Although Ted Hastings had been the one to request another interview with Lindsey Denton, by the time they were done, he wished he hadn't. It had started off with his team seemingly winning points, enough to arrest her anyway. It was just as she was being read her rights that she turned the tables on him. In a matter of minutes AC-12 were the ones looking corrupt.
His financial worries were laid bare in front of his juniors, much to his horror. DS Arnott appeared to be involved in a totally inappropriate relationship with a witness and he was sure that Denton had something on Lisa as well.
He was about to tear a strip off the pair of them when two couriers arrived in the office bearing files. Ted knew what they were. They were going to find out who the person sitting in the Intensive Care Unit in the hospital across town finally was. His talk with Steve and Lisa would have to wait.
"What's going on?" Steve asked as he clocked the couriers arrival.
"Witness Protection Files," replied Ted as he headed over to one, Steve and Lisa trailing in his wake.
Ted opened the main file and skim read the first page. He couldn't believe what he was reading. "Mother of God," he said, the file nearly falling from his grasp.
"What is it, sir?" Steve asked, keen to know what his boss did. Ted handed him the file wordlessly and let Steve find out for himself the identity of the burns victim. "Is this a joke?" Steve asked Ted a few seconds later. He couldn't believe the news either. "George died protecting that bastard?!" he said angrily before throwing the file down and storming off.
He reached his desk and sat down heavily, stewing in his anger. The world was sometimes cruelly unfair. George dead and Kate possibly being hunted whilst Tommy Hunter was still alive! If he had known this before, Steve would never have dreamed of stopping the OCG trying to dispatchTommy off this planet. He'd have told Kate to let them go ahead with their plan. Speaking of whom, he needed to hear her voice. To calm him down and refocus.
Steve picked up his phone and dialled Kate's number. However she didn't pick up as she was at work and he got her answer phone. "Hi it's me," Steve said. "I guess you're busy. Nothing urgent...just wanted a chat...call me," he said before hanging up, disappointed.
"Steve?" Lisa said as she approached him. She'd seen him walk off angrily and wondered what mood he was in now.
"Yeah," said Steve.
"Why don't we get out of here for a bit," Lisa suggested.
"OK," agreed Steve. Ted watched them go.
"You ok?" Lisa asked as she handed him a coffee.
"Yeah," said Steve. "Just having a hard time accepting it's Tommy fuckin' Hunter in that hospital bed,".
"I know," Lisa said. She'd been involved in the Tony Gates investigation and knew who Tommy Hunter was.
"This changes everything," said Steve. "We're gonna have to start again with this whole investigation,".
"But we're still investigating Denton, right?" Lisa checked. "After that stunt she pulled in her interview,".
"Yeah," replied Steve. He was beginning to have doubts about Lindsey's guilt if he was honest but wasn't going to share that with Lisa or Ted at the moment.
"So, you and the nurse?" Lisa prompted, switching topics.
"Yeah," said Steve. "It just sort of happened,".
"Serious?".
"I hope so," Steve said. "I really like her. I've never felt like this about anyone before,".
"I can tell," Lisa said, before staring at the steam that was rising from her coffee mug. She had some big news to share with Steve. "I'm having an affair with Rich Akers," she blurted out. "It's been going on a little while,".
Steve looked up. "Rich Akers? The husband of Jayne Akers?". Lisa nodded. "Fuckin' hell, Lise," Steve said, his relationship with Kate suddenly not seeming so bad.
"I know," she agreed. "It just happened. I really like him as well. Jayne and him were having problems and, well we started meeting up for chats and ...,".
"I get it," Steve interrupted.
"No one mentioned Jayne before recruiting me in to this undercover," she pointed out, defending her actions and Steve realised she was right. "Denton knows though," she revealed. "I know she does. That business with my phone,". Steve nodded. "We messaged each other,".
"The gaffer is gonna explode," Steve said.
"But it's better he knows, right?" Lisa asked. She wanted Steve's advice.
"That's up to you, Lisa," Steve said. "Although sometimes it's better to stay nothing,". He paused as he felt his phone vibrating in his jacket pocket. Pulling it out he saw it was Kate returning his call. Smiling, he answered. "Hey," he said.
"Hi," greeted Kate. "Sorry I couldn't answer before. You ok?".
"Yeah. Just a tough day, that's all," Steve said. "Better now I'm speaking to you,".
"That's nice," replied Kate.
"How's your shift going?".
"Busy," Kate answered. "That patient of yours isn't doing so well, I'm afraid. The infection's getting worse,".
"Right," said Steve totally unbothered. "I'll let the gaffer know,".
"I better go,".
"Yeah. Me too,".
"See you later?".
"Of course," Steve replied before hanging up.
"That was her wasn't it?" Lisa asked.
"Yeah," Steve said as he pocketed his phone. "How did you guess that?".
"Goofy grin on your face," Lisa revealed.
"Steve! Lisa! A word," Ted said when the two arrived back in AC-12 after their respite break. Steve followed Lisa in to Ted's office and closed the door behind them. "Remain standing," Ted barked as he took a seat. Steve glanced quickly at Lisa. This was going to be the bollocking he had expected after Lindsey's interview. "I've asked everyone to cancel their plans for this evening," Ted said. "Now we know who the OCG are after, we need to relook at our whole investigation,".
Steve and Lisa nodded. They'd sort of expected the news anyway. "The OCG may not have to worry about Hunter for much longer," Steve informed Ted. "Kate said his condition is deteriorating,".
Ted took the news on board. "Which leads me to a topic of conversation I would prefer not to be having. I've been thinking about the best way to deal with this matter whilst you were out. I certainly don't want to ask this nurse Kate what went on between the pair of you so I'll start with you,".
"This isn't relevant to our investigation-,"Steve started to say.
"It is," interrupted Ted, " because Denton is on tape, quoting the regs,".
"She was clutching at straws," Steve argued. "Trying to undermine us,".
"She did a good job," Ted retorted. "Did you have, or are you having inappropriate relations with a witness?" he demanded.
"Kate isn't a witness against Denton!" Steve argued angrily. "She's never even heard of her,".
"Jesus wept," uttered Ted. "Don't tell me you've been talking about this case with her?".
"No, sir," replied, Steve. "We talk about much nicer things when we are together,".
"Oh well that's alright then," Ted said, sarcastically, raising his voice. Most of AC 12 could now hear this conversation. "I hope you sure as God know the difference between screwing up an investigation and plain screwing," he said to Steve.
"Meaning?" Steve asked a little shocked at Ted's, coarse language. He had never heard the gaffer speaking such terms before.".
"You're looking at Discreditable Conduct, son," Ted explained. "Not to mention risking our whole investigation being brought down because you couldn't keep it in your pants!".
"It's not like that sir!" Steve spat. "I really like Kate,".
"I'll believe that when I see it," Ted said. He wasn't immune to Steve's reputation with the ladies. "I'm disappointed, son," he said before turning to Lisa. "What the hell was that business with Denton and your phone?" he asked her.
Lisa glanced at Steve who looked upset at Ted's inability to see his relationship with Kate as something good. "I'm having an affair with Jayne Akers husband," Lisa admitted, preparing herself for a tongue lashing worse than Steve's.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Kate asked Steve later that evening. She had known something was troubling him as soon as she'd opened the door to him, his face downcast. Over dinner he'd barely said a word.
In an attempt to get him to open up, Kate had disappeared upstairs for a little bit before asking him to join her. He found her in the bathroom, a bubble bath waiting for him, tea lights dotted around the room, creating a very relaxing glow.
"I'm not really a bath person," Steve informed Kate, not fully engaging with her idea.
"That's because you've never taken a bath with me," Kate said, not giving up. She undressed and lowered herself in to the water, reclining against the back of the bath.
"I'm not really in the mood, Kate," Steve rebutted.
"Please?" Kate begged. Reluctantly, Steve peeled off his clothes and stepped into the bath. "Lie against me," Kate instructed as she parted her legs.
"You sure?" Steve asked. He'd feel better if she was the one reclining against him.
"Positive," Kate said as she helped him settle in the bath between her legs, his back to her chest and his head resting on one collarbone. Once he was in place, Kate wrapped her legs around Steve. "Better?" She asked.
"Bit," mumbled Steve. He had to admit it was nice being wrapped in Kate's legs and arms.
Kate reached for a sponge and started cleaning Steve's chest. "So are you going to tell me what's wrong?" She asked.
"Just been a bit of a shit day," Steve finally admitted.
"You wanna tell me why?" Kate asked as she rubbed the sponge down Steve's chest again.
"Found out who your patient is," Steve revealed.
"You know him?".
"Yeah," Steve sighed. "He was the leader of a crime group. A horrible man. Is it bad I wished he'd died?".
"You might get your wish," Kate said before kissing the side of his head as she dipped the sponge in the bath water again and continued washing Steve. "It's not looking good. It's doubtful he's gonna make it,".
Steve didn't say anything for a bit, just enjoyed Kate's attention as he started to relax. Kate continued her actions in silence. She'd let Steve speak when he wanted to.
"I really don't like the officer we're investigating," Steve confessed thinking about Denton and her recent behaviour. He wasn't going to tell Kate about the photo she'd taken. Being in protective custody she wouldn't want to hear about someone lurking outside her house. "But despite that, I'm starting to have second thoughts about her guilt," Steve admitted eventually. It felt good to air his concerns to someone. Lisa and the gaffer were so adamant that Denton was guilty.
"Why's that?" Kate asked as she rubbed the sponge over Steve's chest hair and nipples, leaving soap suds in her wake.
"We don't really have any proof of her guilt. She's always got an explanation for anything untoward,".
"What did your gut tell you in the beginning?" Kate asked, rubbing the sponge over one of Steve's shoulders and down one arm.
"Guilty,".
"Don't ignore your gut," Kate advised. "I find mine totally spot on," she continued, washing the other arm.
"Yeah?" Steve asked interested. "What did you listen to your gut about?".
"You," Kate admitted. "Thought you looked like a nice guy and worth a try,".
Steve smiled and rolled over to face Kate which was quite difficult in the small confines of the bath. Water sloshed everywhere. Once on his front he studied Kate before him. "I'm glad you did," he answered, before remembering what the gaffer thought of their budding relationship. "You know I'm serious about you, don't you? I'm not treating this as some sort of fling. When this is all over I want to take you out in a date. Make us official,".
"That'd be nice," answered Kate truthfully. "What's made you worried about this?".
The gaffer," Steve admitted. "I have a reputation around AC-12 and he thinks this is just another example. He's worried it will affect the investigation,".
"Should I have a word?" Kate asked seriously.
"I won't unleash you on him just yet, but thanks for the offer," he said. He leant forward and gave Kate a quick peck on the lips. "Thanks for doing all this to cheer me up,".
"Did it work?" Kate asked.
"Yeah," Steve admitted, and Kate smiled. "You always make me feel better," he continued as he leant forward to kiss her again. This time it wasn't a brief peck. Steve's hands went to Kate's breasts and started fondling them in the way she liked whilst Kate's hands disappeared under he water and cupped Steve. He started to harden in response until Kate felt him nudging her core.
Reaching behind her, Kate felt for the foil packet she had brought in to the bathroom, just in case things had got as intimate as they were at the moment. Finally finding it she dangled it in front of Steve to remind him that he was missing something important if he wanted to go any further.
Steve got the message and quickly applied the condom before sinking in to Kate's warm depths. Mindful of the water they were submerged in, he started very small and slow hip thrusts. "I love being inside you, Kate," he admitted as he moved.
"I like you being inside me," Kate responded.
They made love in silence, save for the water slapping against the side of the bath as they rocked against each other. What started out as a small wave pool in the bath, gained intensity as their bodies searched for their release until finally they reached their peak together.
"Has the plug come out?" Steve mumbled against Kate's breast as his body calmed down after its exercise. The water level was a lot lower than he remembered and his body was starting to get cold.
Kate looked over the side of the bath. The bathroom floor was flooded with bath water. A few of the lower lying tea lights were smoking having been doused by errant water. "No," she replied. "We've just made more mess than Josh does at bath time,".
Steve lifted his head off Kate's chest and surveyed the damage for himself. "Oops," he said. "Maybe sex in the bath isn't such a great idea,".
"I dunno," Kate disagreed. It had been a rather enjoyable bath in the end. "Help me clean up and we can maybe have another go in bed,".