Disclaimer. Not mine

Truth?

Gerry stared at the figure in the bed, hardly daring to believe that he was staring at his daughter. Paula had never looked so small and fragile. Shaking his head he glanced back at Sandra who was stood in the doorway.

"Talk to her." Sandra sighed. "She's still Paula."

"What if she can't hear me?"

"She can." All eyes snapped back to the figure in the bed. "Dad?"

"I'm here." He sighed as he squeezed her hand. "I'm here. And before you ask, Little Gerry is ok. He's with Esther."

"Esther?"

"Brian's wife. She's spoiling him rotten. He's fine. A copper specialised in talking to little kids will get his statement. Don't worry. I'll be with him."

"Dad." Sandra turned away as Paula spoke. It wasn't her place to listen to father and daughter. Not right now. Sighing heavily she walked towards the Coronary Care Ward determined to talk to Jack.

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Steve stared at Charlie, relieved that she had calmed down considerably since h first arrived home. The petite red head turned to face him as he watched her.

"You ok?"

"Yeah."

"What did you mean? It's happening again?"

"Nothing." Charlie looked away. "Nothing. I was being a bit over emotional. That's all."

"Charlie." Steve held out his hand as Charlie looked away, on the verge of tears once more. "Sweetheart."

"I'm sorry." She sniffed as he held her hand. "I am so sorry."

"Why? What have you got to be sorry for?"

"I." She paused, knowing there was no way she was going to be able to lie to him. Despite the age gap he could read her like a book. She met his eye as she took a deep breath. Steve touched her face, brushing a strand of red hair away from her face. "It was the first case I worked on. When I was first in forensics. A nurse had been murdered. Beaten and strangled. We never really found the killer. Then Brian called looking for you. He told me about Paula." She wiped a tear away. "I know she's alive but it is all too similar."

"Both girls are nurses." Steve nodded.

"Yeah." Charlie nodded. "Yeah, I know."

"And?"

"And if we had caught the person responsible then. Back in 99 Paula would never be in the state she is now."

"It is not your fault." Steve kissed her gently. "And I know Paula is going to be ok and I know we are going to find the man that killed Debbie and the man responsible for Paula's attack. And we will make him pay."

"You think it's the same man?" Charlie stared at her partner.

"Yes. I do." Steve nodded.

"Question is who?"

"That's what we are going to find out."

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Sandra walked towards the Coronary Care Unit, relieved that Paula had woken up. She knew Gerry would be able to rest a little knowing his daughter was getting better. She shoved her hands in her pockets and smiled slightly. No one could doubt Gerry was a good dad. He adored his girls and his grandson. It was just a case of keeping him away from anyone they even suspected of attacking Paula. She paused just as she reached Jack's room. The voices she heard were achingly familiar, it was obvious Jack had a visitor.

"Why are you here?" Jack sounded exhausted.

"To see you. Sandra said you were at death's door." The clipped voice caused Sandra to stop in her tracks.

"Not quite." Jack huffed. "For your information, Grace. I have had a heart attack. I am recovering nicely. Thank you."

"Good." Grace snapped. "I'd hate Sandra to lose another father. I mean two in forty years is more than a tad unlucky."

"Grace." Jack narrowed his eyes. "Do you have to be so cold? No wonder Sandra was always a Daddy's girl. Do you know what happened today? A young woman was attacked. Gerry's daughter. A single mum attacked in her own home with her son just upstairs. Sandra has been looking after Gerry while Steve and Brian try to solve a murder. Uniform and regular CID are tearing Paula's home and no doubt life apart looking for the person responsible yet you come in here lording it over everyone with your spiteful comments. Yes, I think of Sandra as my daughter. I'd be proud if she was. But she isn't. She is yours and Gordon's."

"Gordon brought her up." Grace nodded. "But we both know."

"What?" Jack closed his eyes knowing Sandra had heard everything. "What do you both know?"

"Sandra." Grace turned to face her only child. "How?"

"Long enough."

"How's Paula?" Jack asked. Sandra smiled slightly.

"Awake. Gerry's with her."

"Good." He sighed. "That's good news."

"Mother?" Sandra watched as Grace shot Jack a filthy look. Sandra stood bewildered as her mother flounced out the room. Jack sighed heavily, knowing that while they were no further in the case there were still plenty of questions Sandra needed to be answered.

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A/N More soon x