Chapter 2

…

Carrie glanced down the pathway of the plane to see Al trying his best to pay attention to something Eliot was telling him, he looked back at Carrie and mouth the words "you owe me one" in her direction. She let out a small laugh as she leaned back in her seat, she glanced at Joanne…who was off in her own little world as she stared out of the window.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Carrie asked, touching Joanne's arm.

"Mmmm, oh nothing really."

"So come on then."

"What?"

"If you're gonna make Al sit through an 8 hour flight with Eliot, the least you can do is tell me what the hell happened between you all those years ago."

"Didn't I tell you back at your flat that I didn't want to talk about it."

"Oh come on Jo, you know I would never tell anyone."

"It's not that interesting really."

"So, no point in keeping it quiet then….is there."

"Oh alright, well the thing is…oh excuse me." She suddenly spoke as the young flight attendant walked past.

"Could I trouble you for a bottle of water please."

"Of course Ma'am, sparkling or still?"

"Still please." Joanne smiled.

"Could I get one too."

"Of course, I'll just be a minute."

The attendant came back almost immediately with their water and rushed off to help another passenger.

"Right Jo, spill."

"About 6 years ago, one of the Detectives involved in a case we were working on was taking back handers to hide information. A few of my superior officers were convinced I was just out to cause trouble and they refused to listen or even look into it so I went over their heads."

"So what happened?"

"Well I was too Senior to be fired and I refused to resign so….here I am." She smiled.

"Well, we're lucky to have you then. So why the animosity with you and Eliot."

"At the time he'd tried to talk me out of it, told me to just leave it and get on with my job."

"You didn't listen to him."

"He was pretty mad."

Carrie could see some hurt in Joanne's voice when she spoke of Eliot.

"Hey, is there something else? With you and Eliot I mean?"

"He's only been in the job 8 years when he and I started working together, over the course of our working relationship….we did have, well I'm not really sure what you'd call it."

"Was it just sex?"

"In the beginning yes but over time….it did become more than that. I'd always said he was crazy, I was older than him but he didn't seem to care and so I saw no reason why I should."

"Did he speak to you at all when you were transferred."

"We never spoke until the day You, Al and I turned up at the Major Crimes Division."

"Do you still feel anything for him."

"I don't know Carrie, it was a long time ago. We've both moved on."

"He's divorced, you're single."

"Carrie leave it alone okay….it's in the past. You want to focus on a relationship, take a closer look at you and Al."

"Al…..Jo we're just…."

"Friends, yeah…of course you are." She smiled.

Carrie looked at Jo curiously as she leaned back and closed her eyes for the rest of the flight.

…

The next morning Gill walked in to MIT, a face like thunder. She was soaked right though as she dumped her bag on her desk.

"I was wondering when you'd bloody get here."

Gill's head shot up to see DSI Julie Dodson sitting on her sofa.

"We'll you're early you mad cow."

"Yeah well, your message last night sounded interesting. NYPD, how could I pass up that opportunity. When do they arrive."

"They were getting their flight yesterday so they should be here within the next few hours."

"And how do you feel about the American's taking over your case."

"Erm….excuse me lady but no one is talking over anything. This is my case, not theirs and I'm in charge.

"And you think it will be that easy do you."

"What do you mean."

"Oh come on Gill, they're probably thinking the same thing you just did. It's their cold case and no doubt they'll be just as pushy as you."

"Yeah well that's why I have you….you're my back-up."

"Oh and here was me thinking you valued my opinion."

"I always value your opinion Slap….you fancy a coffee?"

"Oh yeah I wouldn't say no."

Gill got up from her desk and yelled for Kevin, who jumped when his name was called.

"When you've got a minute DC Lumb, two coffee's in here."

"Yeah sure Boss."

He went over and started to prepare their drinks. Janet and Rachel came walking in and headed for their desks, followed by Rob.

"Oh I'll have one if you're making one Kev." Rob said.

"I'm not the flippin' tea boy you know."

"Alright, don't worry about it…I'll make my own. Rach, Janet….coffee?"

"Oh yeah, please Rob." Janet smiled.

"He totally fancies you….you know that right?" Rachel smirked.

"Shut up Rach, he's just being nice."

"Sure he is."

"Oi, he offered you one too you know."

"He's always hanging around you and anyway, it's about time you moved on."

"Rach…."

"Well, you and Ade have nearly finalised your divorce and let's face it….he's moved on already."

"Rob's a child."

"Is he hell, he's not that much younger than you."

"Young enough."

"I say if he ever does ask you out then you should go for it."

"And you'd do that would you."

"Hell yeah, he's hot and beside….he's probably just…."

Rachel stopped talking when Janet went quiet and Rachel followed her gaze. She turned around to see 4 strangers standing in their doorway, 2 Men and two Women.

"ERM BOSS…..YOU MIGHT WANNA COME OUT HERE." Janet yelled.

…

To Be Continued…