~~~
PJ pushed Maggie none-too-gently up against the wall in his office, kissing her passionately, feverishly. His hands roamed her figure as she writhed beneath his touch, and sighed into his kiss. The door was shut and locked, and the office empty. The other Heelers had left for the night, and Maggie had insisted upon staying to help PJ out with some filing. But they'd somehow gotten sidetracked, and things were heading rapidly towards an oft-used office cliché... Just her, him and the desk. Or the wall, or the floor, anywhere, it didn't matter where. All that mattered was them, and the desire which pulsated in the air like a lustful canopy. In a passionate stupor, PJ was captivated by her everything - her scent, sweet
and temptingly luscious; the feel of her petite, curvaceous figure beneath him; her reactions to each tiny movement and adjustment of self. Maggie was similarly entranced by her boyfriend - no, colleague - no,
definitely her lover's musky scent, strong forearms and lean body; by his dominance which in any other situation she would have quelled sharply... But there was nothing in the world more important than him, in that moment in time - Maggie could no longer think beyond the next second, the next blissful moment, until --
"HASHAM! DOYLE! What in blazes do you think you're doing in there?" Tom Croydon's voice bellowed out of the main area of the office. Startled, Maggie sprung from PJ's embrace, and grabbed a stack of files. Finger-combing her hair, and brushing down her uniform, she stuck her
head out the door to answer.
"We were just..." she paused, hoping she sounded relatively normal, "moving some files around. PJ
dropped a stack, and ah - that's probably what you heard."
"Hmph." He was obviously not convinced, but willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. She was thankful for his silent reprieve, although aware that he was not condoning them - as far as he was concerned, they were working. Maggie almost grinned, damn right they were working.
"Uh, so Boss - what are you doing here?" Maggie asked, trying to sound nonchalant, and praying that PJ had more control than she did.
"What do you mean, what am I doing here? It's my station, I'm entitled to be here at any time I like, Doyle." He shook his head in disgust, deciding to grace her with a real answer. "Actually, I left my glasses here after work, and came back to get them. Got a problem with that?"
Sheesh. Defensive, some? Maggie nearly spoke that thought out loud, but stopped herself in time. PJ opened the door more fully from behind her, also holding files and looking busy.
"Was there something you wanted to see us about, Boss?" he inquired. "We were kind of busy." Maggie resisted the urge to slap him - as if the Boss wasn't fully aware of that.
"Ah, no, that's okay Hasham - you get back to work. I just wanted to know why you were still here, but I guess your secretary answered that for me."
Maggie glowered at him, silently wishing he'd leave. Perhaps he got the message, too, because he started to back out the door. "I'd better get back, anyhow, ah - you just knock off soon, all right?"
"Sure, Boss," Maggie answered with relief. Maybe he knew, and maybe he didn't, but either way they were 'safe' for the time being.
As he left, PJ drew Maggie back into his office, shutting the door behind them.
"So, Mags - where were we?" he asked, encircling her with his arms.
"Ah, I don't know, PJ," she replied coyly, "I was thinking that perhaps you could remind me?" She lifted her lips to meet his, and a familiar sensation coiled within her as she assured him that she did remember perfectly. The kiss deepened, and PJ slid his hands up her shirt, touching, feeling...
Suddenly, Maggie froze. "PJ?" she whispered. "Stop." And like the truegentleman he was, he did immediately.
"What, Mags?" he asked.
"Did you hear that?" she said softly. "There's someone here."
He listened, and with trained ears heard the unmistakable sounds of movement from within the dark office. He slipped over to the door and silently unlatched it. Drawing it open, Maggie stood behind him warily.
A dark shadow was moving around over by a desk - PJ couldn't tell whose. Maggie's desk? Or Nick's? But abruptly, the figure froze, and looked up.
PJ took a step forward. "Listen," he said dangerously, "I don't know who the hell you are, or what you think you're doing here, but this is a police station, and we are both trained police officers. With weapons. So I'd suggest you stop what you're doing and step forward *slowly*, with your hands where I can see them."
The figure looked startled, and Maggie flicked the light switch. Nick stood there, looking sheepish and trapped. PJ threw his hands up in disgust. "Ah, mate, what the hell are you doing here this time of
night?"
Nick narrowed his eyes. "I could ask you the same question, *mate*." His eyes grew wider as Maggie stepped out behind PJ. He looked back and forth between them, taking in the situation.
"Look, it's not what you think," Maggie said. "We stayed late to do some filing, and well, PJ's office is a little more of a disaster area than I'd thought. We got held up, but we're on our way out now."
Nick nodded, his hands by his sides again. "Right. And I came here for some notes on the sheep dog incident - I couldn't sleep, so I decided to do some work." PJ believed him, and so did Maggie. Nick turned around to his desk again, muttering, "Where in heck did I leave them?" Suddenly, he looked up at them. "Ah, I meant to ask you - who was it I saw pulling out a moment ago? There was this car, and it looked kinda like-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know." PJ interrupted, "It was the Boss. He forgot his glasses or something."
"And he needed them now?" Nick asked incredulously.
"Apparently," Maggie replied.
"So what are you guys gonna do now?" Nick asked.
"Ah, we were going to head off, grab a bite to eat at Maggie's - she's got the food, you know... Just..."
PJ shrugged. "Head for home, I guess."
Nick nodded. "All right, mate, sorry about scaring you and all."
"Not a problem," Maggie answered for him, through slightly clenched teeth. She and PJ were going to have to talk about this. Tonight.
Nick waved at them and left, slamming the door behind him, notes in hand.
Meanwhile, Maggie sank down into her chair. The bright lights were casting an eerie illumination over the office, perhaps added to by the late hour. The overall atmosphere was... intriguing. But she wanted to go home, now - the mood was definitely spoiled. She sighed. "PJ, we have to talk about this."
"I know, love," he replied, leaning over the top of her chair. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, and started giving her a massage. Mmm... Maybe the mood wasn't quite so spoiled, Maggie thought.
But no - there were things to do. Other things.
"So?" she prompted.
"So?" he replied. "What can I say?"
"Maybe what we should do about... this..."
He leered at her, and she felt it rather than saw it. "Oh yeah? This? Or *this*?" His implication was more than obvious, and she rolled her eyes.
"Both." Maggie replied firmly.
He sighed. "Ah, all right..." He crossed around her, and sat on her desk. It was empty of papers, and he rested his legs across hers, which were crossed on the table. This put them in an interesting position, with their legs quite disrespectively crossed, his feet against her chair, and her in one corner of the chair, running her fingers along the fabric of his jeans.
There was silence in the station, as they each gathered their personal thoughts. After about ten minutes, PJ finally spoke.
"Mags," he asked. "Have you ever wondered what things would be like if they were... different?"
"Sometimes," she replied. "Who doesn't, right?"
"I don't," he said. "Not usually. But now... I mean, Mags - what if things were different between us? If we were both living in the city, and working as... I dunno - I'd be... uh, probably a city detective," he
shrugged. "And you'd be-"
"A city cop," she replied wryly. "No. PJ - don't feel bad about this. We're both police by nature, and this is how our paths have crossed. If we met in the city, or when I was passing through Mt. Thomas... Things would be different, you're right. They wouldn't be like this. But maybe... Well, maybe they would even be this good."
PJ blew her a kiss. "As long as I'm with you, Mags - things would have to be pretty good."
She smiled at him, returning the kiss. "Likewise," she said. "So remember that."
"I do," he said softly. "And I count my blessings daily... But I just can't help but wonder sometimes..."
"Yeah," she whispered.
There was more silence, then Maggie spoke up. "You know, it's not too late to change things."
"Oh?" PJ replied. "How so, Mags?"
"Well, you know... We could just pick up and leave one day."
He thought about that for a moment. "Just... leave? As in, make like a tree and...? Or make like a river, and...?" Damn clichés.
"I wasn't thinking about going bush, though," she informed him. "City life, I've always liked it better.
It's anonymous, private. But yeah, one day, we just don't come to work. The Boss finds our resignation papers on his desk, and no-one knows what happened."
"No-one?" he asked her.
"No-one," she echoed softly.
"And then," PJ said quietly, "we can date, and be ourselves - no more having to hide, no more secret meetings like this, no more people talking about us behind our backs... They're catching on, you know. After tonight, well... Perhaps the Boss will have something to say about it in the morning..."
"Can you imagine, PJ?" Maggie asked. "When was the last time you fell for someone you couldn't have, no matter how much you wanted her?"
"Never," PJ replied. "If I thought a girl was attractive, interesting - well, I'd ask her out for a coffee or something. And we'd date and see if we liked it... But never with any strings attached."
"Same here," Maggie said. "It's not like I've never been involved in serious relationships - my God, when Wayne and I were dating in the academy - that was serious at the time, right? And... he-"
PJ winced a little. "Let's not go there, eh, Mags?"
She smiled ruefully at him. "Whatever. I'm just saying - there were never any strings attached, until now. And now that I know what I want," she paused, and they made eye contact, "it's just not an option."
"Not really," he added.
"Not legally," she elaborated.
"Just not... Acceptable. Relationships are hard enough outside of work, but working together in this occupation... We've been through it all before."
Maggie whet her lips as she thought. There was a lull in conversation, before she backtracked it to what she'd earlier mentioned. "Imagine, though, PJ... Just imagine - you and me, no strings attached."
"Except for you and me."
"That's not a string, that's a rope," she confirmed.
"Twice braided." PJ replied without missing a beat. "But there's more to it than just dreaming... We'd have to make it work."
"Yeah," she agreed. "Where would we go?"
"The city." PJ replied. "Melbourne. Or Queensland?"
Her eyes lit up. "Yes! Let's go to Queensland - Brisbane. Right near the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast - well, near enough, anyway. And warm."
PJ granted that, and continued, "But we wouldn't have to be planted - we'd take off out bush when we felt the urge - I don't think I could give it up that easily, you know."
"I know," she replied. "And the kids would have to go camping - I loved it when mum and dad used to take me and the boys... I'd want our kids to have that same opportunity."
"Our kids? Geez, we're having *kids* now?"
"Sure, you got a problem with that?" PJ shook his head, no. "So we'd live in the city. But what would we do? I hardly think we could afford to retire even at this ripe old age."
"Pretty stingy, this police force," PJ agreed. "But if I hadn't become a cop, well - you know, I always wanted to teach."
"You? Get out of here! Really?" Maggie exclaimed in disbelief. "What would you teach?"
"I've always rather fancied Maths and Science, myself," PJ replied. "Geology, to be exact, but I don't mind Biology. Why?"
"Just curious. Really?" She was still having a hard time believing it. "I'm sorry, I just never saw you as a teacher. You never want to go to schools and teach kids about detective work..."
"That's different."
"Right."
"I'm serious."
"Uh-huh."
"Okay. Okay, so maybe I wouldn't be a teacher. Maybe I'd be a businessman, and dress in those fancy suits everyday, and work in an air-conditioned office building."
"I think you'd hate it. You're a man of the land, PJ."
"Am not! I hate the bush!"
"I don't believe you. You may not be a squatter, and sure, you're a bit of a city slicker, but... Yeah, okay, maybe you'd work in an office." She smiled at him, and he reached for her hand, kissing it. PJ propped himself up on her desk more comfortably.
"So what about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, I'm not going to be the only breadwinner in the family - besides, you'd get bored."
"Damn right there." She thought for a moment. "I've always been interested in social welfare..."
"How could I guess?" PJ asked dryly.
"I'd like to do that. But it's kind of sad, you know -- so maybe interior decorating."
"You're pretty artistic."
"It was my best subject in high school."
"Really?"
"Mm-hm, I though you knew that."
"Nope. So, now we've got professions decided - what next?"
"How we get away."
"How do we?"
"Well, should it be secretive, or open?"
"Open. We'd have to let the others know what we're doing."
"Why, PJ?"
"So they could come to the wedding, of course! Nick'd kill me if-"
"Okay, okay, so what then... I know! We write our resignations and leave them on the Boss' desk. And slip out during the night."
"You've been watching too many detective films, sweetheart - this is real life we're talking about."
"I don't watch detective movies - I live them." Maggie countered. "And I think it'd be neat."
"Or, we could throw a huge party, announce our engagement and pending resignations, and celebrate it."
"Too boring."
"Too *what*?"
"Boring. Dull. Unoriginal." Maggie wrinkled her nose.
"Dare to dream and all, huh?" She nodded at him. "What if we could compromise on that?"
"Like... We throw that huge bash, and announce our *relationship*, let everyone know we're getting married - no? Yeah. So we, ah, announce our engagement and all, let the bats out of the closet and all, and then..."
"Sneak out during the night, after the party, while the others are all at home or passed out on your couch."
"*My* couch? Who says the party will be at my house?"
"I say. Less cleaning up to do, and it's bigger."
"Marginally."
"Exactly. So that's settled."
"And then we're gone?" Maggie asked softly.
"Gone." PJ echoed, rubbing her hand gently.
Slowly, PJ reached forward and cupped Maggie's face in his hands. Gently stroking the silkiness of her skin, he looked into her eyes. "We could do it, you know," he said. Maggie searched his face for any sign of frivolity, or flippancy, but found none. He was deadly serious. Not knowing whether to agree or not, she just looked at him, watching, and listening to hear what he'd say next. He didn't say anything.
Maggie felt obliged to answer. "We could... But there'd be so many problems... Too many things left undone, our careers, our friends here..."
He leaned forward and kissed her gently, a kiss that was brief and undemanding. "I know," he murmured against her. "I couldn't do it, either, Mags." She relaxed immediately, as a wave of inexpressible relief washed over her. Of course they could... But she didn't want to, and neither did he. It was just an option, a path of many that she would leave untraveled.
PJ leaned back, and slipped off her desk. Extending a hand to her, he pulled her up and into his arms.
"PJ?" Maggie asked uncertainly. "I just... Tell me the truth - do you regret any of this?"
"This?" PJ asked, then shook his head. "Nah. You said it yourself - if things were different, we might not even have this between us. And right now, that's enough for me."
"Is it?"
"Absolutely, Maggie. I love you, you know that, and I would die for you. But for now, it's enough just to be secretive about this. We can do it, and it won't be forever."
"But what if it is?" Maggie asked, savouring the feeling of his arms around hers, drawing her in and keeping her so close. So, so close.
"It won't be. And if you ever feel like it's becoming forever - we can always leave."
"Just leave..."
"And it's sitting there, waiting for us. It's an option."
"It's a dream."
"And you have to dare sometimes, Maggie, but just not-"
"-this time," she finished. "Just living each day with you is plenty enough for me. Let's just... enjoy it." She smiled, and shrugged lightly.
"Ooh," he said suggestively. "I like the sound of that. Perhaps you could tell me how?"
She met his lips with hers. "Only if you're good, Patrick Joseph..."
"I swear that I'll be good, just point me in the right direction..."
"Oh, I'll try, but you know, you're kind of hard to tie up..."
"Handcuff, my dear, handcuffs."
"Ooh, getting raunchy are we, PJ?" Maggie giggled between kisses.
"It was your suggestion, not mine..."
"But if we ever get caught..."
"I'll tell them you were searching me for drugs."
"Drugs?"
"And love potions."
"Mmm... Where should I begin?" PJ let Maggie begin her own thorough investigation, praying for another night's privacy and another night's silence. It was tempting, so very tempting, to leave it all behind him, and just be with her every day for all eternity... But it wasn't going to happen. There were too many complications, and too much to feel guilty about. But he hadn't been lying - this really was enough for him. And sometimes, PJ conceded, the stolen pleasures - like this night - were the
ones most savoured, most treasured.
~~~
The End
~~~
Hope you enjoyed it. All feedback to: wakely@cadvision.com
