Steve?

Gerry placed the phone back in his pocket before turning to see Paula walk towards him.

"Ello luv."

"Dad? What are you doing ere?" The blonde woman watched as he sighed deeply. "Is Sandra ok? Jack?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Because twice I've seen you look like that. Once was after Jack had a heart attack and the other was when Sandra had been attacked. They're your mates. Family really. Oh God it's not Emily or Caitlyn is it?"

"Calm down. Your sisters are fine. I promise." Paula relaxed. "Steve was attacked. Sandra and his girlfriend, Charlie are in there."

"Attacked?"

"It's bad. That's all I know." Paula frowned, watching her father worry. He wasn't the sort of man that showed how he felt. She knew he loved the UCOS team as much as he loved his brothers - more so. It was clear he saw Sasha as an annoying kid sister but his feelings for Sandra were different. Her cancer had almost finished him.

"Dad. Go back in there. Look after Sandra."

"I."

"She won't admit it but she needs you. Go." Paula checked her watch. "I have to get back to work. Call me, yeah?" She kissed his cheek as Gerry nodded. Sighing he watched her go before returning to the room in search of Sandra and Charlie.

Xxxxxxxx x

"Traumatic brain injury. CT scans, life support machine." Brian closed his eyes. He hated hospitals, had a healthy mistrust of any doctor but he knew what Gerry was trying to tell them. Jack swore as Sasha shook with anger.

"Why Steve?" Sasha shook her head, her voice angry. "Why him?"

"Because he's a cocky sod that attracts trouble." Danny raised his eyebrow. "As we all are."

"He might have been following a lead. Got too close?" Strickland offered as Jack nodded.

"I think so." Jack took the mug of tea Danny handed him. "I spoke with a contact of mine. Seems back then Rae had refused to pay a protection racket that was operating in the area. It only targeted shops like hers."

"Protection racket? Seriously! That's like something off Eastenders!" Sasha felt Strickland's eyes on her.

"Even fiction has to have a factual base I suppose. Good work Jack." Strickland drank his own tea. "Now we let CID handle Steve's case and we focus on the protection racket handle. Jack, go to the hospital. See how Gerry and Sandra are coping. Sasha, you and Danny look into the other shops in the area. Anyone else locally targeted?"

"Sir. With respect." Brian took his glasses off.

"Brian, one of our team is hurt. I'm taking the lead now. It's just got personal." Strickland glared. Brian nodded.

"Damn right it has." Jack hissed as he got to his feet. Moments later the office was empty as they all headed off on their various tasks.

Xxxxxxxxz

"Cmon." Sandra hugged Charlie tightly as the younger woman shook in her arms. The family room they had been ushered into felt even more claustrophobic. She felt sick, the sound of the machines bleeping as nurses and doctors administered CPR, drugs and electric shocks to her friend made her feel sick. Charlie sobbed.

"Sandra?" Gerry was in the doorway. Tears filled Sandra's eyes as she saw her best friend in the doorway.

"We saw him." Sandra explained.

"Never told him." Charlie whispered. "He's dead and I never told him."

"Dead!" Gerry felt he had been punched in the gut. Sandra shook her head.

"No. We don't know that. Steve had a cardiac arrest. The doctors and nurses are working on him now. He's fighting this Charlie, you know that." Sandra stated firmly. Gerry ran a hand over his face.

"Never told him what? Charlotte!" She snapped her eyes at him as Gerry used her full name.

"I'm." She paused. "I'm pregnant. Again."

"Oh my God." Sandra sat next to her. "Steve doesn't know?"

"Not unless he's twigged I'm not drinking and have stopped going to my boxing class." She wiped her eyes as a young doctor appeared.

"Steve?" Sandra looked up as Charlie grabbed her hand. Gerry felt sick.

"Is tougher than he looks. We've moved him to the neuro ITU. A nurse will take you." He smiled at her. Sands closed her eyes before thanking the doctor.

"Don't thank me. Steve McAndrew clearly wants to stick around." He ushered Charlie out the room as a nurse appeared to take her to the ITU. Sandra blinked, tears suddenly filling her own eyes. Gerry sniffed before stepping forward and pulling her into his arms.

"He'll be ok."

"Hope so." Sandra hugged him back, closing her eyes as Gerry held them. Neither saw Jack in the doorway smiling slightly. It seemed his friends were coping ok.

Xxxxxxx

A/N please review. Steve's not out the woods yet. A new baby? Sandra & Gerry? A protection racket? Gangsters? Let me know what you think.