A/N: I promised, didn't I? Not often I keep 'em so you're lucky. Hopefully, I won't kill the family while we're away and see you in a week!

Sheelagh slept soundly which was a little surprising to her but she supposed the events of the last few days were finally taking their toll on her body. The abundance of wine she'd shared with Sam might have had something to do with it too.

Wrapping Sam's old dressing gown around her she made her way downstairs stopping in the kitchen doorway as she caught sight of her host brooding over a cup of coffee at the table. 'Morning.'

She looked up. 'Hi. Sleep well.'

'Perfectly.' Sheelagh took a seat opposite her. 'Surprisingly.'

'You needed the rest.'

'Mmm, I suppose.'

'How are you feeling?' Sam asked, breaking the eye contact.

'Better. Like I could face the world again.'

'Well, you don't have to today. Gina authorised the leave for a reason.'

'And I appreciate it. But I prefer to be busy, what am I going to do all day?'

'If you're really at a loose end the house could do with a going over.'

'If I get that bored I'll let you know.'

Downing her coffee, Sam stood, stopping short as she approached the door. 'You are alright?'

'Of course.' Sheelagh rested a hand on her arm. 'Are you?'

Sam appeared to be struggling. 'Why wouldn't I be?'

'I don't know, you seem tense. If my being here...'

'No,' she interrupted, pulling her arm away. 'Honestly. It's fine.'

'Sam, I've been looking for you.'

Having managed to avoid him all morning Sam felt like cursing as she looked up from her desk. 'Well, I've been here.'

'No, you ain't.' He pulled a chair close to the desk. 'You staying out my way are ya?'

'Phil, I'm working.'

Pulling the pen out of her hand, he smashed it down on the desk. 'Will you listen to me?'

'I don't want to talk. Not here.'

'Well, where else when you're not answering my calls? Sam, I'm not letting you go.'

'I'm not a pet dog, Phil.'

'Why you being like this?'

'Can we talk about this later?' Sam glanced desperately around CID, they were attracting stares.

'No! Listen, Sam, I'm in love with ya.'

Scraping back her chair, she escaped the office, all too aware of the eyes chasing her right out. Seeking sanctuary in the toilets she was astounded when DC Perkins followed her in. 'Terry!'

'Yeah, Sarge, I know.' Crossing his arms, he leaned against the wall. 'It was me or Phil.'

'I don't need a bodyguard.'

'No, but he might when you're done with him. That was a right soap opera you two were putting on in there.'

She looked sideways. 'How much did you hear?'

Terry shrugged. 'Enough. You don't love him then?'

'I don't even like him half the time.'

'Me neither. But that was a bit of an overreaction for you, wasn't it?'

Sam busied herself with pointlessly scrubbing her hands. 'Everyone's allowed their off days.'

'Didn't think you let yourself have 'em.'

'I'm not superwoman, Terry.'

'No,' he agreed. 'But you like to think you are.'

'I appreciate the concern but...'

'Sam, you can't keep it all bottled up inside. You'll explode or something.'

'Alright, Terry. Thanks. Now, can you...' She nodded to the door.

'Yeah, sure. Remember what I said, okay?'

As she walked through the door Sam expected to have to dodge the wrapped duvet she'd dumped right next to it then play hopscotch over Abi 'essential' shoe collection but no. In fact, there wasn't a thing in the hallway.

Proceeding to the living room she found Sheelagh dusting off the picture frames. 'I wasn't serious this morning, you know.'

Sheelagh shrugged, finishing them off then walking to the doorway. 'Let's just say I got that bored.'

'Well, I'm not about to argue. Sit down, I'll stick the kettle on.'

'No, no.' Sheelagh began to move past. 'I've got it.'

'Sheelagh.' Sam grabbed both her arms. 'Slow down.'

'I can't.'

That felt like a twisting knife. 'Alright. Well, wait on me hand and foot. Promise I won't complain.'

'That's very big of you.'

'Isn't it though?' Sam looked down, realising she was still gripping Sheelagh's arms. Everything Terry had said about exploding suddenly came into place. Too aware of the closeness she let go.

Sheelagh hadn't seemed to notice anything, she just went into the kitchen. 'Anything to report?'

After taking a moment, Sam followed. 'No, the usual. Paperwork, declarations of love.'

'What?' Sheelagh turned back. 'Phil, I take it?'

'Mmm, unless those looks I've been getting from Gary mean something.'

'Let's hope not. You stand by what you said yesterday then?'

'I can safely say I don't have feelings for Phil Hunter in any way, shape or form.'

'Good. I can cancel the straightjacket.' Then the PC turned serious. 'Are you alright?'

'Don't worry about me.'

'Why not? Because you don't worry about anyone apart from yourself? Sorry, that ship's sailed.'

'Well, you know, that's good. Can't be a moody cow all my life can I?'

'It never stopped you before.'

Sam shrugged. 'Things change.'

'Dare I ask what?'

'I don't know. I changed,' she replied truthfully.

'And is that a good thing?' Sheelagh asked turning back to the kettle as it clicked off.

Watching the woman in front of her filled Sam with a warmth she hadn't experienced for quite a while. 'I think so.'

As the doorbell rang Sam made for it but Sheelagh was much quicker off the mark. 'I've got it.'

Sam let her past, deciding it was best for Sheelagh to do what was best for her however concerned she was about it. Instead, she finished making the tea, placing the mugs on the table as Sheelagh reentered... with Phil.