Smithy was discharged from the hospital within an hour. He was wanting to see Alex, but Gina had told him that she was resting; so he thought he'd go back later.

Gina was driving them back to the station now. Smithy was lost in his thoughts. He couldn't shift the pain and guilt from knowing that Alex was laid in hospital because of him.

Gina noticed that Smithy was very quiet on the drive back. There wasn't very much more that she could say to him.

"Alex is strong you know, she'll be fine." Gina tried to comfort him.

"What have the doctors said?" Smithy asked with concern.

"Well there doesn't seem to be any permanent damage done. She's got a broken leg and a few cuts and bruises, but she should be out in a couple of days. Course I wont let her back to work for at least two weeks, whether she likes it or not."

Ginas' last comment made Smithy smile. He knew Alex well enough to know that as soon as she got out of hospital, she would want to be back at work.

As Gina pulled the car into the car park, she saw the Superintendent standing outside. When Gina parked the car in the yard, John walked over to them.

"Inspector Gold, Sergeant Smith, as soon as you're ready I would like to see you both in my office. Sooner rather than later, if you please." With that he walked off back up the ramp.

"What do you think that's about?" Smithy asked, already knowing the answer to his question.

"Come on, we'd better head up otherwise he'll 'ave our guts for garters." Gina said as she gently pushed Smithy up the ramp.

She knew that he didn't want to go back to the station in case everyone blamed him for what happened. It had gone all round the station very quickly and everyone was concerned.

Gina arrived outside the Supers office and lightly knocked before entering. When they sat down the Superintendent began to explain why he had wanted to see them.

"Sergeant Smith, I want you to know that none of us blame you for what has happened to Alex. We understand that it was an accident. However, I have had the press onto me, wanting to know what happened. Their spin on it at the moment is dangerous driving on your part. Mia Perry handed this to me half an hour ago." John said as he handed Smithy a copy of the evening newspaper.

The title on the front page read, "Dangerous Driving By Top Cop Causes Disaster On Industrial Estate."

Smithy just looked on in horror. He couldn't believe what he was reading. They were making it sound like he had crashed the car deliberately.

"Sir, this isn't how it happened… that's not right…" Smithy babbled. He felt so helpless.

"It's ok Sergeant. I know that the accident was exactly that, an accident. But I do need to hear your version of events. So if you would please…" John encouraged Smithy to talk about what happened.

"We were parked on Waterbury way; it's just round the corner from Talbott Street, so when the call came through 'bout the stolen car we took it. I was just pulling out when we saw the car speeding off in front of us. We pursued him for a good 15, 20 minutes, down residential roads when we came out into the industrial estate. I didn't know where we were at first until Alex said that it was the Abblegate Industrial. There were a lot of stationary vehicles and machinery so I slowed down. The white car didn't. He was a good few yards in front of us when the lorry pulled out in front of me. I saw it but I couldn't stop in time; the car started to skid and Alexs' side hit one of the vans, the force then span me round into the crates. Alex was unconscious when I looked over. She had felt the full force of the accident, I was pretty lucky really." Smithy explained.

"Were there any witnesses to the accident?" Gina asked.

"I think there were a couple of people in one of the warehouses and a few were wandering around the yard. Honestly Sir, there was nothing I could do." Smithy felt like everyone was accusing him.

"I know that Sergeant Smith. I know you wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt anyone. I'll get onto the press office now and release my own statement. In the meantime I think you should go home and rest." John ordered.

"But Sir I want to stay here and …" Smithy started to say when he was cut off.

"I'm sorry Sergeant Smith but that's an order. I want you to go home, get some rest and come back in the morning."

"Yes Sir." Smithy replied.

Gina was going to drive Smithy home but he wanted to stop off at the hospital. He was on his way down to Alexs' private room now.

He looked through the window looking into her room before he went in. She was awake but still looked a bit dazed. He knocked on the door as he entered. He was carrying a large bouquet of flowers and a card from the relief. They'd had a whip round for her and everyone had chipped in. Alex looked really pleased to see him.

"Hey Smithy, how are you doing? I wasn't sure if you were still here or not." Alex didn't sound as groggy as she had done earlier, but she still sounded a little tired.

"No I got off lucky with a broken wrist and a couple of bruises. Everyone sends their best; they all chipped in for these." He said, showing her the large bouquet of flowers.

Alex smiled as much as she could manage. "Wow, didn't realize I was so popular." She said as she tried to sit up into a more comfortable position.

"Listen Alex… I'm so sorry…" Smithy started.

"Don't be. I'm fine, I lived to tell the tale, fight another day. Besides, you didn't do it deliberately, did ya?" Alex said smiling.

"Come sit down here." She said as she patted the side of the bed. "It gets very lonely in here, could do with the company for a bit if you want to stay?"

Smithy sat down next to Alex on the bed. At first he felt really uncomfortable, he still felt really guilty; however after he and Alex talked for a while they started laughing and joking as if nothing had happened.

"Tell you what; as soon as I get out of here I'll let you buy me a few pints. How does that sound?" Alex said.

"That's very generous of you." Smithy replied.

"Well I bought the coffee so it's only fair." They both looked at each other and laughed.

"So I take it that whoever we were pursuing got away then?" Alex asked. She could only switch off from being a copper for a short while.

"Yeah they did, unfortunately. Sam and Phil have taken the case on. Apparently it crosses with another case they're working on." Smithy looked a little disheartened again. Seeing this Alex changed the subject.

"So you never did tell me all the must know gossip at Sun Hill. You know, who is doing who, who is scrapping with each other, what is the deal with the new Superintendent etc." Alex lightened the mood a little again and Smithys' very recognizable mischievous grin reappeared.

"Well, Sam and Phil were together for a while, all of about five minutes when she called it off, but, there is a rumor that they're getting back together. Whether it's true or not…" Smithy explained as Alex listened intently. "Do you know 'bout Adam and Gina?"

"Yeah they got it together a couple of months back. Shame he's on the other side of the world mind you. Although he's coming back in a couple of weeks. Gina's really looking forward to that. So is there any one special in your life at the moment?" Alex asked and then remembered about Louise. "Sorry Smithy, I forgot 'bout… well, you know… guess it's my turn to look sheepish now." She smiled and tried to shrug off her embarrassment.

"Don't worry 'bout it. No there isn't anyone in my life right now. Can't believe that she's gone though." Smithy said.

"Yeah doesn't seem real when it happens, does it? It's like; you always assume that they're always going to be there and then they're not."

Smithy and Alex talked some more for a while. They discussed their experiences of loosing their partners, and how they have learned to cope with it. When Smithy looked at his watch it was after four.

"Heck, have you seen what time it is? I haven't had anything to eat since this morning. I'll come in and see you again tomorrow if you like?" Smithy said as he put on his jacket.

"Yeah I'd really like it if you would. And Smithy, don't dwell anymore on the accident, ok?" Alex looked at him.

"Absolutely Ma'am" Smithy replied and Alex mock glared at him.

Smithy bent down to kiss Alex on the cheek. In that couple of seconds, Smithy and Alex stared into each other eyes and suddenly both felt very flustered and uncomfortable. Smithy pulled away really quickly.

"I'll be off then." Smithy said as he rushed off out of the room.