Part 10
Looking around her apartment, everything packed that she needs, other stuff going into storage, looking around this is it, no turning around now. Hopping in the car, the only thing left, telling James. Arriving at the rehab clinic, hurrying down the corridor, she hasn't been here much, looking around she sees him at the table, walking up to him "James" seeing the surprise on his face.
Looking at his mum as he hears his name, the last time she came, was to take him away because he was in danger, "mum what are you doing here?" seeing Kerry walk over and sit down "am I in danger again" shaking her head, her eyes dart to his hand, part of his thumb missing because of her, because of her work a short laugh coming out as she says "no". Looking up at Kerry why is she here, she isn't mother of the year "is this mother son time", looking at James "Oh James…can we go for a walk?"
Getting up off the seat, part of him is worried "what is going on here mum?" stopping at looking at her son "I've got a promotion, I'm moving to Darwin" looking at his mum he isn't surprised she is a bloody good cop "wow I always knew you were a great cop, even if you are a shit mum" smiling at James as he continues "how long are you going up there for, will you be coming back to Melbourne?" shrugging as they continue to walk "not sure yet James, could be a couple of years, or a few months?" nodding he is proud of his mother "so when do you leave?" walking and looking straight ahead "tomorrow", seeing James stop she turns to look at him shaking his head "so this isn't really mother bonding time but you better tell me before you leave", sighing at James "Oh James" then rubbing her hand over her face "I haven't known for long, I wouldn't leave without telling you" walking along not looking at James her voice soft "I'm pregnant James" turning to face his mum did he just hear her right, she had to be joking "I didn't know you were seeing anyone" , not looking at James "I'm not", looking at his mum in surprise "are you going to tell me who's the father?" turning to face him shaking her head "you don't need to know….I don't want anyone to know". Looking at Kerry, James is surprised, he never thought his mum wanted kids again she was a shit mother, by the sounds of it, she didn't even want this baby.
Looking at his mum, he can tell Kerry is tired, "I'll miss you?" walking over to him and pulling him towards him resting her face against his "you can visit any time"
Walking out to the car a while later, Kerry turns to face James "I love you mum", pulling him towards her wrapping her arms around his body, hugging him she loves him too, but the words just don't come out "look after yourself James"
….
Walking into the bar at Dockland later that evening, her jeans getting tight around her stomach, her jacket just doing up, she had looked in the mirror looking at it, her stomach with a slight bulge there, not the flat stomach that she is used to, taking off her jacket, to put something else on. Looking around she sees the team there, taking a deep breath walking in, smiling and saying hello. Watching as they walk over to the bar bringing her back a drink, knowing there is no way she can not drink it without drawing too much suspicion, sipping on her drink, she sees Stella watching her as she finishes her drink "the same?" seeing Kerry shake her head "not for me", looking at Kerry "you turning down a drink" trying not to glare at Stel "I'm not having a big night Stel", seeing her turn to Lawson "its your farewell drinks, you can not, not drink" with her tongue moving around her mouth "I am drinking but I'm not getting drunk Stel" seeing Stella turn to Lawson "help me here Lawson" shaking his head "You on you own there Stel". Seeing Stella look at her suspiciously "there has to be a reason your not drinking…." Interrupting her "I have a long drive tomorrow Stel"
Looking at Kerry remembering picking her up for DUI "so now your worried about getting caught drink driving". Glaring at Stella her voice firm and no nonsense "Stella, its enough your little plan isn't going to work" not even looking slightly embarrassed whispering to Shannon "we'll see about that"
Downing the shots that Stella brings back shaking her head at it, what was that stuff, taking a sip of her glass of wine, seeing Lawson glare at her, her eyes open wide trying to feign innocence, shaking his head.
Looking at Kerry a smile on Stella's face "Darwin won't know what hit them, wonder if they will want to get rid of you like Lawson did. TR was doing fine, we didn't need anyone else, with the 6 of us back then" a smile forming on Kerry's face she remembers Lawson and her fist meeting, he was not impressed and made it clear he didn't want her there or out on the field with them
Walking back to her seat a while later, her head feeling slightly woozy, she only had the two glasses of wine, and the shot, she can drink more than that with no effect. She needs to leave, she can't get drunk or have too much to drink.
Watching Kerry walk away, Stella turns her head away seeing Lawson still glare at her "stop topping up her glass Stel, I can see what your doing"
Arriving at her seat, she sits down, picking up her bag, looking around the table at her team, her team "thanks for the drinks", hearing Leon's voice "we actually get a thank you out of Kerry", picking up her bag, she has to get out of there, no speeches she wants nothing.
Leaning down Lawson picks up a package, handing it to Kerry, looking at Lawson in surprise "something to remember TR by" opening the card the front a picture of the whole team, messages and signed by them all, before opening the present, looking around at them, smiling "its great thank you" picking up her bag she looks at them all "see you", seeing Stella looking at her "your not going?" nodding at Stella "thanks guys" getting up off her seat shaking her head slightly why does she feel so light headed, she feels Leon's arms around her, moving away from him, she looks up as she sees Stella in front of her, putting her arms around Kerry, "see ya" moving away her surprise she didn't expect that, about to walk out, she Christian in front of her, his arms squeezing her, feeling tears form in her eyes, she turns waving briefly at the team, saying her goodbye to Lawson yesterday, she didn't want to say goodbye again, starting to walk out of the bar she shakes her head talking more to herself "I didn't think I'd had that much to drink" then looking for her keys before walking further. Seeing Kerry look for her keys Stella bites her lips, she thought Kerry had taken a taxi and not driving, seeing Lawson glaring at her then looking at Kerry. Looking at Stella then back at Kerry, Lawson can't let her get in the car not knowing what Stella did to her, hearing Stella's voice "your not driving" seeing Kerry roll her eyes at her "how else am I meant to get home", glancing at Lawson before looking back at Kerry "a taxi, like the rest of us, I didn't think you'd be driving". Looking at Stella suspiciously, she looked slightly nervous her voice warning "Stella what have you done?". Seeing Stella glance at him, begging Lawson to help her, he smiles at her, she's on her own on this one shaking her head trying to look innocent "Nothing, I don't know why you think I would" seeing Kerry raise her eyes at her "the Stella who wanted to get me drunk, makes bets about it, the one who takes drugs…want me to go on" seeing Stella glance at Lawson and Shannon "you've got to live a little" before turning away, feeling Lawson's glare on her back. Seeing Kerry glare at Stella, Lawson shakes his head, watching as she walks out of the restaurant.
Turning to glare at Stella "you should of told her Stella, you can't have her drive home" shrugging "Its not like she hasn't done it before Lawson, she has not problem with DUI before so why would now be any different", leaning down his voice firm "the difference now is she has no idea she is over the limit" before rushing out the door.
Walking out of the restaurant, Kerry stops as she looks out over the bay and back to the city, not hearing footsteps until she hears a voice, turning around she faces Lawson feeling his arms around her "take care Kerry, good luck up there, you'll knock them dead" not able to say much "Look after TR Lawson, try to get along with Charlie" turning around to walk away she feels Lawson touch her arm "I'll give you a lift" shaking her head "I'm fine Lawson" turning to get Kerry to face him "your not, you had more than you thought, Stella, kept topping of you glass and got you a double shot" seeing Kerry raise her eyes at him then shake her head "shit, bloody Stella, I knew she had done something" her hand instinctively going to her stomach, damm Stella, looking up at Lawson "I'll catch a taxi home" facing her "just let me drive you Kerry" her voice firm "I'll be fine Lawson, go back inside" looking at Lawson, why can't he realise that she can't drive home with him, that she has to say goodbye now, smiling at him, before walking away, not even looking back but straight ahead blinking back the tears that were threatening to form.
Watching Kerry walk away, there was stuff he wanted to say, he never thought she would leave, that they would both be there for ages, walking back in the bar, Lawson sees Shannon and Stella still there, feeling Shannon's hand in his "I think Charlie will be better than Kerry, Kerry was a hard boss, she did things her way, she bent the rules, was too moody" looking at Shannon he knew she didn't think a lot of Kerry sometimes "Kerry ran Tactical Response well, she was hard for a reason but she was fair Shannon, there were times when a lot of the team could have been out but she gave you all another chance", nodding at Lawson's reply, Stella looks at Shannon, she liked Kerry as a boss even if he plan didn't work "she was tough, but she was fair Shannon and cared about the team, Josh could have been out several times, she could of fired me too, she was Kerry and I don't think any other boss will be the same, she had a job to do and I think she did it well."
Smiling at her friend "your plan didn't work Stel, you didn't find out the truth" nodding at Shannon "but I still got her slightly drunk if she stayed longer it would of worked."
Listening to both of them, Lawson turns to Shan "sorry, Shan I'll see you tomorrow," kissing her quickly before walking out of the bar. Looking around Lawson walks towards the taxi rank looking around he sees Kerry up ahead, staring out across the bay, calling out to her. Looking across the bay, blinking back the tears, she knew it would be hard, but part of her is looking forward to the new challenge, hearing her name called she turns around, surprise on her face "Lawson?"
Looking at Kerry her face sad "Cmon, I'm giving you a lift" taking a deep breath following him to her car.
Driving back to Kerry's place, the trip silent in parts, glancing at Lawson, before putting her hand on her stomach, he was the only reason she was keeping the baby, she would love to tell him but she can't, not wanting to break them up, she is doing the right thing, seeing Lawson looking at her, she raises her eyes at him, "TR won't be the same without you Kerry, Darwin won't now what has hit them" giving a short laugh "they just need the good news". Laughing at Kerry's comment, he doubts they will think it is good news like he did, despite their initial meeting it will be weird not seeing Kerry at work each day "How long will you be up there for" looking straight ahead "Don't know, they need someone to get it in order to take over the running of things, might even be a permanent thing" trying to hide his surprise he did think she would be back at Melbourne TR in a year or so.
Pulling up at Kerry's place, turning off the engine, he doesn't want her to get out of the car, he doesn't want her to leave TR, he is used to seeing Kerry, just have her around, turning to face her "I'll miss you" trying to smile at Lawson, shit she will miss him, more than he will realise feeling Lawson's touch on her hand, turning to look at him, looking at each other not saying anything, both moving towards each other, feeling his lips upon hers their kiss slightly lingering feeling Lawson's hand on her face, her forehead touching his her eyes down before pulling away from him, opening the door of the car she waves goodbye to him walking up the path her fingers to her lips not turning around, her eyes filling with tears, closing the door behind her as she leans against it, the tears falling, shit emotional she doesn't like to be.
Watching Kerry walk up the path, did he want more than the brief goodbye kiss, shit he has Shannon, he already has slept with Kerry without telling Shannon, now he wanted to kiss Kerry more than what he did, banging the steering wheel, in a way it is good Kerry is leaving, he has Shannon and that is all he needs. Pulling away, thoughts niggling his mind, if that is right why is the thought of never seeing Kerry again so terrifying.