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Cards and Flowers

Alesha stood in the hallway of her tiny flat as she checked the post. Matt had taken his bag in to the living room a few minutes earlier. She sighed as she noticed the brown envelopes all seemed to be bills. Car Tax reminder, electric bill, television licence renewal. Why do they always turn up at once? She shook her head. It was then she saw the small white envelope in the pile. She pulled the envelope open and stood still in shock as she looked at the contents of the envelope.

"Lesh?" Matt appeared in the hallway wondering why she was taking so long. It was then he found her almost catatonic with shock as she stared at something in her hand. He waited a moment before crossing to her. He could remember the last time he had seen her in such a state. He forgot about the pain in his chest and the loss of feeling in his arm as he stepped towards her, taking the small envelope out of her hand.

"Matt, don't" She turned and tried to take it from him. It was then he saw what it really was.

In deepest Sympathy was scrolled across the white card in silver letters. Matt felt his blood boil as he noticed the handwritten envelope. He opened the card to read the message inside.

Alesha,

Truly sorry for your loss. Should have been greater but then this is only the beginning. Take care sweetheart, at least I can't do pretty boy more damage eh? Keep an eye out if I was you. Pretty girl like you all alone now

X

"That sick son of a" Matt threw the card back on the hall table as he saw Alesha shaking slightly. She hadn't said anything but he knew she had read the inscription. He knew she was terrified.

"They think you are dead" She bit her bottom lip.

"Yeah I know." He stepped towards her "We shouldn't stay here. Look get some things and we'll go to mine yeah? Then we call Ron and the others, see if they had any nasty little surprises" He wrapped his good arm around her as she let him hold her.

"Matt"

"Yeah" He kissed the side of her head.

"He knows where I live. He's been in here I know he has" He nodded slightly as she spoke.

"Yeah, well if he hasn't he has certainly been watching the place. Morris is in prison. He can't touch us" He felt her grip on him tighten as he closed his eyes. His chest burned as she held him but there was no way he was going to let her go.

"Matt, what if he has had your place watched too?"

"We're going to my place 'Lesh. It's safer there. Busier than this street, less opportunities for people to be there unnoticed. And yes you can bring the cat" He tried to laugh as she pulled back. Her eyes met his and for the first time he saw how terrified she really had been. He inwardly cursed, she hadn't been this scared, and this closed down since Merrick.

"Call Ron" She turned and walked in to her bedroom to retrieve her bag and find the cat before they headed over to the other side of London.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Natalie watched as James began pacing her office. He was furious. Ronnie leant against the door as Angie sat in the chair opposite Natalie's desk. Natalie tapped her pen against her desk.

"How did he find out where your father lives?" Ronnie spoke to Natalie for the first time.

"Dunno Ron. That's what worries me" She closed her eyes as she thought anyone who knew her knew the best way to destroy her was to attack the people she cared about. Her father, teenage sons, husband and her team. She felt sick at the thought of any of them being hurt. Ronnie pushed his glasses further up his nose as they heard the office door click open.

"Matt?" Angie stood as he walked in.

"Hiya"

"How are you?" Natalie asked before glancing at Alesha. The girl looked angry and terrified.

"Not good. Don't know if people think its funny to send my girlfriend a sympathy card on the day I get out of hospital, but it really isn't" Matt was clearly angry, but Alesha was just silent. Ronnie and James exchanged glances.

"What?" Natalie asked as Alesha dropped the card she had received on the desk. It was now in a plastic folder as Angie covered her mouth with her hand.

"That is just sick" She shook her head.

"No more sick than the wreaths you and Natalie received" Ronnie answered

"Wreathes? What am I missing?" Matt spoke as James sighed. It was going to be a long day. Both the older men exchanged glances as Matt spoke.

"Come on then, what is it that you are not telling us?" Matt was beginning to get angry. Natalie knew there was only so much she could keep from the young couple.

"Alesha" Natalie looked at the young girl "Matt" She was buying time and they knew it. "Morris is back in prison, on remand for shooting you and killing the prison guard. His idiot friend is back in jail, he broke the terms of his licence. But someone has access to not only our details but that of our family and friends. All I am saying is be very very careful" She raised her eyebrows as she spoke.

"Who?" Alesha asked.

"That is exactly what I intend to find out Alesha luv" Ronnie pushed himself away from his place by the wall. Matt was on his feet.

"And just where do you think you are going?" Natalie wanted to laugh as the younger man put on his best puppy dog eye impression.

"Oh no, you are still on the sick. Angie, you go with Ronnie. Find out where theses bloody flowers and cards came from. James, get this to trial for me as quickly as you can. I want this scumbag to join his or her friends behind bars as quickly as possible" She stood as Angie followed Matt and Ronnie out of the office. James nodded as he walked in to the outer office.

"You ok Natalie?" Alesha asked as she paused.

"Honestly, no I bloody well am not ok" Natalie was upset and angry. "Actually I am bloody terrified. Someone out there knows too much about us and I don't like it"

"What do we do?"

"Talk to Morris and see what he is up to. Donovan has to be behind this. He's even more twisted than Morris" Alesha sighed.

"Yeah I know. Look you keep an eye out." Natalie sighed. "Angie is taking Justine and going to stay with a friend. Both my boys are away for the weekend on a school trip so we're ok. Ronnie is staying with his sister and James is going to take Andy to his mother's. I just want us all to vary our routines" Natalie watched as Alesha nodded.

"I'm going to Matt's. He even said I can take the cat" She smiled slightly; she wanted to lighten the mood.

"You are taking your cat to Matt's flat? Well, it must be love" Natalie smiled as Alesha blushed.

"You know something?" She looked at the floor for a moment. "I think it is"

Matt was leaning on his desk talking to Ronnie, Angie and James as Alesha left the office. She smiled slightly as she saw James fold his arms across his chest and raise his eyebrows. Matt smiled slightly.

"We need a trial date James, and soon" She sighed "This has to be finished once and for all."

"We will have a date soon" James watched as Alesha became aware the team were watching her. "George called. We have a pre trial hearing in two days time. We'll get a date then"

"Bea McCardle verses James Steel, that is going to be interesting" Ronnie shook his head as Alesha raised her eyebrows. The trial was going to be a lot more personal than any of the team had thought.

authors note. More soon, thank you for all the reviews. Next time, how will Matt and Alesha get on having to live together? Is Natalie safe? and will Ronnie get to see Liz again. Oh and there's the pretrial hearing which should be fun!