Hard Situations!

[swfc]

You wouldn't dare.

Trust me when I say that you would thank us later for what we did/will be doing.

[Traceve]

You wouldn't dare.

Wanna bet on that?

[Lilone]

Meanwhile, the occupants of the Patterson-Baker household looked on in shock as Clare lost it and then ran out of the place in anger. It took them a full blown ten minutes or so to realize what had just happened. For Dan Baker, finding out that his brother was not Lilly’s father only served as a reminder of the bad luck that had befallen his family recently. In truth, he was sick and tired of all of this. He wanted his brother to be free, his mother to still be alive, and his father to be the father that he and Peter had always wanted.

Drew Curtis looked on with a smug look as Clare Brody ran away in shame and anger.

“What are you looking so happy about?” Dan asked as he saw Drew’s smug face.

“Nothing.” Drew replied and he dropped the smug look.

“No, Drew I can’t have you standing there looking pleased with yourself after you have just told everyone something that Claire should have told us in the first place. How do you think Claire is feeling about her daughter missing? Just think how you felt when your dad was missing!”

“Don’t you care that she lied to Dad?” Drew shot at Dan.

“You know, one thing I have learnt in life mate, is that sometimes it’s the people who it will hurt the most deserves to know first.”

“So, what you are saying is, I didn’t deserve to know?”

“I am just saying maybe Claire thought if she would only tell Pete now because she knew the longer she left it the more it would hurt him. She probably didn’t tell you yet because you have got so much on your plate with your dad in prison!”

Drew looked up at Dan as he just carried on listening to Dan.

“The best example of this is your dad not telling the rest of the family about you. He knew that you didn’t want to know him or any of us so he thought it would only hurt us if we knew, that’s why he kept it to himself.”

Drew smiled as he looked up at Dan as he said,

“I’m sorry.”

Drew walked over and hugged Dan.

“I don’t think it’s me who you should be apologizing to.”

Drew pulled away from hugging Dan as he said,

“I better go.”

Dan laughed at Drew as he watched him leave before grabbing his coat to go to the station to see Pete,

Dan entered the station as he saw Jack and Claire talking to one another. He smiled as he walked up to Claire and Jack,

“Claire, have you got a minute?”

“Sure.” Claire replied as they both entered the office.

“Dan, I’m sorry about not telling you. I didn’t want to upset you more then you already are.” Claire said hoping for forgiveness.

Dan moved further towards Claire as he said,

“Claire, you do not have to be sorry about anything. It was your choice whether or not to tell us. But, it doesn’t matter now, all that matters is finding Lilly.”

Claire just looked up at Dan as a weak smile grew on her face,

“Dan, I miss her so much.”

Dan swung his arms around Claire as she began to sob in his arms.

“We will find Lilly.”

Dan pulled Claire away as he made her look at him as he said,

“We will find her.”

“Thanks.” Claire said as she pulled away from Dan. “I hope so too.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Evan Rice standing there, looking deeply upset and apologetic.

“Clare,” he said.

“I better see Pete.” Dan said as he left the room leaving Claire and Evan to sort out their problem.

As soon as Dan walked out, Evan closed the door and looked at Clare. She, however, had gone back to her chair and sat down.

“What do you want, Evan? I’m not in the mood to have another argument with you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I didn’t mean to call you a bad mother.”

“Well, you did anyway.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I was in the wrong. I was upset that nobody told me.”

“I would’ve told you if you were around, Evan.”

“I know. I’m sorry. You’re a good mother. I’m the worst father.”

“If you think saying that is going to make me happy and make me forgive you, think again, Evan.”

“I know that you’re angry and upset with me. I don’t blame you. But, please, can we just put this behind us? Lilly’s missing. I want to find her as much as you do, Clare.” Evan said with tears streaming down his face.

When she saw the tears, she was a goner. She stood up and went to him and hugged him. All she wanted to do was to comfort him. After all, he was Lilly’s father and he had every right to be upset. They stood there in silence. He crying in her arms and she comforting him.

Meanwhile, after he had exited Clare’s office, Dan asked Jack if he could go and see his brother now. The constable took him to the interview room where he saw his brother already there, with a smile on his face.

“Hey, little brother.”

“Hey, big brother. And you know, you haven’t called me that in ages.”

“I know. I thought that under these circumstances, it was appropriate.”

“Someone’s in a good mood today.”

“Well, I got to see my kid brother, didn’t I?”

“I’m serious, Pete.”

“Dan, why did you have to spoil it?”

“I’m sorry. Just that with everything that’s going on-“ he broke off.

“How’s everyone holding up?” Peter asked, his expression serious now.

“Holding on. Dad’s here, by the way.”

“How’s he holding up?”

Here, Dan sighed. He didn’t know if he should tell Peter the truth or not. As it is, Peter’s life was bad enough and he didn’t want to make it even worse.

“He’s holding up.” Dan lied.

“You’re hiding something.”

“What? No, I’m not.”

“You’re being defensive and you sighed when I asked you about dad. And, you took a while to answer my question. What’s going on, Dan? I can take it.”

“He blames you for mom’s death.”

“Figures.” Peter replied bitterly.

“Pete, I don’t want you to get all worked up about it. He’s just a bit nuts in the head, if you get what I mean. He’ll come round. You know he will.”

“Well, I guess me being in here is a good thing.”

“What? Don’t say that, mate! We’re going to find out who’s framing you and when we get them, you’ll be free!”

“C’mon, Dan, be serious. With all the evidence pointing at me, do you seriously think you can find out who’s framing me?”

“Clare and Jack are doing the best that they can, Pete. You can’t give up. Not just yet. We all need you. Drew needs you. Clare needs you. I need you!”

“Clare? What does Clare have to do with this?”

“Nothing. It was just a figure of speech.”

“She’s got Evan and she’s got Lilly to look after. She doesn’t need me.”

“Mate, she’s working to get you out of jail. Even with Lilly being kidnapped, she’s still working on your case.”

“Wait, Lilly’s been kidnapped?”

“Yes! Wait a minute, how did you know about Evan being Lilly’s dad?”

“Clare told me. The other day. Which brings me to why I asked to see you.”

The only reply he got from Dan was silence, so he continued.

“I’m sorry, Dan. I’m sorry for the way that I’ve been acting lately. I’m sorry for the way that I behaved that day, throwing all the furniture at your house and acting all mental at the station the other day. It was the day that Clare had told me that I wasn’t Lilly’s father. I guess, I just broke. I wanted so badly to be Lilly’s father and when I wasn’t, I couldn’t bear it anymore so I became enraged. Luckily I was taken back into my cell because, I wouldn’t know what would’ve happened.”

“Mate, it’s fine. It’s understandable.”

“No, it’s not. I should’ve kept my cool. The judge was right to deny me bail. Who knows what I would’ve done if I was out and about.”

“Mate, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re being framed. You’ll be out of here soon.”

“I’ll think about that when it happens for real. In the meantime, there is something I want to ask of you.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Look after Drew for me. And Sally as well. And keep and eye out on Clare for me too. And, most important of all, take care of yourself and your family. Promise me that, Dan.”

“You have my word.” Dan said as he gripped his brother’s hand in a firm hand shake to seal the bond. Before he knew it, Peter had enveloped him into a hug.

“Take care of yourself, big brother.”

“I will little brother.” Peter replied as he ruffled Dan’s hair like how he used to when they were younger.”

And with that, Peter Baker signaled to the constable on stand by that the interview was over and that he wanted to return to his cell. The constable led him towards the exit and he looked back at his brother and gave him a smile. His brother, in return, did the same. As soon as he was out of sight, Dan Baker let out a big sigh.

Preview:

Will Lilly ever be found?

Pete starts to look back at his past!

Will Pete ever be free?

[Drew]

Lil! Howcome you never told me you updated!

Great chapter. I feel so sorry for Pete now. Poor thing... Oooo and his past next chapter. That sounds exciting!

[Traceve]

No-one told me either!

[swfc]

^ That's because none of you asked us.

I love the Peter/Dan scene. It just made me go all warm and fuzzy inside.

[Lilone]

In a good mood so special long chapter

After about ten or so minutes of crying in Clare’s arms, Evan Rice slowly pulled away from the embrace and looked at her. He knew she was just as upset as he was but she was trying to be strong. She broke the silence saying,

“Maybe you should take the rest of the day off, Evan.”

“No. I’m not going to take any time off until we find Lilly. I think maybe you could do with a rest. You’ve been working on Pete’s case as well as Lilly’s. Maybe some rest would do you some good. It would help you think better.”

“Well, maybe you’re right. I’ll just finish off a couple of things here and then I’ll go home. Thanks Evan.”

“I’ll see you, then. Don’t stay too late. I’m going to ask Jack to keep an eye out on you.”

“See you later.” Clare said as he walked out of the office.

As soon as he was out, he spied Jack talking with Lara and he headed towards them. They stopped talking when he approached and he said,

“Jack, can I have a word?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Listen mate, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for the way that I’ve been acting. Sorry for yelling at you and for my behaviour today. It was uncalled for.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I know how you feel.”

“So, we’re good?”

“Yup.” Jack said as he offered his hand for Evan to shake.

“Great.” Evan replied as he shook Jack’s hand. “Oh, yeah, I have a favour to ask of you.”

“Shoot.”

“I’m going to go out for a bit to grab a bite to eat. Can you make sure that Clare finishes up what she has to do and then sees that she goes home? She needs some rest.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, mate. I was going to ask her to go home soon anyway.”

“Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

After he was led back to his jail cell, Peter sat down on his bed thinking about what Dan had told him. About Clare and about his father. He felt useless that he couldn’t do anything. Truth be told, it drove him up the wall that he was unable to defend himself to his father and that he was unable to help Clare. Peter Baker was not used to not being able to do nothing. He was always able to do something to help the people he cared about. He got up from his seat and started walking around his cell restlessly. He was angry at himself. Angry at his father. Angry at the person or persons who had put him in here in the first place. The persons whose crimes he had been wrongly accused of committing. He wanted to hit something badly but all he could was hit the walls. And that was exactly what he did.

He didn’t even feel the pain. In fact, he felt nothing at all. All his emotions were jumbled up to the point that he couldn’t feel anything. And that only made him hit the wall harder. He continued hitting until sweat dripped down his brow, across his forehead and down his torso wetting his shirt which had already become see through. He didn’t even notice the blood trickling down his arms and mixing with the sweat already on his arms. He kept hitting and hitting until he could hit no more and screamed in frustration. Before he even knew it, he had fallen on his bed in agony. The pain finally sinking in.

He lay down in the shoddy piece of furniture they called a bed. Tears were finally starting to come as he realized just how much pain he was in, emotionally and physically. He felt drained off energy. The events of the past weeks culminating in today’s display of emotions. He could take it no longer. Yet, he would never ever show any sign of giving up to his family. He didn’t want them to see him at his worst. Which was why he would always make sure that when he saw them, he would always be cheerful. It was all just a façade. And he knew it. No one has ever seen Peter Baker show any sign of weakness. No one but Tracey Thompson.

At the thought of that name, Peter froze. He had never thought if it before but when he did, the very thought of it scared him. The one person who he had bared his soul to, his entire being to, was the one person that he had been accused of murdering. ‘If Tracey was here, she’d most probably be telling me how pathetic I am at the moment,’ he thought to himself. Thinking about Tracey made him think about the past. Slowly, these memories came back to haunt his very soul. It was as though they had only just met yesterday…

Flashback:

Peter Baker was sitting at the bar, trying to drown his sorrows with shots of vodka. He had only recently broken up with his girlfriend, Clare Brody. ‘And it was all because of some stupid job’ he thought to himself. He didn’t notice a young brunette in her late 20s sitting down next to him as he was lost in his thoughts. He was jerked out of his reverie when he heard her order a shot of tequila. That was when he noticed just how stunning she was. He stared at her for a long time until she noticed him staring.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“No.”

“Then why are you staring at me?”

“I can’t help but stare at a stunning beauty like you.”

“You’re drunk.”

“And you’re hot.”

She was taken aback by his comment to reply.

“I left you speechless, didn’t I?”

“My mother told me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then keep quiet.””

“Touché.”

“Do you always use that same pick up line on every girl that you meet?”

“No. you’re the only one.”

“A word of advice: Don’t.”

“Okay, how about, I’m a loser. My girlfriend just broke up with me. Apparently, her job is more important than me. I’m sitting here, in a bar, drowning my sorrows, thinking about what a pathetic loser I am and then a hot babe waltzes in and orders a shot of tequila and sips it alone.”

“Ah, you’re trying to make me feel sorry for you. I hate to say this, it’s not working.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t even know you and you’re asking me about my personal life?”

“Well, if you did have a boyfriend, then, you wouldn’t he here drinking alone and talking to a stranger.”

“Yeah, you’re right. You are a stranger.”

“I’m guessing you don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Oh, and now you’re a psychic as well. How interesting.”

“No, I’m a cop.”

“A cop. That’s such a relief to hear.”

“Actually, I’m a detective.”

“Oh, even better.”

“Did anyone ever tell you how hot you are when you’re being sarcastic?”

“You really should go home. You’re drunk. And, besides, I’m sure you’ll need to go to work tomorrow, anyway. It would be a shame for a well respected detective like you to turn up at work hung-over, don’t you think?”

“Getting rid of me already? Or is it because I’m just too hot to handle?” he winked.

“Bartender, would you please call a cab for this man. I don’t think he would be able to make it home by himself. With any luck, I hope he crashes his car.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As the bartender went to call a cab, the hot brunette took him outside and waited with him for his cab. When the cab arrived, she gave the cabbie the address which she had managed to get out of Peter whilst they were waiting. She put a note in his pocket, paid the cabbie the money from Peter’s wallet, shut the door and stood back and watched as the cab drove off. She headed back into the bar, chuckling to herself.

Peter Baker had no idea how he managed to make it home last night when he woke up with a massive headache. It was 8.30am and he was due in at work in half an hours time. He pondered on whether or not to call in sick but thought better of it. He dragged himself out of bed and into the shower. He was dressed and ready for work by 8.45am. He got out of his flat and realized that his car was not there. He started to panic as he was going to be late for work. He reached into his jacket pocket for his phone and that was where he found a message:

‘Your car is at the pub.’

His mind immediately flashed back to the night before and he immediately ran outside the main road and hailed a taxi to get him to the bar and collect his car. When he arrived at the station, he tried to slip in quietly, hoping that Murphy wouldn’t see him. But, it was too late as Murphy had been waiting for him to turn up to work. He walked out of his office and yelled,

“Peter, a word in my office, please!”

Peter let out a small, silent groan. This was the last thing he needed. Another headache over the one that he was already experiencing. He couldn’t remember how many drinks he drunk last night but he made a mental note to not drink again for a couple of months. He dragged himself off towards his boss’ office, secretly muttering.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” he asked noticing a woman sitting on the chair with her back towards him.

“Yes. Detective Peter Baker, I’d like you to meet, Detective Tracey Thompson.”

The brunette woman turned around to face him, her hair flipping her hair in the process and wowed him for a moment. That was, until he saw her face.

“You.” Peter said, not knowing that he had a finger pointed at her.

“Nice to meet you too, Detective Baker. I see you got home alright. How’s the head this morning?” she replied cheekily as she put out her hand, waiting for a handshake.

“I-er, nice to meet you to, Detective Thompson.” Peter replied, embarrassment starting to seep in as he searched his mind to think of what happened last night. “And, the head is okay.”

“You two know each other?” Superintendent Murphy asked.

“Yes and no, Sir.” She replied. “I met Detective Baker at a pub last night. Didn’t know who he was until this morning.”

“Ah, I see. That’s good then. Peter, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind showing Tracey around then. She transferred from Reefton Lakes to the city. I will leave her in your capable hands, Detective.”

With that, he shooed the Detectives out of his office, not before saying,

“I hope you have a good time working here, Detective Thompson.”

“Thank you very much, Superintendent Murphy.” Tracey replied as he shut his office door.

Peter decided to do as he was told and took her around. He introduced her to everyone and finally took her to her desk, which incidentally, was opposite his. He gave her some documents to read and went back to his desk and continued with his work.

He was brought back to the real world by a clanging of doors. Apparently, someone had heard him and had come to investigate. It was Jack.

“Pete, are you okay?”

“Jack. Yeah, I’m fine, why do you ask?”

“Oh, someone heard noises so they asked me to come check it out.”

It was then that he saw Peter’s bloodied hand and he gasped,

“Peter, what in the world? Hold on, I’m going to get some bandage and I’ll be right back.”

No sooner than ten minutes had passed when Jack Holden returned to the cell with bandage and hot water. He got the prison warden to open the cell for him and placed the things on Peter’s bed. He grabbed a chair and sat down opposite him and was starting to clean the wound when Peter said,

“I think I can manage that on my own, mate.”

“Oh, er, yeah, sorry. Just the sight of blood.”

“It’s okay.” He said as he took the cotton and started to clean his wounds. “Thanks.”

“No problem. What made you do this anyway?”

Peter flinched when he heard that question. He had no idea whether it was because of pain or whether it was because of the thought of having to answer Jack’s question. He decided to answer the question anyway.

“I was in one of those moods. You know.”

“Oh. Is everything alright? Do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s fine. I’m okay now. It’s nothing really. Thinking about Tracey helped take away the pain. Well, for a little while anyway.”

“Tracey? What were you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about the first time I met her. do you know, we met at a bar?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I was hung-over and I used the cheesiest pick up line ever on her.”

“How in the world did you remember that?”

“She told me the next day. I didn’t know she was a detective. So, you can imagine my surprise when I met her the next day at the office.”

“That must’ve been so funny.”

“It was. Indeed it was… I was reminiscing about it until you came along.”

“Sorry. What were you thinking about, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Our first day of work together and how awkward it was.”

“I bet you she made your life hell that day, didn’t she?”

“Oh yeah, you bet.” Peter replied as his mind wandered back to lunchtime that day.

Flashback:

“Well, I’m done with the reading and stuff. Is there anything else that I need to know, Detective Baker?”

Before he could answer, however, he heard her laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Do you know, you’ve been cradling you head the entire time since we got back to your desk? It’s actually quite a funny sight if you ask me. Maybe you should go take a panadol or something.”

“I’m just nursing a hangover. It’s nothing. Happens you know whenever you drink a lot.”

“I think it only happens when one is drowning one’s sorrows because one had broken up with one’s girlfriend.” She smirked.

“You know, it’s lunchtime, why don’t you go and grab yourself a bite to eat.” Peter told her, wanting to get her away so that he could concentrate.

“What about you? You need to eat, you know?”

“Well, I haven’t quite finished my work yet so I’m just going to try and finish up some bits and pieces and then I’ll go.” He said, hoping that it would persuade her to go.

“You know, having something to eat and drink and some fresh air might do you some good. You’ll feel better after that and then you can come back and finish off your work.”

“You really are stubborn, aren’t you?”

“Depends on the situation.”

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think that you’re just scared to go on your own and you want me to accompany you.” Peter teased.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, because, if you weren’t, you would’ve gone when I told you to.”

“Maybe I am.”

“You really aren’t going to take no for an answer, are you?”

“No.”

“If I go with you, will you promise not to bug me anymore?”

“Promise.”

“Deal. C’mon, let’s go get some food” he said as he took his coat and led her out of the station.

They bought their lunches at the nearby café and headed towards the park to eat. For a while there, they sat in companiable silence, neither of them wanting to break the silence.

“Do you come here often?” Tracey asked.

“No, not really. I only come here when I have lunch by myself. If I’m having lunch with Clare, then we usually go to the cafes and have lunch. I forgot how peaceful it is here.”

“I would’ve expected you to bring Clare here. After all, it is a park, it would be more romantic, don’t you think?”

“Well, it’s complicated. Clare’s a very complicated person…” he trailed off

“And you’re just a simple man.” She finished for him.

“Yeah, you can say that.”

Not knowing what to say, Tracey remained silent and ate up her lunch.

“Feeling any better?” she asked when she saw that he had finished.

“Yeah, much better. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Why are you being so nice? I hardly even know you. I mean, yesterday, you kept an eye out for me at the bar and made sure I went home safely and today, you’re making me go have lunch and stuff.”

“Maybe it’s because of that cheesy pick up line you threw at me yesterday at the bar.”

“Oh gawd, what did I say?” his mind slowly wandered back to the night before and it suddenly hit him. “I am so sorry. I was drunk and I swear, I don’t ever use that kind of line on anybody for that matter.”

“It’s okay.” Tracey laughed. “It was quite funny, really. I’ve never met a guy who tried to pick up a girl by telling them the reason why they’re drinking. I think, you were the first.”

“That’s it. I’m never touching any alcohol anymore. Well, for a few months, at least.”

“Aw, that’s such a shame, really. You were kinda cute when you were drunk.”

“You’ve never going to let me live it down, are you?”

“Nope.”

“I should’ve kept my mouth shut if I knew I’d be working with you.”

“That’s what happens when you talk to strangers. Only you weren’t so lucky this time.” Tracey teased him.

Peter’s response was to just laugh. He had never been so intrigued by someone like her before. Yet, he felt really comfortable talking to her. Maybe it was the thought that she was stranger or he had only just met her but he could tell that there was something different about her. He knew, then, that they would get along very well together.

And that was a start of a beautiful friendship.

“Pete?”

“Huh?”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Thinking about Tracey again?”

“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to zone off on you, mate.”

“It’s fine. At least you knew what you were doing whilst you were reminiscing.”

This got him a laugh from Pete. One that Jack was really glad about. It had been a long time since he had heard Peter laugh and this made him feel better.

“I see thinking about Tracey has made you happy.”

“I don’t know why but you’re right. I guess it’s because she was the one who brought a smile back to my face when Clare and I broke up.”

“She must be really special, then.”

“Yeah, mate. Very special.”

Preview: The search continues for Lilly!

Will Pete be freed?

[Oxidizer]

I need to read this more often. Evan Rice is in it? Yay!

Awesome stuff Lil, and your avatar is just... dominant. I like it.

[Drew]

I read it awhile ago but forgot to comment

All this Rice/Clare I like... Maybe they should have sex again

[Drew]

Girls, what happened ?