Okay girls. Chapter 4 is finally here. Sorry it's taken me so long. All these late night chats with you are distracting me from writing. Better late than never.

Chapter 4

Gill's car drew up outside Royal Oldham Hospital. She sat in her car for a few moments taking deep cleansing breaths so that she could gather all the strength she was going to need to be there for Julie and to nail the bastard who did this to the walls by his fucking testicles. She got out of the car and made her way into A&E. The first thing she saw when she entered was all the chaos of the department. All those injured people around her but all she could think about was her best friend. she looked past a few drunken louts that were nearby and saw Kevin sitting in a quieter spot of the waiting area. She walked over and took a seat beside him.

"Kevin. you okay".

"I'm so sorry Boss". He said. Looking up at her.

"Hey kid. This isn't your fault".

She looked into his eyes and realised there were tears in them.

"I should have been quicker. The gun. It just appeared out of nowhere. I didn't even see it in Laine's hand until the last second".

"Kevin. Listen to me. This IS NOT your fault. The only one to blame here is Sam Laine. Trust me when I say we'll get him for this. He'll pay for what he's done to DCI Dodson".

"You're really good friends. Aren't you Boss".

"Yeah we are. Over 30 years".

"That long huh".

Gill gave him a look as if he were being sarcastic.

"I didn't mean anything by that Boss. What I meant was that you must share alot".

"We do. She was by my side when we both made it into the Police Force. She was Maid of Honour at my wedding. She's Sammy's Godmother and she helped me pick up the pieces when Dave left".

"Does she tell you everything that goes on in her life then". He asked. Akwardly.

"Yeah . She does".

"What everything though".

"Kevin. I think I know where your going with this".

"You do". He asked. Stunned.

"Yeah. Like I said. We tell each other everything".

"So you know about...".

"About what. Are you referring to the real reason for you coming to my Syndicate. If so then yes".

"So when I said that she tried to get me chucked of M.I.T you already knew it was a lie".

"I didn't think you wanted the other members of the team to know about it. So yeah I kept my mouth shut. Not just for you but for Julie too".

"She just eneded it for no reason. Just told me that it would never work out".

Gill couldn't help but notice the hurt on Kevin's face. Her main priority when she put Kevin with Julie on this case was for them to sort out their differences. Not for it to turn out like it had.

"Kevin. Can I ask you a personal question".

"I guess so Ma'am".

"What was Julie to you".

"I don't understand Boss". He replied. Looking confused.

"Well. Was she a conquest for you to have a joke about with your mates or did she actually mean something to you".

Kevin stood up from where he was sitting and looked at his Boss. The look on his face made Gill realise that she'd offended him.

"I'm sorry Kevin".

"Do you seriously think that I'd do something like that".

"I apologise but I had to ask".

"NO. She wasn't a conquest". He replied. Sitting back down.

"Look Boss. When I first joined Syndicate 3 she was great, like you. She was tough but fair and she was funny like you".

"She still is". Gill concluded.

"Not with me she's not".

"Kevin".

"How it happened was well we got drunk at one of the lad's leaving do's. It just happened and after that time it kept on happening. She was great. It wasn't just sex. I liked her and I didn't care that she was older than me but she did. She got worried about what the station would say if they found out that a DC was having a relationship with an S.I.O. I didn't want her having to deal with that and feeling the way she did so..."

"So you got a transfer to my Syndicate".

"Seemed the right thing to do. At the time anyway. The things I say about her. The things I call her like Bitch From the Black Lagoon and that she was hell to work with. It's all just a front. I never for a second mean any of it".

"Does Julie know that you still have feelings for her".

"I doubt it. I came bloody close to telling her in the back of the ambulance though".

Gill smiled a little as the sudden image of Kevin and her best friend popped into her head.

"Kevin. If you still care about her as much as you say then you need to tell her".

"She won't want to hear it".

"Make her. Julie's dealt with alot of crap in her life. Now what I'm about to tell you. If any of it ever gets out I'll kill you and I'll get away with it because I know how".

"Sure Boss".

"Julie's been married twice. Her first Husband died from throat cancer not long after we got into the police. Her second Husband, well he was a Dave type and left her for a younger model".

"She never ever said. What about kids". Kevin inquired.

"Julie can't have kids. She suffered a miscarraige in her early 20's and had to have a hysterectomy".

"Jesus. Is that why you made her Sammy's Godmother".

"No. I made her Sammy's Godmother because she's my best friend. I love her and I trust her with my life. With Sammy's life. She's a damn good role model for him and he loves her to bits. Don't let her go without a fight Kevin. Julie Dodson's one of the good ones". Gill smiled.

Kevin gave his Boss a small smile. Her status as Godzilla was diminishing the more they spoke. He'd always knew she wasn't as bad as she liked to appear. She and DCI Dodson were more alike than Kevin could ever have imagined. His thoughts were disturbed by a dark figure hovering over him.

"Are you both here for Julie Dodson". He asked.

"DCI Gill Murray. This is DC Lumb. How is she Doctor". Gill asked. With all the authority she could muster.

"We managed to get the bullet out safely and no damage has been done to any of her vital organs. We've given her an ultrasound and there's no hemorrages or internal bleeding. She's very lucky. She's had a very narrow escape".

"Thank you Dr. Sorry. I forgot to ask your name". Gill asked.

"It's Dr Phelps and it's fine. No need to apologise".

"When can we see her". Gill smiled.

"She's still unconcious right now. You'd be better to go home. Get some rest and come back in the morning".

"NO. I'm staying". Kevin demanded.

"Kevin. Dr Phelps will call us if she wakes up. Won't you".

"Ofcourse I will".

"This is my mobile Dr Phelps. If there's any change". She replied. Handing him her card.

"Don't worry. I'll ring you. Now go and get some sleep. Both of you". He said walking away.

"Ma'am".

"Kevin. Come on. You can sleep in my spare room tonight okay. That way if he calls you'll be near by". Gill said.

"Yeah but Boss".

"Julie is in safe hands. Back to mine. That's an order DC Lumb".

Kevin gave up trying to argue with her because he knew he wouldn't win this one. Not with the almighty Godzilla at the helm.

To Be Continued...