Walking out of the terminal, Kerry looks around, back in Melbourne, how did Lawson manage to convince her to come back, why did she listen to what he said, wanting to turn around and catch the first plane back to Darwin, no matter what she wears, there is no hiding the fact that she is 7 ½ months pregnant, as small frame as she has, her pregnant belly showing, not one to wear loose fitting clothes but her leather jacket or jacket and jeans.
Walking to the taxi rank, glad that she didn't tell anyone what time her flight was, could she have hopped in the car with Lawson, the first place she wants to go is TR base, she had missed it, even being in charged in Darwin it was not the same as Melbourne, she missed Leon, and his quirky but irritating ways, even Stella she missed, they were her team, the ones she nurtured in a way,
Driving away from the airport towards the city, leaning forward "go via Mariynbong Road, Fitzroy" seeing the driver glance in the mirror at her "where abouts on , Maiynbong Road, anywhere specific" sighing deeply "Fitzroy, know where that is, by tactical response base". Seeing him nod, she leans back in the seat, the need to take control of her life again.
Looking around the scenery now familiar, bought back to the presence by the taxi drivers voice "where do you want me to drop you at the base", glaring at him "at Novotel in the city, just drive slower by", seeing his eyes look at her via the rearview "look lady, I don't want any trouble". Rolling her eyes "just drive then…." Feeling the car pull up and stop as the driver turns around "you need to get out". Shaking her head her voice firm "No…drive me to city" seeing the car not moving "I'll call the police" reaching for her badge "I am the police you idiot, just drive to the Novotel". Pulling away, from the curb, Kerry looks out the window, seeing a TR car drive down the road, glancing at the car, she sees TR2, on the front and roof.
Walking out of the hotel a short time later, Kerry walks across the bridge to Southbank. Walking along the promenade she watches the fireworks come out of the poles, sitting down looking across the river back towards the city. Maybe one day she will move back to Melbourne, the move to Darwin only temporary until she sorts out this shit of a baby mess she has made.
Walking into Police HQ the following morning, catching the lift up, hoping to walk into no one she knew, knowing how the grapevine works, it wouldn't be long before it got back to Lawson. Seeing Detective Chris Finch, walk out of his office, and up to her "Kerry", "Good morning Chris", not wanting to stop and talk to him, their history brief, brought together over James and being a drug runner a few years ago "You back at TR yet?", shaking her head "Still in Darwin", wanting to leave before someone else saw her, made hard by Chris talking to her "How's that son of yours?", raising her eyes at Chris, she is slightly grateful, he got him off the charges "He's fine, up in Darwin, on his way back to America…..", pointing to the door "I've got to go", watching Kerry walk away from him. His curiosity aroused, he couldn't help but notice she was pregnant wondering if that had anything to do with her move.
Watching a familiar figure walk into the offices, he turns around, he is sure that was Kerry, but what was she doing back in Melbourne, she was in Darwin, seeing Detective Finch, near him "was that Superintendant Vincent", seeing him nod "Is she back now?", knowing the Senior Sergeant in front of him was in charge of Tactical Response "You will need to speak to her" nodding as he watches Chris walk away, wondering what had brought Kerry back to Melbourne, did she come back for the wedding.
Walking out of the offices later that day, she hears someone calling out her name, closing her eyes briefly biting her lip whispering "shit" she knows that voice, it had been a while since she had heard it, not long enough though. Looking around there is no way to escape, nothing she can do but turn around. Looking up at the person the surprise in his eyes as he quickly looks over her body before meeting her eyes again.
Staring into the eyes, the voice speaks again "I didn't know you were back?" Nodding "wonder why that is".
Looking at Kerry, Charlie's eyes move back to her stomach, obvious she is pregnant, wondering if that was the reason she left Tactical Response so quickly "Congratulations", not smiling at Charlie "for what?" giving a short laugh and smiling at Kerry, nothing much had changed "How many months are you?". Seeing Kerry glare at him but biting her lip "Not a word of this to anyone Charlie?" seeing the smirk on his face still "How do you think you'll hide it Kerry", turning around her face close to his her voice firm "I mean it Charlie, keep it to yourself, or you'll be sorry" before turning and hopping in the lift.
Watching Kerry walk away, her reaction to him seeing her getting him thinking, wondering what she is hiding and who the father is.
….
Walking over the bridge that night, back to Southbank, shit she wanted to be anywhere but here, why on earth did she agree to come back to the wedding. She should just turn up to the church and reception for the wedding. It wasn't like she was going to tell Lawson that he is the father, no matter what James thought on the matter, he was engaged to Shannon and getting married in a couple of days time. Temptation to just turn around, shit she is feeling her age now, 47 and pregnant, how on earth did that happen, why did she let it happen, why did she ever keep the baby. Stopping and looking down the Yarra river, the city on one side and Southbank on the other side. Could she just turn up to the wedding, maybe that was the way, Lawson would be too preoccupied with his new bride and everyone else to even notice her bulging stomach or take no notice of it.
Arriving at the bar a few minutes later, Kerry looks around, it doesn't take long for her to spot Lawson, shit she wanted to be early and sitting down to avoid questions but he still looked at gorgeous as ever, standing still, she wants to turn around, where is the strong person that she is.
Looking at the door, Lawson sees Kerry standing there, looking in, even though it had been about 4 months since he had seen her, he would never forget what she looked like. Watching as she walks towards him, he looks at her, his eyes widening, trying not to show his surprise at her. Seeing her smile at him, the blue eyes that pierce right through him, glad she had come back, he really didn't think she would.
Walking towards her he smiles at her, wanting to reach out and hug her, he didn't realise that he would of missed her, but he cared about her, and deeply.
Sitting down at the table, Kerry sees Lawson watching her sit down, this is the moment she had been dreading, hoping he wouldn't ask to many questions "congratulations", giving him a short smile, how many times had she heard that, how many times, that she didn't feel like that. She didn't want to be pregnant, but she couldn't have an abortion or give up the baby.
Looking at Kerry, Lawson is surprised, he didn't think Kerry wanted kids ever again, he didn't even know she was seeing anyone, but he didn't know much about her anymore. "When is the baby due", not answering him straight away, would he guess or even think it was his "about 2 months….", not showing any surprise or anything, "You coming back to Melbourne, or staying in Darwin once its born". Not wanting to talk about the baby, "I'm going back to Darwin, still have work to do. I didn't come to talk about that" Staring at Kerry her blue eyes have a sparkle in it, her face even had a slight glow to it, he wondered if she was seeing anyone, he should of asked her, and invited him, maybe the father of her baby if she was with him "Did you come back her by yourself, I'm sorry should of told you to bring someone with you, maybe the father". Turning away from Lawson, Kerry's eyes looking around the restaurant, this was the reason she didn't want to meet up she didn't want to talk about her pregnancy or anything about her personal life, turning back to Lawson, not able to look at him in the eyes, her eyes down at the menu her voice firm, with a tone she didn't want to talk about it "I'm not with the father" wanting to change the topic "tell me about TR, what is happening there, I heard about the closure for a month of so" Looking at Kerry, she is a private person, Lawson can't help but smile at her "That was shit, only minor damage done, Leon is still intel officer but you would of known that, Audrey has come back to TR finished her rotation, Shannon has moved to special operations Stella is going for her Sergeant course, Christian is now Senior Sergeant" seeing her nod "are you and Charlie getting on yet?". Giving a short laugh at Kerry, she was a peacemaker before always sticking up for him, he was aware of that, aware that Charlie wanted him out, and Kerry wouldn't let him "Charlie is still annoying and a dickhead, but since he and Stella have started going out, he is slightly more tolerable, Stella on the other hand without Shannon around is more annoying than ever" seeing Kerry's eyes raise high at the news of Charlie and Stella "Stella and Charlie" seeing Lawson nod as he continues "they had something before and according to Shannon, it just happened".
Walking out of the bar a while later, despite everything, Kerry enjoyed the evening, and catching up, despite the few questions at the beginning, after it all she missed Lawson, she missed Tactical Response in Melbourne she wanted to come back, but the truth of Lawson finding out or guessing was too much.
Following Kerry out of the bar, the surprise of her pregnant gone, the evening pleasant, something they hadn't done, much when she was in Melbourne, he missed her, TR wasn't the same without her, he never thought he would say that. With Shannon out of the squad, in a way he wished she would come back. Watching as she looks out across the water, glancing at her pregnant body, that was one surprise he didn't expect.
Looking back at him "It was great catching Up Laws, I'm going to head back." Looking at Kerry, there was something about her, she was beautiful "I'll give you a lift" shaking her head, she needed the space to clear her head, time to think "the walk will do me good". Hurrying up to her "I'll walk with you" turning to face him "I'm fine Lawson I don't need you to walk back with me". Looking at her "Kerry just shut up, I'm walking back with you, no arguments…. for a change", seeing her smile.
Walking back over the bridge, Kerry stops, looking over the Yarra at the city lights and Southbank, "I miss Melbourne, nothing like this in Darwin", leaning close to her "Your going to come back", looking at Lawson, she wants to come back, but has no idea if she can or keep her secret working with him "Maybe one day, I enjoy the work up there, so different from down here, more travelling around, out to Arnhem land, Kakadu, all around the territory, different cases, missing kids/adults a lot you know you won't find, you hope but some vanish near water, and as much as you hope it hasn't happened, crocodiles have taken them"
Looking at Kerry, talk, part of him would love to go up there, but would he miss Melbourne, he loved being in Tactical Response and forming it "you still get to travel?" shrugging "sometimes not lately up to about 6 weeks ago", continuing on "I never thought I'd see you pregnant" seeing her raise her eyes at him "either did I…. didn't you realise you thought about that.", seeing her laugh "that's not what I meant" her eyebrows raised "why say it". Shaking his head at her, he missed this with her, the banter conversation.
Nearly at the Novotel, Lawson doesn't want the night to end he had always liked talking to Kerry and they never really got to hang out together "Are you going to stop by the base at all?." Seeing her raise her eyes at him "like this I don't think so, give Stella a field day" giving a laugh "how do you plan to hide that at the wedding" smiling at Lawson Kerry had really enjoyed the night, but the last word, a reminder of why she was here in Melbourne, a stab in her heart, she was so close to her babies father, and he had no idea, he was getting married in two days time she had to accept that "no idea, I will drop by base before I leave though."
Arriving at the Novotel, Kerry turns to face Lawson, slight awkwardness there despite the conversation flowing freely "I'll see you at your wedding?". Nodding at her, he wanted to spend more time with her, he missed her, reaching out to touch her arm, to say goodbye, this time he did feel something there, shit he was getting married in two days time, moving her hand away "Goodnight, thank you for coming", as he turns away.
Watching Lawson walk away, the touch on her arm, sending goosebumps throughout her body, she still loved him there was just something about him, something he wouldn't ever feel about her the same way. Turning to walk away, can she go to the wedding, will she be able to watch it, watch Lawson proclaim, his love for Shannon, to be with her forever and ever. Someone she would have to get through the day, and probably without the aid of her friend alcohol.
…..
Walking along the beach at St Kilda the following evening, they sit on the pier overlooking the harbour, eating fish and chips nothing said between them, there last night before getting married. Nothing needing to be said, just enjoying each other company, gazing across the bay to the city, his mind back to last night, he had time to think today, the shock of finding out Kerry was pregnant, but there is one thing he should of asked her, would she have told him, he didn't know, the fact is she left Melbourne, did she have a boyfriend or see someone before she left, she didn't want to talk about it, but he had to know, what would he do if she said yes, he was getting married tomorrow to the woman he loved. Trying to get his mind focused back to the present he feels Shannon squeezing his hand smiling at her, as her hand caresses his face.
Looking at Lawson, Shannon's wonders what the matter is, nerves, squeezing his hand, as she tenderly touches his face.
Walking back to their cars, Shannon feels Lawson's arms around her, she can't wait for tomorrow, whispering in his ear "I'll see you tomorrow", kissing her on top of the head, before heading to his car.
Pulling up outside the Novotel, Lawson stares ahead, was his calculation correct, if he got out of his car, would he be able to marry Shannon tomorrow.
Hearing her phone ring, the surprise evident when she hears who is at the reception, what did Lawson want, it was his wedding tomorrow.
Walking up to reception, it isn't long before he is catching the lift up to her room, he has hardly knocked before the door is open, seeing Kerry standing there surprise on her face before she is able to speak "Kerry I need to know is the baby mine am I the father?"