Heya guys, next chapter for you. Sorry for the massive delay, blame writer's block and a lack of motivation and inspiration. Thanks to Laura (SaMaNdPhiL4eVeR), Laura (S-Nixon), Sam and Lynsey for reviewing. Thanks also to Barb for reviewing all 6 previous chapters. Please keep doing so, luv ya all Gemz xxx

Chapter 7- No Room For Him

Sam pulled up her car outside the station a little while later. She couldn't see Stuart's car anywhere in the car park, meaning that he wasn't there yet. She sighed to herself; maybe she could get a case that would keep her out of the office for most of the day, delaying the process of telling Stuart what she knew that she had to. Deep down, she knew she was doing the right thing. Things between her and Stuart hadn't worked out before and Sam wasn't sure if they could ever go back. How could she give herself wholly and truly to someone else, knowing that her heart belonged to someone else? There was no room for Stuart in her heart, especially now.

Sam got out of her car and locked it before she headed into the station. She opened her office door when she got there and saw that Neil was already there, 'morning Sam,' he said.

'Morning Neil,' Sam replied as she put her stuff down and herself down at her desk.

She leant downwards and opened one of her drawers, rooting around inside it for some painkillers. She found them and downed them with the bottle of water that she'd brought with her. 'Is that a hangover Sam?' Neil asked.

Sam looked at him, narrowing her eyes towards him, 'yeah, it is, not a big one though,' she replied.

'What happened?'

'I went out with Stuart last night and we got a little bit drunk,'

'Only a little bit?'

'Yes, now will you please stop bugging me,' Sam snapped as she picked up a load of case files and left the office, slamming the door behind her.

Stuart pulled up outside the station, he saw Sam's car in the car park, meaning that she was already there. That didn't surprise Stuart at all, she was always one of the first into work. He hadn't stopped thinking about what had happened between him and Sam last night, he certainly wanted a repeat performance, he still loved her and he hoped that maybe, they'd be able to make another go of things. He looked into his mirror and saw Sam leaving the station with Jo; they got into the CID car and drove off. He sighed to himself, maybe he would have to talk to her later. He got out of his car and locked before he entered the station.

'Guv?' Jo asked as their car stopped at a set of traffic lights.

'Yes Jo,' Sam replied.

'Can I ask you a question?'

'Course you can,'

'Why did you want to come and help me out on this robbery?'

Sam looked at her and took a deep breath, 'I just wanted to get out of the office,' she said.

'Avoiding someone are we?' Jo joked.

Sam looked at her again, 'yeah, sort of,' she admitted.

'Avoiding who then?'

'What is this Jo? 20 questions?' Sam asked.

'No, I'm just curious,' Jo replied.

'Stuart and I went after work last night and we got a little bit drunk,'

'So it's a hangover then?'

Sam nodded guiltily, 'I just wanted some fresh air and somehow, I don't think I'm gonna get that in the office,'

The traffic lights changed to green soon after and Jo let go of the handbrake and drove off.

Sam and Jo arrived back at the station about an hour and a half later, they had collected statements from the witnesses to the robbery and had interviewed the victim at St Hugh's and he had given them a description of his attacker. Sam and Jo had also got the CCTV footage from the surrounding area and were on their way back up to CID so that they could have a look at them. Sam went off to the canteen to get them some coffee while Jo put one of the videos into the video recorder and began to watch it.

Sam came back into her office a few minutes later, carrying two cups of coffee. 'There you go Jo,' she said as she put them down on her desk.

'Thanks guv,' Jo replied as she turned around slightly and picked up the coffee Sam had just got her.

'Found anything yet?' Sam asked as she sat down in her chair.

Jo shook her head, 'nothing yet, just customers,' she said.

They sat in silence for a few minutes until Jo noticed something happening on the screen, 'that's got to be the assailant,' she said.

'Yeah, I think it is,' Sam replied. 'Matches the description the victim gave us at St Hugh's.'

Jo nodded, 'let's go to BIU, see if they can put a name to the face,' she said.

Sam nodded as she heard a knock on the door; 'come in!' she called.

Stuart opened the door and stepped inside, 'can I have a word please guv?' he asked.

Sam looked towards Jo, 'not now Stuart, I'm a bit busy at the moment, it'll have to be later,' she said as she pushed past him and left the office.

Jo smiled apologetically at him before following Sam's lead and leaving the office to head off to BIU.

'I've found him!' Sam said as Jo entered BIU.

'That quickly?' Jo asked.

Sam nodded, 'who is he then?' Jo asked.

'Harry Woods,' Sam replied as she printed out the information.

'You were a bit off with Stuart just now' Jo started as she sat down in the chair beside Sam.

'Was I?'

Jo nodded, 'what did happen last night and don't give me all this rubbish about getting drunk,' she said.

'It wasn't rubbish!' Sam protested. 'We did get drunk last night but something happened …something I regretted this morning.'

"Which was?' Jo pressed.

Sam took a deep breath before she spoke, 'we slept together,' she finally said.

Jo looked at her, 'and that's something to regret is it?' she asked.

Sam nodded, 'why is it?' Jo asked again.

'Because….I don't love him Jo, it was just a stupid mistake and it shouldn't have happened,' Sam replied.

'I see,' Jo said as silence descended between the pair.

'Come on,' Sam said a few minutes later, 'lets go and arrest this Harry Woods.'

Jo nodded as she followed her boss out of BIU and back into the yard.

Sam and Jo arrived back at the station an hour later with their suspect in tow. They interviewed him; he confessed to the robbery and was charged. Sam and Jo emerged from the interview room and saw Stuart walking down the custody corridor towards them, 'ahhh guv,' he said as he approached Sam. 'DI Manson said you were down here.'

'What is it Stuart?' Sam asked.

'Are you still busy? If not, I need to speak to you,'

Sam looked towards Jo, 'can you finish up?' she asked.

Jo nodded, 'no problem guv,' she said.

Sam smiled at her as she followed Stuart back through the corridor and up to CID.

'You've been avoiding me all day haven't you?' Stuart asked as Sam closed her office door after her.

'Whatever gave you that idea?' Sam replied.

'I just know when someone's avoiding me,'

'Can you please get to the point Stuart,' Sam said.

'OK then,' Stuart replied. 'I really enjoyed last night Sam and it made me realise that there is still a part of me that still has feelings for you…'

'What are you saying Stuart?' Sam cut over him.

Stuart looked at her as he spoke, 'I want us to get back together Sam,' he said.

Ooooh, what will she say? Please review xxxx