Chapter Seven
April 2014
Stevie sat on the sofa, waiting for him to enter, Kate had left a good few minutes ago and Stevie was finding it hard to work out why he hadnt stormed into the living room all guns blazing, playing true to his fiesty character and giving her a true piece of his mind, after all, it was what she deserved. She pushed her locks behind her ear and sighed to herself, he head was banging, infact her hang over was craving a glass of water and some pain relief, but clearly he wasnt ready to speak to her just yet. She coulnt quite believe she had slept with a man she barely knew, despite her reputation at work she had always been responsible and had never dragged a man home for sex like she had last night. She burried her head into her hands and sighed, she had giving him an ultimatium and he had ignored her, she had told him she couldnt carry on with the situation and he hadnt ended things with Kate and that had hurt her, so he was just as much in the wrong, wasnt he? She used all the courage in her body to rise to her feet and head out and into the hall. He was sat on the stairs, he looked confused and she wasnt quite sure what she was meant to do, did she comfort him, tell him she was sorry or fight her ground and tell him he was the one in the wrong, after all he was the one with a girlfriend. She rested down next to him on the stairs and a slight smile traced her lips as she stared at him, his eyes had remained on the floor and she sighed as she placed her hand to his. "Smithy..." she spoke softly, she got no response. She placed her hand to his leg and smiled "We really should talk about this Smithy..." he cut in "You said you loved me" he spoke and she nodded "I do". He smiled "Really?" he asked as he glanced accross at her and stared "So you didnt sleep with him?". She glanced at him "It wasnt like that" he stared at her "How... you had sex with someone else Stevie.." his voice softened slightly as he said her name and she couldnt help but feel ashamed of herself. "I.. was drunk Smithy.. and I was angry with you.." he cut in "So it was my fault?" he asked and she shook her head "No.. thats not what I meant..." he sighed "How many ways can you not mean to cheat on someone?" he asked and she glared at him "D'you have any idea how hard it is for me Smithy... seeing you and Kate.." he stared at her "You knew that... I have never lied Stevie... you always new that I was with Kate... and I told you I would end it... its you that made me stay with her.. until last night.. and I was all set to end it and then..." he rose to his feet "I cant do this" he stated as he walked into the kitchen, she followed "So what happens now?" she asked and he turned back to her and shook his head "Nothing... now I am going to start making plans for my wedding" she frowned "What?" she asked. "I am going to make things work with Kate... you havent really giving me an option.." she cut in "No.. we can still be together.." he shook his head "I dont want to be with you... not after this.." she sighed "But I love you... I have always loved you Smithy.." he smiled "I hope it was worth it then... because of last night.. we have both lost everything" he walked off and she sighed as the tears slowly slipped down her cheeks.
That day drifted past slowly and although they were home alone together, he had avoided her, he had stayed in his room, only venturing out for the toilet and for drinks. She had been up and knocked but he had ignored her, she had never intended to hurt him, infact it was the last thing she had wanted to do. Hearing the front door bang she sighed as she heard the woman in the hall on her phone. "... so excited.. I really cant wait.. and that he has finally aggreed to set a date.. I was thinking this time next year.." she headed into the living room and smirked at the blonde as she sunk down oppoisite her. "It is going to be a very small wedding... just family". Stevie sighed as Smithy walked into the room and Stevie sighed as he sunk down next to the woman "Hello sweetheart" he grinned as he pecked her lips. She smiled as she said her goodbyes on the phone and moved into his lips "I missed you today.." she smiled. He nodded "I missed you to darling" he grinned. Stevie pushed up and Kate smiled "You have a meeting next week with DCI Manson.. to disscuss your future at Sunhill.." Stevie cut in "What?" she asked glancing between the two staring at her. "I have had to speak to him about your preformance..". She shook her head "I dont believe this.. you cant do this.." she glanced at Smithy before back to Kate "I have put my whole life into making my career". Kate shrugged and Stevie sighed "Smithy?". He smiled at Kate before back to Stevie "Its not my place to get involved Stevie... its a CID problem..". Stevie nodded "Thanks.. I am glad you can sweep the fact I am not your problem under the carpet so easily". She stormed out of the room and up the stairs, she couldnt quite believe Smithy had not stood up for her, he had always stood up for her and now he seemed to be leaving her out in the dark.
A futher three days passed and he was still ignoring her, she was finding it all very difficult, her job and the man she loved was hanging in the balance. Arriving at the station early on Monday morning she sighed, today was the day she found out where she went next, if they decided she didnt have a future at Sunhill then that was it, she would have to pack her life up and move on. Her meeting was scheduled for eleven, so deciding on a coffee before hand, she rose from her desk about twenty past ten and made her way to the canteen. She ordered her drink before heading over to a table and sinking down. She remained in her own thoughts for several minutes before the chair infront of her shifted and the Sergeant sunk down "Ok?" he asked and she smiled slightly "What do you reckon?" she asked. He sighed "You know... you really hurt him Stevie... he is completly heartbroken". She glared up at him "And I am just walking on air Callum... he hurt me too.. and whatever happened between us he is standing by why his girlfriend does everything possible to get me sacked... if I lose my job I will never ever forgive him". She rose to her feet and seeing him stood beind her she sighed "Excuse me". He stepped aside and she made her way to the door. Callum smiled to him slightly "She is hurting to Smithy.." he rested down into the seat she had vacated and shook his head "She doesnt get the right to hurt.. she cheated on me". Callum smiled "What and nothing has happened between you and Kate since you declared your undying love to Stevie..." Smithy glanced down and Callum nodded "Yeah I thought as much.. now are you seriously gunna stand by why the top brass hang her out to dry..." he asked before rising to his feet "Because if you love her as much as you say you do... you will want to help her.. no matter what".
Stevie returned to her desk and got her files before glancing into Kates office, she knocked on the door and smiled slightly "I just wanted to say Maam... what ever happens.. no hard feelings.. we will still have to vertually live together" she let a smirk grace her lips before she rose to her feet and moved over, pushing the door closed, she laughed slightly, turning to face the blonde DS "As soon as I finish you off here... you will be long gone from that house.. do you really think Smithy wants you round anymore?" she leant forward "You served your purpose when you cooked his dinners and did the cleaning for the last few years.. but now he has me... so I think it is about time we start talking prices for me to buy you out.." the door opened and the two glanced at the man, he nodded slightly "They are ready for you Stevie.." Smithy spoke and she nodded "OK" before she walked out the room. "This will be a fresh start for us Smithy" Kate spoke and he pushed the door closed "No.. I dont want you getting her sacked.." she smiled slightly "Well you were all for it the other day.." he sighed "When I thought she was in the wrong... but this is just a personal vendetta... so put it right.. now" he stated pointing to the phone "She is a liability.." he cut in "No.. she is a good copper and whatever she has done... she dont deserve to lose her job".
She knocked lightly onto the door and smiled as they called her in. Jack was on the phone and Neil gestured to the seat the other side of the desk from the man "Take a seat Stevie.. we will be with you as soon as Inspector Smith arrives". She gulped "Smithy is coming..". Neil nodded "Yes... we thought it best if we involved him... you have worked closely in the past". She noded slightly "Its just... he is uniform.. I though DI Kenley would be the more likely choice". Neil smiled "Kate is on the phone.." he gestured to Jack before turning back to Stevie "We want you to have a fair hearing Stevie... and we know you and Kate have never seen eye to eye... and I will not allow this to turn into a witch hunt.. you are a good officer and we both know that". Jack hung up and smiled at her "How are you Stevie?" he asked and she smiled slightly "In all honesty.. I am a bit worried Gov... my job means the world to me..". He nodded "We know that". The door knocked and Smithy walked in, nodding at the two men he smiled at her gently and she let her eyes fall to the floor. The super rose to his feet and smiled "Ok.. I have read through the file DI Kenley prepared Stevie and I have to say I am dissapointed with what she has to say... however after speaking to her on the phone.. and what DCI Manson and Inspector Smith have to say.. I have decided that we will be putting you on a six months probabtionary period.. I am expecting a vast improvement DS Moss... or my actions will not be as leanient... due to your history with DI Kenley.. and the fact DCI Manson just doesnt have the time.. Inspector Smith will be over seeing your progress... so you will be required to attend a target meeting with him once a week... the first one is scheduled for after this meeting... I will meet with you monthly to see if you are reaching the targets you set". She sighed slightly "I dont need targets to do my job Sir... I am a good police officer... I just need the chance to prove myself.." he interupted "We know what you are capable of Stevie... we just need to see it again" he gestured to the door and nodded to Smithy before the two men exited from the room "I have to say good luck Stevie... DI Kenley has made her mind up about you... I need you to prove her wrong... Smithy will be waiting in his office for you".
She sighed as she paused outside the room, she gulped back, she had been giving a lifeline but here she was having to put all her trust into a man she had recently hurt and who hated her now. She knocked gently on the door and he shouted "Come in" she pushed the door and headed inside, closing the door behind her before moving over and into the chair opposite him. "I have been thinking of some targets.." he cut in "Are you for fucking real Stevie... after everything you want to talk targets?" he stressed and she stared at him speechless for a few moments before glancing to the folder Jack had giving her, "I erm.." she frowned to herself "I want to start by rebuilding my relationships with my colleagues.." he cut in "I want to talk Stevie.." she shook her head "This isnt about us.. this is about me making my career work". He glared at her "If it wasnt for me.. you wouldnt have a career.. it was me who got Kate to drop the whole thing Stevie..." she laughed "Oh.. you want me to thank you Smithy... thank you for standing by why your girlfriend tried to ruin my life... and for finally growing some balls and actually helping me out.. when you can be adult enough for us to have a disscussion about my future we will reschedule our meeing" she rose to her feet and headed out of the door.
Stevie had worked her fingers to the bone and the office was now empty, it was fast approaching half nine and the evening was dark, she glanced out of the blinds and sighed, she wanted to get home and to bed but she had one point of call on the way. She walked from the station and climbed into her car, she began the short drive to the quiet car park and pulled inside, she flicked her lights off and made her way over to the waiting car and sunk inside "What you got for me Ryan?" she asked the young man sitting next to her. He shook his head "Not a lot Serge... I have looked into her prievious stations, relationships and her teenage years.. other than a few credit card missed payments... she is as clean as a whistle.." Stevie sighed "I dont believe DI Kenley has never put a foot wrong..." he smiled "Im sorry... I did find this though... I dunno if your friend is aware of it..". Stevie looked at the photos and smiled "I dont understand... who is this?" she asked. He smiled "She was all loved up about three years ago... engaged to this bloke.." Stevie smiled "Smithy probably already knows..". Ryan smiled "I went to speak to this bloke... I got the impression he and Kate split on bad terms... he wouldnt go into detail but he was very keen to know where she was.. so I looked into what was going on with him when they broke up... he had inherited some money.. and I mean a fair bit Stevie... and it disapeared from his account while they were together.. the odd few grand here and there... I reckon she was stealing it to set off on her new life... but what I think is strange.. he never reported it so I could be barking up the wrong tree... but you could sound her out on it... she could well be a gold digger". Stevie nodded slightly "Thanks Ryan.. I owe you one". She climbed from his car and watched him drive off before she made her way over to her car. The car park was empty and she glanced round, suddenley feeling very alone. Reaching her car she sighed as she eyed her tyre, how had she not noticed until the very moment she was so alone that it was flat. She climbed into the car and locked herself in before pondering on what her next move would be.
Smithy sunk down with the cup of tea on the sofa and pecked his girlfriends lips "You know.." she smiled "I think we could get married before next year... I was thinking September.." he cut in "Thats six months away". She nodded "I know.. but you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.." he glanced down and she smiled "So unless you arent sure?". He smiled "Corse I am sure... its just a lot to organise in six months". She smiled "I will do it... but I think the next step is me giving my place up and moving in here.." he sighed "You know I cant just aggree to that.. I will have to consult Stevie on the idea.." Kate glared at him "And we both know what she will say... I can buy her out..". He sighed "And she wouldnt be able to afford getting somewhere else on what her half of this place is worth... she wont aggree to that anyway... she loves this house.." Kate smiled "Then tell her you want out and we will buy somewhere together.." he smiled "I dont know if I can sell my half... I love this house.." she cut in "So what... how are we ever gunna work with Stevie sitting right smack bang in the middle of our relationship?" she asked. He opened his mouth to answer but his phone cut him off "Speak of the devil" he smiled and Kate sighed "Ignore it... ignore her". He shook his head "I cant.. its late.. she could be in trouble" he leant forward and pecked her lips before he answered the call. "Hello.." he spoke and Kate stared at him "Well call the AA..." he paused and smiled at Kate, taking her hand in his. "Ok.. I will be ten minutes Stevie.." he hung up and smiled "She has a flat tyre.." Kate cut in "So why do you have to go?". He smiled "She is in a car park.. all on her own.. and the AA have said they wont be out for at least two hours... I cant just leave her..". Kate sighed "Well I will come.." he shook his head "You cant... we ordered that pizza twenty minutes ago.. it will be here soon..." he rose to his feet and kissed her gently "Save me some". He walked out of the room and sighed, he would never leave Stevie alone but he had to make things work with Kate.
She climbed from the car and smiled as he approached in his own car, he had taken longer than he had said but at least he was here. "You took your time" she spoke as he jumped out. He glared at her "Well maybe I should get straight back in and leave you too it?" he stressed and she shook her head "No.. you are here now.." he nodded "Yeah I am... and seen as you have just ruined my evening with my girlfriend... a thank you wouldnt go a miss". He moved over to her car and pulled the boot open, she waited a few moments before walking to him "Thank you Smithy". He glanced at her as he began to get the spare wheel out "Where is your jack?" he asked and she shrugged "I have one in my car" he stated before slamming the boot and moving to his own car "What are you doing here anyway?" he asked. She sighed "Meeting a colleague". He nodded "For what reason?" he asked. She sighed as he gestured inside the car "Is the handbrake on?" he asked and she nodded "Yeah... because I asked him to do some digging for me... he works at Barton Street and he is a good friend". Smithy nodded before begining to jack the car up. He began to remove the wheel nuts, a few moments later he passed the wrench to her "Hold this" he stated and she sighed "He has been looking into Kate for me". Smithy climbed out from under the car and wiped his hands down his shirt and glanced to where she stood leaning against his car, just a few feet away. "Why?" he asked. Stevie shrugged "Cause I.. I dunno.. I was hoping she would have some skelentons in her closet" he shrugged "Whatever she has in the closet she hasnt slept with someone else Stevie". The blonde frowned "She was engaged.." he cut in "I know... she doesnt lie to me..". She smiled "So why did she break up with him... cause I know it was to do with money..". He laughed "Is that what your friend told you?" he asked and she suddenley felt uneasy "They were trying for a baby... spent a fortune on IVF and it didnt work..." Stevie gulped, she really had got it all wrong "She left him and cut all contact because he became violent... he spent a load of money trying to have a baby and it just wouldnt happen... so maybe you should try and get your facts right... and you call yourself a good copper". She glared at him "Dont you dare.." he cut in "You are a slapper Stevie... and you always have been". He moved to where she was leant and laughed "I dunno what I ever saw in you..." he ran his eyes down her figure and laughed "You are no better than the tarts I arrest for selling it on a street corner". She rose the wheel wrench, she could feel all her anger building inside her "Go on... hit me.." he laughed. She hated the way he was being with her and all her anger festered in her as she moved the wrench closer to him, he grabbed it from her and chucked it on the floor, oh god what had she done, she was actually going to hit him with it, and she knew for damn sure he would be seething now...