DISCLAIMER: 'The Bill' characters and original plot depicted in this story is copyrighted to Thames Television/Pearson Corp
"What do you think is the weirdest thing that people are attracted to?" Honey asked the few girls in the WPC locker room. Yvonne was lacing up her large, black police shoes on and Andrea was buttoning her white, crisp shirt on., both girls were startled by Honey's curious outburst.
"Dunno', I'm scared to think why, or even how long you have thought of this. Maybe the Hunter brothers?" Andrea smirked, Yvonne carried on. " I have no idea Honey I think all that bondage stuff is a bit silly, I mean how can you enjoy yourself when you're tied down? Doesn't make sense" Laughed Yvonne.
"I heard Inspector Gold has a foot fetish, so don't change your socks around her!" Andrea added while giggling. "Where the hell did you hear that!" Honey asked, Andrea smiled "Smithy!" "Ooooh." The girls all said in unison. Andrea just glared at them. Everyone knew that when Andrea was in hospital following the accident Smithy came to see her everyday. So did Neil - but she kept that one quieter, and closer to her heart.
After a while the girls had finished getting ready for the day ahead. Honey, Yvonne and Andrea made their way to the briefing room, to see where they will be placed today.
"Honey, you and Tony are in the area car. Steve you're with Yvonne in Sierra 2. Andrea you have been asked by DCI Meadows to assist CID and CSU..." Sergeant Smith was giving out the placements for the day, his eyes shadowed Andrea every few moments, while hers stayed fixed on him. When Dale had given everyone their placements and refs times, he called after Andrea while everyone was leaving, she shot a side glace to Honey and Yvonne who both had their eyebrows raised, and gave her a smile. She knew what they were thinking.
Andrea walked towards Smithy as he walked towards her. He pulled her closer till they were only inches apart and asked in a soft deep voice, "Are you alright to work today, the DCI asked if anyone was able to help with the staff problems upstairs, and I knew that you needed a gentle day so I put your name down. I hope you don't mind." Andrea bowed her head as she smiled, for years she wanted men to look after her, and now on Christmas Eve she has two! The only problem was which one, gets to have her on Christmas Day?
Andrea made her way up to CID in a gentle yet quick pace. Up the stairs and opening the doors, she witnessed DCI Meadows talking to DC Ken Drummond and DI Neil Manson. Neil was the first to recognise her presence as she walked closer to the chatting bunch.
"PC Dunbar." Jack and Ken both had their backs towards her, but they both moved nothing more than their heads to welcome her, while Neil welcomed her with full movement. She smiled at them and lingered her smile at Neil. "Right so Andrea, you're helping us today then?" Jack asked while looking around CID.
"Yes Sir." She stood still, she felt that she had to apply all degrees of discipline whilst talking to a senior officer. He turned his attention back towards the WPC. "We want you to be part of CID and CSU for today, we are short staffed here because all of your resources and detectives have been kidnapped by MIT, and CSU are short staffed anyway." "So it'll be C.I.S.U?" Andrea answered innocently, the group lit with giggles, Neil looked at her until she looked back, he gave her a wink and she smiled even more.
"Yes, well if you say so." The DCI answered while giggling. "The thing is Andrea we have a missing person to deal with, and I can't find DS Hunter, who I know is on that investigation." Neil's brain worked fast, this was his chance to clear things up between them. "I'll do it Sir. I'll brief PC Dunbar and help her until Phil gets back, I'm not that busy here today - DI morell has taken control of most of CID anyway. Plus you're here." Jack was shocked, Neil never just lets him deal with CID while he runs off with a pretty PC. But he really needed to get the investigation off the ground, so he answered… "Alright, but keep me posted." Neil nodded and held his hand away from him in mid-air, to show Andrea into his office, leaving Ken to get though his work load. Neil closed the door as he entered after Andrea. Seeing her standing he the showed her to a seat, walking around his desk he sat opposite.
"So how are you?" Andrea smiled, this was a dream come true. Two men!
"I'm fine, everyone are looking after me." Neil fumbled around his desk for the papers. His desk is rarely a mess, but today it was like a tip. He was obviously busy - but still had time for her. Neil looked up at her troubled.
"And Sergeant Smith?" Andre knew where he was heading, so she decided to play with him, to show him what he could miss.
"Mainly Sergeant Smith." Neil's face turned blank, apart from the fact that he looked shocked and upset. So he thought not to ask anymore questions and just to brief her. Still fumbling on his desk for the papers, he glanced at her, she was smiling at him - their eyes met and again he felt the over whelm of emotion towards her. Is it love? But that soon stopped when he cut himself on kens performance sheets. "I can't find the briefing sheet. It should be on Phil's desk." Neil moaned, Andrea stood.
"OK, I'll go and photocopy it." Neil nodded and still continued to search while she left the room. Andrea walked out of CID holding the papers. "I really need her back! We've had a tipped over lorry and I need people down there." Smithy stated to DCI Meadows. "I need her to talk to victims" Ramani spoke.
Andrea looked puzzled. Smithy noticed her first. "Andrea where do you want to be today?" As Smithy finished the question Neil walked out holding some papers. Seeing the crowed he addressed Andrea as he should.
"PC Dunbar, I have the papers now." Smithy sighed "This is ridiculous!" He said. The DCI stepped in.
"Right all of you my office now!" "So where do you want to be today Andrea?" Andrea looked around the room, Smithy was looking at her with his puppy-dog eyes, Neil was looking at her with his sweet baby-faced eyes, and Ramani had her eyes closed, mainly because she was yawning. Andrea looked around once more and spoke. She knew that to the DCI and DS de Costa. She was picking where she wanted to be placed today, to her Neil and Smithy she was picking who she wanted to be with. "Lets see, with CSU I can get all the tea and biscuits I like, in CID I have to make all the tea and biscuits that the detectives like, and in Uniform I get tea and biscuits thrown up on me…umm tough choice." Andrea posted to the crowd surrounding her, the DCI and Ramani laughed while Dale and Neil smiled. "Good to see that you have your priorities sorted out!" Jack added. Andrea smiled knowing that she had dodged that dread question. For now anyway.