Disclaimer: I don't own Sam, Phil, Zain or TB in general. No amount of dreaming will change that but I do own Catherine Hunter, Phil's younger sister.

This story is solely dedicated to Laura (S-Nixon) who gave me a (not literally) kick up the backside and spurred me into starting this fic. Thankx a lot hun, this is for you!

If I Can't Have You

Summary: Sam's engaged to Zain and Phil begins to realise that he's falling in love with the one woman he can't have. For the purposes of this fic, the whole Zain and Kristen affair never happened, Sam and Stuart did but Sam and Phil didn't and neither did Romania.

Chapter 1- Plans

DI Sam Nixon walked into Sun Hill CID with her fiancé, DC Zain Nadir in tow. They were due to be getting married in a fortnights time and they were looking forward to it. 'Phil!' Zain called as Phil Hunter opened the doors to CID and entered.

'What is it Zain?' Phil asked.

'Are you still OK about being my best man, I mean, if you're not then you only have to say,'

'It's fine Zain, really,'

'Listen Phil,' Sam interjected. 'The wedding rehearsal's tomorrow afternoon so don't forget.'

'I'll be there Sam, don't worry. Why would I want to let my two best mates down eh?' Phil smiled at both Sam and Zain before heading over to his desk.

'Sam!' Neil called from the door of their joint office. 'If it's entirely possible, could you tear yourself away from DC Nadir please?'

'I'd better go,' Sam said as she kissed Zain softly on the lips.

'I'll see you later Sam,' Zain replied as she began to walk over to Neil.

Sam and Zain got together not long after she split up with Stuart, they'd been together for nearly 10months and they really loved each other. Phil was watching Sam talking to Neil from his desk on the other side of the room. He was beginning to realise that his feelings for Sam were becoming more than platonic, but he couldn't act on them. Zain was his best mate and to act on his feelings for Sam would be the ultimate betrayal.

'What was it you wanted Neil?' Sam asked.

'There's been a shooting on the Copthorne Estate, can you deal with it, I've got things to do,' Neil explained.

'Yeah sure Neil,' Sam said as the doors to CID opened and Jo walked in.

'And you can take Jo with you,' Neil added.

'But guv…' Jo trailed off, 'I've only just got in.'

'DC Masters, that is an order, now do it!' Neil shouted and slammed the door to his and Sam's office shut.

'What's his problem?' Jo whispered.

Sam shrugged her shoulders, 'anyway,' she said. 'You still OK about being my bridesmaid?'

'Yeah, course I am Sam, it's your wedding and I wouldn't miss that for the world,'

Sam smiled at her, 'come on, lets get over to the Copthorne, investigate this shooting,' she said as she and Jo left CID, leaving Phil and Zain on their own.

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Sam and Jo got back to CID just before lunch; they hadn't got very far on the shooting and decided that they'd reconvene after lunch. 'Are you busy Sam,' Phil asked as he stood outside her office.

'Not especially Phil, why?' Sam replied.

'I was wondering…do you fancy a bit of lunch, I could use a bit of help with my best man speech,'

Sam looked at him their gazes locked, 'yeah, OK then, I'll give you a hand,' she finally said, tearing herself away from Phil's gaze.

'Cheers Sam,'

'No worries Phil,' Sam said as she took her coat of the back off the door and followed Phil out of the office and CID.

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Sam and Phil came back about an hour later, 'thanks for lunch Sam,' Phil said as they re-entered CID.

'That's fine Phil, lets just say I think the best man's speech is looking a whole lot better than it did and hour ago,' Sam smiled.

Jo looked up from her paperwork and observed the scene in front of her. 'Jo!' Sam called as Phil went back to his desk.

'Guv!' Jo replied.

'Are you ready to get back to the shooting?'

'Yeah sure guv, I'm ready when you are,' Jo said as she took her coat off the back of her chair.

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Sam finished work about 6 that evening. Jo and Zain were now the only people left in CID. 'Are you ready Sam!' Jo called from the other side of the office.

Sam went over to Zain's desk and perched herself on the edge of his desk. 'Yeah I am Jo, just give me a minute,' she said, turning to Zain. 'I'll be back later on this evening.'

Zain leant across and kissed Sam softly on the lips, 'I'll see you later babe,' he said.

'See you Zain,' Sam said as she and Jo walked towards the doors of CID and left.

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Catherine Hunter, Phil's younger sister was unloading all the dresses from the boot of her car. She lived over the other side on Canley with her partner, Daniel. Her and Phil were incredibly close as brother and sister and Catherine had been helping in the organisation of Sam and Zain's wedding. She'd helped Sam and Jo sort out their dresses and was really looking forward to the wedding. Sam and Jo pulled up outside her house about 20minutes later, she knocked on the door and Catherine greeted them. 'Hey you two,' she said as she hugged Sam and Jo in turn.

'You got the dresses then?' Sam asked.

'Yep there all ready and waiting, Daniel's gone down the pub to give us some peace so we try the dresses on without any male interruptions,' Catherine replied.

'That sounds good to me,' Sam said as she and Jo stepped inside and closed the door behind them.

4reviews b4 I post the nxt chapter, luv ya all Gemz xx