"She's goin' ter find out anyroad," Phil said as he opened the door of the police house for Nick. It was five in the evening by the time the two had left the churchyard, called in at the station and checked in at the hospital. Mr Guilbert had been right; Nick had broken his left lateral bone and severely pulled a muscle in his ankle. Even the doctor evaluating his x-ray was surprised that Nick didn't end up with an open fracture when they told him. Apparently, Doctor-patient confidentiality went a long way when Nick asked him not to tell Doctor Kate Rowan how it happened.

Oscar Blaketon seemed extremely annoyed when Phil apprised him and Alf of what happened to Nick, though the two constables knew who he was mostly angry with, and it wasn't his officers but more the person responsible for their plight: Claude Jerimiah Greengrass. Nick was more annoyed that he was forced to have at least six weeks off than how he received the injury, considering he'd only come back to work a month ago. He felt guilty somehow, knowing how much overtime Alf and Phil put in when he was recovering from the estate collapse, which was what prompted him to try and get as much work as he could so that his colleagues didn't have to, not that they knew that. Despite this, they had readjusted the roster for him and Kate to spend an evening together: Nick was forever grateful to them.

"I'm sorry, Phil," Nick said ruefully as they made their way into the sitting room; he couldn't believe his luck when the doctor handed him crutches – again! Nick sighed as he leaned back against the sofa cushions, the effects of the pain relief were starting to take its toll.

Phil sat opposite on the armchair; he knew exactly what Nick was apologising for. "Shut up, will yer? It could have easily happened ter me."

Nick shook his head and glanced at Phil tiredly. "I shouldn't ask this, but will you do me a favor?"

Phil huffed a laugh. "You have to ask?"

Nick smiled. "Will you go check out that teller for me? The fete will leave soon, and I wanna know what she said to Kate and Gina."

Phil looked at him with a brief smile. "Nick, does it matter that much? I mean, alright, what happened today was a bit of a coincidence, but-" Phil's eyes widened. "Hang on, yer don't think she had summat to do wi' it do yer?"

Nick chuckled. "Nah, not at all really. The gravestone freaked me out a bit, but I'm not the only person in the world called Nikolas. Different spelling anyway." Phil shuddered at the memory. Nick suddenly grew serious. "You should have seen her, Phil. Kate, I mean." He sighed and shook his head slightly. "I tried to joke about it, but I made it worse. I've never seen her so upset…"

Phil smiled. "That's cause she loves yer, yer daft beggar!" Phil could see the exhaustion setting in on his friend's face and stood up. "I won't tell her, Nick. I'm just surprised she believed it is all. What are yer goin' ter tell her anyroad?"

Nick smiled wearily. "I'll think of something." He glanced up at Phil. "Thanks." Before Phil turned for the front door, Nick couldn't take the guilt anymore. "Phil, about what happened at the churchyard…when I fell."

Phil turned back and sat on the arm of the single chair. "Right."

Nick looked at the glowing fire. "I wasn't completely honest with you. I was feeling a bit off, and I think all the exhaustion caught up with me quicker than I thought it had. Maybe the chase back at the fete pushed me over. I called you to say that I found it." Nick glanced at Phil with a rueful smile.

"That's right, yer did, and that's how yer knew it were fake." Nick watched his colleague try to piece it together and knew Phil didn't want to say it.

"When I stood up to let you know where I was, I didn't fall in, I passed out, and unfortunately, happened to land on the fake turf which obviously couldn't support my weight with its flimsy nails."

Phil gasped in shock and shook his head. "You stupid berk. Yer should have said sooner. I knew summat were up wi' yer. Heck, even Mr Guilbert asked me if you were alright."

Nick lay his head back against the pillows. "He's not the only one. I think I just thought I could handle it. Tiredness comes with the job, I thought. I didn't realise it was that bad until the doctor that did my x-rays told me that I had anemia from overexertion and gave me some iron supplements."

Phil couldn't believe how Nick could disregard his health so easily when he found the young constable to be usually quite sensible most of the time. "Not that you needed an excuse to rest mind, but at least now you can get it, and you bloody better."

Nick looked at his friend tiredly. "I will."

…..

Phil slowly entered the hut, almost coughing when the strong smell of incense reached his nose, causing his eyes to water. His eyes fell on a round table covered with blue silk cloth. There were purple drapes lining the hut walls, and Phil could barely see anything among the dark décors. There was a gasp to his left, and Phil turned to catch a glimpse of the presumed woman he came to see. He gave a tight-knit smile because he couldn't help but feel irritated by her.

"Good grief," she uttered loudly and blew out a candle as she moved toward him. "Didn't you see the sign?" She switched on the two lamps hanging near the table. "I wasn't ready for new visitors yet."

Phil scoffed. "Is that right? I suppose you haven't had time to scout the area yet looking for new intel." Phil became frustrated at his indiscretion, but he was here unofficially, so anything he said couldn't be held against him.

The woman sighed and gestured toward the table. "Might as well take a seat now that you're here, lovey. You'll be my last customer."

Phil couldn't believe the nerve of this woman. "Is that what yer call em? Customers?" Phil stepped forward. "You frightened the woman I love and my friend's wife half to death wi' your cock and bull stories." Phil narrowed his eyes when the woman tilted her head confoundedly. "You know exactly what I'm talkin' about." Phil watched the woman's expression fall into recognition and was put off by her sudden smile. "D'yer have any remorse for what you do?"

The woman sat down at the table still with her smile. "Your friend, is he a policeman too?" When Phil frowned, the woman chuckled. "Oh, that's certainly ironic."

Phil tried to keep calm, but he couldn't get the image of Gina's frightened features when she rejected his love confession or how Nick described Kate's reaction with such concern. Phil placed his hands on the table and leaned in close. "You're goin' ter tell me exactly what you said to them."

The woman's demeanour changed, and she became sly and uncaring. "Look, love, people come in here and pay to hear what they wanna hear, and I had enough by the end of day, you know?" Phil continued to glare, but it did nothing to intimidate the woman before him. "And since you're an officer of the law and all, I'll give it to ya straight."

…

Kate smiled softly when she was sure Nick was finally asleep. When she came home to find him on the sofa nodding off with his foot in a cast and stitches on the left side of his head, she was frantic, and there was that little bit of information he mentioned about anaemia. Kate couldn't believe it. "I knew I shouldn't have let you leave this morning," she had told him after he explained. Her doctor instincts had told her that something wasn't right, and Nick wasn't just tired or even exhausted. Kate softly kissed his cheek and quietly left the room.

As soon as Kate reached the bottom step, there was a knock at the door. Kate opened the door and smiled when she saw Phil standing there. "Hello, Phil."

Phil smiled. "Hiya, Kate. Is Nick awake?"

Kate shook her head. "No, he's fast asleep. I can get him if it's urgent, but I'd really rather not."

Phil raised a hand. "No, don't wake him. I can come see him tomorrow."

Kate looked at him sternly. "Phil, what is it? Maybe I can help. Come inside." Phil hesitantly stepped through the door, wondering if it was a good idea to let on to Kate that he and Nick planned to pay the teller a visit, but she did have a right to know the truth. Kate led him to the kitchen and made them both a tea before she sat down opposite. "What's wrong? Does it have to do with Gina? I hope you don't mind, but Nick told me that you told her how you felt." She gave a short laugh. "To be honest, I think he was a bit goofy from the meds."

Phil smiled gently. "That's alright, Kate, but it's nowt ter do wi' Gina, or at least, not directly anyroad." Phil wasn't sure how to start; he felt guilty telling Kate this without Nick. "Look, I don't know if Nick told yer that I were goin' ter visit the teller at the fete."

Kate tensed at the mention of it. "No, he didn't."

Phil could see her getting upset. "He were right worried about yer, and to be honest, I couldn't stand how it made Gina feel."

Kate raised an eyebrow. "She told me hers went fine. The woman told her she would get rich and live the life of her dreams." Kate chuckled at that.

Phil smiled sadly. "Well, that's our Gina, ay? Puttin' on a brave face like."

Kate soon realised. "She lied. We both did."

Phil nodded. "You went first, right? That's probably why she lied too. Kate, the woman saw us at the fete that day in the open merchant tent. I were patrolling so she knew I were a copper, but she couldn't figure out which one of yer were with me like, so when yer turned up at hers, she told you both t'same story. It just happened to be a coincidence that you really are a policeman's wife. She didn't say exactly what she said ter yer, but I'm not so daft that I can't guess. We're coppers. Danger comes wi' territory, so it wouldn't seem that surprising if she told yer we would die or summat."

Kate slowly shook her head as she leaned on the table, threading her fingers through her hair. "I feel so stupid, Phil."

Phil frowned. "Don't. That woman had no right ter say that anyroad. It wasn't fair ter you or Gina." A sad smile crept on his face. "I just hope I can convince her that I'm worth the risk of heartache. I mean, I don't get into as much bother as your Nick."

Kate smiled amusedly despite how worried she was. "You're probably right about that. Would it help if I talked to her first on your behalf?"

Phil was surprised. "Yer mean that?"

Kate nodded kindly. "It's the least I can do, and you're right. That woman had no business saying such things, and as Nick's wife, I should have more faith that'll he'll come home safely, and as a doctor, I should be stronger for both of us when he doesn't, even if it's the smallest of injuries. I need to be there because that's what's required of me as a policeman's wife and doctor, and I've no doubt that he feels the same about me. He'll go to any lengths to make sure I'm well protected." Kate laid a friendly hand on Phil's. "And I can see that you'd do the same for Gina."

Phil smiled sheepishly. "You're not wrong on both accounts. Thanks, Kate."

….

A few days later, Phil and Alf were sitting at a small round table in the Aidensfield Arms enjoying a well-earned pint after the Halloween hype had finally died down, and things seemed to be almost back to normal, save for the remaining absence of their other colleague. "He's doin' much better, mind," Phil commented casually as he sipped his pint. "I mean, in himself like."

Alf nodded and stubbed out his cigarette. "I just hope things will be quiet while Nick recovers." Phil chuckled; Alf didn't blame Nick in the slightest, and despite how Blaketon gave Nick a dressing down for neglecting to take care of himself, he didn't either. Their grumbling came from handling Nick's patch, especially when facing the consistent scandals of Greengrass, and hearing other villagers mutter under their breath because of their preferred village bobby, which apparently, neither Phil, Alf, nor Oscar measured up to. "Did Blaketon ever pin Greengrass for that grave he dug up and covered?"

Phil laughed. "He tried, but apparently, there's a caution sign up nearby and no way ter prove it weren't always there. Happen Greengrass put it there that night when ole Mr Guilbert weren't about like."

Alf shook his head. "Crafty bugger."

"Phil?"

Phil looked up in surprise when he saw Gina standing beside him and wiped his mouth of beer foam. "Gina, hi."

Gina smiled and gestured to the side door behind her. "Can we have a word d'you think?"

Phil smiled nervously but stood up. "Yeah, course." He turned to Alf with his brave face and waggled his eyebrows, causing Alf to roll his eyes. Phil followed Gina not so bravely outside. "What's up?"

Gina sighed and turned to face him. "Before I accept you wholeheartedly, PC Phil Bellamy, let's get one thing clear, I don't like games. I'm sick of being taken for a fool, so if this is just a fleeting infatuation for you, then you can jog on, and another thing-" Gina was silenced from her outburst when Phil's lips gently pressed against hers, his hand coming to rest at her nape.

Gina's eyes fluttered open in surprise, and Phil smiled lovingly at her. "Sorry for interrupting."

Gina looked into Phil's eyes and saw nothing but genuine kindness and something she dared not acknowledge yet. "Another thing," she continued after getting her breath back, "you better take care of yourself from now on, 'cause there'll be someone waiting here who needs you to be safe."

Phil's smile brightened, and he felt his knees go weak. It was as if life was playing a cruel joke on him, and he would wake up any minute to find this all a dream, so he decided to bite the bullet and give everything he had. "I love you, Gina."

Gina's eyes widened, and a smile slowly crept on her face. "I suppose I'd look a right prat if I didn't return it after how I acted." Phil chuckled and pulled her close to him before kissing her deeply.

…..

Nick watched Kate longingly from the bed as she slipped into her nightgown and smiled at him mischievously. "How are you feeling?" she asked with genuine concern despite her grin and shuffled carefully into bed, mindful of his ankle.

Nick smiled and moaned softly when Kate leaned down to kiss him. "Not better enough," he complained cheekily.

Kate huffed a laugh, smiling down at him. "That's too bad," she returned the complaint before kissing him again. Her expression became serious as she carefully stroked a hand through his hair. "How did you really get these injuries?"

Nick reached for her hand, stopping her movements to plant a kiss on the side of it. "I told you. I was chasing a kid who stole a cash box from the fete, and I tripped. The ground was raised."

Kate shook her head and regarded him sternly. "Nick, I'm serious. I know you better than that."

Nick knew he should come clean about what happened and felt guilty for thinking Kate would believe such an obvious story. He might as well have told her that he walked into a door and twisted his ankle on some carpet or fell down the stairs. "Look, I'm sorry. I just didn't want you upset again. How about – I tell you the truth, and you tell me exactly what the teller told you, deal?"

Kate smiled. "Alright."

Nick returned the smile but avoided her gaze while he explained, turning his attention to stroking her arm to keep from bottling. "Mr Guilbert called with concerns he had about a recently dug grave that had been left unattended. Phil and I investigated the matter together under Blaketon's order, and we split up. Now, Greengrass tried to cover it up by nailing a sheet of synthetic turf over it because it just so happened to be dug for someone not so welcome here. Bernie, the Parish Priest, and Greengrass were all in on it. I guess they were trying to do a nice thing for what it's worth."

Kate sat up slightly. "Oh Nick, you didn't…."

Nick locked eyes with her with a short smile. "I didn't fall in. I knew it was fake when I found it."

Kate frowned slightly in confusion. "Then how did….?"

Nick smiled sheepishly. "Exhaustion caught up with me. I collapsed and landed right on top of it."

Kate's eyes widened. "Oh god, Nick….you could have been seriously hurt."

"Well, I thought I was. Mr Guilbert was great though. Did you know he was a medic during both wars?"

Kate looked at him in surprise. "I didn't know that." Kate watched him avert his gaze again. "There's something else," she prompted.

Nick shifted on his elbows. "Don't go getting upset, but when Phil and I were leaving for the hospital, we read that the person set to be buried there was a Nikolas Friedrich, possibly he was a German." Nick watched in concern as Kate sat up, but as she turned away, he caught the curl of her lips. "Kate, are you laughing? Not the response I expected, and I'm not sure if I should be angry or relieved."

Kate tried to keep the amusement from her face. "I'm sorry, it's not funny at all really, I just – I feel so stupid now."

Nick smiled and shifted to lean against the headboard. "Come on, love, don't be like that."

Kate wondered what Nick's reaction would be when she told him. "It's what she said, Nick." Kate turned to him and tried not to laugh, but her lip twitched slightly at the confusion on his face. "When she told me that I would lose you, that you would die, those weren't her words exactly. I was so shocked by her guess that my husband was a police officer, and then when Phil told me how she made a guess….Nick, it's all been just a big coincidence…."

Nick smiled and took her hand. "Come on, what did she say?"

Kate chewed her lip. "That you would end up in an early grave." Nick opened his mouth to say something but was too shocked. "Are you angry?"

Nick snapped from his shock and smiled. "Course not. It's funny though, Phil said the exact same thing to me when we arrived at the churchyard, only he was on about my health." Nick huffed a laugh. "Bloody bastard jinxed me." Kate smiled amusedly as she drew closer to him. "She did get one thing right, though. I did end up in an early grave, just not mine." Nick and Kate shared a concerned glance.

"Coincidence," they said simultaneously.

They smiled with a light chuckle as the events of the past week gradually came to rest at the backs of their mind, relieved to finally get back to normal. "I hear we're not the only happy couple in Aidensfield anymore," Nick muttered with a grin between kisses.

Kate pulled back with a mischievous grin. "Guess we'll have to work harder now."

Nick's grin widened as he raised his arms to pull her close and switch their positions. "I'm suddenly feeling much better, Doctor Rowan."

Kate chuckled. "I'll be the judge of that."