Fairytale in New York

Chapter 1- A Blast From The Past

Follow on from The Twelfth of Never. It's about 6 weeks later, exactly 2 weeks before Christmas. Sam's busy doing paperwork and Phil has just been handed a case, involving a drug dealer on the Cole Lane Estate.

'Drugs again!' Phil exclaimed. 'It's the third one I've been given this month, can't someone else do it?'

'In case you haven't realised DS Hunter, we're one sergeant short and Sam's knee deep in paperwork and you're the only one left,' Neil replied.

'Why don't you promote one of the DC's to Acting Sergeant? It'll take the pressure off me,' Phil said.

'Then they'll end up disappointed when we find someone to take Stuart's place,' Neil replied.

'Any luck finding a replacement for Spew?' Phil asked.

'Me and the DCI are meeting a possibility for the job today, she might take it I don't know,' Neil replied.

'Another woman, great,' Phil said.

'You'll be outnumbered again,' Neil replied. 'Get Zain to help you on the drugs job.'

'OK Guv,' Phil replied as Neil went back into his office

Jo entered CID a few minutes later, struggling with some huge boxes 'What have you got there?' Phil asked as he went over to help Jo carry one of the boxes.

'Christmas decorations!' Jo replied merrily, pulling out a sprig of mistletoe. 'Mistletoe?'

'I'll take that thank you,' Phil said, taking the mistletoe off Jo and he walked over to Sam's desk.

'Hello gorgeous,' Phil said as he kissed Sam on the top of the head.

'I'm busy Phil,' Sam replied.

'Too busy for…,' Phil started, gesturing towards the mistletoe hanging over Sam's head.

Sam smiled. 'I'm sure I can spare a few seconds, just for you,' She replied.

Sam leant forwards and kissed Phil softly on the lips underneath the mistletoe. 'I'll see you later babe,' Phil said. 'I've got a drugs case to deal with.'

'Yeah, I'll see you,' Sam replied.

'Zain!' Phil said as he passed his desk.

'Yes sarge,' Zain replied.

'Do you fancy helping out on a drug dealing job on the Cole Lane?' Phil asked.

'Yeah, I could do with getting out of the office, especially with Jo trying to spread some Christmas cheer, 'Zain replied.

'I'll fill you in on the way,' Phil said, chucking Zain a set of car keys.

By lunch time, Sam had finished most of her paperwork. She thought she might as well get it all done before her Christmas break with Phil in New York, if she let it build up, it could get a whole lot worse. Jo had been putting up the Christmas decorations in CID, to the amusement of everyone left in the office. She'd fallen off 2 chairs, tripped over 2 boxes and got tied up in the tinsel. It fell to Sam to untie her. Sam couldn't stop herself from laughing while untying Jo. 'You shouldn't have tried so hard at getting into the festive spirit,' Sam told Jo.

'Being festive isn't a crime is it?' Jo asked.

'No it's great that you're looking forward to Christmas, but it can lead to incidents like this. On the other hand, it does make good entertainment,' Sam replied, still trying to contain her laughter.

'Ha ha,' Jo said sarcastically.

'There you go,' Sam replied as she untied the last piece of tinsel.

'When's the Christmas party then?' Jo asked.

'A couple of days before I go to New York,' Sam replied.

'Are you gonna come?' Jo asked.

'Maybe, I don't know. Do you fancy some lunch?' Sam replied.

'Yeah come on then,' Jo said and left CID.

About an hour later, Zain and Phil came back to the station with their drug dealer, Ian Hall in tow. They booked him into custody and left him in a cell. Sam had finished her lunch with Jo and was back in CID when Phil and Zain returned. 'Jo's managed to turn CID into Santa's Grotto then?' Phil asked.

'Yeah she has, not without technical glitches,' Sam replied.

'You what?' Phil asked.

'I'll tell you later,' Sam replied.

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A black BMW pulled up outside Sun Hill station. A brunette woman stepped out of the car and entered the station. She went up to the front desk and asked if DS Nixon was around. The officer at the Front Desk nodded and called Sam's work line.

Sam was adding the finishing touches to her paperwork. Phil was still moaning about the Christmas decorations. 'What is all the big fuss about?' He asked.

'It only happens once a year. Are you gonna help with the decorations at our place?' Sam replied.

'What's the point in putting any up? We're not gonna be here for most of the festivities?' Phil asked.

'Maybe you're right,' Sam replied.

'But if you want to put some up in the house then I'm OK with that,' Phil said, as he went over to Sam's desk and put his hands on her shoulders.

Sam's work phone rang and she answered it. 'Hello?' She said.

Sam listened to what the officer at the front desk had to say before she answering. 'Oh, OK, I'll be right down,' She finally said and put the phone down.

'Who was that?' Phil asked.

'There's someone downstairs who wants to see me,' Sam replied.

Do you want me to come too?' Phil asked.

'No, I'll be fine,' Sam replied as she turned around to kiss Phil before leaving the office.

Sam made her way down to Reception. She noticed a brunette woman standing with her back to her. She assumed that this was the woman who wanted to speak to her. 'Hello,' Sam said.

The woman turned to face Sam. 'Hey sis, long time no see.'