A/N I'm back! Don't think I ever thought I'd write this again, but a few years ago I spun it off into the start of an original story, but it didn't really go anywhere. So I thought I'd carry on with this version! Hope there's someone out there still interested... XD

Oh, and I spent so long procrastinating that polyvore is no longer a thing! So sadly there won't be any more edits :(

Rosalind POV

The next morning we were back from the hospital. They'd given me crutches for my leg, and Tracy had her arm in a sling. Mike was carrying me as we went through the door, Tracy having convinced him so I didn't have to struggle.

"I'd carry her myself, if it weren't for my arm!" she'd said at the hospital. Mike had relented very quickly, Tracy obviously meaning a lot to him.

Gina came out of the office as Tracy shut the door. "Mike, you're back! Is everyone ok?"

I knew Tracy was in pain still, mine having been dulled by a lot of painkillers, but she was doing her best to appear happy.

"As fine as can be expected," said Mike. He turned to Tracy. "Do you need me to run you home?"

"I'll give Cam a ring," said Tracy. "I'll ask if she can meet me here."

"Good idea," said Mike. He turned back to Gina. "I don't think you met properly last night, did you? This is Rosalind."

Gina gave me a smile. "Nice to meet you, Rosalind. I'm Gina."

"Hi," I replied quietly.

"Right," said Mike, "I think we need to get you tucked up in bed. Gina, could you ask Lily for some clothes of Poppy's? They might be a little big but they'll do until we can go shopping."

"Of course," said Gina. She headed off down the hallway.

"Come on then," Mike said to me. He began to walk towards the staircase.

"Wait!"


Tracy POV

Mike turned to face me. "Can I just take Rosalind upstairs first, Tracy?" he asked. "Go wait in the office and I'll come and see you in a minute."

"I want to come with her," I said. "She needs me."

"No, Cam needs you," Mike said gently. He put his free hand on my shoulder. "Go wait in the office."

"But..."

"Now, Tracy."

Mike's voice was slightly sterner this time, and I knew arguing would get me nowhere. I relented and went into the office.

A few minutes later Mike came in.

"Gina's got some clothes for Rosalind, so she's sorting her out," he said. He closed the door behind him and then sat down on a chair opposite me. "Why did you want to come with us so much?"

"I don't know," I answered truthfully. "I just feel like I need to protect her."

Mike gave me a smile. "That's perfectly natural, especially after last night. I feel exactly the same." He paused for a moment. "But let us do our job, hey? You don't work here, you're not responsible for her."

I paused myself. Mike had said he felt the same way, but this was more than just a protective instinct. I knew that if she were ever in any danger, I'd protect her with my life. I'd never felt that way about anyone else before.

I shook my head. I must just be tired, or the painkillers were getting to me.

"Give Cam a ring," said Mike. "Ask her to meet you here. She'll understand, I promise.

I gave him a smile, before I went to the quiet room, phone in hand.

This wasn't going to be easy...


"Tracy!"

Cam was obviously pleased I'd called.

"Where are you? Are you ok? Oh I'm so sorry for all the messages, I..."

"I'm fine," I interrupted her. "Well, mostly fine. I broke my arm last night, but..."

"What happened?" asked Cam.

"Well, I'm at the Dumping Ground, Mike said I could stay the night," I began. "And then we had a new girl and things got very scary with her dad, and he twisted it."

"Oh Tracy," said Cam. "Have you been to hospital?"

"Yeah, I got it sorted last night," I said. I paused. "I'm so, so sorry about taking your money."

Cam sighed. "Yes, you should be." Her tone softened. "Do you want me to come and get you?"

"Yes please," I said.

"Right, I'll be there soon," said Cam. She paused for a moment, sighing again. "You know, you're completely impossible, Tracy, but I still love you, you know."

I smiled. "I love you too."

"Bye," said Cam.

"Bye," I said, before I ended the call.

To be fair, that had gone a lot better than anicipated. Just had to wait for Cam to arrive.

I went out of the quiet room and back into the office.


I was just about to open the door to go in when I heard screaming from upstairs.

I recognised who it was immediately.

I ran up the stairs to find Rosalind in Gina's grip, struggling to get away.

At least with a broken leg she couldn't keep running like she had last night.

"Hey," I said as I came into the room. "What's going on?"


Rosalind POV

"Tracy!"

I struggled further to get towards Tracy, but Gina held me tight.

"Calm down a bit and I'll let you go," she said.

"Please," I said. "Let go!"

"Gina," said Tracy. "Let her go."

"Don't tell me how to do my job," said Gina. "You were arrested yesterday, you don't work here, and Mike asked me to look after Rosalind. So if you'd like to ba..."

"You were arrested?"

My voice was small and squeaky. Tracy had been so nice to me yesterday, and now I realised she could be just like Dad.

"Yes," said Tracy, stepping towards me.

I kicked out with my good leg, striking Tracy's broken arm. She let out a noise of pain.

"Get away from me!"

Tracy stepped back, tears in her eyes, before she locked onto Gina. She looked furious the pain in her eyes amplifying them.

Gina looked back at her, and Tracy flinched.

Then she turned around and left.


Mike POV

I saw Tracy coming down the stairs, cradling her arm.

I ran towards her. "What happened?"

"Don't touch!"

I stopped suddenly a metre or so from Tracy, not wanting to go any closer and cause her further pain.

"What happened?" I repeated, gently this time.

"Gina," said Tracy. "Well, it was Rosalind that hit me, but Gina told her I'd been arrested, so..."

I sighed. I knew Gina hadn't taken the news well, but to tell a child, especially one so new and so scared, was a little too far over the line.

"I'll go talk to her," I said. I let Tracy past and then went upstairs to find Gina.


"You can't go round saying things like that!"

I'd asked Gina to step outside of Rosalind's room for a moment so I could talk to her.

"But she was!" said Gina. "And she was trying to tell me how to do my job."

I sighed. "Look, Tracy was very good with Rosalind yesterday," I said. "She was able to calm her in the hospital when no one else could, and Rosalind trusts her. She was only trying to help, and doesn't need you telling all the kids about her being in custody."

"She still doesn't work here."

"Look," I said. "I know you're good at your job: I wouldn't have hired you otherwise. But I think this one should be left to Tracy."

Gina gave me a look, first of shock, then of disgust as she realised I was being wholly serious, and then went downstairs.

I stayed for a moment, before I went to get Tracy.


I was about to open the office door when the doorbell rang. Johnny and Tee ran to see who it was, opening the door before I had a chance to get there.

Of course, when it was open they didn't know who I was.

But I knew the face well.

"Cam!" I said, gesturing for her to come in. "So good to see you."

Cam gave me a smile. "Hi, Mike." Her face then developed a look of concern. "Where's Tracy?"

I was about to show her to the office when the door opened revealing Tracy, an anxious look on her face.

Cam walked towards her as I ushered Johnny and Tee away, before she gestured to Tracy for a hug.

Relief flooded Tracy's face.

Cam put her arm around Tracy's shoulders, hugging her close. Tracy hugged her back with her good arm.

"I'm so, so sorry," said Tracy, tears coming to her eyes.

"I'm sorry too," said Cam. She turned to face Tracy. "I'm not happy about the money, but I was worried about you when I realised you'd left. And if you hadn't you wouldn't have broken your arm."

"I'm not sure Rosalind would have come off as well without her," I said. "Tracy was brilliant last night."

Cam looked at her questionally.

"A new girl arrived last night," Tracy explained. "Her dad did this, broke her leg, and then I had to calm her down at the hospital." She gave a tired sigh. "It was a long night."

"Come on then," said Cam. "Let's get you home."

"Actually, Tracy, would I be able to have a quick word?" I asked.

Tracy looked to Cam, who nodded. I went upstairs, gesturing for her to follow.


Tracy POV

"What is it?" I asked as we went up the stairs.

"Rosalind," said Mike. He turned to face me as we reached the top. "I was wondering if you'd be able to look after her. You're so good with her; Gina doesn't seem to fully know how to handle her, heck even I'm not entirely sure. But it seems to come naturally to you.

I paused for a moment, thinking, before I shook my head. "Sorry, Mike. I need to go home."

He gave me a smile. "I understand." He paused for a moment. "Would you be able to get her off to sleep though? Just a few minutes."

I nodded. "Ok, I'll give it a go."

We went into Rosalind's room. She was curled under the duvet.

"Rozzie," I said softly. "Rozzie come out."

Rosalind took the duvet off her head.

"I need to go in a minute, but I'm going to help you get off to sleep first," I said. I stroked the top of her head with my good arm. "You need to do a lot of resting if you want your leg to get better."

Rosalind settled down with her head on the pillow.

I began to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, watching as Rosalind relaxed and her eyes slowly closed. By the end of the second time through she was fast asleep.

"Sleep tight, Rosalind," I said softly.

I turned to Mike, a look of disbelief on his face. I wasn't quite sure how I was doing it either, but as Mike had just said, it felt really natural.

I gave Rosalind one last look before we both left the room.


Cam was waiting for us when we got downstairs.

"Oh, actually Tracy, I had something to ask you," said Mike.

I turned to him expectantly.

"Well, I was just thinking that with this whole money situation, you need a way to pay Cam back, right?"

"Yes..." I said uncertainly.

"Well it just so happens we have a position open here."

I stopped for a moment.

"I know you haven't got the qualifications, or the experience," said Mike. "But after seeing you with Rosalind I'd like to take you on as a trainee."

I looked to Cam, not knowing what to do.

She gave me a smile. "It's up to you of course," she said. "But if it were me I'd at least give it a go."

"How about a trial week?" suggested Mike. "Then you can see what it's like, and if it's not for you then you can leave any time, no questions asked." He paused. "Personally though, I think it'll really suit you."

I turned back to Cam, before turning back to Mike again.

I gave him a smile. "When do I start?"

Mike gave me a smile back. "Well, that depends on how your arm's doing," he said. "You go home now and get some rest, and then give me a ring when you're ready and you can start straight away."

My smile widened, before Cam put her arm round my shoulders. "Come on then, let's go home."

Mike gave me another smile. "Bye, Tracy. See you soon."

"See you soon," I said.

I couldn't stop the smile on my face as I left Elm Tree House. I could barely believe what had just happened!

"Well done, Tracy," said Cam. "I'm sure you'll be brilliant at it." She paused, a glint in her eyes "And I'm not just saying that because I'm the one who'll be getting half your paycheque!"

I gave a small laugh, before we got into the car and started the journey home.

Though I'm not sure that anything could have prepared me for what I'd just gotten myself into.

A/N First chapter I've written in a very long time! Really enjoyed writing for this again. Hope you enjoyed, please review! :)