Disclaimer I do not own Republic of Doyle.

Black Out

Rose opened her eyes to complete darkness. She had no idea where she was or where she was going but the vehicle she was in was definitely on the move. She flexed her arms and found her wrists were tied behind her back and her head throbbed. She closed her eyes and tried to work out what was going on. All she knew for certain was that Kathleen had missed their meeting. What she didn't know was why.

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"What do you want?" Lesley half smiled as she listened to Jake on the other end of her cell phone. "No. You need to stay in the hospital. You need to get well, it was a pretty nasty wound infection."

"I can't stay here when my father is in such a state." Jake leaned against the hospital wall and tried not to think about his ribs that burned every time he moved his shoulder.

"What is Malachy in a state about?" Lesley walked along the corridor of the police station as she spoke.

"Rose is missing."

"What?" Lesley stopped. "Since when? I only saw her this morning."

"When?" Jake was suddenly more alert. "Dad said she was out the house before he and Tinny were awake. He's out with Des now looking for her."

"I was sat in the car, we're on a case at the moment involving the bank on Main Street. Anyway she walked right passed me. She didn't look too worried but she was clearly watching to see if she had been followed. WAlked straight into the bar."

"The Irish Bar my Dad likes?"

"Yeah. You know Finnigan's?"

"Yeah." Jake closed his eyes. Teh pub was well-known as one of the more upmarket bars but a lot of the older gangsters in the area, including a few of his sister's ex boyfriends still liked to drink there. He shook his head and tried to focus on what Lesley was saying. None of it made any sense. Rose was a mature, sensible woman. It was not like her to suddenly take off. "You saw Rose going into the bar?"

"Yes Jake." She rolled her eyes.

"Did you see her leave?"

"No." Lesley stopped in her tracks. "How soon can you be ready to leave the hospital?"

"In less than a second." He smiled.

"I'm on my way, but so help me Jake Doyle, if anything happens to you."

"Thanks Lesley." He smiled as he pictured the blonde detective. He knew she was on the way to collect him. Despite having no idea what had happened to his step mother he couldn't help but be happy to be getting away from the hospital. He ended the call and tried Des' number again, knowing his hapless friend was with his father.

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"Jake!" Des almost yelled in surprise as he answered the cell phone. Malachy arched an eyebrow as he drove.

"Tell my good for nothing son to stay in the hospital."

"You hear that?" Des had no intention of repeating the message.

"Yeah." Jake smirked. "Look, this is serious. Lesley saw Rose this morning but she didn't get to talk to her."

"Whoa. I am so putting you on speaker phone." Des hit the button before Jake could tell him not to. "Lesley saw Rose."

"Where?" Malachy snapped. Jake rolled his eyes. Sometimes he felt like one of his father's suspects and not his son.

"Heading into Finnigan's this morning."

"Why? Why would she go there?"

"Kathleen did say she was going to meet her today. Maybe something about Tinny's birthday?" Des stated.

"Oh like Kathleen has any idea when her daughter's birthday is or what she would like to do for it." Malachy snapped. It was no secret he and his late wife had practically raised their granddaughter as their own when Kathleen had met up with one boyfriend after another. "No, there's no reason Rose would hide that from me. James still the bar manager?"

"Yeah." Jake knew where his father was going. "Yeah, he's there."

"Good, right well in that case I am going to talk to him. He has to know what happened. Jake, call your sister. I want to know why she was meeting Rose and what happened. You said Lesley saw Rose. You said nothing about her seeing your lazy arse sister." He took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down.

"Ok Dad." He paused. "Rose is tough. She's ok. Wherever she is, she's ok."

"God, I hope so son." Malachy ended the call before turning the car into the small car park behind the pub. Jake turned to see Lesley waiting for him in the doorway.

"Well, are you ready?"

"Yeah." He looked away for a moment, avoiding her gaze.

"Jake?"

"Nothing. Was just thinking."

"What about?" Lesley stepped closer to the man she was so desperate to hide her feelings from.

"About Rose. Dad. How I would feel if it were you missing." He almost whispered as she touched his facce.

"Oh Jake Doyle." She smiled sadly. "What am I to do wth you?"

"Have dinner with me. When we've found Rose. When all this is back to normal. Have dinner with me. "He held her gaze as she bit her lip.

"Ask me again when Rose is back with Malachy safe and sound." She stepped back as he nodded. He had a feeling that was the only answer he was going to get.

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A/N Where's Rose? And what has Kathleen got to do with it all? Will Jake finally admit how he feels about Lesley? Is it worth going on? PLease review.