A/N: Hello again. Just to inform you all that I've got something in mind to... mix well with the events of this story, but I'll tell you more about that in my final chapter. The songs snippets later in the chapter are all from ABBA's 'Arrival' album.

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you,

I've been running round in circles in my mind.

And it always seems that I'm following you girl,

Cos you take me to the places that alone I'd never find.

'Good, you haven't done a runner.'

'It's my flat,' Diane retorted, turning from the kitchen counter in the shirt which had evidently been closest to hand when she'd slipped out of the bed some ten minutes earlier. Nikki had vaguely heard the movement but had stayed in the comfort of the bed for a little longer. It had only then occurred to her that Diane might go back on what they'd said the previous night and she didn't want to have her to chase her half-way across Canley again.

It appeared she didn't have to worry though. Diane immediately dropped what she was doing and came over to kiss her. Nikki smiled. 'Morning.'

'I really wish I didn't have to work sometimes,' Diane commented, pulling back and returning to butter her toast. 'And you can stop grinning like that.'

'Like what?'

Her lover glanced over her shoulder. 'Like you're happy.'

'Sorry, no can do,' Nikki replied.

'Okay, so here's a thought,' Diane said a few minutes later while she munched on her breakfast at the kitchen table. 'Tonight we have a nice, non-stressful evening in at your place.'

'Why my place?' Nikki queried, sipping her coffee.

'Oh, I dunno, because you haven't found out whether your cooker actually works or not yet? Might be something worth knowing before the kids come to stay.'

She shrugged her agreement. 'What do you fancy?'

Diane stood. 'Don't tempt me.'

Nikki also got to her feet and wrapped her arms around the constable's waist. 'I was thinking I should have that discussion with you. With me being back at work tomorrow and everything.'

'Damn, I forgot about that,' Diane said with a small smile.

'Mmm, course you did.'

Kissing her, Diane moved back with obvious reluctance. 'I've gotta get dressed.'

'Me too,' she said. 'Have to pick the girls up.'

'Well, think about me when you're off enjoying yourself, won't you?'

Nikki smiled again and couldn't resist grabbing the constable again. 'Always.'

'This is nice, Mum,' Daisy said.

'I'm glad you like it,' she said carefully, a little uncertain of whether her daughter was being polite about the room or whether she sincerely liked it. While she wouldn't like the idea of what it represented she could still like the room itself… couldn't she?

'Yeah, I do,' Daisy answered evenly.

'Good,' Nikki replied, following her eldest daughter back into the kitchen where Doug and Rebecca were looking through the television guides. 'Anything on?'

Doug shook his head. 'Nothing. We could go back home and watch a DVD if you wanted.'

Regretfully, she shook her head. 'These two have got school in the morning. And I'm back at work as well.'

Rebecca seemed disappointed. 'What about tomorrow?'

'Well,' she said, putting her hands on the girl's shoulders, 'I should be able to manage that. Might even manage to bring along chocolate fudge ice-cream.'

Daisy grinned. 'You'd better.'

Seeing them to the door, she found Doug hung back a little as they put their coats on. 'It's a nice place,' he said finally. 'And it's close.'

'Yeah,' she agreed. 'I hope it's enough.'

He nodded. 'We'll see how it goes.'

'How's Liam?' she asked as he began to slip on his own raincoat.

'Andy's been talking to him. He's alright. He's not great but he's not…'

'Not climbing onto roofs?' she finished with a soft smile.

'And that's always a positive sign,' Doug confirmed, looking towards the girls. 'I'd best get these two home.'

'I'll see you tomorrow.'

'That smells gorgeous,' Diane said.

'Mmm, so do you actually,' Nikki said, half-turning as she caught in her nostrils the luxurious whiff of strawberries. 'How much bubble-bath did you use?'

'Just enough, I reckon.'

'Tease,' she commented, looking back to the pasta. 'It'll be about five minutes.'

'Perfect. I'll go stick the telly on.'

'Oh, Di?' she said, drawing her lover back from beyond the threshold. 'Care to enlighten me as to what my new bath's like?'

Diane smiled enticingly. 'Big enough for two.'

With a grin of her own, she concentrated on making sure her pasta didn't stick to the bottom of the supposedly non-stick pan she'd bought in town with the girls and Doug earlier. She never trusted those things, not since she'd had a Teflon-infused spaghetti bolognaise in her hairdressing days.

Thankfully, this wasn't another disaster. They watched some mindless drivel then, after washing-up, settled on the sofa with a bottle of wine and the radio playing in the background. It was then that Diane finally broached the subject that hadn't been mentioned in the hour or so since she'd arrived at the flat. 'How'd it go today?'

'Good. I think.' She shrugged. 'It went well. Daisy didn't go off in a strop and Doug was…'

'He was alright?' Diane queried.

'Yeah,' she admitted with a small smile. 'I think so. We went into town, did a bit of shopping. I'm going round there after work tomorrow,' she added as an afterthought. 'Rebecca asked me to.'

'I'm glad, Nikki,' answered Diane, sipping her wine.

After a brief debate, she asked, 'Have you spoken to Robert since you went down there for Christmas?'

This time Diane's voice sounded strained. 'No. I haven't really had much free time, what with everything. I'll get round to it.'

It'd be a mistake to push it, she realised. There was a lot of things she didn't know about Diane, and how she dealt with her difficult relationship with her son was one of them. She knew she found it hard, but she wasn't sure what that led to exactly. Something to discover, she supposed. So, instead of talking, she inhaled the fragrance of her lover's hair. 'You used that shampoo as well. Smells amazing.'

'I can't believe we're running late on my first day back!' Nikki muttered, reaching for her jacket and turning to leave the bedroom. Unfortunately, Di was stood in the doorway. 'What?'

'Aren't you forgetting something?'

'What, that I'm late?'

Diane shook her head with a grin. 'That you're not wearing a bra?'

She had to laugh. Having got dressed in such a hurry she'd forgotten about that particular item of clothing. Quickly rectifying the problem, she returned to her partner at the door. 'Better?'

'Much. Come on, let's get going. I'll drive.'

By the time they reached the station Nikki was rather relieved she hadn't had time to snatch a piece of toast or anything for breakfast. Di's driving when she was in a rush attempted to live up to Lewis Hamilton's, though she did manage to always stay just inside the speed limit. As they slid to a relatively smooth stop in the car park, she glanced to Diane. 'That's the last time I let you drive.'

'We're almost on time now!'

Nikki kissed her briefly. 'Consider it a new rule.'

As they got out of the vehicle she noted Superintendent Heaton leaving his own car a few yards away. Not eager to be seen as taking it easy when she was already late, Nikki hastily began walking with Di on her heels.

'PC Noble,' Heaton said loudly. 'A word if you please.'

Nikki glanced to her lover who shrugged. 'Go on,' Diane said, 'I'll see you later.'

Complying, she hurried into the station, only to be met by Gina Gold in the corridor. 'Morning, Ma'am.'

'Was beginning to think you weren't coming back,' Gina commented, nodding they should enter her office a few yards away.

'Sorry, Ma'am, I overslept,' she said honestly after she'd closed the door and sat down opposite the Inspector. 'It won't happen again.'

'I should hope not.' Gina paused. 'It's good to have you back. How're you feeling?'

'Fine, actually. No permanent damage.'

'And what about everything else?'

Having expected this, she was prepared to an extent. 'I've left Doug: rented a flat.'

Gina nodded. 'You say it so matter-of-factly.'

'Well, it was a decision I had to make so… And if it's all the same, I'd rather not go into the details.'

'No, course not, wouldn't expect you to. I do have to ask you one thing though.'

Nikki smiled slightly. 'You know that I wouldn't let any personal situation affect my job here. If I thought for one minute that my relationship…'

'Okay,' the Inspector cut in, 'I'm not saying I don't believe you. Just make sure that it doesn't affect it, alright?'

'Of course, Ma'am.'

'Right. Well, since you're already late, you'd better get changed and get moving.'

It felt like she'd never been away. A few hours of conversations with irritable prisoners and officers like Reg Hollis and Tony Stamp and she felt completely at ease again. She had been a little nervous, she'd admit. There was always some trepidation involved in returning to work after an incident, but, luckily, it seemed unfounded on this occasion. They were a good team at Sun Hill and she'd slotted right back into it.

She was a little surprised when early-afternoon she was requested to meet Superintendent John Heaton in his office. When she arrived she found him ready and waiting behind his desk, which was a bit disconcerting. 'You wanted to see me, Sir?'

'Yes, sit down.'

Closing the door behind her before she did so, she then attempted a smile, despite the fact that her throat was dry and the anxiety she'd abandoned mid-morning decided to return with a vengeance. 'Is there a problem, Sir?'

He steadily watched her for a few moments before he spoke again. 'Your relationship with PC Noble: is it serious?'

Clearing her throat against the lump which had suddenly formed there, she tried to formulate an answer to that. The Super had evidently seen her with Diane in the car park, that was probably what he'd wanted to discuss with her. The fact that Di and the Super had known each other for years probably should've allayed her fears a little, but it didn't. If anything, it increased her sense of foreboding.

Recognising that Heaton was waiting, she finally replied, 'It's early days, Sir.'

'Well, you've left your husband, Sergeant Wright- you must have some idea whether it's going to last or not.'

'Did Diane tell you this?'

'I asked,' he answered, pursing his lips. 'Now, what I need from you is a solid guarantee that this isn't going to impair your judgement in any way whatsoever.'

'I wouldn't allow that to happen. Sir,' she added quickly, sensing it probably wouldn't be appropriate to let formalities lapse at this precise moment in time.

'Nikki, I'm well aware that you've done this before at Barton Street but this is Sun Hill and you'll agree the situation is rather different.'

'With all due respect, Sir, I'm a little offended by the fact you don't seem to rate my professional judgement.'

He shook his head. 'It isn't a question of that. I don't want anything interfering with the smooth running of my station, whatever and whoever may be behind it.'

'Would you like me to request a transfer?'

For a moment he simply watched her. Then he said, 'Not yet. If you believe as strongly as you seem to that you can work with Diane and not allow it to cloud your professionalism then I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, for now at least. However, if I hear of one incident that contests the theory…'

When he let the statement dangle, she nodded. 'Yes, Sir. Thank you.'

She was at the door when he again spoke and drew her back towards the desk. 'Nikki, Diane is not as straightforward as she may first appear.'

After ascertaining that it was well-intentioned advice, she answered, 'I am aware of that, Sir.'

'Well, as long as you are.'

'Thought you were going to the pub,' Nikki said when Diane entered the Sergeants office unexpectedly just before she was about to leave herself.

'Yeah, I am,' her partner answered, stepping further into the room and closing the door. 'I just wondered if…'

'The Super?' Nikki concluded for her with a wry smile. 'Yes, I had the pleasure.'

Diane grimaced as she took a seat opposite. 'Sorry. He saw us in the car, he didn't leave me much option than to tell him everything.'

'It's alright,' she said as she closed the file on her desk and stored it for the next shift. 'At least if he knows now then we can't be accused of keeping it a secret if something happens.'

'Like what?'

'Well, let's just say I've been warned that if I show any favouritism then my career here's at a bit of a standstill.'

'Hang on, does that mean I'm rummaging around rubbish tips for the next two years?'

'Mmm, probably,' she answered with a smile. 'Go on, you better get going. I'll see you tomorrow.'

Diane nodded. 'Have a nice night.'

'Yeah, you too.'

When Rebecca's eyes began to glaze over Nikki knew it was time to get the girls up to bed. It was a shame because they'd had a nice night in front of the box, the four of them, but the girls had school in the morning. Even Doug was looking a little on the tired side, it appeared he could probably do with an extra few hours of sleep himself.

After a little persuading both girls went without a fuss. Nikki watched over them while they brushed their teeth then tucked them into bed with the promise that she'd be round again the next night. Then, before she returned to the kitchen where Doug was making a cuppa for them both, she knocked on Liam's door.

'You could've come downstairs, you know,' she said, sitting on the bed.

'What, and watched Shrek?' he queried. 'I was alright, thanks.'

'Fair enough.' Pausing, she watched him for a few seconds. 'How're things?'

'I told Mum to stick it,' he said finally. 'I don't wanna be around there anymore. I'll go back if she can get herself together.'

His maturity didn't really surprise her, but she had rather worried the last few months might've knocked it out of him. She smiled. 'I'm proud of you, Liam.'

'Really?' he questioned.

'Course. Next time I'm round, come down, eh?'

'Only if you get them to watch something decent.'

'You don't ask for much do you?'

Sitting down opposite Doug in the kitchen ten minutes later, she gratefully received the cup of tea he'd made her. When they'd sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, he said, 'I need to discuss something with you.'

Her cup stopped halfway to her lips. 'That sounds ominous,' she said, placing it back on the table.

'No, it's nothing like that,' he said quickly with an attempt at a smile. 'No, I've been shunted over to cover the nightshift for two weeks starting Sunday. I wondered what your schedule was like.'

'Oh… Days,' she said with a shrug. And I'm off Tuesday to Friday next week.'

He nodded. 'Right. So… Well, what I'm asking is…'

'You don't have to ask, Doug' she interrupted. 'I'd love to have them.'

'The boys'll be fine, but I think the girls would be better with you, if you don't mind.'

'Course I don't.' Sipping her tea, she questioned, 'Have you discussed this with them?'

'Mmm-hmm. They seem to like the idea.'

'Good. I'm glad.'

'I missed you last night.'

Nikki briefly smiled as Diane once again appeared in the office at the end of her shift, dressed to leave. 'I didn't think you'd notice.'

'Got used to not waking up alone.'

She nodded for her lover to close the door and sit down. 'You might get a bit more of that.'

'Oh?'

'Doug's asked me to have the girls for a couple of weeks while he's on nights.'

Diane smiled. 'That's great news.'

'Honestly?'

'Nikki, course. I know how much it means to you. I'll just have to make do with my duvet for company for a while.'

'Well, make sure that's all you've got for company.'

With a grin, Diane questioned, 'So have you got plans tonight?'

'Oh, I think I've got time for one drink. If you're interested.'

'This drink… Couldn't happen at your place, could it?'

'I think that can be arranged.'

'You're late!' Rebecca whined.

'Sorry, darling,' she apologised. 'It won't happen again.'

'Better not.'

'Oi, madam, who do you think you're giving orders to?'

Her daughter shrugged, grinned, and ran into the living room. 'Mum's here!'

Doug emerged, his face not as clear as it had been recently but she could understand him being a little annoyed at her tardiness- he probably knew what she'd actually been up to in the time since she'd left work. The memory of it brought a smile to her face, one that she tried to match to the occasion as Daisy dragged her into the living room to show her something on the computer. She glanced backwards to Doug as the page loaded, 'Everything alright?'

Unconvincingly, he nodded. 'Fine. You?'

'Yeah, not bad.'

'Alright, you calm down or you're just gonna make things worse for yourself!'

Nikki watched Will Fletcher attempting to control the irate male prisoner and added, 'He's right, you know. If you calm down this'll go a lot easier.'

When he spat in her direction she knew it was going to be a bad day. Things only got worse throughout the morning, coming to a head when Diane and Tony brought into another struggling teen, this time a female who looked quite malnourished and very agitated.

'Jessie Garrett, Sarge,' Tony said when they reached the desk. 'Arrested for possession of a Class C drug and suspected burglary.'

'Is she alright?' Nikki questioned, taking a closer look at the wobbling figure being held upright by the two constables. 'Maybe we should let the FME look her over.'

'This has only come on in the last two minutes, Sarge,' Diane objected. 'I think she's just buying time.'

'Nevertheless, I think she should be examined.'

Diane conceded that with a reluctant nod as Jessie muttered, 'I wanna make a complaint.'

Nikki glanced back to the prisoner. 'On what grounds?'

'She hit me,' the teenager replied, indicating Diane. 'When she was arresting me.'

Shaking her head, Diane answered, 'I used adequate force, Sarge.'

Letting her eyes meet Diane's briefly, she then looked to Tony. 'What have you got to say?'

He shrugged. 'I was late to the scene. I didn't witness the arrest.'

Nikki sighed. 'Right, let's get her booked in.'

As they continued the process she could feel Diane's eyes frequently landing on her. She knew that her lover was wondering what was going on in her head and questioning whether she was taking the allegation seriously, but at the back of her head she also had Superintendent Heaton reverberating his mantra about professionalism. She had to look at this objectively, and a prisoner had made a complaint: that was that.

'Right,' she said finally. 'You'll be taken to see the FME; that'll ascertain if you've received any significant injuries in the last few hours.'

'What, like a massive whack to the ribs?'

She smiled tightly. 'Yes.'

'Well, good! Bring it on.'

Diane visibly rolled her eyes as Tony led Jessie Garrett off down the corridor. Then she asked, 'What am I supposed to do?'

'Write your report,' Nikki advised. 'Get it over with.'

'I didn't touch her, you know that, don't you?'

'It's not me you've got to convince,' she said carefully, watching Emma lead another prisoner into the custody area. 'Go on.'

'Yes, Sarge,' Diane muttered, a degree of hostility evident in her tone that made Nikki wince.

When Tony returned with Jessie Garrett half an hour later, Nikki locked her up in cell five before questioning, 'What did the FME say?'

Tony let out his breath. 'Well, she's definitely suffered some kind of assault in the last few hours, she's got bruises on her ribs and arms.'

Nikki frowned. 'Was she alone when you picked her up?'

'Yeah, and she's listed as living alone. That's not to say there was no one else there though.'

'No, course not. What are your thoughts?' she asked after a moment of deliberation.

'Well, it's Diane,' he said with a shrug. 'Case closed, as it were.'

Nodding, she said, 'Well, you find another officer to assist you with the interview, explain her complaint'll be dealt with separately. I'd better inform Inspector Gold.'

When she'd finished filling Gina in a few minutes later, the Inspector sat back in her chair. 'Definite assault marks?'

'Yeah. Diane's writing her report up now.'

'Right. I'll handle the interviews; see if I can get to the bottom of it.'

'Yes, Ma'am.' Glancing back at the door, she said, 'For what it's worth, I don't believe Diane's guilty. I think it was a reaction to the arrest, nothing more than that.'

Gina nodded. 'Is that your professional opinion?'

'As it happens, yes.'

'I'll bear it in mind.'

After Tony had bought Jessie Garrett back down after interview he reported that she'd confessed, after a little bit of cajoling, to the drugs charge but had insisted that she'd only known about the burglary, not participated in it. With that, he'd handed it up to CID and Terry and Grace were now dealing with it. He did, however, mention a name that Nikki recognised- Brad Dolan. Jessie had referred to him as another drug user which tallied with what was known about him, but the fact that she'd been with him that day was what made Nikki take notice. He didn't have a record of violence but it was certainly something to take into consideration.

Gina hadn't yet interviewed Jessie about the allegation; she was speaking to Diane and Tony first. When Nikki heard staccato sobs coming from the direction of cell five a little later she hesitated but then reasoned that this was her job and it had to be done. Proceeding down to the end cell, she checked that Jessie was well back from the door before she opened it.

Jessie was hurriedly wiping her eyes. 'Get lost.'

'Are you alright?' Nikki questioned, crossing her arms.

'I'm fine.'

'You don't look it.'

'What do you care?'

Nikki sighed and rested her shoulder against the doorframe. 'While you're here, it's my duty to care.'

'Sure you're not planning on kicking my head in cos I pointed the finger at one of you lot?'

'You can't have met many reasonable people in your life, Jessie.'

'What do you know?'

'Not much,' she conceded. 'But from looking at you I'd say it's been a while since you had a decent meal. Am I right?'

The teenager shrugged. 'So?'

'So you've got no one looking out for you.'

'I'm eighteen!'

'Well, we all need someone now and again,' Nikki answered with a small smile. 'Jessie, why did you lie about PC Noble assaulting you?'

'I didn't. She hit me,' the girl said quietly and with a lot less gusto than in her original declaration.

'Okay, supposing she did,' Nikki persisted, watching the prisoner carefully, 'why would she do it?'

'I dunno, maybe she just likes hitting people!'

'So you didn't do anything that would warrant it? You didn't attack her first?'

'No!'

Sighing, Nikki nodded. 'Alright. If you need anything I'm just down here, okay?' When Jessie refused to acknowledge her, she closed the cell door and moved back down the corridor where she found Diane evidently listening in. 'Hi.'

Diane frowned as she watched her lock the gate. 'What was all that about?'

'I'm just doing my job,' she replied, going back to the desk.

'No, you're making her think she can get away with making allegations like that!' Diane argued.

'So what was I supposed to do?' Nikki queried. 'Leave her crying down there and ignore her?'

'Yes! She's a lying little cow!'

'Well, I'm not so sure about that.' When Diane raised an eyebrow, she hastily added, 'I just mean that I think that's she got problems and…'

'You actually think I did it, don't you?' the constable interrupted. 'You think I hit her.'

'Of course I don't! But it has to be investigated, you know that.'

'Yeah,' Diane answered angrily. 'Investigated, not given credibility!'

Nikki shook her head. 'I'm not doing that. It sounded like she needed someone to talk to, that's all.'

'Fine. Sarge,' Diane muttered before storming off down the corridor.

Resting against the desk, Nikki let out her breath. Diane had a right to be frustrated with the allegation, of course she did. Things like that were always frustrating. Yet how could she accuse her of giving the notion credence? She didn't believe the accusation for a minute, but procedures had to be followed. Diane knew that as well as anyone.

'Sarge,' Tony said when he came into custody later that afternoon. 'I've just had a run-in with Brad Dolan in the front office. He was kicking up a right stink about seeing our little Miss Garrett.'

Nikki frowned. 'Did he get violent?'

'No, but I'd say he definitely had it in him. And he said something strange as well.'

'Really, what?'

'He said that Jessie couldn't have done what she'd been arrested for because she'd been with him all week. Now, either that's a straight lie or…'

'Or he was her accomplice in the burglary,' Nikki concluded for him. 'You didn't find the stolen goods with Jessie, did you?'

'No. We thought she might've sold it on already.'

'But maybe she never had them in the first place. It's worth looking into,' she added.

Tony nodded. 'Anything that helps get Diane off the hook. Maybe she'll be less inclined to lie if he's in custody.'

'Well, we can hope,' she said carefully. 'Oh, and Tony? Mention this to Inspector Gold. She hasn't interviewed Jessie yet and it might help when she does.'

When Will and Tony brought in Brad Dolan an hour later for possession of stolen goods Nikki barely contained her smile. 'Hello, Brad. Didn't expect to see you again so soon.'

'Got bored, didn't I?' he muttered.

'Shame you didn't just get bored by yourself really,' she commented.

'I'm gonna kill that bitch for dobbing me in,' he snapped.

'You keep talking like that and you won't have a hope of bail,' she warned.

After putting him into his cell, she stopped by number five and looked in. 'How are you feeling?'

Jessie was on her feet and pacing whilst chewing on her nails. 'Was that Brad?'

'Yeah, we found the stolen goods with him. You'd have done yourself a favour if you'd have told us where they were.'

'I wasn't gonna grass him up!'

'He already thinks you did,' Nikki answered.

Jessie groaned. 'You told him I did?'

'Of course we didn't. He jumped to conclusions, that's all. Look, Jessie,' she went on after a moment of deliberation, 'you'd better seriously think about your options. And maybe start telling us the truth. It'll help you in the long run, trust me.'

'Nikki?'

'Yes, Ma'am?' she said, glancing up as the Inspector approached the desk. 'Is there a problem?'

'I can't get anything out of Jessie Garrett, she's not mentioning the assault or anything now. She's adamant she'll only speak to you.'

She sighed. 'That's a bit inappropriate, isn't it?'

'Yeah, I'm aware of that, but as it stands we've got no confirmation as to whether she wants to make this complaint official. We need to know one way or the other so if you think you can handle it…'

'It's not a question of that, Ma'am,' she interjected. 'I just…'

'Nikki,' Gina interjected, 'you've assured me you can retain your objectivity and I trust that. Alright?'

She nodded. 'Yes, Ma'am.'

Settling herself into the chair, Nikki watched as Gina switched on the tape and commenced the interview. Then she asked, 'Is there something you wanna tell us, Jessie?'

The teenager played with her fingernails. 'What you said before… You were right. I lied.'

'About the assault?' Nikki queried carefully, mindful that Gina was present. 'Or something else?'

'That copper didn't hit me,' Jessie muttered. 'I tried to run off and she stopped me is all.'

Nodding, she asked, 'Why did you lie, Jessie?'

'I was angry. I wanted to get her into trouble.'

'You could get yourself into serious trouble with allegations like that,' Nikki replied, glancing towards Gina. 'If PC Noble wasn't responsible for your injuries then who was? We had confirmation that they were inflicted today.'

'It was Brad,' said Jessie quietly. 'The burglary didn't go great, I'd been seen and he didn't like it so he whacked me.'

'I don't understand why you blamed it on PC Noble initially,' Nikki persisted. 'You must have known we'd find out the truth eventually.'

'Maybe you'll lock me up then, eh?'

'Is that what you want?'

Jessie shrugged. 'Why not?'

'Because you're eighteen! You've got a chance to turn your life around if you want it. There're support agencies to help you find work, find help if you need it. You're not on your own and you don't have to rely on people like Brad Dolan.'

Finally, the girl nodded. 'I'm really sorry. I didn't get her into trouble did I?'

'No,' Gina answered. 'You've told the truth now, that counts for something.'

As they left the interview room, Nikki placed her hand on Jessie's shoulder. 'Takes a lot of guts to admit you lied, you know.'

'What, you'd know, would you?'

She smiled as she guided her back towards the cells. 'As it happens, I would.' Glancing to her left, she saw Diane waiting in the custody seating area for her. Swallowing, she took Jessie back down to her cell.

'PC Noble,' Gina Gold said curtly. 'A word in my office.'

'Yes, Ma'am,' was the reply and Nikki heard the retreating footsteps as she returned to the desk. Briefly she wondered what Diane was thinking but since she was now off the hook she didn't suppose it mattered all that much. The allegation had been proved false; that was the only important thing.

'You look like you need a drink.'

Nikki smiled wearily at Gina when she glanced up to find her in the doorway of the Sergeants office. 'Mmm, I probably could.'

'Regretting coming back, are you?' the Inspector queried.

'No. Well, maybe,' she said with a shrug. 'Nothing a good sleep won't cure.'

'Especially if it's induced by a big drink.'

'Something like that,' she answered as Superintendent Heaton appeared next to Gina. 'Hello, Sir.'

'Good work today, Nikki,' he said with a brief smile. 'I was impressed.'

When he'd carried on down the corridor, Gina raised an eyebrow. 'High praise.'

Nikki let out her breath into a snort. 'Mmm.'

Some more footsteps echoed outside, several pairs. Diane appeared behind Gina, alongside Emma Keane and Sally Armstrong, all three were smiling until the grin slid off Diane's face when she noticed her sat there. 'Hello, Ma'am, Sarge.'

'We're just going to the pub if you want to join us,' Emma put in. 'It's been a long day.'

Nikki tried to smile. 'I've got plans.'

Diane wasn't looking at her. 'Come on, I need a drink.'

The trio disappeared and Gina looked back over. 'For crying out loud, I'll buy you a drink!'

She shook her head. 'No, I do actually have to meet the kids. I think I'm seeing more of them now than I did when I was living there. Not that I'm complaining.'

'No, course not. Well, another time.'

'I'll hold you to that, Ma'am.'

'Now, come on,' Doug said, dropping into the chair opposite her. 'You haven't been right all evening. The girls are settled so you might as well talk to me.'

'It's nothing,' she answered with as much conviction as she could manage. 'Just a nightmare day at work, that's all.'

'It must really have been something to get under your skin.'

Doug could always read her perfectly, about work at least. He'd known her too long and he knew it took a lot to shake her in that environment. Of course, she couldn't explain the entire situation but… 'Just a complaint,' she said finally. 'You know how it is.'

He conceded that with a shrug. 'Don't let it get to you,' he advised. 'It's just a blip.'

Nodding, she tried to smile. 'I know that.'

Doug watched her for a moment then stood. 'Wait here.'

Letting him leave the room, she attempted to infuse a bit of happiness into her face, however difficult a task it proved to be. He was right: she'd been off in her own world most of the night. It was fortunate that the girls didn't notice; they'd both been too hyperactive and argumentative to recognise that her head was elsewhere.

When Doug returned he motioned for her to follow him into the living room. Sitting down on the sofa, she watched him fiddle with the CD player then smiled as the opening bars of one of her favourite albums started up.

Everybody screamed when I kissed the teacher…

'Do you want a drink?' Doug questioned. 'I've got a bottle of wine in the fridge.'

'I probably shouldn't, I've got the car.'

'You can always pick it up in the morning. It's not like you lives miles away.'

Considering that, she eventually shrugged. 'Alright, yeah.'

'Good. Beats drinking alone, doesn't it?'

She couldn't argue with that. The alternative at the moment was going back to her cold flat and brooding on the events of the day. At least if she was here her mind would be kept occupied. Settling back into the sofa, she listened to the music with a small smile playing on her lips.

'Always cheers you up, doesn't it?' Doug observed when he came back in as the track was ending. 'Always has.'

'What can I say, I'm easy to please.' she answered, taking the glass of red wine he passed her and placing it on the table.

You can dance, you can jive,

Having the time of your life…

Suddenly, Doug pulled her to her feet. 'And I know how to make you smile as well.'

She laughed as he began hopelessly dancing, almost to the music. When he held out his hand, she shook her head. 'I'm not dancing with you!'

'At least we're not in public this time.'

That was a good point- no public humiliation like the last time. But she still resisted. 'No!'

He grabbed her nevertheless. 'Come on! You know it'll make you feel better.'

Letting go, she let herself go with the flow for the duration of the track. When it began to fade, she stepped away but Doug twirled her back into his arms as the next track began- this one was slower.

I've seen it on your face,

Tells me more than any worn-out old phrase.

So now we'll go separate ways,

Never again we two,

Never again, nothing I can do…

Nikki felt she should pull away but his arms kept her resting against his chest. Slowly relaxing her tense shoulders, she let him move her slowly around the room, trying not to remember that the lyrics of that particular song were very reminiscent of what they were really going through. It didn't matter all that much; she was just getting lost in the music and she presumed Doug was too.

I've watched you look away,

Tell me, is it really so hard to say?

'Nikki,' Doug said quietly, surprising her with the fact that his voice was so close and yet so soft, 'Do you feel any better?'

'Not at the moment, no,' she admitted.

His arms wrapped tighter around her, making her breath catch. 'Just forget it all for a while.'

Yes, I know I don't possess you,

So go away, God bless you,

You are still my love and my life,

Still my one and only.

As the song ended, she pulled back and turned away. 'I should leave.'

'Nikki, hang on,' he muttered, grabbing her arm. 'You don't have to. It's alright.'

'No, it's not, Doug,' she answered. 'I shouldn't be…'

'Dancing?' he interrupted. 'There's nothing wrong with that. But if you're not comfortable with that… just sit down. I don't want you leaving looking like you do.'

'What do I look like?' she questioned, glancing back to him.

'Unhappy,' he said simply with a small shrug. 'And that can't be right, can it? Nikki, sit down. Drink your wine.'

Doing so, she focused back in on the music then, realising the next song was the rather inappropriate 'Knowing Me, Knowing You', said, 'Skip the next track.'

After briefly meeting her eye he did so then came to sit beside her on the sofa with his own glass of wine. 'You know the great thing about work?' he said a few seconds later.

'Go on, enlighten me.'

'You can leave it at the door,' he replied. 'That's where it belongs.'

'I know. Just not always that easy,' she said.

'Now, whoever said it was easy?' he questioned, clinking the rims of their glasses together. 'Cheers.'

'Cheers.'

A minute later she felt herself smiling as her favourite song came on. Doug was watching her and smiled himself.

Are you sure you wanna hear more?

What if I ain't worth the while,

Not the style you'd be lookin' for?

'I dimly recall a karaoke incident,' he murmured.

She looked sideways at him. 'The one that was never gonna be mentioned again?'

'Mmm, that's the one.'

'Don't you dare. Not if you know what's good for you.'

'You know, I always wish I'd got it on camera for posterity.'

'I'd had three bottles of wine!' she argued. 'And you weren't one to talk- who started the conga with the bar staff?'

'Guilty,' he answered with a grin.

Are you sure you wanna hear more?

Won't you have a drink with me,

Just to see you're not really sore?

'Top up?' he asked.

Recognising she was a little low, she nodded and scooted closer to him. As he poured their fingers brushed and she felt him willing her to look up. Suddenly she became aware of the distinct lack of distance between them; their knees were touching and now their eyes were locked. Before she knew it he was kissing her, his arm slowly wrapping around her waist.

Coming to her senses, she pulled away, almost knocking the bottle out of his hand in the process. Stumbling to her feet, she backed out of the room, grasping at her coat in the hallway.

'Nikki,' he said, following her out. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm leaving,' she said, her voice trembling.

'Why?'

'Why?' she repeated incredulously. 'Because this can't happen!'

Approaching her, he reached for her hands. 'Yes, it can. And you want it to.'

Swallowing, she tried to argue that point but her mind was too fogged up from the wine she'd consumed. What if that's what she did want? After all, they'd successfully managed for ten years and…

Shaking her head, she moved out of his reach. 'No, Doug,' she muttered before leaving and letting the brisk night cut into her.