Fic: Steady As She Goes (49/86), Blue Cortina, dakfinv
Title: Steady As She Goes (49/86)
Author: dak
Word Count: 1875 this part; [91,590 overall]
Summary for Whole: After an accidental shooting at the station, Gene struggles to keep his team from tearing themselves apart while his and Sam's friendship is pushed to the limits.
Summary this Part: At the prison crime scene.
Rating: still Blue-ish Cortina, uhm, what's slightly darker than blue?
Warnings: angst, swearing, violence, violent imagery, minor drug use, mild sexual situations, self-harm for whole
Spoilers: none here; see each chapter for specific spoiler warnings
Pairing: mild Sam/Annie, Sam/Maya, Gene/missus
Disclaimer: Belongs to BBC/Kudos
A/N: Sorry I disappeared this past week. It's my last week of work and we've been super-busy wrapping everything up. No time to write and it was absolutely killing me. But now things have settled down and I should be returning to my normal posting schedule.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48 Part 49 Part 50 Part 51 Part 52 Part 53 Part 54 Part 55 Part 56 Part 57 Part 58 Part 59 Part 60 Part 61 Part 62 Part 63 Part 64 Part 65 Part 66 Part 67 Part 68 Part 69 Part 70 Part 71 Part 72 Part 73 Part 74 Part 75 Part 76 Part 77 Part 78 Part 79 Part 80 Part 81 Part 82 Part 83 Part 84 Part 85 Part 86
"Oi! Where d’you think you’re going?" Though he shouldn’t be surprised Tyler would disobey a direct order, Gene was no less perturbed when Sam brushed past him and continued his march towards the Cortina. "Tyler!"
Sam, now at the car, turned and crossed his arms. "We’re going to the scene, aren’t we?"
Dr. Merrick stepped forward. "Sam, this isn’t a good idea--"
"Shut it." Gene shoved the doctor back and stepped closer to Sam. "You’re not even on desk duty yet. Hell, right now I don’t even want you anywhere near my station let alone my team. So what makes you think I’m going to let you anywhere near that crime scene?"
Sam looked up at him with tired eyes. Their faces locked in heated contest, Gene could see Sam was tired, yes, but not vacant. Sam was the first to break the gaze as he focused his effort on climbing into the passenger seat of the Cortina. Gene yanked open the driver side door, digging the keys out of his pocket.
"Mr. Hunt! I cannot advise, after Sam’s most recent admission, that he--"
After slamming his door closed, Gene couldn’t make out what the doctor was trying to say. He threw the car in gear and, while pulling away, glared at Tyler with a look that would’ve broken weaker men. "You’re in this car because I don’t want to scratch the leather chucking your bony arse out. You do what you want but I am not your keeper. You aren’t even here far as I’m concerned."
The rest of the way was driven in silence.
*
Annie was furious. She had been forced by prison officials to wait at the main entrance "for her own safety." Despite her assurances that she was more than capable of handling herself, the guards "kindly" prevented DC Cartwright from accompanying her colleagues back to the cells. So she was left pacing outside, waiting to apprise the Guv of the current situation. Her heart leapt when she saw the familiar bronze metal speeding down the path towards her. If anyone could convince the guards to let her inside it would certainly be Gene.
The car pulled to an abrupt stop in front of her, dust kicking up over her shoes as Gene swung to the left, aligning his door parallel with the entrance. Before she could open her mouth she saw who was scrambling out on the other side. Annie quickly composed herself and addressed only her DCI as he stomped towards her.
"Ray and Chris are inside." She tagged behind Gene as he continued to the entrance. "Graham’s cell is on the fourth floor, corridor ‘C’, number twenty-three. They’ve emptied that whole corridor, putting the inmates in other cells until the body gets moved." Annie followed the Guv all the way into the reception area but as he moved to go deeper into the prison, the familiar guards blocker her path. "Sir?"
"Fourth floor, C, twenty-three. Wait here."
"Yes Guv." Deep into her brooding she nearly forgot the person that had been following behind her. Actually, she completely forgot until she turned and was suddenly face to face with him. Both Sam and Annie instinctively stood back, immediately breaking their incidental eye contact.
Sam took great pains to walk around her and approach the guard. His warrant guard had been sitting on top of the duffle with his extra clothes when he’d returned to Gene’s that morning. Sam suspected Mrs. Hunt was responsible for that, as he slipped it out of his pocket and awkwardly flashed it for the guard. It didn’t feel right. He felt out of practice. He hoped the guard didn’t notice. "Is there a lift I could use?"
" ‘Fraid not," the man shook his head.
"Right." Sam stepped past him and took a deep breath before heading up the treacherous staircase.
*
Ray and Chris were dawdling outside Graham’s former cell. They had each taken a peak through the bars and had quickly decided to turn their backs on the scene. Of course they had seen worse, much worse, but despite what he’d done Graham had been one of their own. The man deserved a little respect, no need to stand their gawking at him. They were on their third or fourth ciggie each when Gene finally came barreling down the hall and immediately entered the cell, saying nothing as he looked the scene up and down. Chris happily allowed Ray to take the lead and explain what they learned.
"Guard found ‘im on a routine check ‘bout an hour ago. No one heard anything."
"Where’s his cell mate?" Gene asked, staring at the body.
"Ain’t got one. Guards say ‘e’s been ‘aving trouble with the other inmates, on account of ‘im bein’ a copper an’ all. Had already moved ‘im three times ‘fore they decided to keep ‘im on ‘is own for a bit." Ray continued to stare at the body alongside his Guv. " ‘S not right, is it?"
"No note?"
"Haven’t looked for one, Guv."
Gene turned and left the cell. "Then do it. And get that body out of here and down to the morgue."
"Yes Guv." Ray followed Gene out of the cell and he and Chris watched as he disappeared down the hall, pushing by DI Tyler without so much as an insult. Tyler sent his Guv an exasperated look as he continued on his own trek to the cell.
Sam was out of breath by the time he reached his officers, his legs shaking from overuse, sweat caking his forehead.
"Boss?" Chris approached him. "What’re you doin’ here?"
" ‘S a crime scene, isn’t it Chris?" Sam responded, leaning against the wall for support.
"But..."
Sam pushed himself away from the wall and turned to look in the cell, not sure how he felt about what he saw. The former Detective Inspector had removed his shirt and tied it tightly around his neck, stringing the other end around the frame for the top bunk of the stacked beds. His eyes were open and appeared bloodshot though Sam knew it was petechial hemorrhaging, common in strangulations. His lips were tinged blue and his arms hung loosely by his side. The sheets on his bed were neatly made, a small stack of books piled to the side, waiting to be read. It didn’t appear to Sam as if Graham had struggled as he lost consciousness. He hadn’t changed his mind halfway through. He’d accepted what he decided to do.
"Was there a note?" Sam finally asked.
"We haven’t looked yet." Chris admitted.
"Make sure forensics photographs the scene first, then move the body and search the cell. Graham had a wife, didn’t he?"
"I think so, Boss."
"See if he wrote her recently. He might’ve sent something to her, ‘stead of leaving it here." Sam pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to fight off the feeling of light-headedness that had accompanied him up the stairs. Forcing himself up four flights hadn’t been the brightest idea he’d ever had.
"Sir?" Chris gently placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder.
"Hm?" Sam lifted open his heavy eyelids.
"No offense Boss, but you look a bit peaky."
Sam nodded, which he immediately realized was a bad idea as a headache began presenting itself at the base of his skull. "No. You’re right Chris. I should go." Sam sighed and started the long journey back downstairs.
Chris and Ray exchanged nervous glances before the younger man hurried forward and followed Sam to the stairs. "Think I should go tell Cartwright what’s been goin’ on. She seemed a bit mad when they wouldn’t let her in."
Sam said nothing as Chris helped him down the stairs. By the time they reached the bottom Sam felt even worse than before and was sure he looked it, too, if the expression on Chris’ face was anything to go by. He noticed how badly his stomach was churning, alternately feeling like he could devour an entire elephant and that he would sick up as soon as he downed a single pea. What he didn’t notice was how heavily he was leaning on Chris for support by the time they got outside.
Annie was directing the forensics crew who had just arrived, trying to make herself useful even though she was barred from participating in the real action.
"Where’s Gene?" Sam demanded of no one in particular. The Cortina was gone.
"Hey Annie!" Chris called, still supporting much of Sam’s weight. "What happened to the Guv?"
Annie saw Chris and the state Sam was in and rushed over. "Is he alright?"
"The Guv? He looked fine to me."
"Not DCI Hunt. DI Tyler."
" ‘M fine." Sam winced, breathing still difficult. "Where’s Hunt?"
"He left about five minutes ago." Annie looked apprehensively from Chris to Sam.
"I can take you back, Boss. Me car’s just over there."
"I think he needs to go back to hospital," Annie whispered to Chris, hoping Sam wouldn’t hear but knowing he would.
"No. I don’t need to..." Sam inhaled sharply, his legs trembling threateningly underneath him as his stomach lurched again. "Home." He ordered, clinging even tighter to Chris’ shoulder. "Just, take me home." He felt it. His mind. It was slipping away from him. Gradually, but he could feel it nonetheless. He had to get away from them before they saw it. Before he lost it in front of them, like he had so many times with Gene.
As Chris pulled his car up in front of them, Sam realized that for the last two minutes the person he’d been clinging to was Annie. He felt the confusion spread across his face as he lost himself in her deep, concerned eyes.
"Sam? We should take you to a hospital." She frowned, speaking slowly and clearly.
"No," he pleaded as Chris exited his car. "Not back there. Take me home. Please. I want to go home." The tears he hadn’t heeded were about to fall down his face. Home. Back home. Where he belonged home. No. He had to keep it together. He was in public. He was on duty. Wasn’t he? Representing Manchester’s finest. He fought against the clouds in his mind as Annie and Chris helped him into the backseat of Chris’ car.
After setting him carefully inside, Annie turned to Chris. "I can take him."
"You sure?" Chris asked skeptically. "Las’ night, the Guv said he din’t want you an’ him alone together."
Annie put her hands on her hips. "Well they’re not letting me do much here, are they? Feel like a WPC again." She shook her head, knowing being a WPC was nothing to be ashamed of. "Look, at least I can do this ‘stead of being CID‘s lollipop lady."
Chris nodded and handed over the keys. "Oh, Annie? Could you maybe find out why the Guv’s mad at ‘im again?"
"You’ve been better at talking to Sam than I have." She walked round to the driver’s side. "I’ll see what I can do. It’ll probably be a very long list." She smiled weakly and slid herself behind the wheel, glancing back nervously at the barely there Sam behind her before driving slowly up the path.
______
Part 50
Author: dak
Word Count: 1875 this part; [91,590 overall]
Summary for Whole: After an accidental shooting at the station, Gene struggles to keep his team from tearing themselves apart while his and Sam's friendship is pushed to the limits.
Summary this Part: At the prison crime scene.
Rating: still Blue-ish Cortina, uhm, what's slightly darker than blue?
Warnings: angst, swearing, violence, violent imagery, minor drug use, mild sexual situations, self-harm for whole
Spoilers: none here; see each chapter for specific spoiler warnings
Pairing: mild Sam/Annie, Sam/Maya, Gene/missus
Disclaimer: Belongs to BBC/Kudos
A/N: Sorry I disappeared this past week. It's my last week of work and we've been super-busy wrapping everything up. No time to write and it was absolutely killing me. But now things have settled down and I should be returning to my normal posting schedule.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48 Part 49 Part 50 Part 51 Part 52 Part 53 Part 54 Part 55 Part 56 Part 57 Part 58 Part 59 Part 60 Part 61 Part 62 Part 63 Part 64 Part 65 Part 66 Part 67 Part 68 Part 69 Part 70 Part 71 Part 72 Part 73 Part 74 Part 75 Part 76 Part 77 Part 78 Part 79 Part 80 Part 81 Part 82 Part 83 Part 84 Part 85 Part 86
"Oi! Where d’you think you’re going?" Though he shouldn’t be surprised Tyler would disobey a direct order, Gene was no less perturbed when Sam brushed past him and continued his march towards the Cortina. "Tyler!"
Sam, now at the car, turned and crossed his arms. "We’re going to the scene, aren’t we?"
Dr. Merrick stepped forward. "Sam, this isn’t a good idea--"
"Shut it." Gene shoved the doctor back and stepped closer to Sam. "You’re not even on desk duty yet. Hell, right now I don’t even want you anywhere near my station let alone my team. So what makes you think I’m going to let you anywhere near that crime scene?"
Sam looked up at him with tired eyes. Their faces locked in heated contest, Gene could see Sam was tired, yes, but not vacant. Sam was the first to break the gaze as he focused his effort on climbing into the passenger seat of the Cortina. Gene yanked open the driver side door, digging the keys out of his pocket.
"Mr. Hunt! I cannot advise, after Sam’s most recent admission, that he--"
After slamming his door closed, Gene couldn’t make out what the doctor was trying to say. He threw the car in gear and, while pulling away, glared at Tyler with a look that would’ve broken weaker men. "You’re in this car because I don’t want to scratch the leather chucking your bony arse out. You do what you want but I am not your keeper. You aren’t even here far as I’m concerned."
The rest of the way was driven in silence.
*
Annie was furious. She had been forced by prison officials to wait at the main entrance "for her own safety." Despite her assurances that she was more than capable of handling herself, the guards "kindly" prevented DC Cartwright from accompanying her colleagues back to the cells. So she was left pacing outside, waiting to apprise the Guv of the current situation. Her heart leapt when she saw the familiar bronze metal speeding down the path towards her. If anyone could convince the guards to let her inside it would certainly be Gene.
The car pulled to an abrupt stop in front of her, dust kicking up over her shoes as Gene swung to the left, aligning his door parallel with the entrance. Before she could open her mouth she saw who was scrambling out on the other side. Annie quickly composed herself and addressed only her DCI as he stomped towards her.
"Ray and Chris are inside." She tagged behind Gene as he continued to the entrance. "Graham’s cell is on the fourth floor, corridor ‘C’, number twenty-three. They’ve emptied that whole corridor, putting the inmates in other cells until the body gets moved." Annie followed the Guv all the way into the reception area but as he moved to go deeper into the prison, the familiar guards blocker her path. "Sir?"
"Fourth floor, C, twenty-three. Wait here."
"Yes Guv." Deep into her brooding she nearly forgot the person that had been following behind her. Actually, she completely forgot until she turned and was suddenly face to face with him. Both Sam and Annie instinctively stood back, immediately breaking their incidental eye contact.
Sam took great pains to walk around her and approach the guard. His warrant guard had been sitting on top of the duffle with his extra clothes when he’d returned to Gene’s that morning. Sam suspected Mrs. Hunt was responsible for that, as he slipped it out of his pocket and awkwardly flashed it for the guard. It didn’t feel right. He felt out of practice. He hoped the guard didn’t notice. "Is there a lift I could use?"
" ‘Fraid not," the man shook his head.
"Right." Sam stepped past him and took a deep breath before heading up the treacherous staircase.
*
Ray and Chris were dawdling outside Graham’s former cell. They had each taken a peak through the bars and had quickly decided to turn their backs on the scene. Of course they had seen worse, much worse, but despite what he’d done Graham had been one of their own. The man deserved a little respect, no need to stand their gawking at him. They were on their third or fourth ciggie each when Gene finally came barreling down the hall and immediately entered the cell, saying nothing as he looked the scene up and down. Chris happily allowed Ray to take the lead and explain what they learned.
"Guard found ‘im on a routine check ‘bout an hour ago. No one heard anything."
"Where’s his cell mate?" Gene asked, staring at the body.
"Ain’t got one. Guards say ‘e’s been ‘aving trouble with the other inmates, on account of ‘im bein’ a copper an’ all. Had already moved ‘im three times ‘fore they decided to keep ‘im on ‘is own for a bit." Ray continued to stare at the body alongside his Guv. " ‘S not right, is it?"
"No note?"
"Haven’t looked for one, Guv."
Gene turned and left the cell. "Then do it. And get that body out of here and down to the morgue."
"Yes Guv." Ray followed Gene out of the cell and he and Chris watched as he disappeared down the hall, pushing by DI Tyler without so much as an insult. Tyler sent his Guv an exasperated look as he continued on his own trek to the cell.
Sam was out of breath by the time he reached his officers, his legs shaking from overuse, sweat caking his forehead.
"Boss?" Chris approached him. "What’re you doin’ here?"
" ‘S a crime scene, isn’t it Chris?" Sam responded, leaning against the wall for support.
"But..."
Sam pushed himself away from the wall and turned to look in the cell, not sure how he felt about what he saw. The former Detective Inspector had removed his shirt and tied it tightly around his neck, stringing the other end around the frame for the top bunk of the stacked beds. His eyes were open and appeared bloodshot though Sam knew it was petechial hemorrhaging, common in strangulations. His lips were tinged blue and his arms hung loosely by his side. The sheets on his bed were neatly made, a small stack of books piled to the side, waiting to be read. It didn’t appear to Sam as if Graham had struggled as he lost consciousness. He hadn’t changed his mind halfway through. He’d accepted what he decided to do.
"Was there a note?" Sam finally asked.
"We haven’t looked yet." Chris admitted.
"Make sure forensics photographs the scene first, then move the body and search the cell. Graham had a wife, didn’t he?"
"I think so, Boss."
"See if he wrote her recently. He might’ve sent something to her, ‘stead of leaving it here." Sam pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to fight off the feeling of light-headedness that had accompanied him up the stairs. Forcing himself up four flights hadn’t been the brightest idea he’d ever had.
"Sir?" Chris gently placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder.
"Hm?" Sam lifted open his heavy eyelids.
"No offense Boss, but you look a bit peaky."
Sam nodded, which he immediately realized was a bad idea as a headache began presenting itself at the base of his skull. "No. You’re right Chris. I should go." Sam sighed and started the long journey back downstairs.
Chris and Ray exchanged nervous glances before the younger man hurried forward and followed Sam to the stairs. "Think I should go tell Cartwright what’s been goin’ on. She seemed a bit mad when they wouldn’t let her in."
Sam said nothing as Chris helped him down the stairs. By the time they reached the bottom Sam felt even worse than before and was sure he looked it, too, if the expression on Chris’ face was anything to go by. He noticed how badly his stomach was churning, alternately feeling like he could devour an entire elephant and that he would sick up as soon as he downed a single pea. What he didn’t notice was how heavily he was leaning on Chris for support by the time they got outside.
Annie was directing the forensics crew who had just arrived, trying to make herself useful even though she was barred from participating in the real action.
"Where’s Gene?" Sam demanded of no one in particular. The Cortina was gone.
"Hey Annie!" Chris called, still supporting much of Sam’s weight. "What happened to the Guv?"
Annie saw Chris and the state Sam was in and rushed over. "Is he alright?"
"The Guv? He looked fine to me."
"Not DCI Hunt. DI Tyler."
" ‘M fine." Sam winced, breathing still difficult. "Where’s Hunt?"
"He left about five minutes ago." Annie looked apprehensively from Chris to Sam.
"I can take you back, Boss. Me car’s just over there."
"I think he needs to go back to hospital," Annie whispered to Chris, hoping Sam wouldn’t hear but knowing he would.
"No. I don’t need to..." Sam inhaled sharply, his legs trembling threateningly underneath him as his stomach lurched again. "Home." He ordered, clinging even tighter to Chris’ shoulder. "Just, take me home." He felt it. His mind. It was slipping away from him. Gradually, but he could feel it nonetheless. He had to get away from them before they saw it. Before he lost it in front of them, like he had so many times with Gene.
As Chris pulled his car up in front of them, Sam realized that for the last two minutes the person he’d been clinging to was Annie. He felt the confusion spread across his face as he lost himself in her deep, concerned eyes.
"Sam? We should take you to a hospital." She frowned, speaking slowly and clearly.
"No," he pleaded as Chris exited his car. "Not back there. Take me home. Please. I want to go home." The tears he hadn’t heeded were about to fall down his face. Home. Back home. Where he belonged home. No. He had to keep it together. He was in public. He was on duty. Wasn’t he? Representing Manchester’s finest. He fought against the clouds in his mind as Annie and Chris helped him into the backseat of Chris’ car.
After setting him carefully inside, Annie turned to Chris. "I can take him."
"You sure?" Chris asked skeptically. "Las’ night, the Guv said he din’t want you an’ him alone together."
Annie put her hands on her hips. "Well they’re not letting me do much here, are they? Feel like a WPC again." She shook her head, knowing being a WPC was nothing to be ashamed of. "Look, at least I can do this ‘stead of being CID‘s lollipop lady."
Chris nodded and handed over the keys. "Oh, Annie? Could you maybe find out why the Guv’s mad at ‘im again?"
"You’ve been better at talking to Sam than I have." She walked round to the driver’s side. "I’ll see what I can do. It’ll probably be a very long list." She smiled weakly and slid herself behind the wheel, glancing back nervously at the barely there Sam behind her before driving slowly up the path.
______
Part 50