A/N: Now, Claire, trust me! When have I ever done anything bad? Well, unless you count the rape and the kiss and... Anyway! I've finished a Willow/Tara music vid, the link's on my profile page if anyone would like to check it out. I hope it works. If it doesn't, let me know.

Entering the station early the next day Sam could feel the air buzzing and she didn't need to be a psychic to work out why. Whilst reminding herself to play dumb, she approached the desk. 'Morning, JT.'

'Oh, hi, Sarge.' He reached under the desk, bringing out an envelope. 'A Mr Grayson dropped this in, something to do with a burglary?'

'Yeah, I was expecting it. Thanks.' As she moved away she realised she should probably find out how bad things were looking. 'Anything else I should know?'

JT could always be relied upon to gossip. 'You won't have heard, will you? Apparently, Gabriel Kent's been accused of rape. By another officer.'

'Really? Who?'

'No one knows. Shouldn't be long though, you can't keep a secret round here.'

'I suppose now.' Sam smiled courteously as she moved aside to open Mr Grayson's documentation.

While she was examining the papers she noticed a young man charge into the front office, skidding to a halt at the desk. 'I need to talk to someone. My Mum's missing.'

'Missing?' JT repeated. 'How long has she been gone?'

'I don't know. One night at least.'

'That doesn't seem a very long time, mate.'

'No, you don't understand. She's a copper. Here. She wouldn't go off without telling anyone.'

Alarm bells started to chime for Sam as JT asked, 'Sorry, who are you?'

'Connor Murphy. Sheelagh Murphy's son.'

Quickly, Sam sped back towards the desk. 'JT, I'll handle this.'

'What?' the desk clerk questioned. 'PC Murphy's missing, Inspector Gold should be informed.'

'I said I'll handle it,' she replied icily, hoping the penny wouldn't drop. Unfortunately, she saw it did as she led Connor Murphy into the front interview room. It couldn't be helped though, the priority had to be Sheelagh's boy.

By the time the door had closed he was visibly panicked. 'Do you know something? Where is she?'

'Alright, Connor, listen to me. This is going to be hard for you to get your head around.'

'She's alright, isn't she?'

Despite knowing it wasn't really her place, she pressed ahead- he'd have to find out at some point and Sheelagh wasn't looking forward to doing it. It was a service rather than meddling. 'Your Mum's in a hotel.'

'What? Why?'

She was so close to telling him the truth but her nerve failed as she stared into his eyes. A boy in an adult's world. No, it wasn't up to her. 'Well, she was a witness to a serious assault, there's a chance the suspect could be after her.'

'What kind of assault?'

'I really can't say anymore.'

'Why didn't she tell me? I was worried sick.'

At least she knew the answer to this one, Sheelagh had been emphatic on this point. 'She thought you'd be at your Dad's for a while yet. I don't think she wanted to worry you.'

'Is this bloke dangerous?' he asked after a moment.

'Possibly.' Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a pen and one of her own number cars. Quickly, she scribbled her address. 'This is my home, okay? You should go there, you'll be safe.'

He looked a little uncertain. 'You are a cop, aren't you?'

'DS Samantha Nixon,' she smiled and turned the card over as proof. 'Good question though. My daughter's at home, tell her who you are, she'll understand.'

'I don't think I do.'

'It might not be safe for you to go home, Connor.'

'Is she in trouble?'

'We've got it under control, I promise.'

The room was acknowledging something for her. All night it had been playing childish games; flecks of light kept her awake or a superstitious creak from a floorboard would shock her from her slumber. Even after giving up on sleep she'd felt it, and it was still there mid-morning. Putting her finger on what it was wasn't difficult, just painful. Then came the realisation that it would have to be dealt with at some point- it was better sooner rather than later.

It was official. Everybody knew. People were gossiping as Sam walked by, not even having the decency to talk in whispers. It infuriated her. None of them knew what Sheelagh had been through, it didn't seem too many of them cared. The latest station news didn't require emotion to make it an interesting topic.

'Samantha!' Smithy caught her half way up the stairs. 'Is it true?'

'Pardon?'

'Sheelagh. Is it true? JT said you were the one to ask.'

'Did he now? Well, I'm not sure what it has to do with you, or anyone else for that matter.'

'It is true then,' Smithy answered his own question then crossed his arms. 'He's done it before.'

For the first time she truly looked at him. 'What?'

'When she died Kerry was pregnant, right? He wasn't in a relationship with her, she hated his guts. Whatever happened between them wasn't consensual.'

'You can't be sure of that. Can you?'

He shrugged. 'I know Gabriel, what he's like. He wouldn't think twice about raping a woman.'

'Believe me, I know,' Sam muttered grimly.

'How is she?' he asked quietly.

'How do you think?'

'Look, I'll testify in court if I have to. He won't get away with it again.'

'No, he won't,' she agreed. 'I'll make sure of that myself.'

Leaving Smithy on the stairs she continued up to CID, trying to process the latest development. Obviously, she was angry. If Kerry Young had reported Gabriel for rape all those months ago then perhaps he wouldn't have had the opportunity to hurt Sheelagh. The fact that it could've been prevented twisted within Sam the most. Seeing Sheelagh's pain was enough to send anyone over the edge, whether they were in love with her or now, she was even more determined than ever that he should pay.

Unfortunately for Sam, her vengeful thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Phil sitting at her desk. Since their heated conversation the previous week they'd hardly exchanged pleasantries, even avoiding conversation on work matters. And she knew she could do without an argument at that precise time and place. Then again, she didn't want to alienate him, the work environment needed to be clear. 'Hi.'

Something too close to hope was on his face. Not something she was used to seeing and it was throwing her slightly. 'Why didn't you tell me?' he asked.

'About what?'

'You know what. Sheelagh, Gabriel.'

'Oh, that.' Since her seat was taken she took Phil's desk. 'It wasn't relevant.'

'What do you mean? Course it was. That's why you wanted me out the way for a bit, you was worried.'

God, could the man not take an unsubtle rejection? 'Phil, I don't...'

'I understand. This ain't a good time. But when it is you talk to me, yeah?'

As he vacated the seat and left Sam felt bemusement wash over her, quickly replaced by the thought that it would have to be dealt with at a later point. There was something much more important she had to see to.

After what seemed like an age of being alone in the silent knowing room Sheelagh was surprised by the ringing phone. She practically dived on the invitation of conversation. 'Hello?'

'It's Gina.'

'Any developments?' she enquired hopefully. 'The sooner I can get out of here the better.'

'No, I'm afraid not. That's why I phoned actually.'

There was only one possible response to that. 'How is she?'

'She's feeling sidelined, I know that much.'

'I didn't mean to...'

'Oh, I know that,' Gina interrupted. 'So does she, which is why she's leaving you alone. Doing as you wish and all that. But I don't think that is what you want.'

'What makes you think I know what I want?' Sheelagh questioned.

'Because I've been watching you and Samantha over the last month. If it's blindingly obvious to me then I don't know where you two are going wrong.'

After a moment, she admitted, 'Gina, I don't know what to do.'

'I worked that out already. I can't tell you what to do, Sheelagh, but I know what you shouldn't be doing.'

'And what's that?'

'Burying your head in the sand. Trust me, it never works.'

Cold coffee. Why was it always cold? And why did the sugar particles congregate at the bottom? And why was she pondering the wonders of the coffee industry while watching a hotel entrance?

Occasionally, Sam found herself wondering what her true purpose there was. Initially, she'd wanted to check Sheelagh was safe and warn the hotel staff she was to be left alone but getting the room number and stationing her car in a good position to see it was perhaps going a little far. Then again, at that moment in time she wasn't bothered about reactions to anything, even Sheelagh's reaction to this 'stalking' was unimportant. As long as the goal was achieved it was worth it.

Spotting a familiar head walking through the main doors in a porter's uniform brought the goal forward. Pulling out her mobile, she dialled quickly. 'Gina, it's Sam. I've found Gabriel.'