"I think it's important to try and improve police response to domestic violence, stop seeing it as something that we shouldn't be getting involved in and rather as something that we need to stamp out. I think the establishment of the working group in the first instance is the way forwards and, as a new female sergeant, I think you're in prime position to be a part of it. I think we can do a lot of good work in this area. So, what do you think?"

She blinked; unsure she could focus.

"Chris?"

"Yes? Sorry…" she shook her head, trying to rid her mind of all the things that had been swirling around inside it over the last few hours. After she had finally stopped walking, she had sat down on a nearby bench and tried to gather her thoughts. She found herself trying to imagine what Frank's conversation with Fiona had been like. Had it been heated or, as unlikely as it seemed, had they fallen into each other's arms at the prospect of being forever linked together by baby Stephen? Unable to reach any conclusion, she had made her way back to the station and straight into Jack's office to discuss whatever it was that he had mentioned to her earlier that he wanted to speak with her about. "It sounds like a good plan."

"Good. Well, I'll make the necessary phone calls and get things set up for you." He paused and squinted at her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Guv, thanks," she replied, getting to her feet. "I suppose it's all just been a bit overwhelming, being promoted that is."

"I know it can feel that way, but once you get into the swing of things, you'll be fine."

"Thank you." Opening his office door, she made her way back into the CID office, glancing at Frank's office and finding herself almost relieved that it was empty. She wasn't quite sure what to say to him at that moment.

"You've been gone ages," Viv commented.

"Yeah."

"Everything all right?"

"Mmmm…" she sat back down at her desk and tried to focus on the paperwork that was there, but her mind wouldn't stop plaguing her, and she found herself shifting in her seat, tapping her pen against the table, and jiggling her leg.

"Something's bugging you," her friend said after a moment's silence, barrelling on when she didn't reply. "Well, you can tell me all about it over a drink later."

She suddenly remembered the plan to go to Vesuvius and realised it was the last place she wanted to be. She wanted to go home, close the front door and crawl under the duvet to pretend the day had never happened. "I'm…I'm not really in the mood. I can feel a bit of a headache coming on."

"Oh, come on…"

"No, really."

"You were up for it earlier."

"Well, I'm not now!" the words came out harsher than she had expected, and she winced at the look of surprise that crossed her friend's face. "I'm sorry, it's just…"

"Just what? What is it?" Viv leaned across the desk. "Come on, we're mates. You can tell me."

She glanced around at the empty office, could hear the voice in her head telling her not to be so stupid, not to give anything away, and then heard herself start to speak. "Fiona turned up at the station today."

"Fiona?"

"The woman Frank was seeing last year. The one he brought to the pub that night?"

"Oh yeah, blonde with big…" Viv trailed off. "Anyway, what about her? What was she doing here?"

"She turned up with her baby. His baby, or so she says."

"Whose baby?"

"His. Frank's."

Viv's eyes widened, "You're joking. I mean how…when…?"

"He's three months old so, conceived this time last year." She felt numb saying the words. "She asked for him, but he was busy, so she asked for me instead and…told me."

Viv shook her head. "And he's never cracked a light? All this time and he's never said anything?"

"He doesn't know. Or rather, he didn't know until today."

"Well, how do you know that?"

"I know."

"How?" Viv frowned. "You're not…I mean, the two of you…"

"We're engaged." She hadn't meant to give up so much information and, yet there it was. Viv sat back suddenly in her seat and looked at her as though she had three heads. "He didn't know anything about it. She never told him it was a possibility. He hasn't seen her since this time last year."

Viv said nothing for a long moment. "How long has this been going on?"

"A while."

"Since the court case?"

"No," she replied hurriedly. "No, we called it off after that. It only started again after that episode with Mickey Owen and…well…we got engaged at the weekend." She felt like an errant schoolchild under the weight of Viv's gaze. "Say it."

"Say what?"

"Whatever it is you're thinking."

Viv shook her head, "I don't know what to say, Chris. After everything that happened last year in court, the reaction of everyone in here, not to mention Brownlow and Conway…both of you could have lost your jobs."

"I know that."

"I thought…I mean…I thought you'd moved on."

"I had, sort of. We were friends, colleagues and then it just…" she shook her head, unsure she even knew how to explain all the emotions involved. "I love him, Viv. I never stopped loving him and he never stopped loving me. We're meant to be together."

"What, even if he's got a baby with somebody else?" She ducked her head. "Have you thought about how much that complicates things, as if they weren't complicated enough already?"

"Of course I have. What do you think I've been thinking about all morning? If the baby is his…" she broke off, unsure she even wanted to finish the thought.

"Well, I think you're a mug."

"Oh, thanks."

"I mean it, Chris," Viv sat forwards and fixed her with a steely look. "I told you last year that you were a fool falling for his lines and now he's somehow got you coerced into marriage…"

"Don't be so ridiculous! He hasn't coerced me into anything?"

"No? How's your dad?"

She paused and blinked, "What are you talking about?"

"Your dad, how is he?"

"You know how he is. You know he's sick."

"Right, and so does Burnside. He knows that you feel vulnerable right now because of what's happening to your dad, and he's swooped right in and proposed to you. Just like he swooped right in and seduced you when you were having a tough time with Stewart."

Indignation coursed through her. "That is not what happened!"

"No?"

"No! How dare you!"

"How dare I what? Try to look out for you as a friend?"

"If you were my friend, you would be supportive, not be looking for ways to kick me in the teeth!" Scraping her chair back, she got to her feet. "If you were my friend, you'd be happy for me."

"Happy? Happy that you're planning on marrying someone that you can't even tell anyone about in case you lose your job and who might have a love child on the side? Happy that you're hitching your wagon to someone who's had more women than hot dinners?"

"Viv…"

"You were doing great on your own."

"Was I."

"Yes, you were. You were happy and now he's made you miserable again."

"How do you know I was happy? I wasn't happy, Viv, I was miserable without him! I don't want to be without him!" Viv shook her head. "I don't expect you to understand, I never have…"

"Good, because I don't. You've just left one abusive relationship and now you're hurtling headlong into another."

"Abusive?" she looked at the other woman agog. "How can you even say that? You know Frank! You know he's not like that!"

Viv shook her head. "When this all ends in tears, Chris, and it will, don't come crying to me."

"Fine. Some friend you turned out to be." Grabbing some papers from her desk, she stormed out of the office, pushing roughly past Jim and Tosh coming along the corridor and hurried downstairs, finding herself in custody before she really knew where she was going.

"Hello, woman on a mission," Matthew quipped.

"What?" she asked, distracted.

"You came storming in here like you were on some sort of quest." He paused. "Everything all right?"

She took a deep breath and tried to gather herself together. Pretending that everything was normal was the only way that she knew she could get through the rest of the day. As much as she didn't want to see Frank, there was a huge part of her that did, that was understandably curious as to what had transpired between him and Fiona. "Do you mind if I work in the office there for a bit?" she asked.

"No, not at all. You sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine," she replied, putting a smile on her face. "Absolutely fine."

XXXX

"And you're satisfied you've covered every angle, are you?"

"Yes Guv. I've interviewed all the witnesses, well those that were prepared to cooperate, and there's nothing there."

He locked gazes with Viv, trying to read what was underneath her passive expression. "We both know that's not true."

"All right, we know a crime's been committed, but if people aren't willing to talk, I'm not sure what more you expect me to do. Mr Assad and his wife don't want to press charges."

"Because they're scared."

"Yes, probably."

"And you think that's all right?"

"Of course not, but what else do you expect me to do? I don't like racial cases anymore than you do, Guv, but if the victims won't cooperate…"

"Yeah, all right…" he sighed. It was just another sign of the times; people too scared to come forwards for fear of repercussions from gangs of marauding thugs. It was ironic that that was probably how some folk saw his own nephew. He'd heard nothing further from Monroe since speaking to him earlier but, what was bothering him more, was that he'd seen neither hide nor hair of Christina since she had delivered the news about Fiona. "Well, if you really think you've done all you can, close it off."

"Right Guv, thanks."

"Have you seen our new female sergeant?" he asked casually as she turned to leave. "She seems to be taking the privilege of rank to a new level by failing to grace us with her presence."

Viv turned back to look at him. "She was here earlier."

"Yeah, I know that. When did you last see her?"

"Couple of hours ago. She left in a bit of a hurry."

"Well, did she say where she was going?"

"No Guv."

Her expression remained neutral, but he couldn't help but suspect that she knew more than she was letting on. The phone on his desk rang however before he could question her further and he waved her away as he lifted the receiver. "Burnside."

"It's Matt Boyden. Monroe's authorised the release of your nephew."

Relief swept through him that at least one thing appeared to be going right that day. "Thanks, I'll be right down." Replacing the receiver, he got to his feet and hurried out of the office, conscious of Viv's eyes on his back. Something was clearly amiss, and he only hoped that Christina hadn't opened her big mouth too wide. By the time he arrived down in custody, Phil was out of the cell, his property being returned to him.

"He's getting a caution," Matt said upon seeing him.

"Does that go on my record?" Phil asked.

"Yes, and think yourself lucky it's not worse," Matt replied.

Phil turned to look at him. "Does Mum know?"

"Well, she knows you're here," he replied. "How do you think I found out? I'm sure she'll be relieved that you're not being charged though." Phil sighed heavily. "You and I need to have a long conversation, Philip."

"You mean a bollocking?" Phil replied, signing for his possessions.

"No, I'll leave that to your folks. I mean a real conversation about what you're planning to do with your life and where it's going to go if you don't take a long look at yourself. Here," he reached into his pocket and handed him a twenty-pound note. "Get a taxi and go straight home, understand?" Phil nodded. "Right then. I'll show you out." He opened the door out into the yard. "I mean it Phil, straight home. You need to think long and hard about what happened to you today."

"I get it Uncle Frank, really I do."

"I hope you do." He watched as his nephew loped down the ramp and turned for the gates, before closing the door again.

"You going back up to CID?" Matt asked.

"Why?"

"You might want to take her with you," he gestured to the office. "Not that she isn't nice to look at."

He followed the other man's gaze and saw Christina sitting in the office, head bent over the desk. Relieved, but also somewhat irked, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, causing her to start. "Sorry, didn't mean to disturb you. Something wrong with your own desk upstairs?"

"No, I just needed somewhere quiet to work."

"In the middle of the custody suite? I hardly think you'll find it peaceful down here." He paused. "Monroe agreed to release Phil."

"Well, that's something."

"Yeah. Pat and Gerry will be relieved at any rate." He paused again. "We need to talk."

She glanced through the glass to where Matt was sitting at the desk. "Not here."

"Then where?"

"I don't know."

"Your place? Mine?"

"I don't know, Frank." She looked up at him and he found he could identify the look in her eyes. It was the same look he'd seen in the past when she had ended their relationship and he felt himself swing between anger and panic.

"It isn't my baby."

"I'm not discussing it here."

"Why are you angry with me?"

She looked at him and shook her head, "I'm not."

"You can't say I should have told you when I didn't know."

"I'm not saying that, look…not here, yeah? Come round to mine later."

"Ok." He caught her hand. "I love you."

"Yeah," she averted her eyes and slid her fingers from his grip. "I love you too."

XXXX

The rest of the day passed with little incident. She finished the work she had to do, avoiding Viv's gaze from across the desk. Around her, the others chatted about going out that night and it was only when it could be put off no longer that she revealed she wasn't going.

"But it's supposed to be drinks to celebrate your promotion," Jim lamented. "If you're not there, what's the point?"

"I didn't think you'd ever need an excuse to go out boozing," she replied. "I'll be with you in spirit."

"Well, I suppose it just means we'll have an excuse to organise another night out. If you're not coming, do we still have to go to that posh place?"

The conversation swirled around her as she got to her feet and lifted her bag before once more meeting Viv's gaze. Part of her wanted to apologise, but another part felt as though she had nothing to apologise for. She couldn't help who she loved, couldn't help that it was someone that, for various reasons, might be disapproved of. If Viv truly was her friend, she would understand and she certainly wouldn't have labelled him abusive.

"Night then," she said casually.

"Night," Viv replied, and a chorus of similar farewells followed her as she left the room.

Frank had been AWOL for most of the afternoon and she hadn't seen him since she had left him down in custody. She knew she probably hadn't reacted as joyfully as she should have when he told her Phil was being released, but there had just been too much else going on in her head. She wasn't surprised when, pulling up outside her flat, she immediately saw him waiting for her.

"I thought you'd be home ages ago," he commented, getting out of the car as she approached. "I've been sat here like a lemon since half past four."

"Trying to make a good impression," she replied, leading the way up the path to her door. "I can't be skiving off early now I'm a sergeant."

"Being a sergeant is actually why you can skive off early." He waited as she unlocked the door and followed her inside, trailing behind her to the kitchen where she opened the fridge and took out a half-drunk bottle of wine. Uncorking it, she poured a glass and then turned to him. "Want some?"

"Do I need it?"

"I don't know, you tell me." She drained the glass and then poured another. The cold liquid felt good in her throat, and she wondered if oblivion was the best way to tackle the situation. He moved over towards her, took the bottle, and poured himself a glass. "Not exactly how I expected today to go, to be honest."

"That kid isn't mine. She's lying."

"You don't know that."

"She could have been having it off with half of London at the time for all I knew! She's picked me as the best mark, God knows why, and now she's trying to lay responsibility for it at my door! Well, until a DNA test proves I'm the father, I'm not."

"And what if a test does prove you're the father?" she asked, giving voice to her greatest fear. "You can't one hundred per cent say it isn't a possibility."

He drained half his glass and then paused. "It changes nothing."

"Frank…" she shook her head, "it changes everything."

"Why?"

"Why? Because you'd be a father! You'd have responsibilities…"

"If I'm forced to put my hand in my pocket then I will, but as far as anything else goes…"

"But he'd be your son."

"So?"

"So?" She stared at him, almost uncomprehendingly. "Both of us have had fathers that weren't there for us one way or another. Are you honestly telling me that if Stephen is your son, you're just going to pretend he doesn't exist beyond sending his mother a few quid every month?"

He looked away and she knew she had hit a nerve. "I can't think that far ahead."

"Well, you're going to have to."

"Look…" he put the glass down, stepped forward and took hold of her arms. "I don't know what Fiona's expecting, but if it's for the three of us to play happy families together, she's going to be sorely disappointed! I have no interest, whatsoever, in rekindling anything with her, not that there was ever anything of substance to rekindle. It was sex, pure and simple. I want to be with you. I love you."

"I'm not saying you don't but…"

"Are you saying you couldn't love me if I had a child with someone else?"

"No…"

"Because that's what it sounds like."

"I'm saying…" she broke off, unsure as to what she really was saying. "I'm saying that it complicates things, massively complicates things."

"It complicates nothing," he replied. "We still get married like we were going to, set up home together, do all the things that we planned…if he is my son then none of that has to change."

She shook her head, unwilling to admit that she wasn't sure she could accept an interloper into the future they had considered for themselves. A child that wasn't hers, with everything that entailed; time, money, the fact that Fiona would always be in their lives….it seemed selfish to admit that she didn't want to share any part of their future together with his past. And yet, how could she deny a child its father?

"I suppose…I suppose we have to wait and see what the test says," she said finally. "Presumably you need to give her a sample?"

"You're out of your tree if you think for one second, I'm just going to hand over my DNA to let her do some poxy test," he replied harshly. "No, we'll do it properly. There's a mate of mine over at forensics. I spoke to him earlier and I can trust him to be discreet. No-one has to know about this except us."

"You'll have to tell Meadows."

"Why?"

"Because he's your boss? Because it's a pretty big deal and he can offer support?"

"I don't need support, Chris. He doesn't need to know anything. It's not as if it's some witness or junior officer I might have got up the duff. If you'd been pregnant then it might have been a different story, but the fact it's just someone I slept with on a few occasions in the past means it stays between us, understand?"

"Just someone you slept with…" she laughed harshly and drained her glass.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Not really. I suppose…" she trailed off, unsure why she felt the need to hurt him when, deep down, she knew it wasn't his fault that everything had come crashing down.

"You suppose what? Anything that moves?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. Is that how you feel about it? That this was just all inevitable because I can't keep it in my trousers? That you're surprised there aren't dozens of little Burnsides running around in the world already? Do you actually think that I want this? Do you actually think that I want this to be true?"

"No," she whispered. "And I don't want it to be true either."

"It isn't true."

She shook her head, well aware that he could deny it until the cows came home, but he couldn't swear on it. "I know you said that if he is yours you wouldn't want to rekindle anything with Fiona but…"

"No."

"Listen to me…"

"No!" he took hold of her again, rougher this time, his fingers digging into the flesh of her arms. "There is nothing between Fiona and I beyond the physical, you know that. There never has been. I need to know that you still want this, still want me, still want to marry me, regardless of what any DNA test says."

She met his gaze and Viv's words from earlier suddenly came back to her. The insinuation that he had only asked her to marry him because he knew she was vulnerable over her father's terminal illness; the implication that he'd known she would say yes because she felt alone; the suggestion that, somehow, that made him abusive. But her acceptance that day had been because she loved him, because she wanted to marry him. It hadn't been manipulation, had been nothing to do with how she felt about her father…?

He stepped back from her. "Or are you saying you don't still want to marry me?"

"I'm saying…" she heard her voice crack on the words and tried to stop herself from bursting into the tears that had been threatening to come all day. "I'm saying that this is such a huge thing which, if true, is going to have such an impact on your life and…and you'll need time to adjust and…"

"So basically, if it turns out he's mine, you want to dump me, is that it?"

"No…"

"That's great, thanks very much. That's really supportive of you, Christina!"

"Frank…"

"You're right, if it turns out he is mine it is going to have an impact on my life…my life…and here I am, trying to reassure you. To try and make sure that it's not going to hurt you when, really, you should be the one supporting me! Isn't that what relationships are all about, or is ours based solely on me doing all the giving and you doing all the taking?"

"No, that's…that's not what I meant…" she stared at him, at the anger that had crossed his face, so different from the desperation that had been there moments earlier. Is that what she was doing? Making it all about herself when it should have been about him? "I just meant that it changes the course of everything. It won't just be me and you but...I'm…I'm sorry…"

He sighed heavily and rubbed his hands across his face. "Today's been a shit day. Maybe we should just…see what tomorrow brings."

Instantly, she felt remorseful, selfish, given the hand grenade Fiona had thrown into their lives would have far more impact on him than it would on her. He would have a child, a part of himself. She would just be on the periphery of whatever relationship came of it, picking up the pieces and trying to rearrange them into something that might resemble a future. "I'm sorry," she said again, stepping forwards. "You're right, it should be me supporting you. I suppose…it's just been a shock, but it must be a million times worse for you." She slid her arms around him. "If you want to talk about it properly…"

"What is there to say until we know for sure?" He looked at her miserably. "I never thought this is how it would be."

"How what would be?"

"Finding out I might be a father. I suppose…since being with you…" he left the sentiment trailing, but she knew what he meant. That perhaps, one day, she would tell him she was pregnant, and he would be happy. "I love you. I don't want to lose you."

She allowed him to envelop her in his arms, breathing in the very essence of him that meant so much to her and pushing far away into the recesses of her mind everything that Viv had said.

They would just have to deal with this, together, as best they could.