Looking around at the faces before her, Tash looked closely at Josh, she knew how close her boyfriend was to Michael, and he would take it hard, wanting to walk over to him, draw him towards her. Seeing the emotion on everyones faces in the room, Kerry she knew was a tough nut and hard, but now looking at her face, and seeing her trying to keep her composure her eyes welling up with tears, the shock on there faces. Looking at Stella's face, tear stained, she had been sitting here for ages, waiting for news, how she wished she could of brought better news.
"Shannon, is out of surgery too, they have stabilised her, they got the bullet out of her, it just missed major arteries, she should pull through."
Nodding at the news Tash gave off Shannon, relief on her face briefly, at least one of her team will pull through, trying to control her emotions. Closing her eyes briefly, Kerry looks up at Tash, she needs to know the one person she cares about so much, he can't die, she can't loose him, coming out as a whisper "Lawson"
Looking at Kerry, the worry evident on her face, "he is badly injured, he has swelling on the brain, until that goes down, we don't know if he has sustained any brain injuries, he is badly bruised, broken ribs, and bones. He had been bashed badly. He is in an induced coma, and will remain that way for a while. At the moment he is critical, we have stabilised him for the time being, but only time will tell, I wish I had better news for you" Looking around at the TR team, Tash can see how much this has affected them, all, the news of Lawson and Michael, she can see tears in Kerry's eyes that she is trying to hide and the raw emotion of Josh's face.
Hearing Stella's voice "I want to see Michael" looking at Josh as she hears his voice "Me too, and Lawson". Looking at both of them "Only one at a time, I think his parents are still with him, he is still on a ventilator, that is breathing for him, his parents are going to be turning it off shortly"
Seeing Stella stand up and wipe the tears off her eyes with her arms, as she follows Tash out of the room.
Standing up, Kerry looks around blinking back the tears, she walks out of the room, walking into Lawson's room, seeing him lying there tubes coming out of him, his face swollen, machines breathing for him, she sits on the chair, leaning against the bed, reaching for his hand, holding it gently "I'm so sorry Lawson, I'm so sorry all of this happened" before leaning down, letting the tears fall.
…
Getting up off the chair, Josh walks towards Michael's room, hearing his name called he stops briefly, feeling Tash's hand upon his arm "Josh, don't do this, its not your fault" Not even looking at his girlfriend, feeling tears in his eyes, knowing he wasn't there but not knowing what even happened. "I need to see Michael" then looking into her eyes "How bad is Lawson?" reaching for his hand "I'm not going to lie to you, he is pretty bad, I don't know if he will pull through or not, he was beaten pretty badly and then the fall also.", pulling his hand away he walks out of the room, nothing Tash or anyone can say will make this better or go away. The fact is Michael is dead and his best mate is fighting for his life and he couldn't and still can't do anything about it. He will find out who is responsible.
….
Walking out of the lounge, Stella heads towards Michael's room, her eyes wide in shock, her friend can't be dead, not Michael, what is she going to do without him around, he is her best friend, someone she can count on. Standing at the door, of his room, she looks in, he looks so peaceful lying there, the tubes surround him and the machine's beeping, seeing his parents look up at her, their face echoing her sadness, such a waste, why did it have to happen, why didn't Kerry prevent it, so many thoughts going through her mind.
Walking slowly towards his bed, she sits down holding his hand, stroking it, it still feels warm, his eyes closed but looking so peaceful, how she wished he would just wake up, say something to him, how she would love to hear his voice again, stroking his hand "its ok, its ok Michael" how can she tell him, its too late now, she loved Michael, loved him more than a friend, she will never have the chance to tell him.
…..
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Kerry looks up seeing Tash standing there, "Did you want to see Michael, his parents have decided to turn off the machines now"
Seeing Kerry looking at her, her eyes red from crying "How did all of this happen, Michael, Lawson, Shannon, Michael is so young"
Walking towards Michael's room each footstep feeling so heavy, how many times has she walked down this hallway, Grace a few years ago, Dom nearly dying, Michael a while ago and now Michael dead and Lawson she can't even bear the though of anything happening to Lawson. Standing near Michael's room, close to it, seeing Josh there and Stella inside, holding Michael's hand.
Watching as the nurse walks over to the machine, removing the tubes from Michael and the machine, seeing the lines go flat, after a few minutes. Kerry's eyes fixed on Michael, he was her responsibility, he was her team member, she was in charge of it all and James was her son. It all pointed back to her, damm James, why did he come back, why did he do drugs, how she wants to blame James, blame anyone. She wasn't going to loose Lawson, walking away from Michael's room, she heads towards Shannon's room, she needs answers, even if she isn't Shannon's favourite person.
Hearing footsteps in her room, Shannon opens her eyes, feeling groggy from the anaesthetic and pain killers, what on earth happened. Trying to focus she sees Kerry walking inside the room, worry etched on her face, her eyes look red. Seeing her walk towards her, trying to smile at her, pulling out a chair to sit next to her.
Looking at Kerry, there is no hiding it, her eyes are red, like she's been crying a lot "How's Michael?"
Biting her lips looking down at Shannon, should she tell her the truth "what happened out there?"
Closing her eyes briefly trying to think back, "I don't recall much, it all happened so quickly, we went outside to look around, there were gunshots out the front I think, I don't even recall seeing them, they came from no where" then looking at Kerry "Michael's dead isn't he" seeing Kerry nod her head "he didn't make it through surgery" fiddling with her hands "what about Lawson?" seeing Kerry looking down at her hands and the floor trying to control her emotions she figures the news isn't good "is isn't good there either, he is alive but very critical, he has serious injuries, they don't know if he will make it or not, sorry Shannon".
Looking up at her boss, this is Kerry's fault or part of it, this all happened helping her son, the whole lot, she is in hospital now in pain, pointing to the door "Hope your happy now Kerry, Just leave Kerry" nodding "I'm sorry Shannon" looking at Kerry "saying sorry doesn't make all of this right or better" before turning away from her.
…..
Back at TR base, Charlie walks out, seeing James sitting there, waiting for Kerry, feeling so alone and helpless, the guilt written on his face. Walking over to him "Kerry will still be awhile, she's at the hospital?" Looking up at this guy in the TR uniform, he didn't even know who he was "have they caught the guy who did it?" Nodding his head "one of them is in custody now" Giving a brief smile, "I knew she would, she is a great cop, have they found Lawson", nodding "he's at the hospital along with Shannon" Looking up at James, the sadness evident on his face, the words talking about his mum, more the words he didn't say "Do you know how long she will be?"
Shaking his head, walking closer "grab your things," Looking up "why" "your coming with me I'll let Kerry know" Smiling gratefully at him "you know my name, but I have no idea of yours" Giving a short laugh "Charlie,"
Walking out of base, Charlie turns to Leon "I'm on my mobile, I'm taking James with me" Calling out after him "Kerry won't be happy with you" Turning around to face Leon, "is she here, Leon, James has been here all day, she can deal with it" before walking out.
Picking up the phone, it isn't long before he calls Kerry, not wanting to be Charlie now.
Hanging up the phone after speaking to Leon, it isn't long before Charlie answers "If anything happens to my son Charlie, I will hold you personally responsible"
Rolling his eyes, used to her outbursts by now "You can't leave him sitting here at base by himself all night Kerry, he's been through a lot too, and you're his mother and your not even here with him. Its better than sitting at base all night"
The tiredness catching up with her, not wanting to admit that yes she is a shit mother again, here her son has been through a lot and she's a copper still at the hospital with her team "At least he is safe there, why are you doing this" Hearing the weariness and emotion in her voice "Kerry, you don't need to worry about James, just stay at the hospital, how is everyone"
Hearing her trying to regain herself "They just turned off the machines on Michael, he didn't make it, Shannon should pull through and" taking a deep breath before continuing "Lawson is critical, and in a bad way"
Hearing the emotion in Kerry's voice "I'll make sure James is OK, just do what you have to do, He can stay at my place for the time being and I won't let anything happen to him"
…..
Walking back to Lawson's room, Kerry pulls out a seat, reaching for his hand, stroking it, leaning down, and pushing the hair away from his eyes, kissing his lips whispering "Lawson, please wake up, you've got to pull through of this, TR needs you, I need you" feeling the tears falling from her eyes dripping onto the bed, wiping away with the back of her hand "Lawson, you better not die on me" then coming out soft whisper "I love you Lawson"
Walking into Lawson's room, Josh sees Kerry there, hearing the last few words, a small smile creeps on his face, seeing Kerry look up at him, wiping her eyes with her arm. Getting another chair he pulls it over "Lawson is strong, he'll pull through this" How she wishes that would be true shaking her head "his injuries are pretty bad Josh", seeing Josh look down she realises she is still holding and stroking his head, pulling it away "don't do that, he needs to know we're here"
Getting up off the chair, all of it, getting too much for her, the constant beeping of machine, the reminder of how serious it all is, looking up at the door she sees Stella there, walking into the room, looking at Lawson and Kerry "This is all your fault Kerry, my two best friends, one dead the other one, injured and Lawson here. They were helping your son Kerry when all of this happened. How can you just stand there, as if everything is fine, how can you even be here."
Looking at Stella and at Lawson "The guy who shot Lawson and the others, this is his fault, James has no part of this Stella, maybe if they followed procedures, none of this would of happened" before walking out of the room.
…
Walking into TR the following morning, after spending the night at the bar, drinking shots and gin and tonic, walking out at daylight, yet to go back to her apartment, looking around, everything still looks the same, looking at the TR cars there, TR1. Walking into the communications room, getting a drink of water she sees Leon looking up at her "Your beginning to look like me" Taking a sip "A big night" then shaking her head "why am I explaining myself to you" starting to walk away "How's Lawson?" shrugging she doesn't want to think about that.
Walking towards the shower she sees Charlie looking at her "What" Shaking his head "Have you forgotten, you know we have to be at Head Office, in an hour", not even looking at him "Yeah, give me 30 and I'll meet you here" Looking at her "sure you only need 30" Glaring at him "I'm fine",
Walking off, she hears Charlie's voice behind her "James' is fine, if you want to know" Turning around and glaring at him "Just keep it that way then"
Seeing Josh, Stella and Christian walk out, to TR, Josh looking at her "this is bullshit Kerry, we shouldn't have to work today" Giving him a short smile "It'll take your mind of things" then looking at Stella, she calls out "Stel", seeing her walk over to her "You fine to work today", nodding at Kerry, seeing the concern on her face "I want to work, I want to keep my mind occupied" nodding "Ok, just let me know, if you want time off" then looking at Josh "Just do a few hours, then head off to the hospital"
….
Arriving at HQ, walking up to the meeting rooms, they walk in, seeing David there, Kerry takes a deep breath, looking around the room at the other officers there. Going through all the paperwork and footage, her head starting to throb from it all, she doesn't want to go over it, she only wants to find out all those responsible and make them all pay for this.
Walking out a few hours later, she feels a tap on her shoulder turning around she sees David there, motioning for her to follow her "What David?" Seeing him look around "you ok….we had a complaint from Joe yesterday" seeing her raise her eyebrows but say nothing "he alleged you attacked him Kerry"
Looking at David her face neutral "You believe that piece of shit, look at the size of him?" Shaking his head "No…..but Kerry he does want to take it further" Seeing her eyes narrow "Let him take it further, he killed two undercover officers, he killed my team member, he shot another, and Lawson is lying in hospital seriously injured, that piece of shit deserves everything that he gets" her voice rising the toll of yesterday taking effect.
Looking at Kerry "Just be careful Kerry, he wants it looked into further"
Looking at David in surprise "You can't be serious, you can not be taking this seriously, he held a gun at my team when we went to his place" shaking his head "I shouldn't even have to explain all of this to you" then glaring at him "do what you have to, I'm going to the hospital"
Watching her walk away, even angry she looks beautiful calling out "Kerry just listen for once" seeing her turn around to face him as she walks closer "I'm not going to investigate the matter" seeing a flicker of relief go across her face "If he takes it further, someone else might so make sure you have your facts right, even with what he has done, unfortunately he still has some rights but at the moment it is not going anywhere". Giving David a small smile "Your not too bad" as she walks out.
….
Arriving at the hospital a short time later, Kerry walks into Lawson's room looking at the bed, it is made with no one in there, her eyes open with shock and fear, he can't of died, surely someone would of told her, not even looking around the room, she quickly walks out to the desk, taking a deep breath, turning around as she hears Tash call out her name, looking at her face, she closes her eyes briefly before opening them looking at Tash.