A/N: Right. Well, here we are again. A few chapters of high drama left and I'll be wrapping it up!

For the hundredth time Sheelagh thanked her lucky stars that at least two of her children were helpful. Of course, Connor was as likely to volunteer looking after Belinda as he was to suddenly start frequenting heterosexual bars but Siobhan took her whenever her job would allow and Declan helped out too. Add to that the fact that Sam kept engineering callers from the nick and she was doing quite well in terms of coping with the children- both born and unborn. Abigail, however, was in a league all of her own.

As usually happened around this time in the afternoon the doorbell rang. She was practically listening for it so she was on her feet as quickly as her body would allow, probably startling Gina who came bearing fruit. It was a slight surprise to have an Inspector on her doorstep, that was high even by Sam's standards. 'I didn't know she' put you on the rota.'

'She wouldn't dare. No, I needed to pull myself away from the temptation of strangling Amber Johannsen and you seemed a perfect distraction. So, sit down, eat your grapes and I'll stick the kettle on.'

Not having the inclination to argue Sheelagh complied with the order, sitting patiently until Gina returned with two steaming mugs. Taking hers, she asked, 'What did Amber do now?'

'Oh, nothing. Just arrested a senile old woman for disturbing the peace. You know what she wanted? The police to get her home.'

That sounded precisely like PC Johannsen. 'She isn't filing a complaint is she?'

'Poor old dear, she wouldn't know how. I wish she would though, just the incentive I need to get rid of Amber once and for all.'

Sheelagh smiled. 'She'll slip up again.'

'I've no doubt about it. Anyway, how are you coping?'

'Well, it's not the easiest time but…' As she trailed off she surveyed the Inspector's sceptical face. 'What?'

'There's something going on, Sheelagh. I've known you too long to believe this brave face routine. What is it?'

'Trust me, Gina; you'd rather not hear this.'

'If I felt like that I wouldn't be asking would I?'

Relenting (how could she not?), Sheelagh settled back in her seat and took a sip of her tea. 'I think Abigail's convinced herself she's in love with me. It's understandable, considering her past, she needed to pin her hopes on someone and I was it. But I didn't notice…'

'Hang on, back up a minute,' interrupted Gina. 'Abigail's in love with you?'

'It's perfectly… I won't say natural but…'

The Inspector snorted. 'How long has she felt this way?'

'I don't know. After she'd told me she clammed up, threw me out and we haven't seen her since.'

'What, neither of you?'

'She's refused to see anyone. Sam blames herself, of course.'

'Wait,' said Gina with a furrowed brow. 'Haven't you told her what's going on?'

'You expect me to slip it into conversation between asking her to peel the spouts and buying nappies?'

'Oh, come on, Sheelagh! This isn't hiding how much you paid for baby wipes! Look, I know Sam as well as you do, this'll be eating her up. It'll be all her fault, there'd have been something she could've done, you watch.'

She shook her head. 'If she knew…'

Gina didn't allow her to finish. 'I get what you're saying. It's self-preservation because you're terrified she doesn't trust you. You're scared of being a single-mother, aren't you?'

Sitting silently for over a minute, Sheelagh eventually leaned forward to put her mug on the table. 'I'm not being completely selfish, you know. Sam wouldn't know how to handle this, she'd react emotionally, she's gotten good at that. If she'd still been DS Nixon at least I could've been sure she wouldn't do anything rash.'

'To Abi?'

'To Abi. Or herself.'

'That's not a possibility; this is Sam. Besides, what possible reason would she have to go and do something like that, eh?'

'Oh, I don't know! Maybe because first she brought Hugh into Abi's life then me, just highlights what she lacks. Abigail looks for a parental figure, she does it in the wrong way, but that's what she's looking for. That's what hurts Sam, that her daughter had to look elsewhere.'

'That's not the case anymore though.'

'To her, it is.'

Gina sighed. 'So, what's your plan? Wait until she finds out from Abigail? Because she will.'

'My baby's due in three weeks. Sam's working all the hours God sends so she can have some time off. Belinda's missing her mum and she's got colic. I drop anymore bombshells right now and she'll go under. I'll tell her when the time's right.'

'There'll be a right time?' Gina questioned, the sarcasm evident in her voice.

'Better than this.' When the Inspector said nothing, she added, 'You did ask.'

'I have to admit, dealing with Amber Johannsen would've done me more good. Never thought I'd say that.'

'I know you think I'm doing the wrong this. But you've kept more than enough secrets in your time haven't you?'

The reference to her cancer caused the Inspector to concede a defeat. 'Alright, alright. You obviously know what you're doing.'

Sheelagh smiled. 'Of course. Now, apart from Amber, what else am I missing?'

'You know about Ramani de Costa I suppose?'

'No. Is she okay?'

'She might've lost her marbles.' On the questioning look, she added, 'She's seeing Terry Perkins. It's been going on for a while by all accounts.'

'I didn't see that coming.'

'Neither did the rest of the nick. But they're happy enough.'

'At least someone is. No, it's a good thing, they deserve to be. Does Sam know?'

'I should think so.'

'It's strange she didn't say anything.'

Gina shrugged. 'She's got a lot on her plate.'

As a large file dropped onto her desk, Sam warned, 'If that even thinks of staying there I won't be responsible for my actions.'

'Guvnor's orders,' Terry said with a smidgen of remorse. 'He wants you on this.'

'I bet he does,' she answered, glancing at the door behind which she was sure the DI was gloating about his delegation skills. 'Forget about the dozen other things he wanted me on or needed me for or…' Having seen the look of bemusement wash over the DC's face, she quietened her rant and reached for the beige folder. 'What is it?'

Terry pulled up a chair. 'A carjacking. Fella pulls up at a set of traffic lights on Cargill Street, next thing he knows there's a bloke with a knife at his throat. He puts up a fight, gets stabbed, ends up in hospital.'

So far this was big standard stuff, Sam felt her irritation returning. 'This is vitally important? When did it happen?'

The DC smiled slightly. 'Three weeks ago.'

'Why the hell didn't he report it sooner?'

'Oh, a little thing,' answered Terry. 'He had a bootload of stolen pistols in the back.'

He head, which had been drooping ever-so-slightly, lifted. 'Firearms?'

'Twenty or so. The bloke's had an attack of conscience, wants to make sure no one dies.'

'Well, this isn't our department. Hand it over to Operation Trafalgar.'

'Yeah, but that massive shooting last week? They're snowed under and since this isn't an urgent incident…'

'Not urgent?' Sam scoffed. 'Anyone could have them.'

'And to our knowledge, they ain't used 'em. That makes it our case.'

She closed her eyes briefly. 'Great. Okay, where do we start?'