August woke to the scent of bacon wafting through her apartment. She knew she didn’t have bacon or anyone to cook it for her, she must be dreaming. Rolling over into her pillow, a pain radiated down her leg and a smile crept across her lips.

She wasn’t dreaming. She’d had the most amazing night of her life. Her body ached in the most glorious ways, and she would do it all over again in a heartbeat. If that were Reese rusty, she would love to see what he was like when he was at his best.

“Good morning, gorgeous,” Reese called from her doorway, causing her to look up. “I made you some breakfast. I hope you like bacon and eggs.”

Seeing Reese in her doorway dressed only in his boxer briefs she was suddenly hungry for something other than food. “Wait, hang on a minute. Where’d you get bacon and eggs from?” she asked propping herself up on one elbow.

“I ducked down to the corner store while you were sleeping. You’re very pretty when you sleep, y’know? Has anyone ever told you that?”

“No,” she shook her head. Her relationship history was pretty dismal and had barely allowed for her to be in a position to be told that. “Actually, about last night…”

“Shh, let’s not ruin this. I’ve made you breakfast. We can talk later,” Reese placated. “Now sit up, you can’t eat laying down.”

“Yes, boss,” she laughed at his instructions. What was she fighting? Here was this gorgeous man. He’d made love to her all night long, and now he was making her food. She would be crazy to pass him up.

Their phones buzzed in unison. Reese’s on the bedside table and hers from the living room where she had left it the night before. Reese reached for his and read the message aloud.

Just letting you know, Logan is doing well. It was only a superficial wound. He should make a full recovery. M.

August heaved a sigh of relief, which was soon followed with a pang of guilt. She had been having a night of passion while Davina sat by her son’s bedside.

“How do you deal with things like this?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“How do you switch it off?”

“Sometimes I can’t. Some nights I go home, and I stare at the walls, and I curse the gods for the things they put people through. At the end of the day, it’s my job. Someone has to do it. And it’s not all bad. Look at this.” He pointed to his phone.

“Yeah, but it could have been a lot worse.”

“But it wasn’t,” he reminded her. “You deal with scum bags all day. You must get a sense of satisfaction out of catching people out?”

“Not really. I know for every one I catch out, someone’s life gets torn apart. Where’s the satisfaction in destroying people’s lives? I can pat myself on the back for a job well done. But it gives me a pretty jaded view of the world.”

“I guess,” Reese sighed. “I suppose you need to keep in mind it’s only a small percentage of the population and for the most part, people are good.”

“Are they?”

Before Reese had a chance to respond, his phone chortled out a happy tune, and he brought it to his ear. August laughed to herself as she heard Mercy’s voice down the line. Even when she was trying to have a private conversation, her loud voice gave her away.

“Yep, I’ll organise it this morning,” Reese said tossing her a wink.

While he spoke, she moved to the edge of the bed and fished in her bedside draw for a fresh set of underwear.

“I’ll bring August in,” she heard him say. “No, you don’t need to worry about it. I’m here with her now.”

Mercy’s squeal of delight filled her bedroom as Reese pulled the phone away from his ear and August laughed at her friend’s reaction. Then groaned at the realisation that she was never going to hear the end of it.

“Okay, I’ll see you at the station. Goodbye, Blue,” he chuckled as he hung up the phone. “I think Mercy’s happy I’m here.”

“Really? Whatever gave you that impression?” she laughed as she pulled her t-shirt over her head.

“Hey, we don’t need to go just yet.” Reese’s hand smoothed across the skin of her lower back, sending shock-waves through her body. “I told Mercy I’d bring you into the station later this morning. I just need to get both of your statements. But, that means you and I can spend a little more time together before then.”

The sly grin on Reese’s face was enough to persuade her and she rolled onto her back, allowing him to move in and envelop her.

* * *

“Alright, thank you. That is all we need from you for now,” Sergeant Essex said closing his file and dropping his ballpoint pen down purposefully on top of it. “Bryson will have a committal hearing as soon as the prosecutor can set a date. If he pleads not guilty, which I imagine he will, then it will go to trial. It will be at that stage when you are called as a witness. Depending on the outcome of the child’s injuries his charges could potentially be upgraded.

The prosecutor may be in contact with you to discuss the details of your involvement with Bryson prior to the shooting. It would be in your best interest to provide him with as much information as you can.”

“I understand,” August nodded. She had expected as much. Having spent years working in insurance fraud she had prepared court reports before.

“Thank you for coming in, August. I’m sorry we had to meet again under these circumstances.”

August nodded and shook the sergeant’s hand before making her way back out into the reception area.

Reese and Mercy sat close together, deep in conversation and didn’t appear to notice her, until she stood in front of them both.

“How’d you go?” Reese asked, quickly rising to his feet and reaching for her hand.

“I’ve told him what I know. There’s nothing more I can do.”

“Right,” he agreed, turning to look between the two women. “Now, I’m really sorry. I’ve got to stay and do some paperwork myself, but Blue said she’d take you home.”

“That’s okay,” she shrugged, pulling her hand away from his clasp. She was not at all comfortable with his public display of affection.

“Can I call you?” he asked, dragging his phone from his pocket.

“Yeah,” she nodded. She hadn’t expected last night to be a one night stand. Perhaps she had read it wrong.

He gave both women a quick hug before retreating back into the office, leaving her to Mercy’s questioning.

“It’s about time you two got together,” Mercy teased as they walked from the station.

“What makes you think we’re together?” August asked, trying to keep the smile out of her voice. It was futile. She was happy. Reese was amazing. Even though the circumstances of them coming together had been horrific, being with him had felt right.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you two looked at each other the whole time we were in the interview room. For what it’s worth, you know I love you both, and I think you are perfect for each other.”

“Yeah, I kind of noticed you trying to push us together from the start.”

“Can I be your bridesmaid?” Mercy chided.

August was taken aback by Mercy’s forwardness, before realising her friend was having a lend of her.

“No, I don’t think so,” she responded. “I would want green dresses for my bridesmaids and well,” she looped a lock of Mercy’s hair through her fingers. “I wouldn’t want to be going for the Christmas tree look.”

“You’re lucky you’re my friend,” Mercy shook her head.

“One of us is lucky, anyway.”