I do not own Law and Order UK - a girl can only dream. Itv, Kudos and Dick Wolf own all. No copyright infringement intended nor should be inferred.

1.

Sarah sat on the wooden bench as she tried to collect her thoughts. The August sunshine did nothing to improve her mood. The bleak surroundings reminded the teenager how fleeting life could be. She should be happy. She had everything going for her, her exams had gone well. Her A level results were far better than she had dared to dream. Smiling at the memory she had even considered asking the teacher if she had the right envelope. Her mum and dad had been delighted. Lucy had called her a swot then hugged her and now this.

"Wish you were here." She spoke to the grave in front of her. "Dad would listen to you. You'd listen to me. Oh uncle Wes, it's all gone to shit. It really has." She sniffed. "Don't worry, Dad isn't drinking again. You'd haunt him if he did - that is if me, Natalie, Matt and Alesha didn't kill im first. He was so happy on Thursday. So proud of me. A Brooks getting great marks at A-Level. He said that ain't never append before. 2 A* in physics and chemistry and A in psychology. Matt said I'd get into Oxford with that. Not gonna happen though."

"Why not?" Sarah jumped as she heard a familiar voice. The deserted cemetery suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

"Dad."

"You always could talk to Wes. Good choice of godparents for you and Lucy. Him and Michelle adore the bones of you two." He sat beside her as her eyes filled with tears. Ronnie hugged her to him. "And I am proud of you, my girl. So so proud of my little genius." He kissed her hair as she cried. "Cmon, out with it."

"I miss him."

"We all do."

"Dad." She sniffed as he hugged her. The desolate cemetery seemed to freeze as Ronnie released her. "I can't go to uni."

"Why?" Ronnie watched as she bit her lip. "What's Mum said?"

"Nothing much. I've got to look after Lucy. I"

"Lucy is yer mum and mines responsibility. Not yours. Don't use your sister as an excuse." Sarah straightened up. She knew there was no way she was going to be able to avoid telling him the truth. "Sarah Louise Brooks."

"It's all gone to shit."

"Eh?"

"Mum was supposed to talk to you."

"Since when did Denise ever talk to me?" Ronnie shrugged. "Thursday was a miracle."

"She's dying, cancer and I'm pregnant and I'm keeping the baby. So I can't go to Oxford and anyway my ex is a dick and wants me to get rid so I finished with him and I'm going to look after mum, Lucy and the baby. Chloe's got enough on er plate and this is my decision."

Ronnie stared at her for a moment unsure what she had said. "Sweetheart, you didn't even draw breath."

"I'm sorry Dad. I've been so stupid." She started crying as Ronnie hugged her. He rubbed her arm as she settled.

"Your mum being ill isn't your fault. As for you being pregnant it ain't the end of the world. It'll be ok. We'll work something out." He cursed as his phone rang. Sarah sniffed, rubbing the sleeve of her jumper across her face. Ronnie answered the phone.

"Alright Sam." He huffed. "I'm wiv our Sarah. Eh? What? Ok, ok." He paused. "I'm on my way." He ended the call as Sarah looked at the gravestone.

"Michelle told you? Didn't she?"

"Yeah. She said you were upset." He squeezed her hand. "Car. I've been called into work. I'll drop you with your mum."

"She's dying, Dad. Mum's dying and I'm having a baby and Lucy has no idea how bad things are and mum keeps saying not to tell you!"

"You did right to tell me. Come round mine later, we'll talk. Work something out. Ok?" He drove towards the house she shared with Lucy and Denise wondering what Sam was so get up about and how exactly he was going to look after his girls.

Xxxxxx

George turned the television on as the ITV News at Ten began. He'd had a Hell of a day. Jake was still on paternity leave, James was arguing with Henry over a technicality on the Probert case. The scotch in his hand was well deserved and he knew his wife wouldn't begrudge him. Narrowing his eyes he watched the young female news reporter explain that there had been a body found behind a nightclub in SoHo. He narrowed his eyes as he saw the footage of a uniformed officer lifting yellow police tape to allow DCI Chandler and DS Devlin to pass.

"Again?" He sighed as the police tape snapped. The officers ignored questions from the press as the reporter explained what happened. Moments later his phone rang.

"George, luv. It's for you." His wife handed him the phone as the news ended. "It's Ronnie." George sighed, there had been no mention of the case to him as yet. He didn't see how the CPS could be involved. Nodding he took the phone from Sue's hand.

"Hi Ronnie. What is it?" He punched the bridge of his nose as he listened to his old friend. "Are you sure? Ron! Are you sure about this?" He began pacing the room. "I've had a drink I can't drive."

"Alesha and Matt are on the way to collect you. Henry is talking to Joe and Sam now. I'm sorry, George I really am but I'm certain and you need to come down the station." George ended the call before grabbing his jacket and heading into the kitchen to explain what was happening to Sue. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

Xxxxxxx

"Bloody Nora!" Sam winced as the first set of crime scene photos landed on his desk. Angie yawned. The office brightly lit but doing nothing to appease the fatigue in her bones.

"You can say that again, son." Ronnie ran a hand over his face. "Joy reckons she can't start the post mortem until the morning." He sighed as looked out over the office. Natalie slammed the phone down as Ronnie stared into space.

"Ok, we av a positive ID on our victim. Sir Montgomery Gage. Former head of the CPS. George's old boss. Only thing is what is a knight of the Realm doing down the back alley behind a strip club?" Natalie looked at each of her team. She had half expected a comment from one of them. When nothing was said she began issuing tasks. The room started slowly emptying but Ronnie seemed lost in thought.

"Ron? You ok?" She asked quietly

"Me? Yeah." He turned before grabbing his coat. "Ready Matty?" He left as Matt looked across at his boss.

"He's not Guv." Matt watched her not. "I've no idea what's wrong but something is."

"Yeah." Natalie ushered him out the room. "She just hoped she'd find out."

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A/N please review. Do I go on? Might delete.

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