Home Truths And Office Secrets
A fic based on episodes aired on the 1st and 2nd of August 2007.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters featured in this fic, unless otherwise stated! All characters are, and shall remain, the property of TalkbackThames and Fremantle Media. I am merely borrowing them for use in this fic and their personas will be placed on the corresponding shelves above the correct labels when this fic is complete.
Author's Notes: Sincerest apologies to my readers for the lack of fic updates recently. The cause – good old fashioned writer's block! Or in my case bad writer's block. However, when thinking about the episodes which happened on August 1st and 2nd before they were screened an idea came to me, which I added to my idea of wanting to write a POV fic. As a result, the first 5 chapters will be of POV format, the 6th slightly confusing (well in my head! lol) and the 7th should tie up loose ends therefore meaning any further chapters should be less confusing (again in my head!) Hopefully this will spark some unclogging of my writer's block and I will be able to update my other fics soon! I have added Sam to this fic, just to throw a spanner into the works so to speak. So sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Chapter 1:
I'd had this niggling feeling in the back of my head all day. I knew Larry Franks didn't murder Cindy, my instinct told me that, as well as the way he acted. But there was something funny about Rachel, she'd seemed to be somewhat affected when we found Cindy's body, but then so impartial and not bothered by the fact she didn't attend the funeral. Okay, so they hadn't seen each other in years, but from what I'd gathered originally, they had been good friends. No offence to Rachel, but if I'd been in
her position I would at least have made the effort to go to the funeral. Then there was the fact that she'd been hanging round the case like a bad smell most of the day. Even now she won't leave me alone, despite everyone else having gone home. I hate being watched this closely, it makes me uneasy. Hang on, what's this… A bag… I swear that wasn't originally photographed in the crime scene photographs, I mean, I've been over the file that many times!
Finally, I've convinced her to go – peace at last! As I'm re-watching the video I hear a noise. Rewinding the video slightly and turning the volume up, I hear it again – a mobile phone ringing. I might have found something here! What if the phone wasn't Larry's or Cindy's? I ring down for the phone records of both to be on my desk the following morning as I finally decide to call it a night. I pack up the crisp packets and soft drink cans and place them in the bin, put my coat on and head outside. I walk around the corner and look up, only to see Rachel there. What on earth is she still doing here? As she offers me a lift, I hesitate remembering my thoughts from earlier, but deciding I'd might as well get a lift, you never know, she might let something slip. I hear a ring tone from the back seat of Rachel's car, I recognise that tone and foolishly turn around. There it is… the bag from the video earlier, and the same ring tone. I knew instantly she was involved. I look back at her and feel her slap me, forcing my head near the dashboard, then nothing…
My vision is blurry as I regain consciousness, trying to figure out exactly where I am. I feel my ankles and wrists bound together, I'm in a bath… I managed to get myself out, as much as it hurt, then I look up and see a person standing in the doorway – Rachel…
Why is it I always manage to get myself into a mess like this? Now I've got yet another gun pointed at my head, in the middle of God knows where and not a clue as to whether anyone is actually looking for me or not, though I assume they are as I did make Rachel send an odd text to Stuart, who I must say, I never text, or call for that matter unless its work related. On my knees again, this seems so familiar, so much like the Seth situation… Then I see them, Neil, Sam, Nikki, Diane, Grace, CO19 and I've never felt so relieved, yet so nervous at the same time. I beg them not to shoot and they appear to hold fire. I muster the courage to stand and talk to Rachel, I go over things she's said to me, trying to talk her down. She drops the gun, which I kick over to CO19 as she is being arrested by other officers. I sigh inwardly, knowing that its all finally over, that Larry Franks is a free man, that my job is done.
I leave the building surrounded by Nikki, Sam and Diane. It's funny, they all seem so worried about me, too worried even, I can't help but smile to myself. Neil dismisses them and takes me aside for a word, I can help but say I told him so, that Larry didn't do it, and Stuart, I can't believe he went all out for me. We've barely worked together and he sticks his neck out for me? He must've had the same niggling feeling as I did. I know I should really be heading to St. Hughes right now, but I have to see Stuart before he goes home, to thank him, so I ask to go there first. I get out the car just as I see Stuart leaving and rush over to him. He seems a little embarrassed as I thank him for everything he'd done, I mean, to be honest, I would probably be dead right now if it hadn't been for him. I can't help but call him 'hun', he seemed a little down and it did make him laugh. Then, I go to St. Hughes and get myself checked over, who send me home. I can't wait to finally have a nice hot shower and curl up on the couch, watch a DVD, have something to eat then go to bed…
I woke slowly the following morning and smiled to myself. Not only had yesterday been one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, but one of the best nights I'd had in a very long time. I still couldn't believe that I'd spent the night with the most amazing person, the most beautiful woman and the most passionate blonde I'd ever met. I thought back over the night before, it was so wonderful, so special and I wanted many more nights like it, I wanted it to be like this forever. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone stirring beside me. As I watched her waking, I kissed her forehead lightly and realised I was completely and unconditionally in love with…
Wrapping the blanket back around me, exhaustion suddenly overcoming me, sure to get a good nights sleep now…
So what did you think? I've got the next chapter written, so if I get enough reviews I might just be inspired to post the next one up in the next few days hint, hint x