CAD ROOM - 3:30 PM

"218 from Sierra Oscar, receiving?" Polly spoke as she took the latest call.

"Go ahead, Poll," George spoke back.

"We've got a report of a disturbance at the Bears Head. Two IC1 males," she continued.

"Show us dealing," he replied, as Dave made a sharp right turn and headed towards the location.

Polly had been sorting through PNC's, when George came back on air.

"Sierra Oscar from 218 receiving?" George spoke, quite calmly.

"Go ahead," Polly quickly focused her attention back on them.

"The fight had broken up by the time we got here. We've split up to search for the two men, one is believed to have been struck on the forehead and bleeding," he finished, as he turned into the pub.

Dave had gone around the back, while George continued inside. He spotted two men, matching the descriptions from the barmen, still yelling at each other.

"218 from 340, they're round the back, George. Still arguing," Dave replied as he cautiously approached them, extending his baton.

"340 from Sierra Oscar, do you require back-up?" Polly asked, trying to picture what was going on out there.

"Nah, we got it, Poll," Dave responded quickly, and he reached the men.

"Oi! What's all this about, eh?" Dave wished George would get there sooner.

"None of your business, scum, now sod off!" Obviously the bigger of the two men had a problem with police.

"You know I can't do that until I've sorted out what's going on," Dave answered, as he looked from one man to the other.

"Look, we don't like coppers, we don't talk to coppers.'' The other man had turned violently, drawing a knife from his pocket.

"You get the message?" the first one chuckled, as Dave backed-off.

"Sierra Oscar from 340, urgent assistance- " Dave spoke tensely, as their was still no sign of George.

"Alright, guys. There's no need for all this. Just put it down, and we can discuss what's going on." He was panicking; these guys meant business.

"That's all you coppers ever say. Never interested in any action," the man with the knife growled as he grabbed Dave by the collar, the other grabbing the baton out of his hand.

"Let him go!" George yelled as he ran up frantically.

"Sierra Oscar from 218, urgent assistance, Bears Head. One the IC1 males has produced a knife," George spoke quickly, as he diverted his attention back to the situation.

"Look, we don't care what all this is about. We'll be on our way right now," George pleaded, as they held Dave by each arm.

There was a long pause, as everyone thought through the situation. Not stopping to consider the risk, Dave bent down, and scrambled out of their grasps, George ripping out his can of CS spray.

"Drop it!" Dave yelled, as the men opposed them. Suddenly realising they had nowhere to go, the knife fell to the ground, Dave and George quickly cuffing them.

"Sierra Oscar from 340. Cancel, cancel, cancel. Assistance no longer required." Dave was grateful to be making that statement, as another unit arrived.

Back in the CAD room, Polly let out a long sigh, after an extremely tense few moments. This was more stressful than being out there.

"You okay Poll?" Sergeant Cryer noticed she'd turned a very pale colour.

"Just about." Polly calmly slipped the headset off, taking a few deep breaths.

THE PIKE'S HEAD - 10:30 PM

"Well, I think I speak for everyone here when I say it's good to see you both in one piece," Tony spoke as Dave and George concluded their story.

"How's your blood pressure?" Deb asked Poll, as everyone settled into his or her second round of drinks.

"Back to normal, just," she smiled back, as Vicky suggested a game of darts.

"Why not?" they agreed and made their way over to the board.

Tony had managed to get a few private words alone with Dave. "I don't know who's the more shook up by this, you or Poll," he spoke as they watched the three women commence the darts game.

"That's what's worrying me. Ever since we've been together, its made working together so much more difficult," Dave answered.

"Why don't you have a word with June? Surely CAD's not the most stress-free thing she could be doing," he continued.

"It's getting limited, though. Custody's out, the only thing really left is front office, and D.I.U." Dave was really caught by this. He knew Polly didn't want to leave any sooner than she had to.

"She'll just have to narrow it down," Tony spoke back, the two of them chuckling, as they watched the women accuse Polly of having an advantage, just because she was winning.

"Five extra pounds of weight is not an advantage!" Polly laughed, winning yet another round.

"There's another issue I've been trying to work through. Non worked related." Dave decided to take the plunge and confess to Tone.

"Let's hear it," he was excited.

"Well, we've been living together for the best part of six months now, and I was kind of feeling that I should do the honourable thing and all." He waited for Tony's reaction.

"We talking about the big plunge here?" Tony raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Yeah. I just haven't found the right time," Dave replied, sighing.

"Bout time mate!'' Tony patted him on the back approvingly.

"As for the timing. Dinner always works well," Tony suggested.

"And you've had so much experience!" Dave teased.

"You asked me," Tony grinned and shrugged his shoulders defensively.

"I know. Thanks mate." Dave returned the pat, and decided to speak with Bob Cryer.

FEBRUARY 27TH (ONE WEEK LATER)

Dave had been able to do some heavy persuading, and had find solved the timing issue.

Everyone had just completed early turn, as the briefing room was prepared for the little event.

"Deb, you'll keep Poll busy for a few minutes, while we set up?" Tony double-checked with Deb, while everyone made his or her way to the briefing room.

"Sure," Deb answered, as she quickly made her way back to the locker room, where Polly was changing.

"So, how's everything going?" Deb stumbled around for something to talk about. Polly gave her a strange look before answering.

"In relation to?" Polly had sensed there was something going on, and Deb was the decoy.

"You? Dave? Work?" Deb answered nervously.

"Deb, what's all this about?'' Polly smiled as she noticed the occupied look on Deb's face.

"What?" Deb answered defensively, as they both slowly finished changing.

After about ten minutes, Deb couldn't restrain Poll any longer. Making their way out, Deb put the next phase into action, as she claimed to have to quickly pick something up from the briefing room. Polly rolled her eyes, as she allowed herself to fall into the trap.

Opening the door excitedly, Deb was surprised and a little concerned to find the entire room in darkness.

"What did you forget, Deb?" Polly asked, not believing her excuse.

"Ah, um," Deb hesitated, switching the lights on nervously. The room was completely empty. Deb was worried.

"Just my pocketbook, Poll. I was writing in it this afternoon, and haven't seen it since." She quickly made up a reason, as Polly began looking on desks around the room. Luckily, Deb was still by the door, and quickly ducked out as she was patted on the shoulder.

"What's going on?" she whispered to Tony, as Polly continued looking.

"You'll see," he smiled as a very smart looking Dave appeared from the locker rooms, and approached them. Receiving the nod from Tony, he nervously entered the briefing room, closing the door behind him.

"Now what?" Deb asked, this wasn't what they had planned.

"Dave had second thoughts about announcing it in front of us all. I suggested he pop the question privately first. Don't worry, everyone's in D.I.U should she say yes." Tony and Deb waited, checking their watches constantly.

Polly turned around as she heard someone enter the room. "Dave? What's going on?" she asked as she noticed the very elegant suit he was wearing.

Crossing the room nervously, he took her hands. "Look Poll, I'm no good at this. Ah, I've been thinking about this for quite awhile, and I, uh .." He was stumbling badly. Polly raised her eyebrows, wondering whether or not he'd actually be able to say what she hoped he was about to. "I guess what I'm trying to say, is that, I thought it would be good, I mean, I would really like it if, oh God! Poll, will you marry me?" he blurted out, extremely quickly, just wanting to get it over with.

Polly couldn't believe it. He had actually said it. She looked back at him, smiling radiantly. "Dave, of course I will." She leant forward and kissed him passionately, as he relaxed.

He was speechless. Then he suddenly remembered about the little arrangement in D.I.U.

"Polly, you probably wanna wait or something, but, well, Tony and I- "

Polly cut him off. "You've got the entire station in another room, complete with a minister?" she giggled, approvingly.

"Yeah, but I could understand if you wanted to wait. Do things properly." He suddenly realised that maybe this whole impromptu thing was too rushed.

"Why wait?" Polly stated simply, as Dave led her back out towards D.I.U.

Deb and Tony were waiting eagerly in the hallway.

Deb raised her eyebrows as the couple emerged.

"We're on!" Dave grinned ecstatically, as the four of them continued down the corridor towards the room full of people. Tony pushed open the doors, as Polly walked slowly in, gasping as she found the room completely full.

Not only were all on Sun Hill there, so were all her family and everyone who had come to the baby shower. The room was beautifully decorated with flowers, and the minister was standing, smiling, beside the table, containing the two gold bands.

After everyone had taken their seats, Polly was handed a bouquet and stood next to her father at the back of the room. She couldn't believe that this was all really happening.

The wedding ceremony went extremely quickly and soon everyone was busy eating cake, drinking champagne, and commenting on how quickly this had all happened.

"So Poll, you had time to work all this through?" Deb asked, as she managed to still the bride away for a moment.

"Not really. I'm still trying to imagine myself as P.C. Quinnan. It could get complicated," Polly spoke as Deb giggled.

"I hadn't thought of that, you're right!" Deb continued, as everyone began congratulating Polly.

Deb managed to sneak away to get a word with Tony.

"How's it all going this end?" she asked as she motioned towards the group of men talking with Dave.

"Brilliantly. We couldn't have planned it better." Tony smiled, as they observed all the conversation.

It was about an hours later when people began leaving. As the numbers reduced, it was down to Polly's parents, Deb, Tony, and the happy couple.

"Oh, love, we're so happy for you both," Polly's mother whispered, as she hugged her new son-in-law.

"Thank you, Mrs Page," he replied, glad that they were approving.

"Dave," Mr Page summed up warmly, as they shook hands.

Following their departure, the four remaining officers looked around at the disastrous room. Beginning to pile up plates of uneaten wedding cake, Polly was stopped a very determined Deb.

"No you don't. Get out of here, the pair of you. We've got this, right, Tone?" Deb stepped in and Tony quickly started helping.

"Sure do. Now go off." He smiled as Dave and Polly hugged them both gratefully, and left the room.

"Wow! I'm so glad we followed that through," Deb sighed as they began restoring the room to order.

"It was perfect, wasn't it?" Tony agreed.

APRIL 10TH
SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 8:10 PM

Polly was chewing her fingernails thoughtfully as she read through yet another baby magazine. Everyone had kept her up to-date with them, so she had plenty to occupy her time while in the front office. They'd even organised a chair for her, so that she didn't have to stand behind the counter for hours at a time.

The last few months had been pretty predictable. She'd gone from the CAD room, to D.I.U and front desk, alternating now and then. She was glad that June had allowed to her stay on, despite her increasing lack of mobility. It was frustrating her a bit, although she would rather be here than stuck at home every day.

Glancing up as Liz passed her, Polly was pleased when Liz popped in for a chat.

"How's it going?" she asked, noticing Polly's glum face.

"If that phone doesn't ring, or that door doesn't open shortly, I will scream," Polly stated, receiving a consoling look.

"Well, I've got a drug dealing teenager to interview. I'll catch ya later though." Liz brushed her arm affectionately before turning and continuing towards custody.

About twenty minutes or so had passed, when Polly finally noticed the front door open, and a middle-aged man casually walk in and approach her.

"How may I help you, sir?" she asked, trying no to sound too over excited.

"Yes, is Liz Rawton available?" he asked simply.

"May I ask your name, and what this is about, sir?" Polly spoke, putting her guard up suspiciously.

"Is she up there?" he pointed towards CID violently.

"Sir, I need your name before I can contact her." Polly reached for the phone.

"Don't touch it!" the man yelled as he drew a gun out of his coat pocket. "Right now, you're gonna take me to Liz Rawton," he demanded, as Polly stood up and tried to think this through. Polly sighed and slowly made her way out of the front office and opened the locked door into the station, as he grabbed her by the arm, and walked down towards the custody suite. No one was around at this time of night, and so the station was very quiet.

Polly nervously walked as fast as she could towards the double doors. Pushing them open, Matt looked up, about to make a wisecrack, when he noticed the guy trailing Poll, with a gun to her head.

"What's going on here?" Matt spoke as the man pulled Polly towards each corridor as he looked for Liz.

"He wants Liz, Sarge," she spoke as he tightened his grip on her right arm.

"You, shut it!" the man growled angrily.

"Get her here," the man spoke to Matt, demandingly.

"She's in an interview. If you just wanna put the gun down, I'll-"

The man cut him off, becoming more uptight. "That's not gonna happen. You've got thirty seconds to get her out here, or they'll both die!" he sneered, as Matt made his way towards the interview room.

Opening the door, he called Liz out.

After waiting a few moments, an uptight D.C. Rawton made her way into reception.

"Matt, you know better than to.." Liz trailed off as she took in the situation.

The gunman had a terrified Polly tightly by one arm and was waving the gun between her and Sergeant Boyden. Liz couldn't believe who it was.

"Alan?" she spoke with disbelief, as she recognised her former fiancée.

"Thought you'd be free of me that easily?" he spoke through clenched teeth.

"Now look, surely we can work something out here. Let her go, eh?" Liz's eyes met Polly's as she bit her lower lip. The vulnerable, helpless expression which had gradually left her the past eight months, returning.

Liz had thought that by moving from Birmingham, she'd have left Alan Rogers behind.

"You, give me the keys," he spoke to Matt, who reluctantly handed him the chain.

"Matt, where.." June briskly pushed the doors open, and stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed the problem. Alan was becoming more agitated by the minute.

"Right, all of you, this way." He directed them towards the female cells.

Opening the empty cell, he shoved Polly in, followed by June and Matt.

"Alan, you won't get away with this!" Liz warned, as he motioned for the two of them to head back to CID.

"Who's stopping me, Liz?" he smiled devilishly.

CAD ROOM - 9:15 PM

"There's no answer from custody, Sarge," Deb spoke, as she tried to contact Matt.

"You'd better go check it out, Debbie," Sergeant Cryer answered, as she stood and made her way out.

"Sarge?" Deb called as she noticed the empty reception area.

"Deb!" June called desperately, as she heard Deb's voice.

"Sarge? Where are you?" Deb couldn't pin the location down.

"Cell six," June called back.

"What?" Deb yelled jokingly, as she opened the flap. "What the hell's going on?" she asked frantically, as she noticed Matt, June and a very distraught Polly in the cell.

"There's a guy with a gun. He's got Liz in CID," Matt called back.

"You all right, Poll?" June queried, noticing a look of discomfort cross the P.C.'s face.

"Sarge, I'm not.. I don't feel too.." Polly muttered, as she stood, making her way across the cell. "Oh no!" Polly cried out, as a bloody pool surrounded her.

"Poll! Hold on. I'll get Sergeant Cryer!" Deb answered, as she ran back to the CAD room.

Deb wasted no time in reporting back to Sergeant Cryer, who suggested they head up there for a closer look.

"Shouldn't we call an ambulance first, Sarge?" Deb inquired, concerned for Polly.

"We don't know what that guy's capable of, I don't wanna spook him," Bob answered as he and Deb left the room.

Creeping slowly up the stairs, they peered through the glass door, and could see Liz and Alan quietly sitting at a desk chatting.

Deb unfortunately, leant a little too close to the door, causing it to move slightly, and let out a squeak. They'd blown it.

Quickly being escorted down to the cells, they caught up with Matt, Poll and June.

"At least let her get to a hospital, Alan!" Liz begged, as she witnessed Deb being put in the cell.

"Oh, yeah, so then she can go spreading the word. Fat chance," he answered loudly, as he locked the door, and took Liz back to CID.

CELL SIX - 9:30 PM

June and Deb tried to make Polly as comfortable as they could, which wasn't easy. They were all panicking frantically, as the contractions began. Matt and Bob hovered in a corner, feeling thoroughly out of place.

"June, you've done this before, haven't you?" Deb remembered the Christmas birth, in the same cell as well.

"Well, yes, but that was different. For starters, I wasn't locked in the cell, and secondly, that was that woman's sixth!" June hesitated, knowing Polly wasn't prepared for this.

CAD - 9:45 PM

Sam was beginning to panic. It had been almost half an hour and there had been no word from either Deb or Sergeant Cryer. He couldn't leave the room, as he was the last one there, so he decided to get another unit back.

"218 from Sierra Oscar, receiving?" he spoke, getting a quick reply from George.

"We've got a little situation here. Need backup. Come in quietly through back entrance." He didn't want to give out too much on air.

"On way," George replied, as he and Dave began their ride back to the station.

CELL SIX - 9:55 PM

"June, what the hell is going on here, this is too fast!" Polly called frantically, as she struggled through another contraction.

"I don't know, Polly. This is just one of those advanced labours," she answered, as she decided to ring the bell, in the event that someone might be out there.

"What are you doing?" Deb asked worriedly.

"It can't hurt, besides, we're not waiting around here to deliver this baby ourselves!" June defended, as they took their seats, either side of Polly.

"This is a joke. We don't even know what's going on out there." Matt stated, running a hand through his hair, as he edged his way closer to the wall.

"I'm more concerned about what's going on in HERE. June?" Bob looked back at the Sergeant.

"Don't ask me, I'm doing my best here!" June yelled back, rather concerned.

CID - 10:05 PM

"Look Alan, we can work this through. You have to understand why I left." Liz was worried about Polly; she just wanted to sort this out as quickly as she could.

"But I don't. I loved you. I will always love you." It was hard to believe that this now quiet and rational man, could be the same terrorising lunatic that he was an hour and a half ago.

"If you do, then why won't you do the right things by the people I care about?" Liz answered back. She knew he didn't have an answer for that. Alan didn't like not having answers; it usually resulted in him getting angry.

"Shut up, will ya! Ya think I don't know what you're doing! They're staying down there, until we sort this out!" he growled back, as Liz sighed, and continued talking through how they met, and got together.

CUSTODY SUITE - 10:10 PM

George and Dave slowly slipped into custody, surprised that no-one was around. Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, they began making their way towards the corridor, when George heard the sounds of voices.

"Dave, wait," he whispered, as he turned and made his way towards the female cells. Hearing a distinct moaning, Dave began frantically searching each cell.

"What's going--"George began, as Dave cut him off.

"It's Poll!" he yelled, as they checked the last cell, finding all five officers in a distressed state.

"Oh, thank god! We were beginning to think we'd be stuck here all night," June spoke as she assumed that everything had ended.

"What's going on, June?" Dave spoke worriedly.

"You mean, you haven't got him?" she spoke, letting her relief fall.

"Who?" George put in; they were both completely confused.

"There's an armed guy up in CID. Came in about an two hours ago, demanding to see Liz," Bob spoke as he came over to the flap.

"Jeez, so how do we get you all outta here?" George spoke hopelessly.

"He's got the keys. And I'm not sure how much time we've got here." Matt's choked voice came through.

"Right," Dave spoke, as he pulled George back to the main reception area. "Look, I don't care what's going on, I want her outta there," he commanded as he hurriedly made his way to the CAD room.

"You made it. What's going on?" Sam noticed the extremely tense expression on Dave's face.

"They're all locked in one of the cells, and Poll's in labour!' Dave was trying to decide what to do.

"All I know it that there's some nutter with a gun up in CID. Sergeant Cryer and Deb went off to investigate, never came back," he answered quickly.

"Yeah, they're all in cell six. That's not a main concern of mine right now though," Dave finished as George entered the room.

"Sam, organise the ARV unit, and get back-up here," Dave was almost yelling. "George, we're going up there." He ignored the protests, and made his way slowly towards the stairs, George reluctantly tagging along.

Boldly climbing the stairs and pushing open the door, Dave approaching Liz and the armed man.

"Stop right there!" Alan ordered, as Dave reluctantly obeyed.

"Fine. I just want this sorted out. What is it you're here for?" Dave had no idea what he was getting himself into.

"Her," the man answered coldly, as he wrapped his finger around the trigger.

"I don't follow," Dave asked confused.

"Well, maybe it's none of your business!" Alan yelled, getting angry at the interruptions, and Liz's lack of co-operation.

"It's my business, because that's my wife down there about to have my baby! Now, I'm not in the mood for some nutter to go putting them in danger!" Dave had lost it.

"You getting shot isn't going to help things," George warned under his breath.

"Look, you two, down to the cells!" Alan bellowed, but Dave was having none of it.

As George turned, Dave quickly darted back, and attempted to grab the gun out of the man's hand.

Two shots were fired.

"That wasn't a particularly good idea, was it?" Alan yelled back, as the two bullets shattered the glass doors, missing Dave's shoulder by about an inch.

"Dave, just go along with it," Liz pleaded, knowing full well what Alan was capable of.

10:25 PM

"What the hell was that?!" Deb yelled, as they heard the shots. They all knew that Dave and George were up there, and that was enough to turn a frantic Polly into an hysterical one.

"Calm down, Poll, it was probably just a warning." Deb was having a hard time soothing her.

June was trying to figure out what they were going to do. Polly's attention was then diverted by to the agonising pain she was in, as June and Deb huddled in the corner next to Bob and Matt.

"Look, I've only done basic first aid here, what do we do?" June asked worriedly. Each contraction seemed to be getting unusually stronger.

"I don't know. It's looking less hopeful that we're gonna get let out of here." Bob sighed, looking around at every officer.

"Now what?" Deb whispered, as Polly went off in another wave of panting and moaning.

"This is moving way too fast. It's only been what, two hours at most. If this situation doesn't resolve, we'll be delivering it!" June informed them as they paused, listening.

There was an obvious commotion going on outside.

"Liz! Dave!" June called desperately.

10:40 PM

Liz had been accompanying Alan and he put Dave and George into the cells. She couldn't stand it any longer, and quickly ran to the cell they were in, Alan protesting loudly.

"What were the shots?" June asked anxiously.

"False alarm, everyone's okay. How about here?" Liz answered.

"Liz, we can't hang around here much longer. We need towels and stuff. Can't we at least move into a room with a desk or something? This baby's not waiting," she informed Liz quickly.

"I'll see what I can do," Liz sighed, as Alan yelled at her to get back to him.

Returning quickly to the reception area, Liz tried a different approach.

"Look Alan, what difference are three women gonna make? You've still got all the men. Trust me, they won't try anything. Why risk two more lives for all this?" she pleaded.

"They're not leaving the station," he answered, compromising.

"Okay, well, then at least let them move to another room, and get the things they need." Liz was glad that he'd backed down somewhat.

"Fine, but they try anything funny .." he warned.

"They won't, I promise," she reassured him.

"And they have be somewhere where I can keep an eye on everything," he demanded, causing Liz to think for awhile.

"How about the office upstairs? It's got glass panels," she suggested, thinking of Deakin's office.

"Okay," he relented and made his way back to the cell.

"June, he'll allow you and Debbie out of here to assist. We've decided on Deakin's office upstairs. It's the only thing," Liz spoke as Rogers unlocked the door.

"Thank you," June replied simply as they managed to help Polly back through the station, and up to CID.

As June and Deb settled Polly into the room, Alan noticed the armed units and police cars outside.

"How did they get there!" he screamed at Liz.

"I don't know. Look, is all this really worth it?" Liz tried to get him to back down.

"I'll get rid of them!" he yelled as he fired another two shots through the window down at them.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws