(10am, London, Euston)

Stephanie jumped off the train into Euston. Carrying her bags, she made her way over to her sister, Rosie.

"Hi Rosie!"

"Hey, little sis! How are you?"

"I’m great! How are you?"

"I’m fine. We’d better get to Sun Hill- Meadows’ is expecting you."

******

(11:30am, Sun Hill police station)

Stephanie knocked on the door of Mr Meadows’ office.

"Come in," he called from inside.

"Hello, sir. I’m Stephanie Rivers. I’ve transferred from Manchester."

"Ah, yes. We’ve been expecting you. You’re Rosie Fox’s step-sister?"

"Yeah."

"If you’d like to come with me into the office. I’ll just introduce you and then you’ll be with Mickey Webb today."

******

(11:32am, Sun Hill police station)

Everyone looked up as Meadows’ and Stephanie walked into the office.

"Everyone, this is DS Stephanie Rivers, she’s transferred from Manchester." Meadows left the office and Stephie walked over to Mickey.

"I’m with you for the rest of the day, aren’t I?"

"Yeah. I was just about to go out and follow up something, I’ll brief you on the way."

As they walked out of the office, Danny Glaze mouthed ‘lucky sod’ at Mickey.

******

(11:37am, outside Sun Hill)

They walked through the doors to the car park.

"Sarge, wait!"

"What is it Mickey?"

"Look up."

Stephie looked up, and saw the mistletoe.

"Oh, right."

"Come here then." Mickey gave his new sergeant a quick kiss, but they were caught by Danny.

"Good grief Mickey! She hasn’t been here five minutes and you’re already kissing her!"

"Yeah, well, some of us just get lucky!" Mickey grinned cheekily.

******

(5pm, CID Office)

The rest of the shift passed quickly and soon they were off home.

"I’ll pick you up at 7, OK?"

"OK Mickey, see you later!" Stephie Rivers left the CID office.

"Well, Mickey, I’ve never seen a bloke move so fast!" joked Kerry.

"Awwww, leave him alone Kerry! He’s getting all embarrassed now!" said Claire as she tidied up her desk. They both started laughing and walked out.

******

(7pm, Steph’s house)

There was a ring from the doorbell. Stephanie pulled on her coat and opened it.

"Hi Mickey!"

"Hi Steph!" Mickey quickly kissed her on the cheek.

"Come on then, we don’t want to be late!!"

"I’m coming!" They got into Mickey’s car and sped off to the party.

******

(7:35pm, entrance hall)

The entrance hall was decorated with mistletoe, holly and tinsel, all carefully done by some of uniform earlier that day.

"Come on, let’s leave our coats and have some fun!!!" said Steph. They handed in their coats, and Mickey was about to go in when Stephie stopped him.

"Above you." It was the mistletoe!

"Not again!" said Mickey with a smile. They kissed more passionately than last time and this time it was the DI who caught them.

"Mickey she hasn’t been here a day and you’re snogging her already! What’s the secret?"

"Must be something natural, there’s no secret!" Stephanie giggled and pulled Mickey onto the dance floor.

******

(8:30pm, by the bar)

"Kerry, what’s going on between Stephanie and Mickey?" asked Jack Meadows.

"I wouldn’t know, Sir." Kerry looked innocent.

******

(9pm, karaoke on the stage)

"Hello, are you all having a good time??" shouted Matt Boyden into the microphone. There was a loud cheer from the audience- indicating a yes.

"First up for the karaoke tonight are Stephanie Rivers, Claire Stanton, Kerry Holmes, Vicky Hagen, Mickey Webb, Danny Glaze and Smiffy singing ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’!!" Everyone cheered as they walked onto the stage.

******

(10:30pm, by the bar)

"Hey John," said Claire, slightly drunk. "Want to dance?"

"OK." They walked out onto the dance floor, just as a slow song came on. They wrapped thier arms around each other and began to dance.

******

(10:30pm, other side of the dance floor)

"God Steph, you’re a brilliant dancer and a brilliant singer."

"Thanks, you’re not to bad yourself. Come on, let’s dance."

They wrapped their arms around each other and soon they were dancing and kissing.

******

(3am, outside)

"You were certainly enjoying yourself," said Rosie to Steph as they waited for their taxi.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You know what I mean! You and Mickey."

"Oh, that! Yeah, he’s a nice guy."

"You’re blushing!" They got into the taxi.

"OK, maybe he’s more than nice. I like him."

"Just like?"

"Shut up!!"

~~Sophie

~~November 2000