"This might sting a little" I said to Max as I dabbed the grazes on his knuckles with antiseptic. Max had escaped with grazed knuckles, Steele wasn't quite so lucky, he had a broken nose and a bust lip. I'd gotten into the middle of them and split it up.

"Ow Ow Ow Ow!" he moaned.

"Dont be such a softie."

"I'm not, it really hurts"

"Yes you are! I'm being as gentle as I can."

"Rosie, I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"Doing what I did."

I smiled at him and looked into his eyes.

"I'm not! I'll never forget what you did for me. It was like you were trying to protect me, and I'll always be grateful." I looked down feeling shy.

He looked down and moved a piece of hair from my eyes, and tucked it behind my ears. He put his hand under my chin and lifted my head up so that we were almost touching and he crushed his lips onto mine, this time it was like last night, I responded and the next thing I knew we were standing up. He walked me over to the bench and lifted me on top of it. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer, I began unloosening his shirt and he with mine, I was pulling him even closer to me, I could feel every part of him against me and it made me want him more, when we heard the doorbell ring. We jumped apart and began to button our shirts, I tucked mine in and put my jumper back on.

"Max, your lips!" I exclaimed as he was about to open the door.

"What about them?" he asked

"You've got my lipstick on them."

"Shit, you answer the door."

He ran upstairs to the bathroom. I opened the door to DI Manson. I gestured for him to follow me into the kitchen.

"DS Carter is just at the loo. I'm sure he won't be long. Do you want a cup of tea sir?"

"I'll have a coffee please, milk, two sugars."

I stood up and put the kettle on. And we both sat at the breakfast bar.

"Sir, can I ask what this is about?"

"Rosie, there's been a complaint made by James Steele about an assault on him by Max Cutler."

"Well thats it then isn't it. Max will get suspended and we won't get Steele."

"Actually it couldn't have worked better for you both, this is your chance to get him off and show you're bent. That way he'll see that Max is a crook."

"Now you say it sir, the more it sounds believable, so the game's not up yet?"

"It's just beginning." Said Neil

We heard the toilet flush and Max run down the stairs he burst into the kitchen and saw Neil sitting.

"What's wrong?" asked Max.

"Steele's reported you for assault. And Rosie is going to get you off. I've got to give the signal and the cavalry will come and arrest you."

"Okay." Max nodded.