Work Text:
She huffed as she pressed print on the paperwork that she had just completed and glanced at the tiny clock in the corner of her screen – half an hour until she was due to go out on patrol with Tommy. She knew that was enough time to make a coffee and see Stevie.
She logged off of the computer and rose to her feet, making her way through the corridors to the duty sergeant’s office. As she glanced through the door, she saw his brows knitted together and his chin propped up by his hand as he stared at the screen.
She knocked on the door and smiled softly at him. He glanced up to the window, and his expression immediately softened upon seeing her. He nodded his head, motioning for her to come in. She allowed her smile to grow as she opened the door and stepped inside, leaving the door open as agreed to avoid any accusations.
“Hey, you.” Grace sighed as she sat down opposite her partner.
“Hey, you okay?” He smiled at her as he turned his attention away from the screen.
“Yeah, I’m good. Finished my paperwork, so just burning time until I go out with Tommy.” Grace shrugged as she sat back in the chair and huffed.
“So you decided to come here and disturb me instead?” He smiled softly, his eyes sparkling with the cheekiness that Grace loved.
“Oh, ‘cos you looked like you were having a such wonderful time.” Grace scoffed sarcastically. Stevie rolled his eyes playfully and shook his head. “What are you working on anyway?”
“Trying to understand this incident report. That new recruit, Carson, did it. I can’t make any sense of it. It doesn’t seem like it’s even in English.” Stevie groaned as he ran his hand over his face and sat back in his seat, almost looking defeated.
“Well, as thrilling as that sounds, I’m going to get a coffee.” She grinned as she stood up and made her way to the door.
“Oh, can you grab us one too? I haven’t had one since we had breakfast. I’m absolutely gagging for some caffeine.” Stevie smiled hopefully at her.
“Oh, you’re gonna make a woman do the work ‘cos it’s in the kitchen?” Grace smirked at him as she walked back towards him. Stevie laughed and shook his head as he stood from his chair.
“That’s not what I meant, Grace, and you know it.” Stevie chuckled with a sigh as he walked around the desk.
“No? What did you mean?” She smirked back at him, stepping sideways to maintain the distance.
“Seeing as you’re in the kitchen anyway…” Stevie shrugged as he took another step towards her.
She scoffed and shook her head.
“Oh? Yeah? Is that ‘cos it’s where I belong as a woman?” Grace smirked back at him. Stevie continued walking towards her; Grace giggled nervously as he got closer.
“Don’t start this, sweetheart; it’s just a coffee.” He chuckled as he looked down at the small gap between them and placed his hands on her hips. “Come on, make me a coffee. I’ll make it worth your while.”
Grace raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly to question him.
“Stephen Neil, now you’re using your position as sergeant against me? Not very professional at all.” She sighed sarcastically and shook her head as she glanced down to his lips. He noticed where her gaze had gone, causing a smirk to grow.
“You did not just use my government name!” He laughed before shaking his head and focusing again on their conversation. “I might be able to pull some strings. Make your day more interesting.” He shrugged softly as he leant closer to kiss her.
“Nope. Not here.” She said quickly, pushing on his chest, and slipped out of his grasp. He groaned softly and watched her walk towards the door.
“I only meant coming out on patrol with you. What did you think I meant?” Stevie laughed. Grace rolled her eyes with a smile and left the office, continuing with her walk to the kitchen.
She wasn’t in there long before heading to Stevie’s office with two mugs of coffee, passing Helen as she exited the room.
She walked into the office and placed both mugs onto the desk. Stevie looked up from the mug to Grace, his eyes portraying his happiness and love for her.
“Thanks, darling.” Stevie grinned as he cradled the mug.
“Was Helen in here just now?” Grace asked as she took a sip from the steaming mug. Stevie nodded before taking a sip too. “What did she want? Anything important?”
Stevie laughed nervously.
“Uh, I guess it’s something important. She said she overheard the end of our conversation. She warned me and said I needed to be careful how we spoke to each other at work. Especially around new people.”
“What… why?” Grace laughed, placing her mug on the desk and leaning closer.
“She said that to anyone that doesn’t know our history or about our relationship, it could sound like I was actually harassing you and using my rank over you. She said it sounded like that was what was happening from outside.”
“Seriously?” Grace laughed and shook her head. “Sorry, love, but that’s ridiculous.”
“I know. But she has got a point. The last thing I would want is us being separated at work or being accused of something. We’re lucky with how we’ve got it at the moment.”
“Our entire relationship is built on casual teasing and banter. How are we supposed to change that?” Grace frowned, feigning frustration.
“You’ll just have to hold your tongue whilst we’re here… Then you can bully me as much as you want when we get home.” He grinned back at her.
“Sure, if that’s what you’re into.” She laughed as she picked her mug back up. He pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek and shook his head, trying not to laugh or reply with what he was thinking.
“You’re gonna be the death of me, Grace Ellis.”