Previously in Love and War
They looked up and the sound of the front door and watched as PJ walked in and straight into Tom's office.
'Poor PJ. It must be horrible.'
'I can't even begin to imagine,'
(Later that Day – Station)
Tom stuck his head out the door of his office and called Suzie in.
'I spoke to Jo last night. She wanted to know if you would go and see her.'
'Ofcourse I will. I'll go tonight when I finish work.'
'No pressure, but talk to her about PJ.'
'She still won't see him?'
'It's killing him. He wants so much to help her but she won't let him.'
'I'll try.'
'Thanks.'
(Hospital – That Night)
'Hey, how ya feeling?'
'Better.'
'That's good. We were worried about you.'
Suzie sat down and they talked about things, Suzie didn't push anything.
Suddenly, as if after trying to keep her composure together she had just run out of energy, she snapped, and the tears started to flow.
'How could he do it Suze, he was supposed to be our friend.'
'I know.' She wrapped her arms around Jo, supporting her as she cried.
They continued talking for about an hour.
'Jo, I was thinking, if you aren't ready to go home when you get released, I've got a spare room. You can stay with me for a while.'
'Really?'
'Yeah. You don't have to answer yet. Just think about it.'
'Thanks. I will, think about it, I mean.'
The nurse came in and told Suzie it was time to go.
'Suze, if you talk to PJ. Tell him to come see me tomorrow. Not tonight. Tomorrow morning. And that I love him.'
'Sure. He'll be here. I know.'
(Imperial – That Night)
Suzie arrived at the pub and was pleased to see PJ sitting there.
'Hey,'
'Hey Suze, how's Jo?'
'Better, I think. She told me tell you something.'
'What?'
'That she loves you. And she wants you to come see her.'
PJ started to get up.
'Not now. Tomorrow morning.'
'OK. Thanks.'
'No problem. I might head off. Bit tired.'
'Come on stay. Just one drink.'
'Nah, I'll see you all tomorrow.'
Only PJ saw Suzie's wink towards Jonesy, however he was too wrapped up in thoughts of Jo to realise.
About an hour later Jonesy headed off.
(Watch House – Knock on Door)
'You took your time.' Suzie smirked when she let Jonesy in the front door.
'Didn't want to look suspicious.'
'Oh come on, a bomb could have gone off in there and they wouldn't have realised.'
'I can't even imagine what PJ must be going through. I mean, Ben was supposed to be his best mate.'
'I know. When I went to see Jo, I didn't know what to say. I mean, what do you say, to someone who's just been raped by one of her best friends.'
'I have no idea.' He leant over and kissed her as he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.
(Hospital – Next Morning)
PJ took a deep breath and shifted the bouquet of yellow roses to his other hand as he knocked on the door and eased it open.
'Hey Joey, how ya feeling?'
'Better. Lot better.'
'That's good.'
'Come here, I need a hug.' He placed the roses next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
'I'm so sorry I didn't believe ya Joey.'
'That's OK. You're here now, that's what matters.'
'Do you know when you might be able to get out of here?'
'The final test results will be back tomorrow morning. If they're ok, tomorrow afternoon.'
'Good, I miss you.'
'Actually, I don't think I will go home though.'
'Why not?'
'Suzie offered me the spare room at the watch house. It's not you Peej. I can't go back there, not yet. Just give me a week or two. OK?'
'I guess. If that's what you want.'
'PJ. I'm not scared of you or anything like that. I know you'd never hurt me. It's just the memories the house will hold. I will come home. Just, not quite yet.'
'OK.'
'It's not like you won't see me. I'll be back at work in a few days. And until then I'll come in and see you. I promise.'
'OK.'
'I love you.'
'I love you too. Don't you ever forget that.'
He stayed a bit longer before he headed off to the station. He called Suzie into his office.
'Why didn't you tell me you offered Jo a room in the watch house?'
'She hadn't said yes. I didn't think I had to. Sorry.'
'Well, just so you know. She's said yes now.'
'PJ, don't take offence to it. She's been through hell.'
'What you think I don't know that?'
'Ofcourse you do. The house will hold bad memories. Just give her some time to get through it. On the exterior she may be, a strong person. But rape's hard PJ. It takes the strongest person and it can crumble them to pieces. Just give her a chance.'
'I'm sorry I got pissed off at you. What matters is that it will help Jo.'
'Exactly.'
(Hospital – Next Afternoon)
'Hey, you escaping yet?'
'Yeah. I can go now.'
'Good. PJ told me what you decided.'
'It's still OK isn't it?'
'Yeah, sure.'
'I mean, I don't want to ruin your relationship with Jonesy.'
'You are feeling better.'
Jo smiled.
'Come on, let's get you out of here.'
She picked up her bag and waited while she got discharged from the nurses station and then drove her back to the watch house.
She opened the door and let them inside as Jo flopped down on the couch.
(Station – About an hour later)
Jonesy looked up when he heard voices coming from the backdoor.
'Jo!'
'Hey,' she gave him a hug.
'Is PJ in his office?'
'Yeah,'
'Thanks.' She knocked on the door and then without waiting for an answer, pushed it open and went in, shutting the door behind her.
'Hey Joey,'
'Hey, I was wondering, could you grab me some clothes when you go home tonight.'
'Yeah sure, I'll bring them over to you later.'
'Thanks. You do understand, why I have to do this? Why I can't come home yet?'
'I don't really understand. But I respect that it's what you have to do. For you.'
'Thank you. I do still love you.'
'You know I still love you too.'
'Ofcourse I do.' She stood up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the office.
(3 Days Later)
'Are you sure you're ready to come back to work already?'
'Yes. It's not like the Boss will let me do hardly anything anyway.'
Suzie and Jo made their way through the back corridor and into the main office.
'Jo, you're back?'
'Yeah, some strange reason I miss the place.'
'Bet you don't miss the paperwork.'
'Ofcourse not, I am still human.'
Jo noticed a small box sitting on her desk. She opened it and pulled out a police name badge. She studied it for a minute before a smile broke out on her face and she went into the boss' office.
'Is this for real?'