Disclaimer I do not own Blue Murder. ITV and Cath Staincliffe own all. No copyright infringement intended nor should be inferred.

Alone

Janine looked around the CID office as Kat and Butchers made themselves scarce. She knew Shaps was off chasing the nearest thing they had to a lead.

"Janine?"

"Ma'am." She looked over to see her boss walk into the office. Louise Hogg annoyed Janine most of the time, but she had to admit the blonde woman was a good copper. Part of her couldn't quite forgive her for not telling her that Richard had volunteered to go undercover in the prison.

"Janine."

"Can I do anything for you?" She turned to the other woman, eyebrows raised. She just wanted Richard home, in one piece as soon as possible.

"Richard didn't want you to worry."

"Worry? I'm only his senior officer. Why should I be consulted before one of my team go undercover?" She turned, ready to head back to her desk. Hogg sighed as she followed her.

"It's more than that. I don't know exactly what your relationship is with DI Mayne but it's more than just colleagues."

"Would you be having this conversation with Butchers if Shapps was in the prison? No? I thought not." She turned to see the other woman follow her.

"You've always been close."

"I'm sorry, but us there a point to this?" Janine rounded on the other woman. "Because I really do have some work to be getting on with."

"Yes." Hogg kept her voice calm. "It's over. Richard is getting checked over by the doctor before coming back here."

"Doctor?" Janine felt her pulse quicken. The colour drained from her face.

"There was an altercation. He was attacked. I don't know the details as yet." Hogg spoke calmly.

"But Richard's been hurt?"

"Apparently."

"Apparently?!" Janine wanted to scream. She had no idea how Hogg had done it but she had managed to work out how Janine and Richard has become. The relationship had changed so gradually she had no idea when the annoying and slightly annoying but cheeky detective had become more than just a friend. She bit her lip, trying to keep the words she wanted to scream as the phone on her desk rang. Hogg stepped back as Janine picked up the phone.

"Richard!" Hogg smiled before leaving her junior colleague alone. Janine closed her eyes as she listened to his voice.

"Hi." He held his mobile to his ear as he heard her sigh in relief. He couldn't help the smile that crept across his lips. "Hogg told you?"

"Yes."

"Sorry."

"It's ok." She was so relieved to hear his voice, she no longer cared about being kept out of the loop. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah."

"Richard."

"I'm ok. I missed you." He paused as he pictured her raised eyebrow. "Janine, I did. I missed you."

"Good."

"Is that all I get? Good?!"

"Just." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Just get back here."

"I'll take that as a yes." He ended the call, suddenly more pleased than ever to be a free man.

Xxx