AN: This was supposed to be a drabble but I got carried away.
This work can also be found on my AO3 page under the same username.

DS Ellie Miller was the proud mother of two beautiful boys that she loved and cared for deeply. Since she got a new boss, however, it sometimes felt like she was raising a third.

It didn't occur often at the Broadchurch Police Station that a large part of the team had to pull an all nighter at the office. Only under extreme circumstances were officers asked to stay. On this particular night they were working their way through an immense amount of files that had been pulled up on their suspect. The man in question was at the moment sleeping in a holding cell, but they were running out of time. If they didn't dig up enough evidence, they would have to let him go in the morning.

It was around three in the morning and most officers were having a hard time keeping their eyes open when a clatter followed shriek of pain jolted everyone fully awake.

Ellie jumped up from behind her desk to see Katie hopping on one foot, holding the other, and stumbling to keep her balance.

One moment the young woman's face was contorted in pain. Then her eyes widened in shock. Ellie watched surprised as she started grabbing sheets of paper from the table and shoving them unceremoniously onto pile on the nearest chair. It became clear what had happened when the next sheets she picked up were soaked with a dark liquid.

'No, no, no, no!' Katie desperately tried to get as much of it off, but ended up smearing the ink in the process. One of the DC's quickly came to her aid with a towel, but it was no use. The documents were unreadable.

'DC Harford!' A familiar irritated Scottish voice rumbled through the office. 'Care to explain what the noise is about?'

All eyes turned to the DI. They watched silently as Hardy crossed the room. He briefly examined the mess and then looked at Katie.

'What happened?' he a voice that was dangerously calm.

'It was an accident.' she stammered. 'I didn't see the mug, it wasn't there before.'

'An accident.' Hardy repeated, raising an eyebrow. He picked up one of the dripping papers and held it up for everyone to see.

Katie nodded and took a step back when Hardy's expression changed from irritated to furious.

'This is not an accident.' He slammed the sheet down on the desk. 'This is a workplace, people. Clean desk policy. That includes your beverages. '

Katie swallowed and guiltily took a step back, which drew Hardy's attention back to her.

'Clean up this mess and print these again.' he ordered and then addressed the whole office. 'Who of you idiots left their tea here?'

Looks were exchanged but nobody raised a hand.

'You people are unbelievable.' Hardy muttered, shaking his head. He shot one last disgusted look around the room before retreating to his office.

'Wait, sir.' Katie had crouched down and was reaching under a nearby desk. 'Isn't this yours?'

Hardy stared at the mug in her hand and frowned. Then he glanced over his shoulder to confirm that the tea he had made himself earlier was indeed not sitting on his desk. Confusion shot over his face briefly, but then the angry expression was back in place.

'Don't let it happen again.' He turned sharply and slammed the door of his office shut.

'Oh for fucks sake.' Ellie slammed her paperwork down and stalked after him. Without bothering to knock she entered his office.

Hardy scowled at behind his desk. 'What do you want?'

'You.' She pointed at him and then at the door. 'Out. Now.'

'Miller.' He was about to protest but she silenced him with a stern look that she usually reserved for her children.

'I said now.' She crossed her arms and watched as he stood begrudgingly. She followed right behind him as he moved past her slowly, avoiding her gaze.

'Why do you make me do this?' he almost whined. 'Can't you just leave it?'

She ignored his question. Instead she cleared her throat gave him a little shove so he was forced to step forward and was again the center of the attention.

He seemed to shrink under the glares that were sent his way and his eyes sought Ellie for help.

She looked back unrelentingly. 'Go on then.'

He coughed awkwardly and stared at his shoes. ''I ehm- Katie was right, I made that tea.' he mumbled, gesturing weakly at the mug. 'I'm sorry.'

'What was that?'

Hardy shifted uncomfortably and he looked like he wanted nothing more than run away and hide. He knew, however, that Ellie wouldn't let him, so pushed through. This time his voice was clear as he directed his words to Katie. 'It wasn't your fault. Let me clean that up.'

Katie shook her head. 'It's OK, sir, I've got it.'

'And?' Ellie prompted, not letting him off the hook this easily.

He took a deep breath and swallowed the last of his pride. 'And I'm sorry.'

Not a word was spoken, but the faces around him were perhaps a little bit friendlier than before. He looked back, relieved when Ellie nodded her approval. She stepped aside, permitting him to escape.

He walked past her briskly and she followed, this time closing the door behind them.

'Was that really so difficult?' she asked.

Hardy groaned in response and let himself fall back into his chair. His face was flushed with embarrassment. 'Why, Miller? Why do you make me do that?'

'I'm helping.'

'You make me look like a child.' he retorted. 'That's not helping.'

'Then don't act like one and we won't have to do this.'

He grunted. 'You're not my mother, Miller.'

'You're lucky I'm not.'

'You're insufferable.'

She shrugged, unimpressed. 'And you're a prick.'

Hardy rubbed his eyes, covering his face with his hands. His next words were mumbled almost inaudibly, but Ellie still heard them.

'I hate you.'

'No you don't.' She shook her head, almost laughing at how much he reminded her of a younger Tom.

He lowered his hands so that his eyes found her and sighed. 'No. I don't.'

A small smile crept over her face. In the language of Alec Hardy that almost equaled a declaration of love. 'Good. I'll get back to work.'

Her hand was already at the door handle when he spoke again.

'Miller, I really don't hate you.' he paused turning even more red and then tentatively added 'I'm sorry I said that.'

She was still smiling proudly as she sat down at her desk. It seemed like they didn't have to do this again anytime soon.

AN: Hopefully you liked this :)
I would love to hear your comments and/or suggestions for any of the other 25 letters