Upping the stakes

The CID office was silent as Mared made her way to her desk. It was the one place she felt safe. Prosser had invaded her life in so mNy ways but she knew the one place that was safe was her spot in the CID. Prosser couldn't touch her there. She ran her hand through her dark hair as she felt the baby move.

"It's ok." She whispered. "Cmon." She whispered as she thought about the case she had found herself working on. She knew Maternity leave was not supposed to be like this. She was supposed to be settled at home, preparing for her baby's arrival. She sighed heavily. Sian smiled as she walked into the room.

"Hi. Beth?"

"I'm ok." Mared sighed. "Baby is kicking lumps out of my insides."

"Dunno how you can do it. Mind you, I've have the maternal instinct of a piranha fish." Sian sipped her coffee. "You're ok though?"

"Yeah."

"Prosser' gun killed Zachary but he's in prison." Sian frowned.

"Handgun isn't licensed to anyone. Probably something he has acquired on the sly. His wife reported a burglary. It must have been taken then." Sian slumped in her chair as Mared spoke. Tom walked in with Lloyd just as the phone rang. Mared answered it instantly without looking at the display.

"Hello?" The colour drained from her face as she heard the caller. She held up a hand to silence Tom as she pressed the speaker phone.

"How did you get this number?"

"That's irrelevant." The dulcet tones of her former boss filled the air. Sian glared.

"You tell me what is relevant. A teenage boy dead after your gun blew his brains out, perhaps? Your nephew in police custody ? You're locked away for a very long time. You. Brian are no longer relevant." Mared spoke calmly and firmly. Tom smiled slightly; he had never been more proud of her. He felt sick as he heard the older man's voice over the phone.

"Thieves get what they deserve."

"Really?" Mared answered as she locked eyes with Tom. She was determined to show the world she wasn't scared. That she had nothing to hide. Brian Prosser was the criminal. She was the survivor.

"I can explain. Make things clearer for you. I dare say Tom or one of the others are listening in. That's fine. Meet me."

"No."

"Mared. If you want all this to stop. All the uncertainty come to visit me. Here. I can hardly come to see you."

Tom felt his heart stop in his chest as Mared took a breath. "You still think you can do it. You still think you can play the puppet master; even now. I'm 35 weeks pregnant- as I'm sure you know. There's no way you are going to see me anywhere near a prison. You are nothing to me, not anymore. Try threatening me, because it really won't work. Not now."

"Evans does though. He is in your head the same way I am."

Mared kept her gaze fixed on Tom, almost drawing strength from him.

"No. Not at all. It's killing you. Isn't it? I'm not afraid of you. You have no control over me. It's quite pathetic really." She bit her lip for a moment as Tom stepped towards her. She knew there was no way Tom would want her going to the prison- she knew Elin would be terrified. Now the teenager knew the truth of her paternity she was even closer to her mam than ever.

"Oh my darling girl." Prosser started. "You'll regret that. You think the boy got my gun in a break in. No, I gave it to him."

"Liar."

"Ask him. Of course you can't. He's dead. Shame. Keep one eye over your shoulder. One eye on our daughter."

"Elin is nothing to do with you." Mared felt her eyes fill with tears. "She is MY daughter. You were just a sperm donor. A dirty old man that prayed on a teenager. That's all."

Lloyd felt his heart almost stop in his chest. Sian shot him a look.

"There's nothing you can tell me about the case. I'll be informing the authorities you have a mobile phone. And just so you know; this call was recorded." Mared ended the call as Sian swore profusely. Tom ran a hand over his face.

"Lloyd, take Delyth with you to see Rhodri. Get what you can from toxicology. Sian speak to whoever saw Prosser's wife after the break in." He barely took his eyes off Mared who had slumped on her chair. Sian ushered her friend out of the office, leaving the senior officers alone. Tom crossed the room to her, crouching at her side he saw she was shaking.

"Hey."

"I'm fine. Tom." She turned to him, touching his dribbled face. "I am." He kissed the palm of her hand.

"Fy cariad"

"Tom."

"You're amazing." He spoke quietly; she smiled slightly. Shaking her head as he covered her hand with his own. "You are. I'm so proud of you."

"A boy is still dead and somehow Prosser not only knows what happened he'd probably set it up. It's never going to be over, is it." She felt a tear escape her eyes as he closed his eyes for a moment. He hated the way she seemed to accept Prosser would always have a hold on her. He kissed her gently on her lips.

"He's nothing. He can't win now." He whispered. "Nothing can touch us." He kissed her again as she closed her eyes, silently praying he was right.

Xxxxxxxx

A/N not a clue if anyone has read this. Please review