It was a Saturday night, and the start of a few days off. After being cooped up in the station all week, Emma had wanted to let her hair down and have some fun, and a girl's night out.

Spur of the moment plans were arranged, which included Sally staying overnight at Emma's.

They'd visited several clubs before by pure chance ending up in the same club as Callum and some of his friends from his Stafford Row days. After brief introductions were made, Callum bought drinks for the five of them, and the girls headed out onto the dance floor.

Adam Collins watched Sally, appreciatively for a few minutes before turning back to the conversation between Callum, and Russell Edwards.

The music was loud, just the way Sally liked it. She could feel it throbbing and pulsing through her body as she and Emma danced. The strobe lighting casting them in a rainbow of colours.

At the bar, Callum sat watching them, as he sipped his drink. He really didn't care much for dancing; his two left feet certainly didn't help. After several minutes, Adam joined the throng on the dance floor, dancing first with Emma and then with Sally.

Callum wasn't a heavy drinker most of the time; he'd seen too often what the influence of drink did to people. Tonight he was being less cautious, and by the time Adam turned, and shouted over the music, to let Callum know that he and Russell were thinking of moving on, Callum was getting unsteady on his feet.

Callum, still watching Emma and Sally dancing, shook his head.

"Think I'll stay here," he shouted back.

Adam turned, curious as to what had Callum's attention riveted to the dance floor. Thinking that the attractive, raven-haired woman, with legs to die for and a close-fitting sliver dress, that left little to the imagination, who had been dancing close to Emma and Sally for most of the evening was the reason, he clapped Callum on the shoulder. "You're well in there, mate," he encouraged, as the woman approached them.

She smiled, and squeezed in the small gap next to Callum, just as he turned back to the bar to order another drink. Adam slapped him jovially on the back, and grinned as he and Russell left.

Callum, waiting for the barman to serve him felt a hand on his arm; he turned his smile fading when he realised it wasn't Emma, but the raven-haired woman.

"Let me get you that," she said leaning close to him, trying to smile charmingly, but in Callum's opinion, failing dismally.

Emma dancing next to Sally, sashayed around and turned to face the bar, noticing Callum talking to the woman that had been dancing next to them.

As Emma continued to watch, the woman moved closer, and Callum shook his head, vehemently.

With alarm bells ringing, Emma marched determinedly over to Callum.

Throwing a warning look in the woman's direction as she staked her claim, Emma pulled Callum's head towards hers and kissed him passionately, her hands buried in his hair, as his arms wrapped around her waist, his hands resting on her buttocks.

After a thorough make-out session, Emma pulled back, grabbing Callum's hand as she turned, and sticking her nose up in the air, marched towards the exit, pulling Callum behind her.

After arriving at Emma's house, Sally and Emma, managed to get a little-the-worse-for-wear Callum up the stairs and into the bedroom he shared with Emma.

Callum staying over hadn't been the plan, but Emma had seen little choice but to improvise.

He was half asleep, as between them; they succeeded on getting him onto the bed. He snored softly.

"He's going to regret this in the morning," said Sally, as she helped Emma pull off his shoes. "I can't believe you just marched up to him like that!" Sally continued. "Nothing says, "Back off, he's mine!" quite like a good snog!"

Emma turned her attention to his jeans button, but Callum battered her hand away, muttering under his breath.

"She deserved it," said, Emma, trying again to undo his jeans button. Again his hand battered hers away and Callum scowled in his sleep.

Giving up on the jeans, Emma turned to his shirt. "I can manage now," she said, turning to Sally.

Sally nodded and bid her goodnight, closing the door behind her.

Emma started on Callum's shirt buttons once more. Frowning, his hand pushed her away. "I've a girlfriend…" he slurred sleepily, as he drifted over into a deeper sleep, snoring softly.

Callum awoke the next morning, his head throbbing and his mouth feeling like sandpaper. He closed his eyes against the bright glare of the sun, draping an arm over his eyes for added effect. He was still fully clothed.

The smell of cooking wafted up the stairs and his stomach roiled, feeling little like food.

As he sat up on the bed, the room spun, and shut his eyes tightly. He thought he'd felt fine, until stepping out into the night had made the alcohol rush to his head.

When he made his way into the kitchen, Sally was at the breakfast bar eating a full English breakfast.

Emma turned and smiled. "Rough night was it?" she asked, as she went about making coffee. "You're looking quite green around the gills."

Callum groaned "Remind me of this, the next time I ever mention a night out with Adam and Russell," he complained, as Emma handed him a steaming cup of black coffee.

He took a sip and grimaced, at its sweetness.

"Drink it," Emma gently ordered him, as she handed Sally her coffee. "Breakfast?" she asked as came back over to him.

He shook his head and regretted it. "Think I'll pass."

"Maybe a shower will liven you up," she suggested taking in his rumpled appreance. "There are some spare clothes, from the last time you stayed over, and a new razor in the bathroom cupboard."

He put down his cup, which he'd barely touch, and swept Emma into his arms and kissed her soundly, straightening up slightly, making Emma stand on tiptoes.

Sally smiled as she watched them. It was hard to believe that less then a month ago, Callum wouldn't have even considered kissing Emma in front of Sally.

Over the last couple of weeks, she had seen the relationship between them change, into something a little more serious, as they became closer.

"Sarge, can I have a word?" asked Will, as he pushed his head around the door. Callum, looked up from the performance evaluations he was working on.

He nodded as he signed the comments he'd made, before closing the folder, and putting his pen down.

Will quietly shut the door, before saying, "Three weeks ago, you dealt with Caleb Cassling, suspected of beating up his wife, Hazel."

"Will forget it, until she makes a formal statement, there isn't anything we can do. She's backed his version of events…"

"She's back in St Hughes, with head and stomach injuries. From what I could make out the neighbours heard them fighting in the early hours of this morning. " Will's expression changed to serious concern. "Sarge, the doctor's said she's almost three months pregnant."

Callum frowned as the familiar anger welled deep within him that these sort of cases invoked in him. He should have tried harder to try and get Hazel to change her mind, and end this cycle of abuse.

"You think that's what they were rowing about?" Callum asked Will, his voice hard. "Over her getting pregnant?"

Will nodded. "They've already got six, Sarge. Finances are stretched as it; neither of them work, and he's in and out of prison. He's going to end up killing her Sarge. I want to stop him before he does."

Callum's expression became guarded. "Meaning what, exactly?"

Will looked determined. "We know he's guilty, Sarge..."

"Maybe, but we don't have any proof, and she's too terrified to make a statement. Our hands are tied, Will."

Will took a deep breath, refusing to back down. "There's other ways to get justice, Sarge. You've done it in the past. I'm asking for your help."

Callum rose to is feet, chewing his lip, his frown deepening. Hazel Cassling had been subjected to years of abuse.

When he'd first approached her in St. Hughes, she had flinched as he approached, as if automatically expecting a slap or punch. She'd been too terrified to even look him in the eye.

He'd wanted to help her, but was experienced enough to know that trying to force the point wouldn't work. As such, Caleb Cassling was free to carry on.

The idea of a man like Cassling evading justice, stuck in Callum's throat. But he couldn't see any other choice.

Callum turned to face Will. "My advice to you Will, is to let this go."

"But Sarge!"

"The answer is no, PC Fletcher," Callum, insisted. "He hasn't been arrested, or charged with anything."

"He's put her in hospital twice!"

"And she's stuck to him like glue!" Stone shot back. "We need evidence, Will. Until that happens, you need to learn when to step in, and when to step back; this is one of those times! My answer remains the same!"

While Callum waited for the coffee machine, to dispense his drink, Emma came down from CID, with an armload of files.

"Emma, I need a word, in my office," he said, as the machine finally finished.

"Now?" she asked, sounding frazzled. "I feel like I've got the entire nick's statements to type by yesterday."

"I appreciate that, but it can't wait," he said, sipping his tea. "We need to discuss this now."

She followed him back to his office, and placed the files on Smithy's empty chair, as Callum closed the door.

He sighed, and perched on the corner of his desk, and folded his arms.

He was silent for a few minutes, as he considered how best to bring the subject up. "We always knew that we'd have to go public about our relationship," he began, and Emma nodded.

He glanced behind him and picked up a folder. "We may have to reconsider waiting. I'm not talking about telling everyone, just the Inspector and the Superintendent. " He sighed and held up the folder. "This is your performance evaluation. I can't do this, because I'm no longer impartial. So, I'm left with the choice of either going ahead with it, and be compromised when we go public. Or, we decide to let the Inspector know now, so she can assign someone else. I've already compromised myself, in discussing this with you. But telling the Inspector can't be my choice alone. It has to be a joint decision."

Emma recalled Sally's advice a few weeks ago about the consequences being more serious for Callum. Emma had a renewed understanding of the consequences of their relationship, for him. He'd gone out on limb for her, even discussing this. That he even felt he had to discuss it with her at all, showed how far they had come.

"Are you ready to deal with the aftermath of this?" Emma asked, stepping closer to him. "I mean, it's going to be worse for you than me, isn't it?"

Callum grabbed her hands, and squeezed them reassuringly. "We always knew we'd have to do this, Emma," he replied. "Coming clean now, actually may not be so bad. The fact that we said something the minute I was put in this sort of position could go in our favour."

Emma bit her lip, as she thought over what Callum had said. If he thought saying something now, could be better in the long run, then she didn't see any other choice.

Emma nodded, just as Inspector Gold knocked on Callum's door, startling them both.

Callum quickly released her hands, and Emma stepped back slightly. Gina, knowing that she'd interrupted something, quickly closed the door behind her.

"Care to tell me what is going on?" she asked sternly.

Callum looked at Emma, briefly before turning to face Gina. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I can't do Emma's performance evaluation, because I've a conflict of interests," seeing no point in delaying the matter. "We're in a relationship."

Gina looked from one to the other. If she hadn't heard it herself from Callum, she would never have believed him. However, that didn't change the fact on the MET's view on cross rank relationships.

"You are aware that even discussing this with Emma, places you in a very bad position?" Gina asked, as she read the file on top of the desk.

"Which is why we decided to tell you, as soon as I came across Emma's file, Ma'am," Callum explained. "I didn't want to compromise myself further."

"You do realise that I will have to take this to the Super?" Gina grabbed Emma's file off the desk. "Well, no time like the present, come on."

Callum stood to attention as Superintendent Heaton, looked up at him. "You are aware of the MET's standing on cross rank relationships, Sergeant?"

"Sir," acknowledged Callum, staring stonily ahead of him.

"You've placed yourself in a difficult position, just by showing Emma that file," Heaton went on. "I'd be justified, in placing you on report. However, since you did make Inspector Gold and myself aware of the matter, at the first opportunity, and that the review hasn't been completed by you, does place you in a better light." Heaton paused, rising to his feet. "May I ask how long the relationship has been going on?"

"Nearly two months, Sir."

Heaton looked at Gina, who shrugged. "Until Callum said something, I had no idea," she explained.

Heaton turned to face Callum again. "In light of the circumstances, and what Inspector Gold has just said, and that you've both maintained a professional attitude, I'm prepared to overlook this, Sergeant. But be warned. I'll still be watching you both."

Callum sighed, as he was dismissed, relieved that it had gone as well as it had.