Normal?
Harry stepped towards the SI10 office with more dread than she could ever remember. Gareth was a colleague, a copper - supposedly on the same side as her. She hated herself for doubting him; but hated him more for making her do so. She wanted to be wrong, to have read more into his words than were there. Dempsey chatted away normally before stepping in front of her to enter the office first. Harry just resisted the temptation to roll her eyes.
"Yo! So Chas says we are not to use all the good tea bags before he gets back." Dempsey yelled into the apparently empty room. Harry frowned slightly, unsure whether to be concerned or relieved that their colleague wasn't there.
"Gareth?" Harry called.
"Coast is clear."
"Typical. He told me to turn up and buggers off home! What are we supposed to do now?"
Dempsey smirked.
"Behave yourself." She smiled slightly as he raised an eyebrow. Harry walked over to Gareth's desk as Dempsey slumped in his chair.
Xxxxxxx
Chas swung his legs out of bed trying not to swear as his shoulders burned. He was desperate to get home to Jackie and the baby.
"Are you ok?" The gruff voice caught his attention as his feet touched the floor. Chas nodded.
"Aye." He turned to see the middle aged welsh man in the doorway. "As Monty python says - only a flesh wound." He frowned. "What are you doing here? This time of night?"
"I'm sorry."
"Gareth?"
"I didn't think it would go this far. Honest."
Chas narrowed his eyes, suddenly wary of the older man. "I'm gonna be fine."
"In front of the baby. I didn't think you were that much of a family man. Out with wife and baby."
"Why wouldn't I be? Because you thought I was some hard man Scot? Don't believe the stereotypes." He turned to him as Gareth smiled. "Or our Harry would be off in some castle somewhere."
"Yeah. Look, I'm sorry the baby was there. But she's not now."
Chas stepped towards him as Gareth raised the gun.
Xxxxxx