Heart of Gold

Chapter 2

Litton prepares for his leaving do party and sets foot in London for the first time, hearing many stories about Gene Hunt saving a young frightened girl's life, He comes to realise that his new job wouldn't be easy as he first thought.

He dreaded it no actually his stomach did sommersaults, he sat listening to Cars by Gary Numan on his stereo player in his soon to be ex office, he just wanted to dance his emotions, afterall he was smooth mover on the dancefloor everytime him and his team went out to nightclubs in the City Centre of Manchester. The ladies would admire his dance moves even flirt a little but there was one person that got away a person someone who he deepily previously cared about and also missed most of all, WPC Rose Myles, she moved away to Brighton with her current boyfriend Tom, what Jack remembered was the uncertainly he saw in her eyes as she left, he did wish them well but regretted it later on, wishing he'd gone with her instead of Tom, they had shared romantic feelings between themselves after getting trapped, locked in a darkened office when they had been undercover while investigateing a finacial boss who was at the time under suspicion of murder, he couldn't put his finger on it, on why he froze when she turned to ask him how he felt about her.

"Erm boss sorry to dsturb you but something important's occured in the canteen betta come and take a look immediately... " the younger, fitter, petit, DC Scott appeared from behind the door, a light tinted brown flyaway curl corned over his lined forehead , hoping he wouldn't be getting an earful from his DCI. Snapping the DCI out of a daydream without realising.

"Alright I'll be there in a minute" He turned his from looking at his many unforgetable framed pictures he had in his office to answer to DC Scott, his eyes full of hope and happiness.

Right O... Betta get a move on actually" He seemed persistant, what was he up to, the cheeky chappy Detective was well known for his pranks and chirpier side, always attempting to bring some light relief to the office when someone felt down or disappointed.

"Maxy boy 'why do you feel the need to rush me, i've got all day to investigate what evers up" DC Scott gave up, sighing frustratingly and ushered Jack up from his chair, nudging him out of his office, past the filing cabinet by the main office double doors, Jack's dark brown hair ruffled to one side and over his left eye. The two detectives then made their way past The Super's office and down the corridor, it was strangely quiet and Jack soon noticed, no one photcopying paperwork, no one drinking coffee at their desks in the other police departments, maybe they all finished earlier than usual. He expected a leaving do party would be thrown for him and Detective Sergeant Robbie Gordon, he had seen him neither around the station that afternoon.

As himself and Scott approached towards the canteen, he sensed something had been planned after all but proceeded to go along with, pretend to be surprised, as he flung the canteen doors wide open, the sound of party poppers and the cheers of "Surprise" filled his recepitent ears.

"We wanted to throw your leaving do today because there a few of us heading down to a party in Sheffield on the 28th and its been organised for weeks..hope you don't mind Jack....'ere' 'ave' some cake. Doreen made it" Detective Constable Simon Dale offered to cut him a slice of chocolate cake.

"Oh bloody charming... I'm leaving late next week and they're all swanning off to some fancy do in Sheffield.. shows how less they think of me" He soon began to realise maybe his popularity had taken a nose dive over the past year, he hated to think that he was actually looking forward to heading down to the South of England to have a meeting with Superintendent Mackintosh's assistant Phil Carsley, Robbie would be coming too, as they'd be finalising what station he would be put in. It was big massive step to take to be transfered to another police station, losing touch with friends he'd made over the past 10 years, Litton was a wiser, strong minded individual, he didn't like to be messes around with and hoped he wouldn't be pushed around once he started wherever he would be placed.

"Where's Robbie today 'aven't caught a glimpse of 'im' usually...is he still out on patrol on the streets with PC Rod King...'ope' that daft bugger ain't winding 'im' up...Simon...because You know..well you've seen how bad is temper can get when he teased up to a point" Litton warned, pointing his finger, thankfully the younger Robbie had chosen to leave as well, the DCI was almost certain that DS Gordon would be kicked off the team for his anger issues, now he just wished that he wouldn't go and bugger up their interviews next week. Jack Litton had lots more problems to dealing with, one being putting his semi detached house up for sale on the market, he'd only managed to pack his suitcase, his personal belongings over the past few days since his transfer request had been accepted.

"You gonna miss us all 'ere' Jack?... You do realise we'll miss your grand funny quotes... especially the rude ones we can't speak about" Simon and Max looked up to him more as a leader one who would stand up for the team if they ever got bad results and got a bashing from the Superintenddetn on a day he was in a bad mood.

"Of course i'll miss you two... You two are like sidekicks to me well you ave' been for 5 years....just hope after i've left.. Bodie and Doyle... Sorry I mean you two can keep this station clean from all sorts like from corruption... promise me you both won't be tempted in taking a bribe" He knew they wouldn't, that they were incredibly smarter than they looked, Simon had brains and intelligence, Max acted just like himself, shy, streetwise and little hints of cockiness showed in his behaviour They both learnt a lot from Jack and felt sad they coudn't go with him and Robbie, however they answered to Jack's question.

"Don't worry Jacky boy...At the first sniff of corruption we'll guarantee to keep a close eye on everyone in this station.. you've got our word... We've always agreed with you that any detective or policeman who deals backhanders or takes an innocent man of the streets for no explanations its wrong for them to do so" Simon winked an eyebrow, placing his hand on Jack's shoulder as reassurance, taking a sip of bubbly from a glass.

"Do you mind.. I haven't taken a sip of mine yet" Litton growled fuming, huffing as coldness trickled in from the kitchen doors. Combing his hair back in to place, behind his ears, he was desperately itching to eat, after being kept talking for so long. He hadn't ate anything for his lunch an hour before only thing he had was a bottle of Coca Cola that he hid in office drawers.

As early evening set in, DCI Litton received many farwell hugs and wishes of 'good luck in your new job', he really wanted to cry, tears overwhelmed him emotionally, as he stood in the doorway, waving his goodbyes, Simon, Max and Robbie all chose to stay behind for after hour drinks, sitting on desktop surfaces as they tried to remember all the good memories over the last 10 years. The team's bitter encounters with Gene Hunt's lot, how they bit, played rough in thumping Chris Skelton in the nose.

"You lot are like mindless bullies...That's all history but good past history i'll never forget" Litton chuckled finding a humourous side to these flashbacks.

"You will phone us... me and Simon when you've settled down at your new job... let us know what you think of it...who knows me and 'im' might pack our bags and transfer ourselves to join you and Big Robbie before long"

"Pardon me but i 'aven't started yet....christ i'm not moving to Australia if that's what you assume" His eyes gazed down and upwards towards his office, as the desk lamp reflected a gloomy dimming light from within.

"Sorry Jack... this station's gonna be like a ghost station when you've left next week" Simon glanced a brief smile, sadness filling his sore eyes, shrugging his shoulders as he reached over to pour out another glass of whisky, swirling it around in his hand before taking a sip, tasting it strongs taste on his tongue.

"Yeah I know it is... Feeling a bit tense in my shoulders cause of my meeting with this Superintendent Mac's assistant... Bet he's a posh snob like most of them all are" Litton hadn't a faintest idea of how things worked in Scotland Yard, he grabbed a bottle of Irish beer and uncapped its cap by twisting it off inbetween the two desks he stood by.

"Sorry Nelson from The Railway Arms taught me that trick... its quicker and simplier" he acknowledged the great barman's wisdom and helpfulness, he decided to put in a good word for friend, when he next met up with Gene Hunt, who he hoped of not working with.

"So do you reckon....that DCI Hunt has a new DI working alongside 'im' in London?" Max couldn't help but wonder, maybe the unlucky person might be a female for a change, someone who wouldn't cope with putting up with his sarcastic, unpleasant and ways of policing.

"How am I suppose to know...Come to think of it ...I did overhear something from an old colleague of his that... Gene boy's current DI is a female.. and that they don't see eye to eye fail to communciate properly on different cases.. lets hope she doesn't cross my path soon.. I'll have some harsh words to say to 'er'" Jack hadn't perhaps overheard far too much in the Railway Arms that summer night in August, he was occasionally reminded of the tragic day Sam Tyler's car when into part of the canal and how he missed a chance of saving him. Listening to radio communcation conversations being shared between that horrible DS Carling who he never got along with, not appreciating his ways of getting a confession out of some poxy suspect. He'd twiggered something had occured when DS Carling said "Sam don't you dare... Guv will only lock you up in his Ford Cortiina that he' s selling off or 'ave' you shipped to Calais in it never to be seen again" Litton found it highly amusing yes he knew it was wrong to listen in but then the line went dead and the next sound he'd heard was water bubbles, He jumped with fright and concern afterwards.

"Do you think I'll make a great Detective Chief Inspector if I'm promoted anytime..." Simon smirked leaning back in his wooden chair, almost nearly tumbling backwards.

"I think you just might it depends... Just keep your reputation in tact and who knows you might be running this office and become a legend around 'ere' and a lot of younger detective might look up to you and give you plenty of encouragement and respect " Litton advised his young protege, who was also hardworking, focused and enjoyed reading through heavy evidence folders unlike anyone else who'd thought to throw them to one side.

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After a week flew by, so annoyingly fast whn he least expected it to, Litton had eventually left Manchester for the time being, a swallow of sadness feelings formed in his mind, he looked full of doom and gloom on the daunting long journey down to London, travelling down the long motorway, this morning he would meet the apparent famous Supermac who had Gene Hunt transfered to Fenchurch East, Robbie slept on the back seat, his feet kicked the drivers seat, Litton nearly thought of pulling over a couple of times and waking his DS up from peaceful sleep, it wasn't worth it however he would moan and groan like a spoilt child.

He drove past a Ford Fiesta car as it halted in early morning traffic jams, chirst he couldn't be having this, he was suppose to be on schedule on time not late, he'd never been late for any important meetings ever and feared at being screamed out. Sighing whilst checking out his hairdo in the car mirror, he looked good, really good, how could any posh birds resist his charms and charasmatic appeareance, he aimed to impress anyone and not himself for once, figuring out his job always had to be put first above any importance. Tapping his fingers along the dial board, he was tempted to put on the radio, listen to some of that newish music material by Duran Duran, he didn't like to admit he loved listening to their songs but secretly knew all of their soing lyrics.

A driver seated in his car behind, beeped his car horn loudly enough to wake Robbie, as his head shot upwards, unaware of their surroundings.

"How long was i sleep for...." he checked his watch, pleasantly surprised it was still only 8.45am on a Monday morning, yawning his breath smelt of horrible taste. The driver got impatient in his car further behind, continuing to beep every five seconds.

"You've been asleep for 20 minutes.. Flash that idiot two fingers of salute...he's getting on my tit..quite literally" Robbie did whgat he was told, smirking upon pointing, dabbing furiously then sticking displaying a V Sign.

"That told 'im' good and proper eh" he delighted in response, looking to his side to see London 5 miles away on the motorway board, easing back on the seat.

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They finaly set foot in the big Capital at around 10 O'cock on the dot, hurrying to find the main head offices of where Supermac was based, Litton frantically spun his new flashy expensive Jaguar down a narrow road as a quicker way of finding Fenchurch West.

"I think this is it isn't Jack...look says Fenchurch"

"No this Fenchurch East where Hunt works... I don't want to be bumping into 'im' just yet" Litton mocked Robbie's Glasweigan accent

After another 15 minutes of endless searching, he pulled in his Jaguar, stepping foot onto the cold hard surfaced pavement by the smaller sized entrance.

"Blimey I gotta admit i prefered Fenchurch East's entrance betta than this one" Litton's sunglasses edged down his nose, he stepped ahead, pacing up these steps and heading inside followed by Robbie.

Supermac waited by the help desk, a large stout man dressed smartly, he could stay at all, having too rush off for another meeting elsewhere, shaking hands with both detectives as they nervously stood frozen anxiously.

"Ah you must be Detectivre Chief Inspector Jack Litton and you are Detective Sergeant Robbie Gordon... I'm Phil we spoke on the phone last week...come over to my office its just around this corner" He lead the way as Jack and Robbie exchanged confused looks, Robbie bit his bottom lip but not too hard.

"Step inside" allowing them both to enter first as they took two available seats situated in front of a large blue wall.

"When will be able to get a word with Mac...?"

"I'm afraid he's extremely busy these days...Today's he got to congratulate DCI Hunt... Saved a young girl's life.. saved her from being blown up in smothereens" Litton's jaw nearly dropped on the floor,.

"Anyway Jack... Me and James Mackintosh have decide to put you and Robbie in Edgeley Street Police station its in South London... really troubled area... Man that's just left there had to retire cause his family life was being threatened by some drug dealers... Its entirely up to you of where you live... So what do you say?" Phil leaned forward antcipating what Jack's answer might be

End of Chapter