5
Kate snapped her eyes open feeling sick and disorientated. She shook slightly as she realised she was dead. The bullet had killed her. She turned her head towards the figure laying next to her, eyes wide she glared at him as he watched her. THIS IS YOUR FAULT. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MY BEST FRIEND. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MY BACK UP. She spat the words at him as Steve sat staring at her, tears running down his face. "I'm sorry. Kate I am so sorry." He whispered as she narrowed her eyes. YOU DID THIS.
Steve shot up, his heart pounding as he looked at the woman laying in the bed. Her thin frame surrounded by the machines that were keeping her alive. He swore under his breath as he realised he had been dreaming. He knew it was his brain playing tricks on him. Kate hadn't died, she hadn't glared at him. Sitting back in the chair he took her hand once more.
"I know this is my fault. I know I should have been faster. I am so sorry mate. I am so sorry." He wiped his free hand over his face as he prayed she could hear him and would forgive him. He closed his eyes feeling as wretched as he would have had he pulled the trigger himself.
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"Move." Pilkington pushed Jo in front of him towards a dark secluded lift in the corner of the car park. She stumbled forwards as he narrowed his eyes.
"You planned this all along. Framing me."
"You planted the burner phones in your girlfriend's house. You set her up"
"I didn't want to."
"But you did. Listen to you. Trying to play the innocent. You are as guilty as me. You set Kate up. You knew I had orders to get rid of her."
"And now you have orders to get rid of me?" The Scottish woman asked. "Is that what this is?"
"Move." He pushed her forwards as the darkness seemed to make the place even more claustrophobic. "Its not me getting rid of you. You can do that yourself." He pressed the button on the lift as Jo looked at him aghast. She was going to die and there was nothing she could do about it.
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Steve startled as a nurse rested his hand on Steve's shoulder. The younger man had recently started his shift - informing Steve that his name was George and was looking after Kate for the next twelve hours. Steve sighed, unable to believe someone so young could be looking after his friend, essentially ensuring she was alive and getting everything she needed for the next twelve hours.
"Sorry, didn't mean to give you a scare." George smiled. "The doctor has looked at Kate's blood gas and thinks we should reduce the sedation. I've just done that. If she starts fighting the ventilator we will see if she can manage without it."
"So she is going to wake up?" Steve daren't hope too much. George sighed.
"Not necessarily. She may. The most important thing is seeing if she can breathe on her own. Chances are she is going to be exhausted. Might be a while before she has the strength to open her eyes. Ok?"
"Ok." Steve sighed. Breathing without the machine was a huge step. He looked at her, smiling slightly. "You hear that Kate? Time to start doing a bit of work for yourself. You need to wake up when you're ready. I need to ring your Josh with some good news." He squeezed her hand. "Come on Mate, I know you can do this." He watched her remain impassive as he blinked back tears. "Give me some good news to ring the Gaffer with."
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Ted got to his feet as Chloe barged into the room. She knew he would normally yell at her for barging in but this time she didn't care.
"Sir."
"Chloe!" He snapped.
"There's been a sighting. Queen's Road Car park. Uniform are heading over there now."
"Come on then." He grabbed his jacket before marching out of the office. If Pilkington and Davidson were there he was going to be the one to bring them in. Chloe stepped back, letting him pass her before practically running to her desk. She couldn't help the feeling that time was running out.
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Steve held Kate's hand as she began to move slightly. The nurse noted it, quickly stepping towards Steve as Kate began moving her head slowly.
"We're going to take the breathing tube out. Leave a guedal airway in so that she keeps her airway open. Ok, step outside while we do this."
"I am not leaving her."
"Go, stand by the door." He ushered Steve out as Doctors converged on Kate's bed. A curtain was pulled hurriedly around her as he looked back, praying that this was a good thing, that his friend was finally coming back to him.
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a/n please review