A/N: There's just something about Manson isn't there? I have to admit I only hated him on the show because he took Sam's job but he really is a git. Oh... thanks for reading my ramblings, the reviews are loved and framed.
'Heard the obbo went well,' Gina commented as she sat down opposite Sam in the canteen. 'You got Cooper?'
'Yep,' Sam replied staring down into her untouched coffee.
'What else happened?'
'Oh, nothing, just Manson forcing Jim Carver to drink.'
'What?! How'd he do that?'
'Oh, I don't know,' she sighed. 'He said something to him, a threat or something, I'm not sure. I didn't get the chance to ask.'
'You're sure it was alcohol?'
Sam nodded. 'And Manson knew what he was doing, he looked at me with those damn smirking eyes.'
Gina suppressed a snort. 'Smirking eyes? Samantha, I think you've got a problem.'
'I'm not the one with the problem!'
'You're obsessed with this vendetta. It can't be good for you.'
'Do you think this is all in my head?' Sam asked.
'Do you?' Gina countered. 'You must be having doubts for you to even ask that question.'
'I don't know,' Sam said with uncertainty. 'It could just be because of what happened to Abi I suppose.'
Gina leaned forward. 'Let me tell you what I think.'
'Smithy said you wanted to see me,' June said as she approached Jim's desk in CSU.
What? 'Did he now?'
'Well, don't you?'
This was his chance. Keeping his cool in the pub with Manson had given him strength not to mention the willpower he'd displayed by not succumbing to more than one drink. 'I suppose I do, yeah.'
June waited for him to continue. When he didn't she said; 'It might be quicker if you just tell me.'
'Would you come to dinner with me tonight?'
'Are you asking me on a... date?'
He nodded. 'Trying to anyway.'
'You can pick me up at seven.'
Tony and Gary were driving around, just looking for some trouble or waiting for a call. Gary had wanted to go back tot eh station, he wanted to see Honey about something or other (probably other) but the thought of what awaited him back at the station caused Tony to object.
Finally something popped up in the form of a group of teenage boys kicking the hell out of another lad who couldn't have been more than eight years old.
The two officers jumped out of the car, the kids started to run off, Gary went after them while Tony ran to the aid of the boy. He didn't seem too badly injured, it looked like they'd interrupted the boys just in time.
'Can you tell me your name, son?' Tony asked gently.
'Adrian,' he answered quietly.
'Where'd you live, Adrian?' Tony queried while helping the boy to his feet, he looked pretty shaken up. 'You got someone we can talk to?'
He shook his head violently. 'No.'
The way in which he said it raised Tony's suspicions but he nodded anyway. 'What happened with those lads?'
Adrian shrugged. 'Just wanted to play with them.'
'Bit older than you aren't they?'
'No one else about.'
'Sure there's someone round here that'll play with you,' Tony said. 'School holidays, there's always someone about.'
Adrian stayed silent, obviously lost in his own world until Gary's footsteps approached, he was empty-handed and Tony hadn't really expected anything more.
'Got away,' Gary said quickly. 'Is he alright?'
Tony led Gary aside so Adrian couldn't hear the conversation. 'There's something not right with him.'
'Like what?'
'Not sure, let's take him down the station, maybe DS de Costa can get him to open up.'
'DS Nixon!'
Sam turned to find Andrea trotting up to her. 'Andrea, what can I do for you?'
Andrea glanced around and led Sam into the briefing room. 'It's nothing really.'
'Don't worry about that,' Sam assured her.
'Well... did anything happen earlier? When you arrested that Cooper guy?'
'What do you mean?'
'Between the DI and Jim Carver,' Andrea elaborated.
'Yeah, now that you mention it,' Sam answered. 'Why, what happened?'
'I just overheard something between Manson and June Ackland,' Andrea explained. 'He made a passing comment about her being in a good mood, I think she forgot who she was talking to.'
'What do you mean?'
'She said Jim and her were going for a meal then he said something about Jim falling off the wagon when you were on the obbo this morning. June was furious.'
Sam was feeling exactly the same. 'It looks like he's got another personal grudge.'
'Why though?'
'Who knows?' she replied with a shrug. 'But he might get careless, keep an eye on him for me.'
Tony had been stealing worried glances at young Adrian as he drove back to the station. He looked so sad and defeated, it was heartbreaking to see someone so young so hurt.
They reached the station and Tony helped the lad out of the car placing an arm around his shoulders, a sort of comfort gesture, and Adrian seemed to appreciate it.
