A/N: Hey, Solostarr, I hope that doesn't mean I'm becoming predictable. Just out of interest, how are you expecting it to go? And thanks for reading everyone.

Tuesday came and went without a hitch and so Wednesday dawned with the promise of a party.

Sam had managed to avoid Andrea the previous day, her luck didn't hold out as Andrea cornered her by the coffee machine.

'Thought about it yet?'

'Not yet, PC Dunbar,' Sam said with a false smile.

'How much time are you planning on taking?' asked Andrea.

'As much as it's going to take.'

'Why don't you just blow this right up?'

'I'm trying to stop innocent people getting hurt,' she answered.

'Like Tony?'

'Yeah, like Tony,' Sam agreed. 'Who you've already had a good go at drowning with your lies.'

'I've explained that!' Andrea defended hastily.

'Hardly a satisfactory excuse,' Sam scoffed.

'I'm sorry if I made a mistake or two but you're willing to sit back while that man corrupts the entire force!'

'I'm hardly sitting back here, Andrea!'

'I don't think you're any better, you know,' Andrea hissed. 'Indulging in a little blackmail to get the job done.'

'And coming in here undercover isn't wrong at all is it?' Sam said, well aware that she was close to losing her temper. 'Keep out of it.'

'How can you expect me to do that?'

'I just do.'


'Tony!' Jim called as he ran down the corridor after the PC.

'Yup?' Tony turned, Jim was actually surprised to see a smile on his friend's face.

'You look happy!'

'It's allowed.'

'Well, yeah... It's just Manson and all.'

'Samantha talked me round,' Tony explained. 'If I'm all over the place there's no way he'll get his just desserts.'

'That's one hell of an attitude.'

'Yeah, I know,' Tony smiled. 'Did you want something?'

'Er... yeah, actually.'

Tony waited a moment for an elaboration. When none was forthcoming he said; 'Well, don't keep me in suspense!'

'It's about the wedding,' Jim said hesitantly.

'Yeah?'

'You are coming aren't you?'

'Dunno when it is yet.'

'Oh, right,' Jim laughed. 'Well, neither do we but er... I was wondering if you'd be my best man.'

'You want me?'

'Well, yeah.'

'Why not one of the guys in CSU?'

'Cos I like you!' Jim joked. 'You're my oldest mate.'

'I'm not gonna mess this up,' Jim said seriously.

'I've heard that before.'

'This time I mean it.'


All through lunch Sam wondered whether she'd been too harsh on Andrea, if her words to the PC were going to cause any kind of event. In her own mind she was unsure of whether she was making the right choice in holding back. It just seemed the immediate threat from Manson was over, why shouldn't they wait until they were certain of a result?

She eventually settled that she was right, it was better to get it spot on once than hit him messily.

But Andrea was flamboyant, a desperate journalist looking for the answer to everything. The world wasn't that simple or clear cut.

Perhaps Sam had got so involved in all this, dragging Andrea down with her was growing to be a likely possibility. A full-out war with Manson would surely leave them as the casualties, going softly-softly would be a help.

'You alright?' Gina questioned as she sat down. 'You look like hell.'

'Oh, thanks!'

'Seriously, what's wrong?'

'Nothing,' Sam lied.

Gina wasn't fooled. 'Having doubts again?'

'Don't know what you mean.'

'If I wasn't such a good copper I might fall for that,' Gina said. 'Why don't you let me in on your secret plan?'

'If I do that you're compromised.'

'Stop it with the concern for others, Sam, it's not like you.'

'I've been blackmailing an officer.' It slipped out before she could stop it.

Gina took this in. 'Blackmail? Who?'

'Can't tell you that.'

'That means it's one of my team.'

'Hang on, I didn't say that,' Sam said nervously.

'This thing you're using to blackmail them,' Gina probed. 'Is it big?'

Sam shrugged. 'Not really.'

'Nothing arrestable then?'

'More of a personal problem,' Sam sighed. 'Which makes me feel all the worse for the blackmail.'

'How exactly is this person fitting in?'

'My researcher,' Sam explained. 'And my fall-guy.'

'You've heard the DI's insisting coming tonight?' Gina slightly changed subject.

'Wouldn't have thought he was invited.'

'Technically it's a work thing,' Gina said. 'Everyone's got the right to come.'

'So he's out to cause trouble?'

'Looks that way.'

'Great.'