A/N: Hello again people! I'm back :) So... this is my new story, it's a bit different! I've just come back from my holiday in Florida to find out I have an I.S.T.D. (dancing) exam to prepare for, so 90 of my time is taken up by that. Also, it's my birthday tomorrow so my weekend is full of going out with my friends (their treat!) and seeing my family. That's just a warning to say that this story may not be updated until at least next week!

At least it's the summer holidays, which means I have a lot more time to myself. But when school starts again, updates will be few and far between (sorry!). This is the year of my Standard Grade exams (help!) so I have lots of studying, homework, preparation etc...

Anyway, enough of the rant. Enjoy!

"Hello, Yabbie Creek Police Station. How may I help you?" Jack answered the phone, secretly longing for the phone call to be an emergency, anything to stop him having to go off shift to his troubled home.

"What is it Holden?" McGrath asked from the other side of the desk, searching for an answer on the worried expression now setting in on the Constable's face.

Jack pressed his finger against his lips, signalling for quiet. He couldn't quite make out the voice on the other end of the line; it was full of sheer terror. Listening intently, he scribbled down a few scrawling notes on the blank notepad in front of him, trying to make as much sense of the call as he could.

"We have to go. Get some back up, NOW!" Jack shouted so his voice projected across the room, reaching the ears of passing officers.

McGrath didn't argue. There was a sense of urgency in his colleague's voice that he had never heard before, a hint of sadness as well.

Jack looked on at the scene in front of him. He couldn't see the sight of cars sprawled across the road, or the fire engines and ambulances that parked beside him. He couldn't hear the sirens blaring or the screams of people trapped inside cars. All he could see was tragedy. For the first time in his life, he didn't think of his job, his duties, or anything else for that matter, he just stood still, feeling helpless.

His face had been drained of any sign of colour and, despite the heat of the summer sun beating down on his back and irritating his eyes; he went cold, like ice.

Sure, he was used to seeing scenes like this, watching families lives being destroyed as he told them of the horrors that had happened to a loved one. But when it was personal, it was like his mind shut down, and the blood ran cold through his veins. He wasn't really sure what to do, cry for the loss of life, the loss of a friend, or be professional and emotionless, cold-hearted and unaffected.

Sparks flew from a familiar car as they cut a body from the wreckage, a life-less body. He curled his knuckles deep into his palms, causing his circulation to be cut off, bringing the palest shade of white to the clammy skin over his fingers.

He stood just behind the police tape – a mere silhouette in the background, standing before the sunset that was now starting to bring deep oranges to the once blue sky.

Showing his emotions was never one of Jack's strong points, but he couldn't help show his anger towards the man that caused the accident. He was already safely in hospital, being treated for his barely visible injuries as his victims were being carried away in body bags. Was this what the world was coming to?

"Jack, son. We really need to start getting in touch with the family; they have a right to know. I'm happy to do it, but I know you'll want to tell Martha, would you like-"

"I'll do it," Jack interrupted McGrath, shrugging his Sergeant's comforting hand away from his shoulder.

Two hours had passed since he arrived at the scene, and he still hadn't moved from the spot he had watched on from. Memories from the past years that they had been friends flooded back into his mind, good and bad, fun and sad.

"Only if you're sure, Holden. I know you're close to his wife. It's not even been a year since they were married hasn't it?" McGrath asked, desperately wanting the young man in front of him to speak, letting him know that he wasn't completely spaced out.

"Ten months, today," Jack said after figuring it out. The day was still crystal clear in his head, the laughter, the dancing, the drunken bucks night before the day and the blushing bride along with the glowing groom. They had both been so happy on that day. After all the hell they had been through to get there, they were finally moving forward. Neither of them deserved this.

However selfish it was, Jack wondered why a tragedy like this couldn't happen to one of the repulsive criminals he arrested each day for crimes like murder, rape, man-slaughter, burglary, kidnapping; the list was endless. Instead, it happened to a man who was happy with what he had, a loving family, a beautiful wife, great friends and a part in such a close-knit community. He pushed himself to his very best, and always put others before himself. God help anyone who hurt his family, he'd do anything to protect them. If only they could have done something to protect him, keep him safe from all of this. It was too late now.

The drive home was the worst. He hated this part of the day anyway; going home was always a chore. In fact, it was now less appealing than going to work ever used to be. Ever since Martha found out that she was unable to have a baby, their marriage hadn't been the same. Just over a year after they first broke up, they got back together again, called a truce. Then when Martha finally decided she wanted to start a family, Jack was ecstatic. But they never did manage to have a baby. The doctor had told them that Martha's fertility had been seriously damaged after her abortion of Ash's baby. Since then, the husband and wife had been cold and distant with each other, spending time with their friends instead of with each other. Forced to take sides, their friends reluctantly went along with it and things have never been the same.

How was he supposed to do this? It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do. The only thing he could compare it to, was when he had to watch his dad realize that Beth had died, in a similar crash to the one he had just been at. He would have to crush so many people's hearts when he got there. The worst thing was that no one would be expecting it; he wasn't expected home for another couple of hours.

'Welcome to Summer Bay', the sign read, as Jack's patrol car drove past it slowly. In a few moments the town was to be at a standstill, and a poor girl's heart was going to be broken.

'To Where You Are'

Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above

And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Sung by 'Josh Groban'

Next time: Jack breaks the news to the victim's wife and his family. But who is it?