Within the Shadows by J.D MCG (book recommendations .TXT) 📗

'They're a little shaken, but I think they will be fine. They've seen Vanessa and know their mum is getting better. How's Jacob been since the funeral?' he asked, knowing Ally would discuss her true opinion.

'I don't think he's taken any of this well. He came to work in a drunken state. I took him home before anyone realised.'

'We need to monitor him and keep it between ourselves for now. Hopefully, it was a one-off but I expected as much with all he's been through, to be honest.'

'I need to talk to you about something in confidence before the others get here,' Ally was nervous about what he'd say.

'Go ahead, the floor is yours.'

'I have feelings for him. Strong feelings. I've told him how I feel but we haven't taken it any further. If you want me off the team, I wouldn't blame you,' she admitted.

'So neither of you have acted on your feelings?'

'No.'

'Then why would I need to take you off the team? You are one of us now, Ally, and you're a damn good DI. I appreciate you telling me, but you're not going anywhere,' he smiled.

Ally felt relieved knowing she wouldn't have to leave, but she knew sometime soon her feelings for Jacob would have a reaction. She'd have to make the decision to either be with Jacob or leave the team she also grew to love.

Sarah and Brian arrived at the table, just as Barnes and Ally had finished discussing private matters.

'Hey, hope we're not too late,' Sarah greeted them.

'No, just in time. Sit down,' Barnes invited.

The four of them discussed recent events, told jokes and even told old stories from their pasts before Jacob entered half an hour later.

'Have I missed anything?' he asked as he approached the laughter.

'Just a few funny stories,' Brian replied, still laughing from the story Sarah had just told.

'Come, sit down, Jacob,' Ally patted the seat next to her.

As he joined the group, Ally flirtatiously smiled at him, even though she realised it would be him or her job. But she couldn't hold back on the feelings she had for him. He was worth the risk.

Hours had passed before everyone decided to disperse. Ally, Sarah and Jacob caught a cab together, mainly because Jacob was too intoxicated to make his own way home and also because he could barely stand on his feet. Barnes left the bar and headed straight home to his empty house, filled with piles of dirty dishes.

Jacob passed out inside the taxi while they stopped outside of Sarah's place. She jumped out, paid her share and headed inside. Once the taxi pulled up outside Jacob's apartment building, Ally tried lifting him to his feet, not wanting to drag his heavy carcass inside alone. He was extremely heavy.

'Come on, Jacob. I need you to help me get you inside,' she huffed while trying to carry him.

As she dragged him through the building with his arm wrapped around her neck, he mumbled some words drunkenly. Ally had made it to his apartment door. She rummaged through his coat pockets, trying to find his keys, when his apartment door opened with Belle stood chuckling at him.

Ally smiled at her. 'He's drank a tad too much,' she giggled.

'Doesn't look like he's the only one,' Belle smirked at Ally, before moving aside to invite the pair of them inside.

Ally continued to tow him until she reached the sofa and hurled him on top. Jacob's eyes were sealed and his lips began to release a wail of a snore.

'That'll be him for the night,' Belle enlightened Ally. 'Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?'

'Coffee, if you don't mind.'

Ally glanced down at Jacob, taking in the sight of his drunken mess, thinking about how much she didn't care how bad he looked at this moment, he looked perfect to her. She took a seat on the armchair across from the sofa, while Belle made the coffee.

'Do you take sugar?' she shouted across to Ally.

'No, thank you,' she replied. 'I've never really asked this, but how did you and Jacob meet?' Ally inquired, curious as she was never really told the full story.

'Do you really want to hear the full story?' she asked while carrying their drinks into the lounge area.

'Yeah. I've heard dribs and drabs but never heard the full story. Jacob has been distracted since I've worked with him, so I've never really heard it.'

'Well, I ran away from home. My parents weren't the best and it was safer for me to leave. I lived on the streets a while before I heard about an apartment that had been raided by the police,' she started.

'Alex Baker's?' Ally questioned.

'Yes,' she confirmed. 'Well when Alex was released from prison, he arrived back to find me squatting in his apartment. He took me out for dinner and told me all about what happened. Then we arrived back at the apartment and he was murdered. I saw the lady who killed him and she heard me. She came looking for me, so I hid and that's when I called Jacob's number. He spoke to me the entire time, keeping me calm until they arrived. He saved my life.'

Ally took her eyes off Belle and placed them on Jacob, who had dribble sliding out of his mouth. Not the most attractive look. A moment had passed before Ally wanted to change the subject to something happier.

'So, I hear you've got yourself a job down at the local cafe?'

'It's about time, hey?' Belle said, before lifting her mug to her lips.

Barnes phoned his mother-in-law to check on the girls. Barnes and Vanessa's mother never really got on, but they had no choice but to speak to one another