May 2018

Stevie glanced between the two men, it was statistically proven, women return to men who have abused them in the past but here she was with an impossible decision, that in all honesty, couldn't be any easier. She noticed Declan still holding her hand and she placed her other hand on top of his. "Declan, I'm so pleased you are getting help and I really hope you can turn yourself around but I will never come back to you"

"Stevie, I swear to you, I will change"

"I'm sorry Declan. It's not because of what you have put me through and I really hope you can change but I don't love you and I don't know if I ever honestly did, I'm in love with Smithy" she looked to the Inspector who was still looking very uneasy and she grinned at him "I love you Smithy".

She felt the sting to her face. "I'll fucking kill you" she heard Smithy shout. Stevie felt confusion and she suddenly realised she was on the floor, her cheek was throbbing. Declan had hit her. Smithy had Declan pinned to a table, Callum trying to pull him off. Mickey helped her to her feet and she noticed the commotion even more, several officers trying to control Smithy

"I have to get out of here" she whispered, Mickey took her hand and led her from the canteen.

Sat in the FMEs office, Stevie sat patiently as the lady photographed her injury. She told Stevie she could replace the ice to her swollen, bruised cheek. Mickey moved to the door "I'm going to find out what's going on with DI Flynn". He left the room and she found herself suddenly alone with her thoughts. She moved the ice and gently touched her throbbing face, flinching as fresh pain shot through her cheek bone. Hearing a slight knock and the door creek open, she glanced over to Smithy as he entered the room.

"Hey Stevie"

"Smithy"

"How is your face?"

"Looks worse than it is" she lied, it was really hurting

"You look beautiful but then you always do" he sighed as he moved towards her and gently touched her cheek, she flinched away from the touch. "Flynn has been arrested"

"Okay"

"Look Stevie, I'm not going to apologise for the way I reacted to him but what I am sorry for is not being the person you needed in that moment"

"I get why you did what you did Smithy" she smiled "And you are here now, you can be who I need now"

"And who is that?" she shrugged her shoulders, suddenly feeling very shy as he stared into her eyes. "Well, you said you love me"

"Yes, I did, didn't I?"

"So, I guess if that's the case, you love me and I love you, maybe we should think about a relationship?"

"You want me to be your girlfriend?". He moved into her lips, kissing her gently to start with, his hands resting onto her hips, he pulled her to the edge of the hospital style bed she had been sat on, her hands moved into his hair as the kiss intensified. Only the sound of Neil Manson clearing his throat in the door way caused them to part. "Sorry Sir" she muttered.

"DS Moss, I need a statement so DI Watson can question Declan. Smithy, have you written your report?"

"No, I'll do it now" he smiled at Stevie, squeezed her hand gently before leaving. Stevie pushed off the bed and followed Neil from the room.

Smithy had treated Stevie to fish and chips by the river. It had been romantic, he had held her hand, reassured her that she had made the right decision in making a statement. He had humoured her in the effort she had made covering her bruised cheek, assuring her she was beautiful. They had discussed their relationship, they had decided to take things slowly, or at least he had. Since arriving home, all she had thought of was finally moving their relationship on. She had retreated to her bedroom, he was sat on the sofa with a beer. She wrapped her dressing gown round her body, just a tiny red, lace satin nighty underneath. She moved to stand in front of him, he glanced up at her from his phone and smiled "You okay?" he asked. She moved closer to him and his eyes slowly moved over her body, she moved her hand to the bow holding her dressing gown together "We decided to take things slow Stevie"

"No, you decided Smithy". She slowly released the bow to reveal her night dress below, his hand moved to his trousers and he clearly rearranged himself

"If I didn't know better, I would say you are seducing me?". She bit onto her lower lip and held her hand out to him, he stood, taking hold of her hand and following her towards his bedroom.

Thank you for reading