Disclaimer. I do not own Law and Order UK.
The truth in the Verdict?
Alesha looked at the floor as she felt Ronnie staring at them all. None of them really believed he would risk everything by starting back on the alcohol. She knew he loved his girls too much to risk his ex wife and Liz stopping him from seeing them.
"Ronnie." She started.
"No Alesha, luv. You did well in court today."
"Ron?"
"I overheard the defence talking when I walked in. Dunno what you said but it certainly rattled that Jonathan's cage." He smiled as she raised an eyebrow. "Look, I know what you are all thinking."
"Look, Ron." Matt stepped towards him.
"No, you listen to me son." He held the younger man's gaze. "You of all people know what I think of me girls. You really think I would risk loosing them? My Lucy, Sarah and Chloe? You think I'd risk loosing Liz?" He stopped before turning to his girlfriend. "And I thought you'd at least have a little faith in me." He turned and walked away as Natalie closed her eyes. She knew her team and she knew Liz was wrong.
"Ron." Matt called after him as Alesha gently rested a hand on his back.
"Go after him."
"If he isn't the one drinking the alcohol, then what was the vodka bottle doing in my house?" Liz turned to the remaining women as Angie walked towards them shaking her head angrily.
"I dunno Liz." Natalie answered honestly. "But that man over there has found out his former mate and guv was brutally murdered by what looks like a serial killer. Has been abducted, beaten up and left to die. Now when he needs his girlfriend and friends most you think he's back on the pop. I'm telling you something, if I were him I'd damn certain 'av a drink. Especially if that was all the faith my other half had in me." She turned and left the blonde woman sitting on the bench as James approached her.
"Natalie? Can I have a word?"
"Yes James, you most certainly can." Natalie did nothing to hide her anger as she walked towards the senior Crown Prosecutor.
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"Ron, slow down." Matt called after his friend.
"Leave me alone Matt."
"Ron."
"Matthew." Ronnie turned round as the younger man stopped walking. "Do you have any idea how bloody difficult it was for me to get off the booze? How much I had to fight to get my life back?"
"I know."
"No you bloody well don't. You weren't there in my drinking days thank God. The Guv was. She was the only one who gave me a chance. I'd have been on permament gardening leave if it weren't for her."
"Ron, look."
"Now this. I ain't drinking Matt."
"I know." He stepped forward. "I know."
"But?"
"No, Ron. If you say you are not drinking. Then you are not drinking. I'd hardly ask you to be the baby's godfather if you were drinking, would I?"
"No." Ronnie smiled slightly. "Don't suppose you would. Hold on, you and Alesha want me to be the baby's godfather?"
"Yeah." Matt smiled slightly. "We were talking about it last night. You and James as godfathers and my Kate as godmother."
"Nice one. Poor kid." Ronnie shook his head.
"Well, she or he is a fighter. Everyone thought Lesh would miscarry a few weeks ago remember. The scan shows everything is ok."
"Beginning to feel really now? You being a dad." Matt nodded as he and Ronnie leant on the railings overlooking the river. He couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah."
"Matt, you aint going to be like your step dad was. You know that yeah?"
"I bloody hope not." Matt's eyes darkened as he remembered the old man.
"You wont be, you show one sign of even thinking that way and it's gonna be me dealing with you. You look after that girl. And that kiddie of yours when he or she gets here." Ronnie watched as Matt smiled and shook his head.
"Why does Liz think you are drinking again?"
"I dunno."
"The vodka bottle?"
"When I was on the booze the one I never touched. I have never drunk spirits. I promise you Matty I have never touched the stuff."
"Ok." Matt looked at the water as he noticed raised voices from behind him. For a moment he felt sorry for the man in the grey overcoat with the velvet collar. The petite brunette with him was giving him a hard time. He turned back to the water as Ronnie closed his eyyes.
"It could be Jamie."
"Who?"
"Skinny kid my Chloe has taken up with, I don't like him and he knows it. She's a clever girl Chloe but has a terrible taste in men."
"Like her mother." Matt smiled as Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Cheeky git."
"What can you do? Liz seems to believe it's only a matter of time till she catches you drunk."
"I know." Ronnie pushed himself away from the barrier. "I can try talking to Chloe."
"I would." Matt agreed. Both men fell silent as Matt's mobile phone sprang to life.
"Yeah thanks." Matt spoke to James as he nodded for Ronnie to follow him. "We'll be there."
"What?" Ronnie followed his younger friend.
"James says the Jury have returned. The verdict is in."
A/N Please review. One more chapter. Can't wait for the new series to start :D