Fic: Steady As She Goes (83/86), brown cortina, dakfinv
Title: Steady As She Goes (83/86)
Author: dak
Word Count: 1895 this part; [149,405 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: The case wraps up and the team says goodbye.
Rating: Brown Cortina
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: So right now it looks like there will only be one, maybe two, more parts to this, depending on how much I can finish tomorrow...Please enjoy!
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
“Al’s one wot killed ‘em. Even Bobby’ll tell yeh that,” Jerry wiped his noes on his sleeve then dropped his arms loosely on the table.
“Why?” Ray asked, sitting across from him, his hands folded so tightly the knuckles were turning white.
“Well they were poofters weren’t they?” The unconcerned man shrugged. Unlike his brother, Jerry’s head was still shaved clean, though it didn’t look as if the Irish weather had done much for his health.
“So you killed ‘em?” Chris shook his head in disbelief, keeping most of his concentration on the notebook in his hands.
“Al did.”
“Just like that?” Ray quipped. “ ‘Cording to our witness statements you an’ your mates were harassing those boys for awhile. So what happened? One of ‘em offer you a bit of uphill gardenin’?”
Jerry shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “Woulda done ‘em meself it were that.” He wiped his nose again. “ ‘E stopped payin’.”
“Who?”
“Harv.”
“Payin’ for what?” Chris asked, slightly confused by where the interrogation was headed. He was glad he had remembered to put a fresh tape in the recorder so he could view it later.
“You were blackmailin’ them weren’t yeh?” Ray suddenly realized and Jerry shrugged in response.
“We needed a bit of cash, they din’t want people knowin’ they took it up the arse. Worked for awhile. Then Harv din’t want to pay up no more.”
“But yeh killed Dom first,” Ray pointed out.
“ ‘E came to us,” Jerry replied sternly as if that was supposed to make a difference. “Offered to pay off his little bum mate’s tab. There were a bit of a punch-up. Al got excited.” He wasn’t looking at either detective now, choosing instead to pick at his fingernails. Maybe there was a trace of regret hidden underneath.
“How’d ‘e do it?”
“Strangled ‘im. Thought ‘e were just knocked out at first. Then Bobby saw ‘e weren’t breathin’ no more. Din’t know what to do. Bobby said we should dump ‘im in the canal. So we did.”
“Detective Inspector Tyler.” Chris said it before Ray had the chance.
“Heard he made it.” Jerry’s voice was a mix of amusement and relief.
“You saw him that night,” Chris continued, ignoring his notebook.
“Not ‘til after we dumped Dom. Din’t hear a splash so we looked over, saw we missed the water.” Jerry winced at the pathetic memory. “Saw this other bloke on the ground. Din’t want ‘im grassin’ on us. Went down. ‘E were completely pissed.” Jerry started to laugh but the fierce stares from his captors quickly shut him up. “Al knocked ‘im out. Thought ‘e’d remember nowt.”
“This Al seems to ‘ave caused a lot of trouble,” Ray grimaced. “Where is he?”
Jerry looked away, staring up at the lights then down at the floor. “Dead.”
“Well, that’s sorted then.” Quick as lightning, Ray leapt from his chair and landed a blow to Jerry’s right cheek. “Where’s your mate Al?”
“We were workin’ at a quarry!” Jerry shouted back. “Accident on one o’ them bloody Irish machines ‘bout two weeks ago. Can look it up, you don’t believe me.”
Chris made a note in big, block letters. “We will,” he said.
Ray held his fists back but didn’t return to his seat. “DI Graham. Where’s ‘e fit in all this?”
Jerry immediately clammed up.
“ ‘E’s dead, too, case you ‘aven’t heard,” Ray continued. “Killed hisself cos of summit with you. What was it?”
“Got nowt to do with me,” Jerry mumbled.
“Oh, ‘nother one of ol’ Al’s problems, eh?” The DI snorted.
“No. Roy’s. It were ‘is deal.” Jerry crossed his arms and kept his eyes pointed in another direction.
“What deal?”
“Don’t know.”
Ray hit him again. Jerry spit out a tooth. “You do or you wouldn’t have said.”
“ ‘E only called us once, when ‘e were locked up ‘ere.”
Ray continued to tower his stocky build over the other man’s bony frame. “And what did ‘e say?”
Jerry fidgeted nervously.
“Out with it Jerry, or it’ll be another tooth instead.”
“Said...said summit happened after they brought ‘im in. ‘E saw summit or summit.”
It was Chris’ turn to feel uncomfortable but he tried not to let it show.
“The copper promised Roy ‘e kept ‘is mouth shut, ‘e’d leave us alone ‘bout the...” Jerry didn’t finish.
“The guns,” Chris completed the sentence and even Ray was surprised. “DI Tyler figured that out.” It was all the explanation Ray needed.
“Yeah.”
“So, ‘stead of bringin’ you in like your mate Martin, he leaves you all on our streets,” Ray started working it out.
“And you kill Harvey Quibell when you could’ve already been in gaol,” Chris finished.
“Al did,” Jerry huffed quietly.
“Don’t think that means you’ll get offf easy,” Ray growled and signalled to Chris. They exited Lost and Found, leaving a plod to guard Walsh.
“Quibell and Martin. Those are the deaths Graham meant in his letter,” Chris concluded.
“Still no proof he were involved in Martin’s death, though.” Ray said disappointedly.
“Yeah. But we know. ‘E’s dead anyhow. Not like we can take ‘im to court, can we?” Chris sighed.
“Yeah,” Ray nodded, exhausted from the whirlwind events of the past week. The two men slowly walked across the corridor to CID.
“Hey Ray,” Chris topped him halfway through the door. “Think he’d be proud of you. The Boss.”
“Really?” Ray asked, half sarcastically, half hoping it would be true.
“Yeah. Only punched the suspect twice after he was in custody,” Chris smiled.
“So far,” Ray added.
*
It was a sunny day. The day had no right to be sunny. It should be dark and miserable, raining so much the canal should start overflowing and flood the streets. It wasn’t. It was sunny and bright and warm and Gene cursed at the weather before sweeping into St. Mary’s.
The team were already there when he reached the ward, their somber moods suitably reflecting Gene’s own. Cartwright stood at the counter, filling out the final forms Gene refused to touch, while Ray and Chris stood awkwardly to the side, smoking silently. Gene walked straight up to them and offered them all, except Cartwright, a drink. It was Chris who had first noticed that the Guv had started ignoring Annie, never directly acknowledging her presence at the station or the pub.
“He almost ready?” Gene asked.
“Doc said we could go in anytime,” Ray said to the floor.
“What are you waiting for then?” Gene snapped.
“C’mon Chris.” Ray extinguished his fag and guided Chris by the shoulders into the activity room. They saw him immediately, planted in a chair at a nearby table. “Want me to go first?”
Chris only shrugged but stayed back as Ray moved forward. The new DI stood anxiously for a second before whipping out a chair and sitting down. He could only look at Sam’s blank face briefly before needing to turn away. “You’re a wanker,” he stated with certainty. “Always were a wanker. Always be a wanker. But you’re our wanker. Remember that, you twonk. An’ just to piss you off, I’ll be the best bloody Inspector that station’s ever seen. So when you do come back you’ll either need to fight me for it or settle for summit less. Phyllis’s always lookin’ for some good WPC’s.” Ray didn’t know what else to say so he decided not to waste anymore time. Rising from the stiff chair, he gave Tyler an almost respectful nod and walked back to Chris.
“Go on then mate. ‘S easy,” he lied.
Chris shuffled over cautiously and sat in the chair previously occupied by Ray. He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at Sam even once.
“Don’t know what to say Boss.” His face was almost as blank as Sam’s. “I think you’ll be alright there. Annie showed me pictures. Looks nice. I’ll visit when I can. Me parents are helpin’ me buy my own car but I’ll prob’ly take the train.” Chris felt tears coming and quickly stood. Men didn’t cry and especially not in public. “We’ll see you around then. Cheers, Boss.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and ran away, past Ray and right out the door.
Ray spared Tyler a final glance before loping after Chris. When he made it to the hall only the Guv was there, smoking quietly.
“Cartwright left. Said she had nothing else to say. Chris went that way. Better go look after him.” Gene dropped the butt to the floor, pressing it out with a dirty loafer, then going to the door.
“Want me to wait Guv?”
“See you at the pub.” Gene pushed his way into the room and walked steadily to his deputy, setting the chair directly in front of him and plopping himself down. He never took his eyes off Sam.
“Margaret wanted to come but she wasn’t feeling well. Tough as she is, not meant for stress like this. Been thinkin’ we’ll go on holiday for a bit. Week in Spain or such. After I’m sure Ray won’t burn down the building in my absence.” Gene kept staring at Sam, hoping that just by looking he could will him back. He knew he couldn’t. “We’ll see how this Shenley shite works out. ‘S no good, I’m bringing you back here. And for your information, I’m not saying goodbye, Tyler. One, because it’s incredible girly and two, I don’t believe it. You’re too bloody stubborn to stay like this forever. Just goin’ to take longer than we thought is all.” Satisfied with his monologue. Gene stood up and tried to shake Sam’s hand but without the other man responding the action felt hollow and pointless.
Gene stared at the limp hand then knelt down and wrapped his arms around Sam, holding him tightly. “Be the strong willed bastard I know you are,” he whispered in Sam’s ear, then reluctantly pulled away, stood up, and left for the pub.
*
“...ayoo...ateoo...ateyou...”
“Easy. Easy, love. Don’t try to talk.”
He cracked open his dry eyes, wincing at the painful fluorescent lights. He tried speaking again but ended up coughing instead.
“Here Sammy. Drink this.”
A straw was placed in his mouth and he instinctively began to suck, his rough throat soon soothed by cool water.
“Had a tube down your throat ‘til this morning. Dr. Matthews says it’ll still be scratchy for a bit.”
The straw was removed and Sam blinked several times to try and clear his vision. He slowly began to recognize a woman hovering above him and as he noticed her hand moving, he felt her stroking his hair.
“Mum?” His lips cracked at the movement.
“Hello sweetheart.” He could hear her choking up, ready to cry at any moment. “You’re back with us, my beautiful boy.” She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead.
It hurt so much to speak but he had to know for certain. “Year?”
“2006, Sam. Still 2006.”
Something inside him started to hurt and Sam shut his eyes to block out the pain.
Sam? Can you hear me? Are you there? Sammy? Oi Merrick! Get in here you bastard.
“It’s okay Sammy,” she held his hand. “Rest now. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
Sam allowed himself to fall into a natural sleep but he had no idea how he was supposed to feel.
_________
Part 84
Author: dak
Word Count: 1895 this part; [149,405 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: The case wraps up and the team says goodbye.
Rating: Brown Cortina
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: So right now it looks like there will only be one, maybe two, more parts to this, depending on how much I can finish tomorrow...Please enjoy!
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
“Al’s one wot killed ‘em. Even Bobby’ll tell yeh that,” Jerry wiped his noes on his sleeve then dropped his arms loosely on the table.
“Why?” Ray asked, sitting across from him, his hands folded so tightly the knuckles were turning white.
“Well they were poofters weren’t they?” The unconcerned man shrugged. Unlike his brother, Jerry’s head was still shaved clean, though it didn’t look as if the Irish weather had done much for his health.
“So you killed ‘em?” Chris shook his head in disbelief, keeping most of his concentration on the notebook in his hands.
“Al did.”
“Just like that?” Ray quipped. “ ‘Cording to our witness statements you an’ your mates were harassing those boys for awhile. So what happened? One of ‘em offer you a bit of uphill gardenin’?”
Jerry shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “Woulda done ‘em meself it were that.” He wiped his nose again. “ ‘E stopped payin’.”
“Who?”
“Harv.”
“Payin’ for what?” Chris asked, slightly confused by where the interrogation was headed. He was glad he had remembered to put a fresh tape in the recorder so he could view it later.
“You were blackmailin’ them weren’t yeh?” Ray suddenly realized and Jerry shrugged in response.
“We needed a bit of cash, they din’t want people knowin’ they took it up the arse. Worked for awhile. Then Harv din’t want to pay up no more.”
“But yeh killed Dom first,” Ray pointed out.
“ ‘E came to us,” Jerry replied sternly as if that was supposed to make a difference. “Offered to pay off his little bum mate’s tab. There were a bit of a punch-up. Al got excited.” He wasn’t looking at either detective now, choosing instead to pick at his fingernails. Maybe there was a trace of regret hidden underneath.
“How’d ‘e do it?”
“Strangled ‘im. Thought ‘e were just knocked out at first. Then Bobby saw ‘e weren’t breathin’ no more. Din’t know what to do. Bobby said we should dump ‘im in the canal. So we did.”
“Detective Inspector Tyler.” Chris said it before Ray had the chance.
“Heard he made it.” Jerry’s voice was a mix of amusement and relief.
“You saw him that night,” Chris continued, ignoring his notebook.
“Not ‘til after we dumped Dom. Din’t hear a splash so we looked over, saw we missed the water.” Jerry winced at the pathetic memory. “Saw this other bloke on the ground. Din’t want ‘im grassin’ on us. Went down. ‘E were completely pissed.” Jerry started to laugh but the fierce stares from his captors quickly shut him up. “Al knocked ‘im out. Thought ‘e’d remember nowt.”
“This Al seems to ‘ave caused a lot of trouble,” Ray grimaced. “Where is he?”
Jerry looked away, staring up at the lights then down at the floor. “Dead.”
“Well, that’s sorted then.” Quick as lightning, Ray leapt from his chair and landed a blow to Jerry’s right cheek. “Where’s your mate Al?”
“We were workin’ at a quarry!” Jerry shouted back. “Accident on one o’ them bloody Irish machines ‘bout two weeks ago. Can look it up, you don’t believe me.”
Chris made a note in big, block letters. “We will,” he said.
Ray held his fists back but didn’t return to his seat. “DI Graham. Where’s ‘e fit in all this?”
Jerry immediately clammed up.
“ ‘E’s dead, too, case you ‘aven’t heard,” Ray continued. “Killed hisself cos of summit with you. What was it?”
“Got nowt to do with me,” Jerry mumbled.
“Oh, ‘nother one of ol’ Al’s problems, eh?” The DI snorted.
“No. Roy’s. It were ‘is deal.” Jerry crossed his arms and kept his eyes pointed in another direction.
“What deal?”
“Don’t know.”
Ray hit him again. Jerry spit out a tooth. “You do or you wouldn’t have said.”
“ ‘E only called us once, when ‘e were locked up ‘ere.”
Ray continued to tower his stocky build over the other man’s bony frame. “And what did ‘e say?”
Jerry fidgeted nervously.
“Out with it Jerry, or it’ll be another tooth instead.”
“Said...said summit happened after they brought ‘im in. ‘E saw summit or summit.”
It was Chris’ turn to feel uncomfortable but he tried not to let it show.
“The copper promised Roy ‘e kept ‘is mouth shut, ‘e’d leave us alone ‘bout the...” Jerry didn’t finish.
“The guns,” Chris completed the sentence and even Ray was surprised. “DI Tyler figured that out.” It was all the explanation Ray needed.
“Yeah.”
“So, ‘stead of bringin’ you in like your mate Martin, he leaves you all on our streets,” Ray started working it out.
“And you kill Harvey Quibell when you could’ve already been in gaol,” Chris finished.
“Al did,” Jerry huffed quietly.
“Don’t think that means you’ll get offf easy,” Ray growled and signalled to Chris. They exited Lost and Found, leaving a plod to guard Walsh.
“Quibell and Martin. Those are the deaths Graham meant in his letter,” Chris concluded.
“Still no proof he were involved in Martin’s death, though.” Ray said disappointedly.
“Yeah. But we know. ‘E’s dead anyhow. Not like we can take ‘im to court, can we?” Chris sighed.
“Yeah,” Ray nodded, exhausted from the whirlwind events of the past week. The two men slowly walked across the corridor to CID.
“Hey Ray,” Chris topped him halfway through the door. “Think he’d be proud of you. The Boss.”
“Really?” Ray asked, half sarcastically, half hoping it would be true.
“Yeah. Only punched the suspect twice after he was in custody,” Chris smiled.
“So far,” Ray added.
*
It was a sunny day. The day had no right to be sunny. It should be dark and miserable, raining so much the canal should start overflowing and flood the streets. It wasn’t. It was sunny and bright and warm and Gene cursed at the weather before sweeping into St. Mary’s.
The team were already there when he reached the ward, their somber moods suitably reflecting Gene’s own. Cartwright stood at the counter, filling out the final forms Gene refused to touch, while Ray and Chris stood awkwardly to the side, smoking silently. Gene walked straight up to them and offered them all, except Cartwright, a drink. It was Chris who had first noticed that the Guv had started ignoring Annie, never directly acknowledging her presence at the station or the pub.
“He almost ready?” Gene asked.
“Doc said we could go in anytime,” Ray said to the floor.
“What are you waiting for then?” Gene snapped.
“C’mon Chris.” Ray extinguished his fag and guided Chris by the shoulders into the activity room. They saw him immediately, planted in a chair at a nearby table. “Want me to go first?”
Chris only shrugged but stayed back as Ray moved forward. The new DI stood anxiously for a second before whipping out a chair and sitting down. He could only look at Sam’s blank face briefly before needing to turn away. “You’re a wanker,” he stated with certainty. “Always were a wanker. Always be a wanker. But you’re our wanker. Remember that, you twonk. An’ just to piss you off, I’ll be the best bloody Inspector that station’s ever seen. So when you do come back you’ll either need to fight me for it or settle for summit less. Phyllis’s always lookin’ for some good WPC’s.” Ray didn’t know what else to say so he decided not to waste anymore time. Rising from the stiff chair, he gave Tyler an almost respectful nod and walked back to Chris.
“Go on then mate. ‘S easy,” he lied.
Chris shuffled over cautiously and sat in the chair previously occupied by Ray. He couldn’t bring himself to look directly at Sam even once.
“Don’t know what to say Boss.” His face was almost as blank as Sam’s. “I think you’ll be alright there. Annie showed me pictures. Looks nice. I’ll visit when I can. Me parents are helpin’ me buy my own car but I’ll prob’ly take the train.” Chris felt tears coming and quickly stood. Men didn’t cry and especially not in public. “We’ll see you around then. Cheers, Boss.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and ran away, past Ray and right out the door.
Ray spared Tyler a final glance before loping after Chris. When he made it to the hall only the Guv was there, smoking quietly.
“Cartwright left. Said she had nothing else to say. Chris went that way. Better go look after him.” Gene dropped the butt to the floor, pressing it out with a dirty loafer, then going to the door.
“Want me to wait Guv?”
“See you at the pub.” Gene pushed his way into the room and walked steadily to his deputy, setting the chair directly in front of him and plopping himself down. He never took his eyes off Sam.
“Margaret wanted to come but she wasn’t feeling well. Tough as she is, not meant for stress like this. Been thinkin’ we’ll go on holiday for a bit. Week in Spain or such. After I’m sure Ray won’t burn down the building in my absence.” Gene kept staring at Sam, hoping that just by looking he could will him back. He knew he couldn’t. “We’ll see how this Shenley shite works out. ‘S no good, I’m bringing you back here. And for your information, I’m not saying goodbye, Tyler. One, because it’s incredible girly and two, I don’t believe it. You’re too bloody stubborn to stay like this forever. Just goin’ to take longer than we thought is all.” Satisfied with his monologue. Gene stood up and tried to shake Sam’s hand but without the other man responding the action felt hollow and pointless.
Gene stared at the limp hand then knelt down and wrapped his arms around Sam, holding him tightly. “Be the strong willed bastard I know you are,” he whispered in Sam’s ear, then reluctantly pulled away, stood up, and left for the pub.
*
“...ayoo...ateoo...ateyou...”
“Easy. Easy, love. Don’t try to talk.”
He cracked open his dry eyes, wincing at the painful fluorescent lights. He tried speaking again but ended up coughing instead.
“Here Sammy. Drink this.”
A straw was placed in his mouth and he instinctively began to suck, his rough throat soon soothed by cool water.
“Had a tube down your throat ‘til this morning. Dr. Matthews says it’ll still be scratchy for a bit.”
The straw was removed and Sam blinked several times to try and clear his vision. He slowly began to recognize a woman hovering above him and as he noticed her hand moving, he felt her stroking his hair.
“Mum?” His lips cracked at the movement.
“Hello sweetheart.” He could hear her choking up, ready to cry at any moment. “You’re back with us, my beautiful boy.” She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead.
It hurt so much to speak but he had to know for certain. “Year?”
“2006, Sam. Still 2006.”
Something inside him started to hurt and Sam shut his eyes to block out the pain.
Sam? Can you hear me? Are you there? Sammy? Oi Merrick! Get in here you bastard.
“It’s okay Sammy,” she held his hand. “Rest now. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
Sam allowed himself to fall into a natural sleep but he had no idea how he was supposed to feel.
_________
Part 84