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HAPPY BIRTHDAY


SUN HILL POLICE STATION: SERGEANT ACKLAND'S OFFICE - 3:10 PM

"Polly, that was an stupid risk for you to take!" June bellowed, as she confronted the officer.

"I know, Sarge, but he wouldn't have listened to anyone else," Polly muttered, suddenly letting the events hit her. She just realised, she'd been within three feet of Jacob Davidson.

"Polly, did you even bother to think about the possible consequences? What if you hadn't have been able to restrain Hagley?" June deep down was incredibly proud of the courage Polly had shown, but was still furious over the risk factor.

"Sarge, I.." Poll's eyes filled up with tears, and she suddenly excused herself and made for the ladies.

June followed behind, and sighed as the sounds of crying and vomiting were heard. Entering the bathroom, she reached out her arms to Poll who clutched onto her and cried her eyes out.

 

P.C's LOCKER ROOM

"Dave, you know she was only doing what she felt was right," Tony tried to defend Polly, especially after June had had a word to him.

"So it doesn't matter that she jeopardised her own safety, and that of my child's, for the sake of that bastard?" Dave couldn't believe that she'd actually stopped Hagley from stabbing Davidson. If it had been up to him, he probably would've helped.

"Dave, you know that's unfair. She did it to save that guy a prison sentence for murder," Tony replied.

"I know. I was just so frightened, Tone." He let his head fall into his hands as he sat down on the bench.

"Believe me, mate, she's been putting herself through hell ever since. Ackland spoke to me." Tony waited as Dave calmed down.

"I've done it again, haven't I?" Dave spoke depressed.

"Dave, just tell her how you feel, she'll understand," Tony encouraged.

"Oh, that reminds me. You still okay about Saturday night?" Dave had handed out surprise baby shower invitations about two weeks ago.

"Sure. Vicky and Deb are cooking up something big between them," Tony smiled; having walked in on them gossiping about cots verses cradles.

"I can't wait to see Poll's face." Dave smiled as he made his way back out to finish his shift.

 

NOVEMBER 15TH (FRIDAY NIGHT)
8:30 PM

"Poll, I've had an idea," Dave brought up the subject, as they washed dishes.

"Go on," she smiled excitedly.

"Well, how about the two of us go out tomorrow night." He watched her think it over, a frown crossing her face.

"What, and get a baby sitter?" she joked picking up on his slip of the tongue.

Dave chuckled, realising his mistake. "No, seriously. I know a great Italian place," he spoke, watching her consider it.

"Can't see why not," she smiled as she finished putting the dry cutlery back into the drawer.

 

NOVEMBER 16TH (SATURDAY NIGHT)
POLLY AND DAVE'S FLAT - 8 PM

"Hurry up Deb, they'll be here any minute!" Vicky beckoned, as the two of them struggled to put the crib together.

"Alright, done," Deb smiled proudly, and observed her work.

"Tone, you finished with the banner?" she called down the hallway as more guests were let in.

"Almost!" he called back.

Making their way back to the lounge, the place was crowded. Dave had invited all of Poll's family, as well as everyone from Sun Hill, and a few other friends he knew of.

"Dave said he'd be back by 8:30 PM, and we haven't even put the food out!" Polly's mum and sisters-in-law were all in the kitchen, panicking.

There were little kids running everywhere. Luke was trying to break up a fight between some boy and his sister, and Liz was pacing the hall, trying to soothe a screaming infant.

"Thanks, Rod," she laughed as he went around with the camera, taking photos of them all.

"No problem, Liz. gotta show your sensitive side somehow," he teased, and found someone else to humiliate.

The next twenty minutes just flew by. June was frantically trying to boss people around, Tony and George doing their best to ignore her, and Luke entertaining all the children by showing them how to arrest people.

"Hit the lights! It's twenty past! Positions!" Tony called as everyone quietened down and ducked behind couches and tables.

They all sat there in the dark quietly, the occasional comment causing everyone to burst into fits of laughter.

 

DRIVING HOME - 8:30 PM

"So Dave, you gonna tell me what's actually going on?" Poll joked, knowing something was up, as they had left the restaurant quite suddenly.

He raised his eyebrows teasingly as he parked the car.

"Well, it was a lovely night, wasn't it?" he asked as he got out of the car.

Polly smiled, slipping her arm around his waist as they proceeded up the stairs towards the flat.

"Ah, Poll, you got keys?" he asked, as he realised he'd taken his set off to get copies made.

"Yeah, hang on," she answered, as she retrieved them from her bag, and unlocked the door.

The lights were suddenly flicked on, and Polly nearly died as everyone screamed 'surprise!' at the top of their voices.

The next few minutes were a mix of giggling and hugs as she noticed that even her family had been let in on the surprise.

Everyone loaded up with food, and sat around the room, as presents were handed out.

Tony volunteered to go first, and handed Poll the wrapped gift. Everyone proceeded with oohhs and aahhs, as Polly lifted the tiny police uniform out of the paper. It was a miniature pair of trousers, with a white shirt, complete with little epaulettes, and a tiny hat.

"Hey, it's a plonk's hat!" George shouted defensively.

"Well, if I'm wrong, I'll have it changed," Tony replied as he kissed Poll on the cheek.

Reg followed, presenting them with none other than a little train set.

"Oh, thanks, Reg." Polly hugged him gratefully.

Luke was next, and shyly passed her the gift. "I fancy Tone's odds," he responded as she held up the tiny pink frilly dress.

Sam and Gary followed, with an adorable pair of sneakers and a baby-carrying sling respectively. June, being the practical one, gave them a little plate and cutlery set. Matt had chosen a very nice little blanket: white with an embroidered teddy bear.

Polly almost felt tired from all the opening, and the pile of wrapping paper was enormous. She displayed the baby bag from George, and an activity centre from Jamila.

Bob Cryer amazed them all when he produced the biggest, softest, fuzziest teddy bear Polly had ever seen. Liz presented the couple with CID's gift, a quilt and sheet set that she picked out after talking with Debbie. They continued unwrapping presents from Poll's family and friends for at least another fifteen minutes.

Finally coming to the end of it, Debbie couldn't wait any longer. Leading the party through to the spare room, Debbie and Vicky presented Polly with the cradle, complete with a big red ribbon. Polly just stood there hands over her mouth in utter shock and delight.

"Oh, you guys!" she exclaimed as she hugged them both, suddenly realising where Liz's gift fit in.

After all the excitement had died down, everyone retreated to the lounge to enjoy the rest of the night.

"So, Poll, enjoy it?" Deb asked an hour or so later.

"I knew he was up to something, just not this," she smiled back.

"So, when are you due?" Deb asked eagerly. She hadn't had much of a change to talk baby in the last few weeks.

"April 23rd. Give or take," Poll smiled, watching Deb count backwards in her head.

"And yes, Deb, you're to blame!" Poll answered for her, as Deb looked suspiciously back at her.

"Hmm, guess that extra vodka I passed your way wasn't a great idea. I'll also have to have words with George, for continuously loading Dave with lager," she grinned.

"Knowing those two, they probably were planning it all along," Polly responded, the pair of them giggling as they watched Dave and George try to fit the activity center together.

"Wouldn't surprise me!" Deb continued, as Tony took over from the men.

"Hey, what's he up to?" Polly asked, as she spotted Rod Skase going around the room, armed with a clipboard, collecting money.

"Hang about, I'll find out," Deb spoke as she made her way over to the little party.

"Ah Deb, you sure you're not disqualified from this, due to inside information?" Rod spoke as he began writing her name down.

"Well, only that I know the due date," Deb smiled back as she read the list.

"Oh, we've got that already. April 23rd, right? Dave let on to Tony, who, with a little incentive, passed it onto me. Okay, we're taking bets on sex, birth date, time, and weight. Sex is even money, the others are winner takes all."

He waited for her to think for a bit.

"Okay, put me down for a fiver on a girl, as well as a fiver on April 20th, at three in the afternoon, weighing in at eight pounds, ten ounces," she smiled as she passed over the money.

"Done. Best of luck," he winked as he went after the next person.

Returning to Polly, she informed her of his little business.

"I'll do my best for ya, Deb," Poll smiled and decided to start working her way around the room.

Over two hours later, the last person had left. Polly sighed happily as she made her way through the lounge, picking up rubbish, and tidying the cushions.

"You have to do that now?" Dave spoke as he came up behind her and embraced her warmly.

"Not really...." Polly trailed off as she turned around to look at him.

"Was a great night, wasn't it?" he spoke looking around at the mess.

"Thanks, Dave," she smiled, having thoroughly enjoyed the party.

"That appointment's for Monday morning, right?" he confirmed, receiving a nod.

"Can't wait," he smiled warmly, caressing her face with his hands. "Are we gonna find out what it is?" he continued, excitedly.

"Best not. It'd ruin Rod Skase's enterprise," she smiled, hoping this was all right with Dave.

"Yeah, A surprise would be nice," Dave spoke as he unexpectedly picked her up in his arms. Polly giggled as he made his way to their bedroom, gently placing her down in the centre of the bed.

 

NOVEMBER 18TH (TWO DAYS LATER)
ST HUGH'S - 10:30 AM

"Miss Page?" the nurse called, as Dave and Polly stood up from the chairs and followed her towards the doctor's office.

"Dr Lloyd will be with you in just a moment," the young nurse smiled, as the couple took their seats in the office.

"Well, here we are, eh?" Dave muttered, quite excited about all this.

"Yeah," Polly smiled back, feeling a little nervous.

They looked up as the middle-aged, brown haired doctor entered the room, smiling in recognition.

"Ah, P.C. Page, I thought the name was familiar. I'm Kate Lloyd," She smiled brightly as she shook their hands.

"Yeah, I thought I recognised you, although I've met so many doctors, I wasn't sure." Polly returned the grin, feeling a lot more comfortable after their little reunion.

"And you look familiar too. An officer?" Kate addressed a very excited Dave.

"Yeah, I'm sure we've met," he answered, as Kate took a seat behind the desk, and opened Polly's file.

Her face fell unintentionally as she read over the past history. Putting on a smile, she turned back to them. "So, we're about sixteen weeks, right?" she asked eagerly, not knowing who would be the first to respond.

"Yeah," Polly answered.

"Okay, well, no point delaying anything, let's go through to the exam room." She didn't realise what she'd said until she noticed Polly cringe considerably.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't think.." She trailed off, as Polly blinked a few times, trying to sort herself out.

"It's all right. It doesn't happen very often. Just sometimes, some phrases, you know?" She collected herself as Kate nodded comfortingly.

"Take your time." She sat back down as Polly took a few deep breaths and looked over at Dave.

"We don't have to do this now, Poll," he whispered back, taking her hand.

"No, I want to." She swallowed and stood up, letting Kate lead the way.

"Okay, if you just wanna hop up there and pull ya shirt up, we'll get some photos for ya!" she spoke encouragingly, as she set up the equipment.

Polly took Dave's hand again, as the cold gel was applied to her stomach, and the ultrasound scanner began its work.

Dave just grinned the entire time. He couldn't believe it. Right on the screen in front of him, he could see their baby. Kate pointed out the spine, and head, as they oohhed and aahhed in amazement.

Having concluded the exam, she passed them the photos, and escorted them back to the office.

After going through a few issues, Dave and Polly left excitedly, not being able to wait to start showing the photos around at work.

 

SUN HILL POLICE STATION
SAME DAY - 1:55 PM

"Did you get em?" Deb asked excitedly as she found Poll in the locker room.

"Yep, Dave's got the other bunch though," she eagerly passed over the photos.

Deb looked at them adorably, Jamila and Vicky soon joining them.

"I hate to interrupt the little mother's club, by you'll be looking for another job if you don't get to briefing soon," Tony quipped as they rushed out, Debbie taking the photos with her.

Just managing to slip into the room, Polly took her place next to Deb, as Sergeant Cryer commenced.

"Okay, you lot, here are the postings: Jamila and Sam, Sierra eight-four. Luke, beat two. Eddie beat three. Tony and Dave, Sierra one. Gary and George sierra eight-five, and Polly and Debbie, sierra two-one. That's it for today." Sergeant Cryer concluded quickly, and motioned for everyone to start leaving.

All the guys seemed huddled around Dave, and the women around Polly.

"Any particular reason why we're all not heading off?" he asked curiously, until getting a glimpse at the pictures.

June couldn't believe it. Walking in to the briefing room expecting to find the place empty, she announced angrily. "It's ten past two! Is this a strike!" she bellowed, until everyone got the message and reluctantly made their way out.

"Bob, you too?" she asked, as she noticed him trying to slip away.

"Well,I finished early, and we all got so caught up," he explained.

"I see," she muttered, hiding the grin that crossed her face.

 

SIERRA 2-1 - 4:30 PM

Debbie and Polly were grateful that there wasn't much to do; it gave them plenty of time to talk.

"So, thought of any names?" Deb asked, trying to mask her mild jealousy in curiosity.

"Hmm, Dave likes Christopher Luke, and Samantha Jacinta. I more prefer Chloe or Dennis. I could live with his choices though," she spoke, trying to picture what a blend of her and Dave would even look like.

"Whose name is it gonna take?' Deb suddenly realised nobody had brought that up.

"Who knows? At this point, I don't even know what name I'll have by then," she chuckled.

"Oh, so the marriage thing has come up?'' Debbie was excited again.

"Once or twice. I don't just wanna rush into it though. Not just because of the baby and all," Polly replied, trying to decide what to do about that situation. Her thinking was cut short by a message.

"Sierra two-one from Sierra Oscar receiving?" Jamila's voice filled the car, as Deb was relieved to finally get some action.

"Go ahead, Jamila," Polly responded.

"We've had a report from a very frantic resident. Came home to find a dead body in her back garden. 19 Jamaica Lane. Over," Jamila concluded.

"Received. On way," Polly replied, as Deb turned off towards the street.

"Nice. Hope it's not some poor old dear,'' Deb commented.

"What were you saying about not getting any action?" Polly teased as they drove towards the house, and parked, noticing the Coroner's van behind them.

Getting out the car and approaching the two men, Deb chose to speak first.

"We've got a report of a resident finding the body in her yard. You?" It was always best to get their stories confirmed before going in.

"Same. Said it was a possible gunshot wound to the head." The young man answered, as the four of them approached the house, and knocked at the door.

Relieved that the woman who answered the door appeared to be in her mid forties, and not at all fragile looking, they went inside to get the full story.

"I had just come back from the shops. I had cleaned out the cupboards, and was taking the rubbish out to the bin, when I just saw him lying there, blood everywhere," The woman, who had identified herself as Christabel Bailey spoke calmly.

"May we?" The men wasted no time in wanting to get outside.

"Sure." She led the group outside and towards one of the bushes.

The man's body was lying face down in the bushes, with blood draining out of the head. Quickly turning the body over, Deb's eyes widened in disbelief as they realised the victim was none other then Jacob Davidson.

"Oh!" Polly gasped in horror as she clasped her hand over her mouth and ran back towards the house, leaving Deb to handle the others.

The two men looked at her strangely as Polly ran off, Deb shrugging her shoulders innocently, as she radioed for assistance.

"Sierra Oscar from 561 receiving?" She waited for a response.

"Go ahead Debbie," Jamila responded.

"We're gonna need another unit here. The gunshot victim is Jacob Davidson," Deb spoke plainly, as Jamila arranged it.

"You know him?" the younger man, Ryan asked, as they carried out their procedures.

"Yeah, we've dealt with him a couple of times." Deb felt guilty for not checking on Poll, but she couldn't leave until the other unit arrived.

Fortunately, this was only another few minutes. She sighed as Tony and Luke quickly made their way out the back.

"What are the chances, eh?" Tony muttered as he looked at the body.

"Not slim enough. I'm going in to see if Poll's okay," Deb answered, as she quickly made her way back to the house.

"Poll?" she called softly, as she followed the sobbing coming from the bathroom. Opening the door slowly, she approached Polly who was leaning against the sink, trying to compose herself.

"I'm sorry, Deb, I just, seeing him again.." She trailed off as Deb hugged her tightly, talking her through it all.

 

SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 5:15 PM

June was furious when she learnt of the identity of the murdered man.

"Get Liz and Rod on it," she informed Bob as she hopped into a car, and made for Jamaica Lane. June wasn't the only one to be frantic.

Everyone on duty had heard Deb's call.

"What are the chances that they'd take that call?" Gary asked George with a disbelieving sigh.

"I know what ya mean. It would wind up that way though, wouldn't it?" he replied, as they headed over there.

 

CID - 5 MINUTES LATER

"Thanks Bob, we'll head over there straight away." Liz slammed the phone down, and ordered Rod to follow her out.

"What going on?" he asked slipping on his jacket, as they ran down the stairs.

"He's dead. Davidson's dead. Gunshot wound to head." Liz waited for Rod to catch up.

"And what? We suspect Hagley?" he asked, as they reached the car, Liz taking the wheel.

"I'd assume so. We'd better get over to the scene. No doubt Polly and Deb will want to be relieved." Liz made her way quickly out of the station.

"They were the dealing unit? What luck," he sighed miserably.

"Yeah, my point exactly. The only good that has come out of this is that there won't be a trial. From Polly and Lisa's sake, that's a load off their shoulder's." Liz was impressed at how quickly she was making her way down streets, and around corners.

 

AREA CAR - 5:20 PM

"You wanna head over there? Tony asked as they learned the identity of the victim.

"Too right," Dave answered, extremely anxious.

Tony wasted no time in changing directions, and proceeding towards the residence.

 

19 JAMAICA LANE

Liz and Rod had pulled up outside, and were quickly let in, only to find the place in complete chaos. The coroners couldn't get on with their jobs until the DSE had been down, and the house was filled with uniformed officers.

"Any sign of P.C.'s Page and Keane?" Liz asked one of the officers.

"Bathroom. Listen, are we still required here?" the young man answered, looking around at the room containing at least five or so other people.

"Nah, we got it. Uniform is dismissed," Rod answered, as Liz went to check out the body. It was Davidson all right. He was very dead.

She left Rod there, while she went to check on Poll.

"Polly?" Liz asked, as she slowly pushed the bathroom door open.

"Come on in, Liz," Polly muttered slowly, having had a few minutes to collect herself.

"You coping?" she whispered sympathetically.

"Yeah, I suppose. It's just a shock, you know?" Poll continued, carefully drying her eyes, and tidying her hair.

"Course. I just wanted to make sure," Liz replied, and waited until Polly was ready to leave the room.

The three of them walked out into the now empty house. The only people they saw were the forensic officers, Rod, and Mrs Bailey. Liz quickly handled things with the two men, and thanked Mrs Bailey for her help. She, Poll, and Deb all left the property together, Liz escorted them to the car, just as Tony and Dave pulled up next to them.

Dave got out of the car quickly and made his way to Poll, worriedly.

"You okay?" he asked, trying not to create a public display in the middle of the street.

She nodded slowly, not knowing how to respond. "Glad it's all finally over," Poll whispered, squeezing Dave's hand reassuringly, as she turned and sat beside Deb in the car.

Dave thanked Liz for all her support and made his way back to Tony.

"What's up?" Tony asked, as Dave sat down in the seat next to him.

"This is just so sudden. Everything's over. No trial, nothing," he whispered, feeling let down that Davidson wouldn't pay for his actions in prison.

"It's probably the better outcome," Tony spoke simply, before starting up the car, and getting back out on the streets.

 

HAGLEY RESIDENCE - 6:10 PM

Liz and Rod, accompanied by uniform back up, wasted no time in getting to Hagley's home. After receiving no answer, they forced the door in and the house filled quickly with officers.

"Here!" Sam called out as he entered the master bedroom. Liz and Rod joined him quickly. There, lying on the bed was Richard Hagley's body, with a gunshot wound up through the mouth into the skull.

"Damn," Liz muttered, as they once again called for assistance.

"Liz, look at this," Luke spoke up as he passed her the note. Liz took it from him, and read:

" 'I couldn't stand the thought any longer. Knowing that Jacob Davidson was living a normal life, while my daughter and all those other women are permanently scarred. I couldn't take the chance that he would slip through the net again; I had to act while I could. I killed him to protect every other woman and child out there. My life was a small price to pay for the piece of mind that seeing him motionless brought. Richard Hagley.' " Liz concluded as the room went silent, everyone reflecting on what they had just heard.

 

FEBRUARY 20TH, 2000 (TWO MONTHS LATER)
SUN HILL

The two murders had long been resolved, as had the trial on the four other men. They were each sentenced eighteen years for rape and abduction. The leak, Simon Rivers, received only six, for his involvement.

For the last three months, life at Sun Hill had fortunately remained pretty uneventful.

 

W.P.C's LOCKER ROOM - 1:50 PM

"I don't think it's gonna fit, Poll, give it up," Debbie laughed, as Polly awkwardly expanded the utility belt to its maximum length, still not getting it around her stomach.

"Now what? I can hardly work with it around me shoulder or anything," Polly whinged, she hated the fact that each day brought her closer to her last as an officer.

"Speak to June. If you're only in the station, you're not gonna need it," Vicky answered, as they prepared for briefing.

Everyone had taken extremely well to accommodating Poll over the last month or so. The baby had become somewhat of a Sun Hill mascot.

"Right," Polly muttered depressed, as she closed her locker and quickly made for Sergeant Ackland's office.

"Polly, what's up?' June smiled, as Poll poked her head around the door.

"Sarge, I've got a bit of a problem," Polly sighed as she handed June the utility belt.

"Well, we knew this was coming. Didn't we say that when the belt wouldn't fit, we'd stay in the station?" she reminded Polly of their little arrangement.

"Yes, Sarge," Polly muttered miserably.

"Poll, I know you are finding the limited workload frustrating, but its not forever, is it?'' June tried to be understanding.

"No, but for the better part of a year or so," Polly answered, taking the belt back and sinking her shoulders.

"You'll be back before you know it, and you'll certainly have your hands full until then. Anyway, station work's not that bad. I'll try and keep you occupied. How long before you wanna call it quits completely?" June continued.

"I know, I'm sorry, Sarge. About maternity leave, I just want to see how I go. But I've decided to go up to two weeks before my due date. That all right?" Polly asked, trying to get her spirits back up.

"Sure," June smiled warmly, as Polly turned and hurried back to the locker room before briefing.

"What'd she say?" Deb asked immediately.

"Confined to the station," Polly sighed, as she chucked the belt back into her locker.

"Sorry," Deb consoled as they made their way to the briefing room.

Polly had been posted to the CAD room, which wasn't as bad as she'd feared.

Even though she wasn't actually out there, it was the next best thing.

 

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