true love) drifted into June's mind. She wondered what it would be like to feel his arms around her and his lips on her lips. David grunted and turned over. Time to get up June thought, before he wakes and catches me with a faraway look on my face.
The needles of hot water massaged Jim's tired shoulders. He wasn't sleeping well. All he could think about was June, it had got worse since the death of Derek Conway because he felt them growing closer. The way her hair framed her pretty face, the way she smiled not just with her mouth but with her eyes too. He closed his eyes and let the hot water pound the frustration out of his body. After grabbing a bite of breakfast, Jim drove to work. He'd fuel up on coffee when he got there. It was still only 7.30am.
June was on her second cup of tea when David staggered into the kitchen. He was never at his best first thing in the morning. June put his breakfast in front of him as she had done every day since he moved in. She tried to chat to him about his day but only received one-word answers as he buried his head in the newspaper. Glancing at the clock, June saw it was time to leave for work.
The station was already buzzing when June arrived. Over the last couple of weeks sun hill always seemed to be hectic which kept Jim extremely busy.
When June arrived, she went and made herself a cup of coffee in the canteen. When she entered the canteen, she found Brandon and Cathy chatting and drinking tea.
'Morning Sarge' Cathy said 'it's going to be busy today. Have you seen how many cases we have received in the last hour'
June shook her head. 'I suppose I'd better go and take a look before Gina comes and looks for me' she replied.
'Too late she is already looking for you' Brandon said.
'Oh great' June replied
'Morning everyone' boomed Jim as he crashed through the door to the canteen. His eyes sought out June and they exchanged a brief smile.
'Right I had better get back' June said
'Yes, me too, it is busy out there and we have a lot of crimes to solve' Jim smiled 'See you later'
June nodded. Jim touched her briefly on the shoulder and went back to the CSU. June went to her office and as she walked past reception she saw Robbie and Kerry talking. They were discussing her and Jim.
'Shouldn't you be out on patrol Kerry?' called June.
'Sorry Sarge, just going' Kerry said. Both Kerry and Robbie went back to work.
In CSU Jim is busy working on the computer when the super walks in 'Ah Jim just the person, I have a conference I want you to attend'
'Me sir' Jim asked
'Well you and someone else from CSU, you can decide who, although I think Sgt Ackland maybe the best choice'
'Ok sir'
'I will leave it with you to sort out, it is for a weekend'
'Ok thanks sir'
'no problem'
Jim smiled as he thought of him and June going away for a weekend together and then suddenly he had a thought, maybe she would say no. No he couldn't let that happen, he would have to persuade June to go with him.
Jim made a decision, he had to talk to June straightaway.
'Anyone seen June?' Jim asked as he lent fleetingly over the reception desk.
Robbie looked up. 'I think she is in the office with Sgt Gilmore'.
'Right. Thanks' Jim said walking towards the office.
'Blimey. What's troubling Jim today?' Cass commented, 'He's usually so laid back.'
'I suspect it has something to do with Sgt Ackland,' Robbie whispered, 'Maybe she's giving him the run around.'
'Sgt Ackland and Jim never,' Cass replied, 'She's already in a relationship'
'So' Robbie said quickly.
'Point taken.' Cass ended the conversation and hurried off to see to a prisoner.
Jim stood outside the office door watching June through the window. No wonder the relief all loved her. She was one of the best when it came to compassion and understanding. They could all talk to June about their fears and problems. He snapped himself back to reality, took a deep breath and knocked on the door and entered the room.
'Sarge? Everything OK?'
'Jim. Yes, Craig was just leaving.' she said smiling. Craig left and closed the door.
'What can I do for you Jim?' June asked.
She stood expectantly in front of him and looked him straight in the eye. June felt her heart melt. His closeness sent her pulse racing.
Jim looked deep into June's eyes and read her thoughts. He knew he had done the right thing concerning what he was just about to ask her.
'It's nothing to worry about, June' he said reassuringly and saw her visibly relax. How he longed to reach out, stroke her cheek and caress away her resistance. He dragged his attention back to the matter in hand.
'I've just received an invitation to a conference in Manchester this weekend and, the super said someone from CSU must attend with me. June, I want you to come with me.' Jim took her hands in his, 'please.' His eyes held hers for what seemed like ages.
He was so infuriating, thought June, when he does that boyish pleading act with me. He knows just how to get through all my defences.
It's a bit short notice Jim' June eventually managed to reply, 'and what do I tell David? He won't be very happy about his partner spending the weekend with another man, even if it is you.' She felt Jim's hands tighten over hers.
'Come on June, it's a working weekend for heavens sake, not a romantic getaway. We'll be in single rooms of course, so you don't need to worry on that front. You know you can trust me and anyway the invite is for either you, Cathy or Brandon and to be honest I would much rather it be you.'
June had no problem in agreeing with that last statement. It was herself that she couldn't trust.
'Let me talk to David tonight and I'll give you an answer tomorrow,' June replied haltingly.
June threw him a pleading look. She had already made up her mind but she needed time to accept the decision she had made and reason with herself. .
'OK. Let me know first thing tomorrow because I need to confirm the booking. Thanks June.'
Jim deliberately moved June's hands to his lips and kissed them briefly. She watched him intently and smiled at him. Her heart leapt. Suddenly, the day seemed to be turning out so much better than she had anticipated. Their eyes met and never breaking their gaze, Jim slowly dipped his head, searching for June's yearning lips with his own. The office phone went off. It brought them both to their senses and they leapt apart. He looked at it in frustration and glanced at June.
'I had better get it.' June said
'Ok, see you later, bye' Jim replied as he left the office. June answered the phone and it was Tony, there was a problem with one of the statements. She told him to get Brandon to sort it and then she sat down at her desk. She put her head in her hands and tried to think how to tell David of her plans without him getting suspicious.
End Part 1