Cold Day in July Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters as always Dedication: To Tori, Charlotte, Marissa, Em and Kim. Thanks a bunch guys. Note: Right at the end where you see Jason it's P.J and Angie it's Maggie. * * * Flashback (Maggie and P.J are lying in each other's arms in bed. They've now been together two years). "Hey Maggs I love you" "I love you too P.J. I'll always love you" Maggie replied while rolling over to face him properly. "So you'd never leave me?" P.J asked with puppy dog eyes. "I'd leave you on a cold day in July P.J" P.J's eyes open wider in bemusement. "Hey Maggs…" "And before you think I'm stupid I know that it gets freezing cold in July. What I'm meaning to say is that as long as we're together you'll never feel cold because I'll always be there for you and I'll always be there to keep you warm" "Hey I don't think you're stupid I just thought your explanation was a little weird but now I understand. Make sure you always believe the same from me ok. I will always be there for you. No matter what ok. I love you so much" He leans forward and gives Maggie a long deep kiss. "I'll never leave you P.J. I promise. " I know Maggs" Cut back to the present * * * P.J stood in his doorway in a jumper and tracksuit pants in bare feet. He watched as the sun dawned over the rugged hills of Mt Thomas and the surrounding regions. He turned to see Maggie, his fiancée and love of his life picking up her last bag and move towards him at the door. She moved to walk past him but he intercepted her and took the bag out of her hands. He saw the tears forming in her eyes for the hundredth time since she was told she'd have to leave on witness protection. In silence he carried the bag out to her car and plunked it on the back seat. Maggie opened the front door of her car and turned on the ignition. She was about to sit down when P.J's hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back to face him. Because Maggie had turned on the ignition, the radio was playing softly in the background. The D.J briefly announced the next song but the couple were to busy gazing into each other's eyes to hear him say 'and the next song is Cold Day in July by the Dixie Chicks'. As the song began to play the pair both recognized the song and held each other tight as they listened to the sad lyrics. *The moon is full and my arms are empty All night long I've pleaded and cried You always said the day you'd leave me Would be a cold day in July Your bags are packed not a word is spoken I guess we said everything with good bye Times moves so slowly and promises get broken On this cold day in July Suns comin' up comin' up down on Main Street Children shout as they're running out to play Head in my hands here I am Standing in my bare feet Watching you drive away Watching you dive away You said that we were gonna last forever You said our love would never die It looks like spring and It feels like sunny weather But it's a cold day in July Oh sun's comin' up comin' up Down on Main Street Children shout as they're running out to play Whoa head in my hands Here I am standing in my bare feet Watching you drive away Watching you drive away The moon is full and my arms are empty All night I've pleaded and cried You always said that the day that You would leave me Would be a cold day in July Here comes that cold day in July Oh Yeah Oh yeah La da da la da da la da da Oh Ooo* "Our first cold day in July for about three years Magg,s" P.J spoke while pushing a stray strand of hair out of Maggie's face. She was too emotional to say anything. She just couldn't believe that this was happening. She was leaving the man she had loved all her life, even when she hadn't known him all her life. That was why she loved the Savage Garden song I knew I loved you (before I met you). "I never wanted to have another cold day in July. I never wanted to spend a day without you. I love you so much P.J" "Hey Maggs, it's not for forever. It's only three weeks and then I'll be there with you. I've never wanted something so much in my life. All I want is to be with you and for you to be safe ok" "I never wanted you to give up your life P.J. You're leaving everyone and everything you love behind. The life that you know and love. I could never make you make that sacrifice just for me. It's just too much" "It's no sacrifice Maggie. A sacrifice would be me not coming with you. I told you I'd never leave you and I'm not about to break that promise ever" Maggie nodded and pulled him into a hug. She knew he knew what he was doing. He was giving up himself. His life as Senior Detective Patrick Joseph Hasham and resident of Mt Thomas. She loved him dearly for what he was doing for her. "Thank you P.J. I love you. I know I'm not supposed to tell anyone what's going on but I had to. Can you make sure you give everyone those notes we wrote." "I promise I will give them to everyone. I love you so much. Hey don't cry I'll see you soon. I love you" P.J wiped a tear from Maggie's eye with his thumb. He leant down and kissed her. She draped her arms around his neck and held him close. Eventually P.J pulled away and gave her a huge hug. "C'mon Maggs, you've gotta go. I'll see you in exactly three weeks ok" Maggie smiled and gave him one final kiss. It would've been even harder to leave him forever. She hopped into her car and wound down the window. P.J knelt down beside the car and put his hand on her cheek. They shared their last kiss as Maggie Doyle and P.J Hasham. She pulled on her seat belt and drove off. P.J just stood on the curb and watched her drive off and around the corner. That was the last time he'd see Maggie in 21 days. He finally went inside and sat on the couch. When he couldn't stay there anymore he got dressed for work and drove off to the station. * * * For the next two weeks P.J was very quiet and lonely. He was counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until he could see Maggie. Everything was organized perfectly. He had handed in his resignation to Tom. Tom had tried every way possible to convince him not to leave. P.J was one of the best detectives Tom had ever known; losing him would be a huge tragedy. However, he could see that P.J's mind was made up. He also had a pretty fair idea why but he kept it to himself. Everyone else was pretty shocked to hear that P.J was leaving the force. They couldn't understand why. He hadn't undergone any major emotional trauma like an emotional case that he'd buggered up. He hadn't stuffed up in any way so why was he leaving? Little did they know but they'd find out soon. * * * Finally the dragging three weeks ended and P.J was ready to leave. All his belongings were packed and had been loaded onto a truck and sent off to their final destination: Adelaide. P.J didn't like the idea of living there much but as long as he was with Maggie he'd live anywhere. On his final day at the office the rest of the gang had organized a massive going away party for him. P.J arrived to a huge "GOOD LUCK" from everyone at the Imperial. It was a closed party so only his mated were there. The night went on and everyone was having a ball. P.J was having a pretty good time except for the fact that he was leaving all his mates and the job that had kept him off the streets for almost two decades. Eventually after about three hours of partying P.J announced he was leaving. He grabbed the bag he put in Chris' office and started handing out envelopes to all his co-workers and to Chris. Each had a farewell message from both Maggie and P.J inside. Tom also received a video that he was to show everyone the next day at work. Tom's instincts were right. He knew that P.J was leaving to be with Maggie. Those two could never [possibly live apart so it was logical that they would've worked this out together. P.J hugged everyone and left. He walked down the street by himself and in silence. As soon as he got to his house he unlocked the door grabbed his last couple of bags, made sure he had his airline tickets and drove his rented car to the airport where he boarded his plane on route to his fiancée. * * * Everyone sat in the pub in silence, staring at the envelope P.J had just given them. Silently between them with looks, they told each other to read it later while they were alone. Everyone was pretty emotional. Over the past three weeks they'd lost two close friends which they all cared about a lot. As each made their way home they though about all the great times they'd had with both Maggie and P.J. It wasn't as though either of them had died but they knew they would never see either of them again so it was almost the same. * * * Chris was the first to open her letter because she didn't have to go anywhere to go home. She was actually quite scared of what might be inside. Perhaps P.J had a scare in store for her? She opened it to find a note that read Dear Chris, Words cannot really express the gratitude we feel for everything you've done for us while we've been in Mt Thomas. Thank you so much for everything. This is probably a shock to get a letter from 'us'. Sorry we couldn't tell you face to face. We've decided to move on and start our lives off clean together. Unfortunately it's under new names (witness protection program). Don't worry we will send you photos of our wedding and any little bundles that might decide to grace us with their presence afterwards. (P.J wants at least four but I say three- M). Thank you again. We'll miss you heaps. Make sure you look after the rest of the gang for us. They're a good bunch over all Love Maggie and P.J Chris smiled as she finished reading the letter. She wasn't surprised at all that they'd eventually get together Jack and Jo sat together in Jo's room as they read their letters. Neither had known Maggie and P.J as long as some of the others. They figured their letters would be pretty standard and similar so they decided to open them together. Jo opened hers first and read it aloud. Jo, Well it's been a little bit of hello and goodbye from both of us. We both would've loved to have known you better and stayed but witness protection requires me (Maggie) to go into the program. P.J (as always) is just a tag along. It's been really lovely having you as our friend. Sorry we're leaving you to put up with Stretch/ Jacko and Ben by yourself. Hope the new guy is ok. Well miss you heaps and promise to keep you guys up to date on everything that happens if we can. We promise all of the gang photos of our wedding. Love P.J and Maggie Jo finished reading hers and began to sob. She was a pretty tough chick but Maggie and P.J were pretty close friends of hers and she'd miss them a lot. Jack gave her a hug and then opened his. Jack (AKA Stretch or Jacko), Well the time has come to say farewell. You've been a great mate. Thanks for putting up with us when we haven't been the most cooperative of coppers. It'll be pretty weird not having you around to look UP to (Maggie) or to make do my paperwork (P.J). Make sure you take care of Jo and the Boss and DON"T under any circumstances let Benny boy boss you around too much. Thanks a heap. Miss you a lot. Love Maggie and P.J Jack looked at Jo and smiled. He hugged her again and walked to his room. * * * Ben opened the door to the watch house and flopped down onto the couch. He held the envelope in his hand and stared at it. Life just wouldn't be the same without P.J and Maggie around. They were both really special people and were fantastic friends. He ripped open the envelope and started to read the letter inside. Ben, Well this is it we guess. Gee thanks mate for all that you've done for us (even if you did stay home when you were staying at my place). You've always been there for us and kept a look out for any dangers that might have arisen. Make sure you look after the young guns for us and keep them out of trouble. We promise to try to keep in touch. It'll be hard though. The WPS doesn't really allow contact with friends from your 'past life' as they call it. We'll try our best though. Thanks for everything. We will definitely send photos of our wedding. Wish you all could be there but that's just the way it is. Best of luck Love Maggie and P.J Ben just lay back on the couch and smiled. He knew what a perfect couple those two made. There he was getting in the way. he thought. They were great mates and he'd miss them terribly, especially Maggie. * * * Tom stopped and sat on a park bench. The 'want' to open the letter had become too much. He carefully opened the envelope and read the letter that his best two officers had written to him. Boss, Well this was a letter we never really wanted to write, especially to you. We're sorry we weren't able to tell you to your face but it was just too dangerous. As you know witness protection is pretty hush hush but we just couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you properly, especially after everything you've done for us. We know we've never been the easiest of working partnerships to work with but having you, as our Boss has been the biggest privilege ever. Thanks a heap for not splitting us up (even though you should have). We've also left you a video that we'd like you to play tomorrow morning when everyone is there. It's kind of a farewell that we want to say as close to face to face as we can. We will miss you terribly and we'll send you photos of the wedding. We'd so love for you and every one else to be there but we know you'll be there in spirit (we want you to be!) Words can't really express all the thank you's we owe you (they'd go on forever) but thank you again for putting up with our squabbling. We will miss you so much. Love Maggie and P.J Tom just smiled and walked home. His dog Digger greeted him. Tom just patted his dog and went to bed. * * * P.J was pretty weary by the time he got off the plane at Adelaide's domestic airport. A man who gave him his new identification cards and stuff greeted him. He was no longer P.J Hasham, former Detective at Mt Tomas and fiancé to Maggie Doyle. He was now Jason Easton and was engaged to Angie Needham (Maggie). He was taken to his new home at 43 Thomas Street West Adelaide. It was 1:30 in the morning and the house was dark. He opened the door with the key he had just been given. Over the past few weeks Angie hadn't had even half a full nights sleep. She was just waiting up every night in the hope that Jason would come through the door. This was the first time she'd fallen asleep before two a.m. Her bed seemed cold and lonely without the man she loved by her side. Jason walked inside and almost tripped over a box that was in the hallway. He managed to find his way around his new house without falling over anything else. Finally he found the bedroom where he saw Angie asleep in the bed. He just stood there and watched her sleep. Finally they were together again, well almost. Slowly and quietly he made his way over to the bed. He crouched down beside it and kissed the back of Angie's neck. She shuddered slightly on her sleep thinking she was dreaming. Gradually Jason kissed along her collarbone and to her shoulder. He moved his lips up and kissed her temple, then her cheek, and then her lips. To Angie, this seemed like another dream, like the ones she'd been having ever since she'd left P.J behind in Mt Thomas. Jason sighed quietly. He wasn't getting any reaction from her. This called for drastic measures. This would probably scare the living daylights out of her but he couldn't r refrain from hugging her and holding her any more. Jason knelt down on the bed beside Angie's back and put his mouth beside her ear. He was pretty scared about the way she'd react. "Hey Maggs, it's me wake up" Angie's (Maggie's) eyes shot open and she sat straight up in bed. This was the reaction Jason (P.J) had expected so head leant backwards. Unfortunately for him, he'd leant back too far and he went toppling over onto the hard wooden floor, banging his shoulder pretty hard on the bedside cupboard. "Oww" Jason cried as he grabbed his shoulder. "P.J!" Maggie cried. She was already siting up but she jumped out from under the covers and got down beside him on the floor. She helped him up and they sat on the bed. He pulled her into a furious hug and just held her again. She pulled back and kissed him for the first time in three weeks. It was too good to break apart. She just held him close to her as she fell backwards onto the pillows. P.J slowly pulled away and smiled at her. "Nice to see you again. I've missed you so much" "I've missed you so much too. I'm so glad you're here" She stroked his cheek with her fingers. She kissed him again and this time she wouldn't let him go. He let his hands move up and down her sides, just feeling her close to his body again and taking in her scent. It was magical; he loved her so much. Slowly he began to undo her pajama top buttons while she undid his shirt. He took it off and kissed her neck, her shoulders and down her chest, around her stomach and then back up to her mouth. Angie was content to run her fingers over the muscles on his torso and kiss him. She loved him dearly. He pulled the covers over them and they molded together as one. * * * The next morning Maggie awoke to feel P.J's strong arms around her waist. She felt so safe there and snuggled into his embrace. He held her tight against him and kissed the back of her neck. She rolled over to face him and kissed him softly. "Morning Jase" "Humph, guess that means good morning Ang" She smiled. She didn't want to call him by his new name either. P.J was just so him. There was no other way to describe it. This'd take a lot of getting used to but at least they were still together. She'd much prefer him to call her Maggs because it was his special name for her but it couldn't happen. He was now Jason Easton and she was Angie Needham, soon to be Angie Easton. "Guess what Ang" "What Jase?" "No more cold days in July" They both smiled and hugged each other. Despite them having new names and new lives no one could change their bond or the love they felt for one another. It was there to stay and there was definitely not going to be any more cold days in July. The End What did you think? Let me know!