Disclaimer - All recognized characters and settings are the property of Thames TV.
A/N This is just a bit of randomness please R&R and tell me what you think.
Smithy rolled over and hit his alarm clock. 8:00pm. He groaned and rolled put of bed. "I thought people went to bed at night not the other bloody way round" he muttered to himself as he stumbled into the shower.
He turned on the water but in his half sleeping state he turned on the cold tap not the hot "SHIT COLD!" he shouted leaping back. Now fully awake and on the brink of a heart attack he turned on the hot and had his shower.
He pulled on some jeans and a faded red t-shirt before going downstairs. He grabbed an apple. He couldn't eat anything now maybe when he got to the nick. Then he headed out to his car.
He hated the night shift, especially in summer. It was stupid. You're either rushed off your feet or it was dead. It also through your body clock off, it was 8:30 for Gods sake why was he tired, it's not even dark. He had no desire to work in CID. In fact he hated the idea, stuck behind a desk not out and about but nights always made him think it wouldn't be that bad.
He drove into the car park and parked. He walked past Gina who was inhaling a cigarette deeply.
"I hate nights" she said as a greeting
"Join the club ma'am"
She laughed and put out her cigarette, following Smithy in and out of the warm summer night.
He split off from Gina as he entered the locker room.
"Evenin'" he said as he went in.
The various members of the relief muttered their greetings obviously no more happy to be there than him, except Reg of course.
"Evening Sarge, lovely night tonight isn't it?"
"Your too bloody happy for your own good Reg" replied Smithy
Reg headed towards the door. "Always look on the bright side Sarge." He called behind him as he left.
"He's crazy that one" said Tony "Absolutely bonkers"
Smithy attempted a half laugh but hadn't enough energy so it came out as loud breathing sound.
In the briefing room Gina went through the duties. "Everyone clear?" she asked when she was done.
"Ma'am" chorused the relief.
Smithy groaned under his breath, stuck in a car with Amber, what he wouldn't give to be in custody tonight.
He climbed into the car and started the engine.
"C'mon Amber" he shouted "The streets of Sun 'ill await"
He knew she wanted to get going less than him but Amber was one person he enjoyed winding up.
"Sarge" she muttered sulkily as she closed the car door. Smithy put his foot down and drove off.
1 ½ hrs later
"Cheer up Amber" said Smithy "As Reg would say it's a lovely night tonight"
"Yeah whatever"
"It's not that bad" said Smithy who was awake now and quite enjoying winding Amber up "its 10:30 and its barely dark"
"All units from Sierra Oscar. There's been a report of a disturbance on the Cole Lane. Can anyone deal?"
"That's only a couple of minutes away, we haven't got anything better to do have we?" said Smithy turning left
Amber sighed then spoke into her radio.
"Sierra Oscar from 388, show us dealing"
"Thanks Amber. The informant is a Mrs Balkand of 152. She lives next door. She says she heard a man and woman shouting and a woman scream. The address is flat 151, registered to a Miss Sally Smith.
"Received"
Smithy parked up and walked up to 151. He knocked on the door. No one came. He knocked again "Miss Smith?" He heard someone coming and stepped back. The door opened. "Sgt Smith, PC-" he stopped as he looked into the same eyes he saw in the mirror each morning. As he looked at the face of the women before him he realised it was a face he hadn't seen for 11 years. She looked different. Well she was only 15 when he last saw her.
"Dale?"
Smithy had frozen, his face looked cold and shocked.
Seeing Smithy was not going to talk Amber took over.
"PC Johannsen, Sun Hill. Can we come in Miss Smith?"
The women stepped back from the door to allow them to enter. As Smithy walked into the flat he seemed to regain use of his voice.
"What are you doing here?" he said in a flat tone.
"ME? I thought you were in the Army"
Smithy's temper rose and he clicked his fingers twice "Keep up Sal I left 'Army 6 years ago."
"Oh sorry I forgot 'bout that. Haven't heard from ya since you were 17 but ye, I obviously read about that in ya frequent letters to Mam" she spat sarcastically.
"Erm Sarge" put in Amber. Smithy looked at her obviously he had forgotten she was there. He waved his hand at her, a signal for her to go on.
"Mrs Smith we have had a report that there has been a disturbance here? One of your neighbours says she heard a woman scream?"
"Yea that was me"
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"Me and my boyfriend had an argument, 'e threw summat at me. It didn't 'it me. Nowt to get ya knickers in a twist about."
"Can you tell me his name?"
She laughed and shook her head "Nah, I may have the same genes as Dale in me but I aint stupid. You don't grass people up 'specially not around here."
"54 from Sierra Oscar?" Smithy stepped back from the group and spoke into his radio.
"Go ahead Dean"
"How are you doing on the Cole Lane Sarge? There's another shout at flat 201. Can you deal?"
"Go on Sarge, you're done here. I aint grassin' no one up"
Smithy sighed "Sierra Oscar from 54 show us dealing." He looked at his sister "we're done here."
"Received 54."
Amber straightened up from where she had been leaning on the wall "Thank you Miss Smith. C'mon Sarge."
"You go ahead, I'll catch up"
Amber shrugged and headed out of the door. Smithy turned to his sister. He put his hand on her shoulder "You take care of yourself Sal."
He was interrupted by a crying sound. Sally put her hand to her belt and picked up the baby monitor.
"Look I got to go see to Keeley" at his puzzled look she added "My daughter. You know your way out" and she disappeared into another room. Smithy sighed, he'd hated his childhood. He knew none of his family approved of his chosen career, but he'd always regretted not keeping in touch with Sally. He reached into his pocket and brought out a card and pen. He wrote:
07958 359682
0208 96214515
love always Dale x