3

Jan stared up at the prison as the barrier raised to allow her car to enter the bleak car park. The drizzle fell like a blanket over the area as she quietly psyched herself up as she prepared to meet with the prison governor. She picked up her mobile phone as the device bleeped.

"Beth?" She snapped as the call connected. "What is it?"

The Welsh woman glared at the computer screen as she spoke. The images on the screen disturbing her.

"I knew you would want to know. I've gone and done some digging." Beth paused. "The Analyst from D helped me out."

"What is it?"

"Jean Daniel."

"Yes."

"Has an accomplice on the outside."

"I thought he would." Jan sighed. "He always had a knack of attracting those with weaker minds."

"True." Beth stared at the file. She felt sick, finally reading about the damage the portly villain had caused and his vendetta against Ed, Ros and Beckett. "I'll keep looking."

"Very well." Jan calmed herself. "Keep me informed." She ended the call before heading into the prison.

Xxxxx

Beckett cradled his baby daughter while Ros slept. The baby stared at him with large brown eyes.

"Hello." Beckett whispered. "It's ok, don't cry. I'm your dad. Mum is sleeping ok. You've worn her out and you're not even a day old." He smiled as the baby watched him. "You are going to be a handful. I can tell. If you follow your mother then things are going to get pretty interesting."

The baby yawned.

"Boring you? Sorry." He smiled. "You were a bit of a surprise. A good one though." He carried her around the room, unaware that Ros was now awake and quietly watching them. "You wait until you meet Uncle Ed and the others. I'm sorry but you are going to have the most overprotective dad and uncle there is. I'll try not to be as useless as my old man. Can't promise but I'll try."

The baby settled to sleep as he watched her; clearly awestruck. A quiet cough from the other side of the room caught his attention.

"Ros?"

"Hi. I think our Meg is going to be a real daddy's girl."

Beckett smiled. "She's amazing. Like her mum."

He crossed the room to her, suddenly overwhelmed by the responsibility he now had. He had always been the 'dad' of the team, mainly due to Ed being a complete idiot most of the time but now. Now he really did have a little girl who really depended on him.

"Nick?"

"It's ok." He handed the baby to her. "Honestly. It's just a bit overwhelming that's all."

Ros nodded as she looked at her daughter.

"When can we go home?"

"Soon. The doctor wants to keep you a little longer because of your brain damage."

Ros sighed. The shooting had clouded so much of her life, she didn't want to have it held over her a moment longer. Beckett touched her hand. "Stop worrying."

"No." Ros sighed. "Not now we have her."

He smiled slightly as she watched the baby settle back to sleep. Everything had changed. He knew he wanted to marry Ros, to protect her and Meg until the day he died. But the stakes were higher now. For the first time since he could remember he had something to live for, someone who needed him. He swallowed hard; thinking of the immense responsibility he now had, silently praying he could make little Meg proud to call him her dad.

Xxxxxx

Jan walked through the austere corridors towards the small office at the end of the row. She had know Frank Smythe for years and intensely disliked him. Putting on her best poker face she stepped into the room.

"Jan!" The portly man got to his feet. "Pleasure to see you!"

Her lip twitched as her eyes bore into his.

"A prisoner here, Jean Daniel."

"Bald chap. Into cyber crime. Yes."

"That's him." Jan nodded. "He's continuing to cause problems relating to national security."

"I don't see how. Tea?"

"Sod the pleasantries Frank. He's making you out to be the fool you are. Now his records. Full access and I might, just might be able to stop him creating the next World War!"

Xxxx