DISCLAIMER: Murder in Suburbia and its characters are the property of ITV. No infringement intended.
CHALLENGE: Written for Passion & Perfection's Big 5000.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
THANKS: To Ann for the beta.
Sullivan's Revenge
By ralst
"He's punishing me," Scribbs groused.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Trying to drive me insane."
Ash watched as her partner scrubbed at the floor tiles, her bottom wiggling in the air as she fought a particularly tenacious stain. "You're imagining things."
Scribbs dipped her sponge into the bucket of lukewarm water and glowered at Ash. "Last week he had me walking the length and breadth of the High Street dressed like a tart -" her jaw muscles tensed "- in the middle of the bloody day." She pointed an accusing finger at Ash. "While you two got to cosy up in the observation van with a packet of hobnobs and watch me freeze my tits off."
"You're being ridiculous again. We only had custard creams."
Several crumbs were flicked in Ash's direction. "And now, he's got me scrubbing floors while the two of you get to check into the honeymoon suite!"
"Pssht."
"Don't think I haven't seen the way he's always pawing at you." The sponge splashed back into the bucket, soaking both Scribbs and the nearby floor. "Now look what he's made me do!"
"You'll be blaming him for the weather next."
Scribbs looked out the nearest window but the brilliant sunshine dissuaded her from commenting.
"It's hardly Sullivan's fault that you make a first rate charwoman -" Ash's smile widened "- and an even better tart."
The sponge went flying.
"Now, now, Scribbs, no need to be violent."
"It's all your fault."
"My fault? How is any of this my fault?"
Scribbs shuffled forward, the knees of her jeans soaking up the soapy water. "If you hadn't practically thrown yourself at me, I wouldn't be in this mess."
"Thrown myself at you? Are you insane?"
"Come on, Ash, you have to admit you were pretty desperate to get me into bed."
"What?" Ash looked positively appalled. "You're the one who jumped me at the staff Christmas party."
"That's beside the point." Scribbs waved the inconsistency aside. "It's still all your fault Sullivan's been trying to make my life a misery."
"You might have a point," Ash conceded, although she had her doubts, Sullivan not being the type of man to let personal feelings interfere with work. "But think of it this way; you might have to spend your days scrubbing floors, but at least you get to spend your nights cuddling up with me."
Scribbs appeared to ponder that statement, but just when Ash was ready to upend the bucket over her head, she turned a beaming smile on her partner. "And not just cuddling," she crowed, her smile turning decidedly lecherous.
"No, Scribbs," Ash agreed, "not just cuddling."
The End