Denying the Truth
Sam felt Jo's lips against hers, sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't believe that just two days ago she hadn't had this beautiful woman in her life. But how did this happen? Well that was down to a very interesting weekend.
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"Ok, listen up people, I have some good news" Jack strode into the CID office, people stopped what they were doing to listen to what he had to say. Neil in particular, was interested, as Andrea, dressed in civvies was only a step behind him. She looked smart in tailored black pants and a mauve button up shirt with a black jacket over the top, her hair up in a French twist.
"Firstly, I'd like you to welcome our new acting DC, Andrea Dunbar" he paused while people politely clapped, some more enthusiastic than others, though Sam heard Suzie sigh in disgust. Across the room she saw Gary imitate her sigh to Jo, who choked down a sniggle. Sam smirked when she saw Phil and Stuart didn't appear to be listening, they were just glaring daggers across the room at each other.
"And the yard has just approved my application for a team building weekend" Jack continued, he looked so excited that Sam felt bad but she couldn't help letting a small moan escape. "Unfortunately they limited it to ten people and I've decided that I'm pairing you up with people you don't get along with, and those of you who are going have no choice in the mater so don't grumble to me." He pulled a list out of his pocket and Sam crossed her fingers hoping to God she wasn't on there.
Phil muttered something and Jack turned on him, "What was that DS Hunter?" Phil turned to Sam and smirked.
"I said Sam and I really don't get on" Phil repeated with a twinkle in his eye.
Jack rolled his eyes chuckling with everyone else, except Sam who rolled her eyes and Jo who stared at the ground, her jaw clenched but Sam didn't notice this.
"Sorry Phil, pairs are already sorted out, you're paired with Stuart" Jack answered enjoying the look on Phil's face. Sam laughed as his smirk disappeared to be replaced by annoyed disbelief, "You can't do that Guv" Phil protested frantically.
"Why not?" Jack asked raising his eyebrows and daring Phil to comment, sensibly he shut up
"Suzie, you're paired up with Andrea, help you sort out any animosity over the Spinks case before you have to work together" Jack said referring to the man who had supposedly beaten up a young blind girl. But he was shot before they could prove it, and then it turned out it wasn't him. Suzie had been upset because Andrea hadn't thought the preserve the ligatures around the young girl's hands. "Phil, Stuart, I let you know that you're working together, and Gary and Neil, you two are working together. And Jo and Samantha" Jack looked up trying to gauge their reactions. He didn't get anything out of Sam though he hadn't expected to, she had a damn good poker face, but Jo's shoulders slumped, it was obvious she was disappointed, he chose to ignore it as she looked like she was having a bad day and he didn't want to make it worse.
"The only problem is that the yard didn't give us much notice, you're laving at six tomorrow morning" there were collective groans from those officers who were going on the weekend. Even Sam displayed some disappointment, though she quickly masked it and decided to finish off her paperwork before she went home and packed. She headed over to her desk, passing Jo on the way, Sam felt a pang of concern as she noticed that her officer seemed to be upset. "Jo?" she asked cautiously
"Sarge?" Jo replied back raising her head.
"Are you alright?" Sam asked
Jo frowned, she could never understand Sam Nixon, as soon as she thought she had her figured out she did something like this that didn't fit. She hesitated to answer and eventually Sam grabbed her hand and pulled her up, "Come on, we're going to get coffee" Jo would have protested but Sam's hand on her own had sent a shock up her arm that had made her speechless. Wordlessly she followed though she shook off Sam's hand afraid that she would embarrass herself. Sam bought two cups of coffee and propelled Jo over to a table in the corner, sitting her down and handing her a mug.
"Thanks Sarge," Jo smiled.
"Sam, please" Sam corrected.
"Thanks –Sam" Jo repeated, smiling as Sam smiled.
"So, you going to tell me what's wrong?" Sam asked
"Tessa broke up with me last night, I guess I'm still sore and a bit crabby from lack of sleep" Jo admitted. She studied Sam's face as she said it and was surprised to see it harden, "I'm sorry" Sam said automatically, but Jo could tell she didn't mean it. She was debating on whether or not to pick Sam up on it, challenge her about it, but before she could make up her mind Sam got up abruptly, "Excuse me, I have paper work I need to finish" she said and left. Jo had no idea what to make of it.
Sam berated herself for leaving Jo like that, but she had been afraid that Jo would realise that Sam wasn't sad about their break-up at all, she was scared that Jo would realise how she felt. And that really scared her. Sam had never felt like this about a woman before and she didn't know why it was happening now, all she knew was she wanted it to stop, before it got out of hand, what would Abi say if she knew she had fallen for another woman! -I didn't just think that, I have not fallen for Jo Masters, I have not!
Sam was a home in her room with Abi, packing for her weekend away, and complaining about being paired with Jo "I mean we just have different opinions and clashing personalities. A weekends away is not going to fix that and I could actually be doing something useful with my time rather than this"
"Like what mum? Spending time with me, bub, and grandma?" Abi asked smirking "Last time you two were in the same room together, you almost burnt the house down" she reminded her
"I was hoping you wouldn't remember that" Sam grumbled.
"Wow, you must really not want to go on this weekend thing, what is Phil going? No, wait, I bet it's that annoying Stuart creep" Abi smiled when she saw Sam grin.
"Actually they're both going, they have to try and work together" Sam smirked at the thought, that wouldn't happen in a million years. Abi grinned back, "Maybe you will have some fun on this trip then?" she suggested.
"Maybe, Sam's tone was thoughtful.
"Mum…?" Abi wasn't quite sure how to phrase what she was about to say.
"Yes?" Sam asked turning around and throwing her jeans in her bag.
"Don't get me wrong…but the reason you don't want to go on this thing is more Jo than the principle of the thing isn't it?"
"No, what on earth do you mean?" Sam defended quickly.
"I mean…" Abi sighed, better to get this over with quickly so that her mum could swiftly deny it, change the subject and give Abi the cold shoulder until five minutes before she left when she was hug her tightly and promise to call everyday. "I mean Ithinkyoumightbefallinginlovewithher" Abi blurted out and before her mum could voice any objections she plunged on "AndIthinkthat'sreallysweetandIhavenoproblemwithit -just so you know"
Sam let out a big sigh and sat down heavily on her bed, this was definitely not the reaction Abi had been expecting but she walked over and sat down beside her mum, putting her arm around her shoulders. "Mum, does she know how you feel?"
Sam shook her head, looking up at Abi she asked, "You mean you really have no problem with it?"
Abi shook her head, "Why would I? I want you to be happy and if that means Jo then so be it"
Sam smiled, "Thanks sweetie. But you do realise that you have taken away my only good excuse"
"Good" Abi smirked and they resumed packing.
Bus ride, Sam's POV
I was seated next to Jo for the trip, I wished I wasn't. Jo seems to have picked up on my tension and she's not talking to me, thank God for small mercies. I pulled Abi's ipod out of my bag and put the earphones in my ears. Turning it on, I relaxed against the seat, drifting off into sleep.
Pull back the shield between us
And I'll kiss you
Drop your defences
And come
Into my arms
I'm all for believing
I'm all for believing
I'm all for believing
If you can reveal
Your true colours
Within
I know you blanket your mind
So much that I am blind
But I see you painted your soul
Into your guard
I'm all for believing
I'm all for believing
I need to you know just how you feel
To convert you
I need to find the key to let me in
Into your heart
To find your soul
Pull back the shield between us
And I'll kiss you
Drop your defences
And come
Into my arms
I'm all for believing
If you can reveal
Your true colours within
And say you will be there for me to hold
But the faith grows old
And life turns cold
And the faith grows old
And life turns cold
So if you're cold I will stay
Maybe fate will guide the way
I believe in what I see
And baby we were meant to be
Just believe
Just believe
Just believe
And trust in me
I woke up with a start, damn my overactive imagination, it's worse when I'm asleep. A thought crosses my mind I wonder where we are? After rubbing my eyes I look around and notice Jo's watching me with a mix of amusement and confusion. "What's so funny?' I ask grumpily.
"Nothing, just never knew you talked in your sleep" Jo commented smirking.
Oh crap! I hope I didn't say anything to embarrassing. "I do not" I protested feebly.
"You do so" Jo argued.
I scowled at her, why did she have to get under my skin like this? "What did I say" I mutter, only loud enough for Jo to hear.
Jo frowned, "Most of it wasn't audible but you did say you were cold" she answered
I blush, remembering the line if you're cold I will stay, maybe fate will guide the way. In my dream I had been sitting in the booth at the Canley arms and Jo was standing up on stage singing the song to me…shaking my head I made an attempt to get the image out of my mind. It seemed to work, but for how long? I realised Jo was looking at me oddly, "What?" I ask again.
"Why are you shaking your head?" Jo asked simply.
"Never mind" I answered. After changing my playlist to something without Missy Higgins in it I turned away from Jo and tried to get some more rest, not an easy feet with that gorgeous woman sitting less than a foot away from me.
Missy Higgins I'm All for Believing from her album The Sound of White