John Boulton watched Claire and Kerry laughing and joking in the corner of CID. It had been two month since he and Claire had split up and it was killing him. She avoided him all the time, which meant they hadn’t been able to sort things out. He quickly looked down at him work when he noticed Claire turning his glare to look at him.

"You alright, Mate?" Don Beech asked as he wondered over to his desk.

"Why wouldn’t I be?" John said, not bothering to look up from his work.

"Well…. With tonight and all."

"What’s happening tonight?" John asked, still refusing to look up, he didn’t care really.

"What? You don’t know? Oh sorry, mate…" Don shuttered.

John finally looked up, "what’s going on?"

"Look, John, I thought you knew…"

"Knew what?" John demanded.

"About tonight."

"What’s happening tonight?"

"Later in the pub, Claire is introducing us to her…. Friend," Don said slowly, "her male friend."

"Male Friend?" John repeated confused, "she has found someone else?"

"Yeah… some guy from an old nick, DI, I think."

John was just staring ahead, he couldn’t believe it. He thought that he and Claire had something special, he thought that they would get back together and spend the rest of their lives with each other…now she’s got someone else.

"I’m sorry, John," Don said quietly.

"What about?" John said, picking up his pen and began to work again, "me and Claire finished ages ago."

"I know but…."

"No, Don, there’s no buts about it. Claire and me are over. I don’t care about her any more."

*~*~*

John sat at the bar on his own that night. Occasionally he would look over to his colleagues, all having a good time, talking with Claire’s new boyfriend, Detective Inspector Ryan Jackson. John stared at him; he was well into his forties and had slightly greying black hair. He was quite tall and he had a well-built body with sharp blue eyes

It was going ok at first; John had sat with the rest of them, saying the odd word. He knew Claire was watching him the whole time, maybe she was expecting him to say something about their relationship but John couldn’t never do anything like to her, it would hurt her to much. It wasn’t until Ryan had put his arm around Claire, making John feel a mixture of jealously, hate and sadness. He got up and stayed at the bar, none of his mates noticed he was gone; they were more interested in Ryan.

"Why you over here, on your own?" John spun around to face Claire.

"What?" John asked, turning back around.

"Why you on your own?"

"I dunno, just feel like it…" John mumbled.

"Look, John, I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. I didn’t mean to…" Claire started as she leaned on the bar next to him.

"Hang on, who said that you hurt me?"

"No one did but you’ve been acting weird all day…"

"Don’t flatter yourself, its got nothing to do with you," John interrupted her.

"Oh yeah?" Claire replied, not believing him, "anything the matter."

"Nothing that concerns you."

"Come on, John. Can’t we be mates?"

"Who said we wasn’t?" John finished the rest of his drink.

"Then how come you are acting like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like I meant nothing to you and you meant nothing to me," Claire informed him.

"Well, that’s what it wasn’t it?" John frowned.

"How can you say that?"

"I’m sorry, it’s just got the impression that our relationship was nothing," John said before adding, "by the way you acted."

"You know what, I don’t care. Do what you like!" Claire snapped before walking back to the table.

John watched her sit next to Ryan and kissed him softly on the cheek. John felt something stab straight through his heart. Why did he have to acted like that, why didn’t he just tell her how he felt. He put his empty glass down and walked out.

*~*~*

The next morning John sat in the canteen staring into a cold cup of coffee, he had only been in the office for an hour before he got annoyed with everyone saying what a great bloke Ryan was and asking Claire questions about their relationship.

He got no sleep at all the night before, when he got back to his flat it was gone 10 o’clock but he decided to go for a run, pushing himself harder then he ever done before. He just ran around the streets of Sun Hill for over an hour and when he eventually stopped, he found himself stood at the foot of the steps leading up to a rooftop; his rooftop, which had, became their rooftop, his and Claire’s. He stayed there all night, just thinking about everything they’d been through, from sharing their first kiss to spending the night in the London dock hotel. He thought about the time he followed her and found out that she had been seeing a married man; it nearly caused them to break up. It was then that John realised that, that married man might have been Ryan Jackson. He hadn’t really been listening to the DI in the pub that night but he swear he heard him say that he used to be married. What if she had been seeing him while she was still with him? All the sneaking around that she did, what if she had been cheating on him all a long.

Just as John was about to leave the canteen, Matt Boyden, Nick Klein and Cass Rickman sat down at his table.

"Alright, Mate?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, thanks," John mumbled, he decided to stay a bit longer. Uniform wasn’t there last night and John didn’t want to go back to CID to listen to everyone talk about Claire and Ryan.

"You sure you’re ok, Sarge?" Cass asked, " you don’t look to happy."

"I’m fine, just tired, late night," John explained.

"Oh yeah?" Nick grinned wickedly.

"Nothing like that!" John told them, he couldn’t help but smile at the PC subtlety.

"I hear you detective were partying all night with Claire’s boyfriend," Matt teased.

"Wouldn’t know, I left early," John told them.

"How come?" Nick asked, with a mouthful of his sandwich.

John shrugged, "got bored."

"So what’s he like then?" Matt asked.

"Who?" John knew who he was on about but he really didn’t want to talk about him or Claire.

"Claire boyfriend?"

"Seems alright, I dunno. Never really spoke to him." John sighed.

"You alright?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?" John said standing up and walking off before anyone could say anything.

The three uniformed officers watched him leave.

"What’s wrong with him?" Cass asked.

"PMT?" Nick suggested, grinning.

*~*~*

Don wondered over to Claire’s desk slowly, taking advantage of the empty office.

"You talked to John?" He asked when he reached her desk.

"What about?" Claire replied.

"You know what…"

"I don’t know why it’s got anything to do with you but yes I have," Claire sighed.

"Good, so is everything sorted?"

"No, they’re not…"

"What?" Don frowned, "why not?"

"Because he is acting like a kid…." Claire said.

"That’s not fair," Don said.

"What do you know?!" Claire snapped.

"I know he’s mad about you."

"No he isn’t," Claire said, "he told me last night."

"Oh come Claire…" Don sighed, "I thought women were meant to be good at telling people feelings."

"Get lost!" She glared at him, "you don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Don’t I?" Don replied, "how do you think he feels?"

"How he feels?" Claire repeated.

"Yeah… you dump him because someone found out about your relationship then he finds out that you are seeing someone else and you don’t care who knows about it…"

"My relationship with Ryan is totally different to the one I had with John!"

"Is it?"

"Yes it is," Claire told him, "for a start Ryan doesn’t work here."

"So that’s what the problem was, with you and John, it was about working together?"

"Yes.. No.. Kind of.." Claire stuttered.

"Look I just think you and John need to talk about it," Don said softly, "how are you meant to work together when you’re like this?"

"I tried talking to him but he wouldn’t listen…"

"Well make him listen!"

"Oh yeah and that is so easy to do.." Claire replied sarcastically.

"Just give him a break, yeah?"

Claire looked at him, he was right. Her and John did need to sort this out, "yeah alright, I’ll talk to him later."

*~*~*

Claire looked over at John, who was sat at his desk. She wanted to talk to him, she wanted to tell him about her feelings, she wanted to sort things out so that they were friends again but she didn’t know how. She didn’t even know what she felt. She had convinced herself that finishing their relationship was be for the best for both of them

Things were going ok, except for the awkwardness if they were felt alone together but that was expected. It wasn’t until now that she felt different but she didn’t how or why. She wasn’t sure if she felt guilt for the way she treated him, she didn’t know if she felt sorry for him, she didn’t know if she wanted to prove to him that he meant nothing to her or she didn’t know if she felt love for him.

"Claire?" Her thoughts were interrupted by Meadows entering the office, "I need you to get over to ‘The London Dock’ hotel. There been some assaults."

"Yes, Guv," Claire sighed, she was quite glad to get out of the office.

Jack looked around the empty office and saw John sat working at his desk, "John, you did some work at the London Dock didn’t you?"

"Yeah, Guv. Some car thefts," John explained.

"Oh yeah, I remember now.." John said, "why don’t you go with Claire."

"No, Guv!" Claire said quickly, "Its alright, I can handle it."

"I know you can but I want this case wrapped up quickly, get it done faster with two of you…"

"I got these witness statements to go through, Guv," John told him.

"That can wait," Jack said.

"But it doesn’t need two DSs," Claire insisted.

"While there’s no else around, is there," Jack looked around the office to prove his point, "Plus if John knows the place..."

"I wouldn’t say I know it, Guv," John interrupted, "all I did was set up an obbo in the car park."

"Yeah but still…" Jack said then looked at his officers, "what’s going on? You two had a fight or something?"

"No!" Claire said a bit to quickly.

"Then what’s the problem?" Jack frowned.

"Nothing, there’s no problem…" John said, standing up from his desk. He looked at Claire, "you ready to go?"

She nodded and they both left, leaving Jack stood alone in the office; slightly confused.

*~*~*

"So, where did you go last night after you left?" Claire asked, as she tired to attempt a conversation, while they drove to the hotel.

"No where, special…" John muttered.

Silence and a tense atmosphere took over the car. John mentally kicked himself, why was he acting like a lovesick teenager? Why couldn’t he just except it and move on? Why couldn’t they be mates, surely that was better then nothing, but he just couldn’t bring himself to face the fact that they were over.

Claire suddenly felt guilty for the way she had been treating him. She know that now would be a good time to bring everything out into the open, so that they could talk and sort things out but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything else.

Claire looked across at him, as they stood side by side in the crowed left, going to see the last assault victims.

John knew that she was watching him, he felt her eyes on him but he couldn’t look at her.

They stood in silence, while the other people in the lift talked to their partners or on their mobiles.

Claire felt a surge of electricity pass between them as John moved to get out of the lift, with his hand accidentally brushing past hers. She tried to ignore it, telling herself it was best for everyone that they wasn’t together and it would have never worked.

She followed him down the corridor and reached for her warrant card, as he knocked on the assault victim’s door.

"Mr Watson, I’m Detective Sergeant Boulton and this is Sergeant Stanton," John introduced them both when a man in his late 50s came to the door, "we’re here about the assault.."

"Assault?" Repeated the man.

"Yeah, you told the receptionist that you was assaulted this afternoon…." John explained.

"Oh that, will I wouldn’t call it assault…. Well not one that needs two Detectives knocking on my door," Watson said, "I’m not going to do anything about it."

"I don’t think you understand Mr Watson…" Claire interrupted, "you’re not the only person to be assault. There are at lease two other people."

"Yeah well…" Watson said, "could be coincidence…."

"Is there something you’re not telling us, Mr Watson?" John asked.

"Look, I really don’t want anything done about this…" he stuttered.

"Do you know that man who attacked you?" Claire interrupted him again.

"No, no I don’t but I know his wife…" Watson replied quietly.

"Right, if you wanted nothing done about then why did you complain at reception?" Claire demanded.

"I only complained about the lack of security around this place."

"Can you describe the man, please?" John sighed.

"What for? I told I don’t want to press charges."

"We just want to make sure that this man, wasn’t the same person who assaulted, the two other guests," John explained.

"Alright," Watson sighed in defeat, "he’s about 30 odd, white, about 6 foot 1 and has short brown hair.."

Claire and John looked at each other, before John turned back to Watson, "Ok thank you for your time."

The only reply they got was the door slam shut, causing John to mumble something about the rudeness of people before they walked back towards the lifts.

"So what now?" Claire asked, when they stepped into the empty lift.

"Well, we know that the bloke who assaulted Mr Watson is not our man so I think we should get the CCTV tapes and watch them to see if we can spot him."

"Yeah, ok…" Claire agreed, then once again silence took hold, she hated the silence. "I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this?"

"Like what?" John replied.

"Us not talking… you getting hurt."

"Me getting hurt?" John repeated looking at her, "why you so convinced that you’ve hurt me?"

"Oh come on, John…" Claire said, "it so obvious, they way you’ve been acting lately."

"Is that right!?" John replied getting annoyed.

"You know it is! Why are you pretending that we meant nothing?"

"I‘m pretending!? You did the whole time we were going out!" John shot back, raising his voice slightly.

"That’s out of order and you know it!"

"Well, its true isn’t it!?"

"How can you say that?!" Claire demanded, raising her voice to shouting level too.

"Let me see…" John started sarcastically, "if I meant so much to you, then why did you finish it when Don Beech found out?!"

"Because I didn’t want people knowing about my privet I life!" Claire shot back angrily.

"But you don’t mind everyone knowing about you and Ryan Jackson!"

Claire opened her mouth to reply but she found she couldn’t, she didn’t have an answer, he was right… "That’s different!"

"How is it?"

"It just is!" Claire turned away from him, "you know what? If this is the real you then I’m glad we’re over!"

"Yeah well, I’m glad I’m not stuck with someone who only cares about themselves!" John shouted.

"That’s rich coming from you!"

"Whatever!"

"What’s that suppose to mean?" Claire demanded.

"Whatever you want it to mean."

"Fine then!" Claire snapped.

"Fine!" John shot back.

"Fine!" Claire repeated shouting louder then John.

John was about to say it again when there was a loud grinding noise and the lift shook, throwing both Claire and John forwards. Claire put her arms out to stop herself from hitting the wall of the lift. While John lost his balance, hitting his head as he feel to the floor. Claire looked around, the lights had gone off and there was no red lights highlighting which floor they were on.

"You alright?" John asked.

"I’m fine…." Claire replied, "how about you?"

"I’m ok…"

"Your heads bleeding," Claire told him, when she noticed the small cut on his forehead.

"Just a cut…" John mumbled, touching the wound, "what happened?"

"I dunno…" Claire walked over, pressing some of the buttons, nothing worked, "guess we’ll have to wait till someone comes and rescues us."

John dropped back down on the floor, sighing loudly, "great!"

"Shouldn’t be long," Claire said, sitting next to him.

"Look, Claire…" John started, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean what I said."

"Yeah, I’m sorry too.."

John sighed and rubbed his eyes, "how long they gonna take?"

"Dunno, we’ll just have to wait and see…" Claire looked across at him, "your head ok?"

"Yeah, it’ll be fine…" John told her, "its only cut."

*~*~*

"All units from Sierra Oscar," June Ackland, spoke over the radio, "any unit deal with a fire at the ‘London Dock’ hotel?"

"Sierra Oscar from 140, show us dealing…" Nick Klein came back

"Received, Nick. They’ve evacuated most of the building, the fire is only in the basement.." June told him.

"Ok, got it, Sarge…"

"Oh yeah, the manager said, its possible that CID might be there…" June informed him.

"CID? How come?"

"I dunno, it’s about some assaults…"

"Do we know who there?"

"DS Boulton and DS Stanton…." June told them.

"Ok, all received, Sarge," Nick said, "ETA 2 minutes."

*~*~*

John and Claire had been sat in the cold, dark lift for 5 minutes in silence. John looked across at her, he noticed her rubbing her hands together then bring her knees up so she could wrap her arms around them, to keep warm.

"You cold?" He asked her.

"Yeah, a bit…" she shrugged.

John pulled off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She looked at him; she smiled slightly, thanking him. She hesitated before she moved closer to him and draped the jacket over him too. He looked at her, quite shocked at her actions.

"You know what they say.." Claire smiled, "best way to keep warm is to huddle together."

John tried to hide his smile, "you sure your boyfriend won’t mind?"

Claire looked away, "don’t John. Please don’t."

"I was only saying, that he might get jealous…"

"Like you are..?" Claire snapped but then she felt guilty about it.. "look, John I’m sorry. But can’t we just forget about it for now… its gonna be hell if we argue."

"Fine with me…" John mumbled.

"So we’re mates again?" Claire asked.

"Why wouldn’t we be?" John grinned.

Claire rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She tried to ignore the feeling she was getting deep down in her stomach. She told herself that she didn’t love John. She told herself once again that it was best for both of them to end it. She found herself thinking about Ryan, she wondered what she actually felt for him. She knew it wasn’t love but she was still with him.

She try to work out what she was scared of, she wanted to know why she couldn’t face the fact that John was the one for her. She knew it ages ago, she had been out with Ryan, it was their second date and she found herself comparing him to John… John had won of course.

*~*~*

Nick looked around the reception of the hotel. There were not lights on and people ran around, trying to get out of the building.

"Oh yeah, they have everything under control," he said sarcastically turning to look at Smiffy, "might as well get some help down here."

Smiffy held up his radio, ready to speak into it when someone ran into him, "Oi, watch it!"

The man never said anything, instead he followed the others, running around and getting in the way. Smiffy glared at him and was just about to follow him.

"Smiffy leave him…just get backup.." Nick told him, "I’ll have a word with the manager."

*~*~*

"You think they know we’re down here?" John asked.

"I dunno…wish they’d hurry hope, though.." Claire sighed.

"My company that bad?" John teased.

She grinned, "you know what I mean."

"Yeah…" John smiled, he didn’t know what else to say but he had to say something, the silence was deafening, "so you and this Ryan getting on alright?"

"Yeah, great… he’s a good bloke.." Claire stuttered, feeling uncomfortable with the conversation, "you seeing anyone at the moment?"

"Nah…." John said, he hesitated before he continued.. "do you think we would have…lasted longer if Don wouldn’t have found out?"

She looked up at him, shocked at the question; she didn’t know how to answer it.. How was she meant to tell him that she was total in love with him but still didn’t want to be with him because she was scared?

"I dunno.." She mumbled, looking down at the lift floor.

"Do you love him?" John asked.

She was silent for a while, not sure what to say, "I dunno… I don’t think I do.."

"Then why are you with him?"

"I dunno… he’s a decent guy, I don’t wanna hurt him.."

"Like you hurt me?" John added quietly.

"Thought you said I didn’t."

"I lied.." John smiled, slightly, "I’ve never felt like this before.."

"Like what?" Claire at him.

"Nah… I’m not going to say… it’s not fair on you…" John said.

"No, go on," Claire told him, "I wanna know."

"I never felt this way about someone before… it’s never hurt this much before either.." John said, he then looked her straight in the eye, "I never knew love could be this strong."

For ages they just looked into each other’s eyes, not saying anything or breaking eye contact.

Claire was finding the temptation to powerful to resist. The look in his eyes, told her everything she needed to know. She could see all his love for her in them, telling her she doesn’t need to be scared. For that short moment Claire forgot about everything else in the world, she forgot about Ryan, she forgot about work, she even forgot that they were stuck in a lift but none of that really mattered, all that seemed to matter was her and John and the fact that their lips were millimetres apart….

"HULLO!! ANYONE DOWN THERE!?" They heard a voice shout down to them. Claire quickly jumped up and moved to the other side of the lift. She couldn’t believe what she was just about to let happen.

John rubbed his eyes, "Yeah, we’re here…" He shouted back.

"Sarge? That you?"

"Nick?" John frowned, "what’s going on?"

"There was a small fire in the basement…its all sorted now.." Nick told him.

"Right and what’s happening now?" John shouted again.

"They’re just getting this lift sorted, won’t be long…"

"Ok, cheers Nick…"

5 minute later, the lift doors open to reveal Nick and Smiffy stood, smiling wickedly at them.

"Have fun in there?" Nick asked.

"Oh grow up!" Claire snapped and walked out to the car park, with John following.

*~*~*

John sat in the office alone, thinking about everything that had happened that day… he couldn’t believe how close they were… He pushed his chair back slightly and pulled opened his desk’s draw, he reached inside, picking something open just Mickey and Deakin entered.

"John, what you still doing here?" Chris asked.

"Just leaving," he told them, standing up, while shoving the object into his pocket.

"You coming to the pub, Sarge?" Mickey asked, as he pulled on coat.

"Nah…"

"Come on, John.. Think you could do with a drink, after today…"

"Yeah, I guess I could.. But…"

"Nope, no buts.. First rounds on me…" Deakin told him.

*~*~*

John did feel slightly better after a couple of pints and with both CID and uniform alike taking the mick out of him about the lift. Claire wasn’t there to take any of it though but that might have been a good thing, with what actually happened. He’s luck wasn’t in though, not only did Claire turn up but so did Ryan.

"John, what you drinking?" Ryan asked, friendly.

"I’m alright, thanks…" John muttered, looking at Claire, causing her to look away. Ryan smiled and head off to see what everyone else was drinking.

"We need to talk.." John whispered to Claire.

"No we don’t."

Yes, we do and you know we do.." John told her. A few people looked over but no one really took much interest.

"John, just leave it.." She hissed.

"How can I?"

"Try!"

"Please, Claire, don’t do this…" John begged, more people took a more of an interested in what was going on but no one could really heard the conversation.

"Don’t do what?"

"This! Don’t do this to me…" John replied before adding, "I love you.."

The rest of the station stood in a shocked silence.

"What’s going on?" Ryan asked Claire.

"Nothing, its nothing…" Claire told him, "lets go, yeah?"

"Don’t do this Claire.." John said again, he knew he sounded desperate but he didn’t care.

"I’m sorry John.."

"No, Claire wait.." John begged as she and Ryan head for the door then the words came out of his mouth before he could even think about or stop himself. "Marry me!"

Both Claire and Ryan stopped dead; the rest of the officers began to whisper to each other about what was happening.. Claire turned around slowly..

"What did you just say?"

"I asked you to marry me.." John repeated.

"Wha..what?" She stuttered, "are you crazy..?"

"Yeah, I guess I am…" John smiled, "but I don’t care.. I love you.."

"No, John don’t do this…"

"Why not, I love you and I know that you love me…"

"No…" Claire interrupted.

"Alright, tell me that I mean nothing to you…" John told her, "tell me that all that stuff what happened in the lift meant nothing…."

"Look, John…" She started.

"You know I’m right… Marry me…" John said, again but this time he produced a small jewellery box.

"You don’t know what you’re doing…" Claire muttered.

"Tell me that you don’t love him, look me in the eye and tell me… and then you’ll never see me again…" John said.

"What?" Claire asked.

"Last week I had an interview at Romford, there a DS post there…" John said, slowly, "if you don’t love me, then I’m out of here and I won’t ever bother you again.."

"John!? What the hell is going on?" Meadows asked but they both ignored them.

"Tell me then Claire…" John pleaded, "tell me, do you love me or not.."

There was silence as everyone waited for her answer…

"I’m sorry, John…" She muttered and walked out, with Ryan close behind.

John watched her leave.. He couldn’t believe it, he thought she loved him.. He thought that they would have it all sorted by now but it was over, well and truly over.

"John?" Don walked over to him, while the other whispered about the event that just took place. "You alright?"

"I thought she loved me…" John stuttered, still holding the jewellery box.

"I know, mate…" Don said.

"You gonna tell me what’s going on?" Jack asked.

John looked at him, "I gonna transfer, Sir…"

"John, you sure about this?"

"Yes, I can’t work with her.."

"Maybe you should think about…" Meadows added.

"I have been for the last 2 months, it was bad enough working together when I thought we were going to get together…" John said, trying to fight the tears that frightened to roll down his face… "look, I’m gonna go…"

"John…" Jack called after him.

"I’ll see you tomorrow, Guv…" John replied, not stopping or looking back.

*~*~*

Kerry, Duncan, Mickey and Don all looked at each as they watched John clearing his desk.

"John, you sure about this?" Don asked.

"Yeah, I’ll be okay," he said quietly, "I still got some mates over at Romford."

"Yeah, but Sun Hill is like your home.." Mickey added.

"I know and I’ve left home before so I think I can handle it again," John joked.

"Couldn’t you just take a holiday or something?" Duncan suggested.

"Nah, it would be no good… anyway I made a complete Pratt of myself in front of everyone last night."

"No, you didn’t.." Kerry told him, "I thought it was sweet.."

"Pity Claire never thought that too…" John smiled sadly.

"Yeah well…"

"Look, forget it…" John said, "you’ll all come for a drink tonight?"

"Yeah, course we will…" Don said.

"Is Claire invited?" Mickey said, trying to be funny and make everyone feel better but instead Kerry hit around the head.

"She can come if she likes…"

Before anyone could say anything Deakin and Meadows appeared at the door.

"You’re really doing this?" Chris asked.

"I gotta, Guv.."

"The place won’t be the same without you…who will everyone have to argue with now…?"

"I dunno, Guv," Kerry grinned, "I think Mickey and the Sarge are quite similar.."

"Thanks…" Mickey smiled at her before frowning… "I think…"

There was a small ripple of laughter in the office.

"You know, it’s not to late…" Jack said, "you can change your mind.."

"Nah, Guv.. I can’t.." John handed him a piece of paper.. "here’s my request for the transfer."

Jack stared at it, not wanting to take it, but he had too, he reached out to take but some else grabbed it before him. They all turned and watched Claire ripped the form up.

"What you doing!?" John demeaned.

"You’re not going anywhere," she told him.

"I gotta, I can’t stay here…" He started.

"I finished with Ryan last night.." She interrupted.

"… what?" John asked.

"I finished with Ryan…" She smiled, "you were right, I do love you."

"What?" John repeated.

"I love you!"

"You love me?" John repeated.

"Yes.." She told him.

"You sure?" John asked, in disbelieve.

"YES!" Everyone else shouted.

John grinned and pulled her to him and hugged her.

"I’m guessing you don’t want that transfer?" Jack asked.

"No way… I’m not going anywhere.." John said, and then looked down at Claire, "I’m never going…"

*~*THE END*~*