Worth the Pain

It was a crisp September's morning as DS Samantha Nixon headed into work for another day at Sun Hill police station. She had a spring in her step because the night before Phil had kissed her and they had both admitted their love for each other. The drive to work didn't take long and before she knew it she was parked in the car park. There was no sign of Phil's car but she knew he was never on time for anything. Inside she switched on her computer and started looking at the day's case. She heard the door swing open and looked up to see DC Mickey Webb coming in.

'Morning Sam'

'Morning Mickie, your early today aren't you?'

'Ah well Sam, I thought I'd try beat you in today', laughed Mickey as he sat down at his desk.

'So what's up with you today Sam, your grinning like a Cheshire cat'

Sam laughed and could feel her cheeks going scarlet.

'Don't be daft Mickey, I'm just glad to be at work'

'Yeah right, who is he, do I know him, is it love'

Sam laughed 'What is this Mickey 50 questions'

The door opened again and DC Terry Perkins entered the room

'Sam's going out with someone Terry and she won't tell me who'

Sam went bright red again and hurried out the room to make herself a coffee. Just as she picked up the cup Phil came bounding up the stairs looking unmistakable happy as well.

'Morning gorgeous', he smiled

'Shhh, Terry and Mickey are in there'

'So, your gorgeous and I want the world to know it'

Sam blushed for the 100th time that morning and the pair headed back into the office. Sam had just sat down when Mickey piped up again.

'Phil do you know who Sam's mystery man it?'

'Oh a mystery man, why don't you tell us more about him Sam' said Phil

'Shut up Phil'

'I've never seen Sam so red before, it must be love' laughed Terry.

Just then DI Manson walked into the room and it suddenly turned in work environment. The photocopier started going and typing on the computers could be heard.

'Just so you all know, Gina's invited everyone to the pub tonight for team drinks, I hope you can all make it' said DI Manson before heading into his office.

Once he left the room Mickey started making kissing noises at Sam. She stood up and put on her coat.

'Can we go and visit this witness Phil'

'Yeah but I don't know nothing about the case'

'I'll explain on the way'

'Phil try and find out who the mystery man is' called Mickey as the pair left the room.

As they reached the car Phil pulled Sam back.

'What I said last night Sam'

'Yeah'

'I've never been more serious about anything in my entire life'

'I know Phil'

The pair jumped into the car and drove towards the witnesses' house. They reached the block of flats and climbed the stairs until they reached the top level. The flats were disgusting. There was litter everywhere and small children raced about swearing. They knocked on flat 54b. A small brunette girl of about nine years old answered.

'Hello, I'm DS Samantha Nixon and this is my colleague DS Phil Hunter, is your Mummy or Daddy home'

'Why do you need to know' replied the girl cheekily

'Get inside' a voice roared from inside

A 6ft man came towards the door and suddenly the girl wasn't cheeky anymore and she rushed inside.

He invited them in to the grubby flat and Phil took his statement about a car accident he had seen.

'What's the girl called' asked Sam

'That's Michelle, she's my daughter'

'Can I go and speak to her'

'Why'

'Just to show her police officers don't have to be scary'

'OK' he grunted

Sam made her way through the hall and opened up a bedroom door. The girl was sitting cross-legged on the floor. Sam sat down beside her.

'Hi, I'm Sam'

'I'm Michelle'

'What you up to Michelle'

'Nothing'

Sam noticed bruising up the girl's arm.

'Michelle, how did you get those bruises'

'Duno'

'Its ok you can talk to me I'm here to help'

'Dad and Mike hit me for being stupid'

'Who's Mike'

'Dad's mate'

'Does he hit you a lot'

Just then Craig came marching into the room.

'What's going on'

'Nothing Mr Collins, I was just speaking to your daughter'

'Oh yeah about what', he spat nastily

'Oh you know, girl chat' Sam answered calmly

'Get out and stay out'

He pushed Sam towards the door. Phil rushed forward.

'Excuse me Mr Collins, could you refrain from pushing my colleague'

'I'll push you if you don't get out'

Michelle turned round and stared out the window again. Sam took one last glimpse of her and then headed out of the door. The pair hurried back down to the car and climbed in.

'What's going on Sam, why did he suddenly freak out like that'

'Because he knows I know he's hitting his daughter'

'What'

'I saw distinctive bruising up her right arm and she told me her Dad and his mate hit her'

They drove back to the station and as they got out Phil turned towards her.

'Do you fancy a bite to eat in the canteen' Phil asked

'Yeah that would be great, reserve me a seat'

'Why where are you going'

'I just want to run Collins through the system'

'Ok see you in a bit'

Once Sam had ran her checks she headed down to the canteen where Phil had picked her up a sandwich and a coffee.

'He's got form' said Sam as she sat down

'Oh yeah for what'

'Beating up his ex girlfriend'

'What Michelle's mum'

'Yes'

'So if she knew he was capable of that why did she leave Michelle with him'

'She was a victim of a hit and run incident, they never caught who did it'

The table fell silent as Sam and Phil ate their sandwiches.

'Sam we never really talked about last night'

'What about it'

'Well does this mean we're a couple'

Sam looked at the table. This morning she had a spring in her step and was so happy. She loved Phil so much but didn't want to risk getting her heart broken again.

'Well' he prompted

Quickly weighing up the risks she looked up to face him 'Yes'

He smiled through obvious relief and Sam's heart skipped a beat as he laid his hand on hers.

'I love you Samantha Nixon'

'And I love you Phil Hunter', laughed Sam

'Shall we go and put Mickey out of his misery' asked Phil and Sam nodded.

They headed back upstairs. Mickey was sitting at his desk and looked up when they came in.

'Well Phil, did you find out who Sam's mystery man is'

'Yes'

'Well come on tell me, the suspense is killing me'

Phil pulled Sam towards him and their lips locked. They heard Mickey's pen drop.

'What you two'

'Yes Mickey me and Sam are together'

'Well congratulations, I couldn't think of two better people for each other'

Sam smiled relieved that the news had been taken well. That afternoon she called social services and asked them to call in on Michelle Collins and finished her paperwork. Word had spread round about Sam and Phil getting together and everyone was so nice about it and kept saying they were meant to be together that it put Sam's mind at rest.

'Will you join me to the pub tonight for Gina's drinks' Phil asked

'Yes, that would be lovely' smiled Sam