Heya guyz, soz I haven't updated 4 ages. I haven't been very well so I haven't been able to write as much as I like. Plus I've had coursework coming out of my ear holes as well. Just a quick reference, if anyone saw the 2006 Strictly Come Dancing final, you'll understand why one of the songs in this chapter has been included. Plz R&R luv Gemz xx

Chapter 8- Christmas Party hi-jinks

A few days later, it was the whole of Sun Hill had been waiting for. Sun Hill's Christmas Party had been arranged for tonight. The whole relief had been looking forward to this party and it was guaranteed to be a good tonight.

Sam and Francesca spent most of the day in CID, knee deep in paperwork. Both of them making occasional trips to the coffee machine to get another fix of caffeine. 'Are you still coming to the Christmas bash tonight?' Sam asked Francesca later that afternoon.

'Course I am, sis. I wouldn't miss it for the world,' Francesca replied. 'It'll me the chance to get the rest of the team.'

'Anyone in particular?' Sam asked.

'Maybe,' Francesca replied, smiling.

'Hey girls,' Phil came up the stairs and approached Sam and Francesca.

'Hi Phil,' Sam said as he kissed her cheek.

'What are you talking about?' Phil asked.

'Tonight's Christmas Bash,' Francesca replied.

'Right, I'd better get back to the pile of paperwork that's waiting for me on my desk,' Sam said and she went back up to CID.

'What exactly were talking about and don't give me any of this 'Christmas party' crap,' Phil said, a little more aggressively.

'What did you think we were talking about?' Francesca replied, dodging Phil's question.

'You know exactly what I thought you were talking about,' Phil said.

'Oh, you think I've told Sam about us. 1 night 10 years ago. 10 years ago and you could still pay the price. You forget Phil Hunter that I hold the dynamite that could destroy your relationship with my sister so I suggest that you calm down and stop acting like you've got something to hide. Which I know you have,' Francesca replied.

'Have you told her?' Phil asked, a bit more forcefully.

Francesca stayed silent for a few moments. 'You'll just have to wait and see,' she finally replied and walked back up the stairs towards the stairs and back up to CID.

Phil stood there and watched Francesca head through the doors to CID. Had she really told Sam about their one-night-stand? He didn't know. If she did know the truth, how would he be able to explain it without losing the one woman he loved above everything else? Phil decided not to go and find them; he decided to ask her at the Christmas bash that evening. He was hoping that she'd be more forthright if he didn't go racing in and jumping to the wrong conclusion.

Sam and Francesca finished off their paperwork at about 5:00; Phil was still out on a job so they took Francesca's car back to their house. Sam went to her en-suite bathroom to have a shower; Francesca went into the other bathroom. Sam finished at about 5:30 and went downstairs, wearing just a dressing gown. She entered the living room and found Francesca in there painting her nails. 'Do you want a drink?' Francesca asked as she looked up and saw her sister.

'Yes please,' Sam replied.

'Could you get it please? These are still drying,' Francesca said, holding up both her hands.

Sam shook her head and smiled. 'Go on then,' She finally said.

Phil arrived back at about 6 and went through to the living room. 'You been drinking already? 'Phil asked.

'Only a little,' Sam replied. 'Just to take the edge off.'

'You two will be drunk by the time you get to the party,' Phil remarked.

'No we won't Phil, you worry too much,' Francesca replied 'I'm going upstairs to change.'

By 7:30, Sam, Phil and Francesca were downstairs waiting for their taxi. Sam was wearing a stunning black, backless, halter-necked dress. Phil couldn't remember seeing this particular dress before. When Sam turned around and he realised the dress was backless, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. Francesca however, had chosen a knee-length red number with silver accessories. They heard a horn beep outside. 'That's our cab,' Francesca said as she looked out of the window. 'Come on you two, let's get this party started.'

Sam, Phil and Francesca arrived at the pub at about 8. They all headed straight for the bar. 'Bottle of your finest champagne please,' Francesca said to the barman.

'Did I hear someone mention champagne?'

Francesca turned around to see who spoke. It was Gina. 'Welcome to the team, DS Simmonds,' She said.

'Thank you ma'am,' Francesca replied.

'Gina,' Sam said. 'Francesca's my sister.'

'Sister?!?' Gina replied. 'Well, you kept that quiet.'

'I know, I didn't expect her to turn up,' Sam said. 'But I'm glad she has.'

The barman came back with a bottle of champagne. Francesca poured out a number of glasses and left them on the bar. She passed glasses to Sam, Phil, Gina and a few others. Gina passed one over to Dan, who'd come over to join them. 'Right then, it looks as though we're all here so I'll get to the point. I'd just like to say thank you to all of you for making me feel welcome at Sun Hill. I'd like to propose a toast, onwards and upwards,' Francesca said.

'Onwards and upwards!' Everyone repeated as glasses clinked together.

The crowd eventually dispersed. Francesca stayed sat at the bar; she was watching Sam and Phil on the dance floor. Dan come over to her at the bar, 'Can I buy you a drink, sarge,' he asked.

'I think that you can drop the 'sarge' when we're off-duty, Dan,' Francesca replied.

'OK then Francesca, can I get you a drink?' Dan asked again.

'Yeah, I'll have a vodka please Dan,' Francesca replied.

'Coming right up,' Dan replied.

He came back a few minutes later and brought back Francesca's vodka. 'Thanks Dan,' Francesca replied.

'So, what's a nice girl like you doing down here if you don't mind me asking,' Dan said.

'I moved down from Yorkshire. Sam's my sister you know,' Francesca replied.

'Yeah, I'd heard rumours,' Dan replied.

'Anyway, I came back to try and make things up with Sam, we hadn't seen each other for 4 years and I wanted to make things up with her,' Francesca said.

'Hmm,'

'Anyway, I'll see you later, Dan thanks for the drink,' Francesca said as she got up off her seat and left the bar area.

She walked towards the dance floor as a song began to play:

My mind's on fire
My soul's on fire
Feeling hot hot hot
party people
All around me
Feeling hot hot hot
What to do on a night like this
Music sweet I can't resist
We need a party song
So with a rum bum bum
Let me rum bum bum bum

Olay Olay Olay Olay Olay Olay Olay Olay
Let me rum bum bum bum
Let me rum bum bum bum
Feeling hot hot hot
Feeling hot hot hot

Feeling hot hot hot

(Hot Hot Hot- Arrow)

After the song finished, Francesca looked over at Sam and Phil, who were still on the dance floor. Sam's head was resting on Phil's shoulder and his arms were snaking around Sam's waist. He noticed that Francesca was looking at them and left Sam to go and see her. 'What do you want?' Francesca asked.

'A word. Outside now,' Phil replied and made his way to the door.

Francesca followed Phil outside; she knew what this was about. 'What is it you want?' She asked.

'The truth. Did you tell Sam about us?' Phil replied.

'You're looking scared Phil. What is it? Worried that I'm gonna jeopardise your relationship with my sister?' Francesca asked.

'Just tell me whether you've told her or not,' Phil replied.

Francesca stayed silent for a few moments, 'Don't worry, you're secret's safe,' she finally said.

'Why didn't you tell me this earlier?' Phil asked.

'I just wanted to see you squirm. Do you really think I'd want to be the one to break my sister's heart?' Francesca replied.

It was Phil's turn to stay silent for a moment. 'No, I don't think you would,' he finally said.

'Good, then Sam'll never find out about us. Unless you do anything that'll hurt my sister,' Francesca replied and went back inside.

Sam came out a few minutes later. 'What was that about?' she asked.

'Nothing,' Phil lied.

'Must be a pretty big nothing,' Sam remarked.

'I was telling her what I've brought you for Christmas,' Phil invented.

'Oh, OK. Come back inside,' Sam said.

She held out her hand to Phil, he took it and followed Sam back into the pub. Sam looked over at Francesca, who sat in a corner with Dan. She and Phil went to the bar to get a drink.

'So are you single then?' Dan asked.

'Yeah, at the moment,' Francesca replied looking into Dan's eyes. 'But I'm open to offers.'

'What do you mean?' Dan asked.

Francesca leant across and kissed Dan lightly on the lips, to make sure that this was what he wanted. When neither of them pulled away, Dan deepened the kiss. 'Do you wanna come back to mine?' Dan asked when he finally pulled away.

'Come on then,' Francesca replied as she picked her bag up. 'But you've got to catch me first.'

'OK then,' Dan said and watched Francesca leave and followed a minute or so later.

Children behave

That's what they say when we're together

And watch how you play

They don't understand

And so we're…

Francesca and Dan ended up by the river. Francesca was running a good few hundred metres in front of Dan. 'Come on slow coach!' She called. 'If you get any slower you'll catch a cold.'

Francesca turned around and noticed that Dan had disappeared. She went and stood by the railings and looked out on the view.

Running just as fast as we can

Holding onto one another's hand

Trying to get away into the night

And then you put your arms around me

And we tumble to the ground

And then you say

Dan was hiding behind a tree, waiting for the right moment to pounce. When Francesca turned her back to him, looking out over the river, Dan decided to make his move. He ran up behind her and poked her in the ribs. 'Ow!' She said.

Dan put his arms around Francesca and kissed her neck. 'I think it's just you and me, now,' he said.

'I think it is,' Francesca replied.

I think we're alone now

There doesn't seem to be anyone around

I think we're alone now

The beating of our hearts is the only sound

(I think we're Alone Now- Girls Aloud)

'Are you coming?' Dan asked.

'Back to yours?' Francesca replied.

Dan nodded and held out his hand. Francesca took it and they walked in the direction of Dan's house.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the pub, Sam and Phil were still drinking at the bar. 'Where's Francesca gone?' Sam asked.

'Don't know,' Phil replied.

Sam put her drink down on the bar and led Phil back over to the dance floor as another song began to play:

Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you
'Cause I've had the time of my life
And I owe it all to you

I've been waiting for so long
Now I've finally found someone
To stand by me
We saw the writing on the wall
As we felt this magical
Fantasy

Now with passion in our eyes
There's no way we could disguise it
Secretly
So we take each other's hand
'Cause we seem to understand
The urgency
Just remember

You're the one thing
I can't get enough of
So I'll tell you something
This could be love because

I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you

(Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (I've Had) The Time Of My Life)

Sam took her head off Phil's shoulder and gazed into his eyes. He smiled back at her and led her off the dance floor. They went back over to their table and picked up their stuff. 'Come on let's go,' Sam said.

'Yeah, I'll call a cab,' Phil replied.

About half an hour later, Sam and Phil arrived back at their house and let themselves in. Phil looked at Sam and smiled. 'I know what's your mind,' Sam smiled.

'What?' Phil asked.

'Come on,' Sam said.

Phil carried Sam upstairs to their bedroom and closed the door behind them. Phil undone the zip of Sam's dress and removed the halter necked strap. Sam's dress fell to the floor and Phil placed her gently on the bed and started kissing her all the way down her body. He stopped when he got to her stomach and looked back up at Sam. She started undoing his shirt and threw it down on the floor. She started undoing his trousers and discarded it in the same way she did the shirt. Phil gently manoeuvred himself so he was now on top of Sam again. He slowly slid down and gently slid down her underwear. Phil gently moved on top of Sam and pushed himself inside her. She felt her excitement grow and with it her groans of pleasure became louder and quicker. She wrapped her legs around Phil's waist, to make sure that he didn't pull away. They lay in each other's arms afterwards, regaining their strength. 'I love you Sam,' Phil said.

'I love you too, Phil,' Sam replied before exhaustion took over and she went off to sleep.