State of Play - Della/Bell
State of Play fic
Author: Ripley
Pairing: Della/Bell
Disclaimer: No Copyright Infringement Intended
Rating: PG-13
Della sat at her desk in the newsroom checking her watch. Almost 2:30. She had set up another meeting with Detective Chief Inspector William Bell. She wanted to let him know that they had Foy now and to see if their investigation had gone any further. For a few brief moments she allowed herself to admit the attraction she felt towards him. She thought back on the first time they met. Justifiably angry over his officer being killed, he towered over her demanding information on exactly what had happened. And then later, she caught him staring at her after she had pushed Cal away. Just standing in the rain, not moving a muscle. A solid presence. That's what he was. Solid, reliable, trustworthy. "How often do you find that?", a small voice inside her asked.
She settled herself into his car.
"Foy's admitted on tape that he sent the anonymous letters."
Bell leaned back in his seat. "Can I hear that?"
"Not yet. Is there anything else?"
When he said nothing, she moved to get out of the car.
"Della?" She turned back to look at him.
"I wanted to know if you'd like to go to dinner with me. Sometime."
She could see he was nervous, turning away to look out the front windshield as if he expected disappointment. "Just a thought." he added, still not looking at her.
"I...I'd love to, but my schedule...Let me get back to you." She grabbed the door handle and quickly stepped out of the car.
Three days later, Della called Bell's number.
"DCI Bell."
"Meet me at China Palace in ten minutes."
"Ok. Is this about Collins?"
"Just meet me. I'll tell you then."
Bell walked into the Chinese Restaurant to find Della sitting there, with a glass of wine and two menus on the table.
"So what's this all about?"
Della took a deep breath. "This is our date. I know your shift ends in 20 minutes and I'm probably gonna get called back to the office, but I thought this might never happen if we schedule in advance."
Bell stood there not saying a word.
Della fidgited in her seat. "I thought you wanted to..."
"This isn't about the case?"
"No." She answered, clearly uncomfortable.
"Oh, ok." He sat down and picked up his menu. They ordered quickly and it was as Bell was handing his menu back to the waiter that she noticed it. The ring on his finger. A wedding ring. He's married. She mentally berated herself. How could you not notice that? You're a reporter for god's sake. She was mortified and angry at him, but mostly at herself. She chalked it up to the utter cluelessness she had when it came to having a personal life. Bell noticed the look on her face.
"You're married."
"No. I'm not."
She reached across the table, grabbed his hand and held it up. "What is that then?"
He pulled his hand away. "I was married."
Della scoffed."You're what? Separated? Divorced? I can't believe this." She moved to get up.
"I'm a widower. My wife died 3 years ago. Cancer."
Della slowly sat back down.
Bell started fiddling with the ring as he spoke. "I kept it on in the beginning because I couldn't bear to take it off. And then...I don't know." He sighed. "Do we have to talk about this?"
"No. Of course not."
"I told you. I don't lie." he said quietly.
Della's mobile rang.
"That was Cal. I have to get back." She motioned for the waiter to come over. "Can I get that order to go?"
She glanced back over at Bell. "I'm sorry."
He waved her off. "Not at all. It's fine. Really."
Two days later.
Bell answered his phone on the 3rd ring. "Look, I can't talk right now. I'm in a cemetary."
"I know. I'm at the wire. They won't let me through."
He walked over as Chewie lifted the police tape for him.
"Dominic Foy gave us written evidence that could implicate lobbists for UX Oil in the death of Sonia Baker."
"It says what?"
"It proves Foy knows more than he told you. I think you're gonna need him."
He walked back over to Chewie and told him to pick Foy up.
"That's not all you came here for, is it?"
Della looked down at the ground. "No. About the other night....With the exception of my misunderstanding, I enjoyed it."
"Della. Look at me." When she didn't, he crooked his finger under her chin to push her head up and looked her in the eyes. "I did too." and smiled.
Six months later.
DCI Bell came in late, put his gun and badge on the foyer table and walked into the living room. Della jumped onto his back, her legs wrapping around his waist. "Della, your stealth skills really need some work." He pulled her around to face him. He kissed her gently as he moved toward the bedroom. Laying her down on the bed, he grabbed her hands and raised them above her head. With one hand he held her wrists together while the other unbuttoned his old pajama top that she had claimed as her own. She rubbed up againest him, frustrated that he was still completely clothed. He let go of her hands and laid down between her legs, kissing her stomach and down lower onto the inside of her thighs, teasing her as he peeled off her underwear. Her hands pulled gently on his hair. Into the near silence of the room, came the unmistakable sound of his mobile ringing. With a frustrated groan, he sat up and reached into his front pocket. "Bell. Yeah. Are you sure? All right. I'll be there." He leaned back over Della and gave her a quick kiss. "Rain check for later?"
She smiled up at him. "Oh yeah."