Ok guys heres is some more, I'm going to move the pace up a bit cos well it's taking me for ever... :) so next update.
Caroline awoke she felt a heavy Kate next to her, she smiled before it faltered the evening before flooding her mind. She slid from the covers and into the cool bathroom, she leant forward holding onto the sink staring at the reflection in front of her. She watched intently practicing her smile in the mirror but the weight of Kate's confession weighed so heavily in her bones smiling felt impossible. As she heard the soft call from the bedroom "Caroline" she caught sight of the smile that once sat so freely on her face being around this amazing woman. "Yes" she poked her head into the bedroom "just checking" Kate smiled "come back to bed we need to talk". The smile gone once again at the words talk, what the hell could she say was she going to tell me the sordid details. "Can't I've got stuff to sort out today, I need to get my job back!", it was like a slap to Kate's face god how could she not have even spoken to her about her job. Caroline's job meant the world to her and now she could possibly loose it all over looking out for her, how could she ever of doubted Caroline's fidelity After everything shed done to be with her.
"let me help" Kate offered "I think you've done enough" the sharp icy tones escaped her lips without thought, she watched as Kate recoiled "sorry" Caroline offered weakly. "I just need some time to process things and you've got work". Kate smiled reassuringly I've lost her. She's pulling away she slipping away from me, how can I have made this happen. I need to fix this I need to make it right.
Kate stood outside the police station chewing her nails she was scared, she didn't want to relive this but she needed to end this and by taking this step she was making it a little easier. If Caroline was going to walk away if shed blown it the least she could do was leave Caroline with her career intact, no worse than shed found her.
Kate sat in the car the tears threatening, nope your not going to cry what's done is done no point crying over it. She shut her eyes tightly trying to avoid the memory of him his harsh words his hurried touch, then her face her beautiful face as clear as if she sat next to her. She sat up a little straighter composing herself nope She had given her statement now, she had committed to pressing charges and she was sure it was the right thing to do. Now she needed to go to school speak to Beverley about Caroline's job She had been a by stander through everything it was about time she took some control.
Kate pulled up outside the school clocking that she was still early and heading straight to the office where Beverley sat looking forlorn , she jumped up "how's Caroline doing". Kate's eyes met the floor "not good but that's my fault" Beverly looked curious but loyal as ever didn't ask.
Beverley I need your help the smaller woman nodded "what happened yesterday?" "Did you not speak to Caroline?" She sounded surprised but covered it the best she could "um.. Well Michael made that complaint against Caroline and he threatened the LEA if they didn't deal with it through the right procedures, Gavin had no choice but to suspend her. It's not looking great but Caroline's made of strong stuff she will be ok ".
Kate nodded grimacing at his name mentally scalding herself, no wonder Caroline was vulnerable why didn't I just talk to her before all this... Her eyes glassy her mind shifting.
Caroline slammed down the phone fucking useless that was, that was the second solicitors she had phoned aboutMichael's identity. Due to his change of name it wasn't easy and simple as shed hoped to access the information they needed legally to prove his previous convictions.
Caroline couldn't think of anyone else to call ring ring ring "hello", "oh hi John I'm sorry to ring you but I need the number of that solicitor friend of yours". "Everything ok Caroline" she heard the hint of suggestion in his voice "fine just something for work" they finished exchanging their pleasantries and information about the boys before he gave her the number and hung up.
She had arranged a meeting for tomorrow and had given them the details to investigate and they were going to let her know tomorrow whether it was possible to access the records they so desperately needed to shut Michael Dobson up for once and for all.
The evening came and went few words were spoken the atmosphere heavy with words unspoken a silence echoed uneasily as everyone was overly nice to each other, Caroline sighed she almost preferred the arguing and screaming to this. Neither talked about their plans too scared to bring up the subject in case it took a downwards turn.
The following morning Caroline sat in the waiting room looking around this was going to be the make or break of their fight with Michael, her job she knew hung on what she was about to be told. She couldn't help miss Kate's reassurance her presence always grounded, calmed Caroline. She shifted uneasily she felt had she hadn't involved Kate she felt sneaky even, but it was too late now shed speak to Kate as soon as she knew the score.
She sat in front of this solicitor she couldn't help but notice his age he seemed very young, well that's means nothing Caroline just wain't and see what he has to say she reprimanded herself.
"Hello Mrs Elliot, I'm Tony Green" "Ms Elliot, if you don't mind and nice to meet you" she smiled as he shook her hand and sat down.
"Right... He shuffled a few papers around on his desk "arh yes well Good news well I've been looking into what you have told me. If Miss Mckenzie is prepared to take this to court then I'll have the legal grounds to access all the records your asking me to and he can't stop it happening. You would be able to provide evidence of his previous convictions and he would be .. Well buggered basically. You'd most likely be able to squash any allegations against yourself or anyone else due to his character reference of with holding information and he'd never teach again. But this would require you going to court otherwise it's not a legal affair and I have no grounds to get access to the information I need, as it's a sexual assault I can therefore look into his history". She sat through the rest of the meeting half listening before shaking hands once more and reassuring him, she'd be in contact.
Why didn't she feel happy why did she feel no better, she sighed yes she loved her job but she knew how desperately Kate didn't want to go to court to have to tell everyone everything, she couldn't ask her to do that. Not for the sake of her job, there had to be some other way around it although he sounded resound there wasn't.
"Fuck what a fucking mess" They had been happy briefly it almost too long ago to remember fully.
Caroline sat in front Kate at the kitchen table, "I will Caroline I have, i have made a statement..yesterday. " Caroline's expression of shock "why, I didn't think you could bare to...why didn't you tell me. I could have gone with you!". Kate pulled her closer "he needs to stood up too and I won't have you suffer anymore for trying to do the right thing by me. You need your job even if your not sure about us anymore". Kate's gaze shifted she swallowed the bile rising at the mere suggestion. "I do need you, I am sure". Kate smiled then were doing this were going to nail the bastard". Their lips meeting tenderly everything else evaporating as they melted into each others safe embrace.