Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own creations.

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It was late by the time the Rescue Special Ops team re-entered the station that night. And it is only then as they look around the dark gloomy rooms that they realised that Paige Delacarte-Sowery was no longer with them.

'Hey, where did the journalist go?' asked Lara.

'I don't know,' responded Dean. 'Heidi?'

'Mm?' Heidi responded tiredly as she grabbed her bag from the locker. 'Who?'

'Where's Paige?' repeated Lara.

'She's not here?' asked Heidi in confusion, looking around to see if by some chance the missing journalist had suddenly reappeared.

'No.'

'I haven't seen her since the chopper brought back Jordan and Ollie,' explained Heidi. 'Maybe she left with it?'

'What's going on?' asked Chase as he made his way over to his own locker.

'The journo's gone,' explained Lara from her position leaning against the lockers.

'She's done with us already?' questioned Chase.

'It would appear so,' said Dean as he physically shifted Lara off the door she was blocking, which just happened to be his.

'Sweet!' exclaimed Chase as Heidi shut and locked her own locker. 'If I had to answer another question on what it felt like to be a Rescue Special Forces Officer I was going to scream!'

Vaguely registering the conversation around her, Heidi raised her hand in farewell. 'Good night to all and to all good night,' cried Heidi as she headed for the door, but the effect was spoilt when she let out a humongous yawn.

Today had been a true roller coaster of emotions and she wanted nothing more than to snuggle up into her bed and sleep everything away. Jordan was safe – and so was little Ollie – and both currently at the police station. The little boy had refused to let go of his saviour and as the police led away his father, Jordan had consented to holding the little boy until the whole situation had been resolved.

The distress she'd felt when she'd heard no response from Jordan over the radio – and worse when the train had exploded into a giant fireball in the distance and she didn't know if he had gotten off the train in time – had hit her swiftly in the gut. She was kidding herself if she said that she would have felt the same concern if any of her teammates had been in that same position.

She was an independent girl who didn't need any man or the like to look after her, she was going to give birth to her child and do a fabulous job on her own, and she didn't need to depend on anyone, but a small part of her knew that a future without her best mate in it would be a very bleak future indeed.

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Arriving at work the following morning, there was still no journalist, and the newspaper that Vince brought in and slapped down onto the table showed why. FATHER ALMOST KILLS SON IN TRAIN CRASH. The subtitle read: Rescue Special Ops save toddler from certain death. The large photo splashed beneath the headlines was of Jordan holding Ollie tightly in his arms.

'Ah, looks like she got the headline she was chasing eh?' laughed Dean as he looked down at the newspaper, coffee in hand. Everyone was gathered around and looking at the front page and its accompanying story when Michelle left her office and made her way over to them with a big smile on her face. 'Head office are happy,' said Michelle happily. 'More than happy.'

'So, no more journo?' confirmed Chase.

'Nope.'

'Aw that's a shame,' said Dean. 'I was looking forward to her riding with us today.'

'I sincerely hope that you're being sarcastic,' said Lara levelling her eyes on him.

'Ah yeah,' said Dean slowly in response, ducking when Lara poked him in the side in retaliation.

'Can't say that I'm sorry to see her go,' said Heidi and when Michelle flashed her a look, she raised her hand in apology, looking to avoiding digging herself into any hole. 'I'm going to leave now ma'am...'

'You do that,' said Michelle wryly.

Any further conversation was halted when the man of the hour arrived. 'Jordan!' cried Dean as the man stepped into the station. 'You're famous!' crowed Chase as Jordan made his way over to them a little sheepishly.

'You seen the paper?' asked Vince as he waved his own copy in the air.

'What paper?' asked Jordan warily as Vince threw it to him.

Heidi had to admit that Paige had done a good job. She may not have like the woman, but she knew her stuff. Rescue Special Ops had come off looking like superheroes, the little boy had been saved and the father was going to be charged with a number of crimes.

She hadn't seen Jordan since she'd left the scene of the train crash yesterday, and it wasn't until just before lunch that she was able to get some time alone with him. Spotting him in the staff room, she picked up her mug and made her way there.

'How you feeling?' asked Heidi as she sidled up to Jordan in the kitchen, as much a six and a half pregnant woman could 'sidle' she supposed.

'A little worse for the wear, but nothing a few nights of sleep won't cure,' said Jordan in response, groaning as he stretched his back. 'You?'

'Me?' Heidi asked, slightly bewildered. 'I'm fine.'

'How about bub?' asked Jordan as he placed his hand over Heidi's distended abdomen and baby Wilson gave a solid kick, Jordan grinning at the sensation and accuracy.

'Bub's just fine,' said Heidi with a wince as she pressed her hand against where her unborn child gave another solid kick.

She was looking down at her own hand and in her line of sight, she saw Jordan's hand smooth over her shirt as his hand came closer to hers and then his hand actually did cover hers. She forgot to breathe as Jordan's thumb brushed over the top of her hand.

She raised her head and her eyes met the dark eyes of her best friend. They held each other's gaze for a long moment before Jordan opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out as Chase chose that exact moment to stick his head into the staff room. 'Hey Mr Thing,' he called.' Just because you're on the front page, doesn't mean you can slack off. We've got a MVA.'

Jordan didn't remove his hand from Heidi's swollen abdomen, but the moment was broken. 'Be there in a minute.'

Chase disappeared for less than a second before he was back again. 'Is the baby kicking?'

Heidi then found another set of hands taking up residence on her abdomen as Chase searched for any movement. 'Are you right there?' she asked in a tone that bordered between amusement and irritation.

Chase ignored her. 'I can't feel anything,' he complained.

'That's because baby has taste,' teased Jordan as he pulled Chase from Heidi and marched him out of the room. Chase was ejected with a firm push and Jordan then turned back to Heidi. 'Dinner?' he questioned.

'Dinner,' she agreed, nodding with a smile.

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Dinner was nothing fancy: they picked up fish and chips from a shop on the beachfront and then took their paper wrapped bundle to the beach, each of them taking a position on either side of the table. A few people jogged along the sand and there were a few adventurous beings in the water, but in the dying daylight they were pretty much alone.

Digging her fingers into the greasy fish and salty chips, Heidi moaned in pleasure as she took a bite. There were no words needed as they both laughed at her enjoyment and the dinner conversation fell into a comfortable banter.

It's only when she picks at the last few chips sitting on the newspaper that her eyes are drawn to their dinner wrapping. There stood the headline: 'Father almost kills son in train crash'.

She pointed at it and saw Jordan's rolling of his eyes in response. 'I'm never going to live this down am I?'

'Most likely not,' confirmed Heidi with a grin. 'But, you did a good job,' she praised. 'Scared the hell out of me, but you did fab.'

'Yeah,' said Jordan softly. 'Still hard to believe that Ollie's dad was willing to risk his son's life in the hope of getting a reality tv show.'

'Yeah I know,' said Heidi equally softly. 'I couldn't imagine doing that to any kid – let alone my own.' She rubbed her abdomen as she thought of her own unborn child.

Jordan dispelled the sombre mood briskly as he scrunched up the newspaper and threw it into the bin nearby. 'Score!' he shouted when the rubbish found its target. Stepping over his bench, he made his way over to Heidi's side and bent at the waist. 'May I have this walk?'

'Why, I'd be delighted,' said Heidi, placing her hand in his preferred one. Stepping up from her seat, they maintained the facade of an elegant man and lady for only a few steps before Jordan laughed and pulled her close to him.

They walk along the boardwalk, both of Heidi's arms wrapped around Jordan's arm, as they take their time and enjoy the fresh air and life. When they reached a lookout, she didn't object as Jordan pulled her into the circle of his arms and held her close in a firm hug. She felt him press a kiss to the top of her head and smiled with happiness against his chest.

She didn't need anyone, but it didn't hurt to have this hunk of spunk by her side.

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Next Chapter: Hangin' out... Down the street...