First update of 2011 but by far from being the last I'm sure. Thanks to A for Antechinus and iheartsergeantsmith for taking the time to drop a review on the last chapter, your continued visible support is helping drive my muse on with continuing this tale. Hope this chapter lives up to its predecessors and as always, I warmly encourage anyone to review or if your of a more shy nature, drop me a PM and let me know what you think of the chapter/story as a whole. I always welcome feedback, be it good, bad or downright ugly so unleash on me by all means, my shoulders are broad, I can take it! Lol.
As always, and after 26 previous chapters this should be plainly evident by now, I don't own any part of The Bill, its characters or settings. So please don't sue me, I'm not making a profit and I can divide nothing as many times as you like but we're all still going to come out with nothing! And now, onwards with the story...
"Has anyone seen DS Turner?" DCI Meadows asked striding into the centre of CID, eyes scanning every corner of the room as though he might find the errant officer lurking in the shadows.
"Not for a while guv, he said he had a meeting with an informant about a case he's working, left about two hours ago," Terry supplied helpfully, not trusting the oily sergeant.
"Do we know where this meeting was taking place?" There were ripples of headshaking around the office in response to Jack's question. "Well, if he comes back here before I have chance to speak to him, tell him I need to see him in my office please." Without waiting for a confirmation, Jack turned on his heel and returned to his office, closing the door firmly behind him. Sam waited a beat before rising from behind the desk in her own office and approaching the closed door. Knocking on it quietly, she waited to be invited in before stepping over the threshold.
"Everything ok guv?"
"Not really. I've got the IPCC wanting to speak to Stuart as a matter of urgency, they can't tell me why but I think we can both hazard a guess, and I've got to tell them that currently, he's nowhere to be found. He's not answering his phone or returning my calls and no one seems to have a definite location for where he was going to when he left here so we can't even begin to track him down." Jack ran a hand through his thinning hair, exasperation seeping from every pore.
"We could probably get the tech guys to locate his mobile phone – spin them some story about being concerned for his safety given today's media reports since he went off to meet an informant alone." Sam's mind was racing, wondering if Stuart had simply fled or if the people he was working for had removed him as a liability. There was every possibility that Turner had been lured out of the station in order for the loose end he posed to be dealt with.
"Get on it, at least then I can tell the IPCC that we're doing everything we can to bring him in so they can speak to him," Jack commanded, thankful that his DI was astute and rational.
"I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. Don't worry Jack, we'll find him before any more muck can hit the fan." Sam could only hope her words would not prove to be wholly inaccurate, although a large part of her was ready for the snivelling weasel to be handed his comeuppance, whomever that came from.
"What do you feel like eating tonight? Shall I cook something or are we ordering in?" Lucy asked from where she lounged comfortably in Jo's arms on the bed, having joined her for a short nap after their make-out session on the sofa. Both women had remained fully clothed, Lucy recognising that Jo still had issues regarding her appearance to work through before they would be sharing a bed naked again and not wanting to cause her lover any unnecessary distress.
"Anything has to be better than hospital food. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm sure they do the best they can but 3 weeks of their menu was more than enough for me. What I'd really love is something simple, tasty and that takes little to no effort to eat. I know I need sustenance to beat this thing, I just don't know how long I can stay awake this evening so I don't want to still be trying to digest something when I flake out and wake up with indigestion." Jo carded her fingers through Lucy's luxuriant raven locks as she spoke, the action soothing her soul and lulling her into an even sleepier state despite having just woken up.
"Hmm ok, well I picked up some eggs and fresh wholemeal bread this morning so how does a boiled egg sandwich sound? Or I could do you scrambled egg on toast if you'd prefer?" Lucy knew she needed to move soon otherwise neither of them would be getting anything to eat until much, much later in the evening. The sensation of Jo's fingertips lightly grazing her scalp threatening to have her surrendering to slumber once more.
"Boiled egg buttie sounds perfect. You take care of that, I'll rustle us up a couple of hot drinks and what say we stick a DVD on while we eat? Something mindless and fun like Monsters Inc or one of the Toy Stories?" Jo was thinking kid's movie so that it was short and gave her at least some hope of staying awake throughout it.
"Sure thing, sounds like a fabulous way to spend an evening to me." Lucy climbed, reluctantly off the bed, straightening her t-shirt before turning and holding out a hand to help Jo up. After their initial awkwardness, they had found themselves reluctant to be parted from one another physically for anything more than a few moments.
Jo's mobile rang as they were pottering around the kitchen. She swiped it up from the counter, answering it deftly whilst pouring boiling water into two mugs, "hello?"
"Hi Jo, it's Sam. I don't want to intrude but just wanted to check you're settling in back at home ok? Is there anything you need?"
"You're not intruding at all, we're just fixing some sandwiches for dinner, well Luce is, I'm just cluttering up the kitchen so I can get my caffeine fix!" Jo laughed heartily as Lucy slapped her lightly on her bottom as she passed, capturing the young woman's wrist and bringing their bodies close together once more in a loose embrace. "Sam wants to know if there's anything we need?" Jo asked her lover quietly as the blonde woman awaited a response at the other end of the line.
"We've got plenty of food in and I've got everything I need right here in my arms so I think we're good for tonight. If Sam's free though, why don't you see about her coming to dinner tomorrow night? If you think you'll feel up to some company?" Lucy suggested giving her girlfriend a tender squeeze before squirming out of her arms to butter the bread for their sandwiches.
"Did you hear that, Sam?" Jo awaited confirmation before asking, "what do you think? Are you free to join us for dinner tomorrow evening?"
"I'd really like that, Jo. Let me know if there's anything I can bring with me – how about I provide dessert since I know wine is a no go?"
"You don't need to bring anything besides yourself, it's your company I'll be looking forward to. To be honest, I've not got that much of an appetite at the minute and just because I can't have a drink, doesn't mean you and Lucy have to miss out so feel free to bring some wine if you want to." Jo carried Lucy's drink through into the lounge, putting it down on the coffee table before returning to the kitchen to fetch her own.
"Well if you change your mind about dessert or if Lucy thinks of anything she needs me to pick up on my way over, give me a ring or text me. What time are you thinking? I'm off work tomorrow so I'm not tied to any particular schedule," Sam supplied helpfully.
"Would 5.30 be ok then? I know it's early but I'm a bit of a lightweight at the minute and keep falling asleep," Jo confessed with a self-deprecating chuckle.
"5.30 is fine with me, I won't keep you up late I promise. And if I do outstay my welcome, I want you to promise me you'll tell me you need to get to bed, ok?" Sam's voice was stern, indicating that she would brook no argument on the matter.
"No need, I'll just take myself off to bed when I need to. You and Luce will be fine by yourselves I'm sure," Jo stated, knowing that there had been many times two of the most important women in her life had spent time alone together recently and trusting that they had developed a sufficient friendship that they wouldn't miss her.
Sam ended the call with Jo and sat back in her chair, casting her mind forward to the following night and enjoying the anticipation of seeing her friend again. It surprised her just how much she had missed Jo's steady presence around the station and in her life. Although they did not socialise all that frequently, she always knew that the brunette was only ever a phone call away if she needed to talk and it was that accessibility that Sam had found lacking during her extended stay in hospital. She couldn't believe how much had happened in the previous three weeks, how far she had come in her understanding of her feelings for Lorna and her acceptance that moving forward into a relationship was the right thing to do. Considering how circumstances had thrown them together and sought to remind them of the fragility of life though, she supposed it was less surprising than it might have been. The telephone on her desk rang, bringing her out of her musings. Snatching it up, she listened to the brief report from the technician on the other end before returning it to its cradle and resting her head in her hands, rubbing at her eyes briefly. Wearily, she rose from behind her desk and made her way to Jack's office.
"Sam, come in, what do you have for me?"
"Nothing good, I'm afraid. I've just heard back from Jason, Stuart's phone must be turned off. The nearest they have been able to track it down to is two hours ago." Sam pulled out the map she had grabbed en route, spreading it out on his desk. Checking the coordinates Jason had relayed to her, she pointed out the general region on the map where Stuart was last known to have been. Jack retrieved an A-Z narrowing down the streets within the area and between them, they set to identifying likely places Stuart may have chosen to meet an informant.
Lucy looked over to where her lover was dozing, head tilted back resting against the plush cushions of the sofa. Despite her best efforts, Jo had only managed to stay awake for the first half of the animated film they had chosen. Stretching out her own kinked muscles, Lucy reached over and gently shook the older woman awake.
"Let's get you upstairs and into bed where you'll be more comfortable," she murmured softly, not wanting to completely rouse the exhausted brunette in the hopes that she would settle straight back off to sleep once she was relocated.
"Mmm, I'm sorry I'm not better company right now," Jo apologised with a gentle blush, rubbing the back of a hand tiredly over her eyes as she raised her head from where it had been lolling.
"Don't you dare apologise babe for listening to your body and doing whatever it needs to give you the best chance of fighting this. You sleep whenever you need to and you don't feel guilty for doing it, you hear me? Because if I catch you pushing yourself and making yourself more exhausted, so help me young lady you will be sorry!" Lucy punctuated her words with soft kisses and teasing grin to take some of the sting out of her admonishment. Whilst she meant every word, she didn't want Jo to feel like she was getting on her case and assuming she couldn't, or rather wouldn't, look after herself.
"Yes mother," Jo teased in return, stroking a hand tenderly down the side of her partner's face, cupping her cheek in her palm and guiding her in for another kiss. "Have I told you lately how much I love and adore you? I still can't work out what I did to deserve you but it must have been something incredible."
"I'll never tire of hearing you tell me you love me sweetheart and you are more than worthy of my affections," Lucy assured her as she guided her to her feet, dancing with her slightly as Jo swayed unsteadily for a moment. When she was sure that her lover wasn't about to keel over, she manoeuvred them towards the stairs, arm wrapped firmly around Jo's waist, still revelling in the close contact having been denied it for so long. Jo's hazy mind latched onto the knowledge that Lucy hadn't returned her sentiment, demons surfacing once again as she worried that her illness was too great a burden for the younger woman to cope with. Lucy handed Jo her sleepwear as they reached the bedroom. "Do you want to change in here or in the bathroom? I can leave you alone while you do if you want me to? You don't have to hide from me, you're still every bit as beautiful in my eyes, but I don't want you to feel uncomfortable so whatever you need me to do, that's what I'll do." In her panic about the young brunette's feelings for her, Jo's insecurities regarding her appearance returned full force.
"I'll… just…I'll go… be right back," she stammered, eyes averted and cast towards the ground. She hurried past Lucy, ignoring the brush of an outstretched hand against her forearm and the concerned gaze fixed on her. Once in the bathroom with the door firmly shut behind her, Jo leant on the sink and blew out a shaky breath. She pulled her head up and looked into her own eyes in the mirror, critical gaze fixing on every slight wrinkle, every blemish, every shadow. 'Why would someone so gorgeous want you?' she silently asked her reflection. In that moment, every fibre of her being believed that Lucy would stay only as long as it took for Jo to fall asleep before she would steal away in the night never to return. Schooling her features, after she had changed into her pyjamas, she left the bathroom and re-entered the bedroom to find the bed turned down for her, a glass of water on the nightstand and the room illuminated by the bedside lamp. Lucy offered her a soft smile before brushing past her and making her own way into the bathroom. Jo settled herself into the bed, pulling the plush duvet up over her weary body and sinking into the soft comfort of her own bed with a quiet moan of appreciation. She was already drifting on a cloud of semi-consciousness when she felt the bed dip beside her, signalling the arrival of her lover. Instinctively, her body tensed, waiting for the physical rejection she expected to follow, figuring Lucy would extinguish the light and settle as far from her as she could get. Surprise overcame her as she felt Lucy roll towards her, snuggling in close and draping an arm across Jo's slender waist.
"I love you too darling, with all that I have and all that I am. Sweet dreams, my sweetheart." Lucy pressed a reverent kiss against Jo's neck before settling more comfortably against her with a contented sigh. Every fear, every doubt, which had crowded Jo's mind fled in an instant as a lightness swept through her soul. She truly felt like she had come home in that moment, lying beside her girlfriend, hearing the heartfelt declaration and feeling her so close in body and spirit. She was shocked to find tears pricking her eyes, feeling foolish and unkind for once again doubting the younger woman. A quiet whimper escaped her before she had chance to prevent it and Lucy shot upright, fear etched into her exquisite features. "Oh my God, Jo did I hurt you?"
The older woman shook her head, not trusting her voice and choosing instead to wrap her arm around the concerned brunette, guiding her back against the side of her body, pulling her in close. "Ignore me, I'm just being silly and sentimental," Jo confessed at length, reaching for the arm which had been draped across her and pulling it back to rest over her stomach, caressing the smooth skin absentmindedly as she strove to return to the relaxed state she had previously been enjoying.
Lucy had waited until Jo was settled in the bed, until she had changed and got comfortable, before she had returned Jo's 'I love you,' hoping that it would dispel any lingering doubts that Jo had had about how Lucy would feel regarding being intimate in any way with her. If Jo's tears were of a sentimental nature, she could only conclude that her plan had indeed succeeded in its intent. "I don't want to ignore you, I want to savour every last minute of being able to lie here in your arms again and if that makes me silly and sentimental too, the I'll gladly accept it."
"Me too babe, me too. I was just thinking of how this feels like home, having you here, in my arms, in bed together. I finally feel like I'm back where I belong. It caught me by surprise and overwhelmed me a bit is all." Jo shifted slightly, angling her body in order to bring herself even closer to her lover. After the briefest of pauses, Jo asked, "can we do this forever? Will you move in with me? And I don't mean so that you can be my nursemaid 24 hours a day until I beat this bloody disease. I mean move in with me and share my life, my home, my everything?"
It was Lucy's turn to feel tears threatening to fall as she considered Jo's request. Without a moment's pause, she replied, "I'd love to. Yes… yes, so very definitely yes!" She rose up once again, this time hovering over her lover with a tremulous smile before dipping down to kiss her, pouring every ounce of love and passion she could muster into the action. Jo responded fervently, worshipping the young woman's mouth as though it alone could give her the sustenance she needed to continue living. Lucy's hand began to wander from Jo's hip, trailing lower to rub gently against a strong, toned thigh encouraging the older woman to open her legs. The brunette complied subconsciously, lost in the sensations created by the kiss. Lucy swung a leg over Jo's thigh, settling her knee in the space created, pressing her own core against the leg beneath her. Jo slid her palms down Lucy's body, gripping her pert bottom and encouraging her to deepen the contact. The young brunette could feel the damp heat between Jo's thighs increasing as their kisses became more and more fevered, Lucy grinding into the muscular limb with rhythmic motion. They broke for air, sucking lungs full of oxygen in without ceasing their motion. "Baby, can I touch you?" Lucy asked breathlessly, hand once again resting against Jo's inner thigh to indicate her intent. The woman beneath her tensed and instinctively, Lucy seemed to read her fear. "I don't need to undress you, I just want to show you how much I love you. You don't have to take anything off, I can access all I need just fine as you are." Jo felt a flood of fresh arousal coat her core at her lover's understanding and care, suddenly wanting nothing more than to feel those talented fingers on her, in her, driving her over the edge of the precipice they were climbing towards. Without a word, Jo took Lucy's hand in her own, guiding it beyond the waistband of her loose fitting pyjama pants. Her lover took the cue, pressing on and dipping inside the panties which lay beneath. As her fingers slid ever lower, Lucy once again captured Jo's inviting mouth in a heady kiss, swallowing her moans of pleasure caused by the young brunette's hand sliding through the abundant moisture and heat. Jo tore her mouth away to suck in a deep breath on a hiss as two deft digits plunged into her core.
"Yes baby," she moaned sensually, hips undulating in time with the steady rhythm Lucy was setting.
"Tell me to stop any time you need to sweetheart. Tell me if I hurt you or it's uncomfortable at all, ok?" Their eyes locked, twin gazes inflamed and clouded with passion.
"I promise honey but that feels so good." Jo couldn't believe how alive she felt, how her fatigue had receded in the face of her almost desperate arousal. Her own hands settled at Lucy's hips, encouraging the woman on top to continue seeking her own climax against the thigh she was straddling, wanting nothing more than to feel them reaching the peak together. Lucy curled her fingers inside her lover, caressing the ridged flesh she knew would heighten her pleasure and drive her ever onwards towards ecstasy. Her lips fastened to Jo's pulse point on her neck, kissing, licking and nipping at the exposed skin. She used her hips to drive her fingers deeper into Jo's core, quickening her pace as she felt muscles beginning to contract both in her lover and in herself. Jo whispered words of encouragement, assuring the compassionate woman loving her that she was enjoying herself as much as Lucy was enjoying being able to touch Jo intimately once again. "So… close…" Jo ground out, arching her hips off the mattress, pressing her own thigh more firmly against Lucy's mound in the process, earning her a hiss of pleasure and more frantic rocking from the young woman.
"Yesssssssss," Lucy groaned, sensation overtaking her and ceasing coherent thought. Her thumb found Jo's sensitive bundle of nerves, massaging it in random patterns, mixing light touches with firmer sweeps, causing the writhing woman to cry out in ecstasy. Muscular walls clenched and unclenched spasmodically, squeezing Lucy's fingers, burying them deep within her body and holding them captive. The sight and sound of her lover giving herself over to her orgasm brought on Lucy's own climax and the two women clung to one another, panting and offering gentle strokes and caresses as they recovered their senses. "So beautiful," Lucy murmured as she kissed Jo's neck and gently extracted her fingers from their warm, wet resting place. Rolling back onto her side, she brought the hand to her lips, delicately licking and sucking the evidence of their lovemaking from each digit, savouring the taste and her lover's expression as she watched the display.
Jo couldn't believe how sensual, how erotic it was watching her lover delight in cleaning her juices from her fingers, fingers which only moments before had been deep within her, filling her and making her feel so loved. "Oh my God," she breathed, chest heaving, eyes still dark from lingering arousal. "You drive me wild, I've never known anyone who makes me feel like you do."
"The feeling's mutual sweetheart. This is it for me, you're my one, my everything. There's no one else I could want, nothing more I could want for, for as long as I have you by my side." Lucy cupped Jo's cheek and brought their lips together for another kiss, this one tender, intended to soothe rather than ignite their passions. They settled into a comfortable embrace once more, allowing their eyes to drift closed, lulling them into a satisfied slumber.
Sam listened to the familiar voice announcing she was unavailable, a slight frown creasing her brow as she checked her watch. "Lorna, call me when you get this message. Stuart's disappeared. We thought he might have been taken at first but Jack and I've been doing some digging. We tracked him to a shop where he bought an untraceable phone, his work phone was found disabled in a bin behind the shops. We've got officers scouring CCTV to see if we can spot which way he went from there but right now, we have no leads. I'm probably worrying over nothing but just call me and let me know you're ok when you get this, please?"