"Jim..." Gina shouted, crouching down beside him as June looked on in horror. "Are you OK?"
Jim groaned and rolled over to look up at them. "My head... and my leg..." He muttered. "June..."
"Tony... get an ambulance..." She glanced up. "June? Where is she, did anyone see where she went?" Gina shouted.
"I... I..." Jim muttered. "You've got to find her."
"We will, just you relax..." Gina patted his arm, looking up at the crowd that had gathered. "Honey... you take Mrs Carver inside. I'll deal with her later."
"I'm staying with my husband." Marie spat.
"No, you're not. Do you want me to nick you for breach of the peace?"
"You're all the same aren't you?" Marie shook her head. "I only came to pick my husband up from work."
"And look what happened? Something tells me this ISN'T a happy marriage. Honey, get her out of my sight." Gina spat.
Tony hunkered down beside Jim. "Jim... I'm so sorry..."
"You have to find June... please." Jim pleaded. "You find her for me ma'am."
"For you?" Gina smiled as she knelt beside him and stroked his hair. "You've finally come to your senses have you?"
"There's something wrong with her."
"We know. We've all seen it. And we've seen it in you, too. Des told me about the burn - and the other bruises."
"If you knew what was going on with June, why did you let it get this far? I didn't see it coming... too wrapped up in myself." Jim muttered.
"We tried to help, she wouldn't let us. But we can help you, if you want to press charges against Marie..."
"I don't care about me... find June... please." He looked up at Gina with huge damp eyes.
"We will. You just hang in there, alright?"
"I'm not going anywhere." He gestured at his leg. "Tony made sure of that."
Tony shrugged. "Said I was sorry."
"You always said you'd get me for how I treated June... suppose I deserved it really mate."
"Yeah... you did." Tony smiled. "Mate."
"Well, that's you two talking to each other again." Gina grinned.
"Yeah..." Jim nodded and his eyes drooped shut.
"Jim..." Tony shook his shoulder. "Jim?"
"He's out of it, good strong pulse though. Don't worry, Tone. Let's worry about June." She looked up as the ambulance approached. "Good timing."
"I'll stay with him ma'am. Go and see if you can find her."
Gina stood; watching as the green-jacketed paramedics approached Jim, covered him with a red blanket and put an oxygen mask on his face. "Stay strong." She muttered, looking left and right down the road for any sign of the errant Sergeant. "Gary, Des... you go that way... Gabriel, Kerry, up that lane to the end... I'll take that yard over there." She ordered.
"Yes ma'am." The officers chorused, heading off as instructed. Gina crossed the road, heading for the yard, hoping that June hadn't wandered too far in the few minutes they had been distracted.
She stood at the large red gates. "June, June, come on... where are you?" She moved forward, past the rolls of electrical cable and vans. "June, please, if you're in here, let me know. The FME wants to check you over." Gina paused waiting for a response, there was nothing. She walked further into the yard, distracted suddenly by a clunk coming from behind a large shed. "June, is that you?"
She ran towards the shed. She caught a glimpse of June's light brown jacket and headed toward it. "June, please stay there... please." She heard a sob, and as she approached she saw June again sliding down the wall, ending up sitting on filthy, oil-marked concrete. "June..." Gina approached her and crouched down beside her. "Jim's fine... are you OK?"
June blinked and stared up at her, but not directly at her, she seemed to be looking through her, at something in the far distance. "J... Jim... hurt..." She stuttered, gesticulating wildly.
"Jim's OK, June - just a bit bruised." Gina tried to gather June into her arms but was pushed away. "He's fine..."
"No... no you don't understand!" June stood and backed away from her. "She..." Her words dried up and she stared at Gina, then she paled and doubled up, vomiting onto the concrete.
"Oh June..." Gina shook her head, stepping to one side. "Come we've got to get you back to the station."
"No... want... Jim..." June sobbed, clutching herself tightly.
"Jim's gone to the hospital June."
"Got to stop her..." June turned and began to wander off towards the gates.
"Don't wander off June... wait for me."
"No time to wait, have to stop her..." June broke into a run, once again heading straight toward the busy road.
"June please." Gina gave chase, grabbing June's arm just as she was about to step out in front of a lorry. "Look at me." She span June round to face her. "Tell me what's wrong."
"You let her... go with him." June's eyes flashed over with fury.
"Let who go where?"
"Marie... the hospital... you CAN'T, you SHOULDN'T!" June screamed, trying to pull away.
"Marie hasn't gone to the hospital, she's in the station with Honey." Gina kept a firm grip on June's arm.
June stared at her for a long moment, then seemed to relax. "Take me there."
"Tell me what's wrong June."
"I want to see Jim!" June yelled, sobbing and pulling her arm away.
"Then I'll take you to the hospital, but I think you should see a doctor too."
June didn't appear to hear her. Her body wracked with sobs and her legs began to buckle beneath her. "I want to see Jim, please... I need to..." She fell to the floor, clutching her legs to her chest as she rocked back and forth. Around them, the four officers despatched on the search had gathered, looking at her, terrified.
"Don't just stand there... give her some space." She watched as the officers stepped back, crouching down beside June. "June... June..." She spoke softly. "It'll be OK... we'll go and see Jim."
June nodded slowly. Gina reached out a hand and helped her stand. "I'll drive you. Come on." She led her across the road and into the passenger seat of a Panda. Adam Okaro, alerted by the activity, approached her just as Gina was about to get into the car. "Gina... what's going on?"
"I don't know." Gina shook her head, obvious worry on her face. "Jim's been knocked down and June... there's something not right. I'm taking her to the hospital."
"The FME is right here..."
"It's more serious than that... She needs to see Jim and I think she's... she's having some kind of breakdown... you must have noticed how she's been these last few weeks."
"I have... does it have anything to do with the fact that I just saw Marie Carver being brought in?"
"I think she does have something to do with this... but what exactly I don't know."
"How long do you want her kept here?" Adam asked, flicking a glance at June.
"How long can we keep her here? June seems afraid of her, and Marie seemed to be winding Jim up as well. There was a huge slanging match going on between the three of them earlier."
"I'll see what I can do... but I can't hold here indefinitely without charge."
"Then get someone to take her home, keep her away from the hospital if you can... I should go..." She gestured at June.
"Of course." He watched as Gina got into the Panda and drove away.
***
15 minutes later, Gina pulled up in front of St Hugh's. June hadn't said a word or even moved since they left Sun Hill.
Gina placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. "June..."
June looked up at Gina, wide-eyed. "Jim..." She muttered.
"We're here..." Gina nodded. June got out of the car and headed towards the A&E doors at a pace. Gina had to run to catch up with her. "Wait for me... please, June..."
June ran into the hospital and stopped dead. She suddenly turned to look at Gina, her face full or fear, her eyes begging for help.
"Hey... it's OK..." Gina kept a hand around June's upper arm as she conversed quietly with a nurse. She looked back, her eyes regretful. "You can't see him right now."
June's face fell. "I have to."
"June, he's still..." Gina stopped, pulled in a breath.
"What?" June's face paled.
"He's still unconscious." Gina ducked her eyes.
"You said he was OK." June gasped, running out of the doors.
"June!" Gina rolled her eyes and ran after her. "June, for god's sake, stop running away!" She stopped and watched June as she sat down on a wall outside, her body shaking as she began to sob. Gina approached her and sat down next to her, placing her hand on June's. "June..."
June pulled her hand away, pressing it to her face. "Go away..."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"You lied."
"I thought he was OK... I'm sure its just concussion. June, I'm worried about you."
"You brought me here... because you think I'm crazy." June stared at Gina accusingly.
"I brought you here to see Jim."
"No... you think I'm going mad, I know, I've heard people talking, seen the way they look at me..."
"We're just worried about you."
"There is NOTHING wrong with me."
"You're not yourself June." Gina placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
"It's not me, it's you, it's everyone, what is WRONG with everyone?!" June screamed, placing her hands to her temples.
"Look at me June..." Gina soothed.
"Everyone... just... it's all gone wrong... everything..." June mumbled. "Nothing... anymore...."
"June..." Gina stood and moved to stand in front of me. "Talk to me, tell me what's wrong."
"It's all over." June's lower lip trembled.
"What is?"
"Hope."
"June?" Gina's brow furrowed.
"Hope you'll have... something special... so you won't die... alone and regretting... everything..." June shook her head, looked down and away.
"Is this about you and Jim?" Gina said softly, taking June's hands in her own.
"No... I... he... was the last, nobody will want me now."
"Hey... don't be silly. Of course you'll find someone." She squeezed June's hand.
"They won't want me... I'm old, and..."
"I'm older than you... and I'm still on my own. You'll find someone else June." Gina squeezed her hands.
"I told you... it's over. My life, is over." June turned away. "I wasted all those years..."
"Don't talk like this, please June."
"I could have had someone, so easily, all those years ago. But my pride wouldn't let me... and now it's too late..."
"What do you mean?"
"J... Jim." June's eyes fell closed and a tear snuck out and fell to the ground.
"Men aren't worth all this upset June..." Gina shook her head. "No man is worth breaking your heart over."
"It's not THAT! That's what HE thought!" June was active again now, jumping up. "That's what you all think and it's NOT that!"
"Then what June... I don't understand."
"You all think I hate him, that I'm angry at him but I'm not... I just can't... HELP... snapping, and..." She swallowed, put her hand to her head. "I can't help... the anger, just..."
"What's wrong with you June? Do you know what it is?"
"I... I know." June nodded, biting her lip and looking over Gina's shoulder.
"Do you... do you want to talk about it? It might help." Gina said softly.
"No... it's stupid." June wiped at her cheek with the back of her hand.
"It's not stupid if it's affecting you like this."
"I... I... I'm going through the..." June laughed to herself and ran a hand through her hair.
"Hey you almost smiled..."
"I'm going through the menopause." June said quickly, looking Gina right in the eyes.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of... happens to all of us." Gina smiled.
"It's different for me." June sighed and turned away.
"Why June?"
"I could... go onto HRT... you've heard of that..."
"I know it well." Gina nodded.
"But... I can't risk it. You know there's a link between HRT use and breast cancer... my family... there's a history of it, a clear history and I've spent the last thirty years, terrified..." She swallowed. "And I've come this far and been OK, I'm not going to... put myself at a deliberate risk."
"Have you spoken to your GP?"
"Yes. He told me I should go onto HRT for a few months, and... see what happens."
"But you don't want to risk it, I take it?"
"No... Gina... it wasn't just my father I nursed." June sat heavily back down onto the wall.
"Your mother too?" Gina sunk down beside June.
"She died when I was nineteen. Breast cancer... spread to her spine."
"That must have been awful for you... I've seen a lot of friends go through that, it's not nice."
"But she had dad, she had me... she had family. Gina, I've got no one. If it happened to me - I don't want to die alone in some hospice somewhere... so as hard as this is, I *have* to battle my way through."
"Have you no family at all June?" Gina squeezed her hand. "Well, apart from everyone at Sun Hill who adores you."
"Only... very distant relatives, devoutly catholic, who see me as a black sheep." June rolled her eyes. "And as for Sun Hill - I think I've alienated just about everyone with my behaviour."
"That's not true June, I've *never* met an officer in my entire career who is loved and respected as much as you are. People have been so worried about you."
"Jim too?" June looked up to her.
"Of course..."
"That's just it... I don't want to lose him but the more he pushes the more I push him away. He is my oldest, dearest friend." June stood, walked a little way away, looked up at the A&E sign above the doors.
"You two have to work things out - don't make the same mistake I did."
"What mistake?" June flickered a glance over to Gina.
"I... I don't know if I can talk about it... it's complicated."
"After I've just confided in you?"
"True." Gina nodded. "I was seeing someone, then I found out something and basically did a runner on him. Bumped into him again not long ago, and now I have to see him with his wife and family and... it's not easy. Let's just say I know what it's like to work with someone you loved... had a serious relationship with."
"I'm sorry...." June ducked her head. "It's so easy to believe that you're the only one it's ever happened to. Every horrid word I've said to Jim, as soon as they've come out of my mouth I've wanted to bite them back, but..." She stopped. "Gina, I need you to do something for me."
"Anything June."
"I need you to look after Jim."
"Look after him?" Gina frowned.
"I don't know if I'm going to make it through this in one piece." She sat down beside Gina once more.
"I'm not having you talking like this June... you can't carry on like this."
"Gina... Ma'am, I'm just facing reality. If something happens to me..."
"Nothing is going to happen to you June."
"Please... just listen... if something happens to me I need you to protect Jim from... I need you to protect him from his wife."
"His wife...? Marie...?"
"She's been abusing him from the day they got married. Systematically." June's eyes filled with tears.
Gina's mouth fell open. "That's a serious allegation June. I'm not saying I don't believe you... how long have you known?"
"Not long... Jim told me about an hour ago. I had to prise it out of him, he... keeps defending her."
"Is that what all that in front of the station was about?"
"Yes. I hate her so much, but... he loves her..." June shook her head angrily. "He's got a burn, from an iron, on his back. He said it was an accident. He tripped over the cord."
"He should do something about it... Jim's stronger than this." Gina shook her head. "We need to help him."
"He doesn't want to be helped."
"Then we need to talk to him... make him see sense."
"If I can't get through to him, who can?!"
"It's not going to be easy... is he drinking again?"
"No... I... I don't think so." June sighed heavily. "But she is capable of anything, even if he did press charges she would lie, she would turn it around and point the finger at him... and if she does, please, do NOT believe her."
"We have to get Jim to report this..."
"He won't. And if she thinks I had anything to do with it..." June stood, and stalked towards the automatic doors.
"What do you mean June? What does this have to do with you?" Gina stood and followed her towards the hospital.
"Apparently she's been threatening me."
"What have you done? Sorry... what are you supposed to have done?"
"I've done nothing, except work with Jim. She can't bear it."
"She's jealous then... that's one problem I don't have with my ex's wife... don't think she even knows about us."
"Insanely jealous is what Jim said." Jim walked back into the department, looking around. The nurse that had helped them earlier spotted them. "Mrs Carver?" She asked. Gina made to say something, but June nodded.
"Jim's conscious now..." The nurse smiled. "Would you like to see him?"
"Yes... yes, I would." June's words came out in a rush. She followed the nurse to a blue-curtained cubicle.
"He's still pretty groggy. His leg's very badly bruised, but not broken, he should stay off it for a couple of weeks, we'll give him some crutches."
"And his head?" June asked.
"Mild concussion." The nurse smiled. "Judging by his notes, not for the first time, he must have a thick skull."
"You're not the first one to say that." June raised a slight smile.
"Just be gentle with him." The nurse advised as she pulled back the curtain.
"I will." June nodded, stepping towards the bed where Jim lay dozing, the blanket clasped in his hand. "Jim?" She said softly.
His eyes cracked open, slowly. "Marie?"
"No it isn't." June snapped, unable to help herself.
"Where's my wife?" Jim tried to straighten.
"Still at the station the last I heard."
"Why... what have you done?" Jim stared at her.
"I've done nothing..." June shook her head. "Inspector Gold advised that she was taken out of the way... she was just causing havoc."
"I warned you not to get involved. I have to see her, put this right." He swung his legs around, over the edge of the trolley he was lying on.
"Jim you can't go anywhere without crutches."
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do." Jim glared at her, moving to get off the trolley.
"You don't listen anyway, it's a waste of breath." June muttered, obviously trying to distance herself mentally from Jim. "I'll go if you'd prefer that."
"Wh... what time is it?" Jim asked suddenly.
"Half past six." June glanced at her watch.
"I have to be home, by six..." His breathing became rapid, his face paled.
"No you don't Jim. Marie's not at home waiting for you with her weapon of choice, she's at the station." June said calmly.
"They can't keep her there, she'll talk her way out of it, she'll come here and if she sees you with me..."
"Gina won't let her near you."
"You've told Gina?" The tendons in Jim's neck tensed and his eyes bulged. "What right did you have to do that?"
"I can't stand by and watch her destroy you Jim."
"I'm doing it to protect you. And if I don't put this right...." He slid from the trolley, wincing as his foot hit the ground.
"Put yourself in my shoes Jim. Don't tell me that if this situation was reversed you wouldn't do the same... now sit back down."
"June... I..." Jim looked up suddenly.
"Jim?"
"I told you..." June listened and could hear, in the distance, the unmistakable coarse tones of Jim's wife.
"Gina will keep her away... she promised."
"There is only one way to fix this. I don't want *anyone* else getting hurt." Jim pushed June aside and limped his way towards the curtain.
"Jim, don't be so stupid." June grabbed his arm.
"D... don't TALK to me like that!" Jim screamed at her, his fury entire and immediate.
"I... I'm sorry." June shrunk back away from him, visibly trembling.
"June, there's just nothing you can do. Marie and I, we'll move away." Jim nodded to himself then left the cubicle.
"You can't do that..." June shouted, her voice shaking.
"It's been planned for months."
"What?!"
"You heard me."
"You can't leave." Tears sprung to her eyes.
"Why not? It's not as if we have anything any more, is it. It's all gone. We threw it all away."
"You promised me you'd always be there for me." A tear escaped and snuck down her face.
"I made a vow to Marie."
"A vow to become her punching bag?"
"Sickness and in health."
"And since when have you ever kept your promises?" June snapped.
"Since I've had to." Jim glared at her. "Since I can't get away with breaking them."
"I thought you were stronger than this." June sobbed.
"Then you never really knew me. I thought by staying I could protect you, but I know now, the only way I can know you're safe is by leaving."
"I need you Jim... I've got no-one else."
"Ju... I... need..." His eyes met hers.
"What?" June pleaded.
"I need you." He whispered, his face crumbling.
"Not as much as I need you." She moved over to him and flung her arms around him, sobbing onto his shoulder.
"Jim..." The voice came from behind him. "Jim, what the hell is going on here?"
................. on to Part Three
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