'Hi sorry it's late I was just wondering if Jim was in' Tony said
'No sorry Tone he is still at the nick, working late'
'Are you sure?'
'Yes why?'
'It's just I went up to CSU and Brandon said he left an hour ago, he must have been mistaken' Tony smiled 'Oh well never mind, see you tomorrow June'
'Yeah see you Tone' June replied looking puzzled
Perhaps Jim wasn't at work, perhaps he lied to me she thought but why would he do that she continued to herself.
Meanwhile at the clinic Nick had just come out of the support group 'What did you think?' Jim asked
'It was better than I thought, thanks Jim'
'It's alright, will you be coming again?'
'I am not sure I can do this on my own' Nick cried
'You are not alone Nick, I will help you all I can, I know what it's like remember, ok I may not have been addicted to drugs but I was to alcohol. This is going to be a long hard road but you will get there Nick you will' Jim said patting Nicks back
'Jim will you come to the meetings with me?' Nick asked
'If that's what you want'
'Thanks and Jim you won't tell anyone about this will you not even Sgt Ackland'
'Don't worry this is between us two'
'Thanks'
'Same time on Friday then?' Jim said
'I suppose'
'Come on I will drop you off' Jim smiled
Jim dropped Nick home and then went home himself.
'June' Jim said
'In the lounge' June replied
Jim walked into the lounge and kissed her on the cheek
'Nice night' he asked
'Quiet, how about you did you get your work done?'
'Most of it'
'Oh Tony popped around to see you, he tried to find you in CSU but Brandon told him you had gone home'
'Yes I went out on a case'
'I thought that's what it was' June said. He felt so terrible that he had to lie to her but he wanted to help Nick and he couldn't see how else to do it.'I'm tired I am going up, are you going to join me?' Jim asked
June stood up and placed her hands on his chest 'Jim if anything was bothering you, you would tell me wouldn't you?' June said
'Of course'
'Because a problem shared is a problem halved' she smiled
'June there's nothing worrying me honestly'
'Ok' June said as she kissed him
They both went upstairs and went to bed.
The next morning they arrived at work and they bumped into Tony 'Hi Tone' June smiled
'Morning' he replied 'Jim can I have a word please'
'Sure' Jim replied as he followed Tony into the locker room
'Jim where were you last night?' Tony asked
'I was working late'
'Don't lie' Tony shouted ' I asked in CSU and they told me you had gone home but when I got to June's you weren't there either, so where were you'
'Look Tone it's not what you think' Jim tried to explain
Tony grabbed Jim and pushed hi against the lockers 'If you are cheating on June Jim you will have me to deal with is that clear' Tony snapped
'Get off me' Jim shouted 'I am not cheating on June I would never do that to her I love her'
'Love you don't know the meaning of the word'
'And you do I suppose, oh get off me Tone, you are just jealous' Jim said as he walked off back up to CSU.
Jim stomped into CSU in a right temper 'Jim' June said looking concerned 'What's the matter?'
Nothing I am fine' he replied
'Jim this is me you are talking to'
'Oh it's just one of the prisoners that's all they are playing up'
'Are you sure that's all it is?' June asked
'Yes, I am fine honestly'
For the rest of the day Jim was busy doing paperwork and June went out on a couple of cases.
A week later
Jim arrived back late again, this was the fourth time in the last week. 'Jim what is going on?' June asked
'What do you mean?'
'All these late nights and don't try and tell me it's the work load because I am your boss remember'
'Ok, ok I have been doing some extra work' Jim lied once again
'What kind of extra work?'
'Just bar work, I am doing it as a favour to a mate that's all' Jim said
'Oh well why didn't you tell me' June smiled ' I thought you had got bored of me or something'
'No' Jim said 'No June I would never get bored of you, you must never think like that'
'Jim I didn't know what to think''June I love you and I would never do anything to hurt you' Jim said as he kissed her passionately 'Come on lets go to bed' Jim continued
June didn't object, she had been feeling a bit neglected of late because Jim was coming home late, he was a bit snappy and she could tell he was worried about something but now he had explained what he was doing she thought that would be the end of it. She followed him up the stairs and they undressed each other and made love slowly and passionately. 'Oh Jim I have missed this, you'
'I am sorry I know I have been neglecting you these last couple of weeks, its just I was worried about the extra job' Jim said
'You should have just told me'
'I know, I'm sorry' Jim smiled as he kissed her again
'It doesn't matter now' June replied as she snuggled up to him and fell asleep.
The next morning Jim and June were working in CSU when Nick walked in looking dreadful 'Jim I need to speak to you'
'What is it?' Jim asked
'Not here'
'Ok come in here' Jim said pointing to the interview room
Jim shut the door 'Now calm down and tell me what's wrong' Jim said
'Everyone is going to find out, I am finished, oh god' Nick said rocking back and for
'How?'
'Kirsty that girl that runs the group, she's downstairs' Nick said
'What do you mean? She's been arrested?' Jim asked looking confused
'No, I left my jacket there last night she is returning it and when she tells Robbie that is it' Nick sobbed
'Calm down, you are not going to lose your job'
'I will I am finished'
'Look I will go and see her, you stay away, I will sort it don't worry. Just pull yourself together' Jim replied
'ok'
Nick wiped his eyes and followed Jim 'Well thanks for that Nick I will get onto it straight away' Jim said
'No problem'
Nick left CSU and Jim followed 'Jim' June shouted
'Not now June' Jim snapped as he left
June sighed and got back on with her work.
Jim walked out into reception 'Kirsty' Jim smiled
'Jim, I was hoping to see��'
'Look Kirsty about last night' Jim whispered and took her into the interview room 'Look no one knows about Nicks addiction and we would like to keep it that way'
'I understand, well if you could just give him this' Kirsty said handing over the coat
'Thanks'
Kirsty left and Jim sighed with relief
Tony saw Kirsty leave 'You will never guess what I just heard' Robbie smiled
'What?' Tony asked
'I just heard Jim talking to that woman I think he spent the night with her'
'What?' Tony snapped
'Well he pulled her to one side and said look about last night'
'I will kill him' Tony said angrily
He followed Jim into the locker room
'Tony don't do anything stupid' Robbie shouted
Tony slammed the locker room door shut behind him, walked up to Jim and thumped him 'Argh' Jim cried
'You told me you were not cheating on June, you liar' Tony shouted
'I wasn't lying' Jim protested as he nursed his eye
'Jim Robbie just over heard you talking to that woman, I am going to kill you' Tony said as he thumped Jim again
'Tony you got this all wrong'
'I don't think so, I knew you would hurt her, I told her but she wouldn't listen'
'Tony I love June'
'I don't want to hear it Jim, how could you do this to June, how' Tony shouted as he punched Jim to the floor
'Tony please' Jim begged
Just as Tony went to punch him again Nick walked in and grabbed him 'Tony what are you doing?' Nick said
'He deserves it' Tony snapped
'What's he done?'
'He's been cheating on June, I just saw the woman, she even came to the station, how low can you get'
'No Tony you are wrong' Nick said
'Nick don't' Jim snapped
'No Jim, I know this isn't true. Tony stop this, Jim is not having an affair'
'Oh get off me' Tony snapped ' I don't want to hear it, I think it's about time June found out what you have been up to' he continued as he walked out
'No Tony please' Jim begged 'You are wrong' he sobbed
Tony walked off
'I am sorry Jim' Nick said 'This is all my fault, I should never have let you get involved'
'Don't be silly' Jim said
'But you could loose everything' Nick wept
'Look don't worry about me just concentrate on yourself'
'But�� |'
'Please Nick, if nothing else comes out of this mess at least you will be off the drugs'
'Ok'Nick helped Jim up and tried to patch him up
Meanwhile Tony walked into CSU 'June I need to talk to you' Tony said
'Oh Tony I am really busy can we talk later'
'No now' he insisted
'Go on then'
'I am sorry June, but Jim has been having an affair' Tony blurted out
'What?' June replied looking shocked
'I am really sorry'
'How do you know?' June said trying to hold back the tears
'Robbie over heard him in reception talking to some woman'
'Oh' June said as she broke down into Tony's arms
'I am so sorry June'
'How could he do this I thought he loved me' June sobbed
'I know'
'Were is he?' June snapped all of a sudden
'In the locker room I think'
'Right'
June ran off towards the locker room and Tony followed. She walked in and saw Nick patching up Jim's face 'June......'
'Don't say anything Jim, you disgust me' June cried ' How could you Jim I thought you loved me'
'I do, you have got this all wrong I would never do anything to hurt you June'
'So sleeping with someone else isn't hurting me is it. Jim what was it, wasn't I enough for you, did you need a younger woman'
'No' Jim protested
'Sarge he�� |' Nick started
'Don't stick up for him Nick'
'I should have known, you coming home late not telling me where you were and to think I believed you when you said you were helping a friend, what a fool I am'
'No June, please'
'Jim I don't want you anywhere near me' June shouted 'I will bag your stuff and put it out the front of the house'
'Sarge' nick shouted
'Be quite Nick' Tony snapped 'Come on June I will take you home'
June followed Tony, she was sobbing her heart out. Seeing Jim battered like that, she just wanted to hug him, kiss him but he betrayed her, how could he do that, the only man she truly loved betrayed her in the worst possible way.
Back in the locker room Jim sobbed too ' Jim please let me tell her the truth, this isn't fair on you' Nick said
'No' Jim snapped 'You wanted to keep it quiet so just don't say anything'
'But..'
'Look Nick if June believes I could do something like that then maybe we don't have a relationship anyway. She obviously doesn't trust me' Jim cried wiping his eyes
'This isn't right, you and Sgt Ackland are meant to be together. I must admit I laughed at first when I found out about you too but I have seen how much you love each other. You love her like I loved Cass' Nick broke down
'Come on, let's get back to work'
Nick went back to work and Jim was sent home by Gina. He went back to his lonely flat and placed the whiskey bottle he had bought on the table. He stared at the bottle for ages and then he picked it up and threw it across the room. He then slid down the wall and sobbed.
The following day Jim returned to work and tried to talk to June but she ignored him. The station gossips were in over drive talking about yesterdays goings on's. The rest of the week was pretty much the same with June ignoring Jim but Jim stuck to his guns and continued to help Nick and go to the meetings with him.
1 week later
Jim was sitting in the canteen on his own, no one would sit with him, he was being blanked by everyone. 'Look at him he's pathetic.' Tony snapped 'Why doesn't he just do us all a favour and leave.'
'I know, you would have thought he would have wouldn't you?' Cathy added as they went and sat next to June.
Jim got up and went to the bin. 'Excuse me Sarge, can I pass please?' Jim said.
'Did you hear something Des?' Matt said.
'No.'
'No, nor me.' Matt replied.
Jim sighed and went to walk out. 'No Jim stop.' Nick shouted. 'Wait.'
'Nick just leave it.' Jim replied.
'No this has gone on long enough, I can't allow it any longer it's not fair.'
'Nick please we agreed.'
Nick turned to face everyone. 'Look you lot stop having a go at Jim he hasn't done anything.'
'What do you mean he hasn't down anything he cheated on June.' Tony snapped.
'No, no he didn't. Over the last few weeks Jim has been helping me.'
'Nick you don't have to do this.' Jim said.
'I do.'
'Look we don't want to hear it.' Matt said. 'He cheated on her.'
'No you are not listening.' Nick shouted.
'He's a cheat and a liar and was never good enough for June.' Tony snapped.
'Jim is the nicest, kindest man I have ever met, he has been through a lot himself but still always puts others before himself.' Nick said.
June put her head down and Tony placed his hand on her back.
'Nick that's enough you are upsetting June.' Matt said.
'No, I have to say this.' Nick said trying to hold back the tears. 'If it wasn't for Jim I would probably have lost my job by now, over the last few weeks Jim has been helping me fight my addiction.'
'What?' Kerry said.Jim walked up to Nick and placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. ' You don't have to say anymore.' Jim whispered.
'I do, you see you have all been ignoring him, shouting at him calling him names for something he hasn't even done but does he stop it, no, he could have oh yes but he didn't.' Nick cried. 'I should have said something earlier I shouldn't have allowed him to take the rap but he asked me not to say anything so I didn't.'
'Nick what addiction.' Kerry said looking concerned.
'Drugs.' Nick replied putting his head down. 'Jim found me in the toilets the day of your wedding and he has been helping me since. So when he told you Sgt Ackland that he was late home because he was helping a friend he was telling the truth, he was helping me.' Nick broke down.
'Come on Nick.' Jim said.
'No I haven't finished, Jim took me to a clinic and a support group and he has attended every session with me.' Nick said. 'He has been a tower of strength and I know it must have been hard on him with him fighting his own addiction but he still stuck in there for me.'
'Yeah well this is all very nice but what about the woman in reception?' Tony shouted.
June looked at Jim with tears in her eyes.
'That woman in reception wasn't Jim's bit on the side it was a woman from the support group. I had left my coat at the group and she had come to give it to me, but when I saw her I freaked out. I thought everyone would find out so I turned to Jim and he said don't worry I will sort it, so he went to tell her that no one at the station knew about my addiction and that I wanted it kept that way. So what ever you thought you heard was wrong Jim was once again helping me out.' Nick cried 'I even watched Tony beat Jim up because Jim didn't want to let my secret out, so now you know I am a drug addict and Jim is not a cheating monster he was just trying to help me.' He continued.
Everyone went quiet. Jim squeezed Nick's shoulder once more. 'Thank you.' he said before he walked out.
Tears flowed down his cheeks as he entered the male toilets.
June was also crying. 'How could I have been so stupid?' she said.
'This is all my fault.' Tony added. 'I am sorry June.'
June got up and ran out. She went to find Jim
Kerry and Luke went up to Nick and hugged him
Jim walked out of the toilets into the locker room where he found June waiting, he quickly turned to walk back out 'Jim' she shouted 'Jim wait please'
'Why I think we both know where we stand'
'Jim why didn't you tell me the truth?' she cried
'June, Nick asked me not to tell anyone and so I respected his wish.'
'But why keep it to yourself when everyone was accusing you of having affair' June sobbed
'Because he's a kid June, a lovely kid, with a horrible addiction. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for him to have a chance of coming off the drugs. I have been there remember at such a low point, I know how hard it is''Oh Jim' June cried
'There was many times I nearly told you but I just couldn't'
'But you let Tony beat you up, me accuse you and you sat back and let everyone ignore you for something you didn't do'
'I tried to tell you that you were wrong but you wouldn't listen' Jim cried 'Tony had told you what he thought he had heard and you believed him, you didn't even ask me if it was true'
'I know'
'That hurt June, it showed me you don't trust me'
'I do Jim, I do'
'No, no you don't'
'Jim I love you' June protested
'Maybe you do but you don't trust me, you trust Tony more than me'
'No your wrong'
'June you believed Tony over me'
'I know and I should have known better I think he is jealous of you'
'Of me' Jim laughed 'I don't think so'
'He is Jim'
'Why?'
'Because I love you'
'What?' Jim asked
'Jim I wasn't going to tell you this but at Kerry and Luke's engagement party Tony tried it on with me'
'He did what?' Jim shouted
'So you do still care for me then' June said
'Of course I do, I love you'
'Oh Jim, can we try again' June asked 'Please' she begged 'This last week has been horrible I have cried myself to sleep every night. I just wanted you to hold me, touch me, kiss me, make love to me but on the other hand I hated you because I thought you had gone off with someone else and I couldn't bare that' she continued
'How could you think I could do something like that to you June?' Jim asked
'I don't know, my judgement was cloudy, I had people telling me one thing and others telling me something else, but I was the fool I should have ignored everyone and listened to my instincts, listened to the only man I have ever loved'
'You know that night you threw me out'
'Oh please don't remind me'
'That night I was so close to drinking, I even bought a bottle of whisky, but when it came to drinking it I couldn't because all I could think of was you, so I threw it at the wall' Jim sobbed
'Oh Jim' June said as she hugged him. He held her tight, taking in her smell, the smell he had missed so much. 'Jim I..'
'Shush' Jim interrupted as he kissed her 'I have missed you' he said
'I have missed you too' June cried 'I am so sorry, I love you so much'
He kissed her again but this time it was more passionate, then they were interrupted by Tony 'Um...sorry I'Jim let June go and walked over to Tony 'What was it Tone, jealous, jealous that I had something that you couldn't have. Jealous that June loves me?' Jim snapped
'No'
'Don't lie' Jim said pushing him against the wall ' June told me about you making a pass at her'
'Um�� | Jim I am sorry I�� |'
'Jim let him go please' June protested
Jim let him go 'Let me explain' Tony said
'Like you let me you mean, just get out Tony, just get out'
Tony left and June walked up to Jim and hugged him 'Oh June I am so lucky to have you' Jim smiled
'No I am the lucky one'
He kissed her and they walked out up to the canteen. They walked through the double doors and everyone clapped, one by one they got up and apologised for their behaviour. Jim and June walked over to Nick 'Thank you Nick' Jim said
'It's the least I could do'
'Would you still like my support'
'Yes if you don't mind sarge'
'Of course not Nick, we will all help you get through this the best we can'
'Thanks sarge, you are a lucky woman sarge' Nick said
'I know Nick'
'I would hold onto him there aren't many like him around' Robbie shouted
'I know and that's why I want to ask him something in front of everyone here today' June said
'Oh yes' Jim smiled
'Yes, Jim I know I have hurt you but I am truly sorry and I do love you. Jim will you marry me?' June asked
'Will I marry you?...........yes, yes of course I will'
Jim beamed as he picked her up and swung her around.
'Oh great' Nick smiled
'Nick will you be my best man' Jim asked out of the blue
'Are you sure?
'Of course I am' Jim smiled
'Then I would be honoured too'
Everyone congratulated the two love- birds and then they sealed the day off with a passionate kiss.
A year later Jim and June were married in a small church in the country, Nick had been clean for 11 months and Tony and Jim had made up.