A/N: I have an announcement to make. Don't get me wrong, this is going to get finished but I need a break, other projects and stuff, so it might be a few weeks until I update. I do apologise but it's just real-life getting in the way again.

We should start thinking of names,' Sam said as she moved slightly so they were both comfortable on the sofa.

'Mmm,' Sheelagh agreed quietly.

'You are okay? I mean, you haven't said much since we got back and...'

'Don't analyse me, Sam.'

Considering Sheelagh hadn't moved an inch she wasn't taking the statement to heart. 'I wasn't going to. So, any ideas?'

'You want to think about this right now?'

'Why not?'

After a few moments Sheelagh sighed. 'I hadn't thought about it.'

'Okay. Well, now's the time to start.'

'I don't know. Something traditional.'

'Not Brooklyn or Romeo then?'

'I wouldn't wish that on a child.'

Sam smiled, squeezing her hand. 'Well, I'm with you. Something traditional it is.'

Sheelagh glanced at her. 'It doesn't make a difference does it?'

'You have to ask?'

'No,' she answered, settling back down. 'Not really.'

The screaming was equal to the wailing from a particularly poor orchestra woodwind section. Finally deciding that Abi must be otherwise engaged Sheelagh left her book by the side of the bed and went down to the living room to deal with Belinda herself. As she glanced into the kitchen though she found Abigail clearly unoccupied staring at a speck of nothing on the wall.

After clearing her throat did nothing to stir the young mother Sheelagh moved further into the kitchen, placing her hand on her shoulder. 'Abi.'

It took a moment but the girl looked up. 'Oh, hi. What's wrong?'

Sheelagh allowed Belinda lungs to do the explaining. 'She's been like that for twenty minutes or so.'

'Sorry. I didn't hear.'

Knowing how unlikely that was, Sheelagh stopped Abigail when she started to leave. 'Is everything alright?'

'Yeah, fine.'

'Abi, you can talk to me.'

'You're starting to sound like my mum. Honestly, I'm fine.'

Before Sheelagh could argue anymore Abi had disappeared to tend to her daughter. Well, perhaps she'd been telling the truth- there was every chance Sheelagh was reading too much into an innocent situation. And wasn't that Samantha's job?

Glancing around the kitchen for some sign of where the said woman had sneaked off to she caught sight of a note stuck to the fridge with a novelty fish magnet.

Won't be long, stay off your feet xxx

That hadn't exactly solved the mystery had it? Sam going out when she was taking a nap was a surprise, not least because she'd obviously managed to get changed in the bedroom without creating a noise or fuss. That certainly wasn't Samantha Nixon. After a few days of attempted lie-ins Sheelagh had discovered her partner's propensity to mutter to herself about her day plan as she dressed and, if she was particularly happy for any reason, she sang something from the ABBA archives. Nothing like a bit of Swedish pop to truly wake you up on a morning.

Deciding to take the written advice, Sheelagh made her way back upstairs, vaguely registering Belinda quietening in the living room.

Thank heavens for Thursday late-night opening. Without a clear idea of what she wanted she'd headed into the shopping centre searching for... Well, something anyway. Having been in a dozen or more shops with no results she'd seen a display and it had given her an idea. Collecting other bits and pieces along the way she made her way back to the house, glad to find Abi and Belinda had finally vacated the living room.

After setting things up, dimming the lights and so forth, Sam climbed the stairs quietly, checking briefly in Abigail's room. The lights were on though both the occupants were asleep so after looking in the cot for moment she flicked the switch and proceeded to her own bedroom.

Sheelagh was awake- she hadn't expected anything else- and reading a hefty book that looked as though it belonged as a doorstop somewhere. 'You've been hours.'

'Don't exaggerate.'

'I woke up at half six.'

Sam checked her watch. 'There was traffic.'

'Where?'

'Come downstairs.'

'Why?'

'Will you just do as you're told?'

After a moment of what seemed like purposeful deliberation Sheelagh finally followed the instruction, Sam taking her hand as she came close.

She couldn't help but smile at the way Sam was being. Right from the moment they'd left the hospital she'd been attentive and immaculately considerate, one of the things about DS Nixon that only became apparent in dire situations. After the rape she'd seen it and the second the nurse had pointed to the screen it had flashed back into her eyes. If she needed it, it convinced Sheelagh of their bond and looking at her now, dragging her lightly down the stairs, it was cemented further.

'So, what's going on?'

Reaching the living room door her girlfriend finally turned. 'You'll notice a theme.'

Once the door opened Sheelagh understood the statement. 'You're right, I do.'

Quickly, Sam pointed her towards the sofa. 'The shops are all geared up for Christmas.'

Taking a good look around at the snowflakes stuck to the wall and the little skiing penguins on the mantle Sheelagh felt a smile break out. 'What's this in aid of?'

'You.'

'Care to be more specific?'

Sam shrugged, sitting down next to her. 'Today was a shock. We weren't as prepared as we thought.'

'Listen, I'm...'

'I know you're fine,' she interrupted. 'And this is just as much for my benefit.'

'How do you mean?'

'Well, look at it this way. When are we ever going to be able to get some piece and quiet and... penguins again?'

Not being able to stop her laughter Sheelagh was quietened by a kiss. Funny how that always worked.