Heartbeat – Cover Blown

Disclaimer: Heartbeat is not my creation and doesn't belong to me. I merely wish to play around with a few marvelous characters for a while and hopefully contribute with a good story to the archive. Maybe I can inspire someone else to write a story because there's far too few out there.

Characters: I like to involve as many of the regulars as I can but it centers on Nick and Kate.

Genre: Hurt/comfort, romance, angst, crime, drama

Time/Spoilers: Set in late season two

Summary: An outsider comes to Aidensfield and Nick feels he's familiar somehow but can't place him. He tries to let the matter rest but as Whitby Police reports about a gang coming in to the area, one thing leads to another and suddenly Nick and Phil find themselves in a predicament that might very well cost their lives.

Beta: Thank you NuGirl ;)

OOOOOO

Chapter One – Everything Nice and Quiet

Doctor Kate Rowan smiled kindly as she turned to look up from the medical file in front of her and focused on her patient. "So there's nothing to worry about Mrs. Telford. The tests came back negative and the x-rays showed nothing abnormal. Your symptoms are most likely caused by a stomach ulcer," she explained.

The little woman, in her late sixties, leaned forward with a frown. "Are you sure? I've never had a stomach ulcer before," she said.

"Not to worry. As I said, it can easily be treated nowadays and you'll be back to normal," Kate assured softly.

Mrs. Telford smiled, the relief evident in it. "Thank you, Dr. Rowan. I feared it was something far worse. I have for quite some time," she admitted.

"Why didn't you come to see me sooner?" Kate asked friendly.

"I've known Alex for a very long time and I feared he would be put out if I went to you instead," she explained and looked down at the floor. "Also, I couldn't go to him with my problem you see," she added sheepishly but she didn't explain further, leaving the doctor curious.

Kate leaned back in her chair with a polite smile on her face, refraining herself from scolding the woman for taking a risk with her health. "Well, then I'm glad everything worked out," she finally said and closed the medical file on the desk in front of her. "Take care of yourself now, Mrs. Telford and don't forget to visit the pharmacy for the medication."

"Oh, I will pop over first thing tomorrow," the patient assured. "Thank you, Doctor Rowan, for all your help."

"You're welcome," Kate replied politely trying in vain to stifle a yawn.

As the door closed behind the last patient for the day it was already six o'clock in the evening and Kate sighed deeply, placing her head in her hands.

There was a soft knock on the door and the minute later Doctor Alex Ferrenby walked in, still dressed in full fishing gear.

"Rough day, Kate?" he asked kindly albeit amusedly, knowing full well how people could be.

She straightened in her chair with a frown. "Something like that, Alex," she replied.

The old doctor chuckled lightly at his younger colleague. "Don't let them get to you," he advised.

"So…," she began with a cunning smile and gave him a once over. "…how was the fishing trip?"

"Well, I didn't have much luck I'm afraid, but I enjoyed the peace and quiet," he returned humbly.

Kate laughed. "I bet you did," she said.

Alex walked into the room and sat down opposite her. "What do you think so far?" he asked casually. "You've been working with me for almost two years now, and you took over the practice one year ago."

"I love it, although I'm still adjusting to life as a country GP. Somehow, working with casualties back at London Hospital didn't exactly prepare me for this," she replied sincerely to the mentor she'd come to like and appreciate.

Alex nodded. "Well then, I shouldn't keep you. I suppose you're eager to get home to Nick," he said.

Kate made a face. "He's been working overtime the whole week. I've hardly seen him," she replied and the happy smile disappeared only to be replaced by a look of longing and disappointment.

OOOOOO

"Bellamy!" Sgt Blaketon said sharply as he stepped into the duty room, causing the young constable to jump and then straighten in his chair.

"Sarge," Phil acknowledged.

The sergeant narrowed his eyes and looked directly, albeit suspiciously, at the young officer and crossed his arms over his chest. "Where is Ventress?" he demanded.

"He's down in the archives," Phil volunteered.

Blaketon snorted. "Archiving himself?" he asked sarcastically. "I sent him down in the basement hours ago. He should have found the papers long ago."

"Do you really believe that old Harald Whipley was the notable silver thief back in 1958?" Phil questioned, fighting hard to keep the disbelief out of his voice.

His superior officer fixed him with a stare. "Would you care to rephrase that, Bellamy," he returned.

"What's Mr. Whipley's connection to the thefts of silver in 1958?" the young constable said miserably.

"I have reason to believe he's changed his identity. However, he isn't fooling me. I can see the similarities between the two of them. That's why I wanted Ventress to collect every article that we have on the silver thief," he explained in annoyance.

"Have you contacted the Metropolitan Police?" Phil asked carefully, afraid of another outburst.

"I have and…" he trailed off as Alf slowly made his way toward his desk with a bundle of papers under his arm.

"Ventress," Blaketon acknowledged. "Better late than never," he added in a low voice.

OOOOOO

A slight smile crept over Kate's lips as she parked the car outside the police house and noticed the lights where on. She briskly walked up to the door and headed in.

"Nick," she hollered, taking off her coat.

"I would keep that on if I were you," Nick spoke up mischievously as he walked up to her.

Kate turned around, surprised, and took in her husband's handsome features as he leaned in for a kiss.

"Nick," she whispered in delight as they broke the kiss. "What have you been up to?"

"Not much," he returned innocently. "I just thought you and I could go for a drink at the Aidensfield Arms before we head over to Whitby to watch the latest Bond movie," he filled in as he reached into his pocket and retrieved two tickets. "And after that; what do you say about a candle lit dinner for two?"

Kate broke into a grin and sneaked her arms around him. "I love you Nick," she said happily.

OOOOOO

Phil glanced at the watch and noted with satisfaction that the clock just passed eight p.m. He rose from his chair and reached for his coat. "Right, I'm off now. Good luck, sarge," he said and headed for the door unable to keep the half smirk off of his face.

"Hmmpf," Blaketon muttered as he grabbed the articles he hadn't had time to go through yet and headed for his office.

Alf smiled in vain and turned around to make sure the door had slid shut behind his sergeant before retrieving a new package of cigarettes. After lighting one up he huffed on it and let the smoke wander down his throat. The old copper exhaled deeply and enjoyed the peace and quiet, wishing every night shift would be the same.

Unfortunately his quiet evening was spoiled rather quickly as the telephone rang loudly on his desk. Alf reached out for it and lifted the mouthpiece. "Ashfordly Police Station," he said wearily.

OOOOOO

1/17

To be continued, don't forget to review ;) Is it good, bad or confusing?