A/N: And the second instalment! Glad that everyone is enjoying the book so far, and loving the reviews. Please keep them coming! Sorry for the delay on this one, just been a really busy week. Hopefully this will keep interests held. Please, do enjoy!

Chapter 2 – The Return

Clack, clack, clack!

Michael's sneakers prodded along the ground and the sound of the occasional car driving by broke the repetitive motion. His brief heaving breath a distinguishing feature of his lacking fitness since his removal from TR. There was no doubting the undying dedication in the newly appointed Senior Constable. His time at the Foxtrot taskforce had worked him wonders. Michael had secured himself a place in the hearts of all those that he'd worked with, obtained a more than well earned promotion and furthermore, proved himself as to being a by-the-book, get it done cop. Something he'd never been able to prove to his TR superiors during his time in service. Rounding a corner, the Senior Constable's cheeks flushed with certain redness, his fatigue starting to show on his features and slowly but surely, the well-paced run dropped down to a brief jog and then proceeded to become a fast paced walk. The brief sun beamed on his face and Michael Sandrelli found his way to a bench, hands rested on his sides as he took to sitting down. There'd been a hole in the Constable's chest ever since he'd left TR. Ever since he'd been driven out by Kerry and forced to partake in his policing activities elsewhere. As much as he felt accepted and accomplished; once you were in TR, you were always bound to TR. It was just the line of work that the thrill-seekers in the police force joined. Those who wanted to help – but furthermore – wanted to be on the frontline and ensure that, even when things got dangerous, they'd see the situation through until the end. That was exactly what tactical response was; that was exactly what it stood for. A hand wiping over his sweating forehead, Michael cast a glance down at the ground. He couldn't stop thinking. About TR. About the old times. About Stella. He hadn't seen her since Dom's funeral, and even there, he'd been distant. He'd stood alongside the Foxtrot taskforce as if he hadn't known the guy that was being buried. A guy that in so many ways, he'd considered a mentor and a father-figure. Shaking his head, the constable dismissed his thoughts. There was no time for anything like that; no time for reminiscing in his faults of the past. Lawson had always said to keep your head right and to keep going, because everything you did was for legitimate reason.

However, it was the sound of firm footsteps approaching from the footpath ahead that caught Michael's ear. And then the voice.

"Michael." There was a pause and the young officer had to play at the voice for a moment.

Eyes trailing off the ground and up to the approaching man, a completely true smile burst onto Michael's features.

"Lawson!" he stood quickly from his seat, offering his superior a respectful nod.

"Well, you're looking a little out of shape." Lawson put with a slightly teasing pull at his lips.

"Uh – yeah…. Well what can I say? The taskforce didn't have requirements like TR." Michael laughed truthfully, scratching the back of his neck a little uncertain of how to deal with the situation at hand.

"How're you mate?" the Senior Sergeant offered, patting Michael in greeting on the shoulder and taking a seat next to where Michael had been seated before. The Constable followed in accordance.

"I've been alright. How about you and the guys?" the Constable spoke pleasantly, finally regaining some consistent breath from the run he'd been on.

"Yeah; their good." Lawson nodded. "Look, Michael. I know what happened between you and Kerry – but fact of the matter is – Kerry's not heading TR anymore and so, there's still a place for you at TR. We're a man short, Michael…. Since Dom." Lawson offered, a solemn look crossing over his face; the clear notion of regret still playing on the Senior Sergeant's mind.

"Look… Lawson… you know I'd love to come back. But – the taskforce has really made me welcome. I can't just up and leave on them."

"Nah, nah. I understand mate. I'm just letting you know the positions there. If you want back in, the positions yours. It'll make me feel a hell of a lot better than having some new asshole filling the spot. I wanna' know I can trust my team – and frankly Michael – TR and me have complete and utter faith in ya'." Lawson spoke honestly, a comforting hand placed onto the Constable's shoulder.

A thankful nod was offered from Michael, but a look of distinct confusion was plastered across his youthful features.

"Lawson? How is it exactly you found me?"

"I was driving along and I saw a little fatty that looked a bit like Michael. Couldn't help but have a quick look if it was you or not." Lawson smirked, "On that note. If you want the position back – don't expect to show up unless your uniform fits. Fatty." Lawson smirked cheekily, standing from the seat and pacing back in the same direction he'd come from.

...

The TR station was quiet in the early hours of the morning. No one had been expected in until seven thirty, but Charlie, Josh, Lawson and Shannon had all seemed to arrive roughly around the same time. The new boss of TR found himself sorting out Kerry's old office, whereas Josh was finally catching up with the paperwork he'd been behind on since the Miguel Venture case. Lawson was sitting in the change rooms, eyes fixated on Dom's old locker and his hands firmly placed by his sides as he sat in silence; just thinking.

"You didn't come home last night." Shannon's voice bopped as she rounded the corner from the girl's bathroom; fully suited up in her TR gear.

"I know, Shan. I'm sorry." He told her in a sincere voice.

"I know you are, Lawson. But this isn't okay. We can't keep playing at this – you can't keep shutting me out. You need to talk about this and even despite how many times I've told you TR and me are here for you, we're the last people you come to see when it comes to talking about Dom." Shannon released, her true feelings coming into the open.

Lawson's eyes traced away from the floor and moved over to Shannon, a certain sadness possessing them. His heart broke with her words. It was true; Lawson had been completely shutting out Shannon. Completely shutting out Josh and the rest of the team; something that he couldn't continue to do.

"Yeah, you're right." Lawson acknowledged, "Truth is, Shan – what's on my mind isn't for the ears of the team. I'm the leader. I need to be strong – need to be composed and collected. If that means soldiering through the battle alone, that's what I'm gonna' have to do." Lawson spoke simply.

"No." Shannon interjected almost immediately, "Lawson. You may be the team leader – but first and foremost – you're my partner. You and me; that's more important than anything. I'm here Lawson," Shannon lipped, moving towards him and taking his hand into her own, "I want to help you."

"Yeah, I know." Lawson smiled sadly back, moving forward and kissing Shannon gently on the lips. He'd missed it; the feel of her lips touching his. The smallest of things.

"We'll talk later, yeah?" Lawson promised.

"Sounds like a plan." Shannon smiled through the kiss that she'd deepened. For a moment, Lawson and Shannon felt the comfort of one another again. The warmth of one another, the distinct touch of one another and the undying love that they both shared for one another; something that had been so distant for so long as a result of Lawson's wary and self-blaming state.

...

Hours grew on and Sergeant Joshua was finally able to sign off the computers. He'd found himself up to date with all his reports and he'd done it outside of official working hours. The younger members of TR had started to arrive almost directly after. Stella and Christian chuckling away as they marched their way into the change rooms in which Lawson and Shannon had only evacuated half an hour prior.

"Shut up, Christian." Stella smirked embarrassed at the conversation that she'd been having upon arriving.

"I'm just saying, Stell'. You and Michael; top notch couple!" Christian thumbed up.

Rolling his eyes as he made his way down the hallway, Brendan Joshua headed to his locker and started sliding into his gear, offering a friendly nod to the youngsters who were conversing.

"You two should probably keep your personal stuff on the down low. With Charlie in, there's no doubt his looking for some leverage over the team." Josh added quietly, making the final additions to his uniform.

Stella simply gave Josh a careless shrug and Christian took the words more seriously; giving his superior a thanking nod. "Do you think he's going to cut anyone out of TR?" Christian piped, trying to keep his tone as low as possible.

"Nope." Josh added simply. "He needs us, Christian. Cutting anyone isn't an option for him at the moment. We're already a man down without Michael around."

"Charlie doesn't really seem like the type of guy to give a shit about numbers, Josh. I think the whole 'list pick' he's doing's to strike some fear into us." Stella added with an honest tone, her eyes scanning the garage as if to try and search for any sign of the new Senior Sergeant.

"Yeah – well, Lawson won't let him." Josh shrugged in conclusion. That's what it came down to. Having faith that Lawson would keep everyone safe from Charlie's harsh rule. Filing out of the hallway and into the locker rooms once more, Shannon and Lawson adjusted their earpieces and offered the team a greeting.

"Right; Charlie's on his way with the verdict on the team." Lawson spoke firmly, his eyes scanning the ranks.

"Any cuts, Lawson?" Stella quirked in her usual innocent tone.

"How am I supposed to know, Stell'? I'm on the same page as all of you here." Lawson stated matter of factually, pressing the earpiece perfectly back into place.

In that moment, Charlie rounded into the change rooms and the final addition to the team had arrived. Leon and Audrey had been summoned along with him too; it seemed that they'd both been considered for the team revamp as well. Leon shuffled into line next to Josh, his hesitant and uncertain eyes training away from the new leader and Audrey simply stood with her large blue eyes glued to the boss – as if captivated by his sheer presence.

"Alright." Charlie spoke. "I've been through the team – backtracked on all of your records and I've found no weak links. Good work." Pocketing his hands, the Senior Sergeant grazed the ranks over, "With that being said, Leon – I expect complete professionalism from you. No accessing the network for your private needs. Police duties and police duties only, or consider yourself replaced by Audrey." Charlie pointed from the bikey-vest wearing computer tech over to the much more attractive and presentable addition to the team.

"Okay then. With that being sorted, we'll get a move on with -…."

"-Hang on." Lawson interrupted Charlie with his powerful voice. "We're waiting on one more."

Charlie's eyes darted around, a clear distaste for Lawson's interruption. Scanning back over to the team that stood before him, Senior Sergeant Lewis took note of the entire team being present and shrugged his shoulders, "Everyone's here, Lawson."

"No. We're waiting on one more." Lawson repeated; more slowly than the last time almost in mockery to Charlie.

"Lawson."

"Charlie."

There was a pause. Silence. The two senior officers exchanged looks and a tension built between them, but the sound of boots pattering from a distance drew Charlie's attention elsewhere.

"Who's he?" Charlie forced, pointing over to the entering male officer.

"Michael Sandrelli. He was put on leave for personal reasons." Lawson lied easily, his eyes looking over to the old addition making his fresh return. Smiles were abroad, and each and every member of the team was captivated by the pleasant sight that was Michael; except that of Charlie.

Eyes darting back to Lawson, Charlie summoned him over with a finger movement, "A word, Lawson?" he moved back towards the hall – allowing the rest of the team to use the time to celebrate while the two leaders of the team had a more serious conversation.

Stopping before Charlie, Lawson offered the new leader a challenging look, "Is there a problem?"

"Not at all, Lawson. Other than the fact that you brought in a fucking teammate without running it by me, we're A-oh-bloody-kay!" Charlie shot aggressively, his piercing eyes challenging Lawson's authority-filled gaze.

"Charlie…. You may think you're running this squad, but as far as it goes, I've got a say in the team I lead here. I need people I can trust, and Michael, whether you like it or not is someone that I feel I can trust. We were short one member in TR, and now, that problems fixed. You should be thanking me." Lawson cut with his well played words.

"Next time you want to do anything involving this squad – you run it by me. Are we clear?"

Lawson offered a brief nod, lips pouted forward almost stirringly.

"Good." Charlie nudged past and found his way back to the group. As if in control, he pulled a tight and clearly forced smile onto his lips, "Welcome back to the team, Michael. Consider yourself a part-time addition. Once I've had enough of you, you're back on your ass with whoever you branched off from." Charlie uttered with complete truth to back his words. Lawson found his way back into the change rooms as well, and he moved into a back corner of the room, leaning on a wall with his arms folded.

"What're we doing, Charlie?" Lawson announced in a somewhat uncertain voice.

"You and the rest of the team are going out on patrol. Tend to what needs to be tended." The Senior Sergeant spoke simply, pointing over to the vehicle. "Oh and Lawson," Charlie began as the team started on their way, "If you ever let a suspect escape again…. You're done."

...

Kerry had been at it through the night and all morning. She'd been trying to get into contact with James but simply, she couldn't. Her heart was pounding and her head aching with the worry that had overpowered her.

"James, it's – its mum; call me back; please. Just let me know you're alright." A repeat of a message left at least a hundred times over. Something was wrong. James may have been a user and reluctant to let his mother see him in the state but there was no way he was this cruel. Even being as shit of a mother as Kerry believed herself to be – she knew her son a hell of a lot better than that. Under her breath she cussed away uncertain and unsure of what to do. All her instinct told her to go to Lawson and to get him to look into this; but Kerry knew, even the way he was now, Lawson still had a degree of professionalism to him. He'd undoubtedly arrest James – just like he'd said. The Senior Sergeant had offered fair warning and Kerry accepted it. Pulling her phone back to her ear, the Superintendant listened to the dialling tone that emerged.

Then suddenly, it stopped.

"Kerry?" the voice offered.

"Yeah, Josh. I-uh-I need a favour." The woman spoke as clearly as possible.

"Shoot?" Josh spoke simply.

"It's…. it's James. He's not taking any of my calls and I-uh… I think he may be in some trouble. I need you to get Leon to track his phone for me. It… it seems as though it's still on." Kerry begged in a weak state, "And Josh…. Lawson can't know about this. Same with Charlie." She informed.

"I'll see what I can do, Kerry."

"Oh, thanks Josh." She announced wholehearted.

Sergeant Joshua hung up his phone and placed it in the car holder, gazing over to Stella.

"Pull over up here." Josh signalled towards a free parking space on the side of the street. The car rolled to a halt and Josh clicked into his comm. "Leon? I need a favour."

"What's up Josh?" Leon quirked, rolling back away from his little note making session with Audrey.

"Can you get me a track on James Vincent's phone?" he asked with a persuasive tone.

"Uh…. Is this off the records, mate?"

"Yeah." He admitted.

"Right-o, I'll see what I can do for ya'."

"Cheers."

A moment past, then two, then three. Following came Leon's distinct voice.

"Got him!" he called, his eyes tracking along the map, "He's in an old warehouse on Booker Street in Spotsword."

"Thanks, Leon." Josh uttered, signalling Stella to take off toward the destination. "We're goin' in quietly." He informed her.

"Got it." She replied in approval.

Michael was sitting in the back saying nothing, his eyes simply scanning over the area and obeying his superiors every command for a change. He was too happy to be back to cause any mischief with the people he trusted in his first day on duty.

"Josh?" Stella offered, rounding a corner quickly.

"Yeah?" the Sergeant offered in a curious voice.

"D'you think Charlie's ever been laid? I mean… the guys up tight as all hell but he's not bad looking." Stella acknowledged, a little teasing in her voice.

"D'you think I give a shit?" Josh laughed, his usual smile lightening the mood.

"Donno. He seems like your type." Stella interjected with a stirring wink. There were so many similarities between Charlie and Lawson at times that it wasn't even funny – and Stella – she had no problem taking the micky out of her mate. A few short moments passed and the Sergeant and the rest of TR2 had found themselves at the warehouse given. Jumping quickly out of the car, guns drawn, they approached the warehouse and their eyes locked onto one of the old doors that looked as though it was unlocked. Approaching it, Stella grabbed the handle and Josh offered his covering aim along with Michael. Pulling it open, Stella moved in. Clear.

Josh followed close by and checked the room opposite. Clear.

Then came Michael; straight down the center and into the main section of the warehouse.

"Guys!" he called, eyes flashing backwards and forwards frantically. The two teammates hastily made their way to Michael and their eyes caught a bloody, bruised and battered James Vincent, lying on the floor struggling for breath in his own blood.

"Shit…." Josh cussed. "Leon! I need an ambo here now!"