Title: Achieving Perfection
Author: Mz
Rating: PG-13 (just to be safe)
Spoilers: Through March in the UK.
Synopsis: Andrea wasn't killed in the fire, but she does have amnesia. Will she remember Neil?
Disclaimer: I own Philip, Marie and Sophie, but everyone else belongs to Talkback Productions and Paul Marquess. Unfortunately.
"What's the damage?" Gina asked Adam Okaro.
Adam looked around the room, seeing the heads of the major departments. Inspector Gina Gold, DCI Jack Meadows and DI Neil Manson.
"Ken Drummond and Marilyn Chambers are dead. Smithy is in hospital, but he should be out within the week. Andrea Dunbar is in a coma. We have no idea if and when she will wake up."
Jack shook his head, "I can't believe this happened again."
"To be fair," Adam said, "It could have been worse."
"How, exactly?" Neil asked, his head shooting up.
"A van full of petrol crashed into the station. I would say only losing two of our officers is getting off pretty lightly. The death toll could have been much higher."
"Well, there's a lot to clear up. We'd better get started," Jack declared, standing up. Gina and Neil stood with him and headed for the door.
"Neil," Adam said, "Can I have a word?"
Neil looked around at the others, "Of course."
When Gina and Jack had left, Adam asked, "Have you made a decision?"
"Not yet, sir, no," Neil replied.
"I didn't think this would be so hard," Adam commented.
Neil's eyes flashed with anger, but he restrained himself, "Thing's aren't that simple."
"Neil, I advise you to go home to your wife and forget about whatever happened between you and Pc Dunbar."
"I can't do that, sir."
"And why not?"
"With all due respect, sir, I think that's my personal business."
"I'm sorry, but I don't agree. Your affair could put the whole station, the whole police force, in a very difficult situation and that is most definitely not personal business."
"Sir."
"Until you have reached your decision, I think it would be best if you didn't go anywhere near the hospital or Pc Dunbar. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal, sir."
Adam looked doubtful, "Okay, you can go."
O>
"Poor Reg," Yvonne commented to Honey as the made their way down the high street.
"Yeah, it's so sad. I can't believe what happened," Honey agreed, "Have you heard anything else about Andrea? Has she woken up yet?"
Yvonne scoffed, "Nope, and I don't want to either."
"What?"
"Look, I'm sorry she was hurt, but she had been lying to us for months. She deceived us and betrayed our trust. Apart from not wanting her to die, I don't want anything else to do with her."
"I know, but she was only doing her job. And, aside from being a journalist, she was a good officer and a good person."
"How do you know? We don't really know anything about her."
"Still, she's been a good friend for a few months. I'm going to go and visit her in the hospital."
Yvonne stopped and looked at her, "She's in a coma, Honey. She's not going to appreciate it."
"It's a well known fact that people in comas can hear voices. Besides, she'll appreciate it when she wakes up," Honey told her, but then tentatively added, "You're welcome to join me."
Yvonne laughed, "I'll let you know."
