DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters of Jo Masters and Sam Nixon. They are the property of TalkbackThames and shall be safely returned to their original state once I have finished with them. evil grin I do, however, own the characters of Heidi and Toby featured in this chapter, they are mine, all mine!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hope you enjoyed chapter 4! Sorry if I cut it a bit short for some of you .evil laugh No seriously, I'll be writing a new fic which will contain various one shot deleted scenes from this story. So if you would like to read something like this then let me know. I will guarantee that it will contain a deleted scene between Chapters 4 & 5. Anyway, here we go with Chapter 5, let me know if you enjoy it!

Chapter 5:

Waking the next morning at around 10am, Sam found herself to be entwined comfortably with Jo and smiled at the thought of the night before. It had been so wonderful. Never in her life had Sam ever thought anyone could make her feel the way Jo had. She was very tentative, loving and passionate and…

Sam's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of knocking on the front door downstairs. Not wanting to wake the peaceful looking Jo, Sam managed to untangle herself from Jo and found herself a dressing gown, slipping it on as she made her way downstairs to answer the door. As Sam opened the door a young woman, looking about late twenties stood before, a young child in a pram next to her.

"Hi," Sam said.

"Hello, is Jo in?" the woman asked.

"Yeah, she's sleeping at the moment," Sam replied.

"Oh right, are you and Jo…" the woman began.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Sam responded, smiling.

"Well then I'm happy for you both. I'm Heidi by the way," she said.

"Oh, I'm Sam, I think we spoke yesterday on the phone in CID?" Sam asked.

"I thought the voice was familiar," Heidi smiled, "Anyway, I'm just here to drop off Toby. Can you apologise to Jo for me for being early? My mum got taken to hospital this morning and I have to go and be with her."

"Yes of course," Sam replied as she helped Heidi take the pram up the stairs, "How old is he?"

"Seven months," Heidi smiled, "Let Jo know he was restless last night. I'm sorry, I really do have to be going."

"No problem," Sam replied, "Hope your mother gets better soon."

Heidi smiled and made her way back to the car, driving off.

Sam closed the door behind her and took the pram through to the living room. Toby appeared a little upset so Sam took him from his pram and rocked him gently. He smiled, making Sam smile back as sat down on the couch, playing with Toby.


An hour passed and with no sign Jo would emerge, Sam decided to go and check on her. Not wanting to leave Toby on his own, Sam took him with her and entered Jo's bedroom. Jo was still sleeping peacefully, cuddled into the pillow Sam had previously slept on. Sam moved closer to the bed and Toby smiled when he saw Jo. Sam gently kissed Jo's forehead and she stirred. Jo began waking slowly and was surprised when she saw Sam holding Toby.

"What's Toby doing here?" Jo said, sitting up and holding her arms out to Sam for Toby.

"Heidi said to apologise for dropping him off early, said her mother's been taken ill this morning," Sam replied as she handed Toby to Jo, "Oh, she also said that he'd been a little restless last night."

Jo smiled and kissed Toby's forehead.

"You know, you shouldn't really be babysitting in your condition," Sam said, smiling as she watched Jo, "But he does seem more settled than earlier."

"That's because…" Jo paused, a little nervously.

"Jo, what is it?" Sam asked, "You know you can tell me anything."

"That's because I'm not babysitting," Jo replied, biting her lip slightly, "He's my son."

"Your… son?" Sam replied, shocked, "You never said you had a son."

"I… I wasn't ashamed of the fact I have a son, he's the best thing to happen to me in a long time," Jo said, "Until now I could manage."

"Where do I fit in?" Sam asked, a little unsure if Jo even wanted to be with her anymore.

"What do you mean?" Jo replied, as Toby tugged gently at her hair, "Until last night, I never thought I could be that happy in a relationship with someone again."

"So you do want a relationship with me then?" Sam asked.

"Of course I do, it's all I've wanted in a long time," Jo replied.

"You have to promise me no more secrets," Sam said, "This is all a bit of a shock to be perfectly honest and I don't think I can handle anymore for a while."

"That's perfectly understandable," Jo smiled as she pulled Sam closer to her, "All I want is to be with you."

"What do you want for your son?" Sam asked as she cuddled into Jo's side.

"I want him to have a loving, stable environment," Jo replied, "He needs that right now and I owe it to him after everything that's happened. I want that environment to be with you."

Sam smiled and kissed Jo softly. "I'd like that," she said, "It will take some getting used to though."

"I know, and when he's sleeping tonight, I promise we will have a proper talk about everything," Jo replied, "Thank you for being so amazing about this. I didn't think you would be."

"I want to be with you, so why wouldn't I be?" Sam said, looking at the clock, "Look's like I'm late for work, so I think I'll phone in sick and help you with this little one today, after all, you're recovering from being shot and the last thing you need is a seven month old crawling all over you."

"Go and phone work," Jo said, "I think he needs changing."

"I think you're right," Sam smirked, holding her nose mockingly as she left the room to phone the DCI.


Sam sat in the living room having just got off the phone to the DCI who had given her a few days leave, heavily in thought about the events of last night and this morning. It didn't really surprise her that she didn't know Jo had a son, after all, it had only been recently that Sam had taken a real interest in Jo's welfare and Jo wasn't exactly one to show someone she was scared without good reason. Sam realised now how vulnerable Jo had really been since her return to Sun Hill and even before that.

"You ok?" Jo asked as she placed her hand on Sam's leg, "You've been staring into space for the last five minutes."

"Yeah, I'm fine," Sam smiled, looking up at Jo, "Just thinking."

"Okay," Jo replied, "What did the DCI say?"

"He's given me a few days off, so it looks like I have some time on my hands to get to know this little one," Sam said, tickling Toby a little, who giggled.

"Ah, ticklish are we," Sam smirked, as she continued to tickle him, then stopped as he moved closer towards her, reaching out for her. Sam took him in her arms and smiled as he cuddled close.

"That's weird, he doesn't usually take to strangers," Jo said, "Must really like you, like someone else does."

Sam smiled and ceased the moment to give Jo a quick kiss. "What do you feel up to doing today?" she asked.

"Well it's nearly time for Toby's lunch and then nap, so how after we feed him and put him down we curl up on the couch and watch a movie together?" Jo suggested.

"Sounds perfect to me," Sam smiled.

"Mummy," Toby said, holding his arms out to Jo.

Sam passed Toby to Jo. "I'll go and make us some sandwiches and you can organise his food, sound okay?" she asked.

Jo smiled and nodded, getting up and making her way to the kitchen with Sam and Toby.


They both busied themselves in the kitchen for the next five minutes preparing lunch and then all sat down at the table. Jo tried to feed Toby as Sam ate her lunch. Toby threw some food at Jo.

"Hey stop that little man," she said, "Or you'll go hungry."

"Empty threats Jo, you'd never let him go hungry," Sam smirked.

"You try then," Jo replied, "I tell you he's impossible these days."

Sam traded places with Jo and let her eat some of her lunch as she tried to feed Toby. She soon became a victim of Toby's game and Jo couldn't help but laugh. Sam smirked at Jo a little. "Have you tried the aeroplane?" she asked.

Jo shook her head looking a little confused. She watched closely as Sam put some of the food on the spoon for Toby and made plane noises. Toby was mesmerised and giggled a little. "Open wide," she said and as Toby obliged, she placed the spoon into his mouth.

"Good idea," Jo smiled, "I'd never have thought of that."

"Comes with practise," Sam replied, "Though I was a little out of touch until I had a grandson around. Oh god, that makes me sound old!"

"You're not old," Jo said, standing up and kissing Sam's forehead, "Finish your lunch, let me try."

Jo tried Sam's little game with Toby and it worked. Jo fed him until he had finished, then took him from his highchair and cuddled him close.

"I'm going to try and put him to sleep," Jo said, "I'll be in his room if you need anything."

"Okay, I'll clean this up," Sam smiled, watching Jo and Toby leave the room. Jo seemed somewhat a natural.


Jo returned to the kitchen about fifteen minutes later and wrapped her arms around Sam, who leant back against Jo. "I missed having you all to myself," she said softly.

"Me too," Sam replied, turning around in Jo's embrace, looking up at her.

"Thank you for being okay with Toby and with me," Jo said, kissing Sam softly.

"You're very welcome," Sam smiled, "Now we'd best get this film underway before he wakes up."

Jo smiled and followed Sam through to the living room. They both cuddled up on the couch and watched a film, relaxing into each others arms. Sam's head rested against her Jo's shoulder gently and Jo kissed her forehead lightly as her arm wrapped protectively around Sam.


As the credits rolled a few hours later, Sam heard Toby upstairs. Noticing Jo was asleep, she went upstairs and found Toby's room, stunned slightly by the way the room was set out. It was, literally, amazing. Pale blue walls with white fluffy clouds and rainbows. The ceiling was even painted to match and the room was set out so neatly. It must have taken months to do.

Sam picked Toby up and settled him. She walked around the room with him and found the bouncer in the corner. Sam picked up the bouncer, placing a few toys in it and carried it downstairs to the living room.

Placing Toby in the bouncer and giving him a toy, she went and covered Jo over with a blanket, gently placing a cushion under her head. Sam returned to Toby and sat down in front of the bouncer, playing with him.

"Mummy," Toby said.

"Mummy's sleeping, but Sam's here," she said, tickling Toby's stomach a little, "Now what do you want to do?"

Toby giggled and Sam picked up one of the stuffed toys, putting on different voices to entertain the small child whilst his mother slept. He giggled at the different voices and Sam moved the toy into tickle him, making Toby giggle more. Sam continued this for about an hour, when Jo woke up.

As Jo opened her eyes, she smiled as she watched Sam with Toby.

"Hey gorgeous," she said, propping her hand up with her good hand.

"Hi," Sam smiled, "You sleep okay?"

"Yeah, thanks," Jo replied, "You two seem to be getting along well."

"He's cute," Sam said, passing the toy back to Toby and getting up, walking over to Jo, "Just like his mum."

Jo kissed Sam softly. "You're perfect," she said, smiling.

"No that's you," Sam replied, moving back over to Toby, picking him up and kissing his forehead before handing him to Jo.

"What do you feel like for dinner?" Jo asked.

"Anything you like," Sam replied.

"Well did you wanna order a takeaway?" Jo suggested.

"Sure," Sam smiled.

"I'll go and some menus," Jo said, getting up with Toby in her arms to get the menus from beside the phone, handing them to Sam.

"How about Thai?" Sam said as she flicked through the menus.

"Sounds great," Jo replied, "Can you smell that?"

"Yep, someone needs changed," Sam smiled, "I'll take him if you like, give your arm a rest."

"Are you sure?" Jo asked.

"Of course, I wouldn't have offered otherwise," Sam replied, taking Toby from her, "Back soon."

Jo smiled, watching Sam leave the room. She went into a slight daydream thinking about her and Sam happily together with children, married and… Jo mentally slapped herself. What are you thinking Jo? She's barely got her foot through the door and you're already imagining yourself and her together with kids? Okay, so yeah, she's perfect, beautiful, caring and great with Toby, but really Jo! You can't even be sure she wants to stick around. She might do another Tess and run a mile. Oh, I hate it when life is complicated, why can't we both just say I love you and then be together forever… Damn Jo, stop thinking like that!