A/N: My second favourite couple is Phil and Gina, and since this is an alternate version based on the stories of Heartbeat, I wanted to write how their relationship started differently :)

Happy Halloween!

August 21st 1966.

Kate potted about the kitchen making breakfast, happily going about her usual routine in the morning before she started her rounds in Aidensfield, but the words from Sandra, a visiting friend a few days ago, played on the back of her mind. Then, of course, a letter had arrived informing her that Sandra had spoken up on her behalf and Kate had been offered a job in Whitby surgery two days a week to assist the local doctor there. Kate was in two minds because if she took the job, it would bring about a few changes in not just her life but Nick's also.

Kate had loved working in the surgery with Alex, getting to know everyone closely, but now that Alex was gone, along with that surgery, Kate felt forced back to square one, and she was ready to accept a new challenge, feeling like the Whitby surgery was exactly what she needed. Kate had pushed the letter aside for the time being because Nick's recovery was more important to her; no new challenge would steal her away until she knew that Nick was completely healed, but the letter couldn't be ignored for much longer, and sooner or later, she would have to talk to him.

Nick padded into the kitchen, his long blue pyjamas covered loosely by the open robe he wore. A sleepy smile appeared on his face when he saw his wife making toast. Nick shuffled forward and snaked his arms around her, stopping Kate from buttering the toast. "Morning," he mumbled as he planted small kisses on her neck. Kate turned in Nick's arms with a small grin and inclined her head for a better kiss. "Any chance some of that toast is for me?" he asked cheekily.

Kate chuckled and gestured to the teapot on the other side. "Pour me a cup then," she told him and popped two more slices of bread in the toaster. He smiled at her and poured the teas, bringing them to the table as Kate finished buttering the toast. She set a plate down for Nick and slid a jar of marmalade next to it. Nick watched her for a moment while she waited for her toast before eagerly spreading the sweet jam over a slice. Kate shook her head fondly at the excessive amount, just grateful to see him almost recovered.

Quickly buttering her toast, she finally joined him, declining the offer of marmalade with a playful eye roll, and as she started eating, she noticed his eyes on her again and looked up with a smile. "What?"

Nick shook his head. "Nothing."

Kate stared suspiciously. "I thought I was the only one allowed to be cryptic around here, Nick Rowan."

Nick chuckled at her mischievous smile. "Can't I simply gaze at the one I love without a reason?"

Kate became more suspicious. "Alright, what are you up to?" Her expression fell serious for a moment. "Are you alright? You're not still in pain anywhere, are you?"

Nick leant back in his chair, smiling at her sudden worry and quickly shook his head to reassure her. His recovery was almost over, and he barely felt any twinges at all anymore. "I'm fine, love. I'm back to work in a week. Actually looking forward to it. Not that I haven't enjoyed seeing you more," he grinned, "I just can't wait to get out of this bloody house further than the garden." Kate smiled knowingly and waited for him to elaborate. "I was thinking about Christmas," he finally said and took another bite of his toast.

Kate snorted a laugh. "Christmas is four months away. My birthday is before that."

"Is it?" Nick grinned. He wiped his mouth free of crumbs and gulped his tea. "What if we went away? For Christmas I mean. I'll have a word with Blaketon, and I'm sure if I suggest plenty of overtime leading up to it…."

Kate looked at him in surprise. "Are you serious?"

Nick smiled. "Why not? We've spent the last two here, and as nice as it is, I think we deserve to go away at least once."

Kate couldn't believe it, and if she hadn't spoken to Sandra or received that letter, she would have been over the moon by Nick's suggestion. It seemed as though he'd been pondering on this for a while. The reality hit her like a freight train because the moment he suggested the holiday, her mind immediately went to the new job, which meant she had already made up her mind without knowing it. Telling Nick came sooner than she expected.

Nick regarded her thoughtfully; he could sense something was bothering her, and his instincts flared. "We don't have to," he began, though he couldn't figure out why she looked so deflated about it. Nick knew Kate, and his suggestion wouldn't cause this reaction if there weren't a good reason.

Kate scooted closer and reached to grasp his hand. "Nick, I need to talk to you about something."

…

Two months later. October 22nd

Nick stared thoughtfully with a furrowed brow at the poster pinned to the Ashfordly station's notice board, holding a mug of tea in one hand and a file in the other. The damn thing had distracted him for a good five minutes, and he was quite sure the two people behind were highly amused by this, but Nick didn't care and scoffed when he heard Phil's snarky comment to Alf about asking if he was alright, to which Alf replied, 'give him a few more minutes.' Bastards.

Nick finally turned away from the poster with a slightly annoyed glare to his colleagues before gesturing to the poster that had him so perplexed yet intrigued. "What's all this about then?"

Alf smiled, though Nick had known him long enough to see the mock behind it. "Halloween, lad. Happens every year on the thirty first of October."

Nick huffed and turned to walk to his desk. "Yeah, I know what Halloween is, Sherlock. Why's it suddenly coming to Aidensfield?" Nick sat down and placed his tea and file on the desk as he leaned back in the chair. "We've never had something like this before, have we? I didn't think the holiday was well thought of in England, let alone a village like this."

Phil half-turned to Nick with a grin. "Oh, especially a village like this. It's all people can talk about since the news of that fete and the like."

Alf stumped his cigarette out with a sigh as he blew smoke. "Times are changing, lads. Happen this Halloween business will be common popularity by the next decade or so. They already started selling costumes and such for the little ones back in bloody June."

Nick nodded. "Yeah, little Derek Carson was out with his mum buying one."

Alf shook his head. "It boggles the mind."

Phil laughed with a grin. "Anything modern boggles your mind, Alf." Nick joined in Phil's humour when Alf regarded them with half-shock.

"Give over. We all know who's behind the times, and it isn't me."

Nick and Phil suddenly looked up as Blaketon stepped into the room, looking incredibly pissed. "And, my know-it-all constable, just who is this old fuddy-duddy who can't get wi' the times?"

Nick and Phil tried their best not to laugh as Alf looked up at Oscar with a well-practised stone-face expression. "Well, definitely not you, Sarge."

The other two constables shared an amused glance as Phil shook his head incredulously, thinking that Alf couldn't have been more obvious if he had tried.

Blaketon glared at his officers before straightening. "Anyroad, I trust you've all seen the notice board?" They suddenly exchanged anxious glances; when Oscar Blaketon used those words, something bad was about to follow, and they had a feeling their jobs were about to become strangely hectic for a while. "I'll take that as a yes." Oscar turned and pulled the poster from the board and half-slammed it on the desk. "The excitement of this new upcoming fete will surely bring about trouble wi` some of the locals. I trust that not all of Aidensfield will welcome this wi` open arms, but that's the least of my concerns. Those who'll be against this insane idea will probably stop at home like. However, this fete is just the tip of the iceberg. I suggest you all familiarise yourself wi` what this menacing holiday is all about. Ventress?"

Alf glanced up. "Yes, Sarge?"

"What do yer know about these Halloween traditions?"

Alf tilted his head with a slight grin. "I like ter think I know quite a bit, Sarge."

Oscar gave them a tight grin. "Enlighten them, why don't yer."

Just as Blaketon turned back to head to his office, he called, "Oh, and Rowan?" Oscar regarded Nick carefully. "Your beat being the heart of Aidensfield, expect things to get a bit – strange for a while. Be vigilant!"

Nick shifted uncomfortably, much to the amusement of his two colleagues; what was that supposed to mean? As if his beat wasn't peculiar enough. "Yes, Sarge." Wasn't he always vigilant? Blaketon should know that by now, so Nick was somewhat put off by his words.

"And Bellamy, Ventress! Don't think you'll get off lightly either! When that fete first arrives, you two will be first on the scene to check it out! Rowan will have his hands full for a few days, but rest assured he'll be there to relieve the second on watch, and I'll let you sort that out between yer." It seemed all too much; they had fetes all the time, but this one had definitely ruffled some feathers. "One other thing. Regarding days off. Since you'll all be working overtime leading up to and when the fete arrives, you can bet any upcoming time off is scrapped!"

Phil groaned. "But, Sarge!"

Oscar glared hard at Phil. "We're all in this together, Bellamy! I don't like it any more than you do, but sometimes it's just tough luck!" The sergeant relented slightly. "Be that as it may, I'm willing to give you extra time away from the station in exchange, so have a gander at the roster and get on wi' it!"

The three sighed. "Yes, Sarge."

Phil looked at Alf miserably. "First things first. Who takes first patrol when the fete arrives? Cause yer know that'll be the harder one. Of course, whoever takes first will have the privilege of getting it over and done with, right?"

Nick rolled his eyes amusedly. "I'm more worried about the person I take over from." The two gave him a quizzical stare. "I mean, between Alf and his laid-back approach, and Phil's obvious distraction of the female persuasion, especially if a certain barmaid of Aidensfield Arms is in attendance, I'm not exactly gonna get the most informative of handovers, am I?" Nick grinned at their forlorn expressions. "Anyway, I reckon all this hype is for nothing." Phil and Alf raised an eyebrow, wondering what changed Nick's mind so suddenly. "Well, you know what people round here are like. Something abnormal like this comes along and the next thing we know they're demanding us to get rid of it. I hardly think the village will jump on this with a welcome wagon."

Alf shrugged. "I dunno, Nick. I think it sounds like a laff. I mean, sure yer get the odd crow or two banging on about travellers and such, but fetes and fairs are always well perceived."

Nick gulped the rest of his tea and stood up to collect the other mugs. "I didn't say all of them, just this one."

Alf raised his eyebrows. "Care to wager that, Nick my lad?"

Nick became sceptical. "Hang on, you haven't told us what you know yet."

Alf feigned an innocent expression. "Haven't I?" Nick regarded him sternly. "Of course, I'll tell yer, but it won't change owt."

Nick sighed in defeat. "Alright, how much?"

Alf grinned at him. "Fiver says this holiday is a right success."

Nick scoffed. "A fiver? On your bike."

Alf thought for a moment. "Alright, three, and a pint at pub."

Nick glanced at Phil, who shrugged. "You're on. Now," he held up the mugs, "who wants another cup?" The two nodded eagerly, and Nick made his way to the small kitchenette.

Phil turned to Alf with a grin. "It's a shame they only make costumes for kids, if yer know what I mean."

Alf furrowed his brow and groaned in dismay. "Oh… that's distasteful." Phil rolled his eyes; Alf was just a bit too prudish sometimes. "What might young Gina think of that I wonder?"

Phil chuckled. "Ay, you know Gina, she's actually got a sense of humor."

Alf's face fell. "Well, this humourless constable is taking second patrol of the fete."

Phil suddenly paled. "Oh, come on, Alf, don't be like that…"

Alf grinned at his colleague's crestfallen expression. "Looks like I have a sense of humor after all."

Phil sighed with a pout. "You mean you'll take first?"

Alf chuckled. "Needs must, I suppose, but I get first dibs on some extra hours off."

Phil smiled. "Done." Nick returned to his colleagues with full mugs and a packet of biscuits under his arm. "What are we gonna do about the roster anyroad?" Phil asked, gratefully taking a tea.

Nick shrugged as he sat on his desk. "I'm not bothered really. I'll leave you two to mess about with it."

Alf tilted his head and gave Nick a somewhat mother-hen stare. "Yer can't take it all on, Nick."

Phil nodded in agreement. "Alf's got a point mind, yer gotta take a bit of time yer daft beggar."

Nick shook his head with a smile. "If we always adjust the roster for extra hours off when working overtime, then it wouldn't be called overtime, would it? Besides, some extra money in the pocket never hurt anyone, what with Christmas coming up."

Alf raised an eyebrow. "Oh, aye? Extra gifts for the missus?"

Nick chuckled. "Well, I gotta stay in her good books somehow, and with Kate working two days a week in Whitby, we'll have to make the most of it."

Phil groaned. "Oh, that's it, rub it in the pair of yer. Having someone at Christmas and the like."

Nick turned slightly, unwilling to acknowledge that sore spot.

Alf leaned forward. "Well, I'm no pretty girl, but you're welcome ter join me and Mrs Ventress. She is rather fond of yer anyroad, and if I didn't ask, she'd have me stuffed instead of the turkey."

Nick laughed.

Phil seemed genuinely surprised. "Yer mean that?"

Alf waved a hand. "Why not. Be no harm."

Phil smiled sheepishly. "Thanks."

Nick stood up and made for his jacket. "Well, now that you two ladies have settled that," he joked with a grin, "I'm off. I'm already late for patrolling as it is, and if I've got my work cut out for me, I better get a handle on it now."

Alf looked up in surprise. "Ay up, what about the info on all this Halloween stuff?"

Nick doubled back and poked his head around the corner. "You're minding the shop aren't you Alf?" He smiled pleadingly. "Type me a list?" Without waiting for a reply, Nick quickly left the station.

Alf stared in disbelief and looked at Phil. "Type him a list? Who does he think I am?"

Phil chuckled. "You'll do it though, ay?"

Alf sighed and pressed a cigarette between his teeth. "Still. What if I were busy like."

Phil snorted amusedly. "With what? Seasoning your unshelled eggs and annoying Blaketon?"

…..

Nick stepped through the door of the police house, distracted by the list Alf had given of things to look out for, so he hadn't heard his wife call out to him until he walked through the kitchen and blinked when fingers clicked in front of him. Nick looked at Kate and smiled apologetically before kissing her and sitting at the table, unbuttoning his jacket. "I hope that's important enough not to greet the wife who slaved away at the stove all day on her day off." Kate turned to give him a mischievous glance before checking on the oven.

Nick smiled and pulled at his tie. "It's about this Halloween business."

Kate chuckled and stirred the pan of gravy. "Oh, right, I've heard. It's all anyone would talk about when I was on my rounds today. Kids especially. I reckon it'll be the first of many, you know. Times are changing, and what used to seem off-putting is becoming quite attractive these days. I wouldn't be surprised if it's big by the next decade."

Nick scoffed lightly. "You sound like Alf."

Kate chewed her lip. "I think it sounds like fun. You don't think so?"

Nick continued to read the list, so he didn't see Kate's disappointment. "It sounds like a lot of hassle." He flicked the paper. "Look at this. Kids dress up and go door-to-door where occupants are expected to give sweets. Some kids are known to throw eggs if sweets or treats aren't given. Trick or treat." Nick seemed annoyed. "That's just asking for trouble from anyone; they don't need a costume for that."

Kate tried to contain her laugh. "Nick, you sound like you've never heard about this in your life."

Nick huffed; was he the only one who disagreed with this? "Kate, this isn't a guidebook, it's warnings." He regarded the list carefully. "Now I know why Blaketon was on edge about it. He warned me my beat could be a bit hectic for a while."

Kate smiled sympathetically and came up behind him to wrap her arms around his neck. "Aidensfield is a tight-knit community, love. All this hype has only been brought on by the upcoming fete. I think the village just seems keen on fitting in for when it does. Someone must have known something before now otherwise there'd have been no need for that costume hut a couple months back."

Nick's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I didn't think much of it at the time."

Kate smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "But if you don't seem keen on the idea, I guess it doesn't matter."

Nick frowned, and his eyes followed Kate to the sink, where she began washing peeled potatoes. "What does that mean?" Kate was silent for a moment, and when she didn't respond, Nick grew suspicious. "Kate?" When she told him not to worry, a feeling of guilt overcame him, but he didn't know why. "Tell me, love." Nick sighed in defeat, but as he glanced back at the sheet in his hand, something caught his peripheral vision, and he abandoned the list for the familiar poster. "This is about the spooky fete. We have one on our notice board."

Kate turned slowly toward him. "They're going around a lot."

Suddenly, Nick realised why Kate seemed so upbeat and turned to her with a soft smile. "Is this your way of saying that you wanna go?" Kate smiled at him. "And I'll take that smile as you want to go together?"

Kate chewed her lip before skipping over to him and sliding herself on his lap. "Look," she said, taking the poster from him, "it's got spooky fun rides, apple bobbing, pumpkin contests for adults and kids, even the food looks great. There's a setup for kids in the day, and at night they do something for the adults where I'm sure alcohol is involved. I thought it would be a nice evening before I'm back in Whitby." Nick chuckled, and Kate looked at him with a huff. "What?"

Nick smiled reassuringly. "Nothing. I just don't think I've seen you this excited about something."

Kate leaned toward him. "Except our wedding," she smiled.

Nick grinned at her and closed the gap. "I dunno," he muttered, "honeymoon was nice too."

Kate pulled back and slapped him playfully. "Just for that, no dessert."

Nick laughed and stood up to reclaim his hold. "Now, why would I want dessert when I've got someone as sweet as you."

Kate shook her head in disbelief and turned with a sly smile. "Nicely saved, PC Rowan."

Nick kissed her slowly. "I thought so."

….

Kate grumbled and turned irritably in bed when the phone rang, echoing through the house. She pushed on Nick's back to nudge him out of bed, but he protested. "Nick….phone."

Nick groaned and rolled on his back, struggling to open his eyes. "Why can't you answer it?"

Kate shimmied under the covers and nudged him again. "Nick," she whined, "please… I'm freezing."

Nick threw back the covers thoroughly on purpose so that the cover came away from Kate, and she cried in frustration, cursing his name as he quickly stood up, reached for his robe, and jogged out of the bedroom. Kate hastily reached for the quilt and wrapped her whole body up.

Nick rubbed at his eyes as he answered the phone half-asleep. "Aidensfield police?" Nick listened to the panic-stricken voice. "Alright, calm down. Are you sure?" Nick closed his eyes momentarily. "Yeah – yeah, alright Mrs Higgins, I'll be right there." Nick hung up with a sigh and made his way back to the bedroom. "Oi, don't get too comfy. I want some of that quilt back when I get home," he told his wife humorously as he shuffled into his trousers before grabbing his shirt.

Kate poked her head out slightly, and Nick smiled at her sleepy face. "You're going out?" She half-glanced at the clock. "It's three thirty in the morning."

Nick nodded ruefully and quickly leaned down to kiss Kate on the forehead. "Back soon. It's probably nothing."

Kate tightened her cocoon and mumbled, "Be careful."

Nick smiled and left the room.

…..

Nick knocked on the door of Mrs Higgins' home, at least ten minutes away from the police house by bike. "Mrs Higgins?" He knocked again. "Mrs Higgins, it's PC Rowan." As Nick was about to give up, the door opened slightly to reveal the small old lady peering up at him. Nick smiled kindly despite his objection to coming here. The old lady was known for her tales of imagination. Kate suggested she was just lonely and wanted the company, but since there was no malice in her calls, they couldn't charge her with wasting police time. Ever since Mr Higgins had died, Mrs Higgins frightened easily, and it seemed as though she only trusted Nick because she never made calls to the station; Nick suspected he was the only one who gave her the time, but if he fobbed it off and something did happen, he would never forgive himself. "Can I come in?"

The old lady opened the door with a smile and allowed him inside. She shut the door and trotted off to the kitchen. "I've put the kettle on," she told him gleefully.

Nick wiped his feet and shook his head. Figures. "Thank you, Mrs Higgins."

Nick smiled when she placed the tea in front of him, watching from his stool as she poured herself a cup. "Now then, Mrs Higgins, about the noise. You said you heard something in your garden?"

Mrs Higgins chewed her lip briefly before reaching up to retrieve the biscuit tin from the top cupboard. Nick scooted off the stool and moved to grab it for her. He regarded her quizzically as he handed her the tin, and she smiled up at him and tapped his cheek. "Such a good boy."

Nick rolled his eyes and returned to his seat. "Mrs Higgins, please don't take this the wrong way, but do you remember when you last called me here, telling me there was a UFO outside your bedroom window, and it turned out to be an umbrella, but you were too scared to look?" Nick smiled softly. "Did you really hear any noises tonight?"

She looked at him in surprise. "Of course I did! I wouldn't call you away from that lovely wife of yours so late if I didn't."

Nick chuckled; there was just no being cross with someone like Mrs Ethal Higgins. "Alright, fair point. What sort of noise did you hear?"

Ethal shook her head. "I din't mean ter waste your time, Mr Rowan. Happen it were the neighbour's cat."

Usually, he had no patience with time wasters, but Nick felt sorry for her; she was genuinely guilty when there was nothing to worry about. "Well, why don't I take a look anyway?" He then gestured to the biscuit tin. "And how about you keep that on the side from now on." Ethal chuckled and nodded.

…

The next morning saw Nick Rowan parked outside between two cottages, and as he demounted his bike, one of the owners of the left cottage emerged. The man was probably in his late fifties with a cranky attitude towards everyone. Nick found him hard to deal with sometimes, but he usually kept out of trouble since he rarely socialised, and the only one the ratty man would budge an inch for was Kate.

"Good morning, Mr Lester," Nick greeted and stalked toward the cottage gate as the man came to meet him. "What seems to be the trouble?"

Lester gave him a glare as though Nick was supposed to already know the answer. "My pumpkin patch!"

Nick waited for Lester to elaborate, but when there was no reply, he prompted, "What about it?"

Lester grumbled. "It's missing!"

Nick raised an eyebrow in surprise as he followed Lester toward the house. "You mean, someone stole it?"

Lester turned with a glare. "What are you bobbies doing at that station? Of course someone stole it! Typical incomers," he jeered and continued toward the house. "I thought coppers from London were supposed ter have their heads screwed on, but happen you've got yours on too tight."

Nick stopped for a moment and took a deep breath to stay calm. "For the sake of argument, I'll ignore that remark so that we can get this sorted and I can be on my way."

Lester huffed and stepped into the house. "Don't let me keep yer."

Nick shook his head. It was going to be a long day.

When Lester led Nick into the garden, the first thing the constable saw was disturbed compost and pulled-up grass, along with some awful track marks. "You weren't wrong about the patch, Mr Lester." Nick surveyed the area along the track marks. "I didn't think the carving contest was your thing, sir." Nick turned with a slight smile, but Lester seemed unamused. "The contest that's being held at the upcoming fete."

Lester waved a hand with a grunt. "Don't talk rubbish, constable. I've been growing pumpkins for years."

Nick was surprised. "Really?"

"I make pies wi' em and nothing more! I sell them ter make a few bob and the like. I promised one to yer missus 'n' all for free since she's the only one I can stand."

Nick gave a small smile. "I'm sure she would have appreciated it, Mr Lester."

Lester shook his head and stepped forward. "I've had no trouble in all me years growing these, but then this stupid fete and ghastly holiday came about, bringing with it their evil and ridiculous traditions, and now look what's happened!"

Nick tried not to laugh at the unintentional pun and focused on the mess in the garden to see if he could spot any clues. "Any idea who could have stolen your pumpkins, Mr Lester?"

Lester watched as Nick circled the garden fence toward the gate where the tracks stopped and turned to face him. Lester pointed toward the neighbouring cottage. "That blasted old codger who recently moved in next door!"

Nick sighed at the random accusation. "Why would your neighbour want to steal your pumpkins, Mr Lester?"

"He's been gawking at my pumpkins for days! It has to be him!"

Nick looked down and pushed the gate open where the tracks started again, but as he turned back to the garden, he spotted something across the fence. "Are you quite sure about that?" Nick gestured for Lester to join him, and there, sprayed in red, were the words – TRICK OR TREAT.

Scratch the long day.

It was going to be a long week.