'You can crash my parties any time kid!' Gill said, as she tried to sit up. The events of the day and the large quantity of gin she had consumed making the simple action more difficult. Rachel's stomach flip-flopped as she looked at Gill, her hair slightly messy, and the look on her face. Coming from anyone else Rachel would have taken that as a come-on. But this was Gill Murray, DCI Gill Murray, no less. Godzilla, for fuck's sake! She surely wasn't. Or was she... Rachel closed her eyes for a moment and forced herself to even her breathing. Gill continued talking and Rachel allowed herself to be caught up in the banter, feeling as though her world had been returned to a semblance of normality.

Dave was practically comatose on the sofa in the furthest corner of the room, when the three women came down the stairs to rejoin the party. People were dancing, drinking and nibbling and all seemed well. Gill looked around and saw Sammy and Orla together. She had to agree they made a lovely couple Janet went over to offer her congratulations to them, and Rachel asked Gill if it was all right to go and smoke in the garden.

'I think I'll join you.' Gill said as she poured herself another rather large gin and tonic.

'What's your poison, tonight, kid?' Gill asked Rachel, who surveyed the array of drinks on offer and settled on a vodka and cranberry juice. She planned on drinking a few more before the evening ended. Gill handed Rachel her drink, and lead the way out through the patio doors to the garden, passing the now snoring Dave. Not for the first time, Rachel wondered how someone as amazing as Gill had ended up with someone like Dave, then snorted as she thought of her own bad decisions where relationships were concerned. She really was in no position to judge.

Rachel took a few gulps of her drink then put in on the wall surrounding the patio as she rummaged in her bag for cigarettes and her lighter. As she opened the packet to take one out she offered one to Gill, thinking that today qualified as a bad day, if ever there was one. Gill gratefully accepted. Rachel lit her cigarette, then leaned into Gill to light hers. As she did so, Gill touched Rachel's hand and Rachel's skin tingled. She felt herself leaning in and craving more. Their eyes met as they cupped their hands around the cigarette, lighting it. Rachel felt her knees go weak, and her eyes widened. She had entered the twilight zone. This could not be Godzilla. As Gill sucked in her first breath and then exhaled, Rachel took a large swig of her vodka and wondered where she had taken a left turn.

There were only the two of them in the corner now and Rachel felt as though they were naughty school girls, sneaking out for a crafty ciggie, rather than two fully grown women. They had long finished their cigarettes, but neither showed any interest in returning to the party proper. Rachel swallowed the rest of her vodka, and let the alcohol work it's magic, as it travelled through her veins, easing the tension of the long, hard day. As she closed her eyes, she leant back against the wall, she felt tears begin to fill her eyes. What the Fuck! She thought. You're pathetic. It's Godzilla who should be crying, if anyone. Get a grip, Bailey! She shakily raised another cigarette to her mouth, aware of Gill's eyes upon her. Looking up to meet Gill's gaze, she saw concern, and something else in her eyes. Gill reached out and took hold of Rachel's free hand, her thumb stroking Rachel's wrist, sending sparks of desire through Rachel's body. This is not happening! Rachel thought as her vision blurred and her world tipped even more sideways. She realised Gill was speaking, and she hadn't heard a word.

Looking dazedly at Gill, she asked 'Uh...sorry, I didn't quite...I mean, what did you say?'

Gill looked directly at her 'I was asking if you were all right, kid?'

'Um...shouldn't that be me..asking you, I mean, you're the one who...' the one who was abducted, held at knife-point, watched a woman as her lifeblood drained away. Rachel had been unable to voice any of it, and was unable to the stop the feelings of helplessness which came crashing down. It hit her with full force. They could have lost Gill today. One of the few constants, in Rachel's ever changing world, and she would have been even more at sea.

'Come here.' Gill said, simply. With that Rachel was pulled into Gill's arms, and round the corner of the house, away from any prying eyes. Rachel allowed herself to be held by Gill, as the tears fell and she felt her body shake uncontrollably. Big, fat tears sprang out of Rachel's eyes and slid down her cheeks. Gill pulled back and Rachel felt her face being cupped in Gill's hands, and Gill's thumb lightly brushing away a tear,

'Shh..it's okay. We're all in one piece.' Gill smiled and Rachel clung on to her as she continued silently crying. Rachel's mind was in turmoil. Her thoughts going round and round, as she imagined alternative endings to the days events, none of them good.

'It's just...I mean...if I'd...we'd lost you. I don't know what would happen..to me, I mean.' Rachel stammered, hoping Gill understood what she meant. 'Who would keep me on the straight and narrow, eh?'

Gill wasn't entirely sure that she wanted to keep the young DC on the straight and narrow at this moment in time. 'It's okay, I'm still here.' with that she pulled Rachel closer to her, wiping away another tear. If asked later, Rachel would never be able to explain what happened next, One minute she was looking at her DCI, and the next she was leaning in to kiss her. She touched her lips to Gill's. She had intended a quick peck, but the needy noise Gill made in her throat, at the contact, made her forget her resolve; if indeed, it had ever truly been there. Sliding her hands around Gill, she deepened the kiss, amazed as Gill responded. Gill's tongue insinuated itself in Rachel's mouth swirling and probing, sending Rachel wild with desire. Rachel felt Gill push her against the side wall of the house. Rachel gasped as she felt Gill's hands tugging her shirt from her trousers and moaned as the cool air hit her bare torso followed by Gill's hand stroking her skin, sliding up to cup a bra-covered breast and tease a nipple, through the silky fabric. Rachel shuddered, amazed at the intense desire and lust that was coursing through her body. She broke the kiss and her head fell back against the wall, arching her body into Gill whose mouth was now trailing wet kisses down her neck, as her hand continued exploring.

'G..Gill...' Rachel gasped. Saying Gill's name was difficult, but it was hardly appropriate to call her senior officer Godzilla or boss given the circumstances. 'We shouldn't be doing this..' here, where we could be seen, anywhere? Rachel wasn't sure what she meant and her body didn't seem to agree with her as it was aching for Gill's touch. She felt light headed and dizzy, and knew it wasn't the alcohol causing it.

Gill blinked and looked at Rachel, seeming to come out of a daze.

'I can think of many,many reasons why this is inappropriate.' Gill sighed.

Oh God, she's regretting it already! Rachel's mind screamed at her.

'I ..' Gill tried to continue.

Before she could complete what she had been about to say, they heard Janet's voice calling.

'Gill...Rach...Are you still out here?'

'Shit!' Rachel said. 'We should..' she said, waving her hands indicating the disarray of their clothing.

Hastily, the two women smoothed their clothing, and tried to calm their ragged breathing, as Janet rounded the corner to the house.

'Oh, there you are.' Janet stated the obvious. 'What are you two up too?'

Trying not to look guilty, Gill said, almost succeeding.

'Just having a chat, away from the noise.'

Janet took in the still dishevelled appearance of the pair, and the mussed hair. She raised an eyebrow.

'Hmm...' Janet remarked. 'Just come to tell you, I'm going to head off. Get back to the girls and my mum.'

'Oh right.' Gill said. 'It's still early. Are you sure?'

'Got loads of things to do this weekend.' Janet continued. 'Need an early start tomorrow. Do you want me to give you a lift, Rach?

Looking between Gill and Janet, Rachel tried to make a decision. She felt adrenaline coursing through her veins. Fight or Flight, she thought.

'Uh, yes thanks.' Rachel decided. 'it's been a long day and all. I should...I should really make a move.'

Rachel wasn't sure if that were a wise move, but on balance, she thought she'd prefer Janet's probing to Gill's explanations, as to why this could never happen again. She didn't think she could cope with that right now.

Gill walked them to the door, then hugged Janet goodbye. She looked at Rachel, awkwardly, and said.

'Have a good weekend. See you bright and early, Monday morning.'

'Right you are.' Janet said. 'See ya!' and with that she grabbed Rachel (who appeared to have been rooted to the spot) by the hand, and pulled her down the drive to her car. When she was sure she was out of earshot of Gill, Janet turned to Rachel and asked.

'What was that all about?..with Gill, I mean.'

'Nothing...' Rachel answered. 'We were...we were just talking..I was upset and..'

Janet looked appraisingly at her friend, and again raised her eyebrow.

As they reached the car, Janet unlocked it remotely, going round to the driver's side. Looking over the top of the car at Rachel.

'I would be more inclined to believe that, were it not for the lipstick marks on your collar and ...oh yeah...your neck!'

'Oh, shit!' Rachel panicked. 'Will you just shoot me now? Save Godzilla a job on Monday.'

Rachel looked close to tears and Janet immediately regretted her words.

'Listen Rachel, I don't want to pry. I just want you to know I'm here if you want to talk.'

They both got in the car and Janet drove off. Rachel pulled down the visor and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She saw the marks that Janet had spoken off, glad she had left the party when she had. At least no one else had seen them. She was aware of Janet glancing over at her, looking concerned.

'Look, I mean it, pal. I just want you to know you can talk to me. You do know that, don't you? I really missed you.'

'I know, and I will. Just not yet. Anyway, ' Rachel continued. 'Looks like there's nothing to talk about now.'

Janet pulled up outside Rachel's flat, and seeing her friend looking so dejected and disheartened, she pulled her into a hug.

'Thanks.' Rachel said, holding on to Janet for a few moments. 'Oh God, I've really missed us!' she sniffed.

Janet squeezed Rachel harder. 'Oh, you'll have me blubbing before long! D'ya want me to come in with you?'

Rachel swiped a hand across her face. 'No thanks. I'll be fine. Call me tomorrow?'

'Sure thing. Maybe go out for lunch? The girls are out with Ade for the day.'

Rachel said one more goodbye, exited the car and opened the door to the building. She waved Janet off, closing the door behind her, then entered her flat, collapsing on the sofa, thinking. Rachel Bailey, what sort of mess have you got into, this time?! Kissing your boss, no less! Shit, shit, shit! She'll hang you out to dry for this. Have you carted off to another syndicate, or worse back to division!

Rachel groaned, and went to the cupboard. She poured herself a large vodka, added a small amount of orange juice, and drank it down in one. Pouring another, she took the bottle back with her to the sofa, and set about drowning her sorrows, well and truly.