All Together Now
By Rae & Anna
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Insane people who wrote it just wanted to say :
This fan fic has taken on wings on its own. Originally planned to be a dodgy, light hearted fic to reply to Anna's own challenge, it was quickly and swiftly fic – napped by the ever so wonderful Rae.
Read to find out how the crew are once again together. Just bear in mind Anna's rather depressive mind that lives in the hand of hopes, and our somewhat bizarre creative license.
Enjoy - :D Anna
Yes Anna was kind enough to let me run with it . . . so I napped it . . . well not entirely . . . anyhoo . . I thought I would have a whack at it . . see what all the fuss was about . . take up the Anna challenge . . can I pull it off? Well you be the judge . . I took my favorite characters Tess and Jonesy, and some of my not so favorite ;) and attempted to weave them into the magical world of heelerz past . . Anna has me warming to Nick now . . I like his humor and hope that I have done some justice to his character . . Anna tells me I have but I think she being kind, so we wont tell you which bits of Nick I wrote and which bits she wrote, but let's just say that at times it's bleedin obvious. :p
lol Anna is a pushy lil thing and gets the whip out on occasions. . . but bloodshot eyes and all I have really enjoyed slipping on the blue heelers hat and delving into the lives loves and days of . . our heelerz . . tehe. . . .
snaky bastards at BHHQ take note . . people don't die . . . they go on witness ;)
Rae :)) don''t blame me An made me do it.
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"We're getting a new member folks" Tom Croydon appeared out of his office,
"A new member?" Jo asked, "Since when, how?"
"We haven't even been under review" Evan suggested
"Jones, a station is always" Ben Stewart was interrupted
"…...under review. You've got a lot to learn constable" PJ laughed, heading into the kitchenette
"So the new member" Evan smiled, "Male, female.." he trailed off
"Rank?" Jo enquired
"She is a Senior Constable" Tom put his hand up stopping the questions that were to follow, "And that's all I'm saying"
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"So Chrissy" PJ whined, "Has the boss booked in the new member?"
"New Member?" Chris attempted to be confused
"Nah you don't, I'm a detective remember" PJ laughed
"He's sworn me to secrecy Peej" Chris smiled,
"Secrecy?" PJ asked, drowning the last of his beer
"Yes PJ, secrecy" she took the glass away, "And that's your last. No hangover for you tomorrow" PJ sighed in defeat. What was going on?
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"You've got a problem on your hands Senior Sergeant" his wife advised him
"I do?" he smiled, somewhat confused
"Maggie, PJ…..." she was interrupted
"They'll sort it out. They always use to"
"Jo" it was a blank statement on grace's behalf. Tom shook his head
"Jo?"
"You're got a few lessons to learn Tom Croydon" Grace said placing a hand upon his chest and laughing softly to herself.
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"So any more gossip yet on the new member?" Jo asked as she skated around Tess' desk.
"Jo . . haven't you got some work to do?" Tess asked exasperated at Jo's attempts to snoop at her files some more.
"But Serge . . " Jo protested
"Patrol perhaps?" Tess suggested, pointing to the station exit. "And take Jones with you."
"So Sergeant . .," Ben rolled his chair towards Jo's desk.
"Ben! Not you too?" Tess laughed, shook her head and tucked some stray curls behind her ear.
"Was only gonna ask about . . " Ben said laughter crinkling the corners of his eyes.
PJ came waltzing into the station from the front entrance. Looked back at Tess as he passed Ben. PJ stopped in his tracks.
"You know don't you." he walked back over to Tess's desk. "Come on Tessie. . you can tell me."
"No PJ. I can't and you know that." Tess said, trying to sound authorative, suppressing her laughter.
"Come on Tess." PJ pleaded.
"Mate, give it up. You're looking desperate." Ben chortled.
PJ looked over at Ben then back at Tess. "Well I am worlds greatest detective. I will go and apply my skills and detect." PJ made a beeline for his office.
Tess and Ben laughed at his retreating back.
"So . . ?" Ben asked through his tear streaked face.
Tess tossed her pen in the air in resignation, rolled her eyes at him and laughed some more.
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"Sergeant? A word?" The boss crooked his finger at Tess as he made his way past her desk into his office.
"Yes" Tess said dragging her gaze from her paperwork.
Ben cast a curious glance in their direction.
"How should we do this?" The boss asked folding his arms across his chest.
"Sorry?" Tess asked, confused. "Do what?"
"Tomorrow? New member? Sergeant? Tess? Where are you today?" The boss looked at Tess, concern on his brow.
"Oh."
"Yes. Oh. Now how should we proceed?"
"Well as usual I assume Boss." Tess responded, folding her arms in a similar gesture across her emerging pregnancy.
"Sergeant, as Grace pointed out to me, rather delicately, a small situation between PJ, Jo and the new member."
"Ahh. I see." Tess nodded, realisation dawning.
"Yes. Could be a slight problem there." The boss nodded too.
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"Psst. Ben. pssst" PJ called from his office.
"You sprung a leak mate?" Ben looked over at PJ who was sliding around his desk on his chair.
"What do you know?"
Ben laughed and muttered to himself, "worlds greatest detective my ass".
He went into the kitchenette and pulled down a mug from the hook and grabbed the tin of milo from the shelf. Indicated the tin towards PJ who had come out of his office to join him at the sink. PJ frowned his decline, and Ben continued to make his cuppa.
"So?"
"Nothing mate . . Boss and Tess got that secret kept tighter than a frogs ass."
PJ looked disappointed.
"Whats the problem? She's gonna be here tomorrow. You can sexually harrass her then."
Ben stirred his Milo. Big grin forming. PJ looked over towards the boss' office.
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"I just don't get what all the secrecy is about?" Jo whinged as she and Jonesy parked the patrol car out the front of the station.
"Constable, there are some things that aren't meant for the junior ranks." Jonesy said, as they headed up the drive. Jo's whining continued until they hit the fly screen door to the station. And as they made their way into the station.
"Beer O'clock," Ben announced rubbing his hands together, "So who's for the pub?" he stood and gathered himself together ready to leave.
"Yeah." PJ said lifting his finger in acknowledgement.
Jo and Jonesy both nodded their acceptance too.
"Serge? How about you? Fancy a quickie?" Ben winked. "Oops see you've already had one."
He laughed to himself.
Tess laughed too, "Ahh, no, thanks anyway, I think I'll pass."
The boss came out of his office, "No the Sergeant and I have some business to attend to still, see you all tomorrow." He stood next to Tess' desk and watched as they all filed out of the station.
"Be there in a while." Tess said to the Boss when they had all gone.
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"So who's buying?" Ben asked as they sat at their usual table.
"You can go first round mate." Jonesy said clapping Ben on the back.
"Thanks mate." Ben headed for the bar.
"So the boss and Tess are really going overboard with the whole secrecy thing aren't they." Jo leant into the table as she spoke.
"hmm" was all PJ responded.
"What's going on tonight I wonder? huh huh?" Jo nudged Jonesy.
"No idea. . like I said . . got to be higher on the totem pole Jo." Jonesy said.
Ben brought the drinks back to the table. "And a beer for you." Ben said to PJ as he handed around the drinks.
"Cheers." Ben raised his glass. "To the new member, whoever she may be."
"Cheers." They all chorused.
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Tess knocked on the front door of the Boss and Graces' house. She consciously smothered her shirt over the bump growing inside her. Tucked her hair nervously behind her ear and wondered why she had butterflies all of a sudden. She was only about to meet the woman who would be starting as a new member tomorrow and would be eventually taking over her position while she was on maternity leave. She was very nervous. Grace answered the door, laughter in her voice.
"Tess, so glad you made it. Come in, come in." she shepherded Tess in the front door. "Tom, she's here." Grace called, pushing Tess towards the living room.
"Great. great." Tom's smile went from here to eternity.
Grace pushed Tess further into the room. Her hands warmly on each side of Tess. Comforting her. Tess started to feel queasy. Nerves taking over even more. The word legend popped into her head. And she thought about PJ, having a beer tonight at the Imperial.
"Glad you're here Tess," Tom said, "meet our new member . . Maggie Doyle." Tom beamed, his arms proudly around Maggie's shoulders.
Tess smiled. She didn't know what to say.
Maggie came towards her and pulled her into a tight hug. "Oh this is great, I have been dying to meet you. I have been looking forward to this for ages, after all our phone conversations I feel I know you so well. "
Maggie pulled back from the hug and looked Tess over. Tess was still in a slight state of shock, not expecting to have been embraced so warmly by Maggie. But instantly liking the feeling she got from her. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out.
Maggie laughed, a sing song laugh. It was infectious. Tess laughed too.
"I'm sorry," She managed eventually, her hand going to cover her laughter, "I don't know what to say." Tears sprang from no where and fell in a gush.
Maggie pulled Tess into another big hug. Tom put his arm around his wife and beamed some more. He couldn't have been happier.
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"Last drinks" Chris shouted.
There were only a few regulars left in the bar, Jonesy and Ben amongst them. Jo having retired to her flat on Penhope Road at least an hour ago, and PJ to his newly built house.
"Nothery? Ben asked Jonesy.
"Nah, not for me." Jonesy slurred, as he looked at the half pot he had been sitting on for the last 45 minutes. He rubbed at his chin,. Stubble well past the five o'clock shadow stages, thought fleetingly of Tess, then laid his head and arm on the table, closing his eyes briefly. He sighed heavily. Ben propped himself back up on his chair and saluted Jonesy with his fresh beer.
"Don't think about her mate, and it might all go away." Ben took a big gulp. "Women, can't live with em, can't live with em." He laughed at his own joke.
Jonesy waved his hand from under his head. "I gotta get to bed." he made a half ditch attempt at getting up.
"Come on old man," Ben said and pulled Jonesy to his feet, making sure he didn't spill a drop of the precious amber liquid. "Lets get you in for you're beauty rest."
"Night Chris." Ben called as he and Jonesy staggered together up the stairs to their rooms.
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"Are you two sure about this?" Tom asked, he looked back and forth between Tess and Maggie.
"Yes, we're sure."
Tess nodded with Maggie. "We're sure."
Tom still did not look convinced. He looked at Grace. She nodded.
"It will be good for them Tom. Trust them." Grace laughed. She held onto Tom's arm reassuringly.
"It will work out great." Maggie said.
Tess nodded again. Comfortable with the decision they had both come to.
"Ok. If that's what you want Maggie. Tess? What about the baby?" Tom's fatherly concern once again resurfacing.
"Well she knows what she's letting herself in for. Forewarned is forearmed." Tess stifled a yawn.
It was well past midnight. And Tess felt herself falling asleep on the over soft sofa.
"Oh Tom, we're keeping her up, she needs her rest. Big day tomorrow." Grace pulled at Toms arm lovingly.
"Yes big day." Tess agreed, nervously glancing at Maggie.
"Do you want to stay here tonight Tess? Daniel is a school, so his room is free?" Grace played the hostess to perfection.
Tess thought about the walk back to the station. It would be good for her. But she was so tired, that all she could do was nod and accept Grace's hospitality.
"Come on then," Grace said and gently pulled Tess to her feet and lead her towards the bedroom.
Tom and Maggie watched as they left.
"Everything will be all right." Maggie said reassuringly to Tom.
"I hope so." He turned towards her, "I just hope that PJ will understand."
Maggie looked away, not wanting Tom to see the tears forming in the corner of her eyes.
"I hope he will too." was all she said.
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Maggie tossed and turned all night. Thoughts of PJ swirled around her head like a nagging mother. She was eager to see him, couldn't wait really, it had been 4 years nearly since they had last seen each other. PJ believed, like he was supposed to, that she was dead. She hated that, the fact that she had to keep the truth from him. But it had to be done. Her life was at stake, so was his.
It was only her love for him that had kept her going and kept sane in all that time. She loved him even more now than ever before. She understood that he had moved on from her. But she wanted him to know that she was back. Wanted him to love her. Wanted to have the life with him that they had planned on. Marriage, kids, home, family….she wanted it all. She wanted the Maggie PJ dream to come to life.
She had bided her time. Now or never. She had returned. And she wasn't going to go away, or abandon her dreams ever again. She was determined. She was prepared for his reaction. For everyone's reaction. She had analysed it over and over in her head. Her reintroduction to Tom's life had gone better than she had hoped. Grace was wonderful, and so perfect for him. He needed to be part of a growing family again. And Maggie was happy for him that he had embraced a second chance at life and love.
She had Tess to thank for a lot of it too. A chance meeting with Tess' former partner Barry Stevens in Fiji had instigated the whole thing. Maggie had missed meeting Tess for the first time by a few short days. Coincidence or destiny. Maggie wasn't sure which. But it was a link to Mt Thomas. A new beginning. It took her six months to think about her return and another three months of careful planning between Barry, Tess and her, another three months before she could return safely. Nearly a full year in the process, but it was worth it. She was here . . about to start the rest of her life.
She turned again in her bed. Snuggled under the covers some more. Grinned stupidly like a school girl with her first crush. She felt like yelling and screaming all at once, and would have too, but didn't want to wake the rest of the household. She was due to start at 10 am. The late shift. She wanted to get out of bed now and pull her familiar uniform on and run down to the station, beat the door down, and make a start on her new life. She was so excited.
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Tess threw back the covers and nearly fell out of the unfamiliar bed. She stubbed her toe in her desperation to get to the bathroom. Having alleviated the pressure on her bladder, she washed her hands and dried them on the towel hanging from the rack. Observing her developing waist line from the full length mirror in the bathroom, she smiled to herself. The borrowed nightgown billowing around her. She smoothed it down to get a proper look at her new shape. She liked what she saw, and despite the circumstances she found herself in, she was delighted at the prospect of giving birth and becoming a mother. A single parent, she thought, it went against everything she had ever wanted for herself. But it was the situation she was in. She was determined to make it work.
Tess was startled by Maggie standing in the doorway.
"Sorry." Maggie whispered, "I'm too excited, I can't sleep".
Tess laughed quietly. "Excited? You are in for a bumpy ride . . I don't envy you."
"Everything will work out. You'll see." Maggie stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Tess' protruding belly.
So much Tess wanted to say to Maggie. But she stopped herself. Instead she smiled and stepped forward and put her arms around Maggie.
"I hope you are right."
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Jonesy pounded on Ben's door. Received no response, so he pounded some more.
"Yeah all right, all right, keep you're shirt on." Ben pulled back the door, Jonesy stood before him mid pound.
Jonesy chuckled. "Let's go."
Ben mumbled as he turned to grab his jacket from the chair in the corner.
"Big day." Jonesy said.
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Jo was eager to start the day. She had just spent her first hour of the day rigoursly climbing imaginary stairs at the gym, and running the same loop of endless kilometers. Had to keep fit for her job. She smiled. She loved to exercise. The only thing better than exercise was . . well ….sex ! She laughed out loud to herself. Her adrenalin was pumping overtime. She was back at her flat, showered and changed into her uniform in under 30 mins. 10 minutes to get to work and it was only 8am. She surprised herself. She loved her job. And the fact that she was going to be taking her senior Connie exam next week excited her even more. A chance to move up. Yippee, she thought to herself. She locked the door behind her. Practically skipping to her car. What a great day it was. Sun was shining, and she felt good about herself.
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Maggie had driven Tess home and was waiting in the living room of the watch house for Tess to finish showering and putting her uniform on. Maggie circled the room, around and around.
"You're making me dizzy." Tess said as she came out of the bathroom.
"Sorry," Maggie laughed. She threw her hands in the air. Jumped on the spot and laughed some more. Tess looked at the clock on the wall. It was 8.30 am. She was late. Her shift started half an hour ago.
"I can stay with you."
"No. Go, I'll be all right." Maggie insisted.
"You sure?" Tess raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow.
"Yeah, yes, go." Maggie pushed her out the door.
Maggie watched Tess walk the short distance from the front door of the watch house to the back door of the station, confident that her plan was coming to fruition. Tess and Tom would speak to PJ first. Soften the blow for him. Her new life would begin at 10 am this very morning.
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