This is a work in progress and may be subject to change. I've put it up as I'm am going to moving around a lot soon and need to put it somewhere! All spelling/grammar errors are mine own as my usual beta reader is over-worked and under-paid. ;-) Reviews are always nice.

CHAPTER TWO

Phil walked out of the lift and stood staring at the sign. Even though he'd been to St Hugh's numerous times it was still like a maze to him. He turned in what he thought was the right direction and bumped into someone hurrying the other way.

He grasped the person's shoulders to stop himself tripping over them.

"Ava?"

"Hi Phil." Ava greeted him cheerfully.

He eyed at her appraisingly. "You been to see the DI?"

She grinned in affirmation. "Just thought I'd check on him. He's asleep by the way."

Phil nodded and made to walk away, and she made her way to the lift. He stopped and called back to her

"You're coming in tomorrow for an interview?"

She paused getting into the lift, nodded and with a wave of her hand, was gone.

Phil continued along the corridor and peered in through the window at Neil. A nurse was bustling around the bed, tucking in sheets and Phil nodded to her as he came in.

Neil looked pale and tired, but apart from that he was his usual expressionless self, Phil thought wryly. His left arm was in plaster and he had a large sticking plaster over his left eye.

"I see you've just had a visitor." Phil told his boss smugly. Neil looked at the nurse on her way out. Phil followed his gaze.

"No. I just saw Ava Jackson leaving." he explained.

Neil shook his head tersely and looked slightly mystified.

Phil shrugged. "Well, she did say you were asleep." He sat down heavily on the edge of the bed and Neil winced slightly.

"What's up?" he asked irritably, heaving himself up onto the pillows.

"Nothing." Phil said in an annoyingly light tone, picking some grapes off the bunch and tossing them into his mouth. "I thought I'd just come and see how you are. What was it?" He ticked the points off on his fingers. "Concussion, broken arm, 2 broken ribs and extensive bruising. So, how are you?"

"Sore." Neil told him, dryly.

"You would have been more bruised if Ava – Miss Jackson - hadn't stepped in." He tilted his head and regarded the DI, his blue eyes interested in his reaction. "We interviewed the neighbours later and apparently she faced Simmons down – stood between you and him."

Neil was silent. He could remember a pair of brown eyes looking down on him with concern, and a swathe of dark hair. He recalled feeling vaguely annoyed that she was stopping him from sleeping by calling his name. He remembered she had been – pretty. He pursed his lips thoughtfully.

Phil continued, deliberately not looking at Manson. "She also apparently seemed to imply you were more than just a friend. Quick thinking." He nodded approvingly. "That way she didn't tip him off that we're interested in him."

"Have you interviewed her yet?" Neil asked Phil, keeping his thoughts to himself, as was his want.

"She's coming in tomorrow, Suzie's taking a statement." Phil responded, offhand.

"Let me see a copy of it sometime, Phil."

Phil raised an eyebrow but knew better than to remark further. "Sure, Neil."

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The doorbell rang shrilly. Ava flicked on the hall light and unlocked the door, pulling it open.

She stared for a second in surprise before giving her visitor a welcoming if puzzled smile.

"DI Manson. This is a surprise."

He stood on the doorstep, lit only in the light from the hall, his left arm in a sling and a scar over his eye. He seemed oddly unsure for one usually so confident.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Hi."

Ava opened the door wider to allow him to pass.

"I was just making tea… or perhaps something stronger?"

"Tea's great - thanks."

Neil walked into the lounge where she told him to make himself at home. When she came in from the kitchen he was studying her book shelves.

"I read your statement." he told her reticently.

She nodded but said nothing, placing the tea tray down on the coffee table and taking her place on the sofa. She looked up at him expectantly but he did not sit, instead he stood by the window, holding the mug. His whole demeanour was reserved.

"I wanted to thank you – things could have been a lot worse if you hadn't stepped in."

She shrugged, unconcerned. "Anyone would have done the same." She got the feeling he was not used to be in someone else's debt and told him so.

For the first time, an austere smile touched his lips as if he appreciated her honesty.

"No. You're right." His eyes were serious. "I try not to get myself into situations like that."

"It's fine, DI Manson. You don't owe me anything." she told him evenly, smiling in return.

"Neil, please."

Ava cocked her head over to one side again to look at him. "Is that an order or a request?" and grinned playfully before shrugging "Sorry. I couldn't resist." She had the grace to blush slightly.

He gave her a cautious smile. So, he does have a sense of humour, Ava thought briefly.

"How about I owe you a drink?"

She considered making another quirky comment but thought better of it. Somehow, the thought of getting to know this guy better made her spine tingle. She'd always had a weakness for the strong, silent type.

"OK." Ava agreed simply.

They made arrangements for him to pick her up on Friday at 8pm and she showed him to the door.

He stood for a moment in the doorway, his face guarded as he glanced at her. Warmth fanned along her spine. God, he was sexy. Her mind was screaming that she shouldn't be doing this but she found herself staring at his mouth. His lips quirked slightly in barely a smile and Ava found herself holding her breath. He hesitated for a moment and then was gone.

She closed the door firmly after watching him drive away and leant against the hall wall, feeling slightly dazed.

"Oh for goodness sake," she reprimanded herself with amusement, "pull yourself together."