20

"Wow." Dom rolled off of Adrian with a muffled oath.

"I know," Adrian murmured.

He reached up and brushed his sweat-soaked fringe from his eyes.

"We have got to do that again," Dom said firmly, leaning over to kiss Adrian tenderly.

"Mm." Adrian stroked Dom's cheek, before he sat up, and winced. "I can't believe you lasted that long."

Dom laughed.

"I can't believe you took it like you did." Dom stretched luxuriously, and fell back against the pillows. "Not many can take it like you did."

Adrian smiled, and nudged Dom firmly.

"Don't fall asleep. Rachel should be back soon. We have to shower."

Dom sat up immediately, his eyes interested.

"Not together," Adrian said firmly. "You can go first."

"Killjoy," said Dom moodily.

But he obediently got out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

Adrian watched him go, his heart still pounding in his chest, before he smiled to himself and fell back onto the bed. He snuggled himself up in the duvet, breathing in Dom's scent.

Dom came back into the bedroom a few minutes later, and found Adrian still curled up in the bedcovers. He went over and kissed the back of Adrian's neck lightly.

"I thought you said we weren't allowed to go to sleep."

"I'm not sleeping," Adrian murmured.

He sat up, and stretched. He smiled at Dom, and went for a shower.

When he came out of the bathroom, Dom was sprawled out on one of the sofas; a photo album was spread open on his lap.

Adrian dressed quickly, and went and perched on the arm of the sofa, peering over Dom's shoulder at the photos.

"That's a nice one of you," Marafioti said, pointing out a photograph.

"That was taken in London. We went down for the day last year, for Rachel's birthday."

Adrian slid from the arm of the sofa onto Dom's lap, and wrapped his arm around Dom's neck.

They browsed through the photos for a while, until Dom's phone vibrated in his pocket. He listened quietly for a moment, before he laughed, and hung up.

"Come on." He pushed Adrian off his lap and stood up.

"Where're we going? Rachel'll be here in a minute."

"No, she won't be. She's at the station, refusing to get into the car."

"What?"

"She's not getting in a car with anyone but you." Dom smirked. "At least she's learnt something from all of this."

Adrian laughed, and ran out to his car.

At Dom's insistence, Adrian let him drive, which was a good thing, since Adrian was so excited he was wriggling in his seat like a child.

They pulled up outside the police station, and Adrian hopped out of the car before Dom had even parked it.

Adrian ran into the police station and headed for the front desk.

When Dom came in after parking the car, Adrian was still there, bouncing on the balls of his feet in frustration, gabbling angrily at the policewoman behind the desk.

"It'smydaughtershewaskidappedandnowshe'sbackandiwanttoseeher!"

"Aidy, calm down," Marafioti said firmly, his hand gliding down Adrian's back. "Hi, Lindy. Where's Rachel Sloan?"

"Up in the incident room." Lindy shot Adrian a look and disappeared into the back room before he could say anything else.

Adrian tugged futilely on a code-locked door, before turning desperately to Marafioti.

Dom went over and pressed Adrian back against the door.

"I'm not going to open this door for you until you calm down," Dom said firmly.

He cupped Adrian's cheeks and smiled at Adrian's look.

"I am calm," said Adrian in a dignified voice.

Dom snorted, but said nothing.

He leant forwards and tenderly pecked Adrian's lips, before unlocking the door and letting Adrian through into the CID serious crimes unit.

"Daddy!"

A second after Dom opened the door, a little shape came barrelling through the door and wrapped itself tightly around Adrian's knees.

"Rachel!"

With an effort, Adrian disentangled her arms from his legs, threw her into the air and caught her again.

They both laughed, and he felt her little legs wrap around his waist and her head nuzzle into his neck.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too, Daddy." She drew back and beamed at him.

He had to admit, her new bob haircut framed her round face nicely, and made her look rather sweet.

"I like your haircut," he said, gently tugging one of her bangs.

She giggled, and tugged his own hair in return.

"Me too. But I don't like the colour."

"Well, we can change that."

She snuggled her head against his shoulder.

"Daddy."

"Yeah, darling?"

"There's a big man watching us."

Adrian turned around and saw Dom in the doorway, watching them. He laughed as Rachel turned her head to Dom, and glared at him.

"It's alright, Rach. This is my friend, Dom. He wanted to meet you. He's been working hard to find you for me."

At Adrian's encouraging nod, Dom came over to them.

"Hi, Rachel," he said gently, a little nervous at finally meeting Adrian's daughter; after all, if she didn't like him...

Dom didn't like to think about not seeing Adrian again.

At Adrian's nudge, Rachel gave him a quick smile.

"Thank you for finding me for my daddy."

"You're very welcome. I'm sorry it took us so long."

Rachel shrugged, and nestled against Adrian.

"Can we make some pancakes, daddy?"

Adrian grinned at Dom.

"Sure, sweetie. We'll go home now and make some."

Dom followed them down to the car, and at Adrian's encouraging nod, clambered in with them.

Dom drove them home, letting Rachel and Adrian talk in eager voices. Dom pulled up outside their house and watched as Adrian unlocked the front door.

"Why don't you go through and get out some mixing bowls, and I'll just say goodbye to Dom," Adrian said to Rachel, hugging her tightly.

Rachel nodded, and happily trotted through to the kitchen.

"Thank you." Adrian turned to Dom when Rachel had gone.

Dom smiled.

"No problem."

"I sorry she was... a little unfriendly."

"I understand. She probably wants you all to herself for a few days." Adrian nodded.

"I think Tom and Freddie were planning on doing something at my restaurant for Rachel when she was found. I'll find out when they're going to do it, and you can come along, if you like."

Dom nodded. He leant forwards and placed a quick kiss on Adrian's lips, before he left the pair alone.

Adrian watched Dom drive away in his car, before he went through to the kitchen, where Rachel had gotten out a large mixing bowl, and a wooden spoon.

Adrian kissed the top of her head, and tied her apron for her, before he pulled milk, flour, eggs and sugar from the cupboard.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah, darling?"

"Why was that man kissing you?"

Adrian blinked in surprise, before he smiled at her.

"We were saying goodbye, sweetie."

"By kissing?" Rachel made an 'icky' face.

Adrian laughed.

"I'll explain it to you when you're older," he said, pouring milk into the bowl.

They made chocolate pancakes quickly, and settle on one of the sofas to eat.

"Rach?"

"Mm?" She mumbled wither her mouth full.

"Did you like Dom?"

She shrugged.

"Would you like to get to know him?"

"Dunno. Why, daddy?"

"Well... I really like Dom. I want to be friends with him. But I won't be, if you don't like him."

"He's alright." Rachel shrugged.

Adrian laughed, and shook his head.

"Well, how would you like to spend some time with Dom, over the next few weeks. You might like him once you get to know him."

She looked doubtful.

"He has a dog." Adrian wheedled gently.

"What sort?"

"The big sort." Adrian grinned at her. "He might bring her over some time."

"Hm..."

Rachel finished her pancakes and settled back on the sofa.

"He wasn't so bad," she said after a while.