Jim had been back two weeks now from his honeymoon and he seemed to be happy. The atmosphere in CSU could be cut with a knife when June and Jim were in the room together, June only addressed Jim when she had too. Jim tried to talk to her on several occasions but she ignored him. Jim was upset at how things had turned out as underneath he still loved her and he was regretting marrying Marie as their relationship wasn't as good as it looked on the surface. June still loved Jim too but she was hurt and she tried to forget about him, she did this by taking it out on everyone else. In work Jim talked about his married life like it was the best thing to ever have happened to him but when he went home he was faced with reality, what June had told him before he married Marie was true, she was violent. Jim had turned into a punch bag, she never hit him where anyone could see, it was always his ribs. His back and front were covered in bruises, in less than 2 months Jim had turned into a victim of domestic violence. He tried talking to June about it but she didn't want to speak to him, he understood why but right now he need her more than ever.
Jim turned his computer off, collected his coat and went home. When he arrived Marie was arguing with Ben about going to the cinema with a girl. 'What's going on?' Jim asked
'I want to go to the cinema with Louise and mum said I can't'
'Why can't he go?'
'Why because I sad so' Marie snapped
'She said no because there s no one to pick me up'
'Well I'll pick you up' Jim smiled 'So problem solved'
'Thanks Jim' Ben said as he rushed up the stairs to get changed
'I can't believe you just did that' Marie snapped 'You undermined me'
'Oh come on Marie, the boy only wants to go to the pictures, it's not like he wants to be out all night or take drugs or something'
'He is my child not yours' she shouted
'As you keep reminding me'
'So if I say no then I mean no'
'Oh Marie I give up with you' he said as he turned his back to her
'Don't you turn your back on me' she screamed as she kicked him in the back
Jim fell to the fall and Marie punched him in the ribs. 'You deserved that' she said
'Why did I deserve it because I told Ben he could go'
'Yes, it will teach you not to do it again'
'You can't teach people by kicking and punching them Marie' he shouted as he got up holding his stomach
Ben ran down the stairs 'Bye mum'
'Ben wait' Marie shouted 'You are not going anywhere' she continued as she walked up to him
'Yes I am Jim said...'
'I don't care what Jim said you are not going' she screamed
'I am' Ben snapped as he walked towards the door. Marie saw red and grabbed Ben from behind, Jim rushed out and stood in front of him and took the blows from Marie. One punch in the stomach and another in the face, it was the first time she had ever hit his face his nose was bleeding. 'I... I am sorry Jim I... don't know what came over me' she sobbed
'Ben, son back an overnight bag I am taking you to your Auntie's' Jim said
Ben run upstairs and packed a bag 'You are not taking him anywhere' Marie snapped
'I am not leaving him here with you, you are mad and I have had enough of it, I can't take it anymore'
'Jim you no I am sorry, sometimes I just get wound up, please we can get through this' Marie sobbed
'No, tonight you have gone to far, if I hadn't stepped in then you would have hit Ben and I can't stand by and watch you do that. Hitting me is one thing but hitting a kid, no way'
'I would never hit a kid Jim'
'Oh yeah well what about the day of the wedding Marie'
'That was different'
'No it wasn't you hit a kid'
'Jim I won't let you do this'
'So what are you going to do, phone the police and tell them you beat me up, well go ahead'
'Jim don't leave me please'
en came back downstairs looking frightened 'Are you ready Ben?' Jim asked as he tried to stop his nose bleeding
'Yes'
'Ben don't leave me' Marie cried
'Come on Ben, your mother needs help and until she gets some it's best you stay with your auntie'
Ben followed Jim to the car and they drove off leaving Marie sobbing in the house. Jim dropped Ben off at his auntie's and explained the situation, his auntie wasn't surprised at all. Jim then drove to a quite spot by a canal and slept in the car. The following morning he phoned in sick to work as he had a black eye and his ribs and face were all bruised, he couldn't go in looking like that, he wanted to see June but he was scared of her rejecting him again. June received the message that Jim was ill off Gina and thought it was unlike him but she continued to get on with her work, she didn't understand Jim anymore so there was no point in worrying about him taking a day off.
Later that afternoon Marie came into the station 'Hi Robbie' she smiled
'Marie, how are you?'
'Fine thanks, I was wondering if it would be possible to speak to Jim please'
'I'll just find out'
'Thanks'
Robbie phoned CSU and spoke to Polly, Polly explained that Jim was ill. Robbie replaced the handset looking confused 'Polly said he phoned in sick' Robbie said
'Oh, oh yes sorry I forgot' Marie replied 'Sorry to bother you' she said before rushing out of the station.
'But Marie...' Robbie shouted but it was too late she had gone. Robbie looked really confused and went to find June 'Sgt Ackland' Robbie said 'Have you got a minute?'
'As long as your quick'
'It's about Jim'
'Robbie is this about work if it's not then...'
'Look I know you don't want to talk about him but I am worried'
'Why?'
'Well Marie just came in and asked to speak to Jim'
'But Jim's ill' June replied
'Exactly, something's happened between them because when I told Marie she said of course I forgot, how could you forget that your husband is ill'
'They've probably had an argument' June said
'Well don't you think we should check it out'
'No Jim's a big boy now he can look after himself' June said
Robbie sighed and then returned to her desk. June walked up to CSU, she was acting like she didn't care but underneath she was worried about him, she couldn't help herself 'I have tried Jim's mobile Sarge but I couldn't get no answer' Polly said
'What did you do that for?' June asked sharply
'Well haven't you heard he disappeared'
'Disappeared, I don't think so Polly, his wife came in looking for him but that don't mean he's disappeared, Jim is big enough to look after herself so just leave it'
'Yes Sarge' Polly said as she got on with her work.
For the rest of the day everyone carried on as normal, June was concerned and came close to phoning Jim to make sure he was alright but something stopped her.
That night June settled down with a glass of wine in front of the television, she was just getting comfortable when there was a knock on the door. June went and answered it and was shocked by who she saw standing in front of her 'Jim' June gasped
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