I got carried away yesterday and wrote 3 chapters at once. I feel I should apologise for how angsty this story is turning out - but then I shouldn't really be surprised with the subject matter, and I'm hoping the angst will hopefully soon be over and the story will become a bit brighter.

Jean turned off the engine of the car, and sat there for a moment watching the dawn start to envelop the day; the beautiful pink and blue as the sky turned, along with the birds singing. Completely opposite to what she had witnessed the past few weeks, and especially last night in the interview room. She tried hard to keep the images and thoughts of Robbie, Lizzie, James, Tony, Mark and Laura out of her mind. Suddenly all she wanted to see was her husband, to tell him that she loved him, feel him next to her, and feel safe in his arms; she knew she took him for granted and she shouldn't. She was so lucky to be with the man she loved. She looked up at the house, hoping to see a light on to signal his arrival back from Russia. The curtains in front of her, covering the large bay window, had light shining from under it.

She got out of the car, and made her way over to the front door. In a couple of hours she would have to be going out again, firefighting, making a statement to the media, but in the mean time she needed a coffee or something stronger, too see her husband and maybe have a half an hour of sleep, before preparing for the day. Opening the door, she saw his suitcase by the front door, and she kicked of her shoes..

'Alex! I'm home…'

He emerged from the lounge just ahead of her,

'Hey honey. I got your voicemail when I arrived at Heathrow… Congratulations, you got the bastard!'

She smiled weakly, 'She's a nut job Al. She sighed. 'A complete and utter nutter. Hug me…please'

He smiled, and hugged her, enveloping her in his scent which was also mixed with the unmistakable smell of plane, but she didn't care, she felt so safe. So secure. Unlike Laura.. shit. 'I love you' she said, talking into his shirt, so it sounded muffled. She pulled away and looked up at his handsome, rugged, tired face, 'I love you and I don't tell you enough…'

He knew it was must have been tough the last month, without him here

'I love you too Mrs Innocent… Now, do you want a coffee, because I was just about to make one. I only got back myself about 10 minutes ago'

She nodded, 'Mmm…coffee would be lovely…You must be knackered…'

'No I slept for a bit on the plane heading back from Moscow,' he called over his shoulder, as he walked into the kitchen. Jean followed him into the kitchen, as he described the trip back and watched him make her a coffee. He passed her the cup and Jean deliberated for a moment, and then went over to the cupboard where they kept the alcohol she used occasionally when she was 'cooking' and got down the amaretto, pouring a bit of into the coffee. It was an acquired taste she knew, but it was something that she'd been doing since her student days and sometimes life just required it. Al watched her noting that when this happened, it was a sure sign that things were at their worse.

She sat up at the breakfast bar, listening to him describe the eventful helicopter trip over from some place she couldn't even pronounce to Moscow. Suddenly she was hit by overwhelming emotion and couldn't stop the tears that sprung to her eyes, hot tears falling down her cheeks. Alex turned around from making his coffee, and looked at her. He put his coffee down, and stood beside her as she buried her head in his shirt again, feeling the sobs throughout her body. Jesus, it must be bad. She hadn't cried like this at work since.. Al shook his head, he couldn't remember, but reminded himself that when her father had died, she was completely the same. She felt so safe in his arms, so lucky to be able to do this.

She looked up at him, eyes stinging and in between hiccups; ' Three dead, Al. THREE! She hiccupped due to the emotion 'Laura… alone, Travis... baby.. Lewis.. one of the best.. Hathaway …Tony … firefighting..'

'Shhh.. darling.'

'Laura... hate.. me.'

She finally managed to calm herself down, and looked up at his kind, handsome face, which was although smiling at her, was etched with concern.

'Oh Al…' He bent down and their lips met and he kissed her tenderly.

'Why does Laura hate you love?' Why did it matter anyway?

'Because without me, Lewis.. Robbie.. would be at home, enjoying his retirement and making canoes, being with Laura… I cajoled him into coming back '

Canoes.? He shook his head trying to get the image of an old man making canoes in the back of his garden. This Laura must have loved that!

'I know the state of the force right now, and that you need more man power. It was an obvious choice, and he came back of his own accord. She can't blame you. '

There was a silence, and she considered it, knowing he was right.

'Jean, love. You're so great at your job and it may seem so incredibly tough right now, but I promise you, it'll all turn out OK..'

She looked up at him, and seeing his face smiling down at her, smelling his cologne, feeling safe in his arms, she believed him.