A/N: Due mainly to fear, chapter twenty two arrives. And any major errors are due to the alcohol mist around my eyes since about dinner. Sorry!

Gina had given her strict instructions that under no circumstance was she to move. They'd sounded more like hopeful directions than expectant ones, the Inspector knew her too well. So Sam didn't feel too wrong when she locked the car and took off into the expansive hotel.

She'd been eyeing the phone for the best part of half an hour, it even felt as if she was edging closer to it. Of course, she wasn't, but much of her wished she was. It wasn't difficult to conjure up Sam's voice in her head, telling her everything was going to be fine, whispering it. The thought calmed her.

A knock on the door brought her back to earth. She was so sure it was Samantha that she didn't bothered asking, opening it brought a shock. Gabriel in a porter's uniform. 'What the..?'

He pushed into the room. 'Surprised to see me?'

'Get out.'

'Not until you talk to me.'

'How did you get in here?'

'Easy when you know how,' he shrugged, reaching past to slam the door shut. 'You and me need a little chat.'

It was funny. Standing there, he didn't look the least bit intimidating. Admittedly, the bright red suit was helping none but, apart from that, his eyes had lost that sadistic glow that had caused her sleepless nights. He was just a man. 'We've got nothing to talk about.'

Something flickered over his face, disappointment? 'You've made an allegation against me, I want it withdrawn.'

'Even when it's completely truthful?'

'You're seeing things all wrong, Sheelagh! What we had was good, bit shirt but can't have everything.' When she didn't respond, he continued, 'That dress you were wearing, classy little red number. But revealing. What were you expecting me to do? I mean, you can't pretend it wasn't for my benefit.'

'Get over yourself, Gabriel,' she hissed. 'I didn't do anything for your benefit.'

'Whose then?' he pressed. 'Phil Hunter's? Samantha Nixon's?'

At that she paused. Though she was fairly sure that at the time she hadn't been aware of any attraction between her and Sam, it still seemed strange to look at it in hindsight. How much of that evening- the dinner, anyway- had contributed to Sam's feelings for her? The chit-chat, she'd shared things with her she'd almost forgotten about. When she was twelve she'd dropped her little cousin in the late; miraculously, Sam had done almost exactly the same thing with a toddling Abigail. Being able to laugh as a pair was what had sidelined Gabriel so, inadvertently, Samantha had helped in winding him to breaking point. 'My own,' she eventually answered. 'Contrary to popular belief, women don't dress to please men.'

'Come on!' Gabriel scoffed. 'That's all you do! Walking around in those short skirts, messing with our minds.'

'So you're raping me was my fault?'

'What's rape?' he questioned. 'Some concept, a category.'

'Don't try and excuse it.'

'Oh, I'm not. See, I didn't do anything wrong. You'd been giving me the come on all night, you invited me in. I just took the initiative.'

She almost laughed. 'By waiting until I asked you to leave?'

'It was the perfect time.'

'Of course it was,' she replied sarcastically. 'Everybody knows the best place to force yourself on someone is the hallway.'

'You're being over-dramatic, Sheelagh,' he said, drawing the words right out. 'Anyway, I didn't come here to argue. I want you to drop your accusation.'

'You know I won't.'

'Be realistic! With your history, who'll believe you? You chose Des Taviner, this is just avoidance of a station scandal.'

'Samantha Nixon did,' she said slowly.

'Yeah,' Gabriel answered thoughtfully. 'That's one thing I don't understand. She's the coldest bitch in Sun Hill but you go running to her. Why?'

'Don't talk about her like that.'

'Why not? It's true.'

'And how would you know?'

'I bet she's got an ulterior motive,' he went on. 'Maybe she just wants you to make a fool of yourself.'

'Stop stirring, Gabriel.'

'You don't think it's a possibility then?' he asked innocently. 'She's being sincere? That makes a change.'

'What has this got to do with anything?'

'I'm concerned, that's all. Don't want you getting hurt, do we?'

'How considerate of you.'

Hearing her name drop into the conversation had forced Sam's head closer to the door so her ear was pressed right against it. Of course, she was aware she shouldn't be eavesdropping but considered the situation important enough for it to be allowed. Backup still hadn't arrived and she was preparing to burst in if Gabriel started to get menacing. Fortunately, it seemed Sheelagh could more than hold her own, Sam was feeling immensely proud, not to mention hopeful because she was being defended.

'Just withdraw the allegation,' Gabriel was saying. 'That's all I want.'

'You've had my answer.'

'It's not the right one.'

'Not to you. I'm perfectly happy with my decision.'

His voice changed tone to pleading. 'Don't do this. I'm a good man. A couple of slip-ups, nothing compared to some.'

Sam, having picked up on the wording, was pleased when Sheelagh drew attention to it. 'How many slip-ups exactly? How many women have you raped, Gabriel?'

The second he spoke it was evident he'd been acting and was a master at it. His voice held the same harshness as it had during the doorstep confrontation of the previous week. 'There's that concept again.'

'There were others then.' It wasn't a question.

'No point hiding it now is there?' After a moment and no answer, he added, 'Kerry Young.'

Sam's breath caught as she realised Smithy had been spot on. Though she'd never much liked the flighty PC she felt a pang of sympathy for the woman who had died with the knowledge that justice hadn't been dealt out.

'Kerry?' Sheelagh repeated slowly. 'You raped Kerry?'

'Yeah. Surprised?'

'Nothing you say could surprise me,' the PC answered though Sam recognised a shake in her voice, one she hoped Gabriel hadn't noticed.

'Really? And here was me thinking I was telling you something.'

'She was pregnant,' said Sheelagh quietly. 'Your baby.'

'An unfortunate side-effect.'

'Unlucky, right?'

'I didn't expect you to understand, Sheelagh. I just wanted to tell you.'

'Supposed to be a comfort was it?'

'I'm not all bad.'

'Who are you trying to convince?'

He seemed to ignore her. 'You won't change your mind then?'

'You actually thought I would?'

'No, not really. You're under the thumb of the ice-maiden now, aren't you? I hadn't got a chance.'

'All Samantha did was support me, it was my choice.'

'Which is why I needed a contingency plan.' His footsteps came towards the door, Sam quickly stood straight as sirens wailed in the distance. 'That's my cue, I think.'

'I'm not letting you walk out of here, Gabriel,' said Sheelagh quickly. 'I want you in prison.'

'Good luck with that,' he replied as he pulled open the door.

Sam stood at his nose, suppressing a smile as she watched his reaction. 'Surprised?' she quipped before glancing past him to Sheelagh who didn't seem to share his shock, in fact there was something close to satisfaction in her eyes. Turning her attentions back to the rapist in front of her, she recited the caution, 'Gabriel Kent, I'm arresting you on suspicion of rape. You do not have to say anything but...'

Why was it not the biggest shock in the world to see Sam Nixon arresting Gabriel? I should have been. Yet Sheelagh guessed she should have expected it, what had been the chances of Samantha giving up?

She watched as several uniform burst into the room taking a silent Gabriel away. Sam almost looked ready to follow them until Sheelagh stepped forward.

'He didn't touch you did he?' asked Sam apprehensively.

'Of course not,' she assured her, waiting until the sound of booted feet faded away. Then she leaned forward a few inches to kiss her friend tenderly. Pulling away ever so slightly, she added, 'Thanks for eavesdropping.'

After a moment when it seemed she was speechless, Sam smiled. 'Anytime.'