Trial and Retribution?
Ronnie tugged on his tie as he waited for the Court Officer to call him. The rest of the team had given evidence, so he was the last one to do so. Natalie had been home from hospital for three days and he knew she was already fed up of him fussing around her. He smiled slightly, glad that she wasn't required to give evidence. The time he was in court would be the only time she had been alone since she had arrived home from hospital.
"DS Brooks?" He looked up to see a young woman around the same as his oldest daughter watching him.
"Yeah?"
"You can make your way into the court now. The last witness has just left the stand."
"DI Casey."
"Sam. Yeah." The red haired woman blushed. Ronnie tried not to roll his eyes. The younger detective was as much a flirt as Matt was. He was wondering if all women seemed to fall under their charms and was relieved his girls saw Matt as a brother and Sam as an annoyance at best.
"Right. Ok." Ronnie got to his feet as he realised he was the last witness. He'd soon be able to get home where he belonged. The young woman stepped away from the mahogany door to allow him to pass. "Lets get this over with."
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Natalie stared at the television in the corner of the living room relieved that Ronnie had gone back to work, the kids were in school and university. Chloe had called in with little Ben a little earlier and Gill had phoned with more woes from Manchester's MIT. She smiled slightly as she thought of her friend. The case she was working on seemed to be keeping all of the detectives under the cosh. She knew her best friend was a slave driver and no doubt earning her nickname of Godzilla. Frowning she looked at the leaflets she had brought home from the hospital. She knew Lucy and Sarah had read them all, she doubted Ronnie had ignored them as she had.
"Come on then." She picked up the first one, knowing that if chemotherapy was on the cards she would need to be prepared. Gill's words ran through her mind. She knew her friend was right - she hadn't been fair to Ronnie. He had stood by her, refused to be pushed away and proposed to her. She loved him, she knew that. What she didn't know was what had been stopping her from saying yes. She threw the small leaflet on the coffee table before picking up her mobile phone.
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Ronnie tugged his tie as he left the austere building. He knew the rest of the team would be at the pub - part of him was surprised to see Matt waiting for him.
"Aint you got an 'ome to go to?"
"Yeah, and so have you." Matt smiled. "We wont get the verdict until tomorrow."
"Hopefully first thing. That scumbag killed his son."
"Who killed his girlfriend." Matt answered as they walked towards the pub. Ronnie sighed.
"You think it excuses him?"
"No of course not." Matt turned to him. "But the Jury might. It could be seen as a crime of passion."
"I blimmin hope not." Ronnie paused as his mobile phone began to ring. "Nat."
Matt understood, stepping away as Ronnie stayed outside the pub. Ronnie answered the call as he turned away from his younger friend. "Hiya Nat." He paused as he heard her take a deep breath on the other end of the line.
"You ok? Nat?"
"That question you asked me. When I was in hospital?" She paused as Ronnie closed his eyes, he had no idea what question he had asked her.
"Sorry Luv, not sure what you are on about."
Natalie sighed heavily. "When I was on the Morphine."
"Oh. Oh yeah, right."
"Well, I want to change my mind."
"Oh."
"Yes." She smiled as she heard him breathing on the other end of the line. "The answer is yes."
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A/n I think this is the end now. Please review