Chapter Two

That evening, Gina had gathered everyone working on the obbo. The officers their were: Charlotte, Smithy, Gary (because of you know what), Reg (cause it seemed he didn't have a life out side the station) and June (because they needed another senior officer).

"Okay then." Gina shouted. "You all would have heard about the recent attacks on local girls in Sun Hill East Park."

"Yeah, what about it?" Gary asked. "What can we do?"

"Well I'm going to wire one of you and you're then going for a little stroll through the park." Gina replied. "Any takers."

All eyes turned to Charlotte, who was trying to hide behind Smithy.

"Okay, okay." Charlotte sighed. "I'll do it. At least it beats sitting in a car."

"Are you sure Charlee?" Smithy asked worriedly. "You don't have too."

"There isn't anyone else willing to do it." Charlotte answered. "So it's me or no one."

"Good girl." Gina cut in. "Why don't you all get changed and Charlotte you came with me and I'll get you set up. Meet back here at 01800hrs."

"Ma'am, what time is that?" Reg asked.

"Six o'clock, Reg." Gina replied sarcastically. "Go on then."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later, Charlotte was walking through the park. Gina, Reg and June were sitting in one car and Gabriel, Smithy and Gary were dotted at various places in around the park.

"Are you okay, Charlotte?" Gina's voice said through the radio.

"Yeah, it's just bloody cold." Charlotte replied. "Especially in a mini skirt and tank top."

"Just wait a bit longer and if nothing happens, we'll call it a night." Gina said.

Charlotte sighed. "Hurry up. I want to get home to my nice warm bed."

After another half an hour, Gina decided to call it quits.

"Everyone let's call it a night." Gina said, through the radio. "It doesn't seem like anything is going to happen."

"Thank goodness." Charlotte said happily. "I can finally go home. This was a big waste of time."

Just as Charlotte disconnected her wire, a shadow stepped out in front of her.

"Smithy, I........." Charlotte trailed off as she looked up. "Oh my god."

Charlotte screamed and her attacker plunged a knife into her abdomen. He ran away and Charlotte staggered forward before collapsing into darkness.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Smithy, Gary and Gabriel had met up and were going to find Charlotte; when they heard a very loud scream.

"CHARLOTTE!" Smithy cried, and took of running to where Charlotte was last.

Gary and Gabriel took off after him.

"Char." Smithy shouted frantically, when he got to Charlotte's last known position. "Where are you?"

Suddenly he saw a figure lying on the ground and Smithy dropped to his knees.

"No, Charlee." Smithy cried, as he turned Charlotte over. "No don't do this to me."

"What's going on?" Gina asked frantically, as she, June and Reg ran up to Smithy. "Where's......... Oh my god."

"Some call an ambulance." Gabriel shouted, as he and Gary appeared. "NOW!"

June got out her phone and dialled for an ambulance, while Gina and Reg tried to asses Charlotte's injuries. And Smithy sat kneeled next to Charlotte and held on tightly to her hand.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few minutes later, the Ambulance drove up and two paramedics jumped out. They loaded Charlotte onto the stretcher and Smithy jumped in with her.

"I'll meet you at the hospital." Gina shouted, just as the doors were shutting. "You guys can go home."

"No, I'm coming with you." Gary said firmly. "She's one of my best friends."

"Okay, Gary you can come with me." Gina said. "But the rest of you go home."

"Is Charlotte going to be okay?" Reg asked concerned.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Reg." Gina answered. "Now come on Gary."

Gina and Gary jumped in one of the cars and started to drive to the hospital, while the others went home.

"Do you really think she will be okay?" Gary asked, on the way.

"Of course." Gina replied. "She's a fighter. Charlotte will pull through."

"But if any thing happens to her..........." Gary started.

"Nothing is going to happen to her." Gina cut in. "She'll be back at work in no time."

Despite telling Gary that, Gina wasn't feeling as sure as she sounded.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile Smithy was pacing up and down in front of the ER room.

"I hope she's okay." Smithy muttered to herself. "If any thing happens to her, I don't know what I'll do."

"Smithy." Gina and Gary cried, as they ran into the ER. "Is she alright?"

"I don't know." Smithy replied. "She's still in there. If any thing happens..............."

"Don't go thinking like that." Gina cut in firmly. "She's strong and she will make it through."

"Yeah." Gary agreed. "Char won't give up. That's not her style."

"It's all my fault." Gina sighed. "If I hadn't forced Charlotte into taking the job, we wouldn't be here."

"It's not your fault." Smithy said quietly. "We didn't know he would be armed. It wasn't his MO."

"But still if it never happened we wouldn't be having this conversation." Gina argued.

"It was just bad luck." Gary cut in. "If it wasn't Char, it would have been his next victim."

"Sergeant Smith." a doctor said. "I'm Dr Roberts."

"Yes." Smithy replied stiffly. "Is she alright."

"Well I hate to have to tell you this but..................." Dr Roberts started.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N A cliff hanger. If you want more please review.