Faded Scars
By Camilla Sandman
Chapter Six
You belong to me
You're all I ever wanted
I'm all you'll ever be~
Memorial service.
And for the Sydney Water Police, it was not just for one police officer, but for three. Never before had they suffered such a heartbreaking loss. Three colleagues gone, in one single blow.
It was so hard to think about that many had just avoided to do so, but they could not run anymore now. The cold, hard truth was staring them in the face.
Gavin Sykes, Tayler Johnson and Matthew Quinn.
Emma couldn't even hear what Jeff was saying, as she tried to see through her tears. She felt so.. It was raw pain. That was all she could feel, and it almost felt like she was breathing it. At least she was sitting, in a wheelchair because the hospital wouldn't allow it otherwise, she wasn't sure she could have handled standing.
They were all there. Even Fiona and Terry had come, to great surprise. They were here for Gavin, mostly, they had never really got to know the two others. But Gavin... He had been around so long everyone who had been through the Water Police knew him.
Frank and Rachel had come too, and at first it had been strange to see them touching and holding hands the way they did. It didn't seem them at first. But after a while Emma remembered the looks they had used to send each other, and she realised they had always been holding back. Not anymore. And it didn't seem so strange anymore.
She noticed Mick and Alex holding hands too. They were obvious, but they didn't seem to care. No one had said anything to her, but it didn't take a genius to work out they were beyond collegial concern for each other. It hurt a bit, considering she and Mick had once been an item, but there was so much pain it didn't make any difference.
Jack looked both miserable and hung over. The way he consistently didn't look in Rachel's direction spoke volumes too. The man was a bit of a jerk, but still Emma felt sorry for him. She remembered how desperate he'd been when they all had thought Rachel would die.
George stood by her side, looking more pensive and not as heartbroken as the rest. But then again, he'd never really know them, Emma thought. It wasn't fair to expect him to react as strongly. He really had been great to her, and it felt so uncomplicated around him.
She threw a look at Tommy, who stood still as a statue and she wanted desperately to run over and hug him. He'd come back to watch one of his best friends die. Tommy and Gavin had always been the Nemesis. It had never been the same without them.
Donna was sobbing, her body shaking. She almost looked like a kid sometimes, Emma thought, vulnerable and kid of annoying, but always well meaning.
The two new officers, Erin and Julian, looked more uncomfortable than sad. But then again, they had never even met Gavin, Tayler or Matt.
Jeff looked so alone it was heartbreaking. Helen hadn't been allowed to leave the hospital yet, and so he stood alone by the podium and spoke. She wondered how he managed, how his voice didn't crack every time he spoke he name of one of the dead.
And Eva was there. Lance had walked over and was holding her gently. Emma didn't dare approach. She had lived, Gavin had died.
There was no justice in the world.
There was just pain. Physical and emotional pain, so tangled up she couldn't tell which was which anymore. There was no end to it, it just kept on coming. Even her tears hurt, stinging her skin.
There wasn't a dry eye to be seen. Even Jeff's were filled with water as he swallowed and swallowed, wondering what the hell to say. This wasn't even the funeral, and already he felt like he couldn't take any more.
He staggered somewhat, and felt a comforting hand on his arm. It was Rachel, Frank in tow.
“Jeff,” she said warmly, and before he even realised what he was doing, he was embracing her and crying into her shoulder. She stiffened a bit in surprise, then let him hold her, not quite sure what else to do.
And it wasn't even the funerals yet, it was just the bloody memorial.
******
All of them, excluding Eva who had her baby to worry about, met at the Cutter bar afterwards. It wasn't planned, it just seemed natural. Even Jeff came along, looking better if slightly embarrassed.
The bar was otherwise empty, as could be expected. Frank had a few quiet words with the bartender, who after shaking his head a lot, finally nodded.
They dropped down by a few tables, no one really knowing what the hell to say. Conversation didn't seem that important, just being there, all of them.
All of the survivors anyway.
After a wile, a few quiet conversations would begin. Frank and Rachel seemed the only ones comfortable to talking to Jeff, probably because they weren't really his subordinates anymore. Tommy, Emma and Fiona shared a few smiles over events long past. Lance was talking comforting to Donna.
“We should name the new boat the Phoenix,” Donna suddenly said, causing everyone to look up at her.
Phoenix. The bird that came through the fire reborn.
“It's a good name,” Jeff replied. The others nodded, slowly, lifting their classes in a silent toast. To surviving, to living, and to those who didn't make it.
The silence settled again for a while, until Rachel and Frank excused themselves to pick up David from Felix's. Jack watched them go with an unreadable expression, then excused himself to go visit Sophie.
It was the only thing that made him feel good these days.
Julian and Erin excused themselves next, obviously not feeling completely at home.
Next off was Emma, having to return to the hospital. Tommy went with her, before George could offer to. The two men eyed each other, but didn't really say anything. The situation was pretty obvious to everyone else though.
Alex and Mick were the next to leave, not bothering to hide the fact that they were leaving together.
A few drinks later, Donna headed off, and suspiciously enough, Lance a mere minute later. Jeff was beginning to wonder if his police station was turning into a soap opera, where everyone was doing it with someone.
George, Terry and Fiona remained though, and Jeff soon found himself smiling, as old events were told to George's amusement. He even dragged up a few stories himself, remembering the days when Frank and Rachel had been the great detective duo of the Water Police and the pool had been on when those two were gonna do it.
It suddenly occurred to him that Gavin had won it.
And he nearly choked on the drink.
******
It wasn't the only memorial service held that day in Sydney. Prime minister John Howard was remembered too, and George Bush's body was being sent back to the US. Ceremonies were held, and enough tears were cried to fill a small lake.
There were so many dead to remember. The last of the dead had been fished out of the Harbour to be buried in earth, not water. There were so many to bury the funeral companies were swamped.
The city had been declared an emergency area, and troops had been dispatched. The terrorists were under close guard, while Australia and the US were arguing about who had jurisdiction. It didn't like the issue would be resolved too soon, and in the meantime, Australian troops were watching them.
And people were starting to get angry. The shock had worn off, and now cries for revenge could be heard. Revenge for a crime so horrible those who committed it had to be inhuman, and why should they then be treated like humans?
“Just kill them!” came the cries of many who had lost a spouse, a brother, a sister, a parent, a friend or a colleague.
Grief and anger is a dangerous combination, and Sydney was full of it.
******
“Another few days, and I should be out of here,” Emma muttered, as the nurse was taking her temperature. Tommy was standing a few feet away, staring at her rather intensely. It was beginning to unnerve her. He hadn't said much the whole way over.
The nurse finally shuffled off, leaving only them. He still said nothing, but made no signs to leave either. There was so much pain on his face she could feel her own redouble in strength.
“Tommy, talk to me,” she pleaded, “I know I'm not Gavin, but..” Tears filled her eyes again, but she managed to push them back. She had cried enough today for a whole lifetime.
“I can't Woods,” he muttered, “It's my fault, I didn't.. I didn't save him.”
“You saved me,” she whispered. “Tommy..”
He walked over to her, took her hand and kissed it so hard she thought it would bruise. Looking up, he stared into her face and saw.. Understanding. She didn't resent him, she wasn't angry, she..
She kissed him.
She kissed him because she wanted him to feel better, because she didn't know what else to, because.. because she wanted to.
It was tentative, careful kiss, and lasted only a few seconds before she pulled back. He looked rather confused, and kept staring at her.
“Em..”
Why hadn't he noticed Emma before? She had been there, the whole time, and yet now, that he looked at her.. He'd never really seen her before.
“I better go..”
“Do you want to?” she asked. He shook his head. “Then stay..”
He smiled weakly, and sat down beside her.
“Remember when the Nemesis and Gavin was taken?” he asked suddenly.
And they both laughed at the memory, laughed away the tears.
******
Frank slipped quietly into the living room, bringing with one coffee and one milo. He sniggered at himself. Frank Holloway, 'he'd gone all soft' people would say. The worst of it was, he didn't even mind.
David was resting on Rachel's lap, looking like he had cried again. Rachel too, looked sad.
“Here,” he offered, giving her the coffee and David the milo. The kid smiled, briefly.
“Can I go play with the computer, mum?”
“Sure, David,” she smiled, and watched him head off up the stairs.
“I don't know if he's realised just what has happened,” she said worried. Frank dropped down on the couch beside her.
“He's a smart kid.”
“Yeah, but he's just a kid.”
“Don't underestimate him, Rach. Remember who his mother is.”
“Is that a compliment?” she asked, leaning back against his chest.
“Yeah.. So listen, I saw Jack Christey here last night,” he said evenly, and she tensed somewhat. “He kissed you.”
“He was drunk,” she replied and turned to face him. “Frank, if this is a jealousy thing..”
“Nah.. See, I've thought about this.. And there's one way you can prove to me you don't want Jack Christey..” he smiled, and she sent him a suspicious glance.
“And that is..?”
“Marry me..”
“Aw, shit, Frank..” she groaned, leaning back against the couch.
“Not the reply I was aiming for, exactly,” he muttered.
“You're a jerk, Frank, you know that? You really are a jerk. You have the worst bloody timings in the world. You're hopeless, you're just.. You really think this is the time? I mean.. God, Frank.. How the hell did I fall for you anyway?”
He stared at her through her tirade, not quite sure if she was mad at him or not. She turned to look at him, and there was a profound sadness in her eyes.
“I walked away from Jack.. Why am I not walking away from you? I can't.. I'm no good at relationships..”
“Neither am I,” he assured her. “Rach.. We're hopeless.”
“Gee, thanks,” she snorted.
“No, but see, we're both hopeless and that's good. We're both horrible but with other people, but together.. You know, we've been together a year, and it's been bloody fantastic. And there's been so much sadness these days.. Don't you think people want something happy? You need something happy, and I just.. Rach, do you want to marry me?”
“You really are persistent, aren't you?”
“Yep,” he smiled.
She leaned in, stroking a thumb over his lips. “After all of this has finished, yeah, I will. I want to make sure David is okay with it, first, and there is so much grieving..”
“I know,” he whispered, putting his arms around her. “I just thought that.. You'd like to know there is something at the end of this, something good.”
“Frank?”
“Yeah?”
“When did you turn into such a hopeless romantic?”
“When you made me one, Rach.”
“Yeah, right.”
******
Julian Erskin gave his colleague Erin Wilson a smile, and waved as she went into her house. Getting the car moving again, he tried to remember the way home to his house. It wasn't really his house at all. His name wasn't even Julian Erskin, it was Roger Jackson, and he was the brother of Dayton, leader of the American Liberation Movement.
The real Julian Erskin was dead, he had died when the Opera House had been taken over. Roger had noticed the similarity between himself and the dead Julian, and when the storming had begun, he had switched identities.
No one had suspected. There had been too much chaos, too much confusion. The accent was his only problem, but he had managed to pull it off pretty much, and not speaking too much could be contributed to shock. Fortunately, the only family Julian Erskin had, was an almost deaf grandmother in Perth.
Roger had fooled her easily, and volunteered for a service away from Julian's colleagues, who would notice.
So here he was. A bloody police diver. Still, the bright side was he had a chance to free Dayton and if not..
There was always the last bomb, and if Dayton weren't to be free, Sydney would bleed again.
But the two police officers who had been hostages could be a problem though. They might recognise him, especially the blonde, who he had knocked down. Best to take care of it before it became a problem. He couldn't risk capture now, someone had to fight on now that his brother was captured.
The war was still raging.
Twilight began to fall over the city
******
The fridge door was wide open, but neither Mick or Alex were paying very much attention to that. They were far too busy making out on the couch, Alex lying on top of Mick, both trying to tear her shirt off without breaking off the kiss.
It wasn't a very easy task, but they managed finally, throwing it to the floor. Mick's shirt had gone that way a few minutes earlier. Letting her hands slide over his chest, she was rewarded by a moan in the back of his throat.
Her hands wandered to tug at his pants.
“Alex, Alex..” he suddenly broke the kiss off, “Someone's at the door.”
“Eh?” She hadn't even noticed.
“If it's Jack again, I'm gonna kill him,” she muttered, grabbing the her shirt and getting up. She came up with at least ten nasty insults to throw at him before she reached the door and glanced through the peephole. It was dark outside, and she couldn't really see anyone.
She opened the door and glanced around. There didn't seem to be anyone nearby, and she slammed the door irritably. Probably some kids from the down the street having some fun. She slammed the door behind her and walked back into the room.
She heard the glass being broken, and turned surprised. It took her a few seconds to realise it was bloody shots. She ducked instinctively, hitting the floor and staying low. Another shot whizzed over her, too close for comfort.
She glanced over to Mick, but discovered to her horror he wasn't there. He'd already reached the door, holding his gun and kicking it open, bare-chested and all.
“Mick!”
He paid no attention to her, moving outside and a few seconds later she heard running steps. Diving for the pile of clothes on the floor, Alex extracted her own gun and ran after.
She saw two blurred shapes just as Mick tackled the running person, both tumbling to the ground. She ran after, cursing and so scared her heart was in her throat. Bloody Mick, had to play hero.
He was fine though, having pinned a young looking female under him and wrestling the gun from her. She was fighting vigorously to get free, but he had the upper hand and soon her efforts died away. They were both breathing heavily. Mick finally managed to get his gun free to point at her, and she hissed at him.
“You bastard!”
“I'll call the station,” Alex muttered, and Mick just nodded, no breath left.
******
“Sarah Turner,” Jeff exclaimed, throwing a picture on the table. “She's from Perth, moved here about a year ago after having spent some time in the States.”
“She's so young,” Alex muttered, looking at the picture.
“She tried to kill us,” Mick shot in, leaning against the wall in the office.
“Yes, and we are trying to find out why. See what you can dig up about her background. She may be connected to this terrorist group,” Jeff instructed. He looked at the two, seeing the looks they were exchanging. “But first, go home, get some sleep.”
“My house is a bloody crime scene,” Alex protested.
“I'm sure Mick will be happy to let you sleep on his couch,” Jeff replied dead serious, but smiling on the inside. The two detectives exchanged another glance, then muttered “fine” and walked out.
Taking a deep breath, Jeff walked to the interrogation rooms, noticing Jack and Tommy standing outside.
“Any luck?”
“She's just spitting venom, refusing to say much of anything,” Jack reported. “Real creative girl when it comes to insults.”
“She gets very uncomfortable when we mention the American Liberation Movement though,” Tommy added.
“Lean on her, then let her have the night to think about it,” Jeff ordered, rubbing his temples. Such a mess.. If they had lost Alex or Mick.. He didn't dare think about it. Truth was, he didn't think anyone could handle it. They were all hanging on by a thread, and more pain..
They couldn't take anymore.
Tommy and Jack walked back into the interrogation room, leaving Jeff to lean against the wall and sigh.
“Hey,” Julian announced, walking into the hallway. “I head something was going on.”
“Yeah, there was an attempt on Mick and Alex's lives,” Jeff straightened up. “They're fine, we have the suspect in custody.”
“Okay,” Julian replied, “Who's the suspect?”
“Sarah Turner. She hasn't been too cooperative so far.”
“Yeah, right.” Julian decided more pushing would seem rather weird, and headed outside. Shit. Shit. He should have known better than to trust his crazy girlfriend. If she talked.. SHIT! She hadn't so far, that was a good sign.
Jeff looked after the new diver with a frown on his face. There was something.. Not quite.. He couldn't put his finger on it, and shrugged it off.
Much more important things to focus on. Keeping the rest of his people safe, for instance. Probably best to keep a watch on Mick and Alex. Jack was too involved, so it had to someone else.
And to his great surprise, he could think of an obvious choice.
******
Frank tried not to smirk as he knocked on the door again.
“Come on, Reilly, I know you're in there,” he called out, and a few moments later the door was cracked opened.
“Frank..”
“Mick..”
The younger man made no signs towards opening the door fully, and Frank sighed inwards.
“Believe me, mate, there are things I'd much rather do right now, but the boss thinks you two need some watching, and I'm the unfortunate babysitter.”
Mick groaned, but finally opened the door, and Frank walked in, looking around.
“Nice place. Where did ya hide Alex?” Frank asked. He'd been half hoping he would get to interrupt those two, it would a be a little payback on Mick for interrupting him and Rachel that night before he'd headed off on the Footloose.
“She's taking a shower. Where did ya hide Rach?” Mick countered.
“Home,” Frank answered nonchalantly, as he seated himself comfortably on the couch, noticing the mess in the kitchen. “She has David to look after. Hey, you should clean sometimes if you're planning to have Alex over a lot.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Mick muttered defensively.
“Nice picture of you two in the Herald,” Frank replied, smiling slightly. “Doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Hey, I think it's good. From what I hear she's too good for you, but hey, if she's willing to settle..”
“I'd forgotten how bad your sense of humour is, Frank,” Mick felt a smile form on his lips.
“I missed you too, Mick.”
They both laughed, as Alex walking in, putting up her hair in a ponytail. “Frank Holloway.. what are you doing here?”
“Babysitting us,” Mick answered before Frank could. “The boss apparently thinks we need protection.”
“Do you really think Sarah Turner went after you guys on her own?” Frank asked. “What's the motive anyway?”
The questions hung in the air a while, sinking in.
"You think it's connected to the terrorist group?” Alex asked, her mind feeling strangely grateful for a mystery to solve. It kept her from lingering on other things
“Think about it. You two were there. What did you see that could possibly make them come after you?”
“But they were all arrested..” Mick began, then he and Alex exchanged a look.
“What if one of them weren't!” they said in unison, and Frank had to hide a grin. They had definitely been working together for a while. The way they were walking around each other spoke volumes too. Yep, they were definitely doing it.
“So why us?”
“We must have missed something,” Mick muttered, straining to think.
“Identification?” Frank suggested. “Could you identify this person?”
“No, that doesn't make sense, there were hundreds of people there,” Alex protested. “Unless..”
“Unless it's someone near us,” Mick finished.
“Yeah, but it has to be someone we've met after the whole mess, and that's..”
“Our two new colleagues,” Mick finished her sentence again.
“Brilliant, you two,” Frank commented, “Rachel and I came to the same conclusion, and managed to call in enough favours to get their records. They're in the car, I'll go get them.”
Alex and Mick watched him head out with their mouths half open. Mick recovered first, and shook his head, half smiling.
“There's a reason those two were a bloody legend,” he muttered. “I'll order some pizza, we'll need it.”
******
Hours later, two empty pizza boxes on the table, and papers scattered all over, Alex had to fight to keep her eyes open. There was nothing in the records, nothing that stood out. Erin Wilson and Julian Erskin seemed clean.
'Seemed' being the keyword. There had to be something in there.
“There's nothing irregular about either of them,” Mick complained, leaning back. “Neither of them has been to the States, there's no connection to any terrorists, no extreme political views.. They're not terrorist material.”
“From what we know,” Frank cut in. He saw Alex lean against Mick, both looking extremely tired. “Tomorrow, let's find out if one of them was near the Opera House on Tuesday. You two need some sleep. I'll take the couch and keep watch.”
“What makes you think I want to share a bed with..” Alex began, but the sentence died away as she saw both Mick and Frank were grinning.
“Give it up, Al,” Mick said as he got up, “Frank is a genius, ain't you mate?”
“You said it,” Frank replied, giving a small wave as the two walked away. He gave them a few minutes to settle in and get to sleep (or whatever else they felt like doing), then he reached for the phone and called Rachel. She answered on the fourth ring.
“Hey Frank.”
“How'd ya know it was me?”
“No one else is a big enough jerk to call at this hour.”
He chuckled, settling back the couch. “Ah, you're too sweet.”
He could hear her smile through the phone. “Everything peaceful over there?”
“Yeah. Nudged them a bit in the right direction, and they came to the same conclusion as us.”
“There's hope for the water police yet, then. Dunno about Alex, but I've always liked Mick.”
“You have?” he asked, faking hurt.
“He's gorgeous,” she countered, and they both grinned. “Hey, be careful, Frank. If there is a dirty cop out there..”
“Don't worry, I'll take good care of the kids here,” he assured her and she smiled. Just like Frank to refer to Alex and Mick as 'kids'. Sure, they were younger, but..
“Me and David will be by with breakfast in the morning,” she offered, “It would be nice to catch up with Mick and get to know Alex. Heard good things about her.”
“Yeah.. How's David?”
“He cried again, Frank. I feel so.. Bloody helpless.”
“I know. It will get better. Well, I should let you get some sleep for a change..” he said and heard a small snort on the other end. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight Frank” she said softly, and he listened to her breath for a few seconds before hanging up.
For a few minutes he just sat and stared at the phone in his lap. He was so bloody lucky. He really didn't deserve her, but he had her anyway.
Taking a look at the papers scattered around, he let his mind wander. Julian Erskin and Erin Wilson. It had to be one of them, who else would be close enough to perceive Alex and Mick as a threat? And damned if he was gonna let anything happen to more police officers. There had to be an end to the pain.
He though of David and anger filled him. The boy had lost his father because some prick thought he was a messiah. And if there was indeed a terrorist lose..
He looked down at the two attached photographs.
“I know it's one of you,” he said into the air. “I'll find you, and this will end.”
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
Newspapers say, it says it's true
And we can break through~
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