Guys, your comments have been great and I'm so glad you're all enjoying it. It's been too long xxx

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Chapter 4

…

James stood staring at Natalie, not saying a word. In the end she began to get annoyed by the silence.

"Look, I know it's out of the realm of possibility alright' but at least say something…the silence alone is killing me." She said.

"Are you sure?"

"What…that I'm pregnant, I'm sure."

"It could be a mistake."

"Yeah it could be…but it's not. Look James, I have done this twice before you know. I know the signs."

"It couldn't be…mena…."

"Don't even say it Steel, it's not bloody menopause…trust me."

"You've been to a doctor then?"

"Well no but…"

"Well then…maybe it is a mistake."

"Three pregnancy tests don't lie."

"They could do."

"James…I know my body…I'm pregnant but if it will make you feel better, I will go and see my doctor Victoria when I have time."

"When you have time…I know you Natalie…you'll keep putting it off."

"No I…"

"Natalie, phone her now."

"What?"

"Victoria, phone her now."

"Look James, if I say I'm going to phone her then I will, when…"

"When you have time…and when will that be mmmm?"

Natalie rolled her eyes before she went back to looking out the window, her arms folded against her chest.

"Natalie I'm sorry, it's just…"

"What, you don't trust me to do it myself."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?" She asked, turning back to him.

"You have a dangerous job."

"I am aware of that, thank you."

"What I mean is…don't you think it's best to have yourself checked by your doctor right away, to make sure everything's okay with the baby…with you."

"Why would there be something wrong?" Worry evident in her voice.

"I'm not saying there is but…and please don't take this the wrong way but, you are older."

"Yeah thanks James."

"Oh come on…you know I didn't mean it like that. You know the risks; I'm worried about you and I…"

"I know…I know. It's just all happened so quickly."

"You haven't told him then…Ronnie?"

"I think if I do, the man will ave' a heart attack."

"He'll be shocked yes but, he loves you."

"Oh come on James…a baby, now."

"There's not really much you can do about it now is there….unless."

"Unless what?"

"Well…unless you don't want it."

Natalie's face fell at James words, before she closed her eyes tightly.

"Natalie, I'm sorry I didn't mean too…"

"No, it's alright'."

"I suppose, with no one actually knowing…nobody's been able to ask you how you actually feel about all of this."

Natalie laughed at his words, before looking up at him…tears in her eyes.

"Guv we…"

Natalie looked away when Angie walked in to her office without knocking.

"Angie could you leave us for a while please." James said.

"Sure….sorry." She said before quickly backed out before closing the door behind her.

James wasn't usually good with emotions but with Natalie it had always been different between them. He moved closer, bringing his arms around her as she leaned on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you." He said quietly.

"You're just sayin' what needs to be said."

James pulled back as Natalie wiped a few tears away before looking at him, a small smile on her face.

"Well you can bet this will get back to the boys." She tried to joke.

"You should tell him, he has a right to know he's going to be a father again."

"I know…I don't know who I'm more worried about tellin'. Ronnie or my boys."

"Jake and Mark are great boys…well young men now. They'll be shocked but you're their mother and they love you. They'll get over the shock in time, but you do need to tell Ronnie."

"I will."

"And the doctor?"

"I'll make an appointment today alright'."

"If you want some company, I'm free…just let me know."

"I'll be alright', but thank you."

"I'm a phone call away, don't sit at home and worry about it…talk to me whenever you need too."

"Thanks James."

"I should get back…I'll tell Alesha I talked to you,"

"You won't tell her about…"

"I won't mention the baby; I'll leave that to you. I'll think of something, don't worry. I'll check in later, look after yourself."

James kissed her cheek before leaving her office; taking a seat at her desk…she leaned back in her chair and gave a small sigh before picking up the phone."

…

Matt and Ronnie were at their desks, the TV in front of them as they watched the cctv footage from the garbage site. Matt sat yet another coffee down in front of them, running a hand over his face.

"There's hours of this stuff." He muttered.

"And we have to watch it all Mattie…we need to find this guy."

"Has Joy got back yet?"

"Nah son…she'll call when she's ready."

"God Ron…there's a mum and dad out there missing their daughter…and soon we'll have to knock on their door and tell them she's never coming home."

"I know son…so the sooner we get through all of this, the sooner we can arrest the man who did this to her yeah?"

"Yeah."

Angie walked in with some files, putting them in the relevant trays before turning to Matt and Ronnie.

"Is the DI alright?" She asked.

"What do mean Ang?" Matt asked.

"Well, I went in to her office earlier and she was with James Steel."

"And what's wrong with that luv?" Ronnie asked.

Angie went quiet when Ronnie turned to face her.

"Ang luv, what is it?"

"Well, when I went in…I'm not entirely sure but…I think she was crying."

Ronnie turned off the TV before turning his attentions to Angie.

"Crying?"

"Yeah."

"But Steel was there?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, he was…comforting her I think."

"Ron?"

"I told you somethin' wasn't right wiv' ere'. I knew…here, you carry on with this…I'm gonna go talk to ere'."

Ronnie was up and out the door before Matt could say anything else. He walked down the corridor towards her office, knocking lightly and walking in without waiting for an answer, to find the office empty. Her jacket and bag were gone; he turned around making his way back to his desk, grabbing his own jacket from his chair.

"Ron…where are you off too."

"I just gotta nip out son…won't be long."

"Yeah but we're not done here yet? Did you talk to the Guv?"

"She wasn't there son…I won't be long."

Ronnie made his way back down the hall, Matt following to catch up.

"What am I supposed to tell the Guv when she comes back?"

"Tell her what you want Mattie."

"Where are you going?"

"To talk to the one person who seems to know what the hell's goin' on. Won't be long son."

…

Alesha came in to the office carrying lunch when James looked up.

"Hey."

"How did it go?" He asked.

"10 years…not bad."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks…how have things been here?"

"Fine."

"Well I'm just going to have lunch and then I'll go over and have that word with Natalie…other wise Matt will never stop."

"Oh, actually…you odn't need to bother."

"Why not."

"I've already been to see her. I had files to drop off to her and we just had a quick chat…I thought I'd save you the time."

"Oh okay…so, how is she?" Alesha asked, taking a seat on James desk.

"She's fine." He smiled.

"Fine? Come on James, that's not true, otherwise Ronnie and Matt wouldn't be so worried about her. He said she was looking really tired."

"She had a virus that's all and she's just getting over it…the hours she works doesn't exactly help either, does it."

"I guess not…that's really all it is?"

"Alesha stop worrying…she's fine."

Alesha was about to respond when they heard the door open and Ronnie came bursting in. James looked up to see anger on the older mans face, which wasn't something usual for him.

"Ronnie…hey what are you doing here." Alesha smiled.

"Hello luv, sorry to interrupt but I think James here needs to tell me what the hell's goin' on."

"James." Alesha spoke up.

James looked between Ronnie and Alesha, his heart pounding.

"I know you saw her today…Ang said she was crying."

"Natalie was crying."

"Alesha please…look Ronnie I…"

"You owe me an explanation son…what has Natalie told you that she can't tell me, the man she lives with mmmm?"

"I'm sorry Ronnie but I can't, you ought to speak to her yourself."

"And I would son, if she would talk but she won't…just keeps telling me it's a bug she's caught."

"Ronni I…"

"I don't know what the hell's goin' on son but if you're keepin' somethin' from me that could help her…then you'll see a side to me son you've never seen before…all I'm gonna say."

Ronnie turned and walked back out, James letting out a breath he was holding as Alesha turned to him, eyebrows raised.

"A virus huh? You'd better hope she tells him or he'll be back for you, and I'm not sure anyone wants to see that side of Ronnie."

…

To Be Continued…