From: Anna van Gemert <[email protected]>
To: BHFic <[email protected]>
Subject: [bhfic] New: In Side School - Part 1/5
Date: Sunday, 9 January 2000 1:35
From: "Anna van Gemert" <[email protected]>
In Side School
- PART ONE
By Anna van Gemert
Authors Note: Okay, firstly I want to say that this fanfic is dedicated to Marissa! She "1-IN-A-MILLION" kind of person, always there to speak to J Miss, you're wonderful, and you know why J So I won't go blabbing everything before the following fanfic. Now, so Sarrie won't get annoyed at me, this fic is also for YOU! You also wonderful Saz! You're also there to chat to, when ever J Both of you guys, tehe, thanks for being such good mates last century, and lets look forward to another!
Hmm, also, to my wonderful beta reader, Kylie who had to read this entir fic in one go at 1am in the morning!!! That's the full 25 pages, 9,500 words! As two people we know would say Kyls, "YOU ROCK!"
Anyway, as for the fic - I felt the need for, well, PJ and Maggie..you'll see J
Disclaimer: Okay, so last century Southern Star, Channel Seven & Co. owned Blue Heelers, and all that is connected to it, but how about this century? In this new millinum? Do the same rules apply? If not, I claim them now. If not, well I am sorry in advance for borrowing them for this short piece!
~ * ~ * ~
The Gazette. Wednesday February 2nd, 2005
Distressed parents are still waiting as a search is under way after the disappearance of the entire staff and student population from the Mt Thomas Primary School. Located in central Victoria, the state police force issued a statement late last night.
~ * ~ * ~
Monday January 31st, 2005
"Now, you have a good time at school, okay?" she said looking down to her child, wearing her new school dress, carrying her small blue school back-pack, and prepared for an exciting first day at school.
"I will" she girl grinned up at her parents, "Promise"
"And one of us will be back to pick you up this afternoon"
~ * ~ * ~
They walked into the station sometime after 9am, talking between one another though the door, laughing at their morning's events.
"She seems so excited, hey Maggs?" PJ grinned
"Oh yeah, first day at Primary school, every kid is" Maggie replied, "But waking us up with the dress on back-to-front, that was so typically gorgeous of her"
"Pushing me out the door, before I was even ready" PJ remised, "I can't believe she's already at school"
"I can't believe we only dropped her off, less then half an hour ago" Maggie looked up at PJ
"Twenty minutes ago" PJ was more precise, "I hope she's okay"
"She'll be fine" Maggie laughed, as Tom Croyden appeared from his office.
"I take it you got young Marissa off to school?" he asked
"Yes, with no problems" Maggie answered proudly, "She was quite excited"
"Anna and Susan were too if I recall correctly" Tom smiled,
"Yeah, well Miss was this morning" PJ added, "God, she has been for the past year, as you well know"
"Missy off to school today?" Ben walked in from the back door
"Yep" Maggie once again said proudly, "Our little girl, a school kid"
"It's an amazing feeling isn't it?" Ben asked, "I remember with Maddie, Em and Josh, each one of them. It's so special - you'll remember it for ever"
~ * ~ * ~
The daily duties of the Mt Thomas Police station continued for the day. Jo and Jack appeared shortly after Ben Stewart arrived. Few calls were taken, and few calls were made, and it seems like an unusual quite day in Mt Thomas, although no body dared to mention that simple factor - there was simply too much risk involve.
Jack and Jo went out on patrol, cruising by the school to check on their "niece" as they joked, and they saw her playing on the equipment with a few other girls.
"She looks happy," Jo said as they drove slowly around the corner
"She is" Jack said, "She's a loved kid, she's very lucky"
"We were though, too" Jo said, "Loved"
"Oh yeah, sure" Jack laughed, "But have you met a kid with that many aunts and uncles, that doesn't really exist?"
"Hum, nope" Jo replied, "One day one of us might, though"
"You and the doc hey?" Jack laughed
"Not me and the doc" Jo corrected, "Me and Christian"
"He's still a doctor though" Jack smirked, "And you like him?"
"Well, he's a good guy, we get along, he's kind of cute"
"Love him?"
"God Jack, is this 10 questions?" Jo laughed at his eagerness
"Well it's a valid question, you can't exactly have kids if you don't love one another"
"Well what kind of love?" Jo quizzed, "Like what Maggie and PJ have? Like you and Molly once had? Like what Jack? Can you be more specific?"
"Well love, like on every level, I don't know" Jack blushed, "You've got to feel something!"
"Well, yes, I do love him, and he's told me that he loves me" Jo smiled at the thought, "How about you?"
"With who?" Jack asked,
"Anyone, I don't know. You haven't been too active lately in the area, but have you ever felt anything?"
"Sure, you know that" Jack said, "With Molly, I loved her, and I don't know if I'll ever feel that ever again"
"You will, you deserve to. A good guy like you doesn't deserve to be alone," Jo replied sincerely, before exiting onto the main road
Jo Parrish and Jack Lawson. They were two very interesting people. They got on, very well. The two of them often sat and joked through their shifts, making one another laugh over anything, or anyone. They were just a unique pair, and hard to work out. They were times where their co-workers would wonder about their relationship, if it was truly just friendship. People often laughed over the fact that they believed they were heading down the same track as Maggie and PJ. Hiding their feelings, then the whole secret relationship saga, and then one day, some where, telling the world about their undying love.
All those suspicions were finally laid to rest when Jo arrived at the pub one day with this handsome doctor, her "boyfriend" and later "flat mate". Poor old Lawson though, having to watch Jo within all this happiness. It was obvious to anyone around him that his life changed after Jo moved out of the Imperial leaving him alone.
Although they were never officially together, they had their nights drinking down stairs to late at night or cleaning up for Chris when she had been too tired to last another minute, or quietly watching a movie together in one of their rooms. They spent two years living a doorstep away from one another, then Jo moved out, and he was lost. Terribly alone. And with Jack, he really WAS lost. You could see it in his face when someone said goodbye to him after a drink at the pub one night. After she left, he didn't know what to do with him self after closing time. Instead of just one more drink, he would wander, alone, upstairs to an empty, painfully silent room.
~ * ~ * ~
"Anything interesting out on patrol?" Ben Stewart asked Jack and Jo as they entered the station
"Not really" Jack replied, "We went by the school, check up on little Marissa"
"Really?" Maggie looked up from her desk, "How is she?"
"We only saw her from the car driving by, but she was by the equipment with some other little girls, having the time of her life" Jack answered, "She's a happy kid"
"Yeah, she is" Maggie smiled, "I'll just go in and tell PJ"
Rising from her chair, she made the familiar few steps into the C.I office. In the last few years the C.I office, as well as the entire station had changed. Besides another coat of the customary green colored paint, more photos were up around the station, especially in PJ's office.
His desk was lined up with photo frames, which held photos of Marissa, Maggie and himself. They covered Marissa's entire life, and before she was born. They was a picture of PJ on a couch, with a very pregnant Maggie resting her head on his lap, another Marissa just after she was born, the entire little family on Marissa's first birthday, and the list went on, and that was only the desk. The notice board was a completely different story all together.
"Hey Maggs" PJ looked up from one of the many photos, "What's up?"
"Jack and Jo did a patrol by the school"
"What's happened?" he almost jumped out of his seat
"Nothing" Maggie laughed, "Stop stressing. They saw Miss with a few other girls by the equipment, apparently having the time of her life"
"That's our little girl" he chuckled,
"She is" Maggie agreed, before leaving the office and returning back to her own desk
~ * ~ * ~
Three Thirty rolled on, and Maggie went to pick up their daughter from school. Taking the patrol car, she drove the few blocks before parking, and waiting with a group of parents by the main gates, talking naturally as they waiting. But they waited far to long.
"Don't you think they should be out by now?" one mother quizzed
"I don't know" Maggie replied like any other mother would, "What's the time?"
"Quarter to four" someone said
"Look, I'll go in and have a look then" Maggie said, automatically descending into police mode.
She walked through the year and slowly, but carefully into the main building and listened. Nothing - not one single sound. Something must be wrong - no school is ever this quite when children are meant to be inside. She walked on, staring into the office - no one in sight. Walking a little faster she went by the classrooms. The bags were still there, working left lying on the tables, pens on the floor. Something was defiantly up. She quickly moved around the corridor peering into all the classrooms. Everything was the same. It seems like everyone just up and left. No one was in sight, not one person.
Leaving the building, she moved through the crowd of parents waiting out side quite quickly, and told them all quite strictly to stay there, and be quite, before she headed towards the car.
"Mt Thomas 503 to Mt Thomas Station" Maggie said quickly
"Mt Thomas Station" Ben Stewart answered the radio
"Ben, we have a problem down at the school" she said, "It's like everyone has just up and left, with no sign of anyone. No kids are around. No one, nothing" she continued, "You'll all have to come down here"
"ETA 3 minutes" Ben replied,
"Thanks Ben" Maggie said slowing down
"And Maggie?" Ben asked, "How about Marissa?"
"I don't know Ben" she replied before wiping her wet eyes, and going back to the group of waiting parents,
She walked over to the group of parents, and other people waiting to pick the kids up. A rush of questions hit her, and how was she meant to answer them for everyone? She had the exact same questions. She was a mother too, and her little girl was inside.
"What's happened?" a man stepped out and asked
"I don't know" Maggie replied, "In side, it's empty, I've radioed for reinforcement to come down. I'm sure we'll find everyone"
"So they're missing?" a woman called out
"Look, we don't know that it" Maggie tried to think positive, "Lets just wait, okay. We're all in the same situation"
~ * ~ * ~
In Side School
- PART TWO
By Anna van Gemert
Authors Note: This is the second part of this rather *little* fanfic. I hope you have enjoyed it! Please remember that I would adore feedback, and you can send it to [email protected]. When, and if I get over 10 replies, I'll send the next part! Bribes.tehe.. Sorry I don't have chocolate J
You all should thank the one and only kel and sarah, as you wouldn't be getting this part till tomorrow if it wasn't for them! Shayne loves you Sarah, I *so* know it. And Kel, you will make it in to one of my fanfics ASAP!!!!!
Disclaimer: Okay, so last century Southern Star, Channel Seven & Co. owned Blue Heelers, and all that is connected to it, but how about this century? In this new millinum? Do the same rules apply? If not, I claim them now. If not, well I am sorry in advance for borrowing them for this short piece!
~ * ~ * ~
As soon as PJ arrived, Maggie was by his side, silently crying into his chest. Until everyone else got there, she had to remain calm like the police officer she was, but as soon as someone was there to take over her role, she was worried mother wondering about her little girl.
"PJ, what if something's happened to her?" Maggie asked as she looked up, "It was her first day of school"
"I don't know Maggs, I just don't know"
PJ was as worried about their little girl, as Maggie was, and all he could do was wait and hope that Missy would soon be safe in his arms.
Time progressed, and no one had any knowledge of what had really happened. All anyone knew so far was that the staff and children were missing, and the most likely scenario was that they had been forced out of the school, but no one knew how or why.
Back up from St David's and surrounding towns arrived, and an extensive search of the school was completed, and absolutely nothing useful was discovered.
The Imperial was set up as the center for parents and relatives to go for information, and counseling. Chris happily obliged closing her doors to everyone but people who had the children at the school. No one could really do anything for them yet, but they all gathered at the local pub, to wait.
~ * ~ * ~
Back at the school, it was nearly dark, but it was still swarming with police, family, and onlookers.
"How many children are at the school?" an inspector up from Melbourne asked. He had just taken over as the controller of the operation.
"There's 7 classes, roughly 15 kids in each one, 105 approx." Ben answered
"And staff?"
"Principle, teacher to each class, admin" Ben continued, "Maybe ten"
"So we're looking at around 105 people missing?"
"Yes sir" Ben answered, "We have a few of our officers at the Imperial creating lists of all people who attended the school today"
"The Imperial, that's where you've set up all the relatives"
"Yes sir, and our detective and acting sergeant are there too, as well as our constable, and senior constable"
"And it may be of relevance that Marissa Hasham is one of the children missing" Tom added, "She is the daughter of Acting Sergeant Maggie Hasham, and Senior Detective Hasham"
"Are they involved in the case?"
"No, I pulled them off it sir" Tom replied, "A few hours ago, but Maggie was the one who came across the disappearance first"
"Yes, okay, thanks for that" the inspector said, becoming less formal, "Look, I'm guessing that your entire station would be close to this little girl, Marissa. Why don't you all let reinforcements take over?"
"Thank you for the offer sir, but with all due respect" Ben began
"I didn't think you'd take it up" the inspector cut in, "I know I wouldn't have."
"So what can we do?" Ben asked, "When I was speaking to the detectives from St David's, they believed that whoever threatened everyone, forced them on to a bus. I've been thinking about it, and that's need maybe 2, 3 buses. But two would be enough, if they pilled everyone on"
"So what are you suggesting Sergeant?"
"A bus can't get that far, can it?" Ben asked, "Our constables came by the school sometime between 1:00 and 2:00, that's less then four hours, give or take"
"So what would you like to do?"
"Well we know the local area, places where buses could be hidden, places where you could hold more then one hundred people" Ben told him. "If I could get permission to create a list of areas in the surrounding areas, and cheek them. And meanwhile we could get a team searching for missing or hires buses, people with access to buses, anything"
"You understand no one has much to go on for this case?" the inspector asked
"Yes sir, I'm sure we all do, but we know so many people who have gone missing, it's something we have to do"
"Okay, you can, but still keep two of your members, capable members at that place, the Imperial. They know the people waiting, better for relatives and friends to have a familiar face around"
"Yes sir, but that won't leave us with many members" Tom replied,
"Maybe we could begin at the Imperial" Ben suggested, "It would give everyone down there something to do, someway they could help, just by thinking of possible places"
"Just don't get them too worked up" he requested
"No offence, but you couldn't get them much more worked up then they already are, their children are missing after all," Tom said
~ * ~ * ~
Tom and Ben entered the Imperial after tackling the press out side. Reporters from all over the state had converged on their little town.
"No comment" they both repeated to nearly everyone as they made there way to the door
Inside the closed pub people sat quietly around, talking between tears as they waited. Chris and a few other people continued to hand out tea, coffee, sandwiches and biscuits. None of it was helping though, nothing could.
"Ben" PJ removed her arm around Maggie, and got up from his seat, "Any news?"
"Ah, not really. C.I from St David's reckon someone, or some people have forced them all two to three buses and moved out of town"
"Why would someone want to?" Maggie got up and moved over to Tom, Ben and PJ
"Don't' know Maggie, but we'll find them" Ben said, "We're going to set up a mini station here, compile a list of possible places someone could hide over one hundred people" Ben said sadly. "It's not much, but really all we can do -they couldn't have got that far, if they got anywhere"
"Got anywhere?" Maggie asked shocked, "Of course they've got somewhere, Missy is gone, all this parents kids are gone Ben"
"Yeah, I know" Ben said smoothly, "I didn't mean it like that, it's just that I though it would be good if we could do something from here, you know, they're not letting us do much yet, you know."
"At least you've been out there" Maggie looked down, "We've been stuck in here, wondering for over a few hours now, I just want to do something" she tried, "Boss?"
"You can, this list, we need it, it's all we can go on at the moment" Tom told her
"Come on Maggs, it's better then nothing" PJ hugged her, "I wish I could be out searching too"
~ * ~ * ~
Wednesday February 3rd, 2005
Bus tracks leading from the ground of the Mt Thomas Primary School into the dense state park surroundings were found late last night police reported. So far, this is the only lead they have made rumors say. It has been confirmed that one of the missing children belong to two of the serving police members in Mt Thomas - Senior Detective "PJ" and Acting Sergeant Maggie Hasham.
~ * ~ * ~
Wednesday February 3rd, 2005
Sleep - no one who was personally connected to any of the people missing got much. Their night had been spent tossing and turning, or thinking about what ifs, or in the case of the Mt Thomas police - places that bus could have gone.
Over night they had found bus tracks leading from the school to the state park, and it was suspected that the school would be found somewhere within there, but it would be a large and vast search. The State Park went on for kilometers.
"The search has already started" Tom told his own officers that morning at the Imperial. They had all spent the night there.
"Well why aren't we out there?" Jack asked
"The inspector has out limits on all of us" Tom replied, "Says we're too close"
"Shouldn't we be the ones to decide that boss?" Jo questioned
"Look at it from his way" Tom tried
"Why should we boss?" Maggie asked standing up, "My little girl is out there, my little girl, why should I just sit here and wait? Why should any of us just sit here, you, me, PJ, the other kids parents"
"You know how we operate Maggie" Tom tried
"I know, but it should be changed" she told him sternly before storming off towards the front door of the Imperial. They all tried to follow her, especially PJ, but Chris appeared.
"Let her be" Chris told them, "She needs some time"
~ * ~ * ~
Maggie didn't get far. She opened the door, saw a bunch of reporters waiting, and she didn't feel like facing up to them all. Slamming the door back shut again, before any of them could get a word in, she retreated in the lounge room, took a seat and faced the wall.
"Maggie" a voice said from the door
"What?" Maggie raised her voice, before turning around,
"I came as soon as I heard about it," the blonde call said before giving Maggie a hug as she stood up, "I got Frank to drive me up"
"Oh Emma" Maggie said,
Emma Stewart. She was 15 now, and she had grown into a very caring young adult. She and Maggie still had a special relationship, they had since the very beginning and will forever. Emma was really like a second daughter to Maggie, and the sister Marissa has never had. Emma still had her long blond hair, and deep blue eyes. She was casually dressed - a pair of jeans and a shirt, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She was a good kid.
"Have you heard anything?"
"Nothing much" Maggie looked down at her, "I can't believe you came"
"I figured I had to Maggie" Emma said, "Well not had to, needed to. You know how I am, I love Missy, and you, and dad, even PJ" she gave a slight laugh, "I felt I had to be here, you know"
"Hmm, well thank you" Maggie replied taking her hand, "You better let your dad know you're here"
"And what about you?" Emma asked
"And I better follow you out and see how PJ's going"
~ * ~ * ~
Time passed and the search went on within the national park, but nothing had been found yet. Everyone sat around the Imperial. They couldn't do anything now. They had though of every single place possible, and passed it on to the inspector, but now they all had to sit, wait, and do nothing to help. It was out of their hands.
They were all seated around a table in the dinning room - Jack, Jo, Tom, Ben, Maggie, PJ, even Chris and Emma. Words of wisdom went around, "They'll find her" being the common one. They sat and hoped.
~ * ~ * ~
"You know Jack?" Jo said later, as they were walking around the courtyard of the imperial together, "You were right about Missy being loved"
"We were right, I know" Jack replied
"Everyone's here waiting. So many people are out their, looking, but we still haven't found her"
They continued to walk, just moving their legs, one by one, staring up into the sky, and then back down the ground, and finally at on another.
"Jack" Jo said quietly,
"Yeah Jo?" he whispered back
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" They looked at one another.
"Kind of, I guess" he shrugged his shoulders, "I don't think we should be though"
"We can't just sit here though, and wait" Jo tried
"So are we going by our selves, or what?" Jack asked
"So your in?" she asked
"If you are" he told her, "Should we see the inspector"
"If we do, you know, he'll tell us to come back here, we can't, we have to do something, for miss, and Maggie and PJ, we have to"
"Well Ben can't come now, with Emma here, and we can't let the Boss know, and Maggie and PJ, well we know they can't"
"So it's just us" Jo settled
"Just has" Jack repeated
~ * ~ * ~
They left pretty quickly and quietly and headed for the national park. They came by many roadblocks on the way in as they drove in Jack's Ute, but with a quick flash of their police badges they were let through.
"How much light do we have?" Jo asked as they walked
"About another three hours, give or take" Jack replied walking a head
"Where are we going, anyway? We're way off the main track, how does anyone know about this?"
"I take Matilda along here, and there's a old shearing shed that backs onto the national park at the end"
"Didn't you put it on the list?"
"No, I forgot about it till I got into the car" Jack replied, "It's pretty dense up near it, but it's worth a shot."
"How dense?"
"Very?" Jack tried
"Well then how are one hundred or so kids going to get through it?"
"It's possible"
"Well where would that bus go?"
"I don't know about the bus, maybe they moved the bus's as soon as they hid the kids and staff" Jack had a rough guess,
"I guess" Jo tended to agree, I guess we'll see anyway?"
The walked on for another kilometer or so before they came across anything substantial - a hair tie with a tiny fairy on it. The little fairy was yellow, while the elastic was blue. It looked familiar.
"Jack!" Jo called out to stop him, he was a few steps a head
"What Jo?"
"Come back here for a sec would you?"
He came back, and saw what was in Jo's hand. He knew who's it was within an instant. He remembered it.
"Didn't Emma make that for Missy?"
"Yeah, for school, last year" Jo said, "Looks like Miss is using her little policing, or detective skills already, dropping it"
"We can't go any further Jo" Jack told her, "It's really is too dangerous, if there up there. We have no protection"
"She's left it for us Jack, she wants us to go further, she hears about this kind of stuff all the time" Jo continued, "We just have to get one more thing, to make sure they are up there, okay?"
"Okay, but not that far, and we have to be careful"
~ * ~ * ~
~ * ~ * ~
Jack and Jo didn't need to get such further; they found the other hair tie and immediately retreated to inform the others.
"Where have you too been?" Ben asked as they entered, "They received a ransom note less then an hour ago, they want one mill"
"Doesn't matter" Jo said
"What do you mean it doesn't matter?" PJ asked, "Miss is missing, and this damn people want one million dollars for us to get her back!" he raised his voice at Jo.
"Calm down PJ, she didn't mean it like that" Jack said, "We both went to the National park, and up where I take Matilda.. Anyway, we found these" he put his hand out to show PJ and Maggie
"They're Missy's" Maggie jumped back, startled, before taking them and holding them
"Where'd you find them Jack?" PJ asked
"Out by the track leading to the edge of the national park" he replied, "It's where I ride, anyway, at the end there's a shearing shed, pretty run down, but I think it's unstable"
"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Ben asked
"I didn't remember it, I haven't been out there for months, but as Jo and I drove out, I remembered"
"Normally I'd ask why you were out their Lawson and Parish" Tom begun, "But this time, well done" he smiled,
"This gives us enough reason to go down to the head quarters, right boss?" Ben asked
"Bloody better be" PJ said
~ * ~ * ~
Thursday February 4th, 2005
Police have found a solid lead on the disappearance of all staff and students from the Mt Thomas School Primary. The police force confirmed that late last night they found a little girls hair tie, which led them to the area where the hostages are being held. Negations are soon to begin.
~ * ~ * ~
The East Side of the national park was closed off to everyone, including every member from the Mt Thomas police station. Areas were fenced off, and Tom's members and Emma waited at the closest point possible, along with many of the parent who had come from the Imperial to still wait in hope.
"Thanks for going out today" PJ said to Jack and Jo
"No problem PJ" Jo replied,
"That's okay PJ" Jack answered
"No, but, you risked a lot, you know, thank you" PJ said as Christian turned up, standing behind Jo.
"Christian, what are you doing here?" Jo asked
"They needed a doctor on standby" he replied, "So here I am"
"Why do they need a doctor?" Ben asked, "They must be beginning to go in"
"I'm not sure mate" Christian said, "But anyway, I better get to the tent to see what I'm needed for, Jo, can I have a word?"
"Sure" Jo replied, taking his hand
They didn't walk far. Christian stopped as soon as they were away from Jo's friends, and far enough away from other people.
"What's up?" Jo asked
"I heard you and Jack went out on your own little search yesterday," he said
"Yeah, we did" Jo said, "We felt we had to"
"Do you know how much risk you put your self up for?" he asked urgently
"I'm a cop Chris, that's what I do"
"But you did it when you didn't have to, you were asked to stay put at the Imperial" he said,
"Do you know how insane I was going back at the pub with everyone?" she asked, "Jack and I just thought we should have a shot, and we did, and look where we got"
"Why though?" Christian questioned, "What if I had have lost you?"
"You didn't, but how about if Maggie and PJ lost little Miss, and everyone else around here lost their child, or sister, or brother, or friend?"
"What if I lost my girlfriend?"
"It's not about you Chris" she said, "If we had kids and I was in the position Maggie and PJ are in, they'd do the same for us"
"Kids, us?" Christian asked shocked, "Aren't you jumping a head?"
"What's this about Christian?" Jo asked, "Me going with Jack searching for the school, or me, you and kids? What?"
"Everything" he told her
"Everything?" Jo repeated, "And you want to discuss it here?" Jo was angry
~ * ~ * ~
Jo walked back to everyone else and sat and waited. Emma, Ben, and Jack were sitting on the ground, while Tom, Maggie and PJ sat on a provided plastic chair, practically in silence.
"What's the matter?" Jack asked Jo quietly, "You and Christian?"
"Oh, nothing really, just a little misunderstanding"
"Hmm, you okay?" he asked
"Yes" Jo lied before finally admitting the truth, "No. He's being an arrogant bastard"
Jack placed his arm around Jo but it didn't stay there for very long. Two uniformed police officers came and requested the help of Ben, Jack and Jo, so the three of them got up and went to the main tent to find out what they were meant to do.
~ * ~ * ~
They needed a copper who wasn't in uniform. Jack, Ben and Jo were there, and they were used. The three men holding up all the children and staff agreed to let the majority of the kids go, providing not one single police officer went near the building. There was one catch though, they needed some people to go to the door or the shed and help them out on by one.
"Why couldn't we go?" PJ asked his boss, "Miss is in there"
"PJ, you know why?" Tom told him, "It's too dangerous"
"But Ben's there, Jack and Jo" PJ protested
"PJ, stop doing this to your self" Tom looked at him sorrowfully, "I know you want..."
"We've been sitting and waiting since Monday Boss, it's Thursday!" Maggie sobbed loudly as she tried her best to raise her voice to get her point across, "We just want to do something, for crying out loud. If Susan or Anna were in there."
"I know Doyle" old habits kicked in, "If they were I would be doing everything I could to get them out"
"But we're not" Maggie told him, before walking off. PJ tried to follow, but Emma nervously stopped him and went after Maggie herself.
~ * ~ * ~
Jack went up to the door first, and screamed out, letting the people know he was there to get some of the kids. The door swung open, and he looked in. All these people had been squashed in, and there was defiantly not enough space for all of them.
"I'm Jack, okay" he yelled out, "Let the kids come out, like you said, okay?"
One by one he helped each child jump down and pointed them over to the area where Ben and Jo were waiting to ferry them to the main area in groups. They had nearly forty of the kids out when little Marissa saw Jack. Each child had been blindfolded, but as the children were being let off, the blind folds came off. This gave Marissa the change to recognize Jack.
"Jack!" she screamed, "Jack"
Jack stood there, not knowing what to say. He didn't know what to do.
"Miss" he said quietly
One of the men ran over to Marisa and picked her up, "How do you know that man?"
Marissa just looked blankly at him.
"How do you know that man?" he repeated, raising his voice to a very high level
"He's my mummy and daddy's friend, my uncle, my Uncle Jack" she mumbled
"Uncle or friend?" the man asked
"Hmm, both" Marissa mumbled
"She calls me uncle" Jack said, "She calls everyone uncle or aunt" Jack tried
"Who's everyone?" the man asked getting intensely angry
"Everyone at the station" Marissa squalled
"Station?" the man interrogated the little girl
"Her mummy and daddy are police people" as girl stood up and told the man, "Their going to come and put you in goal. Missy told me so"
That was all the man needed - Marissa, and that other little girl was shoved back into the corner. No other kids were going to be coming out just it.
"I told you no cops!" the man yelled at jack, before shooting off one round into the tin roof and slamming the door shut. Jack ran for cover, and Ben and Jo pushed the kids who were free into safety.
~ * ~ * ~
Most of the younger kids were out. All of the preps and grade ones, and a few of the year two's - well, every single prep but Marissa, and a girl called Sarah Partridge. It seemed that the pair had become friends that morning, and Marisa had told her newfound friend about her mum and dad, which had landed them in a big amount of trouble. They were still in side.
"I just wanted to know why my little girl Sarah didn't come out" the mother asked one of the police men in charged
"There was a slight problem when getting the children out when one of the kids recognized our plain clothes police man, maim" the officer offered
"So when is my little girl going to come out?"
"We are holding talks now, I assure you we will tell you as soon as possible all the information we can"
"How about that shot that we heard?" she asked, "What was that?"
"We believe it hit the roof, but I really can't comment"
The women stopped there, turned and walked back into the group of parents. Nothing had changed for her. Her girl was still in side. Nothing had changed for PJ or Maggie either. Marissa was still in side too.
"PJ, I don't know if I can go through much more of this" Maggie said
"Me too Maggs, but we have to wait"
"But they know we're cops, because of us we've put Miss and everyone else in danger, it's not fair"
"I know it isn't fair Maggs" PJ agreed, "But we can't do much else"
The sat together, staring off into the direction of the shed. Nothing - No sign of anyone, or anything.
~ * ~ * ~
~ * ~ * ~
Friday February 5th, 2005
Forty-two children of the confirmed 107 children, and 11 adults were released from the three men holding the Mt Thomas Primary School in a shed, nearly by a national park. The police issued a statement explaining that one shot was fired after one of the men found out that the man helping each child out was a police officer.
~ * ~ * ~
As the sun rose, the parents and friends of the captured children and teachers arrived back on the sidelines of the operation. Most people had gone home the night before to try and gain little sleep, but neither PJ nor Maggie received any. The spent the night together, sitting on the floor in their daughter room wondering how she was, what she was feeling, if she was okay, and weather she was ever going to get out.
"They want to talk!" a voice yelled out from the door of the building. It was one of the teachers.
Everyone jumped, then stood still and waited for the next piece of words. Maggie crabbed hold of PJ's hand, and held it as tight as she possibly good. Then they waited.
"What do they want?" the inspector yelled out
"They say they'll let all the children go" the man replied, "If that copper comes back in, as a trade off"
"Who are you?" the inspector asked as he contemplated what they had requested
"I'm on of the teachers" the man said, "They want me back in, they say you have one hour to organize it"
Jack turned around and faced his friends from work, and everyone turned and looked at him. There was only one thing he could do. He had to go in, for Miss, and for everyone.
"I have to go in" Jack said, no one answered, "If I don't who knows what will happen, and it's not as if anything would happen to me, I'd be covered"
Everyone agreed, and Jack made his way over to the main tent, to let them know that he would. It was less then a few minutes after the request. The inspector or anyone hadn't even had time to come and request what had already been decided for Jack.
"I'll do it" Jack said just walking into the tent, "Go in"
After a few discussions, Jack had a few minutes to him self to sit and think. Using the time, he walked around, watching everyone in anticipation, seeing their worried faces.
"Jack!" Jo ran up to him, "Look, you have to go, I know that, but I'm not letting you go by your self"
"Jo" Jack tried1
"No, your not going in by your self, and I don't care what anyone says Jack" Jo said bluntly
"You don't have to, though"
"Jack, you're my best friend" Jo stopped as she said it. She'd never told anyone that before, not even Jack, "I'm not letting you go in there, by your self"
"It's too dangerous Jo" Jack uttered, "They won't let you"
"Well they'll have to Jack, you're not going in there by your self"
Nothing was said from then, but they both understood that they were both doing. They were near the tent, when Jack finally spoke up again.
"Are you sure Jo, you sure you want to come in with me?"
"You bet" she smiled before someone got hold of her arm. She turned and saw who it was, "Christian, what are you doing?"
"What's this about you going in too?" he asked rudely as Jack slipped back a few meters to let them sort it out them selves.
"I'm going in, that's all" Jo informed him
"You can't" Christian stated
"I have to"
"You don't have to Jo"
"Christian, this is my job.... This is for Miss....and Jack. Why don't you crawl back to the safety of the hospital, and try not to organize my life for me, my job" Jo spat the words out before storming off back to Jack.
~ * ~ * ~
Jack and Jo were seated inside the tent, being briefed on what they were going to do. Going in to get the kids out, then staying put in there, with three men who were unknown.
They weren't going to have any weapons. Too dangerous, and Jack had made a point to everyone around him that he wasn't compared to that that risk, in case they found out they had a gun, or anything else. They weren't going to have recording devices either. Another risk Jack wasn't prepared to take and neither was Jo.
"They will let the kids out, right?" Jack asked a police officer as they stood up from where they were
"They should" the officer replied, "They assured us they would, but at the moment they are running the shots"
"Yeah, we gathered that" Jo said sarcastically, before beginning to move off towards their co-workers, to have one last word before they went in. The all stood in a circle, wishing both Jack and Jo well - hand shaking and hugging.
"Tell Miss, we love her okay?" Maggie told Jack after giving him a hug,
"You can tell her your self Maggie" Jack said,
"Just in case, okay" Maggie told him, "Tell her we love her"
~ * ~ * ~
In small groups, children from the school appeared from behind the trees near the shed. They all looked tied, hungry, scared and frightened.
Each child held their hands above their head, walking in straight lines to a tent where some officers had directed them. A few kids did as they were told, and slowly made there way towards the tent, but as soon as one girl ran to her parents, every student followed.
Tears of joy were heard as parents spotted their children. Well most parents were crying in joy. Some however, cried of pain when they didn't see their children appear.
"Where is she Peej?" Maggie asked, "Where is she?"
~ * ~ * ~
Saturday, February 6th, 2005
Last night 105 children, of the 107 children captured on Monday from the Mt Thomas Primary School were released. It is known the two children still in side are Sarah Partridge, aged 6, and Marissa Hasham, also 6, is the daughter of two local police officers. The children were released, after Constable Joanna Parrish and Senior Constable Jack Lawson were "traded".
~ * ~ * ~
There was 15 people still inside. 11 teachers, Jo, Jack, Marissa and her friend Sarah. Most were asleep either leaning against a wall, or post, or just lying flat on the ground. Sarah had made her way over to Jo, and was resting her head on her lap, while Jack was cradling little Marissa like she was a little baby again.
"What are you trying to get out of this mate?" Jack asked one of the men who was standing over everyone, pacing. The other two was sleeping like the other hostages.
"Get out of it?" the man almost broke into a laugh, "We initially just planned of getting a bit of dough"
"Through taking an entire school hostage?"
"Oh yeah, guess so" the man just said, "But then we found out that little shit is Hasham kid"
"How did you find out?" Jo asked
"We got it out of the bratty kid" he answered, "The kid thinks he's a bloody good police man, dunno why, guess I could even take pity on the poor thing with that bastard as a dad"
"So what now, then?" Jack asked
"We keep you and that chick in here, and Marissa and her bratty friend"
"Well how about the teachers?" Jack asked
"Keep them there's less chance they'll storm the place"
"You seem to know how the police force works" Jo said, "How?"
"We've been around" the man replied,
"Why didn't you get PJ in here, if you knew Missy was his daughter?" Jack asked
"Too risky" the man laughed again
"How so?" Jo asked
"You're the coppers, think about it" the man chuckled, "We get Hasham in here, they could begin to figure out who we are, we get a copper in here that we can't relate ourselves to, we're home free"
"Home free?" Jo questioned, "You think your going to get out of here, when the place is surrounded by coppers"
~ * ~ * ~
Although they didn't want to, Maggie and PJ went home to wait for the night at the request of officers in charge. The slowly left the scene, looking back with nearly every step to the car, wanting someone to run out of those trees and tell everyone that they were being released. It didn't happened.
Once inside their house, Maggie broke done. Falling onto the ground of their hallway, she wrapped her arms around her knees and cried to her self, while PJ did his best to calm her down. Trying to comfort her the best he good, wanting to take the pain they were both feeling away, but he couldn't.
~ * ~ * ~
Sunday February 7th, 2005
In the past 24 hours there has been no word from in side the shearing shed in Mt Thomas where three men are holding 15 people - two children, two police officers, and eleven school teachers. After taking statement from the 105 children released yesterday, police believe they have one of the names of one of the men involved - a thirty year old man, Paul Beanland.
~ * ~ * ~
Ben and Emma Stewart knocked on the door of PJ and Maggie's place at about 9am, and the door was opened with in seconds.
"Ben, Emma" PJ said, "AH, come in"
Emma walked in first, going into the lounge room and sitting on one of the couches. Ben followed and stood behind her.
"Where's Maggie?" Emma asked
"Maggs, she's asleep, a doctor came around last night to see her, I called Christian" PJ answered, "Once we got home she didn't cope too well" Then there was a few seconds of silence.
"PJ, they got some news last night" Ben begun, "A name of one of the guys holding them"
"Who?" PJ quickly asked
"Paul Beanland" Ben answered. The look on PJ's face said it all.
"I put him away, less then, maybe six years ago" PJ told him, "He hates my guts, hates me, big time" PJ sat down and covered his head, "He's got Marissa, Ben, we have to get her out of there"
"I know mate, we all know" Ben went over and sat next to his friend, "Look, you know this guy better then anyone, what's he capable off?"
"Of anything, as long as he knows Missy is mine." PJ gulped, "God, this is my fault"
"No, it's not Peej" Ben said, "I heard them saying that they they're sure Paul and his two mates didn't know they had Missy"
"Who was talking?"
"Officers at the station" Emma replied, "We could hear them from the watch house, and we came straight over here"
"Thanks Em"
"Look PJ, this Paul guy, what did you put him away for?"
"Armed Robbery, two counts I think" PJ uttered
"What's this about armed robbery?" Maggie appeared at the doorway. Non of the men answered, they just looked up. "Em?"
"The guy holding Miss and everyone" Emma said quietly,
"It's Paul Beanland Maggs" PJ told her, "I put him away six years ago"
~ * ~ * ~
They went straight to the inspector as soon as Ben's car pulled up to the scene. The car had hardly stopped when PJ jumped out, followed by Maggie and Emma and Ben weren't too far behind them.
"Inspector" PJ yelled as he ran over to the tent
"Detective, what are you doing here?" he looked back at PJ
"Paul Beanland" PJ just stated, "He knows me, he hates me, and how he has my little girl - so what are you going to do about it?"
~ * ~ * ~
The man watching over everyone was edging closer to Jack and Jo, step by step, slowly.
"You're really getting on my nerves, you know?" he yelled, "Would you shut up?"
His gun was out of his hostler, and was being held by his side. He looked like he could use it, with ease, without even thinking about it.
Jo and Jack sat stunned, and did shut up. They were being as quite as they possibly good. Then little Marissa shuffled and woke up.
"Jack" she said slowly, "Jack.."
"It's okay Miss" Jack rubbed her back, "Jo and I are here"
She looked up at Jack, and them side ways towards the man. She saw the gun, then screamed as she saw the man lifting it, and walking towards her, Sarah, Jack and Jo. With instinct, Jack sheltered Marissa by leaning over, and wrapping his arms fully around her. Then bang, the gun went off.
~ * ~ * ~
~ * ~ * ~
Maggie and PJ turned in terror as they heard their daughters scream. It was hers. Everyone began to run in all directions, and to PJ and Maggie, only one place was in mind - the shed.
They didn't approach the scene with caution. They were operating as parents, not as coppers. With Marissa involved, they could now only act as parents.
They gasped as they saw her being helped down from the tall door. From the distance they could see red stains on her clothing. With out even thinking, they just continued, running for their little girl, until she was in safe in their arms.
"Missy" Maggie sobbed over her daughter, "Are you okay Missy, we love you so much"
"Mummy" the girl sobbed back, "I'm okay, but Jack isn't, and they wouldn't let me stay with him"
"He'll be fine Miss" her father patted her head, "I see people in with him now, he's Jack anyway, he'll be fine, just fine"
Marissa cried into her mother's chest, as Maggie held her tightly, walking back to the main area, along with PJ. She was safe now, and they never wanted to let her go.
"Did they hurt you sweaty?" PJ asked he held his daughter's hand, walking towards Ben's car to go to the hospital
"No, not much daddy" little Marissa replied with a cheeky grin, "But they don't like you very much"
With that, everyone gave a little laugh, before hopping into the car. With Emma and Ben in the front seats, and the Hasham family, close to one another in the back.
"Emma?" Marissa questioned quietly
"Yeah Miss?" the blonde headed teenager turned her head
"How come you're here?" Marissa was puzzled.
"I had to come and check on my little sister, didn't I?" Emma smiled as the car came to a stop at the hospital.
~ * ~ * ~
Marissa sat on Emma's lap in the waiting room, going on as if nothing had happened, while her tied and relieved parents watched on, smiling. Ben sat near by, along with Jo, Chris and Tom. Everyone waited for news on their friend Jack.
"Who wants to know about my first day at school?" Marissa grinned while she asked. Everyone glanced around at each other with a knowing smile.
"What happened Miss?" Jo asked
"Well, once mummy and daddy left we played a game, and I met Sarah, she's really nice. Then we got to colour in, and then we got to go out side and play, and then we came back in side, but then these naughty men came in" she told her story happily, everyone watched in owe. "They took us on this bus, and then we had to walk along this track in this bush. And I dropped by hair clips, just like I saw on the cartoons last week"
"That was good Marissa" Tom said, "You'll make a good copper one day"
"Or detective" PJ added proudly - He was slapped on the arm by his wife.
Marissa went on, telling her story, and gave Jo quite a large hug as she told everyone about how she and Jack came to save them. She was sitting next to Jo as the doctor came out to report on Jack.
"He's going to be fine" Christian said
~ * ~ * ~
Monday February 8th, 2005
Three men, including Paul Beanland were taken into custody last night after a shoot rang out that hit Senior Constable Jack Lawson. It's confirmed that this was the only casualty, and all children, and teachers are now safe. Jack Lawson is said to be in a stable state, in a general ward at the Mt Thomas Hospital.
~ * ~ * ~
Jack sat up in his hospital bed for the first time and saw Jo asleep, resting her head at the end of his bed. Still wearing the clothes he last saw her in, she looked as stunning as ever. He moved his feet playfully to wake her up.
"Jack" she smiled happily, "You're awake"
"Yeah, while I'm not here for nothing" he replied, "Why are you here?"
"Tell me I'd leave you like this" she gestured towards his bandaged up arm
"You never seem to want to leave" Jack said mischievously
"Don't I?" Jo asked, moving her chair up to the top of the bed
"Nup" Jack winked, "Why?"
"Why?" Jo repeated, "Maybe because your more then just a friend"
"Best friend?" Jack asked
"Yeah, but something more, I think too"
"What?" Jack grinned.
In answer to his question, she stood up and leaned over him, kissing him gently on his lips. Jack continued the kiss, pulling Jo into his good arm as Marissa came skipping through the door, stopping dead in her tracks as she saw something she hadn't seem them doing before.
"You look like mummy and daddy" Marissa laughed as she jumped up onto Jack's bed breaking their embrace
"Miss, hi" Jo said, rather embarrassed,
"Hello" Miss grinned back before turning to Jack, "Jack, why are you all red?" Jo laughed
"Wouldn't know Missy" he grinned at Jo
"Is it because your sore?" she asked, "Do you want me to go get the doctor?"
"No, no, sweaty, I'm fine" Jack told her, "Where are your mum and dad?"
"They were behind me, but I ran ahead, I wanted to see you"
"Well you sure did see me" Jack laughed
~ * ~ * ~
Monday February 15thth, 2005
The Mt Thomas Primary School is reopening today, after last week's drama. It's expected that most children and all staff will return to school, with counselors standing by.
~ * ~ * ~
With little Marissa Hasham back at school for her second day, the Mt Thomas Police made sure they conducted hourly patrols around the school. With each hour, it looked perfect - just like a normal, typical school.
As three-thirty rolled on, Maggie Hasham took the patrol car and went to pick up her little girl. This time, all the children appearing at the right time, eagerly running towards their parents to tell them of the days happenings.
"Hey Miss" Maggie laughed as she hugged her daughter, "How was school?"
"Fun" she replied, "Really fun"
"Was it?" Maggie asked again as mother and daughter hoped into the car
"Yep!" Marissa grinned putting on her seat belt, "Can we go and tell daddy and everyone about it?"
"Sure gorgeous" Maggie smiled, driving off
~ * ~ * ~
PJ came out of his office as he heard his little girl's laughter outside the station. As soon as Marissa came through the front door, she ran to her father.
"Dad!" she laughed, "Guess what happened at school?"
"What?" PJ asked eagerly, scooping Missy up into his arms
"Lots of stuff!" she squealed, "We colored, we drew, played games, went out side. Lots of things"
"Sure sounds like it Miss" PJ smiled with a sigh of relief that his daughter second day of school was a bit more normal then her first.
"Did you make any friends?" Ben asked, as everyone came into the main office.
"Yep!" she said as she ran and gave him a kiss on the cheek
"Who?" Tom asked her
"Well there's Sarah, and this new girl, Anna, and, well lots of people"
"Is your new teacher nice?" Jo asked
"Yeah" Marissa answered, "Mrs. Robins, she's really nice, she let us play lots of games"
"That's good miss" Jack said, as the little girl jumped onto his lap, "It sounds like you had a good day at school"
"I did Jack" Marissa said, "Did you have a good day here?"
"Oh yeah, I did" Jack looked at her confused.
"Did you and Jo do lots of kiss's on the lips like in the hospital the other day?" Marissa innocently quizzed.
The whole station turned and laughed as Jo and Jack turned an unusual shade of red. Nothing could be kept a secret in their safe little town, especially with Marissa Hasham running around.
THE END!
Authors Ends Notes:
Well, was that long enough? I hope so, and I hope you liked the fanfic and weren't to sick of it by the end. J Once again, a huge thanks to Miss, and Kylie, and to everyone who sent feedback!
If you would like to comment on the entire ficcy (AND PLEASE DO) drop me a line at [email protected] ! Cya, *AVG*