"You coming in?" Kate asked as they arrived at her flat. They had just been on their first date and the night was coming to an end although neither wanted it to.

"Do you think I should after what the gaffer said?" Steve asked.

"He said we couldn't be flat mates any more. Not that we couldn't visit each other's places," Kate argued as she found her key and opened the door. She stepped inside and flicked the hallway light on before looking back at Steve to see what he had decided to do,".

Steve caved quickly. "Ok. I'd love a drink," he said as he followed her inside. He had been with Kate when she had first visited the showroom and decided that she would put a deposit down on one apartment, but this was the first time he had been in it with some furniture. "Looks good," he said as he took in the open plan room.

Kate headed into the kitchen area and filled the kettle with water before putting it in to boil. On the side was a vase containing the small bouquet of flowers that Steve had brought when he had picked her up earlier that evening. They were still in the cellophane wrapper as Kate hadn't had a chance to properly arrange them yet but their fragrance was starting to infiltrate the room. She bent down to give them a quick smell, smiling to herself. No one had brought her flowers in a long time. "I'll show you around whilst the kettle's boiling," she announced.

Taking Steve's hand she showed him around her new flat. "Now that the undercover is finished I can do some more work to it. Put my own stamp on the place," she informed Steve as they took a quick tour.

The first room they entered was a small bedroom, plainly decorated with white walls and beige carpet. "This is going to be Josh's room," she declared. "As I have joint custody he will be staying here a lot so I need to decorate it,".

"I can help if you want," Steve offered willingly. Not that he had ever used a paint brush before but it would be fun. How hard could it be?

"Thanks, Steve," Kate replied before tugging on his hand and continuing the viewing.

"If I remember the lay out of this place correctly, this is your bedroom," Steve guessed as they arrived at a closed door. Kate opened the door in response to his correct assumption.

Steve looked inside. The king sized bed was the main feature in the nicely decorated room. Kate had chosen soft neutral tones for a peaceful effect. He was happy to see pictures of him and Kate and Josh on her bedside table. "Is the bed as comfortable as we thought?" he asked. Kate had taken him with her when she had gone to choose her bed. They had spent the afternoon lying on and testing many different beds and mattresses before buying the one in the room.

"It's great," Kate replied. It certainly was giving her the best nights sleep she'd had in ages.

"Maybe I'll get to try it soon?" Steve asked flirtatiously.

"How about tonight?" Kate bantered back.

"The gaffer didn't say anything about overnight stays I guess," Steve mused.

"Yes I don't remember him saying anything about that either," Kate agreed smiling before taking Steve's hand and leading him into the room, the offer of a drink long since forgotten.


"Morning," Steve mumbled when he awoke the next day after seeing Kate was already awake beside him.

"Morning. Sleep well?".

"Very well," Steve answered as he wrapped Kate in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "And it wasn't just the bed," he admitted. Kate smiled. "How long you been awake?".

"A little while,".

"Not because of me?".

"No. Just thinking about what Hastings is going to do in regards to us, that's all. We did break the rules after all,".

Steve noticed the worry in her voice. If he was honest, it occupied a lot of his thoughts as well, but deep down he trusted Ted and knew he wouldn't let anything too dreadful happen to them. "It will be fine," he promised as he laced their fingers together and absentmindedly admired the way their fingers and hands fitted together. "I'm fairly sure he's on our side,".

"Hope so," Kate replied.

"Let's try and think about something else," Steve suggested.

"Like what?".

"Like what your plans are for decorating Josh's room. When is he next here?".

"Two weeks and it's got to be Spider-Man hasn't it?" she asked Steve. Josh was completely obsessed with the super hero at the moment so it was an easy decision.

"Absolutely!" Steve agreed. "We better get a move on then if you want it ready for when he visits.


The room decorating was quite therapeutic after frustrating days at work. Steve and Kate were desperately trying to prove that Lindsey Denton was somehow involved in the ambush and murder of Tommy Hunter. It was a complex case with many different avenues to investigate.

They thought they were on to something when a tracker was found under the car that Akers and Tommy had been travelling in. Although there were traces of Lindsey's car's paint on it there were no forensics that incriminated Lindsey in moving the tracker.

DCC Dryden was a person of great interest after Lindsay had accused him of ordering the ambush on Tommy Hunter but he had denied it and there was no evidence to support it. There was also the possibility that Lindsay was making it up and getting her own back after they had found out that Lindsay and Dryden had had an affair and she got pregnant but had a termination.

What Dryden couldn't deny was that he did know Carly Kirk, but their exact connection to Lindsey and Tommy still had to be determined.

"There's got to be something we are missing," Kate said exasperated as they reviewed all their evidence yet again. "Carly is the connection, I'm sure of it,".

"Then there has to be a trail," Steve suggested.

"Ok, but what is that trail?".

"I'm thinking money," Steve theorised. "We found it in Jayne's house. If Lindsey is involved she wouldn't risk everything for nothing, would she?".

"No," Kate agreed. "And she definitely was in need of some, what with her mum's nursing home bills and everything. It's just where the hell has she put it? Her house has been searched already and nothing of any interest has ever been found,".

"Kate! Steve!" They were interrupted by Ted. "I need you at a crime scene urgently,".

"What's happened?" Steve asked.

"A prison van carrying Lindsey Denton has been ambushed and our favourite DI is nowhere to be found," he informed them.

Steve and Kate looked at each other shocked. "We're on our way," Steve said as they simultaneously reached for jackets and left for the incident scene,".


"So was she kidnapped or was it a successful break out?" Kate asked Steve as they made their way back to AC-12.

"Honestly I've no fucking idea, mate," Steve confessed. "This woman is doing my head in!".

"Me too. It's bloody typical that this has to happen when I'm supposed to be collecting Josh later!" Kate said angrily. "I'll have to call Mark and postpone until tomorrow and hope Josh isn't too upset,".

"Just wait a bit and see what happens before you make that call, eh?" Steve suggested. He felt awful that they were going to have to let Josh down as well, but they had to concentrate on this man hunt and find Lindsey quickly.

Steve's phone started ringing and as he was driving he hit the Bluetooth connection. They were both surprised to hear that the caller was the DI herself letting them know where she was and that they would find her assailants there as well. She even sent a dying declaration from one of them confessing that Lindsey had had nothing to do with the kidnap and how it had been ordered by DCC Dryden.

Steve rapidly changed his destination to the car park where Lindsey was, whilst Kate called Ted to let him know of the most recent development.

"How the hell did she get my number?" Steve asked once Kate had hung up.

"Must have got it from my phone," Kate replied, feeling quite violated that Lindsey had obviously had quite a thorough search of her phone whilst it had been in her possession.


"Secure the scene. Inner and outer cordons. Full forensic response. Right now evidence and secure that phone till Forensics recover it," Ted barked pointing at the phone Lindsay had left on the floor of the car park.

He had arrived as the same time as Steve and Kate and as senior officer, took charge. He had arrived with Dot who had been pulled from his current role of leading another AC-12 investigation- that of working out who 'The Caddy' was, such was the importance of finding Lindsay Denton.

It appeared that she hadn't hung around after her phone call to Steve as she couldn't be found. "Denton's on foot. Can't have got far," Dot remarked.

"Put out obs," Ted commanded.

Steve had an idea that he might know where Lindsay had gone although wasn't a hundred percent sure. Kate had mentioned how she was always visiting her mum and she had been on her way back to prison after visiting her before her kidnap as her mother had had a stroke and it didn't look good. "Got a thought, ok if I check it out, boss?".

"Go ahead,".

Kate watched him disappear as she put the obs command out on Lindsay. She was not entirely sure where he was going but trusted that he had a good idea.

A call from a paramedic indicating that DS Prasad was still alive diverted her attention and everyone made their way to him. "I want to stay with him, and keep hold of the firearms unit. Let's make sure he gets to hospital safely," she suggested to Ted.

"Agreed. Thanks, Kate. Dot, you're with her," he ordered as he walked away.

Kate stepped away whilst Prasad received medical care. "Steve. Prasad's still alive," she informed him when he answered his phone. She wanted him to know in case he was successful in finding Lindsay which she had a feeling he would.

"Received," he said, concentrating on his driving.

"Where you going?".

"Thought I'd try the nursing home," Steve informed Kate. It made perfect sense to her once he had said it.

"Good luck," she wished, before hanging up.

It didn't take long before Steve pulled up at the nursing home. After Kate had hung up he had called the place and was told that he had been correct in his assumption and that Lindsay was indeed there. He was also informed that Lindsay's mother had died.

"If you hear any kind of commotion, call triple-9 straight away," he ordered one of the nurses as he made his way to Lindsay's mother's room. He had no idea how she would react to being caught and was still wearing his stab vest for protection. "Lindsay?" He said from outside the room. "It's Steve Arnott. I'd like to come in please. Is that ok?". He didn't get any reply so tried again. "Lindsay, I'm coming in now,". He entered the room to find Lindsay sat before the empty, stripped bed. "Very sorry for your loss,".

"I should've been with her,".

"We can make arrangements for you to see her, if that's what you want,".

"They've already stripped her room," Lindsay said, clearly upset. "Her things were very personal. They mustn't lose them,".

"No, of course, they've got to be returned to you,".

"How did you know I'd be here?" Lindsay asked sadly.

"She was your mum," was Steve's simple reply.

"I'll come now,".

"Have as long as you need," Steve suggested kindly. She might be a wanted person but she had just lost her mother.

"Thank you," replied Lindsay. Steve stepped out the room and shut the door feeling a bit uncomfortable as he heard Lindsay finally let go of the tears she had been holding back.

When she was ready she did as she had promised and went with Steve quietly. He was going to take her back to AC-12. They talked on the way back and it became clear that Lindsay thought Prasad was dead. Steve didn't correct her assumption. She used the journey back to continue her agenda and paint DCC Dryden as the bad guy. Steve listened, unconvinced although tried to remain neutral.

On their return to AC-12, Lindsay was arrested for Escape from Lawful Custody. Thinking Prasad's dying declaration would exonerate her she allowed Kate to read her her rights before informing both Kate and Steve that she would never be found guilty of the crime. She also informed Steve and Kate of her intention to make a second application of bail on her original charge which she was fairly confident she would win as well.

Steve joined Kate at her desk after Lindsay had been taken away from AC-12 yet again. "I should phone Mark about Josh," Kate said sadly.

"Why?".

"Need to put some work in and make sure she doesn't get bail," Kate informed Steve as if he was stupid.

"Kate, it's the start of the weekend!" Steve retorted. "You know as well as I do that nothing is going to happen for the next forty eight hours. Josh is far more important,". Kate couldn't argue with that. "You go and get him and I'll meet you back at yours after I've done a bit of work on stopping her bail app being successful,".

"Thanks, Steve," Kate said and despite being in the office leant over towards him and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you in a bit. I won't show him his room until you're there," she promised as she gathered her belongings ready to depart.


"Why are we here?" Josh asked as Kate pulled up to a place he hadn't seen before.

"This is my new flat," Kate informed him.

"Oh," Josh replied a bit despondently.

"You don't like it?" Kate asked, worried at her son's unhappiness. "You haven't even seen inside it yet,".

"Aren't you and Steve friends anymore?" Josh asked and Kate was relieved. This was why Josh was upset- he had grown very fond of Steve during the time Kate had been staying at his place. Thankfully Kate was able to allay his fears.

"Of course we are, silly," Kate said as she reached over and tickled her son's tummy. Josh giggled in response. "It's just that I don't live with him anymore. Mummy needed her own place. Something a bit bigger than Steve's flat. You've got your own bedroom here,".

"Really?" Asked Josh, excited.

"Yep," Kate confirmed. "And Steve helped me decorate it. He's coming over to see if you like it in a bit," Kate said as she exited the car and made her way to Josh's car door before getting him out of his car seat. "Good job because I'm going to need his help in getting all your stuff up from the car!" She teased as Josh climbed down. Now that he was spending half his time with him mum he had brought a lot of his things so he didn't have to keep packing every time he moved between Mark and Kate. There were a lot more suitcases awaiting Kate when she arrived to pick Josh up than she had expected.

"There's Steve!" Josh exclaimed excitedly he caught sight of him pulling up in his familiar car and gave him a wave

"Good timing," muttered Kate to herself as she changed her plans and opened the boot. Might as well get Steve to help now. "Don't run off!" She ordered quickly as she caught Josh out of the side of her eye making his way over to Steve.

"Alright, Josh!" Steve greeted the little boy as he approached him and lifted him in to his arms. "How have you been little man?" He asked. Steve had missed seeing him during Kates undercover.

"Ok," Josh informed him.

"That's good," Steve said before ruffling his hair which caused Josh to start squirming at his action. Kate smiled to see the nice relationship that had formed between the two boys.

"You're gonna have to put him down I'm afraid," Kate said as Steve got closer. "I'm going to need your help with all this,".

"Sure," said Steve as he put Josh down and started unloading the bags.

With all three carrying something (lots of things in the case of Steve and Kate), they were able to get all Josh's belongings to their new home in one journey.

"Here we are," Kate announced as she opened the door to her flat and let Josh enter first so he could have a look around. "Your bedroom is behind that door," she said to her son, pointing to a door.

Josh ran over to it and opened it. "Wow!" He exclaimed happily as he took in the Spider-Man bed set, curtains and lamp shade.

"You like?" Kate asked happily as she saw her son's face light up.

"Uh huh," Josh nodded as he climbed on the bed. He did a few jumps as he was so happy.

"No bouncing, Josh," Kate warned. The last thing she wanted was for him to have an accident and fall off. Josh stopped and got off the bed. "Ok mummy. Shall we unpack?".

"Don't you want some food first?" Kate asked surprised that he wasn't hungry.

"No. I want to put my things away. Make sure I haven't lost anything,".

"Ok," said Kate as she helped him open a few cases and start to unpack a few things from the cases.

Steve watched mother and son from the bedroom door not sure whether to leave them to it or help. He knew Kate lacked confidence in her mothering skills thanks to Mark's constant put downs when they were together, but from what he had seen she was a devoted mother and Josh was very lucky. "Oh my god," he suddenly said as he was reminded of something that had happened earlier in the day.

"What is it?" Kate asked.

"I know where Lindsay's hidden the money,"…