A Day Out (Law & Order: UK)
Title: A Day Out
Author: Persiflage_1
Characters/Pairings: Alesha/James
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: 1.07 (Alesha)
Summary: James wants to rebuild his relationship with Alesha following Dr Merrick's second arrest.
Disclaimer: ITV owns Law & Order: UK.
Author Notes: I'm in the midst of re-watching the first 13 episodes of L&O: UK in anticipation of the new season, and I felt compelled to write this.
Unexptected fanfic (while in the middle of writing a novel-length original fic!) is un-beta'd - let me know if you spot anything egregrious!
~~~~~~
The day after Dr Merrick's been confronted with the knowledge that fourteen women have come forward to accuse him of sexual crimes, James goes to see Alesha at her home. He knocks on her front door and gives her a gentle smile when she looks surprised to see him.
"Come in," she says quietly.
"Thanks." He steps inside, trying not to recall the other, happier, occasions when he's been here. "Are you busy?"
She raises an eyebrow, then shakes her head. "No, not really. I was just catching up on some reading."
"How do you fancy a trip out, then?"
Alesha tilts her head, looking up at him with her dark eyes that he knows don't miss much. "With you?" she asks.
He smirks. "I don't see anyone else, do you?"
"Oi!" She bats at his elbow, and his smirk becomes a grin. He's missed the teasing in their relationship, and it's one of many things he hopes they can mend as they move on from the Merrick case.
"All right, mister. Give me five minutes to get changed."
It's his turn to tilt his head and look at her appraisingly. "Yeah, you're right, those sweats don't do anything for you."
"Cheeky sod," she exclaims, but he can hear laughter in her voice as she hurries away. "Take a seat and I'll be back."
James unfastens his long coat and wanders through into the sitting room to slouch on the sofa. He notes the pile of journals on the coffee table, copies of the Law Society Gazette and The Lawyer are both prominent, and he shakes his head as he realises that this was Alesha's reading until he arrived. Well, it'll do her good to get out, he thinks, loosening his scarf and leaning his elbows on his knees to look at the topmost journal.
Alesha returns ten minutes later, and he glances up, feeling his breath catch in his throat at the sight of her: she's wearing blue tailored trousers and a matching jacket over a gold coloured blouse, and she looks stunning. Somehow he feels shabby in his slacks, casual shirt and sweater.
"Is this okay?" she asks, and he hears a hint of anxiety in her voice.
"You look stunning," he tells her truthfully. "You'll be turning heads."
"Oh." She hesitates in the doorway, half turning away, and he quickly gets to his feet and moves to her side.
"Alesha, it'll be okay," he says softly, carefully putting a hand on her shoulder.
She looks up at him, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "I don't know."
He nods. "I know - believe me, it'll be okay. Don't let Merrick do this to you, please. You are stronger than you realise. You are a beautiful woman and there's nothing wrong with demonstrating that fact. You have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of."
She bites her bottom lip, and he ducks his head to rest his forehead against hers. "You are stronger than you realise," he repeats softly.
After a moment she shifts and leans against his chest, and he gives a soft sigh, before wrapping his arms loosely around her. After another moment, she responds, putting her arms around him, and he feels relief at another milestone passed.
"We don't have to go out, if you'd rather not," he tells her, his cheek resting on the top of her head.
She shifts and looks up at him. "No, you're right, I shouldn't let that bastard dictate to me." She pulls away from him and unruffles her clothes after their hug, then smiles. "Shall we?"
He nods, rewraps his scarf, then buttons his long coat again. Alesha picks up her shoulder bag, then he helps her into her coat and waits while she puts on her hat, scarf and gloves.
"Where are we going?" she asks as they step outside; it's a bright and frosty day, and they're both glad of their scarves as they inhale the sharp air.
James gives a soft laugh. "I've no idea," he answers. "Where would you like to go?"
"You'll laugh," she says. He raises an eyebrow, smiling invitingly. "The Clink Prison Museum."
His smile widens into a grin, but he doesn't actually laugh. "If you like," he says. "Isn't that a bit like taking work home from the office, though?"
"I know," she answers, "but I thought we could go somewhere else afterwards. I just haven't ever been there - never seem to find the time, and I'm curious."
"All right, then." He offers her his arm and smiles when she takes it, and leads the way to the nearest Tube station.
"London Bridge is the nearest stop," Alesha tells him, and he nods acknowledgement.
* * * * * *
After the museum, which was interesting, they go and have lunch at Paul. James has offered to take her to a restaurant but Alesha declines, offering to cook dinner for them both tonight instead. He agrees instantly, pleased that she'd suggested it, and suggests Paul's for lunch as it's nearby and they haven't yet decided where else to go besides the museum.
"You should choose where to go next," Alesha says, before biting into her baguette. "I chose the museum."
"I don't mind."
"Nevertheless," she says, quietly insistent, so he agrees that he'll pick somewhere for them to go next.
After baguettes and coffee, they wrap up again, and head outside. Alesha doesn't know it, but there are two delicious French pastries nestling in James' coat pocket for later. He has an urge to spoil her in what he realises may be a vain attempt to prove that not all men are bastards. He doesn't necessarily believe that Alesha thinks like this, but he can't help the desire to look after her insofar as he can - it's why he's with her today.
"All right, then, Mr Steel, where to?"
"What about the London Eye?" he suggests tentatively.
"Oh!" Her eyes light up and he smiles. "Yes, let's."
She slips her arm through his again and he can't help grinning; it feels so good to be this close to Alesha again, and while he doesn't know when, or even if, they'll return to their previous level of intimacy, the fact that she can now hug him, or hold his arm, or let him hold her hand, is a definite step forward.
"It's such a gorgeous day, shall we walk?" she suggests as they draw level with the entrance to the Tube station.
He blinks, then nods. "If you like."
"I do like," she asserts positively. She slips her hand down his arm to hold his hand, which he's got shoved into his pocket, having forgotten to pick up his gloves before he came out.
She grins up at him, squeezing his fingers and he grins back, pleased that she seems so happy and relaxed.
* * * * * *
Alesha refuses to let James buy her ticket for the London Eye, and he decides not to argue the matter with her - she has a feisty look in her eye that tells him he'd better not consider messing with her. They have to queue for some time since they hadn't pre-booked, and after a while she starts stamping her feet, so James suggests that he should go and grab them both a take-away coffee to help them to stay warm.
"All right." She gives a quick nod. "Thanks."
He smiles, and hurries over to the Zen Café which, fortunately, isn't too busy, so he is back within ten minutes.
"Thanks." Alesha takes her coffee from him and lifts the lid to blow on the contents for a few moments before she replaces the lid and takes a sip.
By the time they've finished their coffee they've reached the front of the queue, and are able to purchase their tickets and board a capsule about forty minutes after they arrived.
"Ever done this before?" James asks, as he hands Alesha into the capsule.
"Once - my aunt and cousins were visiting, and this was the one place they wanted desperately to visit." They move over to stand by the far window. "What about you?"
"No, I should suggest it to Ethan next time he's visiting, though. I'm sure he'd enjoy it."
They point out landmarks to each other in quiet voices, Alesha's left arm around his waist, and James' right arm around her shoulders, as the capsule slowly progresses upwards to the high point of the wheel.
"Thanks for today," she says quietly as they stare across towards the building that houses the CPS. "I'm really glad you came and dug me out of my place."
"You're welcome," he says, pleased that she's happy he turned up.
* * * * * *
They eat the pastries on the Tube back to Alesha's flat, and drink more coffee as the temperature's begun to drop as dusk falls.
"I want to stop off at the all-night food market on the way," she tells him as they climb the steps up to street level. "Otherwise dinner will be toast and, or, cereal."
He laughs. "All right then."
Back at the flat he insists on helping her to cook, and they shuffle around the small kitchen, occasionally banging arms or hips when one of them moves or turns too fast for the other to retreat in time.
"This is why I suggested that you sit in the other room," Alesha laughs when James bends down to take a saucepan from the cupboard and bangs his head on her elbow on the way back up.
He gives a rueful laugh, then sets down the pan before rubbing his head absent-mindedly. "You've got sharp elbows, miss," he tells her.
"Aw, poor James," she says in a mocking tone.
"Oi!" he protests, and grabs at her, tickling her side before she smacks his hands away.
"No tickling, no tickling!" she exclaims, trying to dodge away from him and backing herself into a corner instead.
He stops in front of her, not wanting to crowd her, or trigger her, but she's laughing breathlessly, so he steps closer and ducks his head to kiss her lightly on the lips.
"Oh." Her soft gasp is surprised, but not, he thinks, horrified. He steps back again, anyway, then watches as she runs her tongue over her lips.
Her eyes are bright and he wonders if she's going to cry, but she smiles, instead, before stepping closer. "Do that again, please."
He smiles, relieved, and ducks his head a second time, this time leaning a hand on the cupboard behind her to maintain his balance. The kiss swiftly becomes deeper, more passionate, but he lets Alesha lead, not wanting to push her out of her comfort zone.
Eventually she pulls back, breathing as heavily as he is.
"Okay?" he asks softly, watching her face.
"Yeah." She smiles, then smirks as she reaches out to stroke the front of his trousers, which are bulging in an obvious manner.
"I'm not ready for more," she says, "not just yet." She looks up into his face, her hand still caressing him. "But I wouldn't mind watching you."
His eyes widen in surprise. "Are you sure?" he asks, not quite daring to believe his ears.
"Yeah. It's time to stop letting Merrick ruin my personal life in every way." She takes his hand and leads him into the sitting room, and sits cross-legged facing him on the sofa. He flushes with self-consciousness as he fumbles his trousers open, then eases himself free. Alesha leans sideways to take a box of tissues from the coffee table and smirks when his blush deepens.
He begins to stroke himself, aware that she's watching him avidly; they've masturbated in front of each other before, but this is the first time since Merrick did his best to ruin Alesha's life, and he's half terrified he'll trigger her and wreck everything he's been trying to do.
Once he's done, he cleans up swiftly, then sorts out his clothes.
"Thank you," Alesha says softly, leaning forward to kiss him again, but more swiftly this time.
"You're welcome."
They go back into the kitchen and finish making dinner, then take their plates of stir fry into the sitting room to eat and watch television for a while.
Before he leaves, James insists on washing up, and Alesha gives in without much protest. She's more relaxed than he has seen her for months and he thinks she may have turned a corner in her recovery today, and is glad that he was able to help her. More than anything, he wants her back in his life in every way possible, but he knows that he cannot rush her, and they may suffer setbacks along the way, but hopefully today has been a start.
Once the washing up is finished, James fetches his coat and scarf, and gives Alesha a quick kiss goodnight.
"Thanks for today," she says softly, hugging him before he can open the door. "I had a good time, and you were very good company."
"Any time," he answers.
"See you on Monday, yeah?"
"Definitely. And don't do too much work reading over the rest of the weekend, okay?"
She laughs lightly, then nods. "I promise."
"Good." He steps outside, lifting a hand in farewell, then sets off at a brisk walk for the Tube station. It's been a good day out, he feels.
Author: Persiflage_1
Characters/Pairings: Alesha/James
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: 1.07 (Alesha)
Summary: James wants to rebuild his relationship with Alesha following Dr Merrick's second arrest.
Disclaimer: ITV owns Law & Order: UK.
Author Notes: I'm in the midst of re-watching the first 13 episodes of L&O: UK in anticipation of the new season, and I felt compelled to write this.
Unexptected fanfic (while in the middle of writing a novel-length original fic!) is un-beta'd - let me know if you spot anything egregrious!
~~~~~~
The day after Dr Merrick's been confronted with the knowledge that fourteen women have come forward to accuse him of sexual crimes, James goes to see Alesha at her home. He knocks on her front door and gives her a gentle smile when she looks surprised to see him.
"Come in," she says quietly.
"Thanks." He steps inside, trying not to recall the other, happier, occasions when he's been here. "Are you busy?"
She raises an eyebrow, then shakes her head. "No, not really. I was just catching up on some reading."
"How do you fancy a trip out, then?"
Alesha tilts her head, looking up at him with her dark eyes that he knows don't miss much. "With you?" she asks.
He smirks. "I don't see anyone else, do you?"
"Oi!" She bats at his elbow, and his smirk becomes a grin. He's missed the teasing in their relationship, and it's one of many things he hopes they can mend as they move on from the Merrick case.
"All right, mister. Give me five minutes to get changed."
It's his turn to tilt his head and look at her appraisingly. "Yeah, you're right, those sweats don't do anything for you."
"Cheeky sod," she exclaims, but he can hear laughter in her voice as she hurries away. "Take a seat and I'll be back."
James unfastens his long coat and wanders through into the sitting room to slouch on the sofa. He notes the pile of journals on the coffee table, copies of the Law Society Gazette and The Lawyer are both prominent, and he shakes his head as he realises that this was Alesha's reading until he arrived. Well, it'll do her good to get out, he thinks, loosening his scarf and leaning his elbows on his knees to look at the topmost journal.
Alesha returns ten minutes later, and he glances up, feeling his breath catch in his throat at the sight of her: she's wearing blue tailored trousers and a matching jacket over a gold coloured blouse, and she looks stunning. Somehow he feels shabby in his slacks, casual shirt and sweater.
"Is this okay?" she asks, and he hears a hint of anxiety in her voice.
"You look stunning," he tells her truthfully. "You'll be turning heads."
"Oh." She hesitates in the doorway, half turning away, and he quickly gets to his feet and moves to her side.
"Alesha, it'll be okay," he says softly, carefully putting a hand on her shoulder.
She looks up at him, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "I don't know."
He nods. "I know - believe me, it'll be okay. Don't let Merrick do this to you, please. You are stronger than you realise. You are a beautiful woman and there's nothing wrong with demonstrating that fact. You have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of."
She bites her bottom lip, and he ducks his head to rest his forehead against hers. "You are stronger than you realise," he repeats softly.
After a moment she shifts and leans against his chest, and he gives a soft sigh, before wrapping his arms loosely around her. After another moment, she responds, putting her arms around him, and he feels relief at another milestone passed.
"We don't have to go out, if you'd rather not," he tells her, his cheek resting on the top of her head.
She shifts and looks up at him. "No, you're right, I shouldn't let that bastard dictate to me." She pulls away from him and unruffles her clothes after their hug, then smiles. "Shall we?"
He nods, rewraps his scarf, then buttons his long coat again. Alesha picks up her shoulder bag, then he helps her into her coat and waits while she puts on her hat, scarf and gloves.
"Where are we going?" she asks as they step outside; it's a bright and frosty day, and they're both glad of their scarves as they inhale the sharp air.
James gives a soft laugh. "I've no idea," he answers. "Where would you like to go?"
"You'll laugh," she says. He raises an eyebrow, smiling invitingly. "The Clink Prison Museum."
His smile widens into a grin, but he doesn't actually laugh. "If you like," he says. "Isn't that a bit like taking work home from the office, though?"
"I know," she answers, "but I thought we could go somewhere else afterwards. I just haven't ever been there - never seem to find the time, and I'm curious."
"All right, then." He offers her his arm and smiles when she takes it, and leads the way to the nearest Tube station.
"London Bridge is the nearest stop," Alesha tells him, and he nods acknowledgement.
* * * * * *
After the museum, which was interesting, they go and have lunch at Paul. James has offered to take her to a restaurant but Alesha declines, offering to cook dinner for them both tonight instead. He agrees instantly, pleased that she'd suggested it, and suggests Paul's for lunch as it's nearby and they haven't yet decided where else to go besides the museum.
"You should choose where to go next," Alesha says, before biting into her baguette. "I chose the museum."
"I don't mind."
"Nevertheless," she says, quietly insistent, so he agrees that he'll pick somewhere for them to go next.
After baguettes and coffee, they wrap up again, and head outside. Alesha doesn't know it, but there are two delicious French pastries nestling in James' coat pocket for later. He has an urge to spoil her in what he realises may be a vain attempt to prove that not all men are bastards. He doesn't necessarily believe that Alesha thinks like this, but he can't help the desire to look after her insofar as he can - it's why he's with her today.
"All right, then, Mr Steel, where to?"
"What about the London Eye?" he suggests tentatively.
"Oh!" Her eyes light up and he smiles. "Yes, let's."
She slips her arm through his again and he can't help grinning; it feels so good to be this close to Alesha again, and while he doesn't know when, or even if, they'll return to their previous level of intimacy, the fact that she can now hug him, or hold his arm, or let him hold her hand, is a definite step forward.
"It's such a gorgeous day, shall we walk?" she suggests as they draw level with the entrance to the Tube station.
He blinks, then nods. "If you like."
"I do like," she asserts positively. She slips her hand down his arm to hold his hand, which he's got shoved into his pocket, having forgotten to pick up his gloves before he came out.
She grins up at him, squeezing his fingers and he grins back, pleased that she seems so happy and relaxed.
* * * * * *
Alesha refuses to let James buy her ticket for the London Eye, and he decides not to argue the matter with her - she has a feisty look in her eye that tells him he'd better not consider messing with her. They have to queue for some time since they hadn't pre-booked, and after a while she starts stamping her feet, so James suggests that he should go and grab them both a take-away coffee to help them to stay warm.
"All right." She gives a quick nod. "Thanks."
He smiles, and hurries over to the Zen Café which, fortunately, isn't too busy, so he is back within ten minutes.
"Thanks." Alesha takes her coffee from him and lifts the lid to blow on the contents for a few moments before she replaces the lid and takes a sip.
By the time they've finished their coffee they've reached the front of the queue, and are able to purchase their tickets and board a capsule about forty minutes after they arrived.
"Ever done this before?" James asks, as he hands Alesha into the capsule.
"Once - my aunt and cousins were visiting, and this was the one place they wanted desperately to visit." They move over to stand by the far window. "What about you?"
"No, I should suggest it to Ethan next time he's visiting, though. I'm sure he'd enjoy it."
They point out landmarks to each other in quiet voices, Alesha's left arm around his waist, and James' right arm around her shoulders, as the capsule slowly progresses upwards to the high point of the wheel.
"Thanks for today," she says quietly as they stare across towards the building that houses the CPS. "I'm really glad you came and dug me out of my place."
"You're welcome," he says, pleased that she's happy he turned up.
* * * * * *
They eat the pastries on the Tube back to Alesha's flat, and drink more coffee as the temperature's begun to drop as dusk falls.
"I want to stop off at the all-night food market on the way," she tells him as they climb the steps up to street level. "Otherwise dinner will be toast and, or, cereal."
He laughs. "All right then."
Back at the flat he insists on helping her to cook, and they shuffle around the small kitchen, occasionally banging arms or hips when one of them moves or turns too fast for the other to retreat in time.
"This is why I suggested that you sit in the other room," Alesha laughs when James bends down to take a saucepan from the cupboard and bangs his head on her elbow on the way back up.
He gives a rueful laugh, then sets down the pan before rubbing his head absent-mindedly. "You've got sharp elbows, miss," he tells her.
"Aw, poor James," she says in a mocking tone.
"Oi!" he protests, and grabs at her, tickling her side before she smacks his hands away.
"No tickling, no tickling!" she exclaims, trying to dodge away from him and backing herself into a corner instead.
He stops in front of her, not wanting to crowd her, or trigger her, but she's laughing breathlessly, so he steps closer and ducks his head to kiss her lightly on the lips.
"Oh." Her soft gasp is surprised, but not, he thinks, horrified. He steps back again, anyway, then watches as she runs her tongue over her lips.
Her eyes are bright and he wonders if she's going to cry, but she smiles, instead, before stepping closer. "Do that again, please."
He smiles, relieved, and ducks his head a second time, this time leaning a hand on the cupboard behind her to maintain his balance. The kiss swiftly becomes deeper, more passionate, but he lets Alesha lead, not wanting to push her out of her comfort zone.
Eventually she pulls back, breathing as heavily as he is.
"Okay?" he asks softly, watching her face.
"Yeah." She smiles, then smirks as she reaches out to stroke the front of his trousers, which are bulging in an obvious manner.
"I'm not ready for more," she says, "not just yet." She looks up into his face, her hand still caressing him. "But I wouldn't mind watching you."
His eyes widen in surprise. "Are you sure?" he asks, not quite daring to believe his ears.
"Yeah. It's time to stop letting Merrick ruin my personal life in every way." She takes his hand and leads him into the sitting room, and sits cross-legged facing him on the sofa. He flushes with self-consciousness as he fumbles his trousers open, then eases himself free. Alesha leans sideways to take a box of tissues from the coffee table and smirks when his blush deepens.
He begins to stroke himself, aware that she's watching him avidly; they've masturbated in front of each other before, but this is the first time since Merrick did his best to ruin Alesha's life, and he's half terrified he'll trigger her and wreck everything he's been trying to do.
Once he's done, he cleans up swiftly, then sorts out his clothes.
"Thank you," Alesha says softly, leaning forward to kiss him again, but more swiftly this time.
"You're welcome."
They go back into the kitchen and finish making dinner, then take their plates of stir fry into the sitting room to eat and watch television for a while.
Before he leaves, James insists on washing up, and Alesha gives in without much protest. She's more relaxed than he has seen her for months and he thinks she may have turned a corner in her recovery today, and is glad that he was able to help her. More than anything, he wants her back in his life in every way possible, but he knows that he cannot rush her, and they may suffer setbacks along the way, but hopefully today has been a start.
Once the washing up is finished, James fetches his coat and scarf, and gives Alesha a quick kiss goodnight.
"Thanks for today," she says softly, hugging him before he can open the door. "I had a good time, and you were very good company."
"Any time," he answers.
"See you on Monday, yeah?"
"Definitely. And don't do too much work reading over the rest of the weekend, okay?"
She laughs lightly, then nods. "I promise."
"Good." He steps outside, lifting a hand in farewell, then sets off at a brisk walk for the Tube station. It's been a good day out, he feels.