Chapter Three: She's okay.

Jo ran into the hospital before Sheelagh had even got out of the patrol car. Sheelagh ran in behind her, just as Jo was using her 'I'm a policewoman' excuse to find out where Sasha was. After finding out that she was still in theatre, Jo flopped onto a chair, completely wiped out. Sheelagh spoke to the receptionist to find out where they were going to move Sasha to after she came out of theatre, before going over to Jo and sitting down next to the broken woman. She put her arm round Jo and hugged her close to her. Jo didn't move, she just let Sheelagh hug her.

'What if she's not okay?' Jo asked shakily.

'Don't think like that.' Sheelagh said, rubbing Jo's back.

Suddenly the receptionist leant forward. 'She's come out of theatre, but she's still sedated.'

'Thank you.' Sheelagh said. 'Come on Jo, let's go and see her.'

They got up and walked along the corridors, Jo was in a daze and Sheelagh had to hold her arm to guide her.

When they got to the room, Jo stood at the door in shock. She hadn't cried before then, but as she saw Sasha lying limply on the bed with her eyes closed and a lot of wires in her, the tears fell noiselessly down her cheeks.

'Do you mind if I go in on my own?' Jo whispered.

'No, of course not. I'll just go and ring Inspector Gold, then I'll get us a couple of teas.' Sheelagh patted Jo's hand before walking down the corridor. Jo pushed the door open and went in.

'Inspector Gold.' Gina answered the phone in her office.

'Ma'am, it's Sheelagh.' Sheelagh said.

'Sheelagh, how's Jo?' the word had got round already about Sasha.

'She's shaken, but okay. So's Sasha, she's come out of surgery.' Sheelagh explained.

'Okay. That's good. Has she woken up yet?'

'No.'

'Okay, well I'm putting you on the case with DS Hunter and DS Nixon. They've asked for you anyway, they're on their way down now.'

'Okay, I was going to ask if I could stay here with Jo for a bit.'

'Course.'

'Okay, I'll see you later ma'am.'

'Bye.'

Sheelagh hung up before going to find the drink machine. She got two cups of tea before heading back to the room where Jo and Sasha was. She looked through the door and saw Jo holding onto Sasha's hand and knocked quietly on the door before popping her head round the door.

'I got you a cup of tea.' Sheelagh whispered, holding out the cup. Jo took it off her and thanked her. 'Just so you know. I've been assigned to this case, with Samantha Nixon and Phil Hunter. They're on their way now, but I'll keep them out for a bit.'

'Thanks Sheelagh.' Jo said weakly. Sheelagh smiled before leaving the room, only trying to imagine what Jo was going through. It wasn't the same when she had thought that Des was dead.

Phil and Samantha walked up to Sheelagh, who had just finished her tea.

'How is she?' Samantha asked.

'Who? Jo or Sasha?' Sheelagh asked, not trying to be funny.

'Jo.' Samantha amended.

'Okay, just shaken.'

'And Sasha?'

'Alive, still sedated. Jo wants to be in there on her own for a bit, so I said that I'd keep you out for a bit.'

'Okay.' Phil and Samantha sat down next to Sheelagh and they chatted generally for a few minutes. Jo came out of the room looking tired and drawn.

'Hey, you okay?' Sheelagh asked quietly. Jo nodded.

'She's not woke up yet.' Jo said.

'She's usually so strong.' Samantha thought to herself.

'She will.' Sheelagh said. 'Do you want another cup of tea?'

'No thanks. Any idea on who did this?' Jo asked before the nurse came out of Sasha's room and told Jo that she had woken up and was asking for her. Jo turned and went back into the room.

'Hey, how are you feeling?' Jo asked quietly.

'Okay, just a bit sore here and there.' Sasha answered. 'Where did you go?'

'Just outside the door, I wanted to know if they had any idea who did it.' Jo answered, feeling guilty that she wasn't there when Sasha woke up.

'Don't feel guilty. Do they have any idea?' She asked.

'Don't know, didn't get the answer.'

'Do they want to know who did it?'

'You know?'

'Yeah, it was Pete Larson.'

'Larson?' Phil said from the doorway. 'But he doesn't get his hands dirty. He gets his followers to do the dirty work.'

'Not this time.'