2

Ed walked into his apartment feeling happier than he had in a long time. His daughter was settled, happy and healthy, he had a girlfriend who was the best as far as he could see. It also helped that Rebecca and Nikki seemed to genuinely like each other and that her children – Carrie and Jon liked him too. Then there was Ros and Beckett, celebrating the arrival of baby Meg. Alex appeared settled for the first time since her fateful wedding day – even Jan had been happier recently. He shook his head, thinking of the older woman. He liked Jan. She was feisty, intelligent and knew her job inside out. Unwittingly she had become something of a mother figure to the three recruits she had blackmailed into joining them as well as Alex and the Welsh Dragon as he had taken to calling Bethan.

"Hi Dad."

"Hey kid." He smiled as his daughter walked into the hallway. "You ok?"

"I hate school."

"That's part of growing up. Just school as a concept or is there a particular problem?" He asked as the ten year old shook her head.

"Miss Chapman. She asked us to do coding on the computer. It wasn't my fault I finished in ten minutes. She thought I was being lazy but I really had finished. It was so easy, baby Meg could do it."

He smiled. His daughter was a computer genius. He understood how the teacher felt. To him, the majority of computer work was technobabble. That was Ros' department.

"Do I need to go into school?"

"No." His only child looked horrified. "Its fine."

"Ok, so where's Alex?" He knew his friend was somewhere in the apartment. Rebecca shrugged.

"Bex?"

"In front of the computer. We're playing Mortal Fighter."

"That's a 13. You are 10."

"Still whipped her bum though." Rebecca smiled. "When can we go to see Auntie Ros and the new baby?"

Ed smiled back. He made a mental note to talk to Alex about the appropriateness of computer games.

"Later, visiting is 6pm."

"Uncle Nick is there, I bet."

"He's Meg's daddy. He's supposed to be with her and Ros. That's the way it works."

The girl nodded, smiling. She adored her father's friends, knowing they were the closest she would ever have to having aunts, uncles and cousins.

"Ok."

He ushered her into the living room, determined to order take out for the three of them.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jan frowned. She knew what she was reading shouldn't be possible. Jean Daniel was only a year into a life sentence. The man was in prison and would be there for a very, very long time. She shook her head as Beth walked into the office.

"Yes?"

"Beckett called. Baby girl, 5lb 2. In his words she is perfect. They're calling her Megan Barbara," She watched as Jan blushed. Few people knew her real name. Jan was what she preferred to be known as. Barbara was her first name but using her middle name, Jan always felt more appropriate. Beth smiled.

"Ros is fine too."

"Good." Jan smiled. "It's a nice change to have some good news."

"Yeah." Beth agreed. "Are you alright? Only you don't look it."

"Perfectly fine. Thank you."

"OK." Beth frowned. "Is this about Jean Daniel? Because you know we have stopped him once. We will again."

Jan nodded. Hoping that the clerical officer was right.