Chapter 5

"Chaz!" Smithy's voice rose, alerting a passing nurse as she looked in, standing in the doorway, smiling slightly as she watched, not wanting to intrude, at least not for a few moments.

"Baby…" Charlie's voice grew a little in strength and her eyes flickered open, blinking dazedly as she tried to focus on her surroundings, turning her head slightly to look up at Smithy. "What." She paused and swallowed a couple of times, attempting to talk. "What am I…"

"It's ok." Smithy leant closer, his hand cupping her cheek. "It's ok sweetheart." He softly kissed her forehead, smiling down at her. "You're safe now…" the backs of his fingers gently caressed her cheek. "I'm here…"

Charlie held his gaze, a loud sob escaping as a tear rolled down her cheek, followed by more as her grip on his hand tightened as best as she could, turning her head half into the pillow and half into his hand as she cried.

"She's been very lucky." The doctor stood beside the bed after finally calming Charlie down enough for her to sleep. "There's no permanent damage. A little bruising and swelling to the area around her spine, and she's fractured her pelvis and ribs." He nodded to the cast on Charlie's leg. "Her left leg's badly broken in three places…" he continued listing Charlie's injuries, ranging from superficial to slightly more problematic.

Smithy nodded, taking the information in, glancing back. "But she's ok?"

"She will be physically." The doctor nodded. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the baby didn't survive the fall, but as she was so early in-"

"…Baby?" Smithy's jaw dropped slightly and he gawped at the doctor.

"Yes," The doctor checked the notes, nodding at Smithy, "She was 3 months pregnant. I thought-"

Smithy shut off as the doctor continued speaking, swallowing as he glanced at Charlie as she lay, her hair draped over one shoulder as her head tilted forward slightly, looking peaceful as she was fussed over by the nurse. His hand tightened around hers and squeezed gently, causing Charlie to stir slightly.

"I'm sorry." The doctor finished, aware that Smithy was no longer giving him his full attention. "I thought you knew."

"N-no…" He shook his head, clearing his throat as Charlie sighed softly, her gaze sleepily moving from their hands to his face. "Hey…" he forced a smile, turning back into. "How you feeling?" he asked, as she yawned, almost in answer to his question.

"Knew?" Charlie said softly, looking from the doctor to Smithy. "Knew what?"

"Nothing, darlin'." Smithy shook his head as the doctor shifted uncomfortably.

"Dale." Charlie tried her best to arch an eyebrow at him. "Don't lie to me." She slowly and carefully reached her good arm to his face. "What?"

Smithy sighed and reluctantly gave in. "You were pregnant…" He whispered.

Charlie blinked at him, looking down at her stomach aware of the layers of bandages wrapped around it, much like every other part of her body, sadly looking at the doctor. "…Were?"

"I'm very sorry-" The doctor started, answer enough for Charlie as the tears started again, turning her head away from both men as she cried.

"The inspector said she's conscious." Cass wrinkled her nose as she pulled the gherkins from her burger, glancing across at Nick as he picked at his salad with the plastic fork provided. "That's something at least…" she said, before smiling slightly. "What on earth are you doing, Nick?"

"There's something in here." Nick frowned, raking through the plastic tub. "It looked at me."

Cass chuckled softly, "If you will eat the green stuff." She teased softly, offering him a bite of her burger.

"You know I don't eat meat." Nick good naturedly rolled his eyes.

"Least it don't look at you." Cass smiled, taking another bite.

"Do you know what they put in there?" Nick asked, "Same with sausages, it's all the-"

"Spare me the lecture." Cass picked up her drink, sipping from the straw as she tensed slightly. "Nick.." she nudged him gently. "Those kids you saw on the estate, what did they look like again?" She listened as Nick gave the description, nodding slowly, pointing to a small gang gathered outside a pool hall. "Could that be them?" she asked.

Nick looked up, looking at where Cass had pointed before nodding. "That's them." He said, dropping the container, before getting out the car, Cass sprinting after him.

"PIGS!" Came the yell as the youths scattered in different directions, all attempting to run away.

"Come on copper." Laughed Cass's suspect as she thundered after him. "See if you can keep up, girl!"

"Sierra Oscar from 149." Nick panted as he ran. "Chasing suspects to Charlie's case, running along Trafford Way, turning left left…" Nick dodged a trolley as his suspect changed direction quickly, "No, right right right into Trafford lane."

"Sarge!" Honey stood in the doorway of the CID office, looking straight across at Claire. "Just thought you'd like to know." She smiled. "Nick and Cass have brought in 2 of the youths in connection with Charlie's case, Tony and Reg are still on the look out for more."

"They ready for interview?" Claire stood up, grabbing her sandwich as she walked across the office, nudging Mickey as she passed.

"Yes Sarge." Honey nodded, before leaving.

Mickey glanced up, standing. "Sarge?"

"DS Boulton's following up another lead." Claire opened the plastic container, taking a large bite. "You can help me."