Justice?

Ronnie knew he didn't have to go back into the court. He wasn't obliged to be there. But he wanted to be. Two women had been killed. His mate had been shot - could have been killed and he'd been in a coma for the best part of a week. No he decided as he crossed the road to the Old Bailey. He was going to watch Lockwood. There was no way he was getting to walk free. Keeping his eyes straight ahead he ignored the worried looks from Matt and Natalie. He had to be there. He owed to the others as much as himself.

Xxxxxx

"A girl." The midwife smiled as the cries of a very irate baby girl filled the delivery room. Kate closed her eyes, a premature baby on the day the verdict in one of her messiest and most convoluted cases was not what she had in mind.

"She's ok?" Jake asked as the baby was handed to Kate.

"Perfect. Small, 4lb but she seems ok. Good lungs on her." The paediatric doctor smiled. "We may keep her in for a while. So far it looks like she needs fattening up but her heart and lungs are strong."

"Like her mum." Kate shot Jake a look. He shrugged his shoulders. "What? I'm outnumbered now. Got to stand up for myself."

"The cat's male."

"Oh yeah." Jake rolled his eyes.

"Don't listen to your Dad. He's as besotted with you as I am." The baby opened her eyes. "Charlotte?"

"Lotty for short?"

"Charlotte Thorn. Good ring to it." The midwife, happy both mum and baby we're fine left them to it. Kate nodded as mention of porters transferring her to post natal were mentioned. She was barely listening. The bundle in her arms holding her attention. "She's beautiful."

"Like her mum." Jake kissed her hair. "I just hope she doesn't remember everything you called her dear old dad." He took the baby from her and began talking to his daughter. "I am grumpy though, and stubborn. Kate is right there." Kate raised an eyebrow. "Pigheaded was a little much though, I warn you in about forty years when you are allowed to consider dating you'll see that."

"She's twenty five minutes old. Give her a chance!" Kate laughed.

"Setting ground rules." Jake watched as the baby opened her eyes. "You are such a wanted baby. I didn't ever think I'd meet anyone like your mum so I certainly didn't think we'd have you. Then mum got a bump on her head, a few times things have happened. Only she's as stubborn as me. You'll probably inherit that too."

"Determination. I prefer determined." Kate smiled. "I think our Lotty is a daddy's girl already."

"Yeah."

"But what if? I mean? If she." Kate shook her head as Jake walked towards her. "If we put your name in her birth certificate when you might not be."

"I am." Jake handed her the baby. "I don't need a paternity test. I told you genetics mean nothing. Even if we split up - which isn't going to happen I'm her dad. Unless, you don't want."

"Shut up." Kate kissed him as the baby settled back to sleep. "The verdict?"

"Don't worry, George is handling it." Jake sighed.

"Ring him! We should know. Jake!"

"Ok, ok." He held his hand up as the porters arrived to transfer the baby and new mum to the post natal ward.

Xxxxxx

"Guilty." Joe smiled as he headed out of the court room. Alesha and Matt followed as James stayed back talking to Henry and George. Natalie, Sam and Ronnie were in conversation in the corner of the foyer.

"I had no doubt." Alesha smiled. "Any news from Kate and Jake?"

"Nope." Joe sighed. "What about them?" Joe nodded to where Ronnie and Natalie were deep in conversation - both looking equally serious. Natalie had her arms folded as Ronnie fell into step beside her with his hands rammed in his jacket pockets.

"What about them?" Alesha sighed as she observed her friends. Matt sighed.

"We got justice. Lockwood got life for double murder and two counts of attempted murder. It's over." Sam shrugged as he joined them. "Pub?"

"No, we didn't. Not really." Alesha sighed. "There's still two people out there that attacked Ron. The investigation into how Emma walked out of the station is still going on."

"But even rough justice is a kind of justice." Sam shrugged. Watching Ronnie and Natalie head towards them he just had to hope it was enough.

Xxxxxx

A/N please review. New story soon.