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Authors note. Sorry for the delay!(again!)

November 16th

The sun seeped through the blinds as Alesha closed her eyes. She really didn't want it to be morning, not yet. She heard Matt groan slightly as he turned in the bed. She kept her eyes closed as Matt draped his arm over her.

"Morning" She mumbled as he opened his eyes to stare at her. She opened her eyes reluctantly.

"You ok?" She asked as she saw his wince. His shoulder was still healing. He smiled at her concern as he gently pushed a little of her unruly black haor away from her face.

"'Lesh" He kissed her forehead "Stop worrying about me."

"You go on the stand today Matt. You are going to give evidence against the man that tried to kill you" She watched as Matt suddenly grew serious. He hated the idea of facing Morris again. He hated the idea that the thug would be in the same room as Alesha but knew there was nothing he could do about it.

"Yeah I know. I'm not worried about that. I know the defence are going to try to rip me to shreds. Been in the stand before remember? It's you and Chloe I'm worried about" He watched as Alesha sat up and hugged her knees. She nodded slightly.

"Remember I've had to give evidence too. I know being on the other side of the fence isn't fun" She buried her head in her knees as memories of being cross-examined during Merick's trial came back to haunt her. She shuddered as she felt Matt's arm around her.

"I know" He kissed her bare shoulder "I know". Alesha sighed as he pulled her in to his arms.

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Ronnie stood on the steps of the Old Bailey as he waited for James and George to arrive. The cold November air chilled him to his bones as he wondered what would happen in the Court Room. He looked along the street to see Chloe and Liz exit a taxi a few feet away from him. Liz caught his eye and smiled.

"Hello Ron" She ushered her daughter ahead of her.

"Liz, hiya Chloe luv" He smiled as the young girl just nodded. It was clear she was terrified. "It'll be ok, all you got to do is tell the truth"

"I know" She almost whispered.

"Any sign of Danny?" He asked as she shook her head sadly.

"No"

"Touchy subject Ron" Liz sighed as her daughter walked on ahead "I heard her on the phone to him last night. He isn't coming home till Christmas"

"Hang on, I thought things were serious between those two. Surely he could get some leave to support her now? I mean he's on an oil rig not in the army!" Ronnie hissed as Liz shrugged.

"Like I said touchy subject. Seems she told him about you and me. That you're her dad."

"And?"

"Seems he doesn't like the idea of both his in-laws being coppers" She shoved her hands in her pockets as she watched Chloe walk up to Alesha and Kate. Matt's little sister had insisted on being there, even though she didn't have to give evidence. The hustle and bustle of the Court house made it difficult to hold a conversation in the atrium. Ronnie sighed as he watched the three younger women chat as Alesha ushered them across to the Witness Protection room where they were all going to wait until their names were called.

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James stood in the Robe Room thinking about the questions he would be asking as George walked in.

"James"

"Morning George" He pulled on the starch collar as he got ready for court.

"Ready for this?" George smiled slightly as he saw the look in James' eye.

"Oh I'm ready" He picked up the stack of files in front of him as he walked out of the door. George shook his head slightly. He knew how much James enjoyed the trial, especially when he had the defendant and their counsel on the rocks. Smiling as he picked up his own set of files George began to feel slightly sorry for Bea McCardle and her clients. He knew she was good but James was better. He checked his appearance in the mirror before following his younger colleague to the court room.

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Natalie had wanted the case over with quickly. The stress was beginning to get to her team. She could see it in their faces as they all waited in the police room outside the Court. Angie seemed to have lost her spark, clearly worried about little Justine she read her statement quietly while Ronnie sat and folded his arms in the corner. Natalie could see he was concerned, even if those of them that didn't know him would assume he didn't care at all.

"Ron?" Natalie took the seat next to him.

"Yes Guv?" He didn't look at her as he spoke.

"You ok?"

"Yes Guv. Thanks" He turned slightly.

"You are going to be able to keep it together when when you get in that court room?" Natalie knew how much discovering Chloe was his daughter, finding Liz again and seeing Matt shot in front of him had affected him. He finally turned to face her as she spoke.

"Look, Ma'am" He took a deep breath "I am fine. I am ready to see that little scum bag goes to prison for the rest of his natural"

"Good" Natalie sighed as the Court Officer walked in.

"Can we have DI Natalie Chandler in Court Room 3 please" The young woman looked around as Natalie nodded and stood up. Angie smiled slightly at her as she stepped past. The door opened wider as Matt and Alesha walked in.

"Thought you would be in the Witness Protection Room with Kate and the others" Natalie watched as the younger man smiled slightly.

"No, Guv." He watched as she smiled back at him "I'm still a copper aint I? Alesha is still CPS" She nodded as she followed the now impatient court officer out of the room.

"You sit down son" Ronnie felt a weight lift from him "You are exactly where you belong, both of you"

Alesha squeezed Matt's hand slightly as they both took a seat near Ronnie. All they could do now was wait.

Authors note. Just a short chapter. More soon. Thanks for the reviews, please let me know what you think x