Summary: What would've happened if Stuart had got the job with the kidnap squad? Would Sam and Stuart's relationship have survived? Will Phil's flirtatious ways bring temptation? SSP Love Triangle.
PrologueDS Stuart Turner was sat in a car with DC Suzie Sim. They had set up a sting to collar a rapist, with DC Kezia Walker acting as bait. 'Please let this be our rapist,' Suzie sighed.
'What's the matter Suzie?' Stuart asked. 'Can't take the pace? I can't imagine the hours are going to be very sociable at the Kidnap Squad. Are you sure you want that job?'
'Sorry?'
'I wasn't eavesdropping I just heard you talking to Neil. Don't worry about it, I'll keep stchum. It shouldn't be too long before we hear now-' Suzie shot him a look. 'Well, I've got a mate in the Kidnap Squad, told me it was too good an opportunity to miss so-'
'You're applying for the job as well,'
'Yep. Hey, it should be a great first sergeants job for you though, if not a little daunting,'
'I like a challenge,' She replied coolly.
'Well good for you Suzie, ambitions a good thing. May the best man win,' Stuart said. 'Or woman of course,' he added hastily.
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After work that day, Stuart drove over to Sam's place. Her car was parked in the drive so he knew she'd gone straight home from work. Picking a bunch of flowers up from the seat beside him, he climbed out and slammed the door shut. Walking up her garden path, he rang the bell. As he waited he tried to work out how he was going to broach the subject of a transfer with her.
After about five minutes, she answered the door wrapped in just a bathrobe. "Hey you…" she said, a soft smile lighting up her face. She leaned up to kiss him. "And what great timing… I was just about to have a quick bath…"
"Or a slow one…" Stuart smirked, forgetting the reason he was there.
"Well come on in then!" Sam pulled him inside, closing the door behind him and motioned him to follow her into the bathroom… the flowers lying forgotten on the stairs.
After their bath, they curled up on the sofa and watched a film. "Baby…" Stuart said quietly, stroking her hair.
"Mmm?" Sam murmured by way of reply, feeling tired after the day she'd had at work.
"There's something I need to run past you!"
Sam sat up, picking up a cushion and hugging it to her. "Oh?" She answered apprehensively.
"Yeah… I've applied for a new job…the kidnap unit are looking for a new DS…Suzie's running for it as well… but I think it's pretty much in the bag…" He said.
"That means you're leaving Sun Hill…" Stuart nodded. "And you were going to tell me when?"
"I'm telling you now!" Stuart said, exasperated. He'd have thought she'd be more supportive than that.
"Yeah, when you've already been to the interview…" She shot back. "And what about us? How are we going to work if you're situated across the other side of London?"
Stuart shrugged. "The same as we are now… we'll still see each other… just not as much…"
"And you're okay with that?"
"I'll miss you, but we'll work something out, I promise!" He leaned over to kiss her and she pulled away. He sighed. "Fine… I'll call them, and tell them that I don't want the job, I'll stay in Sun Hill, with you…"
Sam shook her head, leaning against him. "No, you don't have to do that… I just need some time to get used to it," She explained and they drifted back into silence, turning their attention back to the film.
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The next morning, Stuart was leading a briefing about the rape case that CID had been working on. Several uniform officers had been attached to this case. The briefing finished and everyone began to file out.
'When will you hear about the job?' Sam asked as her and Stuart emerged from the briefing room.
'I don't know but the champagne is on ice,' Stuart replied confidently. There wasn't any doubt in his mind that he would be unsuccessful in his application… Suzie was only a DC after all.
'Feeling confident then are we?' Sam smiled at him.
'Well, I'm up against less experienced officers, I'm a DS, Suzie's a DC applying for her first sergeants job. I mean who would you choose?'
'Anyone would think you didn't like it here,' Sam said.
Stuart stopped her and gazed into her eyes, 'hey, look we're gonna be OK. OK, I'll still be based in London and I thought you'd get sick of the sight of me anyway,'
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Later on, Sam, Stuart, Suzie and Kezia were stood up in CID discussing the case, when suddenly Suzie's mobile began to ring. "Hello…" She answered, hurrying out of the room.
About five minutes later, she walked back in. Kezia, noticing disappointment etched into her face looked at her, concerned. "What's the matter?" She asked.
Suzie shook her head. "Nothing…"
"Was it about the job?" Stuart jumped in eagerly.
Suzie nodded. "It's yours…" There was an awkward pause, "Congratulations Stuart!" She knew she had to be a good sport about this… she didn't want people thinking she was a bad loser.
"Well done…" Sam said quietly, she was still unsure how she felt about this, but knew she should be happy for him. He would if it was her…right?
Kezia gave Suzie's arm a gentle squeeze; she knew how much Suzie had wanted the job, having felt pushed out at Sun Hill, and wanting to prove something to Stuart. Twice, he'd gone for the same job as she had – although the first probably wasn't intentional – and twice he'd beaten her to the post, leaving her feeling somewhat inadequate.
Stuart went and sat down at his desk, Sam followed him over, leaving Kezia and Suzie standing there in a depressed silence, which the TDC eventually broke. "If it's any consolation I'm glad you didn't get the job… I like working with you…"
Suzie gave her a small smile. "Thanks…" She said half-heartedly, sitting down at her desk, and pulling the rape case folder towards her, focusing her attention on catching the scum who'd raped those poor women.