Again, thanks for the reviews! Enjoy chapter 4!

She's the One

Chapter 4

Smithy pulled his car up outside St Hugh's Hospital. He jumped out, and broke into a quick walk. He headed for the doors, and stepped inside. He reached the front desk.

"Hi, I'm looking for Kerry Young, where is she?" he said hurriedly. The woman at the desk checked her computer.

"Fourth floor, Ward 2, you can't miss it," she said with a smile. Smithy nodded with gratitude. He reached what he hoped was her room, and peered through a window in the door. She wasn't there… He opened the door, and went inside. The bed was empty, and a magazine laid upside-down on the cabinet. The white board above the bed read 'Kerry Young'.

"Smithy?" came a shaky voice from behind. He spun around to find Kerry inching her way into the room. Smithy rushed to help her. He could see she was having problems walking. He gave her hand to steady herself.

Kerry looked better, but she had black rings under her eyes. Her skin was still pale, but she was smiling. Smithy smiled at this.

"You don't know how good it is to see you," she said, grinning. "I've missed you." She flung her arms round him and he kissed her head.

"You don't know how worried I've been," Smithy whispered, holding her close. When they finally broke apart, they gazed into each others eyes. "Thank God you pulled through. I'd have been lost without you." Kerry nearly melted on the spot at these sincere words. She leant towards him, and kissed him.

"I needed to hear that," she said gently, "I needed to know I'm still loved by someone." His eyes lit up. "So, what's been happening at the station?"

"Gina's still wondering why you wanted to see her yesterday," replied Smithy as he helped her to sit down. He took a seat next to her. "Everyone was so worried about you, except perhaps Gabriel. According to Yvonne, he sounded as if he didn't want you to survive."

Kerry snorted. "I'm not surprised. I bet it was him who shot me." Smithy looked shocked.

"Why would Gabriel want to kill you off?" he asked incredulously.

"For two reasons," continued Kerry sarcastically, "though I'd rather not say at the moment. I want Inspector Gold to be the first to hear it. Don't ask me why; she'll understand more than anyone." Dale nodded, not quite sure he knew what Kerry meant.

"Do you want me to tell her?" he asked. "Bring her in?"

"No, it can wait until I get out of here," said Kerry offhandedly. Smithy didn't look very convinced.

"You know what you said, just before you said you loved me, about Gabriel, is that what it's about?" Smithy asked, leaning towards her. "You can tell me anything, you know." Inside, Kerry wanted to blurt everything out: the rape, Gabriel's fake identity, Andrea's affair and her being an undercover reporter. But she knew she couldn't.

"I'll tell you everything, once I've sorted my head out," muttered Kerry. Smithy moved beside her, and wrapped his arms around her.

"No problem, I'll be here if you need me," he said. "I've got to go, the shift isn't over yet." He got up, and made his way to the door. He took one last look at her. "I'll come and see you after work."

"Bye," she said faintly with a grin.

Gabriel strutted out of custody after nicking a mad delinquent for shoplifting. He had his old sneer back in place on his twisted evil face, though he couldn't quite hide the frustration. He was very concerned that Kerry would still tell Inspector Gold about his identity. He thought those two bullets would have taken care of that. If only Smithy hadn't got in the way.

Though now, Gabriel had a plan slowly forming in the back of his sick mind, and he wasn't going to let anything go wrong this time…

Smithy appeared in front of him.

"All right, Gabriel?" he asked, smiling broadly.

"Not bad, thanks serge," replied Gabriel, not quite seeing why Smithy looked so happy. "So, who's the lucky lady? I presume that's why you're looking as if you've been to heaven and back." Smithy's look of pure happiness vanished in an instant.

"I'm just glad to see Kerry pulled through, that's all," shot back Smithy. "Anyway, you shouldn't be nosing around in my personal life; get back to work."

"Serge…" Gabriel uttered to himself as Smithy walked off in the direction of the canteen.

Adam sat at his desk finishing some paperwork. He couldn't get the thoughts out his mind, that his decision could have killed one of his officers. She's so young, he thought. The mere thoughts that Kerry may not have been able to enjoy the rest of her life were unbearable. Thank god, she was going to be alright.

Adam heard a sharp knock at his door.

"Come!" he called. The door swung open, revealing Gina. She walked in, closing the door behind her.

"Can I have a word?" she asked in her raspy voice.

"Yes, of course, have a seat," replied Adam, indicating a spare seat on the other side of his desk and Gina took it.

"How're you feeling?" said Gina gently. Adam flashed a wry smile.

"As if I would have contributed to Kerry's death," he said softly. Gina shook her head in disbelief.

"Don't be stupid," she said sharply, "your decision could have saved lives. If you'd let that ambulance through, you'd be handing in your resignation now."

"Perhaps," he muttered unhappily, "according to Smithy, if Kerry dies, it's my fault."

"Oh, so your going to listen to a love struck sergeant over me?" Gina questioned, clearly annoyed. "Though, I must say it's great to finally have a smile on his face, instead of the same glum and lonely look day after day."

"I suppose."

"Come on, let's get some lunch," she offered, standing up. Adam nodded, and he followed her out of the door.