Heart of Gold

Chapter 9

I've added some different changes into this chapter, Litton has a some time away as he visits Bristol for a couple days in order to take his mind off the verdict of the case Jim Keats has built against him. I will be mentioning some of Bristol's famous landmarks starting with the River Avon and others will be getting a mention in the next chapter after this one Unbeta'd

DS Robbie Gordon always knew he'd infrequently blow a bad tempered fuse one too many times. He'd been giving many balanced chances to control his normal aggressive behaviour, unfortunately today evidently proved to be that day were his luck miserably ran out.

A teenager boy suspected of a Post Office robbery in Mallbank Road , acted too preoccupied in challenging Robbie's patience and stamina to the point of no return, the cocky teenager treated him unkindly and began mocking his accent, in the end Robbie couldn't take it anymore and punched him to shut him up, an action that was immediately reported to Eva and another colleague.

"Now you've gone and showed Superintendent Morris how roughly powerless you really are…I'm disappointed Robbie I presumed you'd clearly see through that kid's disobedience and dishonesty" Eva had been placed in charge of the running's of Edgeley's main CID office since the events of Litton's actions in the Hardwick/Bevan case took a dramatic turn.

"I hate myself I do, What with, what we've heard about what happened with Bevan and Litton, I can't cope here anymore its not the same, Manchester was like my suitable home to me, I miss my friends and how we always went for a lads night out on a Friday Night, of course Derek refused, he never forgets her the woman he loved, the one he wanted to spend his life with" Robbie felt emotional for a change, it suddenly dawned upon him that the massive consequences might drive a wedge between himself and Eva who still secretly loved.

"This is about you not Derek, you're supposed to be an acting Detective Inspector in Edgeley Street now and you can't just go around punching a suspect because he's foolishly mocking your Scottish accent, I'm sorry Robbie this is going to reported to the Super where he can determine whether you keep you as DI or send you back to Manchester alongside Derek" Eva desperately wanted to help but knew she couldn't incase she jeopardized her future prospects in her policing career .

"Not been the same since Derek packed up his belongings last night, I knew Geoff was dodgy and incapable of darker motives, when I told Derek, he accused me of lying, I got to visit him when he's back in Manchester" Robbie sighed tilting his head back as he sat in the chair.

"I understand Robbie, Geoff tried to kiss me the day he arrived here, I had to practically fend myself of him" Eva admitted embarrassingly, she felt ashamed for allowing the tall DI slime ball become to close than she preferred.

"You're kidding, I should have just decked him the moustache twat deservingly right on target in the gob , I'm glad that DCI Hunt shot him" Robbie darkly confessed but hid it in the way he spoke out.

Xxxx

The previous night Derek felt he should have prearranged Jim Keats with one parting punch in the nose, he felt absolute powerless to do anything drastically but one thing he knew he was extremely proud of overhearing his former nemesis Gene Hunt sticking up for him, protesting against what Keats said.

He saw something he never principally liked in the tight arsed smarmy, pencil faced DCI Keats, an unlikable factor, an bogus façade that no one could noticeably see through at all.

Now he faced the daunting return to Greater Manchester Police and to somehow explain his consequential actions, Keats already surprisingly stacked up all of the file work and processed it for the head of the GMP to check through.

Being a Detective Chief Inspector for over 10 years and not once had he achieved a guaranteed promotion, he knew he'd too had blown any chance of that happening now and that he might face the prospect of having to hand in his badge or being demoted to Detective Inspector, a rank he never enjoyably liked.

He couldn't face saying his goodbyes to Robbie, once he saw the Scottish born Detective setting up his desk for the night shift last night, he avoided him even averting to hiding in the staff kitchen and when his back was turned for a few seconds.

I don't want to be going back there, for crying out loud I need to get away from that place, I've always fancied Bristol, I wish somehow, some lucky occurrence might grant me my bloody shitting wish.

He took one last reminiscing glimpse back at the station that he became like a permanent residence for the last 2 and half years and soon afterwards he soundlessly left, exiting through the narrow back door, walking towards his car holding his box of office items before eventually driving away.

He shed a light tear, driving into the night, stress overcame his nerves and he felt dreadful for not exchanging a goodbye hug from Robbie, who he imagined might be pissed off with him.

He's a dedicated younger detective doesn't need my guidance, mentorship to learn from anymore, Jesus Christ I'm turning into bloody crying big baby here, have to say my skin, Robbie's got Eva in his life, to keep him on the straight and narrow

xxxx

Strangely enough as he awaited to hear from Superintendent Morris, everything from Robbie's Point of View began to take an oversimplifying change, every other detective would either not bother to turn up for work leaving the Edgeley Street short of Detective but allowing Des Ross to take on more stronger cases.

"Where is everyone today?" Robbie furrowed an eyebrow as he examined the emptiness and abandonment of CID.

"Looking for a better change in life my friend… Not been the same since what happened to Viv James from Fenchurch East absolutely tragic circumstances he died in" Des sadly concurred looking around, cases still had to be solved and regaining the station's popularity was a main focus.

"I know. Must have been a sudden shock to everyone in Fenchurch especially Gene Hunt to have your colleague dying in your arms"

"Oi you two keep it zipped Superintendent's paying a visit this morning, wants to see you in DCI Litton's former office" WPC Kerry Mulligan informed them both, Robbie gulped nervously , he knew he was automatically doomed and condemned for no matter what, thoughtfully presuming his job would be no more ever again.

"You'll be alright I've got your back, Please don't let your feelings race ahead of you, you don't know what could be waiting around the corner for you it might be an escalating change in career or moving on to be better things" Des knew he was right, placing a hand of reassurance on Robbie's broad left shoulder.

"I hope you're right Des"

Xxxx

A week later as Derek attended his hearing at the GMP meeting, he considerately wondered whether the verdict might be a tougher one or just a slap on the wrists and receiving a final warning.

"DCI Litton can you please follow me…." One of the Super's assistants politely asked and lead the way, through the noisy occupied lobby/reception, towards and up the spiral stoned stairwell and towards the meeting rooms, they both entered.

"DCI Litton good to see you again, I assume you know why you're here" Derek nodded in agreement, hands shaking like a leaf as he steadied his sitting composure.

"We understand from DCI Jim Keats from Fenchurch East in East London that you mistreated a potential suspect, you disobeyed an order from DCI Keats not to roughen up this Frank Hardwick"

"Sorry Sir, I will fully admit that I never knew that DI Bevan was lying, manipulative scumbag and that I fully hold my responsible for it, we talked plenty of times about retrieving Hardwick and bringing him for questioning but certain matters got out of hand, I met with DCI Hunt who I happened to mention to about Hardwick and couple days passed by and became apparent that Geoff was suspected of attempting to kill Hardwick, I refused to believe it" Derek explained truthfully and honestly, hoping they might understand his argument for the case.

"Jim Keats said you knew definitely knew of Bevan's guilt and you aimlessly displayed every intention of possibly bribing two detectives"

Derek couldn't believe his eyes, this for eyed pencil pusher precisely accusing him of something he'd always loathed .

"Sir before you go any further I would like to point out, I never did any of those things I've been accused of, I deeply trusted my instincts thoroughly like I always intend to do with other investigations, I'm no bloody liar" Derek hated feeling stressed out a holiday was in urgent need.

As the meeting finished and the Super read every sheet of file paper that had been sent to him by Keats, he dismissed Litton and allowed him to leave, it would take up to a week and a half to decide on the fate of Derek Litton's policing career.

Xxxx

Robbie had received the good news that he wouldn't be facing any punishment for his attack on the teenager boy but faced a final warning of any further disagreeable actions he inflicted in future.

"See I knew you'd do well" Des smiled happily, as the two friends went for drink at the local pub, Robbie wished Eva was with them before feared she might be fully avoiding him or accepting a date from another detective to make him jealous.

"I can't cheer up, I need to clear my head Des, Need to get away for a few days, damn it I'll request for a few days off" Robbie finally decided, thumping his left hand down heavily on the wooden surfaced counter bar, so loud the echoing that it caused everyone's eyes to watch him intently.

Meanwhile Derek was thankful he'd actually managed to have gotten away for a well deserving break, driving down to Bristol. Halting the car to a sudden stop by the bridge of the River Avon where he rearranged his coat collar and as he concentrated on studying his appearance in the car mirror, sunglasses protecting his tired eyes, it'd been a long intense drive down from Manchester. He liked the look of this city its modernization, its accurate intriguing history which very much impressed him, climbing out of the car, he searched for an ideal near by café as he felt very hungry and regretting the fact of not choosing to eat anything before he set off on his car journey.

"Watch it" a younger cyclist, shouted as he collided with him, as he was cycling down the pebbled pathway, Derek fell awkwardly against a bench, he felt he'd bruised his lower back.

"I think you should bloody watch it, could have properly injured me" Derek whispered, as he lifted himself up and turned to walk away, back away from further confrontation, the young welsh cyclist wasn't going to let him off to easily.

"Oh is that so" Rhod the young cyclist growled unappeciatively as he calmly took off his helmet and prepared himself to take on this outsider who sounded as if he wasn't from Bristol.

"Listen sunny blue I'm not in a mood for a punch up trust me I've given up on that nowadays, All I want is to find a café and get something to eat in it." He shyly backed further away, acknowledging young Rhod's hefty fists as they prepared to be used in defense.

"Listen mister you should have parked your backside in front of my bicycle, You talk like you're from Manchester if I'm no mistaken" Rhod calmed his temper down as the two men walked together.

"I am from Manchester thought it best I'd have a few days away from all the pressure I'm under at the moment and before you ask I'm a Detective Chief Inspector wanting some relaxing time while I'm here" Derek carried on walking pacing ahead, watching on as Rhod carried his bicycle towards a cafe called Wendy's cafe in the city centre.

End of chapter

Hope this was an alright chapter i did worry it might not be as a good as the previous chapters, All reviews are welcome and One last thing hope everyone enjoys watching the final episode of A2A, Its been three marvellous years of watching this great show and two fantastic years of watching LOM.