Mild profanity in this one so just a warning...

Breathe

Standing in front of the generic commercial building she sighed at what her life became, Carla really didnt think she was cut out for this but either way she found herself stepping inside with an envelope containing her identification, keys and whatever else she needed. More importantly it contained a document that she would be handing over, a document that would secure her future in more ways than one. Stepping into the office she smiled and passed over the envelope, her boss frowned at her and took out the contents.

"Why?"

"I need a clean slate, what I did was wrong-"

"You solved the case"

"Even so" she shrugs "I want out now, too much has happened and I need some breathing space, I want to resign"

"Is it because you love Peter?"

"Maybe, I dont know," she thinks about it for a bit, he sighs and shakes her head "I learnt from the best thats all I can say, granted I did the wrong thing in getting justice for Leanne but this was too much, I need a break"

"Here" he passes her a document, she raises her eyebrows, "Think about it at least"

"No" she shakes her head skim reading the document offering her another position at a different unit across the country, she rips it up and places it on the desk "I meant what I said and sticking to it"

"Well, when you're ready..."

"We'll see" she comments heading out of the office and to her locker, she opens it and smiles at the picture slotted in one of the air vents in the exterior door to the locker, she takes it out

"Connor!"

"Hey, Alex" she smiles looking at the photo before collecting her stuff "And before you try and talk me out of it-"

"I wouldn't dare" he smirks, Carla chuckles slightly and sighs "It's been a good old run you know that right?"

"Oh yeah, I know" she smiles up at him, her wingman almost, her partner in crime pardon the pun "You'll go far kid, maybe even further than me one day aye? Don't screw it up"

"I wouldn't even try" he dares to say, Carla smirks and chuckles slightly before biting her lip "So I guess this is goodbye then?"

"Yeah" she confirms as Alex offers to take the box for her, they walk to her car and he puts the box in the back seat "We'll stay in contact ok?"

"Of course, It'll be nice to be calm without you breathing down my throat in your deathly ways"

"Give over I wasn't that bad" she smirks, he grins and brings her in for another hug "Take care Alex and remember believe in yourself"

"Hmm" he hums watching her get in the car, she drives off into the distance causing him to sigh, maybe one day she would be back and maybe one day she would learn to forgive herself for what happened...

Carla was driving back home, she immediately got out of the car and then got changed into something a little more casual than her work gear. She sighed knowing her life had changed so much in these last few days, all she wanted was to just take time out, spend some time with Michelle and maybe go on that girly holiday they were planning and that always failed when they did because Carla's work-life always took over and at that point, she realised how lucky she was to have a friend like Michelle. Getting into her car she drove to the place where she needed to be, she entered and waited for what seemed like an eternity until she looked up and sighed.

"I'm sorry"

"So you should be" Peter hisses leaning forward, she closes her eyes "You betrayed me, I thought I could trust you, I thought you were a bent copper"

"I resigned, it was the right thing to do"

"Doesn't solve this problem though does it" Peter snaps back, she bites her lip "Guilt got the better of you did it?"

"You know what I don't have to listen to this, I came here to make amends and if you're just going to have a go at me I'll leave-"

"That makes you even more than a coward than I thought"

"Please" she rolls her eyes leaning back against her chair "I'm hardly a coward for seeing what your family really were and outing your lies"

"Yet you did it all wrong by the rulebook, using me to get your anger out, free sex. Do you know how that made me feel?"

"You didnt have to go through with it, did you? You chose to trust me-"

"Yeah because you manipulated me, now my son has a murder charge to his and I'm charged with perverting the course of justice"

"Leave off. You had a choice as well" she snaps back "You could have cleared this case up a whole lot quicker if it wasn't for protecting your own flesh and blood, he murdered his mother and what did you do keep him out on the street"

"To protect him because the poor kid has nothing, all he has is me in his life"

"Serves you right I suppose"

"What?"

"You being in here" she snipes, he glares at her and clenches his jaw "Not that I should believe a single word that comes out of your mouth, Peter. A leopard never changes its spots"

"Oh hark at it!" he hisses, she smirks at him evilly so much so it put him on edge "We're over"

"There was no us" she smirks leaning forward and grabbing his chin discreetly "You're just a lonely man now Peter, ever so lonely, in here alone, your son's alone now as well maybe he will actually see you for who you are"

"Why are you doing this?" he questions as the tears well in his eyes, she smirks at the way he crumbled at her

"Because I'm a bitch, a cold-hearted cow, someone who's selfish and puts themselves first. You see Peter you thought you had it all sussed out but you lied, yet again. You seem to make a habit of that maybe one day you will learn that lying gets your nowhere. Maybe you'll realise that you dont have to be alone anymore and that you can't protect the people closest to you. Trust me, I learnt that the hard way"

"I-"

"Stop crying Peter, you wouldn't want people to see you shed a tear in here would you?"

"It's all about power with you isnt it?" he wipes his eyes, she sighs and rolls her eyes dramatically "Job above feelings, your self worth is your job, zero personality or flare because you're just a lonely old detective who pokes their nose into peoples business because they have nothing of their own. Thats the sort of person you are Carla"

"I think we're done here" she whispers, he narrows his eyes "I never want to hear a word from you again, and when you're out of here I don't want no threats, no nothing, got it?"

"I wouldn't stoop to those kinds of lows"

"Good" she whispers with a small smile, "Now grow a pair, you're in for a ride"

"Bitch" he whispers watching her walk out of the visiting room, he composes himself and heads back to his cell with anger and hatred, the only emotions present in his now restricted life...

With a triumphant smile, she walked out of the prison and into her car, she began to drive home. She didnt know where she would go but this time she was sure she would make it worthwhile. Staying here was dangerous now and she knew that as she could see right through Peter, he was seething for revenge. Unfortunately for Carla, she knew that her life was going to change from now on but she was so ready to live it. Maybe one day she would go back to being a detective and work her way up again but if she was honest it really was the last thing she wanted. She stepped out of the car and she smiled taking the picture that was in her locker previously and smiling.

"One day we'll find out who did this to you sweetheart" she whispers scanning the photo and smiling slightly "Mummy's going to do it and she's going to do it well and by the rules this time, we're going to need a lot of time and dedication but she will bring you justice just as your daddy deserves as well"

"Carla!" Michelle calls from the doorstep, Carla smiles and bites her lip "Dinners ready!"

"Just coming Michelle!" she calls as Michelle leaves the door open, Carla looks down at the photo and smiles sadly once more, she folds the photo up and places it in her purse before taking the box of her belongings indoors

This time she was able to breathe...

Sorry for the cliffhanger, I felt like being mean...hehe

This is the end unfortunately, it's been different and a challenge to write but I wanted to do something shorter so I hope you enjoyed...