Return to the Bay

[vikkysmile]

Just caught up on the story its great love this piece. To be honest i dont want joey back.

Yeah, great,” Stephen replied, not quite sure where to look.

“Is it true that you got together with Selina when she was at school? Do you have a thing for schoolgirls?” Cassie whispered in a husky voice, bending down close to him.

“That’s none of your business, you need to learn some respect girl. I love my Selina, I always did, and the fact she was at school had nothing to do with it,” Stephen snapped.

“That’s good to hear.” Stephen spun round on hearing Selina’s voice at the door.

“Sel!”

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like playing with dolls?” Selina spat sarcastically at Cassie.

“Just remember that in a few weeks I’ll be back at school and Stephen here will be my own personal teacher, just like he was with you,” Cassie retorted before skipping off to her room.

“She is trouble, poor Sal’s got her hands full there,” Selina remarked.

“Selina, I’m so sorry,” Stephen told her.

What the teenage piranha? She even tries and I’ll rip her eyelids out,” Selina warned and Stephen grinned.

“It’s good to see you’ve got that old fighting spirit back,” Stephen told her.

“I never lost it,” Selina replied, “Come on lets get home, I need to be beautiful for this party,” Selina replied.

[Skykat]

Thanks for all the replies people. I've wrote the next chapter but Jess is a bit busy at the moment so it probably won't be ready until the weekend. I'm away next week so what I'll probably do is send Jess a couple of chapters and ask her to post them at regular periods next week for me so the next few updates should come from sevenpuddings not from me. Just to let you know.xx

[ldscott]

Ok, thanks for letting us know, hope you have a good holiday!

[Skykat]

Ooops Jess I forgot to ask you to put the chapters in blue for me...pretty pretty please? I really am going away now, bye!xxx

[sevenpuddings]

Hey guys, here's SKYKAT's next chapter. Expect more later on during the week

-

FIFTY FIVE

Jack stirred and then groaned aloud at the torture such a simple movement entailed. His head was pounding so hard it felt as if somebody was using it as a drum, beating the hell out of it, and the pain behind his eyes could only be compared to somebody smashing a bottle across his face. The left side of his face, just below his eye felt as if it had connected with something akin to Mike Tyson's fist, and as if it had left some form of hole in the side of his face but touching it to find out required far too much effort. He groaned again and concentrated all his efforts on keeping his eyes shut and his body still, but even that hurt. For a moment he thought he must have been coming down with something but then the memories suddenly came racing back like a river released from a dam. He felt the memories overload him and he groaned again as the realisation of his own stupidity hit him. Martha had been drinking, a lot, and had been angry with him for some reason, so he had started drinking too, obviously more than he thought he had. Martha had been cracking onto another guy, Rachel’s new boyfriend, Jamie Sutton and Jack remembered how the jealousy of having Martha all over someone else had tormented his alcohol ridden mind. He wanted to forget what had happened next but as typical, when you want to forget something, your body just won’t let you. Images of him confronting Jamie, in front of everyone and revealing that the guy was an ex-convict were racing in front of his eyes and he pressed them shut tighter in an unsuccessful attempt to remove them. Jamie’s fist was responsible for the hole in his face and the guy sure as hell did punch like Mike Tyson. Worse, was the realisation that he one hundred percent deserved the smack, he had been out of order. Cracks of light were seeping into the room and the all too familiar creek indicated that somebody was entering the room.

“Jack here’s some water, you need to drink it up, there’s some tablets there too.” Tony’s voice was not in the least bit sympathetic, it was cold and Jack could almost feel the disappointment.

“I’m okay thanks, I’ll just go back to sleep,” Jack replied.

“No you will not. You’re meant to be in work in an hour, that’s if you still have a job after last night. You need to get in there and do some serious grovelling to Peter. He was furious with you,” Tony replied, Jack groaned.

“I can’t face it!” he moaned.

“You don’t get a choice. Drink that water, take those tablets then get yourself in the shower. Beth’s making some breakfast, with some luck you might be able to persuade Peter to let you keep your job or do you want to lose it?” Tony demanded.

“No of course not,” Jack replied.

“So move then. Water now and if you’re not in the shower in five minutes time so help me Jack, Peter will be the least of your worries,” Tony threatened, leaving the room. Jack slammed his eyes back shut and his head back on the pillow but after a few seconds he realised that his Dad really had meant it, he was in big trouble. He gingerly forced his legs out from under the covers and picked up the glass of water, taking big gulps of it he threw the tablets down his neck. He had to get moving, get sorted and get into work but right now, that seemed like a monumental effort.

Rachel yawned and stretched her arms out feeling a sudden creak of pain in her neck as she moved. Opening her eyes she realised that the source of her discomfort was the sofa that she had fallen asleep on. Next to her Leah was sleeping equally as awkwardly. Rachel managed, with some difficulty, to leave the sofa without waking her. Heading to the kitchen and switching the kettle on Rachel found herself reliving the events of last night and she was coming to the overwhelming conclusion that she had been too hard on Jamie. After all it was Jack who had been in the wrong. Sure Jamie had lashed out, but Jack had been out of order and it was pretty difficult for Jamie right now. Deep down she knew that if she was honest with herself, she knew Jamie would never hit her and saying that to him had just been a heat of the moment thing, but no doubt something that would have deeply upset him. Resolving to make amends as quickly as possible she headed to the bedroom to see him and was shocked to find the bed untouched. Back in the front room she shook Leah from her sleep.

“What is it?” Leah asked, sleepily.

“It’s Jamie, he didn’t come home last night,” Rachel replied.

“He’s probably just stayed over somewhere,” Leah replied with a yawn.

“He doesn’t know anybody though Leah,” Rachel remarked.

“Hold on a minute and I’ll see if Dan knows anything, that’s if he’ll even speak to me,” Leah offered, heading into her bedroom.

“Well?” Rachel asked when her friend emerged seconds later.

“Dan’s not here either, the bed isn’t slept in. He must be really mad to have not come home, I need to go find him and explain things,” Leah commented, tears beginning to appear in the corner of her eyes.

“It’s pretty likely that they’re together then. Maybe we should go and find them then if we both have apologies to make,” Rachel suggested.

“Yeah, it’s better than sitting around here doing nothing,” Leah replied as the two raced from the house.

“Babe, staring at it won’t make it ring you know,” Kirsty told Kane. The two of them had been up since the crack of dawn and had been alternating between cleaning up, making endless cups of coffee and watching the phone. Kirsty knew she was as guilty as he was for watching the phone and willing it to ring, but it was only nine thirty and there was plenty of time left for Gus to torture them with.

“I know, but what else am I meant to do?” Kane demanded as he paced up and down.

“At least sit down and give your son and me a hug. We’re nervous too you know,” Kirsty told him. Kane managed a nervous smile and seated himself beside her.

“Bit of a strange party last night wasn’t it?” he remarked, attempting to make small talk.

“Yeah, I can’t believe Martha and Jack’s behaviour,” Kirsty replied.

“I know. I felt so sorry for that poor Jamie, Rachel was livid with him for lashing out but I’d have done the same, Jack had no right to blurt it out like that,” Kane fumed.

“I know, yeah.” Kirsty too had sympathy for him, knowing that at one point she and Kane had been in that exact same situation.

“You don’t mind that I said they could stay at ours do you?” Kane asked.

“No of course I don’t but tell me again why Dan needed a bed? I know you told me last night but I wasn’t really listening, I was so tired.”

“He didn’t say too much, just that he and Leah have fallen out big style. It seems Leah has a thing for Peter,” Kane told her.

“Peter? Dan’s brother? You are kidding me!” Kirsty was shocked.

“No that was what he said. I didn't believe it either but he told me himself,” Kane replied.

“Weird, speaking of Peter, what was going on between he and Angel?” Kirsty remarked.

“I didn’t realise anything was,” Kane told her.

“There was just loads of tension between them and she took off pretty quickly. Then her son said something to Peter and Peter took off as well,” Kirsty told him.

“How strange. It was some party wasn’t it?” Kane remarked.

“Yeah, I doubt Irene will be having another one in a hurry,” Kirsty giggled.

“Yeah I think…” Kane began but the sound of the ringing telephone cut him off and he looked at Kirsty.

“Go on then,” she urged. Making his way to the phone Kane picked it up and held it nervously to his ear.

“Hello, Kane Philips.”

“Ah hello son,” came Gus’s familiar sneer and Kane felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on edge.

“Go on then,” Kane demanded.

“Well if you insist. Two o’clock on the dot, no earlier, no later, somebody will be keeping an eye on you to make sure you get the time exactly right,” Gus told him.

“Fine,” Kane replied.

“Just don’t mess up.” The phone was hung up and Kane dropped the receiver as if it burnt his hand.

“Well?”

“Two o’clock,” Kane told her, “and somebody will be watching.”

“Not sure what that’ll mean. You best get onto Peter though,” Kirsty urged.

“Yeah I guess I better,” Kane replied, picking up the receiver again.

“Two o’clock? Yeah that’s great, gives me loads of time to get things into place. You say he’ll have someone watching? That doesn’t mean much it was already a plain clothes operation, we’ll just have keep communication under wraps as well. What it does mean is that I’ll not be able to come and see you if you’re being watched. I’ll have to figure out another way to get you wired up and briefed. Can you give me an hour to work on it and then I’ll phone you back and let you know what’s happening,” Peter replied.

“Okay, speak to you later.” Kane hung up the phone and Peter waited for the dial tone before redialling.

“Yeah I’ve got the time. Two o’clock, but Kane also said that someone will be watching so it will have to be a completely undercover operation, no radios. Can you see to that?” Peter asked.

“No problem.”

“Great the other issue is how we get Kane wired up?”

“I’ll arrange a TV repair man to head to the Beach House and he’ll have the wires in his tool box so he can fit him up. You just worry about getting everyone briefed and assigned.”

“Great, no worries.” Peter hung up the phone and was about to phone Kane back when there was a knock at the door. “Come in!” A very sheepish and hung over looking Jack Holden entered the office.

“Detective Baker…” he began.

“Shut the door Holden,” Peter snapped, coldly. Jack did as he was told. “Now you listen to me, I have no time for your explanations and excuses, there is nothing at all you can say which will justify you revealing confidential police information in such a public way. You know the rules as well as anybody and you were completely out of order!” Peter yelled at him.

“I know Sir, I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean…” Jack began.

“I don’t really care what you say Jack, the truth is I am absolutely furious with you. If I had my way you’d be suspended and facing disciplinary action, and as it is that still might happen. But for now I’m short staffed on an operation I’m running. That means you’re getting a chance to redeem yourself,” Peter told him.

“Oh thank you…” Jack began.

“That does not mean you are off the hook, just that you’re very lucky to be given an opportunity to earn some brownie points. I’m warning you though Holden, you better be up for this because if you mess up your head will swing and I’ll be the one holding the axe,” Peter threatened him.

“I won’t mess up Detective Baker,” Jack replied.

“You better not, now get out of here.” Peter watched Jack leave and sat back in his chair, taking deep breaths to cool off. In a way he was pleased Jack had messed up because at least it had given him someone to take his frustration out on. Truth was that the Angel situation was all he could think about but he needed to focus on the job at hand right now. Sorting things with Angel would have to wait. Re-focused, he dialed the Beach House number. Outside the office door Jack leaned back against it and took a deep breath. He was being given a reprieve and he needed to make the most of it but before he did anything he just had to stop his head from spinning because right now all he could concentrate on was the thought of heading back home and getting some sleep.

Cassie opened her eyes as the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room and it took her a few seconds to realise where she was. Smiling to herself, she turned on her side to watch the sleeping figure beside her. His chest was rising and falling with his slow, gentle breathing and he looked the picture of contentment. When she had left the party, she had not, as Sally presumed, gone straight home to bed. Instead she had headed to the Hunter/ Holden house and let herself in through Lucas’s open bedroom window. It had been a good few hours wait until the party had finished so Cassie had settled herself in Lucas’s bed and in no time at all had fallen asleep. She had been rudely awoken a few hours later by Lucas’s shocked gasp. He had demanded to know what she was doing there and she had replied that she wanted to be with him. Lucas had not been easy to win round though, and at first he had insisted that she go home. But she had talked him round eventually and he had let her stay. Purely platonically of course and although she had tried everything she knew, Lucas had done nothing more than put a casual arm around her waist. She was pretty sure that he and Matilda had never done anything, which meant that he was a little innocent really and that made him far more of a challenge in Cassie’s eyes. That, plus the fact that innocent people were much easier to manipulate. Still, the first step had been accomplished when he had let her stay and although her plan still needed a fair amount of fine-tuning, she did have a plan. One she was determined to see through. Noises in the house alerted her to the fact that someone was awake so she quickly removed her top and bra and then maneuvered the covers so that she was covered... but only just. Wrapping her arms around a still sleeping Lucas she shut her eyes and waited pretended to sleep as the door to Lucas’s bedroom was pushed slowly open and step two of her plan went into action.

[I love music]

Loved the way Rachel and Leah realised both Dan and Sutty were missing and the way Kane and Kirsty were waiting for the phone to ring (and the remark about Irene not having any more parties! ) And the way Cassie's mind works, I'm beginning to think she IS Tracey Barlow's long lost twin!

“the other issue is how we get Kane wired up?”

“I’ll arrange a TV repair man to head to the Beach House and he’ll have the wires in his tool box so he can fit him up.

I wouldn't have had a clue how to get round that problem! Don't work for MI5, do you...?

Fantastic chapter!

ps Just watch your spelling tho. I was a bit startled when the "all too familiar creek" indicated somebody was entering the room!!!

[sevenpuddings]

ps Just watch your spelling tho. I was a bit startled when the "all too familiar creek" indicated somebody was entering the room!!!

That would be my fault *looks down* So much for being a good proofer.

Anyways, I loved the chapter SKYKAT, evil Cassie is quickly becoming one of my favourite story lines. But I'm really excited about the Kane story line. It all seems to be happening now. Can't wait for more... (which, by the way, will be up later in the week!)

[ldscott]

Brilliant chapter, thanks for posting!

[I love music]

ps Just watch your spelling tho. I was a bit startled when the "all too familiar creek" indicated somebody was entering the room!!!

That would be my fault *looks down* So much for being a good proofer.

Anyways, I loved the chapter SKYKAT, evil Cassie is quickly becoming one of my favourite story lines. But I'm really excited about the Kane story line. It all seems to be happening now. Can't wait for more... (which, by the way, will be up later in the week!)

It just made me smile as I had a picture of a river coming in under the door (it's weird in my imagination! )

[sevenpuddings]

Okay guys, here is the next chapter from SKYKAT. Now, I'll apologise in advance for any errors. Once again, they are my fault! Not SKYKAT's, as she gave me her baby to correct and post this chapter. Enjoy it, I know I did

-

FIFTY SIX

“You’re up early this morning Robbie,” Beth remarked.

“Yeah I’m starting my new job today remember,” Robbie replied.

“Of course I forgot. Did you enjoy the party last night, you were late getting in,” Beth commented.

“I know, I stayed to help Tash clear up,” Robbie replied.

“Oh yes?” Beth asked, giving her son a pointed look.

“Nothing happened, but I think we’re heading the right way. It was good, like old times you know? I’ve got some of her stuff I was going to take round there before I go to work,” Robbie replied.

“Can you forgive her though, for the Jonah stuff?” Beth asked.

“Do you know what Mum, I didn’t think I could but after spending time with her last night, I think maybe I can. If anything it’s her who won’t be able to forgive herself,” Robbie remarked.

“Poor kid, she’s been through such a lot recently,” Beth replied.

“I know, we all have. It was just nice you know, talking to her again, having her back in my life. She’s been my best friend for such a long time and with Kim and Kit leaving and Jack and Martha at each other’s throats it’s nice to have Tash to talk to,” Robbie replied.

“Yeah it’s good for you,” Beth told him.

“I know.” Robbie smiled at her but their conversation was rudely interrupted by Matilda’s horrified gasp.

“Mattie?” Beth asked.

“Cassie,” she replied.

“What about her sweets?” Beth asked.

“She stayed the night in Lucas’s room,” Matilda explained.

“You’re kidding.” Beth moved past her daughter to stand beside Tony who was asking Lucas for an explanation.

“Nothing happened,” Lucas protested.

“A likely story,” Matilda spoke up.

“As if you can talk, remember Dylan?” Lucas shot back.

“That’s different! I really like Dylan, but you and Cassie are just using each other,” Matilda replied.

“What if we are, it’s none of your business,” Lucas snapped.

“Enough!” Beth spoke up. “Matilda I think you and I should go the Diner and get breakfast,” Beth decided looking at Tony who nodded.

“I’ll walk with you,” Robbie offered.

“Come on then.” Her two children in tow Beth left the house and Tony sat down on Lucas’s bed to get an explanation from his son.

“Knock, knock.” Robbie let himself in through the open door or the Beach House.

“Hi Robbie,” Tasha greeted him.

“Hi. I just bought you some of your things round but I was kind of hoping we could have a chat too?” Robbie asked. He saw Tasha look at a very nervous looking Kane, who nodded.

“Sure, let’s go for a walk,” she suggested. Robbie smiled and followed her out of the house.

“Was Kane okay?” he asked when they were alone.

“Yeah he’s just a bit stressed right now. Did you see Jack this morning, is he okay?” Tasha asked.

“I saw him briefly. He looked like hell but he was racing off to work to apologise to Peter,” Robbie replied.

“Oh dear, I hope he’s okay,” Tasha remarked.

“Yeah me too.” Robbie paused, “Tash I didn’t come here to talk about Jack, I’ve spent all night thinking about you and me,” he began.

“Me too,” Tash admitted. “Yesterday at the party you said something about Jack and Martha, you said that when two people love each other they can get past anything.” Tasha told him, “Did you mean that?”

“Yeah I did. That’s what I was thinking about too. Truth is Tash, I still love you as much now as I ever did, I hate not being with you,” Robbie told her.

“Me too, but how can we get past what I did to you?” Tasha asked.

“You see Tash that’s the thing. I already have, I’m not mad at you for what happened with Jonah, it was a weird situation and you made a mistake. I don’t blame you and I can get past it, I’m just not sure you can,” Robbie admitted.

“How do you mean?” Tasha asked.

“You blame yourself, you feel guilty about what you did. It’s you not me who can’t get past it,” Robbie told her.

“What about if I can get past it?” Tasha asked.

“Then you and me have a chance,” Robbie replied.

“If you can get past it then I can too. I still love you so much, I hate not having you in my life,” Tasha told him.

“Me too,” Robbie replied.

“So, where do we go from here?” Tasha asked awkwardly.

“Well I have to go to work, don’t want to be late on my first day at a new job do I?” Robbie told her.

“I guess not,” Tasha replied, disappointed.

“Before I go though I think I need to do this.” Taking hold of her he pulled her gently into his arms and kissed her softly on the lips. Tasha felt her body relax into his as she kissed him back, it felt so right, like she was where she belonged. Gently she drew away from him.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she told him tearfully.

“Me too,” Robbie replied, “It’s good to have you back.”

“So…we’re back together?” Tasha asked nervously.

“We sure are.” Robbie kissed her again. “I have to go but I’ll call you later when I finish work,” he told her.

“Look forward to it,” Tasha replied as, both grinning, they went their separate ways.

“Babe you seriously need to chill out, you’re tighter than a coiled spring,” Kirsty warned him as Kane nervously paced the house.

“What am I expected to be like? He’s up to something Kirst I can feel it,” Kane replied.

“We know he’s up to something Kane, we know he’s trying to move illegal money and set you up for it but it’s not going to work because the police are already involved,” Kirsty explained.

“But what if there’s something else going on? Or what if he guesses we got the police involved or what…”

“Enough Kane. Nothing is going to go wrong, you have to chill out,” Kirsty told him.

“Easy for you to say,” Kane snapped.

“Hey don’t take this out on me, I’m as worried as you are,” Kirsty shot back.

“I’m sorry babe, I didn’t mean to lose it with you,” Kane told her, feeling instantly guilty.

“I know, and I know you’re freaking out I am too. You have to keep remembering though that by this time tomorrow it will all be other and your Dad will be out of our lives for good,” Kirsty soothed.

“You really think so?” Kane asked. Kirsty looked at her husband as he appealed to her. His hazel eyes, usually so alive were wide and held that ‘rabbit trapped in headlights’ look and his whole face was begging her for reassurance. Deep down Kirsty felt anything but reassured, she was worried sick. She didn’t trust Gus Philips as far as she could throw him and Kirsty couldn’t throw very far. Despite her own fears she knew that Kane’s worry was tenfold on her own and she loved him so much. She would do anything for him, anything at all. Even lie.

“Yeah babe, I really do think it’ll be okay, trust me,” she told him. Kane pulled her into his arms and wrapped them around her, almost suffocating her with his fierce hug. Kirsty hugged him back with all the strength she had and she was well aware that they were drawing comfort and strength from each other, just as they always did.

“I love you so much,” Kane told her.

“And I love you too. We’ve been through so much and I know everything’s going to be okay because when you love someone as much as I love you it’s like a protection and that protection will keep you safe. Nothing is going to go wrong, Peter will have everything under control and he hasn’t let us down before has he?” Kirsty asked.

“No I guess not. What will you do while I’m away doing this?” Kane demanded of her.

“I’m going to go the Diner with Irene and sit amongst lots of people and keep my mind off everything,” Kirsty told him.

“Good, you stay with Irene and I’ll phone you when everything’s done,” Kane told her.

“You better had,” Kirsty warned and Kane pulled her back into his arms for a longer hug feeling that if it was possible he loved her more with every passing day and if he loved her that much then there was an awful lot of protection on their side.

”Right everyone’s here has been fitted with their wires and you all know they’re currently switched on so everything you say or do can be overheard. That means if you’re all slagging Detective Baker off he’ll be able to hear you so watch what you say okay?” the communications officer told the group of assembled officers.

“Thank you for that,” Peter replied sarcastically, “I do not want anybody turning these wires off, they’re really awkward to get back on again so you can all just refrain from doing or saying something bad for an hour or two, okay?” Peter asked and his team nodded. “Right, assignments. Mark I want you to get the TV repair gear on and brief Kane Philips, all you need to know is in this file,” Peter told one of the more senior officers.

“No problem Sir.”

“Right, I’ll be running this operation with Sergeant Bellmore from a white van that will be parked over the road. Lara you’ll be talking on your cell phone on the bench facing the bank, Neil you’ll be beside her reading the newspaper. Mike I’ve got overalls for you to wear, you’re going to clean the bank windows. Inside I want you to wait at the customer service desk and enquire about a loan Phil, John you’ll be filling out some forms at the counter and there’ll be one person becoming a bank employee for the day. That’s you Jack and you’ll be based in the back offices where the safety deposit boxes are kept. I have files for all of you detailing your position, actions and so on. The plan is this. At fifteen minutes to two Kane Philips will enter the bank and say he is there for a pre-arranged appointment with the Bank Manager Martin Shaw. The procedure is that he’ll be taken to a desk and asked some pre-arranged security questions then just before two he’ll be led to the box, together he and Mr Shaw will open it. Then he will collect the money and head two blocks Northwest to the second bank where the money is to be deposited. Lara I want you to jump a taxi when he emerges from the bank and arrive at destination two ahead of him. Neil you’re to follow Kane at a safe distance, Sergeant Bellmore and I will continue to run operations from our current place of business and Mike you’ll head down to clean the windows at the secondary destination. Phil, John and Jack are to stay put at the first bank. Now the truth is that we don not know what Gus Philips is planning, you’ll all be armed in case somebody attempts an attack on Kane and you’re to all carry ID in case another team is surveying him. Now I think that if Gus does have something planned it will be during the withdrawal process, otherwise why would he be so keen on Kane being there at a specific time? That’s why we’re focusing our attention on that part of the operation. Everybody understand?” Peter asked and his team nodded. “Right I want you all to go study your files. You have an hour to know it inside out before you’re tested. Only one person, that’s the bank manager Mr Shaw, knows of this operation and that is the way it must stay. Okay dismissed,” Peter said and the officers filed from his office.

Jack headed into a small, quiet room in the station to study his file but found on opening it that his role was incredibly small. He would be given a computer with electronic forms on the screen and details to complete into the forms. Obviously Peter was punishing him by giving him the most boring role. Also, locked away in the safety deposit box unit there would be hardly anybody around. As the most secure place in the bank it was the least likely place for anything to happen. Feeling tired and irritated at the feeling he was being punished Jack settled himself down on the office chair. Setting his cell phone alarm for an hours time he switched his wire off and settled down to have an hours sleep before the operation began.