I do not own anything related to Law and Order UK. Kudos, Itv1 and Dick Wolfe own all. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred

Enough

Ronnie glared at the half empty bottle of scotch. He felt like Hell itself. His second divorce had just been finalised. His partner had quit the force and he was on his last final official warning. Closing his eyes he fought the nausea that built up in his stomach.

"Bloody Hell!" He looked up to see the petite brunette in front of him. "Don't look at me like that, you're lucky it's me and not one of your girls finding you like this!"

Ronnie nodded. His friend was right. He was in no state for a two year old or an right year old to see.

"Sorry."

"Sorry?"

"Nat, ow did you get in ere?" He reached for the bottle. A look from Natalie stopped him in his tracks.

"Key under the plant pot. For a copper you've got some shit security around here. Really? Key under the daisies."

"Won't be a copper much longer."

He reached for the bottle, just as she snatched it from his grasp, sending it hurtling across the kitchen. It smashed on contact with the wall as Ronnie flinched.

"Bloody Hell!"

"You won't be alive much longer if you keep pouring that muck down your neck!"

"Who cares?"

"Sarah, Lucy. Me." Natalie glared at him. "Your daughters need a decent dad, not like one you ad. I need my mate. Ok?"

"You?"

"You ain't the only one with two kids and a divorce! Grow up!"

"Nat, I didn't know."

"Well, yours the only one who didn't. Talk of the station, my old man shagging the secretary while I was doing my DI exams." The bitterness filtered through her voice as she dug in her handbag. Leaflets flopped on the table.

"What's this?"

"Alcoholics Anonymous, drink aware. A second chance."

"I."

"If you say you aren't an alky, that you can control it then I'll walk out that door and you will be alone. No job, no friends."

"I can't. I can't lose anything else."

"I've got a post, central London new unit."

"Great."

"I get to pick my team." Natalie glared at him. "The Guv will approve you on two conditions."

"What?"

"Drop a rank to DS. Get sober. Sharpish."

"Yes Ma'am." Ronnie held her gaze. "You're putting your neck on the line over this? For me?"

"Tables were turned you'd do the same. Don't make me regret it. A second chance."

"Yeah."

"Get clean, stay in work, be a dad." Natalie watched as he ran a hand over his face. "If you can put up with me as your Guv. I need someone I can trust."

"When do I start?"

"First AA meeting is at 7. Get showered. I'll clean the glass up and give you a lift." Ronnie smiled as she spoke.

"Serious?"

"Deadly. You let me down, Ron."

"I won't." He tugged on his tie. "Be careful with the glass." He bounded out the kitchen suddenly feeling less hopeless. He had a way back.

Xxxxxx

A/N please review