Even God Can't Change The Past
Chapter 7: Close To Home
Smithy drove to work wondering what could be so important that Gina had rung him in the middle of the night. He reversed out of the drive, his uniform in a duffel bag on the back seat. He drove out of the suburbs where he had and Kerry had moved when Amy was a baby. He looked at all of the houses as he drove by, barely any of the lights were on and he wished that he could be at home with the people he loved. Smithy loved his job but he loved his family more and that was where he wanted to be right now, at least tonight he knew that he wasn't leaving Kerry and Amy alone. Smithy wasn't as thrilled as his family were about having Cameron, Karyn and their children to stay but if it made them happy then he was pleased to go along with it. Smithy still couldn't help but feel slightly threatened by Cameron even though he was happily married now too. The past just wouldn't go away and Smithy couldn't help being reminded of all the times that Kerry chose being with Cameron over being with him. Smithy knew that he should put these thoughts to the back of his mind and move on but several times during the evening he had caught Kerry looking at Cameron and he couldn't help being suspicious. Smithy cursed himself for letting his thoughts wander like this, he loved Kerry and their love was built on trust and now was not the time to start doubting in her.
Smithy climbed out of his car and made his way across the poorly lit car park to the reception area of Sun Hill Police Station. When he got inside he found that it was pretty vacated and he changed into his uniform quickly in the empty male locker rooms before looking for Inspector Gold. Gina was sat in her office, feet up on the desk in front of her and a cigarette dangling from her lips. Although for years Smithy had persuaded Gina non stop to give up the habit he couldn't help but smile when he saw her.
"Hard day?" He asked, she scowled when she saw his grin and moved her feet from the desk, whilst tapping the ash into a makeshift ash tray on her desk.
"Actually yes." Gina replied, when Smithy looked disbelieving she continued. "This was my first break since going on shift if you must now Sergeant Smith." She pretended to be angry but she couldn't ever hold a grudge against her favourite sergeant.
"Fair enough. So what did you call me in for?" Smithy asked, wanting to get to the point now.
"It's Phil Hunter, he's been attacked." Gina said, knowing how impatient Smithy could get at times.
Smithy raised his eyebrows, this wasn't what he had been expecting. "And what do you need me for?"
"Understandably the case was a little too close to home for Steve and Dan needs some help on the case and the only other person we could call was Nina and obviously you were the better choice of the two."
"I'm honoured ma'am." Smithy said sarcastically. "Anyway back to Phil, is he going to be okay?"
Gina nodded. "As far as we know. Sam's with him at St Hughes at the moment but he'll most likely pull through."
Smithy nodded too. "Good. So where is Dan?"
Gina looked thoughtful. "Now where would you been on a break at a God forsaken hour in the morning?"
Smithy laughed and left Gina's office heading for the canteen.
DS Samantha Nixon sat beside Phil's bed in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Hughes hospital, a luke warm beaker of coffee in her hand. She hadn't left him since she had been there, her hand awkward stretching across the bed to hold his hand. Sam knew that this shouldn't be her job and that Nina should be watching over her injured boyfriend but when Steve had tried to get in contact with her they was no answer so Sam had offered. She and Phil had been good friends and perhaps they could have been more until Nina Gray came along. Sam doubted that Phil and Nina really loved each other and she suspected that they were just in a relationship for what they could get out of it. Sam knew if she had Phil had ever been together that it would have been on a deeper level than that but it was too late to think about them ever being a couple. Sam was brought back to reality with a cruel jolt as the machines Phil was wired up to began to beep loudly, out of nowhere nurses and doctors ran to the bedside. Sam was shut out of the curtains and she couldn't ignore the surge of panic flowing through her body at the thought of Phil's death. He couldn't die on her, not now.
As he expected Smithy found PC Dan Casper in the canteen, drinking from a paper cup of coffee, several junk food wrappers were on the tabletop in front of him.
"Good to see that they're keeping you busy." Smithy said, half jokingly as he approached Dan.
Dan blushed. "I was told to wait for you serge."
Smithy smiled to himself. "That's why you look so guilty is it?"
Dan was about to protest when he saw Smithy's smirk and he decided not to bother.
"So where is Steve now?" Smithy asked.
"He's gone over to the hospital to see Phil, Sam's been with him until now."
Smithy raised an eyebrow. "And what about Nina?" He hoped that he would be able to pump more information out of the young PC than Gina had.
Dan shrugged. "No one can get hold of her."
"Maybe we should go round there?" Smithy suggested, more to himself than Dan.
"Maybe we should..." Dan replied, both of them were thinking similar thoughts.
"I'm exhausted!" Karyn Tate exclaimed, leaning back into the soft fabric of the sofa after she had finished eating.
"Me too." Her husband said, putting his plate down.
"Make that three of us." Kerry laughed, there was hardly any point going to bed now anyway because she'd have to be up to take Amy to school anytime soon, especially if Smithy wasn't back by then.
"I think I'll head up to bed. Thanks again for everything Kerry." Karyn said, taking her plate out into the kitchen.
"No problem." Kerry smiled. "It's great having you hear."
Karyn smiled back and headed upstairs while Cameron offered to help Kerry with the plates.
"She's great isn't she?" Cameron smiled sleepily once Karyn had left the room.
"Uhm." Kerry replied, pretending to be concentrating on loading the dishwasher.
"I'm glad things worked out for you and Smithy." He smiled.
"Thanks. Me too." She said, and she was.
Steve Hunter rushed into the ICU after getting Samantha's near hysterical message. He ran over to her and hugged Sam, she was one of his brother's best friends and he knew how much she cared about Phil.
"What's happened?" He asked, taking in Sam's tearstained face. "Is he going to be okay?"
"I don't know." Sam began to cry again so Steve gave her another hug as she cried into his shoulder. "I really don't know."
Hehe I'm such a bitch aren't I! Wait...don't answer that! I know I said I was on a break but I got really inspired to write this chapter, mainly thanks to Babybel (thanx Lauz!). Who said nothing good came of brainstorming? Please, please review and I'll try and update soon! Luv you guys! Vix xXx
