*******
"Mt Thomas station to Mt Tomas 608," Tom's voice came over the radio as PJ and Maggie were on their way back from Keith Purvices' farm.
"Mt Tomas 608, go ahead Mt Thomas sation," Maggie said into the hanset.
"Report of a robbery in process at the fruit and veg shop on the main street."
"We're on it Boss, eta about a minute."
PJ sped off down the roadto the shop where they saw two youths escaping from the premises on foot.
"Chase 'em," yelled PJ as he saw them getting away.
They had run a few blocks before the boys came to a dead end and Maggie caught and cuffed them.
About a minute later PJ came jogging around the corner.
"Bit tired are we?" laughed Maggie.
"Ah yeah just a bit," he said gasping for air.
When they got back to the station, the boys were processed and Maggie had great fun telling the others how unfit PJ was.
"So PJ, I hear you need a bit of physical exercise," laughed Nick.
"Mate you don't know the half of the exercise I get," he replies with a cheecky grin.
"I never knew you got any exercise," commented Dash.
PJ chuckled at her intellegence level and gave her a 'think about it' look.
"There's a lot of things you don't know about me Diedre."
"Enough messing about you lot," said Tom. "But PJ I think you should take Schultz's advice, and get a bit of exercise."
"But Boss..." PJ started.
"But nothing P-J, if you want ot keep your job as a detective chasing crooks everywhere, then I suggest you get into a bit of training. You and Doyle both have the afternoon of, so you can start then and she can help you. You don't mind do you Maggie?"
"No I'd love to get this slacker into shape," she laughed.
Their shift ende and Maggie went into the C.I office.
"Come on you, we have training to do," she said smiling at him.
"Hey that rhymes," he laughed.
"But you're not actually expecting me to do this are you?"
"Of course I am," she said pulling him up out of his seat.
"But Maggs..." he started.
"Uh, uh, uh, you've already tried that one today, it didn't work then, and it won't work now," she said literally pulling him out of his chair. "Good luck Maggs," called Nick following them out onto the street
"Thanks, I have a feeling I'm gonna need it!" she said laughing.
"Well, gee thanks for the vote of confidence," said PJ getting into Maggie's car.
"First we go to your house so you can get changed, then mine, then down to the oval. Ok?" Maggie said when settled in the car
"Mmm I guess," he grumbled as Maggie drove off
***At PJ's House***
"What are you doing in there," yelled Maggie from the kitchen waiting for PJ to get changed.
"Hang on will ya," he called back before coming out in boardies, a t-shirt, sunnies and joggers. Maggie smiled and gave him a wolf whistle (woo, woo) before dragging im out to the car.
The next stop was Maggie's house where she got dressed into similar clothes, then they headed down to the oval.
"Now, to start with, we'll just do five laps around the circumferecne of the oval," she said.
"Nah, that's borung, let's have a race."
"You sure? I mean, you wouldn't want to get beaten by a girl."
"I could beat you with my hands behind my back and my eyes closed," he sated.
"10 bucks says I win," she said fimly.
"10 bucks?? That's a bit lame isn't it? How about if I win you cook me dinner and if you win you can tell the whole town I was beaten by a girl."
"That sure of yourself are ya? Done, no changing the bet, Deal?"
"Deal," he replied. "Now where to race to," he looked around hoping for inspiration.
"How about to the footy posts at the other end," said Maggie.
"Ok, on your marks, get set, go!," he yelled before bolting off in front of her.
She caught up to im, then passed, but then he sped up again and beat her by a few meters.
"Woo hoo," he yelled in victory. "You owe me dinner mate" PJ continued lightly punching her on the shoulder.
"Come on then, five laps," she said running off again.
***
"Oh, I need a drink," said PJ as he walked through the door of hhis house. "You want a juice?"
"Yeah, thanks," she replied.
"Oh my god look at the time, we're supposed to be at the imperial for drinks, I don't even have time to go home and get changed."
"You can borrow some jeans if you want," he offered pleasently. "Greta, help yourself, their in the wardrobe in my room, I'm just going to go for a quick shower and then you can."
As Maggie headed towards his room, he walked off to the bathroom.
As she pulled open the wardrobe doors she looked at all his white t-sirts folde neatly, about four of them, then she saw all his different coloured shirts, then there were jeans, ties, jackets, trousers and lots more. She pulled a light green shirt off a hanger, grabbed a t-shirt and took a pair of jeans.
As she was about to close the doors she saw a small photo album in the bottom of the wardrobe, and hesitated, but decided to look through it. Some of the photos were of his family- so she presumed-, or the other Heelers, but most of them were of her. The only one with something written next to it was one of her by herself saying,
"Beautiful Maggie." She quickly put it back, closed the cupboard and sat down on PJ's bed, thoughts racing through her mind. 'How does PJ really feel about her?' 'Does he love her as more than just a friend?' Her thoughts were shattered as he came strolling into the room with only a towel around his waist. At that moment Maggie realised how sexy he was, and how much she really was attracted to him.
"Earth to Maggie," PJ yelled
"What? Oh, sorry I was miles away."
"Yeah I guessed, you can use the shower now, there's a towel in there for you."
"Thanks," she replied getting up and heading for the bathroom.
While she was in the shower she looked at all the half filled bottles of shampoo and conditioner everywhere, "Huh, typical male cleanliness," she said to herself. As she got out and dressed, she decide to use his deoderant and then realised it was the same as the one she used herself. She picked up his aftershave and smelt the sweet masculine smell that PJ always seems to have.
"Come on Maggs, we have to go," yelled PJ breaking her toughts yet again.
"Um, yep, I'll be right there, just hang on a sec."
As she walked out she saw PJ putting his shoes on.
"Shit, I don't even have anyy shoes to wear!"
"Boots do?" he asked retrieving another pair from the cupboard. "Perfect!"
"I could easily get used to this," she muttered to herself with a smile. "What?"
"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking out loud."
As she tied up he hairshe looked in the mirror seeing herself in PJ's clothes. She looked and felt so comfortable, and realised how much she loved him, yeah she'd loved him before, more than anyone else, but this was different, this was passion. For the third time that night PJ broke her thoughts,
"Come on Maggs!"
"Yep, I'm there," she responded walking out of the room.
The whole night all she could think about was PJ, the fact that he might actually feel the same way about her- she simply could not get the picture of them together out of her mind. Eventually she decide that there was only one way to find out, to ask him and then it clicked, the dinner that she owed him would be the perfect time. For the rest of the night she was in her own world of thoughts and ideas for their future.
"Maggs, Maggie, Maragret!" said Nick waving his hand in front of her face.
"What planet were you on?" he laughed.
"Mmm," she grumbled.
"Come on, everyone's leaving."
"What already?"
"Maggs it's twenty to eleven."
"You're joking, where's Dash."
"Outside with PJ, they're waiting for you to take them home."
**IN THE CAR- PJ and Maggie are in the front, Dash is in the back**
"Maggie, what's wrong?" PJ asked in an extreemly caring voice.
"Nothing why?"
"It's just that ever since I left you in my room, when I was in the shower, you've been off in la la land."
"It's nothing, I'm just tired...... Well, here we are," she said pulling up on his driveway.
"Thanks a lot for today, and ddon't forget our bet," he said getting out of the car.
"I won't, don't worry," she assured him.
"Bet, bedroom, shower?" asked Dash cheekily as they drove off down the street.
"Don't worry, I'll explain later!" she replied.
***
Two nights later Dash had gone to her mum's house for dinner so Maggie had planned for PJ to come over that night. She prepared oysters for starters then marinated steaks foe mains.
At precisely 7pm PJ rocked up to her house. As she opened the door PJ handed her a bottle of wine.
"Maggs, that smells so nice, do you know how hungry I am," he said stepping inside.
"Yeah it's still cooking do you want a drink while we wait?"
"Mmm, yeah a beer would be good." Maggie opened him a beer and poured a glass of orange juice into a glass for herself, then brought them into PJ who was sitting in the living room.
"PJ we have to talk," she said sitting down next to him.
"Shoot," he said taking a sip of his beer.
"I don't know how you'll react to this but... I have to say it. I..... I love you Peej." PJ had a mouthful of beer and almost choked on it.
"You do?" he said absolutely astonished.
"Oh my god," said Maggie turning the other way, tears starting to spill down her face.
"Hey what are you crying about?" he asked and pulled her close to him. Once again she smelt his beautiful masculine odur and started crying even harder.
"What, what," he asked in a worried voice.
"You, you don't."
"Love you?" he stated. She sofly nedded her head as her tears dampened his shirt.
"Of course I do Maggs, I love you more than anything, and I always have." They kissed and expressed all the love they had kept bottled up for so many years.
Maggie pulled away, "I think we should have starters, because the steak's going to be done soon."
"You're my starters!"
"Come on you get up."
They got up then PJ sat down at the table and Maggie brought out the oysters. "All prepared even if I had said I didn't feel the same!" "Then there'd be even more need for them then wouldn't there!"
"By the way Maggs, these don't work on me."
"Well they do on me, so they'll have to effect me then I'll effect you!"
"Sounds good, but you already do effect me!?"
"You're such a smooth talker, but eat now, and talk later."
After dinner they sat and talked for hours about the past before retiring to the bedroom. The next morning the alarm went off waking the two sleepy police officers. They could smell toast being cooked.
"PJ" whispered Maggie.
"You saty hhere and I'll try and get rid of her."
Five minutes later Maggie returned with a cup of coffee and some toast.
"What's happening?" he asked as she walked in.
"Dash and I both start work at 9 today."
"And I start at 8, oh shit that's in ten minutes what are we gonna do?" "You're clothes are still here , you can eat this, but then you're going to have to jump out the window."
"Yeah, but she'll hear my car."
"Oh yeah, well you'll have to try and do it really quickly."
"Maggs, what are you doing in there, your toast is going cold," yelled dash trough the door.
"Umm... I'm just getting changed, I'll be out in a sec," she called back.
"Ok, I gotta go or she'll get suspicious, I'll be back in a minute," she said going to open the door.
"Ah, Maggs you'll have to get changed or then she'll get suspicious," he said unbuttoning her PJ's.
"Then you can help me, and I can help you too."
"Good idea," she said kissing him gently.
*** The station***
"Maggs, can I see you in my office for a second please?" said PJ sticking his head out of his office.
"Mmm one sec," she replied.
"Yes," she said as she went in and closed the door behind her.
"Mum's invited me to her house for mothers day, and I've decided that since you've got the weekend off, well do you want to come too?" "Are you sure?"
"Yeah Mum said it sounds like a great idea, so we'll leave tomorrow morning. Oh yeah, and do you want to come over to my place for dinner tonight?"
"What are you cooking?"
"Ah, chinese takeaway."
"You're on, I'll be there at 7."
"Yep, I'll see you then and Maggs, one more thing," he said pulling her close to kiss her.
That night Maggie knocked on PJ's door with a suitcase in her hand.
"Maggs, what are you doing? I invited you to dinner, not to move in," he laughed.
"Well I decided that if we're leaving so early I won't have time to get home in the morning," she said with a cheecky grin.
"Margaret Doyle I never thought I'd see the day," he said closing the door and kissing her lightly.
The following morning PJ and Maggie drove down to PJ's mothers place and arrived at about 10:30am.
The night before they had their chinese take-away, but not much was exactly eaten. PJ's mother lived the suberb of Ivanhoe, in Melbourne. PJ had informed Maggie on their trip up that his mother had just moved from St. Kilda. Sure, St. Kilda was a nice place, but it was trebily busy and she wanted a quiter place. What she had found was perfect. It was a short walk to the station and only a 15 minute train ride into the city.
"Hello Patrick" PJ's mother greeted him as she opened the door, "And Constable Doyle" Maggie felt a little uncomferable,
"Maggie would work much better, after all we're not on duty"
"Which mean's I can do anything" PJ whispered in his year, causing Maggie to smile. "What was that Patrick, dear?" his mother enquired. "Mum" PJ warned, "Nothing, and you know I hate that name, PJ will do much better"
****
It was just after lunch and PJ was helping his mother with the dishes from Lunch. Maggie was in the bathroom.
"What shall I do about the sleeping arangments?" PJ's mother asked, "Shall I set up the fold out couch for you, and Maggie can have the guest room?"
"Um, Mum" PJ began, "I think it would be okay if, um, we..."
"Both of you within the guest room?" his mother guessed,
"Yes Mum"
"Well, dear, don't take advantage of her"
"Mum!"
"Okay, now go up and see if she's alright!" she said, flicking a tea towel in his face
****
Another hour past and PJ asked Maggie if she wouldn't mind coming into the city with her. PJ hadn't been able to buy his mother a present for Mother Day which was the next day, Sunday.
"Sure" Maggie said, "Catch the train in?"
"It would probaly be the quickest way"
Maggie and PJ told Mrs Hasham their plans, but only said they were going to window shop. They also told her that they would stay in the City for lunch.
****
"Come on PJ!" Maggie said, the train was already at the platform, and PJ only had another 20 minutes to run, "PJ!"
"I'm coming" he breathed, very un-fit
"I haven't made you much fitter have I?" seeing the train move off, before her eyes
"Yes, but I don't joke around an oval, as I said to our dear friend Dash, I get my exercise in a different way!" he joked, catches up to her
"You surprise me sometimes"
"So when the next train comming?" PJ asked, changing the subject
"Um" she mumbled looking up at the screen, they had finally reached the platform, "17 minutes"
"Good - O, what were you saying about making me fit?" PJ asked, jokingly beding forward
"PJ, we're in PUBLIC!"
* * * *
Another half an hour past and PJ and Maggie arrived at Melbourne Centrel Station. They walked out of the train carriage hand in hand, and then moved towards the escaltors.
They headed past the huge clock and the tower and moved into Myer. It was busy, a few fathers moving around with the children, and single people moving around.
"So" PJ said, "What should I get her?"
"Now, PJ that's really up to you"
"Yeah, but can't you give me a little bit of advise, what would you like?"
"For starters I'm not a mother"
"You're a women, now what would you like?"
"Some thing simple!"
"Like?"
"You think about it?"
Yet another hour past but PJ finally spoted the perfect present which her purchased.
"Good Present PJ" Maggie said, "I never thought you had that good taste"
"Come on Maggs" PJ replied, "You helped me, so take the credit!"
"Yeah, I guess, but she'll like it, it's perfect, not to expensive, not to cheep"
"Yep!"
"So, what do we do now?"
"Food" PJ said
"And where?"
"Well, Maggs, we're in the city, not Mt. Thomas so lets get something we don't have back home"
"Well theres" Maggie thought out aloud, "No way, there's no way I'm letting a grown man have MacDonalds, Italian?"
"Sure Maggs, what ever you say"
****
Maggie and PJ had a peaceful dinner just out side of the city. Somehow Maggie knew about it, and it was a nice small place. Not to noisy, but not to quite. It was about a 10 minute walk from where they were, and as they were together the time passed quickly. They enjoyed the time to their selves.
"So PJ, what are we going to do back in Mt. Thomas" Maggie asked, looking up from her food, "We can't exactly stay here the rest of out lives, can we?"
"What do you mean Maggie?"
"Tom will spilt us up PJ"
"No it won't"
"How do you know?"
"Cause his an old fashion copper, who doesn't believe in a relationship like ours"
"Maggs, you know that not true"
"I do? Look at when Adam kept bugging me when he first came PJ" Maggie said, making PJ laugh,
"Remember?"
"Sure I do. Wayne was, well jelous and we didn't really like it. But in the end we knew that you were only being kind to the new guy in town"
"But I'm not being kind to the new guy in town"
"So?"
"He'll spilt is up"
"So we'll keep it a secret"
"You'd do that?" Maggie asked
"I'd do anything thing for you Maggs"
"Okay, so we keep it a secret for as long as we can, then see what happens"
"Good O Maggs, know we've got that sorted out, let's get on with the rest of the week ends"
***
"Morning Maggs" PJ said, pulling a t-shirt on. He already that his boxers on.
"Morning to you too" she smiled, "I guess you beter get that present and give it to her"
"I'm not in that much off a rush" PJ joked
"PJ, it's her day"
***
Mrs. Hasham rushed to the phone when she heard it ring. It was 10am and she had been up for serveral hours.
"Hello?" she said into the hand set, "May I ask who's calling?"
"Hello Mrs. Hasham" Dash replied from Mt. Thomas, "I'm Constable Dash, from Mt. Thomas and I was wondering if I could speak to PJ"
"Patrick still asleep dear, and I don't have the heart to wake them"
"How about Maggie?"
"As I said I don't have the heart to wake them, they were home late from their dinner last night"
"Well, when they wake up" Dash began, "Could you ask them to call me at the station, I need to get a follow up on a case they left for us"
"Sure dear" Mrs. Hasham said, "Bye"
"Bye Mrs. Hasham, and happy mothers day"
"Thank-you"
***
"Adam, Nick!" Dash yelled. Nick was in the bathroom, and Adam cleaning the cells, "You'll never guess what I just found out. "
"What?" They echoed
***
Maggie and PJ walked down the stairs into the kitchen, it was nearly 11:30am. They were both showered and dressed.
"Happy Mothers Day Mum" PJ said, kissing her cheeck
"Thankyou" she replied, "Constable Dash rang, she asked you to return the call. I told her I didn't have the heart to wake you both up"
Maggie and PJ shot a look at each other and hoped she hadn't said too much.
"Mum, before we get into our work, I'd like to give you this" PJ said, producing a box from behind his back
"Patrick" she said, "You know you didn't have to do this" PJ knew she was lying though
She gently removed the wrapping of the parcel to reveal a photo frame. It had 3 spaces which said insert Photo.
"I figure you could put a photo of you, dad and me in it" PJ said, "Or anything else you wanted"
"I love it Patrick, thank-you, now go and make your phone call"
***
That afternoon PJ drove home, with Maggie at his side. It was about a one and a half hour drive and they went to Maggie's first to drop of her things and found a note from Dash.
Maggs,
I figure you'd be home by about 6? Am I right? I figured you wouldn't want to leave to much to chance. Drop by the Imperial - that's where we all are, as ussual
Dash
"Now what would she mean by that?" Maggie thought
"What?" PJ asked, replying
"Nothing" Maggie smiled, "Feel like a drink?"
"Sure"
"Just remember this is a secret"
"Secret, got it"
***
"Chris" Maggie called, "Can I have a orange juice please?"
"Sure, PJ?"
"Ussual"
"Okay"
Chris went to collect there drinks leaving Maggie and PJ alone at the bar.
"Look" Dash said to Nick and Adam quitly, pointing towards Maggie and PJ
"What?" Adam asked
"Maggie and PJ" she answered
"Ahh" Nick joined
"PJ, Maggie, how was the weekend" Dash asked cheerfully when Maggie and PJ reached their table
"You know" Maggie replied, "So - so"
"Nothing major happen?" she nagged
"What?" Maggie asked, trying to act surprise
"Darts?" Dash question, motianing to Maggie
"Yeah, okay"
Maggie and Dash walked over to the dart bored but found that he was taken, but sat on a near by table.
"So?" Dash said
"So?"
"So?" Dash repeated, "You know"
"No, I don't know"
"You and PJ, what his mum said"
"She didn't did she" Maggie went red
"I knew it" Dash commendated, "I knew it"
"She didn't" Maggie asked
"Not exactly" Dash laughed
"Just keep it too your self Dash" Maggie warned, knowing that Dash wouldn't be able to, "We want to keep it a secret"
"Now, Maggs, you should know better" Dash replied, "I wouldn't tell a secret to those men or the women over there'
***
"Adam" Dash said the day after within the staion, "I was right"
"Who was right?" Adam asked
"God, you slow"
"Who's right?" PJ asked, coming out of his office
"Who's slow?" Maggie asked, following PJ
"Dash is right" Nick said
"With what?" the confused Adam asked
"Boss?" Maggie called, "Can you come here for a minute?"
"I guess you should all know" Maggie said, when Tom came out of his office, "that PJ and I are seeing each other"
PJ and Tom were stunned. PJ thought she wasn't going to tell anyone, not that he cared that she did, and Tom wasn't sure what to think, he retreated into his office. When he sat in his chair, he took his glasses off, an stared at his window. PJ took Maggie into his arms, and gave her the first kiss in view of their work mates.
"Chris?" Dash said into the phone, "I was right"
"Dash!" Maggie said, pulling away from PJ
THE END!!!!!
Now we hoped you liked it! Email any comments to pmjca32@vicnet.net.au and Anna will pass them on to Sarah ?