A/N: So, yeah. Not v.happy about the Bernie news. Guess I'll just have to make the most of her while I can. And put Sheelagh through hell in this story of mine, just to take my feelings out on something.

Being quietly optimistic about her future wasn't something she'd experienced for a while so it was difficult for her to accept that perhaps she could be happy with Gabriel. Yet the dinner the previous evening had been perfect. A beautiful romantic restaurant with the perfect escort. What more could a lady ask for?

But something was telling her to be careful. Not because she didn't trust Gabriel but because the past had shown her happiness could be taken away in an instant.

'Miss me last night?'

She masked her smile as he sat down at his desk. 'Phil, as much as you think it, the world doesn't revolve around you.'

'That's a yes then.'

'It was quiet,' she admitted. 'But I like that.'

'Do ya?'

'After the last few months it's a relief.'

'Okay,' he shrugged. 'But I would like to do it again sometime.'

'How about tonight?' Sam looked up. 'Instead of going out you could come round for a bite to eat.'

'What about Abi?'

'She's got a busy social life for someone who's six months pregnant.'

'In that case, yeah, I'd love to.'

After a fairly lengthy inner-debate that she'd struggled with throughout the day, Sam decided she wanted to play the dutiful woman. For one night only. The idea was to irritate Phil more than anything else. She wanted to show him that he wasn't calling the shots, if there was going to be any kind of relationship it'd be on her terms.

So she'd prepared everything to perfection. The food was in the oven, wine chilled, candles lit. It was time to twist a certain DS Hunter round her little finger.

The doorbell rang a little earlier than she expected but she was organised so she answered it, making sure she was looking stunning first. However, it wasn't Phil at the door. 'Oh, Sheelagh.'

The Irish woman offered a small bag. 'I brought that book. You look nice, if you don't mind me saying.'

'You're making me blush.' Sam took the bag. 'No, I'm cooking dinner for Phil tonight. Well, I say cooking, I ordered it from a takeaway, I'm just keeping it warm.'

'That's my kind of cooking,' Sheelagh smiled. 'Well, I'll leave you to it.'

'No, no. Have a drink with me.'

'You've got company coming.'

'It's Phil. He'll be late.'

Sheelagh seemed to be a little uncomfortable but nevertheless came in. Pouring them both glasses of wine, Sam led her colleague into the candle-lit living-room, indicating for her to sit down.

For a minute they drank in silence. Then Sam said, 'Do you think I'm going mad, Sheelagh?'

'That's an open question isn't it?'

Sam smiled. 'It is I suppose. Anyway, is everything alright with you? I saw you sneaking away with Gabriel yesterday.'

'I'd hardly call it sneaking.'

'It seemed like that.'

'Well,' Sheelagh shrugged. 'Neither of us want everything to be common knowledge. You know what the station gossips are like.'

'Fair point,' Sam conceded taking another sip of wine. 'Is it a serious thing then, you and Gabriel?'

'I don't know about that.'

'You'd like it to be?'

'I suppose so.'

Though part of her mind was telling her to stay well out of it she knew she couldn't, at least not completely. 'Be careful with Gabriel. He's got background.'

Sheelagh raised an eyebrow. 'This coming from the woman dating Phil Hunter?'

'Well, I'm putting it down to insanity.'

'You'd have to, wouldn't you?'

'He does have some good qualities.' Sam strained to think. 'He's got instincts.'

'If that's the best you can come up I see problems in the future.'

'Let me be the first to say the same about you and Gabriel.'

Sheelagh sighed, taking it a little more seriously than it was meant. 'Maybe you're right. I've had this niggling feeling all day, as though I'm being overly optimistic.'

'There's nothing wrong with that. We could all do with a dose of optimism every so often.'

'Every time I feel like this something goes wrong.'

Sam lowered her eyes as Sheelagh took a long drink of wine. 'I don't think there's much you can apart from hope things work out how they're supposed to.'

'Yeah, you're right.' The doorbell rang. 'Oh, that's my cue. Thanks for the drink.'

Seeing her to the door, Sam searched for something to say. 'I'm sure Abigail will appreciate the book.'

'Oh, anything I can do.' Sheelagh opened the door revealing Phil, looking puzzled as he noticed them both. 'Don't worry, I'm going. Bye, Sam.'

As she walked down the path Phil took the chance, taking himself into the house. Sam, however, watched her colleague all the way to her car and then down the road. She couldn't explain away the sick feeling that rose in her stomach as she closed the door.