Now complete, thanks for the reviews.
Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks – Chapter 5
"Weeee…" Rebecca tugged on Charlie's skirt, looking pathetically up at her mother. "Wee mummy."
Charlie turned from the counter and looked down at Rebecca, beaming at her. "Clever girl…" she grinned, leading her to the bathroom, making a fuss of her. "Well done!"
Rebecca beamed smugly as Charlie lifted her up to wash her hands, giggling as she pressed kisses against her cheek.
"Wait till we tell daddy!" Charlie grinned, blowing a raspberry against Rebecca's cheek as she splashed her hands in the sink.
"Daddy?" Rebecca looked up, beaming. "Now?"
Charlie glanced at the clock and nodded, "We'll call him…" she smiled, expecting him to be in the office.
Smithy blinked as he felt his phone vibrating against his thigh, his gaze not moving from where James was pointing the gun in their direction. He moved in front of Craig and held his hands up. "Just let this end…" he said calmly. "Give me the gun and we can help you…"
"Get back!" James spat.
"What're you hoping to get from this?" Smithy sighed, "The way to see your son is to co-operate. Show them that you can rise above what your wife is doing-"
"She told them I was being homophobic, how the hell can I rise above that?" James scoffed.
"By not holding us here…by not threatening us with the gun…" Smithy kept his tone level. "You're playing into her hands this way…she'll get what she wants. What will you get?"
"M-my son…" James' voice quivered, staring up at Smithy as he shook his head.
"A prison sentence, a criminal record…all for just wanting to be a father."
"D-dad…" Craig sniffled from where he was in Gina's arms, "You're scaring me…"
"Put the gun down…" Smithy reasoned, still holding his arms up. "We'll help you…"
"You've reached Smiffy, I can't take your call at the minute, leave your name after the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
"Now…"
"Daddddddy!" Rebecca listened and pouted as she wasn't answered, before continuing to talk. "Daddy, went wee now!" She giggled and continued babbling for a few minutes before Charlie took the phone back, cuddling Rebecca as she spoke.
"Clever Becca went to the toilet all by herself…" she beamed, "We both think Becca deserves two special treats tomorrow, don't we sweetheart…?"
"Teddyyyyyy!" Rebecca called, still holding onto the phone.
"We'll see you later, daddy…" Charlie smiled. "Love you…"
"Luv'd oo more than the moon'd dadda."
"This can end here…" Smithy continued calmly, holding his hand out for the gun. "…We will help you, I promise. We'll talk to the court, and your wife…"
James looked from Smithy to Gina and down to Craig, his hand shaking. "…How do I k-know?"
"You have my word." Smithy said solemnly. "I'll do my best…but I can't when we're here…"
James nodded quickly and looked at the gun, slowly reaching his hand out to Smithy, giving him the gun.
"Sarge, there you-"
"GET OUT!" Smithy pulled the gun quickly from Henderson's grip before he could whirl around and point it at Dan as he stood in the doorway, managing to push him against the wall and keep the gun back.
Dan faltered for a minute unsure of what to do, seeing Gina keep the sobbing Craig back. He launched forward, followed by Roger as they took hold of James, managing to stop him struggling, Smithy checking the gun, his jaw setting as he saw it unloaded.
Gina looked from Smithy to the small boy cowering against her, gently hugging him tighter to her. "It's ok…" she whispered, turning him away from where his father was calling his name, along with a stream of abuse at the police officers in the room, "It's all over now…"
"I want my mum…" Craig sobbed, pushing his head in Gina's stomach.
Smithy glanced up to see the headmaster in the doorway, gesturing for him to come into the room.
"Craig…" Mr Carter held his hand out, "Your mum's in my office…"
Craig looked up, sniffling as he clung tighter to Gina, not about to let go anytime soon.
"If you come with me, I'll take you to her…"
Craig turned his head away, his hand gripping Gina's.
"…I'll take him." Gina smiled a little. "If you could show us the way-"
"Of course." The headteacher nodded, "Right this way…"
"You think you can keep yourself entertained for 5 minutes?" Gina muttered quietly as she passed Smithy.
"I'll try not to get meself shot if you do…" Smithy gave her a wink, lifting his radio to call the station.
"Why weren't SO19 called!" Amanda barked into the headset she was holding.
Smithy almost laughed bitterly, lifting his radio again to respond. "With respect ma'am, there was no way we could – he was waving a gun in our faces."
"An unloaded gun!"
"Well I wasn't about to test it out!"
Several officers around Sun Hill smirked as they heard the exchange, waiting for Amanda's reply.
"I'll see you both back at the station with a full report, Sergeant!"
"…Ma'am." Smithy sighed and rolled his eyes, "We're both fine by the way…"
Amanda glared at the headset, dropping it back onto the table as she turned and left the room, Dean smirking to himself as he continued talking to Smithy.
"Next time, PC Casper, I suggest you open your eyes!"
"…Sarge." Dan sighed, looking down. "I couldn't see him from the door!"
"So you charge in?" Smithy glared, watching Tony and Leela drive Henderson back to the station. "He could have been waving the gun at us again!"
"Sarge." Dan sighed again, looking up as Roger appeared beside him, Smithy being distracted by Gina re-appearing.
"We'll continue this at the station…"
"Yes Sarge." Dan nodded, glad of the chance to get away, watching Smithy walk over to Gina.
"You alright?" Smithy asked, dropping into step beside her.
Gina nodded and gave him a small smile. "PC Casper's still breathing?" She smirked. "You're slipping…"
"I haven't finished yet." Smithy gave a small smirk. "Superintendent Tos-"
"Smithy."
"Prosser…was asking how we were a few minutes ago." Smithy stopped behind the bike shed with Gina, smirking as she lit a cigarette, obscured from sight of anyone else.
"I heard." Gina looked up, taking a long, deserved drag. "Nice to know she's concerned about our wellbeing, isn't it…"
Smithy scoffed and reached into his pocket, pulling his mobile out as it vibrated again, glancing at the missed call from home as he dialled his voicemail, all tension lifting from his stance as he listened to the message, a soppy grin threatening his lips.
"Good news?" Gina asked, looking almost amused.
Smithy pressed the message to repeat, holding the handset against Gina's ear, grinning as she chuckled.
"Next come the terrible twos." She smirked, looking innocent as Smithy pouted a little.