CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Martha felt a strong pair of hands wrap around her waist and pull her back; away from the edge.

"Martha," Jack's voice whispered in her ear. "You're okay now. It's all over," he soothed.

"Jack," Martha started to cry as she turned in his arms to face him. "She, she fell," she stuttered. "She fell over the edge. She's dead," she added with a whimper.

"I know," Jack cupped her face. "Let's go back to the car. Get you warmed up, okay," he suggested as he cupped her face.

Martha just nodded and let Jack lead her to the police car. As they walked away, Martha turned back to look at the cliff face. McGrath was standing there; looking over the edge whilst talking on his mobile phone. "She fell," Martha muttered again.

"Hey, it's not your fault," Jack helped her into the passenger side seat. "It was an accident. She lost her balance and she tripped," he assured her.

Martha nodded. She knew it wasn't her fault. "I know that. But what a horrible way to die," she started. "That could have been me Jack. She tried to push me over the edge," she whispered.

"I'm just thanking god that it wasn't you," Jack brushed her hair away from her face. "I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you," he gently leant forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Martha let out a small smile and pulled him in for a warm hug. She felt so safe now with his arms holding her tightly. She then pulled away and looked at him. "I want to see Alex," she told him.

"Of course," Jack nodded as he grabbed the seat belt and buckled Martha in. "I just have to go and have a word with McGrath and then we'll go to the station. That's where the others are waiting for us," he explained.

He gave her another kiss before closing the door and walking back over towards McGrath. "Martha wants to see Alex. Do you mind if I take her back now?" he asked his boss.

"Yeah, sure," McGrath nodded in Jack's direction. "I'll be fine here by myself until the team get here. I've just been on the phone organizing for some people to come up and get Mrs. Henderson. I think they'll have to go down the side of the cliff to get her," he explained to Jack.

"It's not going to be a pretty sight," Jack sighed.

"No, it won't," McGrath agreed. "But don't you worry about that. Just get Martha back to the station so she can be with her daughter. I'll give you a call and let you know how everything unfolds," he said to Jack.

Jack gave a short nod and then slowly turned; making his way back to the car.

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Martha sat curled up in a chair; Alex resting gently against her chest. She was so glad to be back with her daughter. The thought of never seeing her again had been scary. She never wanted to feel like that again.

Martha sat alone in McGrath's office with Alex; waiting for Jack to come in with a hot drink. He'd been gone for a while now, and she wanted him to hurry up and get back to her. As if he had heard her wishes, Jack soon returned.

"Hey," Jack whispered as he sat down in the chair next to her. "I made you a coffee," he placed her hot drink on the desk.

"Are we allowed to go home soon?" Martha asked him.

"Yeah, we'll head off shortly," Jack answered. "I've already sent dad and the others home. As soon as McGrath gets back, we'll go home and we can put Alex to bed," he told her.

Martha nodded in acceptance. "So, what did McGrath have to say when he called you before?" she was curious.

Jack sighed before answering Martha's question. "They found Karen's body," he told her as he looked won at the floor.

"Oh," Martha said in a hushed tone. "I never wanted her to die Jack. I never wanted any of this to happen," her eyes started to well up with tears again.

"I know that," Jack squeezed her hand. "None of us wanted it to end this way," he pointed out.

"How did you find me?" Martha suddenly spoke again.

"We went and spoke to Corey," Jack replied.

Martha's gaze snapped onto Jack's at the mention of Corey's name. "He actually told you where I was?" she was in disbelief.

"No, he didn't," Jack growled. "He spent the whole time goading me on. But just before he left the room, he made some snide remark about you being afraid of heights. After that it just kind of clicked," he explained to Martha.

Martha gave him a sweet smile as she reached out and cupped his cheek with one of her hands. "You're so smart," she exclaimed with a teasing tone. "My smart, handsome man," she grinned.

"Shut up," Jack laughed as he leant forward and quickly kissed her cheek. He then looked down at Alex, and smiled at her tiny frame. He placed his hand on her head and combed her soft girls away from her eyes as she slept. "I'm so lucky to have you two," he looked up into Martha's eyes.

"I love you," Martha told him.

"I love you more," Jack smiled as he leant across and placed his mouth on hers. Their lips lingered as they shared a soft and tender kiss.

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Martha wrapped her warm woolen robe around her body, before picking up her comb and walking out into the lounge room. She unwrapped the towel from around her head and then hung it over a chair. She used the comb to gently brush out the knots in her wet hair.

She walked over to the couch were Jack was waiting for her; fresh from his own shower. "I made us some sandwiches," he said as Martha sat down next to him.

Martha curled up beside him and rested her head on his chest. "Alex is asleep?" she asked Jack.

"Yep, like a baby," Jack laughed.

"You're so funny," Martha said sarcastically.

"Hey," Jack tried to sound offended, but couldn't pull it off.

They sat in silence for a few moments; slowly eating the sandwiches that Jack had previously made. "What's happening with my dad?" Martha suddenly asked.

Jack swallowed the mouthful of food that he had in his mouth and then straightened himself up into a proper sitting position. "They're releasing him as soon as possible," he answered Martha.

"So, he'll be out before tonight?" Martha looked at him hopefully.

"Yeah," Jack nodded as he looked at Martha's discomfort. "You shouldn't feel bad Martha. You were just going with what you remembered," he said to her as he placed a hand on her knee.

"I accused him of something so awful Jack. I screwed up and he got sent back to prison for something he didn't even do," Martha was clearly upset.

"He won't blame you. He knows that it wasn't your fault," Jack reassured her.

"How can you be so sure?" Martha frowned.

"Well, the only way you'll know for sure is if you speak to him," Jack told her.

"I know," Martha sighed. "Do you think you could give him call in the morning and ask if he'll meet with me?" she asked Jack.

"Of course I will," Jack smiled at her. "Does this mean that you'll be willing to give your relationship with your father another chance?" he was curious.

Martha shrugged. "I don't know yet. I guess it's something I'll have to think about before I see him tomorrow," she flopped back down onto Jack's chest. But right now, all I want to do is sit here with you. I just want to be with you," she hushed.

"I like that," Jack wrapped his arms around her tighter as she snuggled into him.

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FINAL CHAPTER: What decision will Martha make about her relationship with Brett?

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