Hey everyone, finally it is done!! I didn't watch last weeks ep because we had signal problems here...bloody channel nine!!! so, if there are any similarities it's purely coincidental, but i doubt there would be, there's no way my writing would be a tenth of the standard of the stingers writing!! I'm loving it this season...anyway, on with the fic... Louise Vengeful duty part 1 Author: Louise Email: lj_brown2@yahoo.com Disclaimer: I do not own stingers or have anything to do with the show. Note: I was hoping to have this done before last weeks episode, but because of assignments, I didn't have the time. Mac's house~ Mac opened the door to a friendly face. "Hi Mac, I just thought I'd stop by and see if you needed the company?" Angie offered. Mac smiled lightly, "so you and Pete are taking it in turns…the stupid idiot obviously forgot it was your night! Come in." "Thanks, and just to let you know, it was all Pete's idea." "Thought that'd be the case. Can I get you a drink?" Mac asked as Angie took a seat opposite Pete. Angie sighed, "I'd absolutely love one!" "Homicide working you pretty hard, are they?" Pete asked with a grin. "Yeah, it's such a boy's club too. They give me all the hard cases, and a pile of them. I haven't really had much time for investigating Love, but I'm his `chauffer' tomorrow, so I'll see if I can put it to good use." Mac handed Angie a big glass of red wine, "just promise me you'll be careful. Harry Love is one cunning bastard." "And he's so creepy – the way he looks at me!" Angie stated with a turned up nose. "You should play on it, might make things easier!" Pete laughed. Angie pulled a face, "oh, you are so awful Pete. I'm going to forget you said that." The doorbell rang, interrupting them. "Let me guess, either Oscar or Danni," Mac said, placing her glass on the coffee table. Pete stood, "I'll get it, leave you girls to have your girlie talk." "You have a nerve being here…or is this not a social visit?" Pete asked upon seeing who was there. "Is Ellen here?" Pete scoffed, "yeah, I'll get her for you. Don't come in, because I'm sure she doesn't want scum like you setting foot inside!" Pete appeared back in the living room. "Dickhead's at the door…Angie, we better go for a walk in case he recognises you. Call me on my mobile when he's gone," Pete said, gently grabbing Angie by the arm and leaving via the back door. Mac hesitantly went to the front door, quietly ushering Nick inside. Once they were in the living room, Mac finally spoke. "You know you really shouldn't be here." Nick nodded, "I just want to know why you were using me for information about Murray's murder." "I wasn't using you," Mac replied, staring coldly into his eyes. "What exactly were you doing? Every chance you got, you asked me about the case…and you were the one who handed it to me!" "That's right, I handed it to you. So tell me this Nick, why would I do that if I was the one who pushed Murray into the path of the oncoming car?" "So why did you hand it to me?" "What does it matter? You don't believe me and I don't have any proof!" "I didn't believe someone like you could be a junkie, but I was wrong." Mac scoffed, "a junkie? You want to know how to tell if someone is a `junkie'? They usually have track marks on their arms. Now tell me this, when we were sleeping together, did you once spot anything like that to make you suspicious?" "No, not that I would have been looking for anything like that." Mac pulled the sleeves of her top up and held out her arms, "do you see anything now?" "No," Nick replied quietly. "But why would Murray want to blackmail you?" "He wasn't blackmailing me…I knew nothing about those photos until Harry Love showed them to me a few hours before the interview." "Wait on. Love had already shown you the photos?" He waited for Mac to nod. "Why would he do that?" "Because he's the one behind all of this." Nick laughed, "you expect me to believe that without any evidence?" "I may not have anything to prove Harry was behind my drugging, but I do have evidence that proves what those photos show is staged." Mac grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote something down, handing it to Nick. "The day after I was drugged, I was examined by this doctor. The blood test I had only showed traces of rohipnol. If I shot up the night before, don't you think that would have shown in the results?" Nick took the paper, looking down at the name, "the doctor won't talk to me, it's a breach of doctor-patient confidentiality." "Tell him to give me a call and I'll allow my details to be known…you should go," Mac said just as her voice was breaking up. "I'm just doing my job," Nick replied, walking away. "You know, good cops can generally tell the difference between lies and the truth. I thought you were one of them!" Next day – H.Q~ Angie followed Harry Love briskly into his office. "What's wrong with him," Angie asked in reference to Nick. "He's been walking around like a love-sick puppy for days!" "I've noticed that myself. I'll have to have a word with him," Harry replied, keeping a close eye on Nick. Angie looked at the file on Harry's desk. It was the John Murray one. She picked it up, flicking through. "You know, it's hard to imagine someone like Mackenzie would do something like this! Probably thought she could gat away with it." "Mackenzie seems to think someone has set her up," Harry said, gently grabbing the file back from Angie and reading through it himself. "Good on them whoever did it, if what she says is true…it's about time someone brought Mackenzie back down to earth!" "Not a big fan of the Detective Senior Sergeant?" Harry asked suspiciously. Angie rolled her eyes, "hardly. You know, if she has been set up, I'd love to meet whoever is behind her downfall and personally congratulate him." "Really?" Harry asked intrigued. Angie smiled, knowing she only needed at least a couple of more days to roll Harry for what he did to Mac. "Excuse me, I just need to have a word with Jardine," Harry said, opening the door for Angie. "Jardine…my office please!" "Yes boss?" Nick asked as Harry closed the door. "The past few days, you seem to be a bit all over the shop, do you mind me asking why that is?" Nick nodded efficiently, "personal reasons. I know I shouldn't let it interfere with my work, it's just really hard to concentrate." "Women trouble?" "I guess you could say it's something like that." Harry looked at Nick for a few moments before he spoke again. "How well do you know Detective Senior Sergeant Mackenzie?" Nick shrugged, "excuse me?" "Are you sleeping with her?" "No, why would I be doing that if I'm investigating her?" "Just making sure…I'm watching you Jardine," Harry said with a watchful eye as Nick exited his office. Mac's house~ "That was great," Pete stated, pushing his empty plate out in front of him. "What did you say the name of that place was?" Mac scoffed, "excuse you, I cooked it!" "Yeah right. Seriously though, where?" "I bought the ingredients from the supermarket and then cooked it myself…have a look in the bin, I'm sure you won't see any empty take- away containers." Pete stood, "alright then, I will." Mac laughed and shook her head as Pete went to search the bin. Five minutes later he sat on the sofa next to Mac, "okay, I believe you." "Pity you didn't before!" Mac and Pete shared a small laugh before Pete stopped suddenly, his face showing sadness. "What is it?" Mac asked upon seeing Pete's sudden change of mood. "I'm sorry Mac," was all he said for the moment. Mac looked confused, "what about?" "I can't help thinking you wouldn't be in all this shit if I hadn't of stood you up both nights…either night." "Pete…" Mac whispered, but Pete put a finger to her lips. He wanted to get this off his chest and now. "No Mac, it's the truth. If I had of been there, Murray wouldn't have been given the opportunity to drug you, he wouldn't have taken you to the motel and taken those photos and you wouldn't be up on murder charges for his death…and you would be the head of homicide instead of that dickhead Love!" "Pete, you can't say that. If Harry was so desperate to stop me getting the job, he would have found a way to do that. Once we left the pub, Murray could have followed me home and taken it from there." Pete shook his head, "who's to say I wouldn't have gone home with you?" "You probably would have used that opportunity to tell me about Danni and the baby. You'd hardly expect me to sleep with you then!" "I wanted to," he mumbled. Mac stood, walking over to look out the window. "It's just like saying, if only it was a different pub we were meant to be meeting at, if only your cover wasn't about to be blown, if only I didn't accept a drink from a bloody stranger, or if only Bill hadn't have gotten into that stupid car and blown up none of this would have happened at all! His job wouldn't have been up for grabs and my life wouldn't be messed up!" Pete scoffed, "ironically I'm also to blame for Bill's death." "Don't Pete. Can't you see, you say one `if only' and a whole series of them opens up and we feel worse than what we should." Pete put an arm on Mac's shoulder, "we'll get through this alright!" "I just want my life back!" "You'll get it back, I promise." Mac looked up at Pete, a small smile forming on her lips, "thanks Pete, I don't know what I'd do without your support." Next day – H.Q~ "Thanks Dr. Taylor, it was very helpful," Nick said into the phone, before racing into Harry's office. "Boss, I just rang Dr. Taylor, he was the doctor who examined Detective Senior Sergeant Mackenzie the morning after she was allegedly drugged. He stated that her blood test results only showed traces of Rohipnol and nothing else. So what those photos show, is inadmissible." "Who's to say those photos were taken the same night? These could have been taken anytime," Harry replied, dismissing what Nick had been able to dig up. "Why are you so determined to prove she's guilty?" Nick asked suddenly. Harry looked up sharply, "and why are you so determined to prove her innocent?" "Isn't our job to ensure the evidence is solid enough for a conviction?" "It appears to me you have a few problems separating business and pleasure when it comes to the Murray case," Harry said instead of replying to Nick's question. Nick creased his brow, "no, why would you think that?" "Come on Nick, I'm not blind…I've seen you moping around ever since the day you had to question your girlfriend over a murder she has committed," Harry replied smugly. "I told you there's nothing going on there." Harry scoffed, "oh don't give me that, Jardine!" "Alright, maybe we had something going, but I haven't seen her socially since we questioned her over the murder…it's not an issue now!" Harry shook his head, "I'm afraid it's a risk I'm not willing to take at this stage of the investigation, seeing how we have such a high profile suspect. Sorry, but I can no longer have you on this investigation." "What? I can be objective about this…I already have been," Nick stated, getting slightly annoyed by being dumped from the team. "I've made my decision…you can go," Harry replied without looking up. A few moments later, Angie walked into his office with some files. "I've interviewed the witnesses over the Daniels case and two are currently doing identi-kits. I told the officer to send them straight into you," Angie said handing the files over to Harry. Harry looked up from his work taking them, "thankyou Detective Oates, but I've decided to conduct a swap with you and Jardine. He'll be taking over the Daniels case, while you will be joining me with the Murray investigation." "Why is that?" Angie asked, feigning surprise. "You've shown me you have great stamina for difficult cases, so I have no problems with entrusting such a high profile case to you." "That's a decent compliment," Angie replied, taking the file in hand. "Don't disappoint me…I'm counting on you," Harry stated with glaring eyes. "Thankyou sir, and I assure you, I will put all my effort into this case." Mac's house~ Mac opened the door to Pete who quietly followed her to the living room. Once they were in there, he spoke. "How are you doing?" Mac sighed, shrugging, "oh, couldn't be better…you?" "About the same. You heard from Angie lately?" "No…why, what's happened?" "Jardine's off the case and Angie has been selected as his replacement," Pete replied with a smile. Mac smiled as well, "Angie? Hopefully it won't be too much longer now." "Tell me about it." "Have you eaten yet?" Mac asked Pete as she made her way into the kitchen. Pete shook his head. "Would you like to stay for dinner?" "Yeah, that'd be good. What are you cooking?" Mac opened the fridge door, followed by the pantry. "Looks like nothing," she replied. "I'll go and grab some take away. Any preferences?" "I wouldn't mind Thai," she replied. "I know a great place, won't be long." "Have you told your parents yet?" Pete asked Mac while they were eating dinner. Mac looked up at Pete quickly, before focussing back on her plate, "no, I don't want them to get upset over nothing." "It's not nothing…you're their daughter, they have a right to know." "I know, but how am I supposed to tell them that there's photos of me `shooting up' and I've been charged for murdering the guy who took the photos? They're not going to want to have anything to do with me," Mac replied, sounding quite upset. "You need their support," Pete replied quietly. Mac looked up, levelling Pete's gaze, "I'll think about it." "Do more than think about it…tell them," Pete said leaning forward and placing his hand supportively on top of Mac's. Mac's phone rang, interrupting them. "Hello…hi Ange, I hear you've had a breakthrough? You will be careful, won't you…I know I've said it before, but I really don't trust Love as far as I could throw him…really? When? How will you manage that? Yeah, I'll tell him…Oscar might have some…good luck, see ya." Mac hung up and took a deep breath. "What's happening?" Pete asked concerned. "Love has invited Angie over for dinner at his house to go over the case before they get in contact with the DPP." Pete sighed, "we're running out of time to stop him!" "Not quite. Angie said if Harry has that extra footage from the video, it's more than likely to be at his house, isn't it?" Pete shook his head, "Love isn't stupid…he's probably destroyed all that evidence by now!" "It's worth a try though." Harry Love's house~ "What's the reason for you not liking Mackenzie?" Angie asked, knowing she had to get him talking. "Pretty much the same reason as you, but I was more determined to see it happen." "Why was that?" Angie asked, her brow creased. "You know she was quite friendly with the Commissioner, and as a result, she seemed to be the shoe-in for the head of homicide position. I felt duded. I've been in this job since she was probably in primary school, perhaps before that. It seemed unfair to me that someone who has not had anywhere near as much experience as myself to be given such a high accolade in getting that position." Just then, Harry's phone rang, interrupting them. "Excuse me, Shelley," he said before answering it. Angie pretended to read through the file while Harry was on the phone. Before long, he hung up and grabbed his car keys. "There's been a homicide in the city," Harry said. "Oh, I'll take this home and finish reading it there," Angie replied, gathering her things together. "No," Harry snapped, but then softened his tone, "sorry, it's just that I like to keep track of where everything is…you can stay here and read it." Angie tried to look slightly offended, "sure, okay." Not long after Harry's car was heard driving away, Angie's phone rang. "You're on," said Oscar, who was sitting in his car up the road from Harry's house. Angie quickly planted a few bugs around Harry's home and then searched all the rooms for the tape footage. Once she had looked through every single nook and cranny, she gave up, until she threw her head back to force herself to think more. It was then she spotted a manhole in the ceiling of the laundry. "Bingo!" She stated with a hopeful smile. "Oscar, I've found the extra footage," Angie beamed over the phone. "The problem is we need to have an authorised search for it to be found, so I'll try and work on Love more, to get him to say that he set Mac up." "He's just arriving back now…I'll let Pete know, good luck, Ange." Mac's house~ "Looks like Love isn't as smart as we all thought he was," Pete stated as soon as he hung up from Oscar. "Angie found the footage?" Mac asked, hope echoing through her voice. "Yeah, but she figured if she can get him to admit to having set you up, there would be reasonable grounds to obtain a search warrant." Mac sighed, closing her eyes, "I just want this to end!" "I know…it won't be much longer now before this is all over," Pete replied, leaning forward and placing his arm over Mac's shoulder. Harry Love's house~ "Before, when you were saying the reason why you didn't like Mackenzie, did you ever think about…I don't know, doing something to prevent her from getting the job?" Angie asked carefully. Harry looked up sharply, "what makes you say that?" Angie shrugged, "it's just human nature. I know I would…but then you're not me, are you?" "No, I'm not…but you are right, we are only human." "So did you?" "Did I what?" Angie tried to find the right words without Harry getting suspicious. "Think of ways to stop Mackenzie being selected?" Harry laughed lightly, "I did more than just merely think of ways…I made sure she didn't get that job!" "How did you manage that?" "John Murray…I organised for him to drug Mackenzie and meet me at a motel. While she was out of it, we used the time to set her up as a heroin user and take the photos," he replied smugly. "You planned all that? Get out of here…what do you take me for?" Angie asked, pretending to shrug off Harry's admission. Harry nodded, "I'm serious." "But if you get found out, you'll lose your job, go to jail and Mackenzie will get it all again." "I don't have to worry about that…I've covered all my bases. That's why I had to kill Murray." "You did that as well? You better hope you don't get found out!" Harry raised his eyebrows, "the evidence connecting me to everything is safe and the only person other than myself who knows is you…I hope you can keep this to yourself!" "I think I'd rather you as a boss instead of bloody Mackenzie…don't worry, your secret is safe with me!" "Good." "That's what you think, you stupid prick!" Oscar snickered as he sat in his car listening in. Next morning – Mac's house~ Pete stretched as he sat up after waking. He looked around to see Mac in the kitchen making coffee. "Any news?" He asked yawning. Mac shook her head, "no, nothing yet," but paused when the doorbell rang. "I'll head off in case it's your best friend," Pete stated with a smirk. Mac gave Pete a greasy before he disappeared out the back door. She opened the door only to see it was Nick. "Nick…what are you doing here?" She asked, knowing it wasn't about business, considering he had been taken off the case. "I needed to talk to you…can I come in?" Mac hesitated momentarily, eventually letting him in. "Don't worry, I'm not going to arrest you. I've ah, been taken off the Murray case," Nick told Mac. "Really? Why was that?" Mac asked, feigning ignorance of the issue. "Love was suspicious after I told him about the medical examination you had. He wanted to know why I was so determined to get you off the murder charge. I tried telling him it was only because I was looking for watertight evidence…he didn't believe me," Nick replied, clearly disappointed by what had happened. Mac nodded, taking the information in, "sorry to hear that." "Seems you were right," Nick stated. "Right about what?" Nick pulled a tape from his jacket pocket. "I found this on my desk this morning. It has Love admitting to what he had done to you…to get the job and setting you up for Murray's murder." "So, you believe me now?" Mac asked, watching the tape carefully and wanting to know why Angie hadn't told her yet. "Yeah…Ellen, I'm sorry for not believing you, but after feeling like I had been used for information, I didn't know what to believe." Mac shook her head, "Nick, it wasn't like that. I honestly had feelings for you." "You know, it's going to take a long time for me to forgive you, if I can." "You're not the only one who has to forgive and forget after being hurt," Mac replied, referring to the way Nick had treated her over the past couple of weeks. Nick nodded, feeling guilty as he placed the tape into Mac's stereo. "You might want to listen to this." H.Q~ Pete and Oscar barged into Bligh's office, Pete throwing the tape at him. "What the hell is going on?" Bligh asked, slightly annoyed at the intrusion. "We want you to listen to what is on that tape, then sign a warrant to have Harry Love's house searched," Pete replied, standing defensively. Bligh scoffed, "and why would I do that?" "If you listen to the tape, you will find out," Oscar replied this time. "Alright then…but you better not be wasting my time," Bligh grumbled as he shoved the tape into the player. "I think you'll find the tape to be very useful, indeed," Oscar stated. Angie had just finished up in a meeting with Harry and was walking out of his office when she saw Bligh stepping out of the elevator. "Detective Oates, can I have a quiet word with you," he said ushering her to a room where they could not be heard. Harry watched on suspiciously as Bligh closed the door, but not before glancing back in Harry's direction. "With all due respect sir, this better be good…I'm quite busy heading up the John Murray murder," Angie stated, not knowing what Bligh knew, if he knew anything. "That is why I'm here as a matter of fact," Bligh replied, pulling the tape from his jacket and handing it over to Angie. "Because all the homicide detectives know you as `Detective Shelley Oates,' you will need to carry out the arrest of Harry Love." Angie nodded, but couldn't help a small smile creep to her lips. Finally, they had saved their friend and colleague. "Has his house been searched?" "I had a group of officers head over there just before seeing you… shall we make that arrest?" Bligh asked, opening the door for Angie. "Absolutely," Angie replied smirking. Once they got to Harry's office, the blinds were closed and his door was locked. "Shit!" Angie exclaimed, looking around. She suddenly saw him getting into the elevator. "There he is," she said pointing Bligh in the direction and running off. She stopped as the elevator doors closed in her face, Harry grinning. "Bloody hell!" Bligh yelled, hitting the elevator. Angie thought for a moment, "I think I know where he's headed." Mac's house~ "Has he been arrested yet?" Mac asked as soon as the tape had finished. "Not before I came here," Nick replied. There was a knock at the door and Mac went off to answer it thinking it would be the troops to say Harry had been arrested. "Harry," Mac gasped as she opened the door. Harry grinned, "Ellen…how's the rehab going?" "Why are you still playing at that? Nobody is here to know how corrupt you really are," Mac scoffed. "You never can be too careful…after all, you are an undercover cop!" "That's right, you can't be too careful," Mac retorted, smiling. Harry pushed passed Mac and saw Nick in the living room. "I can't recall inviting you in," she stated. "Fancy seeing you here, Jardine," Harry said, disregarding Mac's statement. "Finding comfort in one another?" Nick scoffed, "you really had me fooled for quite some time Harry." "What lies has your girlfriend been feeding you now?" "More to the point, what lies have you been feeding me…and the commissioner?" Nick asked. Harry leant in close, whispering, "I hope she's worth it!" "You're the one that's going down here Harry," Mac cut in. "With what? You need evidence Ellen. Something you don't have against me." Mac walked over to the stereo and grabbed the tape. "I'm sure homicide and IA will find the required evidence on this," she replied, smirking. "And what's this?" Harry asked, believing Mac was only bluffing. "It has you admitting to Detective Oates that you not only killed John Murray and set me up for his murder, but you also were behind my drugging!" Harry walked away from Mac and Nick, "if you know what's good for you, you'll hand over the tape." "Why would I do a stupid thing like that?" Mac asked, shaking her head. "Maybe I should give you a little incentive," Harry replied, pulling his gun out. "Put it down Harry…you know you'll be in deeper shit than you already are," Nick stated, moving in front of Mac. "Isn't that sweet, Ellen…the young boy standing in the line of fire to protect his girlfriend," Harry smirked. "You really need to book yourself into a mental institute Harry," Mac stated, watching the gun carefully as he switched off the safety. "All these crimes just for a job!" "It's an honourable job," Harry replied. Mac scoffed, "no, it used to be an honourable job…now you've put it well and truly to shame! You're not even half the head of homicide Bill was!" Harry shrugged Mac's last comment off. "You know, I see a lot of similarities between Bill and young Nick here." "Really? How's that?" Mac asked, not knowing where this was leading. "Both good cops, both in homicide, both influenced by the one woman and," Harry paused as he took aim, "both…dead!" Just as the gun went off, Bligh, Angie and Pete barged in. Mac quickly grabbed hold of Nick as he fell back towards where she was standing. "Drop the weapon Love…I said drop it, NOW!" Pete yelled from where he was standing. Harry scoffed, "I have one more bullet left and I'm hardly going to waste it, am I!" Pete raced forward as he saw the gun move from Harry's side to where Mac was leaning over Nick. "I wouldn't if I were you," Harry shouted just before pulling the trigger. As he did so, the sound of four guns going off were heard. After Pete fired at Harry, he threw his gun down as he spotted the blood gushing out of Mac's body. "Mac, Mac, stay with me alright…you'll be fine." "Pete," she whispered softly. "It hurts." "I know it does, but just focus on me, okay…you'll soon forget about the pain." He paused as he looked around. "Ange, I need help here… she's losing a lot of blood," Pete yelled, tears forming in his eyes. "Stay with me…just keep focused on my eyes." "Thankyou…" she whispered quietly to Angie and Pete before her eyes got heavier and heavier. TBC… Vengeful duty part 2 Author: Louise Email: lj_brown2@yahoo.com Disclaimer: I do not own stingers or have anything to do with this great show. Note: Special thanks must go to Lisa for helping me with an idea of how to continue this. Sorry about the delay, but sometimes you just can't help those darn assignments!! Warning: A little bit of language in there somewhere!! The Alfred Hospital Pete waited eagerly as he watched Mac stirring for the first time since being in the hospital. He reached out and held Mac's hand supportively, to let her know he was there. Pete smiled upon seeing Mac's eyes open. "Hey stranger, about bloody time!" Mac forced herself to smile, but cringed in pain. "What happened?" She asked weakly, grabbing hold of her side that hurt. "There was a shooting. Harry Love shot both Nick and you, so we fired back at him. The doc said your lung was punctured and the bullet cracked a few ribs. Apart from that, you're doing well!" Pete stopped, not wanting to alert Mac to the fact that Harry was still alive and in the same hospital. Mac nodded, but didn't allow for Pete to leave it at that. "Is Nick alright?" "He um…he died before the ambos got there. I'm sorry," Pete apologised softly, realising that was two boyfriends that had been killed, even though Nick was no longer seeing Mac. "And Harry?" She asked, locking eyes with Pete. Pete scoffed, "that scumbag is still alive! But at least he will pay for what he did to you." "Why don't I believe that?" She asked, looking down at her hands. Pete grabbed hold of them again, "I will make sure he never hurts you again, I promise you…" * Five years later~ "Oh my god, get out of here!" Danni exclaimed, sitting up from her comfortable position at the desk. "Ange, you are not going to believe this," she said removing the paper from her face. Angie walked around and leant over Danni's shoulder, reading at the article Danni was pointing to. "We should go tell Pete the good news," Angie said pulling away after reading it. "What now?" Pete asked gruffly as he saw two figures walking in to his office. "Thought you might like to read this," Danni suggested, throwing the paper on Pete's desk. Pete picked it up and began skimming over the article aloud. "At the press conference, Police Chief Commissioner Grodin, spoke highly of his new assistant, Assistant Commissioner Ellen Mackenzie, highlighting her…." Pete's eyes lit up and smiles spread across Angie and Danni's faces. "Mac?" He asked quietly in surprise. Angie and Danni nodded as Pete quickly stood and ran out of his office. * "Isn't that the copper who you set up?" Ryan asked as he read the article over Harry's shoulder. "Yes," Harry replied, turning his nose up in anger and jealousy. "If only you got away with it, you'd well and truly have that job," he laughed. Harry stood, throwing the paper down on the floor, "she may think she has won, but she's got another thing coming!" "What are you going to do about it?" "Never you mind," Harry replied walking off. * Pete didn't think what he was doing was right, but he just had to see Mac and find out why she left without saying a word. He pulled up a couple of houses down from the house Mac went into and waited a while before gaining enough courage to get out of the car. After ringing the doorbell he waited for a few moments and as soon as he heard footsteps coming closer on the other side of the door, he froze. The door opened and there she was. Mac hadn't changed in the five years she had been gone. "Pete, how did you know where I lived?" She asked surprised. "Don't I even get a hello?" He asked without replying. Mac smiled nervously, opening the door wider, "yeah sorry…hello." "You're looking well – haven't changed a bit," Pete stated, walking into the house. "Thankyou. So, how did you know where I live?" Mac asked again. "I waited until you finished work and followed you. I'm sorry, after reading about your appointment, I just had to see you…congratulate you." Mac nodded, "do you want a drink? I have red wine, tea, coffee or water," Mac asked walking into the kitchen. "I'll have a red wine, I think I need it," Pete replied smiling. He followed Mac into the kitchen while she got the drinks. "So, why did you leave without saying a word?" Pete asked bravely. Mac stopped pouring the drinks and placed the bottle down on the bench, her back turned to Pete. "I had to – I didn't feel safe." "That's bullshit! I would have protected you, you know that!" "Yeah and you would have protected me to the point where I felt suffocated." "Sorry for caring so much, I didn't think that was a crime," Pete said, spite reflecting through his tone. Mac shook her head, "Pete I just needed to get away for a while. You know that! After the shooting I was a mess. You were the one who told me I should get away." "As in a holiday, not to disappear for five years without saying anything to anyone. Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?" "I'm sorry for putting you through that," Mac replied, looking back at the bottle and picking it up. "I'm sorry you felt as though I would smother you, but I only wanted you to be safe in my arms." The front door was heard opening and Mac wiped away the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes. "Mummy, mummy," a little boy called out as he ran inside to where Mac and Pete were standing. "Hey sweetie," Mac replied, picking him up and hugging him tightly. "Josh, this is my friend, Pete. We used to work together before I moved away." "Hey there Josh," Pete greeted with a smile. Mac looked to see Eve joining them with another little boy. "Eve, you remember Pete don't you?" "Yes, vaguely," she replied acknowledging Pete. "Mummy, nanna took lots and lots of photos of us today," Josh said. "Really? That's good, because mummy needs more photos of the two of you," Mac replied smiling. "Why don't you go and get ready for a bath and I'll be up there in a minute?" Eve took Josh's hand. "I'll do that if you like while you two catch up," she offered. "Thanks," Mac replied. Once Eve and the boys had gone upstairs, Pete turned to Mac again. "Cute kids…I didn't realise you were married." "I'm not." "Divorced?" Pete asked. Mac shook her head, "I was engaged to their father but he was killed in a car accident not long after the boys were born." "I'm sorry to hear that. Mustn't be easy." "We're coping and they're really good. Sometimes I hardly even notice they're around, which is quite unusual for two three-year old boys!" Pete laughed slightly. "I've missed you," Pete said suddenly. "I missed you too," Mac replied, but felt awkward. "So, how is everyone?" "Both Angie are Danni are good. They're up for promotions very soon. Oscar left two years ago after he was shot again. Couldn't handle it anymore, so he moved back to the farm with his mum and dad." "Don't blame him," Mac stated. Pete nodded, "I should get going. You probably have to get dinner ready." "Why don't you stay? I could do with the company," Mac asked. "What about Eve?" "Eve has a date tonight," Mac replied with a smile. "Okay then, it'll save me having to cook." Mac scoffed, "that's what you think! You have to earn your dinner around here." * After Pete drove into the factory, Angie and Danni raced up to him. "So, where were you last night?" Angie inquired. "At home," Pete replied. Danni shook her head, "ah uh, we called you last night and there was no answer!" "I couldn't be bothered answering the phone," he replied grinning. "How is Mac?" Angie asked knowing that was probably where Pete was headed when he left work the day before. Pete shrugged, not giving in so easily. "I don't know. How would I know?" "Come on Pete, we know you were there last night…it's written all over your face," Danni replied seriously. "All right, I went and saw her to catch up and ended up staying for dinner." Angie raised her eyebrows, "just dinner?" "Oh come off it Ange, she's a single mother. As much as I would have liked to, no, I didn't!" "What? Mac's a mum?" Angie asked shocked. "Yeah, twin boys. They're three." Danni and Angie looked at one another. "So she's working under her unmarried name?" Danni asked. "No, apparently their father was killed in a car accident soon after they were born. He and Mac were engaged to be married." "Poor Mac, she hasn't had much luck!" Danni stated matter-of-factly. "That will change," Pete stated insistently. His attention was turned to his mobile phone as it began ringing. "It's Mac," he said with a smile after he looked at the screen. The smile soon faded when he answered it. "Mac, slow down…what's happened?" Angie and Danni once again looked at one another, hanging off every word Pete was saying. "Are you in at the office? I'll pick you up…no, I don't want you driving in that state. I'm leaving now." "What is it?" Angie asked worriedly as soon as Pete finished his conversation with Mac. "Josh and Matthew were taken from their crèche this morning, I have to go pick Mac up from HQ and take her home in case who ever did this rings." "Do you want us to go to the crèche and find out what we can?" Danni asked. "Yeah and see if you can check parole databases and if anyone on parole has been arrested by Mac, I want you to tell me A.S.A.P." * "If you need to make any personal calls use your mobile," Pete told Mac as he replaced the phone receiver back on the hook. Mac nodded slightly. She had hardly spoken since Pete picked her up from work. "I'll call Eve for you. Is there anyone else you want me to contact… Michael? Your parents in Sydney?" "Just Eve," Mac replied quietly. Pete came back into the lounge a few moments later, "no answer, just left a message asking her to call me as soon as she got it." Mac put a hand to her forehead, rubbing it gently. "I think she had a photo shoot today. That's why I put them in the crèche." There was a knock at the door. It was a uniformed officer. "Assistant Commissioner, do you have any recent photographs of Josh and Matthew we can distribute for the doorknock around the crèche?" "I'll have to go through the boxes. I haven't had time to fully unpack," Mac replied, moving to the first box she saw. "What about the ones Eve took, yesterday?" Pete suggested. Mac looked up, remembering. "Yeah…thanks Pete." "Thankyou maim," said the officer as he took the photos from Mac. Pete's phone rang. He looked at the screen, hoping it was Eve. It was Angie. "Hey Ange, what have you found?" "You are not going to believe this Pete." "What is it?" Pete asked worriedly. "Harry Love escaped from prison in the early hours of this morning," she replied. "Shit! How did he manage that?" Mac's attention rose at Pete's last question. "Apparently he paid off a couple of the guards. When they went and banked the cheques, they bounced. They got shitty and told the prison warden." "And they didn't bother to let Mac know?" "They said because Mac had moved interstate Harry couldn't have known that she was back in Melbourne." Pete scoffed, "don't those dickheads know they get papers in prison? Her name was mentioned in the bloody article!" "Well, someone has stuffed up, that's for sure." "Yeah and Mac's the one who has to suffer because of it," Pete hung up, looking at Mac apologetically. "What is it?" She asked, knowing it couldn't be good. Pete took a deep breath. "Harry Love escaped and they think he could be behind this." "What? Oh god Pete, I can't lose them. If something happens to them I'll…" Pete wouldn't allow Mac to finish that sentence. Instead he grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her close to hold her. "I'll find them…I promise you, I'll find them!" Pete said, determination ringing through his voice. Later that night, Angie and Danni arrived at Mac's house. "Sorry it's not under better circumstances," Angie said as she and Mac pulled away from the embrace. "Apparently there's been a sighting near the playground at Station Pier. It is yet to be verified, but the uniforms who are checking it out will let us know." "Thanks Ange," Pete replied, handing her a stubby. "Has Eve rung back yet?" Danni asked. Pete shook his head, "no, Mac said it was a pretty big shoot. I'm just worried she'll hear about it on the news first." "She won't. The Commissioner placed a media ban on the kidnapping for 24 hours. They're hoping they'll find them by then." Angie replied. "Why would he do this? They have nothing to do with what happened five years ago. God they weren't even born!" Mac asked, clearly quite upset. "It's because he knows it would hurt you. He blames you for being put behind bars, so the best way he can get back at you is to do something that would hurt you the most…taking your kids." Pete replied. The phone rang, interrupting them. Mac picked it up, calming down before she spoke. "Ellen Mackenzie." "Ellen, hello. You remember me?" "Harry. How could I possibly forget," Mac replied looking directly into Pete's eyes. Pete nodded letting her know she was doing well. "I see you've made it upstairs already. You know, you were the one who was supposed to be standing behind bars while I made my way to the top. But no, you had to prove your innocence and my guilt, didn't you?" Mac scoffed, "you honestly believed that I would take the fall for something I didn't do? I wasn't going to let you win then and I'm sure as hell not going to let you win now!" "I'm the one with the upper card now Ellen. You see, I have two very young gentlemen who, I am sure you love and adore with all your heart, but I'm afraid there has to be some kind of ultimatum." "If you hurt either of my sons I swear to god I will make you pay!" "Ellen, you're jumping the gun a bit there…you for your sons," Harry offered. "What? My sons need me, I'm their mother." "They've got a grandmother who cares about them deeply. And I'm sure your friends will look after them." "You can't do this Harry," Mac said, fighting back tears. Harry scoffed, "the ball's in your court now. Meet me at station pier at 9pm tonight. I'll be waiting. And tell those cop friends of yours to stay right away…" "I want to know my sons are alright," Mac stated strongly. There was silence. "Mummy, mummy, I miss you," the two little voices said. "I miss you too, but I'll get you very soon, okay." Mac could hear them screaming in the background as Harry got back on the line. She too finally broke down. "You have an hour and a half. See you then" Mac hung up the phone and Angie hugged her immediately. Danni read the computer screen in front of her. "He was calling from East Brighton. We better hurry up and get organised in case he gets there early to make sure we don't show up." "I'll call back up," Pete said, picking his phone up. "It'll be all over soon Mac, I promise," Angie whispered in her ear. * Pete sat on the edge of the pier with a hooded jacket on amongst a group of other `fishermen'. "How are you doing?" Pete asked Mac over the wire as he sat waiting in the com-v. Mac sighed, "I'll be a hell of a lot better when I see my babies." "Just hang in there, alright. He shouldn't be too much longer." Mac looked over at the entrance to the pier and saw Harry arriving. "Here he comes," she said nervously. "Mummy," Josh called out as he ran up to Mac. Matthew couldn't run, as Harry had a good hold of him. Mac knelt down and opened her arms for her son to run into. "Hey sweetie," she cried, holding him tightly. "Mummy, that man's a meanie. He said doesn't like you." "Did he? Well, I don't like him." Josh shook his head, "either do I. He took us away from you." "Ellen, long time, no see." Harry stated as soon as he approached her. "Hand over Matthew to me now," Mac stated forcefully. Harry shook his head pulling out a gun and hiding it so that only Mac could see an nobody that was fishing. "How dare you flaunt a gun in front of my children," Mac said for the benefit of the wire. Pete nudged the guy who was fishing beside him. They both stood and grabbed their fishing gear. "Bloody pathetic night for it," Pete said to the other guy as they got closer to Mac and Harry. "Not that pathetic, I ended up with three," he replied. "Must be one of those messy divorce things where custody has to be shared," Pete said in a loud voice, looking pointedly at Mac and Harry. "What's a classy woman like yourself doing wasting your time with this old prick?" "Excuse you, we are trying to have a private discussion here," Harry said, trying to get rid of the two `fishermen' who were interrupting them. Harry turned to face them and recognised one. "You," he stated. Before Harry could pull his gun into view, Pete grabbed hold him while the other undercover operative took Matthew from Harry's hold and handed him to Mac. Mac watched as Pete and Harry wrestled on the pier and turned her sons away from viewing what was unfolding. Pete managed to cause Harry to drop the gun to the ground. "Don't you ever hurt Mac again," Pete yelled as he threw a right hook into Harry's jaw. "This one's causing trouble Jeff, he's resisting arrest." "Better do something about it then," Jeff replied as he watched on. Pete threw punches one after the other until Harry slumped to the ground. Pete stood over him and kicked into him one final time. "You'll never hurt Mac and her children again, you understand?" Pete turned to see Mac holding both her sons in her arms again. He walked over grabbing hold of Matthew and helping Mac to her feet. "Keep an eye on him," Pete told Jeff as he and Mac walked away. * "I thought they were going to bed after their bath?" Pete asked Mac when she came back downstairs with Josh and Matthew. "They said they were too scared to sleep." Pete looked down at Josh and Matthew as Mac placed them beside him on the sofa. "You won't be able to stay awake all night! I reckon you'll both fall asleep here in twenty minutes." "Mummy said we're safe with you," Josh told Pete. "Really?" Pete asked with a grin. Matthew nodded, "mummy said she also loves you and she always has." "You weren't meant to say that!" Josh said, nudging his brother. Mac had her back turned to Pete while she got some drinks, but she could sense he was looking at her and without a doubt, had a grin spread across his face. Which he did. "Here you go," Mac stated, handing Pete his drink. "Your boys are great at keeping secrets," Pete remarked. Mac raised her eyebrow, "I know. Why else do you think I tell them things like that?" THE END!!