Author's note: Poor Barbara and Tommy – this story has been very frustrating for them but hopefully this chapter leaves them in a happier place ;)

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Tommy drew the curtains in his bedroom to keep out the increasing light and lifted two clean and freshly pressed pairs of pyjamas from his dresser drawer. He allowed Barbara the first shower and was amused to see her emerge from his bathroom with the sleeves and pants of the pyjamas rolled up. "You look like a child playing dress up with Daddy's wardrobe," he teased gently as he entered the bathroom and shut the door surprised that his self-control was as good as his promise.

Barbara was almost asleep when he returned so snuggled in beside her. He kissed the back of her neck and embraced her with his arm holding her tight to him. When he had woken up this time yesterday he had had no idea that the day would bring him such a sense of completeness and peace. He drifted off to sleep truly happy for the first time in years.

Barbara was woken by Tommy at eleven thirty with a gentle kiss. He had made her some toast and marmalade and a steaming cup of coffee which she gulped greedily. "Will waking up always be like this if I move in?"

Tommy laughed glad she seemed open to the possibility. "No, it is much more likely I will wake you with other treats in mind." He raised his eyebrows suggestively and grinned at her.

Barbara looked around the room. Everything was neat and ordered. "You do know that I don't cook and that I am hopelessly untidy. I really can't see how we could ever live together happily."

Tommy laughed loudly at the lost look on her face. "Well fortunately Barbara I can cook, and I am sure that on the scale between my OCD and your sloth we can find a comfortable middle ground. This place is so sterile because it is not really lived in. This house is just a place I exist in. With you here it would be very different."

"I think sloth is a bit harsh," she scolded him gently.

The eyebrows rose again. "Really?"

"Okay, okay I know but like you said yesterday I have other qualities yet to be revealed."

"Hmm and as soon as we get the case sorted I will take great pleasure in discovering them!" Tommy was enjoying their easy fun. He felt relaxed and comfortable in her company, as he always did but he realised now that they were no longer on guard with each other, no longer trying to keep their relationship contained into something that it had grown beyond. Tommy wondered if flowers had feelings whether this was how they would feel when their petals started to unfurl. You make me feel like a dopey teenager discovering love for the first time!

Tommy's priority when they arrived at the station shortly after noon was to interview the dock worker Radek Zaleski but they needed to wait for his solicitor to arrive. He had been sweating in the holding cell for nearly six hours and now, as Barbara and Lynley observed him through the mirror, he was pacing nervously.

"Do you think he will talk Sir? He looks terribly anxious for a gang member."

"Do some digging on his background while we wait. This man has a secret he does not want us to uncover." Barbara left the room leaving Tommy to continue scrutinizing him.

Lynley started the interview with another officer as Barbara had a lead and had needed a little extra time. Lynley had so far managed to convince Zaleski that they had enough proof to charge him with Winston's assault and just as he was beginning to confess, Havers entered the room and slipped Lynley a paper. Tommy glanced at it quickly and a smile briefly passed across his face. Excellent work as usual Barbara!

"So Radek, do you want to tell us about Magda and Donata?"

Zaleski's face fell and sweat started to run down the side of his face. He spoke briefly to his solicitor in Polish. "I vont deal!" he demanded.

"I don't think you are in any position to demand anything here Zaleski. Tell us what you know and I will consider the options."

"You vill promish my children keep safe, no."

"They are illegal immigrants Zaleski; we can have them deported immediately. It would be much better for them if you co-operate." The softness of Barbara's reply was more menacing than any threat Tommy could have made.

Zaleski sighed in resignation and began to detail all the smuggling activities of the gang that called themselves Kotwica. Their activities stretched across Europe and involved the smuggling of guns, drugs, people and child sex workers. It was well into the evening when Tommy and Barbara had finished the interview and contacted all the relevant authorities. Teams had been despatched to arrest the key players but neither Tommy nor Barbara felt the need to accompany them. They would need their energy for the relentless round of interviews to follow.

The kudos they received would be extensive and Assistant Commissioner Hillier had come down to personally congratulate them, full of self-importance about the success of his fine officers. Where once Lynley may have accepted the accolades because it was his team these days he understood the value of Barbara and increasingly of Winston. "It was a team effort Sir, started by DC Nkata's dogged pursuit of Baralowski. If Zaleski had not been so nervous Sergeant Havers may not have dug around in his past but her work uncovering his children as illegals was enough to prompt his confession. All the credit should go to them Sir." Barbara winked surreptitiously at Tommy.

"Indeed but it was a great team effort. Interpol and the Europeans are jubilant. They had no idea who was behind all these activities. Your team has made the Met shine Lynley."

"Thank you Sir." They all shook hands and Hillier left Lynley and Havers to their interviews. Tommy found Barbara's hand and squeezed it quickly. Now was not the right time for anything further but they both understood the emotions behind their simple gestures.

Over the next three days Tommy and Barbara were almost constantly together interviewing the gang members and preparing reports. They had not spoken about anything but the case and in their only real break for anything other than sleep they have prioritised visiting Winston to cheer him up and let him know how vital his input had been and the extent of the crimes. As she took the last of her reports into Lynley's office she asked, "Fancy a drink?"

"That sounds wonderful Barbara. Give me ten minutes."

They went to their usual pub and ordered two pints and some chips. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon and they could not agree whether this was lunch or dinner. They talked about the case for about an hour before Tommy drove Barbara home. They had agreed they were tired and needed to rest. Barbara had regretfully declined Tommy's offer for her to sleep as his house sensing that he did not yet want to consummate their relationship and feeling that a repeat of the other night would just be awkward. She wondered if he was having second thoughts but knew now was not the time to talk about any of it. She was still hopelessly confused and vacillated between a desperate physical desire for him and a need to retain their old status quo. The last few days had been so normal, just like before the bridge kiss. If they did not click sexually not only would everything change but they would never be able to move back or forward. Tommy offered to walk her to her door but she refused and gave him a quick peck as she alighted from his car, obviously trying to avoid anything more. She turned back and waved briefly before entering her flat and closing the door.

As Tommy drove off he felt very lonely. He was tired physically and mentally from the case but he was also tired emotionally from the sense of anticipation that had built up between he and Barbara over the last few days. He did not understand why she had refused to come back to his house. He had planned a nice slow seduction and the thought of it made him lose concentration before he was brought back to reality by the honking of another driver who objected to Tommy drifting into his lane. Tommy arrived home and paced restlessly trying to decide what to do. This had gone on long enough. He grabbed his phone and pressed Barbara on his quick-dial.

"Havers."

"What are you doing?" he asked slightly more aggressively than he had intended. Barbara was instantly alert worried he was accusing her of something.

"You might be amused to know I was actually tidying up my flat," she answered, "why?"

Tommy was amused. "Pack an overnight bag and I will be around to collect you in half an hour," he commanded and then hung up before she had a chance to object.

Barbara stared at the phone in her hand. He hung up on me! She suspected that Tommy was confused and frustrated too and needed to sort their relationship out tonight, one way or another. She was relieved he had taken the initiative but was worried what to pack. Surely she would not require anything if he had it in mind to continue from where they left off the other night. She packed toiletries and a change of clothes and was waiting when he arrived.

"So are you ready?" he asked when she opened the door. She nodded and stepped into the night "Come on then."

They sat in silence as he drove, both unsure what to say and with each mile he drove the tension seemed to increase. Barbara suddenly noticed they were not going to his house. 'Where are we going?"

"Somewhere neutral," he said softly, 'I thought it might be easier to talk. We do need to talk or we will drive ourselves crazy." Barbara simply nodded.

Tommy pulled into the driveway of one of London's oldest and most upmarket hotels, handed his keys to valet and helped Barbara from the car. She felt underdressed and very much out of place. "This is hardly neutral," she snarled at him.

"Why? I've never stayed here before."

There was no arguing with his logic sometimes Barbara knew but she was not going to embarrass either of them by making a scene here. They walked inside to be greeted by the concierge. Tommy simply said, "Lord Asherton." Suddenly discrete signals flashed across the room and attendants came running. They were escorted to a suite on the top floor. The room was ornate but surprisingly unobtrusive in displaying its decadence. The furnishings and drapes were resplendent with rich textures and subtle maroon highlights on a mainly cream backdrop. As she passed the door to the bedroom she could see the huge plush bed that dominated the room. Barbara's anger faded to sorrow as she recognised tonight for what it was; Tommy was trying his best to show her he loved her by taking her somewhere he thought was special. She was surprised to find that she was touched by his consideration and care and actually loved him a little bit more for it. Sadly he just did not understand how ordinary people thought which confirmed that her fears where real. Any relationship with Tommy could never work, they were just too different, and tonight she would have to make him understand her point of view.

The butler pulled back the curtains to reveal an enormous window and Barbara could not help but be drawn to the view. She heard Tommy conversing with the butler as she stood transfixed by the spectacle of London at night. Oh if only I could get used to this life. Up the river she could see the slow rotations of the London Eye while downriver she could see glimpses of Tower Bridge. The Thames was alive. The multi-coloured lights from small boats reflected a dazzling array of patterns across the water and there were people and cars hurrying along the walkways and roads. She opened a small window to take in the sounds and smells of the city.

"Good view isn't it?" Tommy asked from behind her.

"Yes, yes it is a wonderful view but a waste of money to entertain me don't you think?" she said still focussed on the river.

Tommy came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her as he had done in his office and started kissing her neck. "No, I don't think it is a waste at all. It reminds me of you. London is an amazingly beautiful yet complex city just as you are an amazingly beautiful but complex woman. When you take the time to step back and look beyond the squalid psyche of the London we deal with most you see its virtue. I want us to touch the perfection of the city tonight. I want to make love to you here where we can look beyond the superficiality of our own lives. Somewhere where we are not worried about whether our place is too neat or too untidy, whether we are from Eton or Acton or whatever other category you can find to pigeonhole us into to justify why our relationship can't work. I want you to see the purity of what we have together Barbara. What I feel for you is so different to what I felt for Deborah or Helen. I want us to finally understand what real love means."

Barbara shivered and Tommy hugged her closer. Tears welled in her eyes and began to trickle down her cheeks. It had been a beautiful speech and she knew that he meant it. She still did not believe it could ever last but at that moment she wanted nothing more than to give into her desire. What she felt transcended the physical and she wanted to merge totally with him to become one. She had intended to sleep with him when she thought they were going to his place so she reasoned this was no different. The future would sort itself but she could always have tonight to remember.

As if he could read her thoughts he asked "are you scared tonight it all we will have?" She nodded. "It won't be, you'll see, we can overcome anything together." He was nuzzling her neck again generating long waves of pleasure that travelled down her arms and back. "But even if it is I don't believe either of us is going to regret it."

Barbara turned in embrace and pressed her face into his chest taking in his scent. She sighed deeply. He lifted her face to look at him. Barbara's doubts vanished as he lent down and kissed her. It was a mix of the erotic headiness of the other night and the loving gentleness in his office. "What's the view like from the bedroom Tommy?"

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For those of you offended by M rated material you can stop reading here or skip to the very last paragraph. Strong M rated is not one of my writing strengths but somehow it felt as if this story needed it.

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The sound of his name on her lips excited Tommy beyond his expectations. He began to kiss Barbara more passionately but was still determined to stick to his planned seduction. He slowly edged her backwards into the bedroom still kissing her. They paused at the edge of the bed. There was no light in the room and he walked to the window and pulled the curtains open. "See, much the same view."

Barbara came up beside him and looked out. "Hmm, you are right the city looks so different from up here. It seems much slower as if there is plenty of time for everything."

"There is plenty of time tonight," he replied as he started to kiss her again.

"Aren't you going to close the curtains? People might see us."

"No. They might but I doubt it. We don't want to shut out the city, we should embrace it." Tommy turned to face Barbara and took her hands and placed them on his hips. He smiled at her and said, "relax Barbara, just follow your instincts."

Barbara was remarkably relaxed considering how tense she had been only minutes ago. She stepped closer to him as his hands came up to cup her face. She expected him to kiss her again. His kisses were incredibly erotic to her and she could not help but be aroused by them. Tommy however did not attempt to kiss her instead his hands moved slowly down over her neck and danced lightly across her shoulders and down the outside of her arms. He started to gently massage the inside of her wrists with his thumbs and Barbara felt her whole body go soft. She tilted her head back with pleasure and unwittingly exposed her neck. Tommy moved closer and started to gently kiss it. He ran the tip of his tongue in slow circles from her shoulder to her ear where he started to gently nibble at the lobe. "Good?" he whispered and all she could do was moan softly as he started to nuzzle her neck on the other side.

Encouraged Tommy stroked the inside of her arms inching closer and closer to the top. The outside of his hands brushed her breasts and he could tell she was enjoying the sensations he was creating. Barbara still had her hands on his hips but her grip had tightened. As he undid the top button of her blouse she started to tug at his shirt, urgently trying to free it from his trousers. "Not yet," he said quietly, "we have plenty of time."

Barbara was puzzled. Surely he wanted her as much as she wanted to feel his flesh against her? Was he teasing her? She was not sure what to do. All her experience said this process took about five minutes in total but Tommy was taking it so slowly it was almost torture. Tommy's voice cut through her thoughts, "stop over thinking Barbara." His hands were around her waist and she recognized they were inside her shirt. He had managed to undo it without her noticing. His fingers darted quickly in little tickling movements up her sides and she started to giggle and twist in his grip.

His senses came alive as her hands reached around him and pulled him closer. His kisses moved across her face and as her lips sought his he danced his own around her mouth. She mumbled protests and so he kissed her deeply and felt her yield to his will. He could almost hear the music in his head as their tongues tangoed. While she was focused on the kiss he gently removed her shirt and undid the clasp of her bra. When they broke for air both of them were panting and this time he let her tug his shirt free. He did not bother undoing it but slipped it over his head and threw it to the ground behind him. Barbara embraced him and began to run her fingernails in swirling patterns on his back, just hard enough to leave red marks but stopping short of being painful. Each stroke went straight to his groin.

Tommy resumed their kiss this time allowing Barbara to explore his mouth. She was tentative at first but became more confident and bold. Her hands were roaming across his head electrifying him. He was pleased that she was forgetting her inhibitions and preconceptions. He slipped her bra from her shoulders and gently massaged her back trying to slow the pace. She dropped her hands and allowed the bra to fall free.

She guided his hand to her breast as she started to kiss his neck, mimicking his actions. This time Tommy groaned and this added to her excitement. Her nipples were already rigid but as he tweaked and flicked them between his fingers Barbara started to whimper. Having him touch her was exquisite. She longed to have him inside her but she did not want this glorious torture to stop.

Tommy was unable to stop. He wasn't hurting her but he knew he was driving her mad with desire and he enjoyed the feeling of control and power. It was not something he had felt before and he momentarily paused feeling slightly ashamed. "Oh Tommy, don't stop, please." He did not need to be asked twice. He replaced one hand with his mouth and began to suck and nip. Barbara began to thrust gently towards him.

Tommy took Barbara's hand and guided her to the bed. He lay her down then took off her shoes. She had undone her jeans and had started to shuck them. He pulled at the legs and pulled them free. Barbara started to remove her panties but he stopped her. She watched him as he stepped out of his shoes and unzipped his trousers. "I trust you have your phone on silent this time?" he joked.

Barbara smiled. "This time I am not answering it even if it is Hillier."

"Especially if it is Hillier."

Tommy stepped out of his trousers and tucked his thumbs into the elastic of his boxers aware that Barbara was watching him intently. He trusted that she would not be disappointed but he prolonged the process knowing the anticipation was exciting her. He slowly moved his hands down discarding his shorts and revealing his erection. Tommy was framed by the light from the city and Barbara gasped and stared with a mixture of awe and delight. He moved to the bed and this time leant over and slowly pulled her last layer of protection away, noticing they were damp. He smiled at the discovery of how much she was aroused. She was lying naked and he sensed her body open before him. "You are beautiful Barbara!"

He lay down beside her and they began to kiss again, slowly and lovingly. Tommy was determined to not give in to his rapidly increasing lust and ensured only their mouths were touching. Everything was about making sure Barbara had the best possible experience. Her hands reached out trying to touch him but he skilfully diverted them away from the area she most wanted to explore knowing he was frustrating her.

He rolled her gently on her side away from him and nestled into her back. She could feel him against her as he rubbed himself against her thighs very gently. She sensed that finally he was going to enter her and although she was surprised by the position she thrust back hard against him with her hips. He reached over her and traced his fingers across her stomach, circling her belly button and her scar before languidly moving lower. She was calling his name softly and almost begging him. The deep clawing pull in her groin intensified its rhythm as her muscles began to contract. She was on the verge of orgasm. "Hurry Tommy, before it's too late." He laughed softly behind her and began to kiss her neck. She struggled hard to hold on, wondering why he was not trying to enter her.

His fingers crept towards their target and brushed the outside of her sex. It was wet and swollen and she was pleading with him. He knew what she wanted but she was not going to get it, not yet anyway. He would compromise though and so he gently lifted her leg and positioned himself between her lips allowing her leg to close against him, holding him in place. He thrust gently forward and back coating himself in her wetness. It was intensely erotic and he sensed it was tipping her over the edge. He moved his arm back over her hips as he continued to move at a slow even pace. His fingers quickly found their place and matched the pace of his thrusts as they caressed her nub. He felt her body go very still before she arched her back and exploded around him. "I love you Barbara."

Barbara could not help but scream out. It was incoherent but so was what was happening to her body. Never before had she felt such intensity. It was insane. She could not understand what was happening. She had expected something magical, it would not have lived up to her fantasies if it had been ordinary but this was a whole level above her wildest imaginings.

Tommy waited until she was calm. Her kept kissing her neck and telling her how much he loved her. He was struggling to control himself and needed to move away from her for a while. He rolled her onto her back while he propped himself up on his elbow. "You seemed to have enjoyed your appetiser," he said.

"Appetiser. That was better than any main course I have ever had."

"Ready for the second course?"

Barbara nodded but asked, "How many courses are there?"

"A full feast but we have all night." Tommy rolled onto his back and waited. Now it was Barbara's turn to treat him a little and he was curious to see what she would do.

Barbara realised that Tommy was not going to assert himself until he got some leads from her. She was still in awe of his size. She had never really had time to examine anyone before and now she began to look closely at the silhouette of his manhood. She reached out and began to stroke him, discovering the texture and hardness. He was breathing more heavily now and she knew he was enjoying her touch. She tickled his testicles and watched as the stalk began to flicker. She quickened the pace as he started to groan. She bent down and ran her tongue around her head and could feel him pulsating in response to her licking. She had not done this before but found it intensely arousing. She wanted to feel him inside her. She wanted to come again but this time around him. "Tommy I want you inside me!"

Tommy too was reaching the point where he doubted he could wait. He longed to feel encased in her softness. "Then climb on."

To Barbara that was the sexiest thing she thought she had ever heard. His voice was raspy and shallow and she knew he was struggling to hold on. She lifted herself up and straddled him and he supported her as she slowly lowered herself onto him. He thrust gently and was suddenly inside her. He filled her completely and stretched her. He felt enormous and hot and the throbbing was much more intense now that he was inside her. She revelled in the feelings not daring to move. She did not want it to be over too soon. She began to understand what he had said earlier. This was so much more than a physical connection. She almost believed that they could merge into one being.

He cried out, "Oh God that is so beautiful." He was glad she did not move too soon. He was also marvelling at the sensations both physical and emotional. Tears of joy ran down his temples. He felt complete for the first time in years, perhaps the first time ever. He felt her start to move, slowly up and down. She leant down and kissed him. It was deep and powerful and transcended all their other kisses. She wiggled slightly and he sensed she was finding friction for just the right spot. He slowed her down enough to use his hands and mouth to caress new areas of her body. She was alive to his touch and he sensed she was moving beyond a point of control. "Do you want all of me Barbara?" She nodded furiously and grunted at him. He began to meet her thrusts with those of his own and watched her face in the reflected glow of their city as she came, calling out his name. When he sensed it was time he allowed all the tension of the last week to be released. What started out as incredible intensity in the very tip of him spread like a wildfire throughout his body as he called out to her.

They lay in each other's arms, spent but still telling each other how wonderful it had been and how much they loved each other. Suddenly they stopped talking and just clung to each other aware that tonight their lives had been transformed. After a while Barbara spoke. "I think the next course might have to wait a while but I was thinking I have a spare hour in my diary tomorrow. Would that be a good time to move in?"