A/N: Okay, Claire, no killing anyone. We agreed, remember? Right, trying to explain Gabriel here, the producers have got me tied in knots so it probably won't make sense. The next chapter might help though.

Closing the door on Gina's retreating back, Sam took a moment to steady herself against the wall before going back into the living room. Sheelagh was white as a sheet, staring into space. Unsure of what she was supposed to say, Sam carefully sat down, reaching for her hand. 'Are you alright?'

'How could he have fooled everyone?' Sheelagh finally looked sideways. 'Didn't anyone think to double-check?'

'The MET's not known for its stringent security measures,' answered Sam. 'Look at Andrea Dunbar. Gabriel just...'

'Don't you mean, David?'

'I wish I knew what I meant. I'm sorry, Sheelagh. Impersonation, found... rape, we deal with it every day but this is so much different. I'm lost.'

Something quietened as Sheelagh's face cleared. 'That's the nicest thing you could've said.'

'What?' Despite her confusion, Sam found herself smiling. 'I'm not sure what I said.'

'You don't have to,' Sheelagh answered as she kissed her. Gradually, the intensity grew until they broke apart quickly. 'Connor's out.'

As tempting as the offer was... 'I should probably go.'

'Sam, what's wrong?'

'I can't...' She glanced down. 'I don't want to see fear in your eyes.'

Sheelagh lifted her chin up. 'I can promise you, I'm fine.'

Six years ago there had been an incident. Well, not so much as incident as an infatuation that had almost got out of hand. A man, obviously, who'd practically ripped out her intestines and fed them to his parrot. He was another copper, someone with enough charm to make innocent people confess and she'd done the one thing she'd prided herself on not doing since the betrayal by Abi's father. She'd fallen for him.

As it happened, he'd taken an interest too. A few drinks, naturally progressing into meals and something close to a future had seemed on the cards until the key had turned, the door had locked and she'd pulled right away. It was then she realised it was a physical attraction and, if it was so impossible for her to emotionally open up to someone, then she might as well give it up.

An easy decision, nothing but the physical side of relationships and that had been acceptable. Until Sheelagh anyway. For the first time she hadn't wanted to draw back the second she felt a connection, she'd held out. And she still didn't want to run in the opposite direction. A miracle actually.

'Sam?'

'Mmm-hmm?'

'It's getting late.'

'I know.' Sam opened her eyes. 'I don't want to move.'

Sheelagh smiled, trying to control the rest of her emotions so she didn't start making a fool of herself. Then again, what did it matter? 'If we stay here long enough Connor might come in.'

'What would he be doing in your bedroom?'

'Being the dutiful son.'

'The interrupting son,' Sam argued lightly. 'You'd think he'd give you some privacy.'

'Sorry, but I don't think he'd be anticipating this.'

'Mmm... Sheelagh, should we discuss telling them, Connor and Abi?'

The dreamworld she'd been inhabiting for the last few hours started to collapse around her ears. 'Back to earth with a bang, right?'

'I didn't mean to,' Sam said quickly. 'But we should talk about it. What if they find out accidentally six months down the line, what then?'

Sheelagh couldn't help but smile. 'This is long-term then?'

'Yes, it is. And I hope that's alright because it's settled.'

'And I thought I might have a say in this.'

'You'd make the right decision.'

'So sure of yourself, DS Nixon,' teased Sheelagh as she moved closer to the protective warmth of her lover. 'Then again, what else did I expect?'

'Seriously, though. They shouldn't find out second hand from a station gossip. And don't say nobody knows, you know that's not the way things work.'

'You can be very persuasive, you realise that?'

Sam laughed lightly. 'It's one of my better traits.'

Inwardly, she acknowledged Sam was going to persist and since she couldn't imagine her happiness wearing off for at least a week there was no real reason to argue. 'I'll make a deal. Let's give it a month, to gauge reactions and, you know, to make sure...'

'We're compatible?'

'Exactly. Then we'll see.'

'We will be,' Sam said decisively. 'I've never... Well, you know.'

Tilting her head back so their eyes met, Sheelagh asked, 'Going shy on me?'

'It sounds so good in my mind, I don't want to spoil it.'

'Risk it,' she instructed.

After a moment, the detective shrugged mildly. 'Alright, I'm an arse, somehow I get the feeling you know that. Anyway, this is new, this feeling of wanting to share everything with you. Usually, I just back right off. This hasn't happened since... It's been a while. Sorry, I knew this sounded better in my head.'

'It sounds perfect. Anymore?'

'Much, most of it not worth discussing.' When Sheelagh failed to tear her gaze, she continued, 'I'm scared of getting close to someone, fear of being hurt I suppose. That was fine, I just didn't do it. Well, then I did so... Look, do you see what I mean? I'm rambling like an imbecile.'

'I like it when you do that.'

'That's lucky, it's my fatal flaw.'

'You've only got one?'

Probably to stem the insults Sam closed the gap between them for a lingering kiss. Before Sheelagh could gather a coherent thought she was pinned down and lost. And happy.