Fowler is battling Grim for promotion, who tells him that he needs to be married to be promoted. Raymond proposes to Patricia but in such an unromantic way that she leaves him. Goody and Boyle take Fowler for a night on the town to cheer him up but they choose the same place that Habib has taken Patricia.

The promotions board has been set for the end of the week and Fowler and Grim are both desperate for career advancement, however Grim convinces Fowler that he doesn't stand a chance as he and Dawkins are not married.

Fowler, after some thought, decides that maybe it's time to pop the question, and prepares a romantic, candle-lit dinner at home. Grim, meanwhile, is far more concerned with his latest must-have for the CID half of the station: a top of the range water cooler.

Unfortunately for Fowler his proposal doesn't quite go to plan. Having been wined and dined her as he has probably never done before, Patricia is more than ready to accept Raymond; until he lets slip the underlying motivation for asking at this point in time. It's the last straw for Patricia, and she walks out for good.

With Raymond and Patricia both single again they each independently decide to go out on the pull; Fowler with Boyle and Goody while Dawkins goes with Habib. However, the parties end up awkwardly bumping into each other in the same nightclub and a characteristically unthinking comment from Goody sends Patricia storming out in a rage once more!

Back at the station, Fowler hears Dawkins telling Habib about Toby, a strong and obstinate character who won't take no for an answer. Raymond is outraged and declares his love for and desire to protect her - a move which goes down very well indeed.

As Fowler and Dawkins leave the station together, Habib reminds them that the promotions board are about to arrive. Nevertheless, they leave and in doing so, ensure the route is smooth for Grim's advancement. Probably.