'Right, so I think that's pretty much everything you need to know. DS Turner and DC Desari will be co-ordinating, so if you need anything else, or you find anything that may help the investigation they're the ones you need to inform.' Jack Meadows finished addressing Sun Hill CID, and a few of them stood up to leave.

'Wait a minute guys,' Phil Hunter stood up and called for everyone's attention, 'before everyone leaves there is something I have to say.' He put his hand on his head and wiped away the sweat beads that were forming. His heart was beating heavily and everyone could see he was held under some kind of strain.

'Last week, I had a meeting with the Super, and after much deliberation, I've decided to move on. I'm not quite sure where to, or exactly when, but I just want to say that when I do I want it to be quiet. I don't want any fuss. That's all I wanted to say.'

'I can't believe it. You're part of the furniture here. I'm gonna miss you Romeo' Jo gave Phil a big hug. She was being sincere for once. She really was going to miss him. Jack, Kezia and Grace, even Stuart, offered their congratulations and filed out of the room back into the main office. Phil turned around expecting to see Sam waiting for a hug and kiss on the cheek. As he turned he noticed the room was empty and the door onto the main corridor slammed shut.

He opened the door and looked to the right, expecting to see Sam heading down to the front desk, but there was no one around. He looked to the left to see if she had gone for a drink, and saw Sam sat on the floor leaning against the wall, with her head resting on her knees. She had her arms wrapped tightly around herself. He didn't know what to say, but couldn't summon the right words, so he sat on the floor beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. Slowly, she looked up and asked:

'Have you thought about it?'

Phil nodded his head and smiled. It wasn't a real smile, more of an admittance.

'This is the kind of thing you usually talk to me about.' This was true. Lately he had been able to tell her anything, and she felt the same way about him.

'I knew if I mentioned it, you would talk me out of it' he eventually confessed.

'If I would have been able to, that would mean you didn't 100 want to go…' She wanted to continue but couldn't find the right words.

He hated it when she new more about him than he knew about himself.

'I didn't mean that, I just mean…oh I don't know what I meant. But this is the right thing for me to do. I'm sure of it.' He wasn't just saying this for her, he was trying to persuade himself this was true.

'You don't sound so sure. You're not convincing me.'

He knew she was right, again. She was always right.

'I've still got to work out my notice.' He tried to make her look on the bright side.

'Oooh, one month, whoopee doo. Her voice was flat, she couldn't even manage sarcasm.

'I'll keep in touch'. He was clutching at straws now. He just wanted her to be happy.

'You don't sound too sure about that either. You can't make that promise, when even I know you won't keep it.' He knew too that he shouldn't promise these things, but couldn't think of a reply to reassure her that he meant it.

'I've seen this all before,' she continued. 'Even Jo couldn't keep in touch from Manchester.'

'But you used to speak to Jo all the time on the phone, and you sent texts and emails and stuff…'

'Yeah, we did at first. But then she'd be busy, or I'd be busy, and it just got put on hold. At least Jo came back…' she hoped he would say he was going to come back too.

'Well I might come back' he offered. She had warned him against making these promises, yet she was going to live in hope that he meant it.

'And you might not.' He couldn't deny it. She had known him too long.

After a brief silence, she continued her attack on him.

'If leaving is what would make you truly happy then I would support you, I wouldn't want you to stay. But the way I see it, you're trying to make a fresh start in a new life…'

'Yes that's exactly it.' He said, hoping she was beginning to understand his decision.

'But you won't be truly happy if you leave unfinished business behind.' She broke eye contact as she feared she might cry. He took hold of both of her hands in one hand, and placed the other gently on her arm.

'Sam, we aren't unfinished. You finished it, remember.' He didn't mean to hurt her, but she was screaming inside.

'Not because I wanted to' she snapped at him.

He was shocked. He thought he had taken too far by telling her that he loved her. He had pushed things too quickly and she had been scared, hadn't she?

'I didn't do it because I wanted to. I just didn't want you to break my heart. I finished it so you wouldn't.' Her tone was softer now. Tears had formed in her eyes but hadn't yet fallen.

Phil was speechless. He had told her that he loved her. Apart form Cindy, he had never said that before. And he had certainly never felt it before. He had told Cindy because she had prompted him to say it. He had told Sam because it was how he felt.

You've got a whole new life ahead of you.' she said, trying to change the subject.

He looked into her eyes and smiled.

'You'll make loads of new friends.' She tried to pretend to be happy for him.

'None of them will match up to you' he said, still smiling.

'Anyway' said Sam, pushing herself up. 'You've got one month left to work, and about three months work to do before then so we best get back to it.' She smiled to show him she was only half joking. She held out her hand to help him get up, as his leg was still hurting from his shenanigans at Specialist Crimes.

'It was really brave of you to jump in you know, putting yourself through this pain.' She turned away and bit her lip to stifle a giggle.

'Yeah. Well, you know. All in a day's work and all that.' He blushed a little.

'Well yes, but it really hurts doesn't it.' She smiled again.

'Only a bit. It isn't a constant pain though. I'll survive.' He returned her smile and started to walk away.

'Oh, Phil' she called after him, as if she had suddenly remembered she had something to tell him.

He turned back and waited for her to say something.

'Did I tell you about last weekend?' a wide grin spread across her face.

'No I don't think you did, why?'

'We'd had a really good result, and were celebrating at the Seven Bells. The weather was really nice so we were sat in the beer garden, and everyone was a bit drunk, but Terry was absolutely smashed. We were all egging each other on, and he was trying to recreate this thing he had seen on telly.'

A cold feeling ran through Phil's body. He had a feeling he knew where this story was going. He tried to act casual.

Sam carried on with her story. 'He had a pint glass in each hand, and ran towards this bench. We all thought he was going to clear it but he just fell.' By this point Sam was in stitches. Phil was still trying to be coll.

'Yeah' sounds funny.

'Oh it was hilarious. I wish you would have been there.' She rested her hand on his arm, but was doubled up with laughter.

'Yeah me too. Look I've got to go on. You gave me an order, right? Loads to do and no time to do it, yeah?' It was impossible for him to hide his embarrassment.

'Phil, I know. Grace told me all about it. I'm sorry, but why didn't you just say.'

'Well it sounds a bit pathetic doesn't it? I mean, I was being a prize prat, I just didn't want anyone to think I couldn't handle my drink.'

'But we love you… I mean… we all like you the way you are. And we've all been out together with uniform haven't we. We all know you can take more than your fair share, especially when Gina starts inventing those games.' She had nearly said we love you, but she had recovered it just in time. She didn't think he had noticed.

'I suppose so. Listen I'm sorry about this morning. Why don't we go out for a drink later? I promise I won't be doing anything acrobatic, it's just a drink. What do you say?'

'I say that sounds really nice. You don't have to be sorry. It was me behaving like a spoilt brat. I just thought after everything, you know, you might have mentioned it to me before everyone else.'

'I know I should have, and if I would have known how much it meant to you I would have. I swear. I guess I just didn't have it straight in my mind, and then I just had to take the chance to tell everyone whilst we were all together. It was a bit insensitive wasn't it? When you were promoted you had the decency to tell me and Stuart…'

'Forget it. Let's save it for tonight.' She reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then made her excuses and scuttled off, along the corridor, down the stairs and out f the building, leaving Phil alone with his thoughts, only able to watch her leave. It seemed that was all he had been able to of late. They could have a proper catch up though. Tonight.

Please let me know if you like/dislike it, love/hate it. I've had fun writing it.