All Together Now
- PART TWO
By Rae & Anna
Again .. BHHQ - theirs not ours, thanks for the lend.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The butterflies made a frenzied move in Tess' stomach. A lightheadedness overcame her, she put her hand against the wall to steady herself while it passed. She sensed Evan behind her.
"You all right?" he whispered close to her.
She turned and leaned her back against the wall. Looked closely at the man she loved, but wouldn't allow herself to have.
"Uh huh." she murmured, "think so."
She desperately wanted to put her arms around him and lean into him, breathe him. If only for a moment. But she couldn't.
"Tess, you really don't look so good." He rubbed her arm gently.
Stop doing that, she pleaded silently. She felt warm, but shivered. Evan dropped his files he was carrying and put both his arms around Tess as she slipped to the floor.
"Tess!"
"Jonesy we got patr . . " Jo started to say, "oh is Tess all right?"
"I think she just fainted is all." Jonesy said, lowering Tess' head gently to the floor.
"Want me to call Dr Mel?" Jo asked.
"Ahh yeah. That would be good."
"Tess' fainted . ." Evan heard Jo say to the boss as she made her way into the office area to call the doctor.
PJ and Ben came out of the kitchen area and stood gaping at the scene before them.
"What happened Jones?" The boss asked, removing his glasses from his face.
"She just fainted boss."
"Well is she all right?" the boss asked.
Jonesy shrugged.
"Is someone calling an ambulance?" the boss questioned again.
"onto it boss." Ben said, reaching behind him for the radio microphone.
"Jo was calling Dr Mel." Jonesy said, not swaying his attention from Tess for a second.
Jo popped her head between PJ and the boss. "Dr Mel's at St David's Regional today. Dr Zoe is the doc on call."
"ambo's on their way boss." Ben said.
"Dr Zoe?" the boss and PJ both asked at the same time.
"Shultz?" PJ asked.
"Nah, wasn't Shultz. Something else." Jo answered.
"Oh." PJ and the boss passed a curious look between them.
The siren sounded in the distance. The ambulance wasn't far away. Tess was still unconscious when the ambulance took off for the hospital.
Jonesy and the Boss following in the 4 wheel drive. Ben and Jo headed out on patrol, leaving PJ to man the station.
The new member forgotten.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The clock was ticking. Tess or the Boss were going to come back, help her into the station. 10:17 and no sign of anyone, or anything.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The phone were ringing madly, with Mt Thomas 308 trying to reach the station to no avail. PJ was stuck as what was her desk, now Evan's, on the phone. One part of the job he hates.
"Yes Mrs" the name escaped him, "That's right, Mrs Edwards. Look, we're understaffed at the moment. Can I get the sergeant to call you back?" he paused, "We're expecting a new member today actually Mrs Edwards" He shook his head, "Yes Mrs Edwards. Thanks for your call"
Maggie walked it. Surreal. No one else was around. No Tess, and a look through to the Boss's office proved that the Boss was out as well. Other members, well who knows. She smiled. Nicely planned on Tess' behalf. There he was. Her PJ.
"Senior Constable Doyle reporting for duty" Maggie grinned. PJ turned around.
"Maggie?" A whisper, there was no emotion. Not want she had imagined. Not what she wanted.
"Shit" she cursed herself, she should have waited. "Tess, the Boss? They didn't tell you?"
He didn't speak. The Radio buzzed to life once more.
"Mt Thomas 308 to Mt Thomas Station" Ben voice was heard over the station.
PJ didn't stir. The phone slipped from his fingers.
Silence
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Boss and Jonesy paced the hospital corridors, opposite ends of each other, like expectant fathers looking up as they passed. Waiting for some news. Finally they caught sight of the doctor. She approached them, a wide smile on her face.
"Tom! Oh it's so good to see you."
Tom stared at her, broke into a huge grin when he realised that it was indeed Dr Zoe Hamilton.
"Zoe? I can't believe it's you! Where's Nick? and the kids?. . . Ohhh."
Jonesy fidgeted on the spot, anxious for some news about Tess. Zoe noticed this, gave Tom a quick hug and turned to Jonesy.
"Are you Tess' . . .?" She started.
"Ahh, no," Tom gently interrupted, "umm, Tess' husband . . died . . "
Zoe nodded her understanding. "I see. . ." she looked questioningly at Tom.
Tom looked between her and Jonesy and nodded, it was ok to proceed.
Zoe smiled at Jonesy. "Well, I am going to suggest she stay in overnight for observation. Her BP is very low, foetal heart rate is good though. We are keeping a close eye on her for now . . . She seems a little confused too . . . ahh Tom?" Zoe turned to him. "Ahh did Tess know . . . eh," she shook her head, "did she know . .Maggie . . at all?"
"Oh god." Tom rubbed at his forehead, remembering.
"Maggie?" Jonesy looked confused, "Maggie?"
"Yeah, Maggie . . . which is why I think she is still very confused. . .she seems determined to get back to the station . . keeps muttering about Maggie."
"Ahh . . Maggie is at the station," Tom's hand went from forehead to chin. "mmm . . a long story." He said to her shocked expression.
Jonesy looked positively dumbfounded.
"But Maggie's dead." Zoe said.
"Apparently not." Tom smiled.
Jonesy looked between them, comprehension beyond him.
"Look, I really should . . . get back to . . Maggie . . . Jones I trust you will . . .,"
Jonesy nodded. "yeah boss."
"keep me posted." He turned away from Zoe and Jones.
"But Tom, Maggie's dead." Zoe called after him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The patrol car moved at land speed records, the drive between the hospital and the station taking longer the quicker Tom drove. Tom's concern for Tess was compounded by his worry over Maggie.
He trusted that Tess was in safe hands with Jones. God knows the love the boy had for her was real. Jones could no longer keep any feelings he had for his sergeant a secret. His love for her was as plain as the nose on his face. He worried about those two.
And Maggie, alone in the station with PJ, heavens above! PJ had not been forewarned. The outcome of that didn't even bare thinking about.
The patrol car came to a halt out the front of the station. Tom leapt from the car. Walked a quick pace to the front entrance and pulled the fly screen door open, it hitting the brick wall with a thwack. He rounded the front counter.
PJ was sitting at Jones' desk. Phone in hand. Blank look on his face.
"PJ?" Tom approached.
"Maggie?" PJ whispered.
"Ahh . . PJ? . . where is she?"
"She was here."
"I know . . where is she?"
"Gone."
"Where did she go?"
PJ extended his arm and pointed it limply in the direction of the watch-house.
"Are you all right?" Tom leant over and looked closer at PJ.
"You knew?"
Tom nodded painfully. Turned and walked towards the watch-house, sighing heavily.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I can't do this Boss" Maggie sobbed, "He couldn't even look me in the eyes"
"It'll be okay Doyle" Tom offered softly, "I'll have a talk to PJ"
Maggie sobbed silently, hiccupping her falling tears. Than it dawned on her, "What happened this morning?"
"Tess collapsed" Maggie gasped at his reply. Here was she, sobbing over something trivial……Tess.
"She's okay. And the baby too" he smiled, "Zoe thought she was quite confused with the mention of your name"
Maggie almost smiled, "Zoe?"
"That's the one. It's quite story" he let of a slight laugh.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I'm telling you Ben, it's true." Jo laughed
"Bull." Ben stopped short when he saw PJ sitting at Jonesy's desk, blank look on his face.
He slowly walked towards him. Waved his hand in front of PJ's face, "Mate? Who died?"
Jo laughed.
PJ shook his head. Looked up at Ben and Jo. Recognition dawning. "I just met the new member."
"Spill . . " Jo jumped in front of him, eager to hear all about it.
PJ looked at Jo. A million things running through his mind. He stood up.
"Jo," he said pushing her to the side. "I just met the new member . . " PJ took off in the direction of the watch-house. Ben and Jo stared at his retreating back. Shaking their heads with laughter.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Mags" he stood in the door way. Tom didn't say anything, with a small squeeze of Maggie's arm and a glance towards his detective, he was gone.
"PJ" she whispered softly. He still didn't move. "This isn't how I imagined it. I've worked through the motion, you know, every step, every word. It's not meant to be like this"
"I don't know what to say" PJ glanced sideways, "We knew there was a new member, and Tess and the Boss were being secretive" he sighed, "I should have put two and two together"
"Tess was going to tell you, give you time" Maggie smiled sadly, "She's good Tess" PJ nodded.
Without thinking, he took three steps forward, enveloping her into a hug.
"I'm sorry PJ" she whispered softly, repeating the words "so sorry"
Maggie leaned into PJ she could not get close enough to him. The familiarity was comforting. She sighed and lifted her chin. Looked deeply into PJ's eyes. He lifted his hand to graze her cheek. Was this for real? Would his sense of touch betray him? His fingertips brushed a light trail down her nose, then traced the contours of her face.
"Maggie." he whispered. His mouth so close to hers, she could taste his breath. A few millimeters more and PJ tasted Maggie's lips like a first kiss.
"That's a little bit more like I imagined" Maggie grinned, "I guess I should fill you in"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Wonder how Tess is doing." Ben mused as he headed for the kitchen and a cup of Milo.
"I'm sure she'll be ok." Jo said, not wanting Ben to see that she too was concerned for Tess.
Jo looked up as the boss made his way past the photocopier. Ben stuck his head out from the kitchen.
"Boss? How's Tess?" Ben asked.
Tom stopped in the kitchen, Jo came to stand next to him.
"She's going to be ok. Thank God." he moved his hand across his chest. "They're keeping her in overnight for observation. I've ahh left Jones there to keep an eye on her."
Jo and Ben exchanged knowing glances.
"Ahh there is something else . . . " Tom trails off, looking down at his shoes.
"Yeah?" Jo asks, "The new member? What's happened to them?"
"Ahh . . yes the new member . . well . . " Tom watched Jo's eager face. Ben's curious glance over the rim of his mug. Spit it out Thomas, he thought to himself, "It's Maggie Doyle."
Jo's mouth hung open. Ben gulped his Milo nearly choking on it.
"Maggie Doyle?" Jo uttered, "She's dead."
"Ahh no. . . she's very much alive." Tom couldn't help the smile spreading across his face.
Jo gripped the safe to stop her knees from buckling under her. Maggie Doyle alive? Oh god! How is that possible? And PJ? Jo was reeling. She looked at Ben, shock evident on his face too.
"Maggie Doyle alive? " Ben managed to choke out.
"ahh yeeeaaaasss." Tom bobbed his head up and down. Silly grin spreading some more.
TO BE CONTINUED ...