AN: This part of the series is now complete.

Not Always Out Of Reach – Part 5

Charlie instantly tensed and took a sharp breath in, as Jackson's grip tightened around her.

"Charlie!"

"Get back!"

"Smithy!"

Smithy felt torn, looking from the gun to Charlie. "Just don't hurt her…"

"You're in no position to tell me what to do!"

"He's not trying to!" Charlie swallowed hard, remembering what Jackson had tried to do the last time he'd held her so tightly, not putting it past him to try again.

"SHUT UP!"

"Peter!" Jo urged from outside. "What's happening?"

"They'll keep asking until you answer them!" Charlie tried to calm Jackson down, holding his arm in an attempt to stop it dropping past her stomach again.

"Peter!"

"We're fine!" Smithy called through, looking from Peter to the door. "Really Jo."

Peter moved towards Smithy, dragging Charlie along beside him. "I told you to stay quiet."

Smithy swallowed, knowing the more Jo would talk, the more Peter would get agitated. "I'm sorry." He said calmly.

Charlie's hand slipped from Jackson's arm, dropping it to her side, discreetly slipping it inside Smithy's as they stood together. Smithy's fingers closed around Charlie's and he squeezed her hand gently, not looking away from Peter.

Peter glared forcefully, "Do as you're told."

Amber sighed and rubbed her forehead as she continued coming up with dead ends, releasing a frustrated sigh.

"Anything?" Dan looked up, frowning as Amber shook her head.

"He's just not registering!"

"Maybe he's got no record…"

"Maybe." Amber sighed.

"Need help from Callan!" Reg chimed in, only to be met by two blank faces in response.

"Edward Woodward."

"Who?" Amber blinked.

Reg frowned; picked up the files he'd been looking through, and walked to the door. "Never mind." He sighed, leaving the room, muttering about the ignorance of youth.

"Edward Woodward!" Dan repeated, shrugging and looking back at the monitor in front of him.

Amber looked thoughtful for a few seconds, before sitting bold upright in her chair, tapping away at the keyboard.

"Y-you mentioned your wife…" Charlie stammered eventually, tilting her head to look at Jackson. "…Won't she-"

"She's gone!" Jackson snapped.

"I'm sure we can find her for you." Charlie started.

"You'd have a bloody good job!" Jackson snapped. "She died couple of months ago. She never got over Mark."

"This isn't the way to solve anything…" Charlie sighed, trailing off as Smithy shook his head and discreetly squeezed her hand to cut her off.

"Ma'am!" Amber raced down the corridor, waving a piece of paper.

"PC Johannsen!" Gina snapped, turning to face the younger officer. "Kindly keep-"

"Ma'am!" Amber panted. "He's not Peter Jackson!"

Jo looked up, taking the paper from Amber's hand, studying it critically, before turning over and looking at the page. "Jack Peterson!" she said softly with a small smile, showing Gina the picture.

Gina looked at the picture and took the paper, looking up at Amber. "Good work," she said, guiding Amber away from the door. Gina turned back, frowning at the list of previous convictions. "Domestic Violence…" She sighed, "Known mental illness, last treated 2004."

"Doesn't bode well for-"

"Jo!" Gina interrupted Tony, thrusting the paper back under Jo's nose.

"Blimey..." Jo's eyes widened as she read. "Smithy…"

"Sergeant," Gina beckoned the nearest SO19 officer closer. "Prepare your men."

Charlie released a small sigh as Jackson released her, instantly stepping back, moving behind Smithy as he pulled her arm.

"Mr Peterson."

Jackson froze, looking at the door. "…What?"

"We know who you are Mr Peterson." Jo said calmly. "We only want to help you."

"Help!" Jackson allowed himself a scoff. "You don't know the meaning of the word – you just take people away! Not anymore!"

"We can't help you if you won't let us." Jo remained calm. "What happened to your son-"

"Don't you dare mention his name!" Jackson lifted his gun, fiddling with the trigger. "He was worth ten of you all!"

"What would he say if he could see you now?" Jo paused, before continuing. "And Mary. She wouldn't want you to get yourself in trouble!"

Jackson flinched at the sound of his late wife's name. "Leave them out of it…" He turned his head, looking at Smithy. "Do you have kids?"

Smithy shook his head, feeling Charlie's hands ball themselves around the material of his uniform shirt, holding tightly to him.

"Unconditional love." A tear started to roll down his cheek. "It's instant. Like no other. It just…hits you."

"You don't want it to end like this." Smithy held his hands up. "Just let us help you!"

"You'll take me away!" Jackson raised the gun. "They took me from Mary…Said I hurt her….I wouldn't hurt her – I love her!"

"Maybe you didn't know…" Smithy tried a different tact. "Just give me the gun, and-"

"STAY BACK!" Jackson pointed the gun at himself, his hand shaking visibly.

Smithy stepped forward, his hands still in front of him.

"I'LL DO IT!" Jackson's tremors grew worse. "I'll shoot!"

"Smithy!" Charlie swallowed, trying to grab him back, before squeaking and stepping back against the wall as Smithy lunged forward, grabbing at Jackson's arm.

"Mr Peters-" Jo was cut short as a gunshot sounded, before moving instantly back from the door.

"Smithy!" Gina balled her hands into fists, her nails pushing into her palm as she nodded at the SO19 Sergeant who pushed the door open, all storming inside.

"Armed Police – drop your weapons."

Smithy struggled with Jackson, keeping his arm pinned above his head against the floor.

The nearest SO19 officer stood on Jackson's arm, preventing him from lifting it up to fire the gun, applying more pressure until Jackson released the gun, his shouts getting louder.

"YOU KILLED HIM!" Jackson spat in Smithy's direction as he was helped up by several SO19 officers. "You might as well have killed me that day…."

"Smithy!" Gina followed Tony and Dan into the room as they took Jackson from the SO19 officers, dragging him outside the room, ignoring his shouts. "Don't you EVER disobey my orders again!" She admonished, before taking his arm and looking him over.

"Ma'am…" Smithy nodded, smiling tightly at her, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Charlie!" Amber followed the others in, pulling her trembling form into a hug.

Charlie squeezed Amber's hand quickly, before breaking away, moving quickly over to Smithy and all throwing herself at him as she hugged him tightly.

Smithy's arms dropped and they wrapped themselves tightly around Charlie, holding her tightly against his chest as Gina moved the other officers back.

"You think they'll be ok?" Jo stood beside Gina, talking softly.

Gina looked back through the doorway, watching Smithy and Charlie, before nodding. "They'll be just fine…" She said with a slight smile.

A/N: Edward Woodward is an actor on stage and screen, who stared as David Callan, in 'Callan' as an agent/assain for the SIS