A/N: Back guys! And I warn you, going off to uni this weekend and while I'm likely to be treated as a leper and still be able to write as much you might have to be patient till I get my new connection sorted. Have no fear! I will be back! Can't leave it at this after all...

Glancing at Sheelagh fast asleep Sam finished getting dressed and quietly left the room.

The house was silent. Checking Abi's room she found both her daughter and granddaughter dead to the world so she crept down to the kitchen, sticking the kettle on.

Once she was settled at the table with a steaming mug of coffee she had a chance to contemplate everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours from her reconciliation with Sheelagh to the disastrous confrontation with Manson then the overheard conversation which had told her Sheelagh's fears. It was no real surprise Sheelagh didn't trust her after all that had happened. Everything that had bound them together after the rape had been ripped apart, some parts of the relationship would never be regained. Knowing exactly what she'd be doing she'd walked calmly out of that hospital room leaving behind someone else but some of herself also. It was no surprise Sheelagh couldn't trust her when she couldn't herself.

'I'm terrified she thinks she means it...'

That's what Sheelagh had said. And after a few hours pondering the statement in the early hours of the morning Sam had finally understood it.

When she'd barged into the hospital she'd been so sure. Seeing the scan had accentuated that and she was fully convinced it was all going to work out. How idealistic had that been? But she'd meant it. All the way through her argument with the DI there had been one face in her mind, even afterwards when she was driving back to the hospital there was no doubt in her mind that everything was going to be fine.

Perhaps Sheelagh had recognised something she hadn't, a flaw in the master plan. She still didn't know if she could be a parent to this child. For a while it hadn't mattered, she had been caught up in the adventure of it all, but maybe Sheelagh saw something she couldn't. Though she didn't want to loathe the child anymore there might have been something holding her back.

'I'm terrified she thinks she means it...'

But she wanted to mean it! There was nothing she wanted more than waking up every morning to see Sheelagh's face, it was her new dream. But unlike most this could be a reality, she was positive of it. What if Sheelagh didn't think so though?

The telephone ringing snapped Sheelagh from her solitary thoughts. She answered it immediately. 'Hello?'

'Thought I'd find you there.'

'Gina. Did you want me?'

'Why, is Sam around?'

'No, she was out before I woke this morning.'

'You do know how much trouble she's in?'

Sheelagh's heart sank that little further. 'How bad is it?'

'If Manson has his way she's out of the job and facing assault charges to boot.'

'Can't you persuade him to..?'

Gina's snort interrupted her. 'This is Neil Manson, Sheelagh! Short of a thunder-bolt Sam's sunk.'

'Where is he now, did he come into work?'

'Yep. He's in his office.'

Staring into the bottom of her cup as she had been for the last hour or so Sam was beginning to realise it didn't hold any answers and that she was stupid for searching. But as she came to the realisation and looked up she found a colleague manoeuvring through the tightly-packed tables. 'Ramani. What are you doing here?'

The DS smiled as she sat down at the table. 'I'm on my way back from the hospital, been interviewing a victim. I saw you and thought I'd...' Ramani trailed off. 'How are you?'

'It's common knowledge then?'

'You can't keep a secret that easily, you should know that.'

'All too well,' Sam answered recalling how the news of the rape had spread like wildfire. 'What are people saying then?'

'I think most can understand. I certainly can.'

Sam managed a small smile. 'I'm a hero then.'

'Of sorts,' Ramani replied with her own smile. 'But um... You don't seem to be revelling in it.'

'It's not just the job, it's...'

'You can tell me.'

'How long have you got?' Sam asked wryly.

'Long enough.'

'Sir, can I come in?' Sheelagh knocked lightly on the open office door, intrigued to see the DI looking perfectly healthy with barely a plaster. 'I'd like to talk to you.'

He looked up, took a moment then nodded. 'Of course.' Once the door was shut and she was settled opposite him, he continued, 'Well, how are you after yesterday?'

'Just a bit tired really. You don't have to be concerned about the baby, everything's fine.'

'Good. I was partly responsible for putting you in danger, I apologise for that.'

'It was my decision to join you, I could've said no. And I would like to apologise myself, for what Samantha did.'

Her lips thinned slightly. 'I hope you agree she was out of line.'

'Oh, believe me, I do. Sam acts on instinct a lot of the time, it's what makes her a good copper, but at times it can be a hindrance.'

'Right, well...'

'However,' Sheelagh pressed on immediately without giving him an opportunity. 'I wonder if your course of action is the right one.'

'You've come to plead her case.'

'In a way. But I'm pleading my own too. I think Sam told you about the nature of my relationship with her, surely that explains some of her anger yesterday?'

'Is that supposed to make it acceptable?'

'No, of course not. But, Sir, you're a father. If you believed your child was deliberately put in danger...'

'Deliberately?' Manson interrupted. 'Is that what you told her?'

'I didn't get the chance! I was so emotional, I barely got out what had happened, never mind the intricate details.'

'Sheelagh, I do sympathise with you both but it doesn't excuse the way she lost her temper.'

'I'm not saying it does. But... Sam and I have been having problems. At the time of the accident she was having reservations about the baby and finding out there was a chance it might not make it... Well, it pushed her over the edge.'

After a couple of moments, Manson sighed. 'I don't know what you expect me to do.'

'Have some compassion. Samantha's many things but not deliberately violent. She's a brilliant copper, a wonderful person... I don't think Sun Hill should lose that.'

'How do I know she's not going to lose her temper on duty, with a suspect maybe?'

'She hasn't to date,' countered Sheelagh nervously. 'Please, Sir, I'm asking you just to consider this as a person for a moment, not a copper. If you can understand half of what Sam went through yesterday you'll reconsider your position, I'm sure.' Standing, she looked at him again. 'Thanks for seeing me.'

'I'm glad you and the baby are both okay,' he said as she opened the door to leave.

Sheelagh smiled. 'Thanks, Sir. I appreciate it.'

After what seemed like an age Ramani let out a deep breath. 'That's quite a tale.'

'Tell me about it.'

'At least now I understand why you were angry with the DI.'

'I had to take it out on someone, he happened to be closest.'

'Sam,' said Ramani slowly. 'Everything you've said, about the baby and all, haven't you thought of discussing it with Sheelagh?'

'I'm terrified,' she admitted. 'I think she believes I wanted her to miscarry and...'

'But surely if you explain. Tell her the same as you've told me- you want the baby but you're apprehensive. She'll be able to relate to that.'

'I'm not sure I can get it across without it sounding wrong. I feel like one bad move and that's it, I've lost her.' Examining Ramani's slightly confused face, she questioned, 'What's wrong?'

The DS shook her head. 'Sorry, it's just... Out of all the people in Sun Hill I never thought I'd be having this kind of conversation with you, you've always seemed so impartial, professional.'

'A few months ago I wouldn't have chucked a book at Manson, I know that much. Falling for Sheelagh wasn't my plan, Ramani, but I think it's made me a better person.'

Ramani smiled. 'I think so too. But you can't lose the old Sam. And I tell you something, she would never sit in a shabby old café while her life was falling apart. Go home, talk to Sheelagh. It's the only way.'