Epilogue

Three weeks later...

Ronnie pulled his coat on as Joe and Matt carried on talking. The MIU had been ripped apart by internal affairs - meaning Natalie and Sam had been in one meeting after another. It had been a beaurocratic nightmare. He sighed as Angie reached for her purse.

"Are you sure about this?" Matt asked as Natalie joined them in the main office.

"What?" Ronnie asked.

"Going to the funeral. I'm not sure we'll be wanted there," Joe stated. Ronnie nodded once.

"I see what you are saying. But I'm going. The investigation showed MIU did nothing wrong. I know I'm an old dinosaur but I am

going to pay my respects. You can do what you think best."

Natalie nodded. "I agree. Now, if we don't get a move on we are going to be late."

"This feels like Wes all over again."

"Don't." Angie touched Joe's arm. "Let's just do this eh? For Ronnie and the Guv if no one else."

Joe nodded before following the senior officers out of the office.

Xxxxxx

"Daddy up!" Charlotte he'd get arms up for Jake to pick her up. He didn't hesitate; knowing the toddler was the only thing that had kept him sane since the fated day in court. He smiled as the little girl curled into his side.

"We'll go to see Cameron later." He stared at his daughter, suddenly aware of how much she looked like her mother. The infant curled her fist around his jacket as if holding on for dear life. He kissed her forehead gently. "I know baby, I know."

"She's such a Daddy's girl." He turned to see Kate watching them from the doorway.

"You said that like it's a bad thing."

"Oh no, not at all." She smiled as he approached her. His eyes fixed on hers.

"You should be resting."

"Bored."

"Kate, you have had major surgery less than a month ago. You should be in bed."

Kate rolled her eyes. Eight hours in surgery followed by three days in intensive care and another week on a ward had been enough rest as far as she was concerned.

"It's Valentine's funeral."

"Yes." Jake watched her eyes darken as she spoke.

"It could have been mine too." She folded her arms over her tiny frame. Jake had no idea how she had survived. All he could really put it down to was her will to be there and Ronnie and Matt acting as quickly as they had done.

"Don't."

"I should pay my respects."

"You are not going to the funeral of a murderer."

Kate shook her head. She knew Jake would be as stubborn as she was. "Ronnie is going."

"You're not."

Kate nodded. She had never really intended to. "It's funny. He paid Partridge and did what he did for revenge but ended up dead too. Heartbreaking really."

Jake nodded. "An eye for an eye. That's what he wanted. What he got, in the end. MIU won't be the same again. The CPS is under more scrutiny than ever."

Charlotte smiled- reaching out for her mother. Kate took her hand. "Well, we're still here. So he didn't win, did he Lottie?"

"Mummy!"

"Cmon baby girl." She took her daughter from Jake. "Eye for an eye? Nah. This time we win." She kissed her daughter as the toddler squealed. Jake nodded, he just prayed she was right.

Xxx