Part One
Jim arrived late for work late again, it was the third time this week and he looked like he hadn't slept 'Jim your late again' June snapped. The atmosphere between these two was getting worse; June had even considered returning to uniform ad giving up her promotion to get away from him. 'Sorry Sarge it won't happen again'
'You say that everyday'
'Look I said I'm sorry' Jim shouted before leaving CSU and heading for the locker rooms. Jim slammed his locker door in frustration, he hated the atmosphere between him and June, he still loved her and not being able to talk to her without it turning into an argument was getting to him. Jim removed his shirt and his body was covered in bruises where Marie had beaten him, he looked at his bruises in the mirror and quickly put a clean shirt on before Des walked in 'Alright mate' Des smiled
'Not really'
'Oh you look rough what's happened?'
'Oh nothing, don't worry about it, see you later' Jim said before leaving
'Jim' Des called after him but it was too late Jim had already gone.
Later that day Des asked June if one of CSU could help him with a case and she assigned Jim. Des and Jim followed up the case but when they arrived a boy was being attacked. Jim chased the men who attacked the young boy but he lost them, he couldn't keep up with them, as his ribs were hurting.
'I bloody lost them' Jim shouted as he punched the wall
'Hey calm down Jim' Des said
'How's the lad?'
'He's dead' Des replied 'He'd been stabbed'
'No!' Jim screamed as he kicked the wall
'Jim what is wrong with you' Des shouted 'Calm down'
'This is my fault I let them go'
'What are you talking about? You lost them because they were too fast, that's not your fault'
'It is'
'Jim I don't know what is wrong with you but perhaps you should take sometime off'
'I don't need time off' Jim snapped as he walked off
'Where are you going?'
'To the bloody nick'
'Wait' Des shouted 'Jim we have to wait for the ambulance'
It was no use as Jim continued to walk off. About 2 hours later Des arrived back at the station, it was the end of his shift so he went to the locker rooms where he found Jim 'Jim what the hell were you playing at earlier' Des said
'I am sorry Des I don't know what came over me'
'Yeah well I covered for you but don't do that to me again'
'I'm sorry let me buy you a drink'
'No it's alright'
'Suit yourself but I need one' Jim replied before leaving
Des quickly got changed and followed Jim to the local pub, he was concerned for his friend. As Des entered the pub he saw Jim sitting in the corner downing a pint 'Oh no' Des said to himself as he pulled out his mobile phone. Des dialled CSU's number 'Hello Sergeant Ackland speaking'
'Sarge it's Des, um... I'm not sure whether I am doing the right thing here but...'
'What is it Des?' June asked
'It's Jim I am worried about him, he was acting strange today and now I have found him drinking in a pub'
'Drinking?'
'Yep, he looks like he has had two pints already'
'Where are you? June asked eagerly. Even though he had hurt her badly the thought of Jim drinking again upset her, she still loved him dearly and she couldn't bear to see him drinking again.
'The local pub on the corner'
'Ok thanks, stay with hi until I get there'
'Yes Sarge'
5 minutes later June arrived 'Thanks Des'
'I did think about ringing Marie but I don't think he would have appreciate that'
'You did the right thing, I will sort it'
'ok' Des smiled as he left the pub
June walked over to Jim 'Jim what are you doing?'
'Ah June, my lovely June oh no sorry that's Sgt Ackland isn't it sorry'
'Jim what has happened?' June said looking concerned
'What do you care?' Jim spat before downing the last of his third pint 'You don't even want to speak to me anymore so what do you care if I am drinking again'
'Jim I do care that's the problem, I care for you too much'
'Well you have a funny way of showing it'
'Jim you hurt me, what did you expect me to do'
'Nothing I don't expect nothing of anyone anymore'
'Jim please tell me what's making you do this. Shall I phone Marie'
'Do what you like I don't care anymore, I don't want to be here anymore'
'Jim what do you mean?'
'I have screwed up again June' Jim laughed 'Jim Carver screws up again oh what a surprise'
'Jim talk to me' June begged 'Look I am going to get Marie'
'No' Jim snapped as he got up 'Don't do that'
he continued as he walked to the door. June followed closely behind him 'Jim where are you going?'
'I don't know and I don't care'
'Jim!' June shouted as she pulled him round to face her. As she grabbed his arm he jerked with pain. 'Jim what's wrong?'
'Nothing' Jim replied quickly
June wasn't convinced and she pushed his sleeve up which revealed his bruises
'Jim?'
'June please leave it'
'I can't what's happened' June said trying to hold back her tears. She already knew the answer but she need him to admit it
'Tell me please'
Jim said nothing
'She did this to you didn't she, she is the reason you have been so moody, so withdrawn. She is the reason you are drinking again isn't she'
Jim once again said nothing 'Has she hurt you anywhere else'
'No now just leave it' Jim snapped
'I don't believe you' June said as she grabbed his shirt and pulled it out of his trousers 'Hey I am a married man you can't do that'
'Oh yes I can if I think the man I love is being used as a punch bag' June snapped as she pulled his shirt up revealing the rest of his bruises 'Oh Jim, why didn't you tell me' June cried
'oh yeah, June I couldn't tell you, you warned me about her but I ignored you'
'Jim I could have helped you'
'It's my problem June, not yours'
'Jim come home with me, let me look after you, lets talk please' June cried
'No it's best if you stay out of this, I will be fine' Jim replied as he walked off
'Jim where are you going?' June shouted
'I am going to do something I should have done a long time ago'
'Jim don't do anything stupid please'
June sobbed as she ran up to him and stopped him walking with her hand 'Don't you dare end your life Jim Carver'
'Why not June, you would all be better off with out me'
'No' June sobbed as she placed her hands on his face 'Jim I love you, please'
Jim looked at June, tears streamed down her face, he could see the love in her eyes. 'June' Jim cried
June silenced him by kissing him, she knew she shouldn't have but she couldn't help it. Jim responded to the kiss and then June pulled away.
'Jim come home with me, let's talk, we can sort this out, please'
'No June, it's too late, I have screwed up too many times, and if I stay around any longer I am going to ruin your life and I don't want to do that June because I love you' he sobbed as he walked to the bridge near the pub and stood on the edge, shut his eyes and whispered 'I am sorry June'
'No!' June screamed 'No!'
To be continued