��Strange weather this isn��t it Sarge?�� Cathy commented.
This ��strange weather�� was the least of June��s worries at the moment. She had an ��IN�� tray the size of Big Ben and all night she couldn�t sleep. It was an endless procession of tosses and turns punctuated by trips to the kitchen to down some sherry. She knew what was troubling her; but was she going to confront it? Not a chance. June��s eyes crawled to look at Jim��s desk��empty.
��Where��s Jim, Cathy?�� June asked while seating her self down at her desk.
��DCI Meadows came in about ten minutes ago, taking Jim with him as he left. Which reminds me, I��ve got to get to the Valero��s house and get a few details on their missing girl. I��m taking Brandon with me�� Cathy said as she went over to the coat stand.
��Oh yeah, there�s a note on his desk I think Sarge. Won�t be long�� and Cathy left.
June stood up gingerly. She was really tired; it had only really just hit her. She walked over to Jim��s desk and picked up the yellow post-it note sitting by his warm coffee mug.
June - Meadows needed an extra man on an obbo. Won�t be long. Don�t forget about 6:30pm. �� Jim
June stood there, glasses in hand. 6:30? That�s right, Jim had organised for the both of them to go out to dinner. It was just one of his many surprises that he sprung on her at the last moment. June looked outside, smiling sheepishly to herself. The rain was finally clearing and the sun was starting to peak through the mass of grey clouds. The previous night Jim had proposed that they both came out public as a couple. He saw that their relationship couldn�t progress if they had to carry on like ��naughty schoolchildren��. He wasn�t bitter about it, anything but. He was and had been very understanding of June�s feelings. But he wanted it to change. It had been almost eight months since Jim first kissed June that night of the fire, eight months of secrecy. And now, he wanted to tell the world that he was in love with one woman, June. The idea of a man loving her scared her at first. But now, it sent a wave of sensation through her body. She loved it�� she loved him.
Tonight, she was to give him her answer. And she still wasn�t sure what it was going to be. Whether to follow her heart or head.
The doors of CSU opened without June noticing as she sat down at her desk. Behind her, a large framed man approached with caution finally placing his hands on her shoulders. June jumped instantaneously.
��Hey hey... It��s okay. It�s only me.�� Jim said puzzled. ��What were you expecting? The boogie monster?��
June freely laughed at her our stupidity with Jim as she turned to face him. She looked up at Jim�s huggable face and her heart melted.
��How were you last night by yourself? Don��t mind me saying but you don�t look too good, am I really that missed?�� Jim joked.
��It was your idea to give me space to consider my answer���� June replied watching Jim sat down in his chair pulling June��s towards his.
��Your answer will come in good time.�� Jim said soothingly while pulling June�s chair in between his legs.��Jim!�� June said incredulously. ��Not here�� she said while trying to contain her erupting giggles ��I thought you were out on an obbo?��
��I had to come and see you first didn�t I.�� Jim leant forward kissing June first lightly, but then more passionately as if he had been longing her touch for months. Jim groaned as June responded. As much as she would want to deny it, this felt good.
The phone started to ring and the both of them pulled away looking at their interruption. June rolled her chair over to the phone
.
��Community Safety Unit June Ackland speaking��
��June, it�s Jack. Are you busy at the moment?��
��No Sir.�� June said smiling looking at Jim.
��Could you come to the briefing room for a moment? Oh and bring Jim along.��
��I�ll be there soon Sir�� June answered then replacing the phone on the hook.
��Who was that?�� Jim asked.
��DCI Meadows, wants us in the briefing room pronto.��
��That�ll be about the obbo today�� Jim said standing up.
��Why does he need to speak to me?�� June questioned.
��Never know. Perhaps he needs an extremely attractive woman to lure some evil man�� Jim said as he grabbed June by the waist.
��At 11am this morning I need you all at your postings. NO excuses. I�ve hand picked this bunch and I expect results. Most importantly, you must all remember to look out for one another. This man is dangerous. Armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, trafficking are just some of the blemishes in his record. He has a particular tendency to hurt us. He hates the police so no heroics, just simple in and out and we should be fine. All clear?��
��Sir�� echoed around the briefing room.
��Civvies and be ready at 11am. Dismissed.��
June stood up and filed out of the room with the rest of the group. She started to head towards the Sergeants locker room when she heard Jack and Jim�s voice call her name from behind.
June spun around and walked briskly over to where they were standing together outside the briefing room.
��What is it Jack?�� June asked.
��June, I was wondering if you could be our bait for this afternoon��along with Jim.��
June glanced at the two of them suspiciously.
��Bait?��
��Well, we��ve got a target house. We just need someone to be in it. I was wondering if you�d be interested, Jim has already volunteered his services.��
June eyed Jim sceptically and noticed that all too familiar glint in his eye.
��I�d be delighted to Sir�� she replied somewhat hesitantly.
��Great!�� replied Jack. ��Well, if you could both be ready in about 5 minutes I��ll give you the address and you can head over there now.��
��Sir��June and Jim walked off leaving DCI Meadows.
��Don�t get any ideas Jim�� June muttered out of the corner of her mouth as she headed up towards CSU.
��Oh, don�t worry Sarge�� Jim said loudly. ��You��re in safe hands.��
As the both of them drove over to the house on Kent Lane, their presence comforted one another. Jim, hand on June�s thigh; June, resting her head on Jim�s shoulder. They felt like an old couple. Well, technically speaking, perhaps they were. They�d both known one another for 20 years. That first day puppy walking Jim. It was amazing just how quickly time flew June thought. And who would have thought? June Ackland with Jim Carver. If someone had told her that it was going to happen 2 years ago, she would have laughed in their face. She couldn�t deny that she��d always had feelings for Jim. He was a gorgeous man, always laughing, smiling and joking. And yes, she really was in safe hands because she knew just how much Jim cared for her.
Jim pulled up in front of a salubrious looking house.
��Not bad eh?�� Jim commented over the steering wheel. June looked though the misty rain at an old yet preserved house with cute English garden teeming with box hedges and roses of all varieties.
��It�s gorgeous���� June said in awe.
The two of them got out of the car and headed up the cobblestone pathway to the mahogany door.
��I think I could live around here.�� Jim said, as he looked at the numerous Audi�s and Rolls Royce�s parked in the neighbouring driveways.
��It�s a bit stifling Jim�� June said as she rang the doorbell.
A dainty lady opened the door and greeted Jim and June with a warm smile.
��Hello Mrs Hodges, I�m Sgt June Ackland and this is my colleague PC Jim Carver from Sun Hill Police Station. Do you mind if we come in?��
��Oh I am so sorry for making you both stand on that freezing doorstep me dears. Please please come in.��
June and Jim walked into the grand Victorian house. The scent and sounds of a wood fire crackling nearby reminded June of her childhood home as she stepped onto the plush carpet. The furniture was divine and obviously expensive. Chandeliers were hanging from the ceilings and paintings and photographs of all descriptions covered almost all of the wall space. They could realise why this house was a target for a robbery. How could it not be? Its grand, dominating presence in the street makes it possibly the finest house in Sun Hill. They were lead through to a striking drawing room by Mrs Hodges where she explained all there was to know about the house. Where things were kept, keys, pets etc. By the end of the discussion June and Jim were very fond of the house.
When Jim bid Mrs Hodges goodbye, he came and joined June on the sofa.
��What do you think?�� Jim enquired.
June slipped off her mules and shifted her body around to face Jim.
��It�s almost as stunning as you,�� she said as she lifted herself onto his lap straddling his legs. Jim reacted almost immediately teasing June�s neck with his light kisses as she lay down on the coach with him on top of her. Jim started to unbutton June�s blouse just as Jim�s mobile rang.
��Who is it?�� June asked slightly annoyed as she started to sit upright.
��Meadows�� Jim said glancing at the LCD screen of his mobile.
��Jim Carver��yes Jack��of course��yes...what?�� Jim�s face flashed with panic. ����Alright��yes sir, we�ll do that immediately����
��What?�� June asked while redressing the top half of her body.
��We�ve got to get into gear,�� Jim said while cautiously looking through the drapes.
��Why? What��s wrong?�� June asked slightly agitated.
��They�re outside��come on, come upstairs now.��
��Who�s outside? Jack?��
��No, the fish looking for the bait�� Jim replied cryptically. ��And no-one else has arrived yet��
June finally caught on and a rush of alarm splashed through her body. Andy Rodgers, their target was outside ready to come in here. He must have seen Mrs Hodges leave thought June.
��And the others,�� June whispered as she glanced at her watch
��won�t be here for at least another 5 minutes����
Jim led June back to the main hallway and started towards the stairs as the huge front door opened with a click��
A large imposing figure stood transfixed at the front door. Jim and June were still making their way up the stairs as Andy Thomas tugged Jim�s collar. June watched as Jim fell back down the stairs. She saw the way his body was limp and lifeless as it lay awkwardly at the foot of the stairs horrified her. June started towards the lifeless Jim as Andy Thomas swung at her face. June fell to the floor with a sickening thud, blood streaming out of her nose, her hand poking out at a strange angle... But she held on, she started to stand to defend herself just as Thomas pulled out a gun from his trousers.
��Now what do you think yer doing sweetheart?�� He said while grabbing June by the shirt and throwing her once again to the floor.
��I�ve got a feeling that you don�t know much about me���� Andy whined.
��You don�t know the half of it�� June muttered full of hate and rage.
Andy bent down to face the bleeding June. June noted his scent, cigarettes and sweat. He was an ogre, disfigured face with a snarling mouth. His stubble, reinforcing his grotesque looks.
��Who do you think you are sweetheart? Noble warrior?��
��Sgt June Ackland��Sun Hill police.��
Andy Thomas�s expression changed, from slightly smug to devilish hatred.
��Pig.�� Andy spat at June. ��You�re all fucking pigs, the lot of yer.��
June coughed and spluttered��noticing droplets of blood landing in her broken hand. Andy Thomas�� gun was resting against his cheek; he laughed bearing down on Jim. He started towards the drawing room just as June approached behind him with a lamp��
Andy Thomas spun around just as June smashed the antique over his head. June stood there swaying slightly as she watched him fall to the ground. Almost immediately she rushed over to Jim�s side.
��Jim��Jim���� June said while trying to wake him. She checked his pulse and breathing. Thankfully they were both strong. June stumbled over, resting her broken hand, to the phone by the front door. She picked up and dialled Meadows� number. June, kneeling by the phone, tried to control her erratic breathing. She was dizzy, as if she��d flown around in circles for hours.
Finally after several rings there was an answer.
��Jack���� she breathed as bile rose in her throat.
��June? June, what�s happened?��
��Jack�� she cried. ��Help, Jim and I are hurt��Thomas is unconscious��oh I��I��
Suddenly, a shot pieced the silent; still air in the Hodges home and June Ackland fell to the floor leaving the phone hanging by its cord��
Jack, dishevelled and tired, stood in the corridor of St Hughs constantly pacing the same area.
June had gone into surgery as soon as she had arrived. A single shot had gone into her chest, penetrating the left side of her body. Jim was in ICU with head injuries. And there was Jack, scared. Scared for June, scared for Jim, scared of the thought that he might be responsible for what had happened. Questions flew around in his already throbbing head.
Feeling slightly uneasy on his feet he sat down on the sterile vinyl bench.
��Jack?��
Jack looked up and saw Tony and Gina coming out of the elevator. He stood up to greet them.
��Jack, how are they?�� asked Gina and Tony in concern.
Jack looked to the side and realised he couldn�t lie about their conditions.
��Jim�s in ICU, head injuries�� Jack watched Tony and Gina gasp at this news.
��June�s been in surgery for about 3 hours now. She was shot in the chest.��
Between them, they all shone the whitest white there is. All three had aged 10 years upon learning this news.
Jack sat down again with Tony and Gina following.
��Have you seen Jim?�� asked Tony with a slight edge in his voice.
��Yep, he�s unconscious. He�s serious but they say he�s stable.��
��Uh.�� For a moment there was silence, just the three of them, sitting in the corridor with the light flickering above them. It was a depressing and eerie scene.
The doors leading to theatre crashed open and a doctor and nurse came through.
��Mr Meadows?�� they asked.
��Yes.��
��Ms Ackland has just come out of surgery ��
��How did it go?�� asked an eager Gina cutting the doctor off.
��She�s in ICU, in a critical condition. However, we do believe she was very lucky for pulling through. She lost a large amount of blood very quickly and we believe there shouldn�t be any brain damage despite the lack of oxygen intake at the time of the shooting. The injuries caused by the bashing were not severe.�� Replied the doctor.
��However, we must stress that she is still very fragile. The next 48 hours will be vitally important in deciding her fate,�� added the nurse.
��Can we see her?�� asked Tony.��Of course, however we have to ask you to not disturb her.��
The doctor and nurse led them through the plastic door to a green corridor with signs to Theatres and Wards. They turned down one of the corridors and were led to a very quiet ward that resembled a rabbit�s warren. June was in the third room to the left, two rooms away from Jim. It was a horrible sight. June was covered in a web of tubes and monitors surrounded her like family. She was pale, her dry skin stretched over her bony face. The three of them stood in the doorway horrified that this happened to a colleague �� a colleague they all loved.
Throughout the night visitors came and went. Details of Jim and June�s families were hunted down. Andy Thomas was held in the Sun Hill nick and treated with the utmost disgust by the relief. The night brought some progress. Jim roused for a moment and asked after June. Before anyone could have replied he had drifted off into his eternal slumber again. Jack asked if Jim could be moved to the room next to June and the nursing staff hurriedly met his wishes. Now, the two of them shared a large room to themselves.
��They look so peaceful together,�� said Gina.
Jack and Tony were taken aback by the abrupt outburst displayed by Gina. They both turned their heads to look at her and saw that tears had welled up in her eyes.
��Oh god���� Gina broke down into a flurry of tears as Tony went over to embrace her. Jack stayed in his chair, light-headedness getting the better of him. It was a tormenting sight to see Gina emotional over Jim and June.
��They�ll be fine,�� Jack said soothingly and softly. ��They�ll be fine.��
His eyelids were heavy, as if being born again, seeing for the first time. The lights��the lights were harsh and painful. He could feel his head throbbing and his leg aching. He started to look around the room. Gina, Tony, Jack, all slumped uncomfortably in their armchairs trying to sleep��he saw nurses outside through the glass��and he saw��
��June!�� Jim said in a husky voice. ��June!�� Jim repeated. He stretched out an arm to try and touch her but��damn��she was too far. She lay there with machines buzzing around her, tubes left, right and centre. It was painful to see her, he wanted to comfort her and be with her. Terminate her pain with his touch.
��June��June��June�� he cried again, his voice gaining strength each time he wailed her name.
But she didn��t respond.
Jim turned his head back up towards the ceiling and felt tears staining his skin.
��Jim? Mate, you right?��
Tony had been waken by Jim and was over by his side.
��She won�t talk to me. What�s wrong with her?�� Jim cried.
��She�s in a bad way mate.�� Tony replied reluctantly. ��She was shot in the chest by Thomas�� he continued. ��They did some surgery on her yesterday afternoon, they�re not sure how she�ll go���� At this news Jim turned back to look at her and his tears continued to flow. ��But you�ve got to be strong mate,�� Tony replied. ��Not only for yourself but also for June����Yep, I know���� Jim said trying to regain composure.
��I tell you what Jim,�� Tony said in his most enthusiastic voice, ��we didn�t expect to see you come around so quick! Doctors said you wouldn�t wake up for a couple of days.��
��What time is it��what day?��
��It happened yesterday Jim,�� said Gina. ��About 26 hours ago now.�� Gina had risen to join the conversation by Jim�s bedside. ��Hello, Jim. Looking good you are, fighting fit.�� She joked.
It was received warmly by Tony and Jim, a good moment to cut the sadness.
��You haven�t been here all that time have you?�� Jim asked.
��No and yes I�m afraid�� replied Gina. ��We�ve been coming and going, us and the entire relief that is.��
��My head really hurts,�� said Jim. ��Think I might have a sleep.��
��Good thinking Jim,�� replied Tone. ��And don�t worry, we�ll all be here when you wake up.��
After a few minutes Jim had fallen back to sleep. Gina and Tony left the room to stand outside. Gina turned to Tony as they watched through the glass outside the room.
��What d�you think?�� asked Gina.
��I dunno, he�s not that bad. But he��s feeling for June, you can just see it.��
��Is there something going on between them that I don�t know about?�� asked Gina suspiciously.
Tony looked from Jim to June and finally to Gina rather sheepishly. The look said it all.
��Now I understand.�� Gina said with a slight giggle.
��They�ve been together for months now. They�ll kill me if they found out I was telling you their secret.��
��How did you find out?�� asked Gina as they walked off to find a coffee machine.
��Well to cut a long story short, I went around to June�s house the night of the riots outside my place,�� Gina nodded remembering the Lee Dywer incident.
��And I knocked on the door with flowers and all. June answered in her dressing gown and was completely shocked to see me. Just as that happened, Jim came down the stairs in his dressing gown. I was infuriated, so I dumped the flowers on June and walked off.��
��Why were you angry?�� asked Gina, ��you aren�t��jealous��are you?��
��Oh, no not really. It was the fact that June and Jim had denied that anything was going on when I asked them that day. It was really a bit of an over reaction on my part.��
��Hmmm.�� Replied Gina.
For days, Jim and June remained in ICU their conditions slightly improving. Their shared room was now decorated with flowers from various well-wishers.
Jim remained in ICU with June just as he asked, despite the fact that Jim was now well enough to move around. He now kept a bedside vigil for June, waiting in anticipation for her to wake up. Days progressed and Jim still stayed. The relief took turns to keep Jim company during both the day and night. Jim couldn�t believe just how understanding they all were. They all cared about both him and June. But, never together in the one breath��
��Great news everybody!�� said Tony as he rushed into the packed canteen.Everybody instantly hushed.
��June��s regained consciousness!�� Tony beamed at the attentive crowd.
Everyone in the canteen burst out in applause.��How is she?�� yelled out Nick Klein. Again everyone went quiet.
��She�s had a knock or two but you know June. She��ll be fighting fit soon and back in CSU before you know it.�� Tony replied.
Gina who was sitting at a table with Craig Gilmore found this quite surprising.
��Can�t believe she�ll be returning,�� said Gina to Craig.
��What makes you say that ma�am?�� replied Craig.
��What with the shooting and all, I�d be spooked out of the job,�� said Gina very seriously.
��Oh come off it Gina, we all know June. The job is her life; we�re like her family to her. She wouldn�t just leave like that.��
��Hmmm, good point��but you don�t know what I know�� Gina replied cheekily.
��Jim could you pass me my moisturiser.�� June asked.
��Is that the last of it?�� Jim replied while looking around the hospital room.
��I think so,�� June replied while trying to zip up her duffle bag.
Jim spotted June having difficulty and moved over to help her. Both their hands met and zipped up the bag with ease.
��I was so worried about you,�� Jim blurted out. ��I would sit by our bedside trying to rouse you but nothing would work.��
June sat down on her bed with Jim, hand in hand.
��Do you remember the time when Mickey first arrived at Sun Hill and he had a hunch about something? It was down at the social club, do you remember?�� June asked.
��It was when that��um��Colin guy took a swing at you with that Sledgehammer. Wasn�t it?��
��Yep. Then while we were waiting for Mickey to have a talk to the prisoner in the van. We wandered off and had a chat.��
��Mmm����
��That was the first night that I started to think that maybe what I had been looking for was in right in front of my eyes. It was the way you were so gentle and kind��There��s no point denying it Jim but I�ve always had trouble with men. Never can find just what I�m looking for��and for the first time in my life, I think I�ve found it.��
Jim looked up from watching their embracing hands to see the truthful look June was giving him.
��And I�m just hoping��Jim Carver, that you still feel the same way.��
��Of course I do.�� Jim said as he hugged June.
��Oh thank god for that,�� she said exasperated.
After a while they parted from their embrace and placed a delicate kiss on one another�s lips. Jim pulled away with a questioning face.
��Why do you ask? I mean, why did you think I would stop loving you?�� Jim asked.
June bit her lip; she wanted to choose her words carefully here.
��There is something that the doctors picked up��on my blood tests��and further tests were done those times when you weren�t here. Jim they found out that I was��I am��I�m��pregnant.��
Jim took a short intake of breath, reeling at the words June had just spoken.
��My god�� he said breathlessly. ��You and me...�� at these words June nodded. Jim picked June up in his arms and hugged her for seeming like eternity, both with tears streaming down their cheeks. Once Jim let go, June began to speak once again. ��I�m two and a half months. A little while ago I missed a period, but I just thought that it was ��the change��. It hasn��t been regular in the last while. So I thought nothing of it. Can you believe it! I�m two and a half months and I didn�t even notice...�� June said as she wiped away her tears.
��But what about what just happened June, you were shot in the chest, surely that had some sort of impact on the baby.�� Jim said helplessly. June calmly shook her head.
��The doctors have already investigated it, the baby is...wonderfully healthy.��
They both sat on the bed in silence, savoring this blissful moment. They both felt comfortable with the silence, as it was a silence of awe and wonder. Jim turned to look at June and kissed her delicately on her temple, took her hand and led her out of the room.
As they drove back towards June�s house they both spoke excitedly about the baby, when was the first ultrasound? As they approached the house the question of whether they should move to a bigger place also popped up.
��Oh Jim!�� June exclaimed. ��It is one child! Are you saying that we cannot fit in a two bedroom terrace? The three of us?�� June chuckled.
��It was just an idea...�� Jim said sheepishly. ��So, when did they tell you?�� Jim asked June.
��About three days ago now, when you were in the station sorting something out for Gina. Dr Jamieson came in a told me all about it. He said that the baby was in excellent health and no need for an emergency ultrasound. They scheduled one for tonight instead, so you can come along.�� Jim reeled at this news.
��Tonight...an ultrasound!�� Jim said disbelievingly.
��Yes Jim...why? You sound worried. I didn��t schedule it for the wrong time did I?�� June asked.
��No...no, not at all June. I just can�t believe it, it�s happening so fast!�� Jim said as he turned the key in the blue door.
As the two of them stepped in, June was greeted with a sweet smelling home full of flowers and a...what? A new sofa!
��Oh Jim...this is so sweet of you�� June said as she grasped his hand.
��Uh, yes. I�m sorry, I totally forgot all about this...I thought I might give you a real proper homecoming. Do you like it?�� said Jim gesturing towards the sofa.
��What do you think Jim?�� June said as she pushed him up against the wall and began to kiss him deeply and exploring his mouth. This was another thing she missed while she was in hospital, this intimacy with Jim. It was so passionate and spontaneous, just like the man she had pinned up against her.
He was beginning to tug on her skirt as she fell away from him giggling.
��Uh uh.�� She said playfully as she waved a finger at him. She patted her stomach and looked up at Jim. They instantly fell into loud, hearty laughter.
That evening, Jim decided that before the ultrasound they�d go into the nick, just to let everyone know that June was out of hospital. She also had some paperwork to complete with Gina, concerning the next two weeks of leave she had been given.
��Are you ready June?�� Jim called up the stairs.��Oi. Give me some time for christ�s sake�� she called back.
��Someone would think you�re making the toilet paper.�� Jim called back as he fixed up the shirt he was wearing. ��Finally�� Jim said to himself as the toilet upstairs flushed. June came bumbling down the stairs, looking absolutely exquisite in her turtleneck jumper and pants. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she picked up her handbag and noticed Jim watching her.
��What?�� she asked as she checked the contents of her bag.
��Mmm. You look ravishing.�� Said Jim making a start towards her. June caught him and he started to delicately kiss her neck.
��If you start that we�ll never get going�� June said breathlessly.
Jim stopped it, with an expression of mock defeat. June shut the door behind them as they moved out to June�s blue corolla.
��What do you think about getting a new car?�� asked Jim.
��Why on earth would you want to do that?�� asked June.
��Oh no reason...�� said Jim as he got into the drivers seat of the car.
��I�ve just got a funny feeling. That�s all.�� June looked across at him as he started the car.
��A funny feeling? Hang on, I thought I was the pregnant one?�� She said with a chuckle.
As Jim started to drive towards the station she looked at Sun Hill, to find if it had changed in any way, shape or form. Then as Jim turned into the yard of Sun Hill police station June was startled with what she saw...