A/N: I'm so sorry for the late update. I had my uni admissions going on and it all got over yesterday. Hope y'all don't mind. And now… ENJOY!

Ch 7

Mary had spent most of Sunday trying to figure out her feelings about Matthew. The more she thought, the more she realised that she was falling for him. She hadn't felt like this since she was a teen. Because, after that she had grown up and become disillusioned with life. She had stopped believing in romance and the idealism of love that could be found in Austen's novels. But Matthew had reignited the spark of belief.

Mary tried to clear her mind and decide what she would do. She and Matthew had to co-exist in the office for the foreseeable future and she couldn't let her feelings get in the way.

"These are just feelings. They'll go away" she reminded herself.

But for now, she would have to tread carefully. Matthew saw her just as a friend. She couldn't let him see that she was falling for him. What if he mocked her, or worse, pitied her? She couldn't live with that humiliation.

So, on Monday, Mary steeled herself and put on her "lady Mary" mask tighter. She wouldn't let anyone see the chink in her armor.

XXXX

Matthew spent Sunday daydreaming about Mary. He knew he was utterly and completely in love with her. He had never felt this way about anyone. Yes, he had loved Lavinia and had been heartbroken when she had left him. But it was a different thing altogether with Mary.

The key difference was that unlike Lavinia, Mary was his friend. He had for the first time found someone who had a devious sense of humour that matched his own. He could spend hours talking (or if he was being truthful, arguing) with her about anything under the sun.

He fully planned on asking her out sometime. But he would have to tread slowly and carefully. She clearly just viewed him as a friend, and for now that was enough for him. It was a huge improvement from what it was like a month ago, and he was happy with the progress. He knew it would take time but he would wait. He would wait as long as it took if it meant that he could have a shot with Mary.

XXXX

The next week was brutal for the both of them in more ways than one. Work was crazy; the fuel crisis and the government's denial about it had sparked debates. Branson's article, which was critical of the government (no surprises there), had added fuel to the fire. They didn't get time to breathe because of the mounting pressure.

Then there was the little (well, maybe not so little) bit about their "feelings" for each other.

It had taken every ounce of Matthew's self-control to not kiss Mary every time they stood close (and even when they stood apart; honestly every time he thought of her, which was a lot of times).

Mary, on the other hand, was finding it increasingly difficult to keep herself from throwing herself into Matthew's arms every time she felt overwhelmed (which given the week they had, was a lot of times).

Now it was Saturday night, and they were still working; finalizing the drafts for the next day's issue. It was pretty late and apart from the IT guys and the publishing team, they were the only ones left.

"Ugh, honestly I can't take this anymore. God knows I need a break", Mary said, exasperated.

"Same here. It's lucky tomorrow's Sunday. I would die if I had to come in tomorrow." Matthew replied.

"So, what are your plans tomorrow, then?"

"Oh, I don't have a plan. I just know I'll spend the entire day sleeping."

"Honestly, I would probably fall asleep right now if I wasn't starving"

As if on cue, their stomachs rumbled and they laughed in unison.

"Yup, we definitely need some food." Matthew said.

"Seems like it."

"We'll be done here in about 15. Do you want to go out and grab a bite together?" Matthew asked, trying to hide his nervousness.

"I think it's better if we do. I am not sure how safe the pub is at this hour for me to go in alone, and I am too tired to cook tonight." Mary replied smoothly, though she could hear alarm bells ringing in her mind. But she told herself, "It's not a date. It's just two friends going out to dinner together because it's the practical thing to do."

"Well then, let's get this done with and head out." Matthew replied, desperately trying to mask his elation at her response. Mary was going on a date with him! Well, maybe not a date because she had clearly agreed because of the practical reasons she just said and to her it was just two friends hanging out together after work.

They went into the pub next door, "The Red Lion".

They chatted about anything and everything over dinner and drinks. Mary could feel the edge wearing off, and she spoke freely. Though whether it was from the drinks or the company, that she couldn't tell.

After a couple of drinks and hearing Mary complain about Edith, Matthew felt the burden of pressure that had consumed him the entire week lifting from his shoulders. He loved seeing Mary talk without reservation. It made him feel special that she didn't let everyone see beyond her mask, but he was privy to it.

It was getting pretty late, but neither wanted to part from the other's company. So, they kept ordering drinks, and some time later, they were both drunk as a fish.

"Wow, I haven't been this drunk since college!" Mary exclaimed.

"Me neither."

"I think we should get going, the bartender is giving us really dirty looks."

Matthew sniggered and imitated the expression on the man's face and Mary giggled.

If he was sober, Matthew would have silently recorded this moment in his memory, but he was drunk and had lost all his filters.

"You should laugh more. You look so pretty when you laugh."

Mary blushed at that. If she had her faculties around her, she would have raised her eyebrows and made some distant remark because they were approaching dangerous waters. But she didn't and so she blushed and giggled some more.

"But yes, we really should get going or they will throw us out." Matthew eventually said.

They stumbled out of the pub, clinging on to each other for support. They were both aware of their close proximity and revelled in the feeling of being so close.

As they were crossing a park, Mary gently tugged Matthew's sleeve and he looked down to see her face.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Let's sit down on the bench. My feet are killing me."

They sat down on the bench and felt the loss of warmth as they shifted apart.

After sitting in silence for a moment, Mary finally spoke.

"You know, I never thanked you properly." she said.

"For what?"

"For standing up to Papa for me, the other day. Your words really meant a lot."

"You don't need to thank me for that. Whatever I said was true."

"Even then, you were quite brave standing up to your boss."

"I was only doing my duty."

"And are you a creature of duty?"

"Not entirely."

Matthew was thoroughly confused by where the conversation was going.

Mary suddenly stood up.

"We should go home now." she said.

"I'll walk you to yours."

"There's no need I'll be fine" but she was swaying while saying this and Matthew raised his eyebrow.

"Ok, fine you can walk me home. But raising the eyebrow is my move. Don't you dare copy it ever again."

"As you say, m'lady." Matthew made a show of bowing but stumbled and Mary broke out laughing.

"Do shut up and get going."

They walked together, arms linked and her head on his shoulder.

When they eventually reached her flat, they were both unwilling to part.

Mary turned around to face him and nervously asked him, "Do you want to come inside?" and then quickly added "for tea" though she knew how ridiculous it sounded.

Matthew's heart was pounding in his chest. Of course he wanted to come inside.

He just nodded and stepped in to the apartment.

It was neat and elegant, just as you would imagine her house to be like. She went into the kitchen and walked out with two glasses and a bottle of red wine.

"It's probably too much. But after the week we've had, we deserve it, don't you think?" she asked.

He nodded and said, "And we don't have to go into work tomorrow, or is it today?"

Mary just smiled and poured the drink.

"It's a good thing Sybil's gone over to Papa's house today. Otherwise, she would launch another round of interrogation at you." she said.

"I didn't mind that. It was fun, really."

"You should be careful; she has a crush on you."

Matthew shook his head at that, but decided to play along.

"Well, that's something no one could accuse you of." he said.

There was a shift in the air and he could see Mary becoming nervous. She began fidgeting with the pendant around her neck and refused to look up.

"Oh, I don't know" she finally said.

Matthew could hear his heart hammering away. He felt a glimmer of hope, but he needed to be sure.

"Mary, don't mock me."

"I'm not. You should really have more faith."

He couldn't believe his ears. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

Mary couldn't believe that she had just told him that she liked him. What was wrong with her? It was a stupid decision to go out with him in the first place. Now, she would lose his friendship and she didn't know how she would bear that.

Matthew looked at her, but she refused to meet his eyes. So, he gently lifted her chin.

She felt Matthew's fingers on her chin and shivered at the touch. As he lifted her face up, she looked into his eyes and was shocked by the intensity of his gaze.

And then she leaned in and kissed him.

Matthew was flying. All the doubts he had about this being a dream disappeared as he felt her lips on his.

The kiss was sloppy, and wet (they were drunk, after all) and tasted like a mixture of cheap beer and expensive red wine but to the two of them, it was perfect.

They broke apart, breathless after a few moments.

"Mary, I…" he tried to say something but couldn't find the words. Instead, he bent down to kiss her again, letting the kiss talk for itself.

When they broke apart this time, they just looked at each other and smiled.

"Stay. Don't leave now, not yet." Mary said softly.

"I wasn't planning to. Not now, not ever." he whispered back, sealing the promise with a kiss.

Mary sighed and then settled in his arms, like she had wanted to. Matthew laid down on the couch, wrapping his arms around her and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight" she whispered in his ears.

With her head on the crook of his neck and his arms holding her tightly, they fell asleep, perfectly content with the world at the moment.

That is how Sybil found them when she came in to the apartment in the morning. Not wanting to disturb them or embarrass her sister, she snuck out quietly, grinning to herself.

A/N: So, this chapter was basically just me trying to live up to the title XD! Please review and let me know what you think. XO