Sorry for the delay on this chapter, I have been on holiday

May 2018

Stevie was disappointed things still hadn't progressed with Smithy, every time she thought their relationship would develop, something would get in the way. Declan appeared to be in a serious relationship with Mel, the young PC seemed happy and every attempt she had made to warn her, ended with Stevie looking like the bad guy, thus she had given up. Tonight there was some sort of a party, something Callum held regularly, although CID were never invited. This time Stevie was invited, Callum had agreed to make an exception, forced seemed more likely. She sat on the sofa pulling on her high heels as Smithy appeared, looking gorgeous in a pair of grey jeans and black t-shirt. He was pulling a black hoodie on as she stood up. "Wow" he smiled as he caught sight of her, she had on her dress that Smithy had got her to replace her mother's present. She had curled her hair and applied a subtle amount of make up. "Stevie, you look absolutely stunning"

"Thank you" she replied coyly "You look good too Smithy"

"You about ready?" he asked

"Yes" she moved towards him at the door "Smithy, thank you for inviting me"

"Course"

"I know this is uniforms break from CID and that it wasn't easy for you to get me invited".

"We all need a bit of eye candy" he took her hand and held it above her head and twirled her round "And you are certainly that Miss Moss"

"So I'm just a bit of eye candy now?" she giggled

"In that dress you are definitely eye candy" she headed out towards the front door, his hand gripped tightly onto hers "Although, I'm certain it would look better on my bedroom floor" she felt his body closer as his lips gently pressed on to the back of her neck. She relaxed as he closed the gap between them and his lips moved round her neck, he turned her to face him and she felt the door against her back as his lips found hers, the kiss was passionate, his tongue skilfully applying pressure to hers. They were both gasping for air as they separated and he moved her hair from behind her ear. "We really need to get going" he spoke before pressing a gentle peck to her lips and reaching round her body to open the door.

Stevie had been sat in Callum's communal garden, it was a nice space, very green for London. He had cooked a great bbq and the alcohol had gone down a treat. She had been chatting happily to Jo and Kirsty most of the evening. She had noticed Smithy and Callum head inside a few minutes ago, she made her excuses and followed, desperate to get some time alone with the Inspector. She stopped in the hallway, listening to the men in the kitchen. "Give it a rest Stone" Smithy had said

"I'm just saying, when are you going to tap that?"

"It ain't like that"

"I thought you wanted in Stevie's panties?"

"Just stop mate, you are sick"

"You telling me you don't want to nail her?"

"Of course I do but you are making her sound like any other bird"

"What is it about her?"

"In all honesty, I don't know. I look at Stevie and I know she is the most important thing in my life, I would honestly do anything for her, I'd die for her"

"I get it, she is a little cracker, not many men would say no to taking a ride on her"

"Do you have to talk about her like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you have zero respect for women Callum" Stevie spoke as she entered the room "When was the last time you actually got laid Sergeant Stone?"

"Not as long ago as him" he laughed as he pointed at Smithy

"Yeah but I'm going to change that for him, how many women you got dying to get into bed with you tonight?"

"Alright DS Moss, you made your point" Callum laughed as he moved to the door "Don't ware him out to much though, he is an old man and I'm on an early with him tomorrow" Callum walked out the room and Stevie turned back to face Smithy.

"That was ballsy" Smithy smiled

"Was it?"

"The cheeky Stevie is definitely breaking her way back in" he moved over and gently placed his lips to hers.

The kiss had become intense quickly, he had lifted her onto Callum's kitchen table and hands slowly rubbed up and down her bare legs. She could feel his excitement, he wanted her and she wanted him, this was perfect, nothing could ruin this moment. "Smithy" Jo's voice interrupted, clearly she was wrong "Oh shit, I'm sorry" she spoke, clearly embarrassed by what she had walked in on "Dec has just got here"

"I thought it was just uniform" Stevie spoke quietly as Smithy moved from her body

"It's meant to be" Jo blocked Smithy from leaving as she spoke "Think" she said, nodding to where Stevie pushed from the table "He came to pick Mel up and he had a crate of beer with him"

"So everyone just forgets he is an arsehole?" Smithy shouted

"I think I might just leave" Stevie stuttered as she headed to the door.

"Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" Declan asked as he entered the room, Mel close behind

"You, need to go" Jo spoke

"Stevie, you are looking stunning, new dress" Declan laughed

"Don't you dare fucking talk to her" Smithy shouted as he grabbed hold of him. Declan dropped the beer he was holding, Jo and Mel attempted to pull Smithy from him but the Inspector was too strong "I swear to you, I am coming for you"

"And you say I am the violent one Stevie?" Dec laughed. Callum arrived to pull Smithy off just before he attempted to hit Declan. "Real nice bloke you got here" he laughed as he took Mel's hand and left the room.

"Jo, could I stay with you tonight please?" Stevie asked

"Of course"

"Stevie please" Smithy spoke as he moved to her, she backed away

"Please don't Smithy" she moved further away from him "Don't touch me".

The following morning had come all too quickly, Smithy had tried to call, he had text and asked Jo to convince her to talk to him. Stevie had gone to work and as she sat talking to Mickey in the canteen, she found herself lost for words as Smithy and Callum entered. They both looked over and Stevie diverted her attention back to Mickey who was chatting away oblivious. "Stevie, can we talk, please?" Smithy asked as he stood by the table, Callum ordering for them at the tills

"Later Smithy" she replied, noticing Declan now heading over "I need to go"

"Stevie, can I have a moment?" Declan spoke

"No" she responded

"Please Stevie" Declan grabbed her hand as she walked past which she quickly pulled away, she could see Smithy fighting every natural urge in his body not to hit him "I ended things with Mel last night"

"Okay" she spoke

"I have referred myself to anger management and therapy" he took hold of her hand again and he looked genuinely distressed "But I need you, I know I don't deserve it but give us another try, I will make everything I did to you right"

"I don't know what to say" she whispered "Smithy" she spoke, looking to the Inspector

"Stevie, you know how I feel about you but if your heart is with him, if you love him, you owe it to yourself to try. All I want is for you to be happy and if that's not with me, then you should do what is right for you. I will always be here for you as a friend"

"You really are a pathetic little lap dog aren't you" Declan laughed.

Stevie glanced between the two in front of her. Mickey and Callum both stood behind them. All eyes waiting for her to decide? Smithy or Declan?

Thanks for reading!