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Squeeze

Ronnie shook his head as he left the interview room. Beth Barker had no concept of what her actions had done. Or if she did, Ronnie thought she just didn't care. That was what upset him the most.

"You alright?" Matt asked as he followed him along the corridor of the police station.

"You know, usually I can find a way of getting through to people. Some way I can see a bit of humanity in the person we're interviewing. Whatever they've done, or we believe they've done but not this time." He shook his head sadly. "Not this time."

"Because you know Kate?" Matt asked as Ronnie shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe." He sighed. "But I reckon we have enough to charge her with attempted murder. I'll talk to James later." Ronnie paused while Matt looked back down the corridor. "You coming?"

"Yeah." Matt nodded. "How does it happen, Ron? What can happen to make one child turn out like Kate another like Beth? How can two girls raised by the same parents turn out to be so different?"

"Way of the world." Ronnie shrugged. "Look at my girls. Talk and cheese."

"True." Matt sighed as he fell into step next to him.

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"Beth was arrested by Drugs Squad." Alesha stated as she sat opposite James. "They picked her up for possession along with a known drug dealer."

"Have Ronnie and Matt spoken to her?" He looked up from his paperwork as Alesha nodded.

"I just spoke to Matt. He's on the way over with Ronnie. Any news from the hospital?" She drug her tablet out of her bag, aware that James was only half listening to her.

"Ok." He paused. "Natalie called. Jacob is still there. He has barely left her since she was admitted. Now tell me there is nothing going on with those two."

"They're friends." Alesha watched as James raised an eyebrow.

"Under cross-examination do you think that would hold up?" James watched as Alesha smiled.

"Proof."

"You owe me a fiver."

"I didn't bet on my friends getting together." Alesha watched as James' eyebrows shot up. "Kate is the new girl. She doesn't know many people."

"Oh come on. And you didn't refuse the bet. I seem to remember, even George was there. He'll be my witness."

"For the Prosecution." Alesha smirked. The door opened behind them as Ronnie walked in carrying coffees in cardboard cups. James got to his feet to help him while Matt caught Alesha's eye.

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"Jacob, please sit down." The doctor stated calmly. "I have just left Kate."

"She's awake. Isn't she? She squeezed my hand. I felt it. You saw it didn't you, Natalie."

"I did." Natalie rested a hand on his arm. The doctor remained silent for a moment.

"We will need to run a few tests but we have reduced the sedation she is on. Kate may well be able to hear you but until she opens her eyes we can't know how much she is awake. She may never wake fully." He paused. "But Kate seems to be a fighter."

"She is, Doctor." Natalie stated. "She's a tough girl. Has to be, she works with this one." Natalie nodded towards Jake as he rolled his eyes. The doctor smiled slightly.

"We will run more tests, just to see what if any damage she suffered to her brain when she was hit. Worst case scenario could be Persistent Vegetative State or something called Locked in Syndrome."

"No, not her." Jake shook his head, his dark hair falling over his face. Natalie took a deep breath.

"Maybe I should call her mum again."

"That may well be a good idea." The doctor agreed. "Look, its worst case scenarios I am telling you about. Until the sedation is out of her system we wont know. There is an equal chance she'll wake up and be only marginally affected or not affected at all."

"She's strong." Jake sighed. "She is."

"Well, we'll know more soon." The doctor got to his feet. Jake nodded.

"Can I?"

"See her? Of course." He smiled at the older man before leading him out of the family room.

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"She confessed?" Wes asked as he took the mug of tea Angie offered him. "Thanks Ang." She smiled before handing Sam his own mug.

"Well, not as such." Sam tugged at his already loose tie. "She's admitted possessing heroin, MCat and cocaine with intent to supply. As far as trying to kill her sister." He shrugged his shoulders.

"So, we will take her to court. We have to. Ronnie is with the CPS now." Angie explained. Wes narrowed his eyes before yawning.

"I don't get it." He paused. "Families. How can they treat each other the way they do? I mean Kate's father seemed totally indifferent. Said he hadn't seen Kate for nearly a year. Beth for longer. Her mum was like something from the Stepford Wives. It was weird."

"All families are." Angie sighed. "I wont even begin to tell you about mine."

"We're not exactly the Waltons either." Wes smiled at her. "But still, if one of my sisters or me were in hospital I think my old Dad would have at least phoned the hospital."

"Yeah." Sam agreed. "But they didn't, so what now?"

"Now we build a case that the CPS can work with." Wes stated. Both junior officers glanced at each other, knowing it was going to be a long day.

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Jake stood outside the hospital room waiting for the nurse to let him in. He knew Natalie had gone to find a payphone and he was silently grateful that she had left him alone for a few minutes. He needed to gather his thoughts. Minutes later the door opened to allow the nurse to leave.

"Jake?"

"Hi." He ran a hand over his face.

"The sedation is off. So there's a few less drips attached to her. But take it easy with her. Yeah?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Thanks." The nurse smiled before allowing him into the room. Jake paused in the doorway before pushing the door further open. His breath caught in his throat as he realised what he was looking at.

"Hi." She mouthed silently, her mouth too dry to form sounds. Jake smiled as his eyes held hers. She was awake. Kate was awake.

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A/N more soon x