Millie was thankful that the locker room was empty when she went in. She pressed her head against the cool metal cabinet, collecting her thoughts. This is ridiculous, it didn't mean anything to either of us, it was just a … a thing, nothing important. But she kicked the locker door in anger knowing that she would never convince herself of that. The truth was that being stuck in the lift with Max had been beyond anything she could have imagined and now she felt as though she was spoilt for any other man. That is even more ridiculous, she told herself harshly, stop being melodramatic, but it really had been as good as that, and she wanted nothing else than to do it all over again and more. She kicked the locker again, but it didn't make her feel better and only attracted a peculiar stare from one of her colleagues on the current relief who had entered the room.

Damn, damn, damn, thought Max as he ran up the stairs towards CID and rushing in to sort out the file and get back down to the yard as quickly as possible. He was determined not to give up, what they had shared was just too good to let go.

Millie still wasn't feeling any happier when she shrugged on her coat and quietly slipped out of the station, hoping to avoid anyone who might want to talk to her. She guessed that the rest of her relief would be in the pub, but there was no way she was going to be able to face them. She belted her coat, pulled the collar up around her face against the cold wind that now blew and pulled her hair down for extra protection before heading out and home.

"Millie, Millie wait" she heard him calling just as she reached the gates out on to the street beyond the station yard. Her heart stopped as she turned around, not daring to hope that it was to do with anything other than the case. "Can I give you a ride home … or would you like to go for a drink, something to eat?" Millie smiled at his unusual hesitancy, and he felt her warmth bolster his flagging confidence.

After a moment while she searched his expression for explanation she nodded "sure, why not. We could even try to be civil to each other I suppose."

Max grinned in relief. "Maybe, but I give it about two minutes before you start baiting me again".

"Me? It's you that provokes me. You bring it all on yourself".

"You didn't even make it to thirty seconds"

"Not fair, I didn't know the clock was already running."

"Okay, okay. Where are we going then?" he started to walk backwards towards his car, Millie followed, frowning slightly.

"Somewhere away from here, would probably be best" she said cautiously.

"Yeah, you might be right."

"What about The Black Olive on the other side of Canley? I doubt that we'd run into anyone over there."

"Anyone would think you are embarrassed to be seen with me."

"Maybe I am. I've got a reputation to protect for being a good judge of character" and with that she opened the passenger door of his car and slid in, denying him the opportunity to reply immediately.

"If I'm that much of a poor excuse, I can always drop you home and spare you the agony of my company" Max murmured as he got in and shut the door. Turning to face her, he smiled at her amused expression "The Black Olive it is then."