Hey guys, here's my latest input into the world of Huxon fanfic, enjoy and please review!

Turning A Corner

Summary: Set in 2006, before Stuart's arrival. When Phil goes to stay with Sam after having some problems with his flat, their relationship takes on a new dimension but is it love or a mutual need for something else?

Chapter 1- Special Guest

DS Phil Hunter strolled into Sun Hill CID, half an hour late. He had hoped that he'd sneak in unnoticed but that was quashed when DI Neil Manson poked his head out of his office, 'DS Hunter!' he called, 'a word please.'

Phil sighed to himself as he turned around and walked back towards Neil's office. He entered and closed the door behind him before looking up at his superior, 'you'd better have a good excuse for being over half an hour late DS Hunter,' Neil said.

'I'm sorry guv,' Phil started, 'I know I should've called to say I was going to be late. I've got a problem with the plumbing in my new flat so I've had to move my stuff out just in case.'

Neil sighed, 'I'll let you go this time,' he said, 'I'd offer you somewhere to stay but I've only got one spare room and that's Jake's for when he stays. I don't think you'd wanna sleep in a kiddie's bedroom, would you?'

Phil smiled, 'you're right there guv but it's fine, I've already got somewhere in mind,'

Neil nodded, 'off you go then,'

'Guv,' Phil said as he opened the office door and left.

He closed the door and walked towards his desk and sat down, 'oooh, pulled into the DI's office, must be in trouble,' his fellow DS, Samantha Nixon said as she turned around in her chair.

'Not exactly, he just wanted to know why I was late,'

'He's not the only one,' Sam said as she got out of her chair and walked over to his desk, perching on its edge, 'why were you late?'

'Plumbing problems at my flat, I had to move my stuff out just in case the problem is worse than they anticipate,'

'That's no good,' Sam said and, after a moment's thought, added, 'have you got anywhere to stay?'

'Not yet,' he said.

'Why don't come and stay with me, it's not as though I haven't got the space, I've got a spare, if you want it of course,'

'Are you sure?'

'Of course I'm sure; I'd rather appreciate the company,'

'Doesn't Abi keep you company?'

'She's gone up North to university, did I not tell you?'

Phil shook his head, 'must've slipped my mind,' she said, 'so what do you say, you gonna take the room?'

Phil looked up at her and smiled, 'yeah, I'll take it, thanks Sam,'

'Hey, you've helped me out a few times in the past when I've needed it, it's only fair that I repay the favour,'

Phil smiled at her as she walked back towards her desk. It was true, he had been there for her in the past but then again, she'd been there for him when he'd found out that Alfie was his son. Their friendship had grown over the years; Phil found it impossible to believe that he had once upon a time, hated her. Yes, he had hated her for a time but that was in the past now, his feelings towards her changed a lot since the days where they never seemed to get through a shift without one sniping at the other. His feelings towards her had gone from hate to friendship and now, in his mind, they had gone on another stage. This was no longer friendship for Phil, this was love, he was falling in love with Samantha Nixon. This was different though, he had loved people before and he'd certainly love Cindy, he wouldn't have married her or gone through IVF treatment for her if he hadn't. Sam was different though, she was a challenge and he like challenges. She was different to every other woman he'd loved, Sam played her cards close to her chest in regards to her feelings, she never let on about how she felt, except when Abi was missing when it was obvious for everyone to see. Phil needed to know, he needed to know whether this love he felt for Sam was unrequited or whether there was some reciprocation from her.

Phil shook his head slightly before turning his head towards his computer.

Sam watched intently as Phil sat typing a report at his computer, she had got one of Sun Hill's most eligible bachelors staying at her place tonight. Sam smiled to herself, unable to believe that he'd actually accepted her offer even though, although Phil never mentioned this, she knew there was an ulterior motive to him accepting her offer. Sam knew that Phil was falling in love with her, it was obvious from the way that he behaved around her. Of course, Phil hadn't told her how he felt because he was scared of how she'd react. Sam knew Phil better than anyone else at this station, except perhaps Steve, she was the only one who had bothered to try to get to know the real Phil Hunter, and Sam really liked what she saw. However, Sam knew that neither of them would be happy until they'd done something, they'd been skirting around each other for far too long and now, it was time to do something about it.

Sam and Phil both finished work at about 5:30 that evening, 'you ready then?' she asked as she took her coat off the hanger.

'Yeah, I am,' Phil replied as he followed Sam towards the double doors of CID.

'Now I just have to warn you,' Sam started as they descended the staircase, 'my place isn't much of a palace.'

'I'm sure it's fine Sam, it can't be worse than mine,'

Sam laughed as she and Phil walked towards their cars, which were parked next to each other, 'there's no point in you unloading all your stuff so just follow me back to mine,' she said.

'That sounds like you're giving me permission to stalk you,' Phil joked.

'I am, only until you're plumbing problems fixed,' Sam replied.

Phil smiled at her, 'I'll see you back at mine,' Sam said, breaking the silence between them.

Phil nodded, 'you will do,' he said as he and Sam got into the drivers seats of their separate cars.

Sam pulled her car up outside her house a little while later, she looked into her mirror and saw Phil's car pull in behind her. She got out of her car and locked the door before heading up the garden path to unlock her door. Afterwards, she made her way towards Phil's car. He'd just got out and headed towards the boot to retrieve his things, 'I'll give you a hand,' Sam said as she approached.

'Are you sure?'

'Course,'

'OK then, you can take those,' Phil said, pointing to a couple of fairly small boxes.

Sam nodded as she picked them up and carried them indoors. Phil followed closely behind with a suitcase. He followed Sam up the stairs and into the spare bedroom, 'there you go,' Sam said as she put the boxes down on the floor, 'I'll make the bed for you while you fetch the rest of your things.'

'Thanks again for this Sam,' Phil replied, smiling warmly at her.

'It's not a problem Phil,' Sam said, 'just one thing though,' she added, 'why did you choose to take up my offer?'

'Because you're the only one, apart from Neil, who did offer me somewhere to stay and to be honest, I thought it'd be a laugh,'

'I see,' Sam said, 'I'll go and sort out the sheets,' she added as she left the spare bedroom, with Phil following closely behind.

'Do you wanna call for a takeaway; I can't be bothered to cook!' Sam a couple of hours later, 'there's a menu under the telephone.'

'What do you want?' Phil replied as he stood up and began to walk towards the living room door.

'It's up to you,'

Phil smiled at her as he left the living room to go and order their takeaway. After a few minutes conversing on the telephone, he put it down and put his jacket on. 'I'm gonna go and get our dinner, do you wanna choose a DVD?'

'OK then, don't be long,'

'I won't!' Phil called as he left the house, closing the front door after him.

Phil came back about half an hour later, carrying a paper bag which contained the Thai takeaway that he'd ordered, 'dinner is served!' Phil called as he walked into the living room.

'Excellent!' Sam muttered as Phil put the bag down and spread the contents out over Sam's coffee table.

'What movie did you pick?' Phil asked with a certain amount of trepidation, he hardly ever liked Sam's choice of films.

'There,' Sam said as she handed Phil the DVD case for Sense And Sensibility. 'Oh not this,' he moaned.

'Yes Phil, you told me to choose the DVD,' Sam replied, Phil was about to open his mouth to utter a retort before Sam cut over him, 'and don't moan Phil because I can quite easily go back on my offer,'

'OK then, I'll shut up,'

'Good,' Sam said as she pressed play on the DVD player and began to pick at the Thai takeaway.

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