Code Red (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 9

Nicole pulled away. She was looking at Waverly differently. Her eyes softer, her expression more relaxed. There was a slight smile on her lips. She still had one of Waverly's hands in hers. Waverly wasn't sure how Nicole would react. Exhilarated by what she had done, she gazed into Nicole's eyes, never wanting this moment to end. Then she realised she had gone too far. This definitely meant Nicole would have to send her away. How could she stay when she had kissed her boss? Tears began to trickle down her face once more.

"Hey, hey. It's alright. Hey, Waves, please, it was perfect."

"But, you'll send me to another house now. I just want to be here with you and Chrissy. Please don't move me."

"Hey, Waves, it's fine. You did nothing wrong. In fact, you did everything right. I'm a fool sometimes. A little too cautious for my own good. I probably would never have had the courage to do what you've just done. Thank you."

Waverly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "But, you'll have to move me, right?"

"Wrong. I was wrong. I thought by pushing you away I could dismiss what I was feeling. I'm very good at denying my own emotions. I needed someone like you, someone more open to this world, to make me realise I can't run away, can't push away what is happening between us."

Waverly smiled. Her instinctive action had saved her from banishment. It felt odd hearing someone say she was courageous. She didn't feel courageous. She certainly hadn't felt courageous before kissing Nicole. She had felt scared, uncertain of her future, but she let her heart move her and that is what saved the day. We seldom feel brave in a moment of crisis, yet our ability to do the thing that needs to be done reveals the courage in our hearts. Waverly had shown Nicole the way.

"Forgive me. You mentioned a James. Is he someone special to you?"

"Well, he was. We were dating before I came to Station X. All rather amicable. I think he assumed we would get married at some stage. I assumed we would get married. But, it's not what I want. Not anymore."

"Are you sure, Waves? This doesn't have to go any further with us. I like you and I'm guessing you like me. But don't throw away what you have with James if you don't want to."

"I'm not throwing anything away. I didn't have anything like this with him to start with."

"Look, take your time to consider your options with James. There's no rush." She squeezed Waverly's hand, standing, moving to sit on the sofa. Her eyes lowered, considering the way forward. After a few moments, deep in thought, she looked at Waverly. "We need to be discreet. The world is cruel. It doesn't accept those who go against its norms. This has to be our secret."

"I understand. Isn't that the work we do anyway?"

Nicole laughed. This girl, so perfect, so innocent-eyed, was thawing her heart. "I have quite a lot of work to do myself. Come to my study later, say four. We can talk more."

Nicole left the room, the unopened letters in her hand. Waverly sat in the armchair, mulling over everything that had just happened. Those eyes. That body. Those lips.

She heard Chrissy coming down the stairs, entering the dining room. She got up from the armchair, making sure her eyes were completely dry, pausing to take in the room which was providing her with so many new, wonderful experiences. She saw Chrissy sitting at the table absorbed in food. She smiled, knowing she wouldn't be leaving her friend just yet. Sitting at the table, she took a slice of toast. Chrissy looked up, butter on her chin.

"You look chipper this morning. Very pleased with yourself. I'm assuming that's a Mr Gordon Welchman smile?"

Waverly desperately wanted to tell her it wasn't. That her smile was most definitely a Miss Nicole Haught smile. But she knew that what had happened between her and Nicole, what had been spoken about, had to stay with her and her alone. No leaks, no slips. This was now a serious matter and if she was to protect herself, Nicole and Alan she needed to play this perfectly. "I will admit," Waverly replied, "Gordon is very handsome. He's quite a good dancer, but not as good as you Chrissy."

"Why thank you Miss Earp. The next dance is yours."

Waverly giggled. Secretly she knew the next dance was most definitely Nicole's.

The study door was closed as she approached. She didn't know whether to knock, or just enter. She hovered outside. She could hear Nikki on the phone, her voice animated. "There's got to be a way. Alan, we must be able to work this out. Tell me what you want me to do."

Waverly couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had Nicole told Alan about their liaison in the lounge? Secrets. I thought she said this must be their secret. Did that extend to Alan too? Clearly not. She decided to knock, to let Nicole know she was there.

"Come in. Alan, I've got to go. Ring me when you've worked out our next move."

She smiled at Waverly as she put the receiver down. Motioning for her to sit in the armchair near her desk. Waverly looked nervous. She wanted to kiss Nikki again, to feel those lips, to feel the sensations she had felt earlier. She also wanted to ask her why she was talking about what had happened between them with Alan. Nicole could see Waverly was struggling with something. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Only, I thought this was going to be our secret. As in, you and me. Not, you, me and Alan."

Nicole looked confused. "It is. Oh wait. Sorry, no. I wasn't talking to Alan about us just now. It's the project we're working on. We're so close and yet so far away, it's terribly frustrating. One more piece of information, that's all we need. Unbelievable."

Waverly let out a sigh of relief. She had misunderstood Nicole's conversation. Their secret was safe. "So, is this project very important?"

"Extremely. If we don't crack this it could be the end of Station X. All the work we are doing there will have been for nothing. Puts quite a lot of pressure on Alan and me unfortunately."

Nicole smiled, keeping her gaze on Waverly. She had definitely relaxed more in her company. Waverly could feel the tension had lifted between them. She appeared happier, glad to have let Waverly into her life. To have found someone to share the burden of what she and Alan were doing. Waverly felt welcome. They sat for a moment gazing at each other.

"What did you do before Station X?" Waverly asked.

"I was a maths teacher. Very boring, I know. Spiced it up a little by driving cars very fast. My brother is a racing driver. Let's me borrow one of his on occasions. Alan does too. Very exciting putting your foot down. Very unladylike, but immense fun. Alan doesn't like me driving his car too fast. But, as I keep reminding him, there's no point having a fast car and driving it slowly."

Waverly sat listening to Nicole, eyes wide, mouth slightly open, utterly amazed. Was there no end to the surprises this woman would give her? Her mind was already imagining what it would be like to drive in a car with her. The speed, the danger, the proximity. She hoped Nicole would take her somewhere, anywhere, just the two of them, to enjoy their own company.

It was as if Nicole had read her mind. "Do you fancy coming on a picnic with me next Saturday? I can spare a few hours and it would be nice to put some distance between here and the work. Let my hair down, so to speak. I'm sure Alan will let me borrow his car. Of course, I'll promise him I won't drive it fast, but I probably will."