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Thank you all for reading. Let me know if you want me to write another L&O Uk story

Release

The rain bounced off the concrete pavement outside the Old Bailey as the rest of London went about it's daily business. None of them had any idea anything had changed. It was a normal Thursday to them. But to Kate, it was the end of something and maybe, just maybe the beginning of something new.

"You did well in there." Kate took a deep breath before turning to see Henry stood beside her.

"Thanks."

"I know it must be difficult."

"Understatement." Kate tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Henry shoved his hands in his pockets.

"You did the right thing."

"Did I?" Kate turned to face him once more. "Then why does it feel like I betrayed her?" She walked away as Henry shook his head. Alesha approached the older man while Kate disappeared into the crowd.

"She's going to need time." Alesha stated as the older man nodded.

"And Jake." He smiled at Alesha as she raised her eyebrows.

"So, you noticed it too?"

"I have eyes and ears." He paused. "And I was young once."

"And now he's ancient." Jake stated as he walked towards his colleagues with James next to him. "I just wanted to say thanks. For today." He paused. "For not ripping Kate to shreds in the witness box. Having her sister there, on trial was almost as bad for her as being attacked to begin with."

"Kate is one of ours." James looked at Alesha, remembering a time when he had hung Matt out to dry and knowing that time would always be there, in the back of his best friend's mind. He regretted it but had seen no other way at the time. "And she wasn't on trial. Being late for work one day isn't a crime."

"It should be." George huffed. Alesha shook her head as she noticed the police officers begin to leave the court. Natalie looked more angry than the others. Matt, Wes and Ronnie all looked resigned to the fact the Judge had delivered a verdict that meant more waiting around. "I mean, waiting psychiatric reports. I will never know why the judicial system does that after the Jury reach the verdict. Baffles me."

"Excuse me." Alesha walked to where Ronnie and Matt were saying goodbye to Natalie and Wes.

"Hey." Matt smiled at her as she approached. "Is Kate ok?"

"No idea. She left. I think Jake has gone after her." Matt took her hand while she spoke. "I hope she is. She'll need time."

"Yeah." Ronnie nodded. "And now, now they've established that Beth needs help as well as going to prison she may just get it."

"I hope so."

"She'll be in a secure psychiatric facility." Matt shook his head. "Almost the same as prison but with psychiatrists. May be the best thing. Get her off drugs once and for all."

"I 'ope so son." Ronnie sighed. "I really 'ope so."

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Kate stared at the hot brown liquid in the mug, trying not to think of what her dad would say if he knew she had spent over £3 on a coffee. The mug warmed her hands as she tried to think.

"Seat taken?"

"Jake." She looked up to see him holding his own mug.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"You ok?"

"No."

"Ok."

"What?"

"Can I sit down?" He smiled.

"You will anyway."

"Of course." He smiled as she rolled her eyes. "Not your fault. Not your sister's fault either really. She was desperate and unwell but that is her dealer's fault. Not yours."

"I know."

"Well, stop blaming yourself." He covered her hands with his own, forcing her eyes to snap up to his. "It isn't your nightmare."

"Not anymore." Kate sighed. "But as you said. Beth is an addict. Mum and Dad were never bothered by us. Only my Gran." She smiled as she thought of the elderly woman who had died when Kate and Beth were still teenagers. "You'd have loved my Gran."

"I am sure I would have." He kept hold of her hand. Kate smiled before sniffing back tears. "Kate."

"Don't say it will be ok." She looked at their joined hands. "I'm on my own. For the first time it has really hit me. My parents didn't even come to the hospital. My sister is locked away for trying to kill me. I am on my own."

"No." He touched her face. "No, you are not. Not while I am still around anyway." Kate sighed as he spoke. "If you want me to be. I mean, I."

"Jake."

"Yeah?" He stopped babbling as she leaned across and touched her fingers to his lips in order to silence him. She gasped as he kissed her fingers.

"I'd like that. You being around, I mean. As long as it wasn't out of pity or duty."

"Or love?" He asked. "What if that was why I stick around." Kate blushed furiously.

"I can work with that." She smiled as he kissed her fingers once more. In that moment she realised her time with Beth was not the only thing in her life. She had more to offer than just her sister's story.

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A/N not altogether happy with the ending but please review.