A lead?

Natalie sat at her desk, relieved that her boys were away and the rest of the team had gone home. Part of her couldn't help but worry about Matt and Alesha, knowing how frightened the young couple had been. It just didn't seem fair. Turning back to her paperwork she tried to concentrate. Angie was right, the Bail Officer was hiding something. She just had to prove it, preferably before Infernal Affairs as Ronnie called them stuck their oar in.

"Why? That's the other question." She muttered to herself as she looked through the list of names in front of her. Every copper was good at their job. None stuck out as bad apple. None had a verbal or written warning which was more than she had hoped. Part of her didn't want to believe a copper had let Emma know, tipped off the gun man and been involved in Susan's death. But there was no other option. Deciding coffee was going to be necessary if she was going to concentrate she headed into the main office towards the kettle.

Xxxxxx

"You ok?" Alesha asked as Matt emerged from the bedroom.

"He's sleeping like a baby."

"Good."

"Ron thinks this is an inside job."

"I know." Her eyes held his. "Joe told me. I think they are right."

"A copper." He slumped on the battered old sofa next to her, pulling her feet into his lap before massaging them. Alesha closed her eyes. There was no way she was going to be able to concentrate and he knew it. Matt smiled as she visibly relaxed under his touch.

"What is it about your feet?" He changed the subject. Alesha raised an eyebrow.

"My feet? Your hands more like." Matt flashed her one of his best charm smiles. Alesha sighs encouraging him to continue his torture of her poor feet. His hands skirting higher and higher until Alesha gave up, pulled herself into his lap and stared at him. She bit her lip as Matt rested his hands on her waist, pushing her t shirt up a fraction so his hands met her skin. Alesha traced the five o clock shadow that was already beginning to show.

"Hey." Matt breathed as he watched her study him. "What's wrong?" Alesha kissed his lightly before pulling back.

"I'm scared."

"Lesh"

"Matt, I mean it. I'm so scared I'm going to lose you."

"Never." He pulled her down, kissing her passionately as he tried to hide the fact he was just as terrified as she was.

Xxxxxx

George handed Henry a small malt whiskey as he explained what had gone on with the meeting earlier. They were still no closer to an arrest and he knew how angry and frustrated Natalie and her team were.

"Natalie believes young Matt is at risk. Kate is looking into any enemies that Matt and Ronnie may have made." George sipped his drink. "Kate thinks is may go back to before Matthew joined the unit."

"Really?" Henry sighed. "But that has to be almost ten years ago."

"Possible and Kathryn Barker has a knack for seeing what we don't. She's intuitive, like Alesha. I know James agrees with her."

"I hope she's right." Henry checked his watch. George nodded, knowing there was very little they could do but keep lying about Alesha's absence.

Xxxxxx

Kate sat on the sofa, a4 pad open on her lap as Jake's Yorkshire Terrier, Benji curled next to her. Jake smiled slightly as he saw the little dog next to her.

"He loves you being here as much as I do." He picked the little dog up and cuddled him before sitting down next to Kate. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love being here." He kissed her hair as she spoke.

"My house is bigger than your flat." Jake stated. Kate nodded. There was no point in arguing with that. Since her sister had beaten her up, leaving her with a brain injury there seemed to be no reason for her to spend much time there.

"Kate? If I ask you something can you not laugh. Please."

"Ok."

"I'm serious."

"I see that." Kate felt her heart speed up. He sighed. "I promise I won't laugh."

"Marry me."

"That's a statement. Not a question." He sighed. "And you asked me that before."

"But I never properly asked you." He slipped off the sofa, Benji yapped at being disturbed again. Kate but her lip as he took her left hand and got down on one knee.

"Kathryn Barker. Kate, will you marry me?" Kate looked him in the eye for a moment before nodding.

"What about the baby? My past, everything?"

"Our daughter. I love you Kate. You and our little girl." Kate loved the way he emphasised the word 'our' as tears filled his eyes.

"I love you too." She smiled. "Oh you daft sod! Of course I'll marry you." She flung her arms around his neck, hugging him as he hugged her back.

"Here." He stepped back, pulling a ring out of his jeans pocket. "This was my Mum's. If you don't like it." Kate wiped a tear away from her eye.

"It's perfect." She let him slip the ring on her left middle finger before kissing him passionately.

Cccxxxx

Natalie sniffed the milk dubiously before pouring some into her mug. The caffeine was going to be essential to get her through the next couple of hours. She sighed as she heard the door behind her slam open.

"Guv." She turned to see Ronnie stagger through the doors. He barely seemed able to hold his own weight, one arm outstretched as he tried to stop himself falling. The other hand clamped to his ribs as Natalie rushed towards him. She swore, noticing the swelling around his left eye, the bruising and abrasions across his face. He gasped at her touch.

"Sorry." He sighed. "Nat. I."

"You should be in hospital." Natalie pulled her mobile phone out of her trouser pocket before dialling 999. Ronnie slumped against her.

"Nat?"

"Ambulance." Natalie quickly relayed their location and that her colleague had been bay beaten. "Ron?" Natalie cupped his face. "Look at me. Keep your eyes open. Ronald!"

"Bloody Nora. Dun call me that."

Natalie smiled, relived that he was alert.

"What happened?"

"Dunno. Jumped, leaving mine. I." He felt his head growing heavy. Natalie narrowed her eyes.

"Our boy is safe."

"Good."

"Wouldn't tell em where e is. I didn't say nothing. I promise, Nat." He slumped against her. "I lo." He collapsed in her arms as she prayed the ambulance would hurry up.

"Ronnie, it's ok. Ron? Stay with me. Stay with me." She kissed his temple as she did her best not to cry.

Xxxxx

A/n please review