Thanks for the reviews guys. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Disclaimers and information in chapter 1
Honey stopped by the nurses station, "Is it okay if I visit Andrea Dunbar?"
The nurse looked down at the sheet in front of her, "Oh yes, the lady in room seven. Her partner is with her right now, but I'm sure you could go in too."
Honey was confused, she didn't know Andrea was seeing anyone, but thanked the nurse and headed towards the room. However, as she got to the window into the room, she stopped and gasped at what she saw.
Sitting next to the bed, clutching Andrea's hand and talking gently to her was the DI. Honey watched intently as Neil wiped hair off the young Pc's face and stroked her cheek, but jumped as he got up off the chair. He leaned forward and kissed Andrea's cheek, whispering a parting comment, then he turned and came eye to eye with Honey. He closed his eyes and sighed, wiping a hand over his face.
"Pc Harman," he greeted, joining her at the window on the outside of the room, but looking back in at Andrea.
"Sir," she replied, following his gaze too.
"Look, I'd be grateful if you wouldn't mention that you saw me here to anyone. I'm under strict instructions to stay away."
"I wont say anything, sir."
"Thank you," he said, then looked towards Andrea, "I couldn't stay away."
Honey watched him as he gazed at his love, "She'll be okay, you know."
Neil returned his eyes to the blonde woman, "I hope so."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Honey braved, not sure how safe she was talking to the DI.
He looked at her and, just for a moment, she thought he was going to berate her, but then his eyes softened, "I can't stay in case anyone else catches me here."
"Does it really matter?" Honey asked.
Neil shook his head, "It shouldn't."
O>
Honey placed two cups of steaming coffee on the table in front of herself and the DI.
"How long had you been together?" she asked, carefully.
"About six months. Since just after June and Jim's wedding."
"Wow, it's serious then?"
Neil nodded, "Yeah."
Honey looked down at the table in front of her, "Are you in love?"
Neil looked up at her, unsure of whether or not he could trust this young woman in front of him.
"You don't have to answer, sir," she backtracked, worried she may have overstepped the mark.
"No, it's a reasonable question," he told her, then he sighed, "Yes, we were in love. Are in love. I thought I loved Philippa, but I have never felt the way I feel about Andrea about anyone before. I can't stand the thought of losing her. Christ, I can barely cope with her leaving the room."
Honey smiled, "So what's the problem?"
Neil laced his fingers together and fiddled with them nervously, "Okaro says I have to choose between Andrea and my career."
Honey shrugged, "From what you've just told me, that shouldn't be too hard a decision."
"But what sort of life can I give her if I don't have a job? She's going to need me to take care of her, provide for her, at least until she's back on her feet again. If I'm out of a job, homeless, penniless, how can I be of any use to her?"
"Sir, if she feels as strongly about you as you do about her, then she wont care about your job or your money. As long as you've got each other, that's all that matters."
"I know, I know, you're right. They're all just excuses really. I could get another job if I wanted to. I could earn money in other ways."
"But?"
"I know this will sound selfish, but I have spent my whole life getting to where I am today. I have worked so hard to move through the ranks, put in so much effort, I'm just not sure I can give it up that easily."
Honey sighed, "Well, it's your decision, but if what I saw when I got here today was anything to go by, I'd say you've already decided whether it's Andrea or your job which is more important to you."
