Okay so i finally got round to posting up this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews so far everyone especially Stacey Ellen and Phoenix Angelwolf and everyone who's reviewed most of the chapters. I know there are more of you but these two just spring to mind right now... I don't know when i'll get the chance to post the next chapter up because school has now started again...nooooooooooooooooooooo and this year is GCSE year so... Anyway hope you like this chapter. Please keep reading and reviewing even if you don't like it. Thanks everyone,

xxx Leanne xxx

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Chapter Eight

"I love you so much Sam, i meant everything i said in that letter" Phil said as he and Sam lay in bed together that evening.

Sam curled into his side and kissed him passionately, "I love you to, never ever do that to me again...okay?" she replied sternly, remembering how scared she'd been that afternoon.

"I promised, didn't I?" Phil questioned.

"But people don't always keep promises...you of all people should know that Phillip" Sam teased.

"What do you meant? Can you think of one promise i've broken" Phil answered.

Sam laughed, "yeah they're called wedding vows - you promised Cindy you'd always love and cherish her..."

"But i will" Phil interjected, "Me and Cindy were together for eleven years...you can't be with someone that long and not feel anything towards them...she'll always have a place in my heart..." Phil explained..."But she'll never be as special as you." He finished.

"Oh Phil..." was all Sam could say, her eyes filled with tears and she buried her head in his chest.

Phil wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Ssshh...Sam,honey,it's okay..." he said, trying to calm her down...

"Anyway since when did you become so sentimental, Phil?" Sam asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Since i married you" he said seriously, kissing her tenderly and rolling them over so he was on top of her. He trailed his kisses down her body and sucked at her skin.

Sam sighed contentedly, she arched her body to deepen the contact.

"You like?" Phil grinned down at her.

Sam shivered as he ran his hands over her body, "ooh yes" she moaned. She leaned to one side and rolled Phil onto his back. "Don't suppose you wanna go out for dinner?" She asked on impulse.

Phil smiled,"mmm..okay...considering i missed lunch."He said.

"Oh that...it doesn't matter, all that matters is that you're okay." Sam rested her head on his chest.

Phil ran his hands over the smooth planes of her back, "Why don't we take a shower and go out for a curry?" He suggested.

"Okay" Sam smiled, "i'll go and get the hot water on." She brushed his lips with hers, pushed herself up off the bed and walked towards the door, Phil watching her as she went.

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Back at the hospital Suzie was sitting beside Zain's bed, holding onto one hand with both of her own, whispering words of support to her comatose boyfriend...reassuring him that the man responsible would pay for his crime.

"Don't you dare leave me now Zain Nadir...you can fight this..." Suzie voiced some of her innermost fears, her tears began to fall.

"Damn it babe, I will not lose you like this... i love you and I need you so much" she said in a frustrated voice thick with emotion. Suzie sensed someone's presence behind her and she turned her head; it was Neil.

"How is he doing?", the DI asked, softly perching on a chair next to her.

Suzie took a moment to compose herself before she responded, "Neil, he just had a major surgery to remove a bullet now he's lying in a coma...how do you think he is?"

Neil didn't answer Suzie for a moment, then he said, "And what do the doctor's say?"

"That he probably won't recover...that he'll..." Suzie broke off. She still couldn't bring herself to say the words but Neil got the picture.

"What will I do if he doesn't make it?" She said almost to herself.

Neil put his hand on her arm, "You'll cope...just like i did when i lost Andrea." He said gently..."It takes a while but you will get through it...i promise you and you've got me and all of your other friends. We'll be there for you."

He held out his arms and Suzie hugged him, "Thanks Neil!" She answered.

"It's what friends are for." He said.

"Ding Dong" Mickey's doorbell rang. It was Mia. He'd invited her over for a meal to apologise to her properly.

"Hi", she said, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek.

"Hey...you look fantastic" he replied.

"Thanks", Mia grinned, self-consciously. She was wearing a white camisole with a black polka dot pattern, a pair of black cropped trousers and a pair of white ballerina shoes. "I know know I'm abit early.. I just wanted to see you", she said.

"Well come on in then", Mickey said, kissing her fully on the lips.

"I've brought a bottle to have with dinner." Mia stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Mickey took the bottle from her and put it on the table. He walked back over to her and wrapped his arms around her, "I love you Mia"

Mia rested her head on his chest."I've missed you" she answered by way of reply."Something smells good" she added appreciatively.

Mickey nodded, "I hope you're hungry..I'd better check on it..You wanna take a seat". He gestured towards the sofa.

Mia sat down.

"Can i get you a glass of wine?" Mickey offered.

"Yes please" she answered.

"Red or white?"

"White please"

Mickey walked into the kitchen to check on the meal-sweet and sour pork with rice- and to get Mia a drink. Mia closed her eyes, gave a contented sigh and smiled, nestling into the sofa cushions.

This was how Mickey found her when he returned. He grinned, not wanting to disturb her. He placed the glass carefully on the side and perched himself quietly on the edge of the sofa, content for now just watching her.

Mia felt the weight on the end of the sofa, her eyes fluttered open. She sat up, "Sorry..I'm kinda tired" she apologised.

Mickey shook his head, "Its okay", he replied.

Mia patted the space on the sofa next to her and Mickey moved in closer.

Mia kissed him gently on the lips.He responded; his tongue in her open mouth..his hands tangled in her hair.Mia's hands moved down to Mickey's shirt buttons and began to un-button them one by one.

Mickey stilled her wandering hands and she pulled herself upright, "Not now", he said, ".. besides the dinner is about ready."