A/N: I apologise profusely, okay? Lost notebook, didn't lose my notebook. Was an idiot, had too much to drink last week but, hey, I'm back. And I'll update again as soon as I can.

The positive aspect? Seeing the pair of them next to each other convinced her, if she needed it, who she was falling for. Phil was all she didn't want- a liar, cheat, insensitive pillock. Whereas Sheelagh was... well, Sheelagh. Nothing artificial, a straightforward caring woman whose only major fault seemed to be her blindness within relationships. And that was probably down to something in her past. There was no doubt in Sam's mind that, between the pair of them, she had feelings for the Irish PC.

The negatives of the situation soon started to overwhelm that realisation. Phil was looking at her expectantly with his arms crossed, Sheelagh just appeared to believe she was in the way. If only she knew!

Sam cleared her throat. 'Phil, what are you doing here?'

He snorted. 'You can't run out on me like that and expect me not to do anything about it!'

'I'll just...' Sheelagh diplomatically moved towards the door.

'You don't have to,' Sam told her then saw the discomfort on her face. 'Okay, thanks.'

After watching the door close Phil looked back. 'What's she doing here?'

'That's my business.'

'Oh, Sam, come on! It was an innocent question.'

'It's a private matter.'

'I ain't getting any closer, am I? What makes her so special, eh?'

The walls were pitifully thin. Despite the knowledge that she shouldn't be listening she couldn't avoid it and hearing them arguing about her didn't exactly put her at ease. Yet short of getting out of the house, which she really wasn't keen on doing, there was nothing she could do.

'Leave it, Phil,' Sam was saying quietly.

'Why? What are you telling her that you're not telling me?'

'You're like a little kid. Not getting your own way so you start the screaming.'

'And you dodge the subject. Every time!'

'Don't come in my house and lecture me!'

'What, you want me to do it at work when you can run off into the loos?'

'Not here,' Sam answered. 'This is my home.'

'See you invited her in without question.'

'Do you know what you sound like?'

'Sam, when someone tell you he loves you it's good manner not to walk out.'

'You put me in a difficult situation today.'

'Well, sorry for thinking it was the right thing to say!'

'That was never the right thing to say! You wait, Phil, preferably till the other person feels the same.'

'I thought you did!'

'I'm sorry but... Listen, I'm sorry.'

There was a long pause during which Sheelagh reluctantly strained her ears, to no avail.

Finally, Phil spoke. 'There's someone else, ain't there?'

'No.'

'Yeah, there is!'

'I don't know! I'm sorry, alright?'

'Does Sheelagh know who it is? Am I the only one in the dark here?'

'Everyone's in the dark, Phil. Including me.'

It was impossible to hear his reaction. The front door slammed violently as Sam appeared in the doorway. Immediately, Sheelagh put an arm around her shoulders, guiding her to the sofa. 'Are you okay?'

'Oh, I'm fine?'

'Really?'

She shrugged. 'It had to be done.'

'That doesn't make it any easier.'

'Honestly, Sheelagh. Everything's fine.'

As she was about to protest, her phone vibrated on the table cueing a wave of nausea which, of course, Sam noticed.

'Hey, what is it?'

'That's Gabriel.'

Sam picked up the phone, evidently reading the flashing display. 'How many times has he called?'

'Not many.'

'How many times?'

She sighed. 'Twenty or so. I haven't talked to him or anything.'

'Good. Why don't you switch it off?'

'What if Connor rings? If he can't reach me at home or on the mobile he'll start to worry.'

Sam leaned back against her arm. 'Gabriel's panicking, you know. He knows Gina would press you to report it.'

'He knows you would.'

'I'm not am I? I'm trying not to pressure you.'

'The stupid thing is, you're right. All of you. Gabriel's a rapist, he deserves punishment.'

'What are you saying?' Sam sat forward again. 'Do you want to report it?'

'I don't know,' she answered honestly. 'I should but...'

'Sheelagh, if you did, I'd be with you every step of the way.'

'You might have mentioned that already.'

'Now you know I mean it.'

'Let me think about it. I've just been avoiding the whole thing, perhaps if I gave it some serious thought.'

That prospect didn't appear to enthral Sam. 'That's probably not a good idea.'

'Stop worrying about me, Sam.'

'Likewise.'

Sheelagh smiled. 'I suppose I'll just have to learn to live with it.'