"Is it ok if we go in to see Kate Fleming?" Derek asked a nurse the next morning as he headed to her room. He and James had come to update her on her case after informing Kate and Steve the previous evening that the suspect had been arrested.

"She has the gynaecologist in with her at the moment," the nurse replied, slowing the detectives walk.

"Oh, right," he replied. "Better not disturb them then,".

"You can go in afterwards,".

"Thanks," Derek said as he and James took a seat. "She doing ok?".

"I can't answer that," the nurse replied. "You'll see for yourself,".

"How's her speech coming along?". They were going to have to interview her soon and Wheeler was wondering how they were going to go about that. At the moment it was a bit like talking to Lassie.

"I'm afraid it's still the same," the nurse replied. "We've got her a communications board that we use for our stroke patients so she can spell out what she wants to say if she's having difficulty in getting her point across. It can take a bit of time but it's better than nothing,".

The door to Kate's room opened and a female doctor walked out. She carried a bowl and a speculum in her hands. Derek thought it looked like a torture device.

"We'll head on in," he informed the nurse.

Kate was in bed and Steve was sat beside her. "That's good news," Derek heard him say encouragingly.

Kate had just had a check up following her assault. It had been rather painful as she was still quite bruised and swollen but it looked as though she hadn't sustained any permanent damage to her reproductive system.

"Mind if we come in?" He asked from the door and Steve jumped up. Kate nodded from her bed and the two VCU officers entered and took a seat. "DI Arnott have you gone home yet?" He asked as he noticed Steve was in the same clothes as when he had been released from custody.

"Not yet, sir. Probably pop back for a change of clothes later,".

"Smell," said Kate.

"Cheers mate," replied Steve. "And it looks as though I need to have a shower as well!". Derek smiled. The two officers clearly had a relationship based on good friendship. "How's the interview going?" Steve changed topic.

"We haven't actually been able to question him yet," Derek admitted.

"How come?" Steve asked, getting a bit annoyed. He'd been interviewed quicker than this and he had been innocent.

"Ste," Kate said as she reached for his hand and squeezed it, wanting him to relax. He squeezed it back. Message understood.

"He collapsed as we arrested him and is currently under police arrest in hospital,".

"Here?" Steve asked.

"No," Derek answered. That was all he would say on the matter. He didn't want Steve or Kate to know where Xander was.

"He has some infection at the present and isn't quite up to answering questions, but once the antibiotics kick in, we will be transferring him to Polk Hill and in to our interview room,".

Steve accepted Derek's explanation.

"We are confident that we have enough evidence that concludes without doubt that he was your stalker and attacker," Derek said to Kate. "Your neighbour has been a very busy bee,".

Derek carefully handed Kate some of the photos they had removed from the scene. Kate looked at them. The bastard had photos of her doing everything. She felt violated. The last one was of her and Steve in Steve's bedroom naked, fast asleep in his bed after sex. The sheet only up to their waists as they lay in each others arms.

She looked at the detectives and she knew there must be other photos of her and Steve. At least they had chosen a fairly tame one to show her.

She studied it and wished for all the world she could go back to that happier time. She had a nice contented look on her face even asleep where no bad dreams haunted her sleep like they did now.

She felt Steve take his spot beside her on the bed again and carefully wrap her in his arms.

"There's video as well," Derek added gently to the two lovers.

"I hope we gave him a good show," Steve uttered.

"Found a discarded forensic suit in his bin that had a tear in it and your blood all over it," Derek added. "Forensics have matched it to the scrap of material found on your front door,".

Kate nodded. It was pretty open and shut.

"We will have to take your statement at some point soon, Kate," he added. "We will have a think about how to do that,". Kate nodded again. She wasn't looking forward to that at all.

"Do you know this woman?" James asked as he handed her another photo. Kate studied it and shook her head before looking at him questioning why he wanted to know.

"It looked as though he had turned his attentions to her. Possibly a next victim. We think we can tie him to quite a few peeping tom incidents in the city as well before he moved next door to you,".

At least they had stopped him from doing it to any one else.

A knock at the door interrupted them. It was Superintendent Hastings who had come to visit his officers.

"We'll be on our way. Long day ahead," Derek said as he got to his feet.

"Thank you for all you are doing," Steve said as he grasped Derek's hand to shake it. The two VCU officers left. Derek nodding to Ted as he left as respect to the senior officer.

Steve turned to Kate. "I'm going to go for a walk," he said. He hadn't seen or spoken to Ted since his arrest and was still upset at him.

"Why?" Kate asked. "'s Gaffa," she pointed out. She couldn't understand why Steve would be leaving.

"I think it's because of me," Ted answered for Steve. "As well as seeing how you are doing, I wanted to apologise to young Steven here for my actions,".

"Ste?" Kate asked. He hadn't mentioned anything about falling out with the Gaffer since she had been awake.

"You were very quick to doubt me," Steve accused Ted.

"I know. And I'm sorry," Ted said. "I should have had more faith in you. I just thought -".

"You thought that I had gone back to my old ways and casually fucked Kate for one night only," Steve finished for him. He wasn't in the mood for giving Ted an easy time.

"That's right," Ted admitted sheepishly.

"I didn't," Steve said.

"I know that," Ted replied. He had been informed by VCU that his DI had been released without charge over 24 hours ago when he had phoned earlier to see what was happening. Steve still hadn't returned to work and AC-12 were down a DI. Ted had known instantly that he would be by Kate's side. Not something you would do after a one night stand.

"For the record I could never do that to Kate," Steve admitted as he kissed Kate's hand that was still in his.

"I know," Ted repeated. He had often wondered about Steve and Kate's friendship and how close they were. Looking at them together now he finally had an answer as it was easy to see. "I was just upset that your actions had put you in such a vulnerable position again. It's not nice watching someone you know be handcuffed and led off, believe me. Can you forgive me?".

Steve didn't say anything.

"Ste?" Kate asked. He knew she was wanting him to make it up with his boss.

"Are you always going to make me do what you want?" He eventually teased Kate. He knew she was right. There were much more important things going on in their lives right now without silly arguments.

Kate smiled. She knew she had won and she looked on as Ted and Steve shook hands. "Frens," she said.

Ted had a little difficulty in understanding what Kate had said but luckily Steve was there to translate. "Friends," he explained.