Disclaimer I do not own Law and Order UK. All copyright belongs to the original writers, Dick Wolf, ITV1 and Kudos. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

Chapter One

"Sam!" Ronnie marched into the MIU office to see the newest recruit staring at the computer screen. "You know that little box shaped thing you carry round? The one that makes a noise every now and then? It's called a phone. When you hear it ring you pick it up, press a button and then, guess what? You can talk to the person on the other end of the phone."

"I had it on silent." Sam sighed. "Sorry."

"What's wrong?" Ronnie sat in his chair as he realised Sam had been in the office for hours.

"Nothing." Sam sighed. "Nothing is wrong."

"Really? Because you look like you lost a fiver and found a penny."

"He's been like it since I got in." Angie stated. "There's that report on the Windham Street robbery. The Guv said you were talking to the witnesses again today."

"Cheers Ang." Ronnie picked up the report as Sam turned away. The doors opened to allow Wes and Matt to walk into the room. Natalie remained in her glass fronted office, studiously ignoring the rest of her team.

"Wes." Ronnie smiled as his old friend walked in. "Talk some sense into this one, will you?"

"No chance." Matt smirked. "I think Kate knocked him back."

"Oh God, not again. Not another DS and Junior Crown Prosecutor!" Ronnie laughed as Matt rolled his eyes.

"Kate has not knocked me back." Sam got up and walked towards the kettle in the corner of the office. "I haven't even asked her out."

"Yet." Angie smiled as she sat at her desk. Wes shook his head.

"Inter office romance." Wes smirked, "Wouldn't have happened in our day as DS' eh?"

"Nah." Ronnie laughed before catching Natalie's eye through the office window. "Not in our day, Wes."

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"Morning." Henry stated as he walked into James' office.

"Can I help you Henry?" James looked up as Alesha bundled into the office.

"Sorry, the traffic from the child minder's to here was awful." Alesha sighed as she hung up her coat. James smiled as he watched Henry observe the scene. "Kate wanted me to look at some files for her and Jake. Oh, hi Henry."

"Alesha." Henry sighed as she headed straight to her desk. "Have you spoken to Kate today?"

"No. Not yet." Alesha answered. James frowned. "Why?"

"If you see her, can you ask her to come to my office?"

"Ok." Alesha exchanged glances with James. Henry nodded once before leaving the office. "What was that about?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." James stated as he sipped his tea. "Better give her the head's up. It's not like Henry to venture to this side of the building unless he absolutely has to. I'll call Jake."

"You? Volunteering to call Jake? Things must be bad." Alesha smiled. James raised an eyebrow. "Oh God." Alesha bit her lip. "I'll go over to her office now." She was out the door before James could stop her.

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"Any progress on the armed robbery?" Natalie asked as she walked out of the office.

"No." Sam snapped. "Forensics should be back today."

"Right." Natalie nodded. "Ron, you and Matt talk to that idiot we arrested yesterday. I'll call Alesha and see if she can watch the interview with Wes."

"Ok Guv." Wes smiled as the newly promoted DCI began going through the case file. Sam ran a hand over his face and tried to concentrate on the case.

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"Jake." Alesha walked into the office as Jake turned to face her.

"Oh, I thought you were Kate, finally deciding to put an appearance in."

"She isn't here?" Alesha looked around the office, aware for the first time that the new girl wasn't in the building. "She's never late."

"I called, there is no answer." Jake replied, suddenly aware that Kate's absence was totally out of character. "I'll try her mobile again."

"You do that. I'm going over to hers." Alesha turned and walked out of the office knowing she had to find her friend.

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"I have to go. I'll be late." Kate brushed a strand of blonde hair out of her eyes. "My boss hates it when people are late." She looked at the woman in front of her, confused that the woman looked and acted like a stranger.

"Katie."

"No, don't call me that." Kate huffed. "You walked out of my life and didn't look back. I know Mum buried her head in the sand and Dad was a total nightmare but I tried to help. You threw it back in my face."

"I'm here now." The older blonde woman smiled. Her eyes devoid of emotion.

"You're high as a kite." Kate grabbed her bag as her sister grabbed her arm.

"I need money." Beth glared at her. "I need."

"No, I am not giving you money to get a fix. That's not helping." Kate pulled her arm back as the older woman stepped nearer.

"You said you wanted to help me." Kate narrowed her eyes.

"You're my sister. I know you, you don't scare me."

"Oh Katie, it's been such a long time since I saw you last. Things change." Beth glared at her. "You should be scared, you really have no idea what I'm capable of."

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A/N following on from Camile's suggestion that I focus on some newer characters. So, I thought I'd try a new story. All characters from 1.1 onwards may turn up :D Please review.