A/N: I've been (re)watching some old episodes of Taggart recently and this little idea wouldn't leave me alone. A bit of a surprise for beautywithin16 - hope you enjoy it :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I Told You So

"If Michael doesn't stop mooning over that girl…" Jim trailed off with a shake of his head as he sat down heavily in his chair, drink in hand.

Jean looked up from the book she was reading, "What girl?" she raised her eyebrows, "Do you mean Jackie?"

"Who else?" Jim grumbled.

"But you like Jackie," Jean reminded him, putting her book down.

"That's got nothing to do with it," Jim retorted, "it's fraternisation, Jean, and I won't have it in my team."

Jean gave him a long look, "Jim, don't interfere," she said in a warning tone.

Jim sighed heavily, "I've seen it before, Jean, it never ends well."

Jean pursed her lips, "You can't know that they'll be the same."

"They'll be compromised," Jim protested.

Jean rolled her eyes, "They're already compromised," she said, turning back to her book.

Jim stared at her, "What?"

"If what you suspect is true, then they're already compromised," she replied mildly, looking for the place in her book.

"I don't like it," Jim said after a long moment.

"Don't you trust them?" she asked absently, without looking up.

"With my life," he replied without hesitation.

Jean looked back up, "Well, then?"

Jim swirled the liquid in his glass, "I don't want either of them to get hurt," he admitted finally, without looking up.

Jean's expression softened, "What makes you think they will?"

"Past history," Jim muttered, finishing his drink.

"Now you're being ridiculous," Jean told him sharply, "this is Michael and Jackie," she reminded him, "Michael would never do anything to intentionally hurt Jackie and she's the same. Just leave them be," she counselled. "I think they'll be very happy together," she added, turning back to her book, "and you trust me, don't you?" she added, shooting him a slightly mischievous look.

Jim grinned at her, "With my life."

"Then back off," Jean told him firmly, all traces of teasing gone.

Jim shook his head, still grinning as he stood to pour himself another drink.

A few years later, while they were seated in the church watching Michael and Jackie say their vows, a gleeful Jean leaned over to Jim and whispered: "I told you so."

It took all of Jim's self-control not to ruin the moment by laughing.