I should have mentioned at the start of the story that not all the words are mine. They're taken from the script of various episodes and seasons that I have mashed together! Heres the next chapter.

"Kate, can I have a word?" Steve said urgently, interrupting his partner's chat with another colleague the next day at work.

"Sure," she replied a little bemused before excusing herself.

Steve pulled her away and in to an empty ops room before closing the door giving them full privacy. Kate was a little mystified at Steve's behaviour. "What's going on?" She asked.

"Err... Have you heard any rumours going around the office recently?" Steve asked as he glanced out at the main office area keeping an eye on his work mates. Him and Kate disappearing off together might start a few tongues wagging, but nobody appeared all that interested if he was honest.

"No," replied Kate quickly. "Why?".

"Apparently everyone thinks we're sleeping together," Steve revealed.

Kate snorted at the ludicrous news. "Are you sure?" She asked puzzled. That piece of news hadn't reached her.

Steve nodded.

"Where did you hear this?".

"From Dot,".

Kate rolled her eyes. "Dot?!" she repeated. "You don't honestly believe what he's saying do you?".

"He heard it from PC Daniels,".

"I think someone's winding you up, mate," replied Kate totally nonplussed.

"You don't seem all that bothered," Steve said.

"I'm not," answered Kate. "We know it's not true,".

Steve was relieved. He agreed with her. "I just thought I would let you know in case you did hear anything,".

"Right,".

"I didn't want you to think it came from me,".

"Ok,".

"I don't kiss and tell," Steve said defensively.

Kate wondered why he was acting so concerned about the gossip that if was true would probably all blow over in a couple of days. "Good to know," Kate answered.

"Kate?!" bellowed Ted from his office. "Anyone know where DC Fleming is?" was his follow up question when her answer to his summons wasn't immediate.

"I better go and see what he wants," Kate reminded Steve, terminating their talk.

"Yeah, sure," Steve said.

"Don't worry about it mate," Kate said as she turned to leave. "If everyone is talking about us, they'll be talking about something else soon," she advised before leaving the room.

"Thanks for this, sir," Dot said pretending to be grateful to Ted for helping him with his latest case.

He was investigating claims of drugs being used at a local police station and was currently at a bit of a standstill in his investigation. At least that was what he was telling Ted. He had it all in hand, after all, the drugs were coming from him. "I was thinking an undercover officer might help things along," Dot suggested.

Ted looked out at the open plan office as all his team busied themselves with their heavy workload. "We're not exactly flush with those, DI Cotton," Ted replied. "Taking one off their current assignment will make extra work for the others,".

"Completely understand, sir," Dot answered. "If no one can be spared then I will think of another option to explore," he continued. "I was just asking on the off chance that someone may have finished a case," he added, knowing Steve and Kate had just closed their current case.

Dots words reminded Ted of the same fact. "I suppose I could transfer DC Fleming to the case," he muttered.

"That would be very helpful, sir," Dot said, inwardly smiling. The old man in front of him was very easy to manipulate.

"Hang on a second," said Ted. He stuck his head out the door. "Kate?!" He bellowed looking around for the DC in question but drew a blank. "Anyone know where DC Fleming is?" he asked the room but got no answer. Movement at the back of the room caught Ted's eye as Kate came in to view. "Can I have a word, Kate?" Ted asked and waited as Kate approached and entered. She smiled at Ted and Dot in greeting.

"You're pretty much done with your current case aren't you, Kate?" Ted asked once Kate was stood before him.

"Yes, sir," Kate replied.

"DS Arnott can be trusted to tie up all the loose ends by himself?".

"Yes, sir," Kate repeated. "I don't think he can get in to much trouble by himself doing that," she teased. It was well known that Steve usually found trouble quite easily.

"Good," Ted acknowledged. "I'm transferring you temporarily to Dot's case. We require an undercover officer at Moss Heath police station to gain information on the possible trafficking of drugs through it,".

"Yes, sir," Kate replied.

"An extra uniformed PC should be able to slip in to the place relatively easily and un-noticed," Ted suggested.

"Uniformed PC?" Kate asked with dismay . She hated the standard police uniform. It was one of the best parts of being in anticorruption- she could wear her own clothes. And she would be the lowest rank.

"Got a problem with that DC Fleming?" Ted asked.

"No, sir," Kate replied quickly.

"Well on you go," Ted said, dismissing her so she could go and prepare.

"Thanks," Kate said. "Am I reporting to Steve or Dot?" she asked before she left the room. She had to know who her point of contact was.

"It will be DI Cotton for this case," Ted informed Kate who nodded before leaving.

"Now for the difficult bit," Ted muttered to Dot before calling Steve in to the room. He knew that Steve wasn't going to like his news at all.

"So what do you want me to do?" Steve asked after being told of Kate's temporary absence.

"I'm afraid I can't have any more officers working on this, Steve," Ted said. "You'll be back here finishing off your current case,".

"But who's going to liaise with Kate?" Steve asked concerned, suddenly feeling very possessive of his partner.

"I will," Dot jumped in.

"Umm...," Steve said trying to think of an argument why that wasn't a good idea. It proved to be difficult.

"I thought you'd be happy, you know," Dot replied trying to make it sound like he was doing Steve a favour. "Avoid skulking around dark alleys,".

"Yeah it's just...Kate and I have been partners for three years now," Steve pointed out.

"She's a big girl," Ted replied. "I'm sure she'll cope,".

"I understand," Dot said, taking a more gentle approach than Hastings. "You've got a partnership,".

"Yes exactly," Steve said. At least Dot got it. "We know how each other works,".

"I'm sorry, Steve," Ted said, "Like I said I can't spare you at the moment,".

Steve wasn't happy. For some reason the idea of Dot meeting Kate in his usual meeting place made him jealous. He didn't want Dot anywhere near Kate especially after that talk they'd had at the restaurant the other night. There was nothing he could do though. The gaffer would not be swayed.

"Look after her, yeah?" he ordered Dot, resigned to his fate. "She's the best partner I've ever had," he admitted truthfully.

"I promise," Dot said with a hand over his heart.

A loud wolf whistle greeted Kate as she walked through the AC-12 office in the uniform of a PC.

She turned in the direction of the inappropriate noise to see Dot appreciatively looking her up and down from where he rested casually against his desk. "Looking good PC Foster," he teased, using Kate's new undercover name.

Kate flipped him the middle finger. "Piss off, Dot!" she retorted as she gathered a few things from her desk before leaving. She already hated being back in uniform.

Dot chuckled at her retort as he watched her walk off, weaving her way between desks as she did so. Everything was going to plan he thought cockily.

Steve caught up to his partner as she waited for the lift to carry her down to the lobby. He hadn't been amused with Dot's cat call either and wanted to say goodbye to her before she left.

Unfortunately, the lift arrived at the same time as he got to Kate leaving no time to say anything. Kate made to step in to the waiting carriage but was stopped by Steve entwining his forefinger with hers and tugging gently on her arm so she had to turn to face him.

"Stay safe," he told her tenderly. He felt powerless letting her go undercover without his involvement. For some reason he had a sense of dread about this case.

"I will. I promise," Kate said before Steve released her finger and the lift doors closed, removing her from his sight.

With a deep sigh Steve put his hands in his trouser pockets and trudged back to his desk with his head hung low. He missed her already.