All That You Can't Leave Behind

[vale4eva]

You left it there!

Poor Rocco and Poor Martha! There was no Jacky in that chapt either *cries*

Great chapter, Update soon

[sazcaz89]

Poor Rocco! I hope is going to be ok. I wonder who beat him up, if its Johnny then i don't get why because Rocco aint done anything.

Cliffhangers! Grrrrr!

Please update soon.

[Adia]

Thanks you guys... I'm going a bit crazy with the updates, mainly because I am home alone and no one to bug me about other stuff. I hope this ain't annoying... Super Jack is definitely in the next chapter though...

ChapterOneHundredFive:

Nina scanned the beach for a sign of Rocco. She desperately had to talk to him if what Johnny had told her was true. She ran down past the boat sheds and along the shore until she realised she was on her own. She hung her head in frustration and looked up to the heavens for an answer. As she turned to head back to a more populated area of the beach, the corner of her eye caught Martha’s distraught face bobbing up and down in the distance. At first she thought nothing of it, but made her way in that direction to make sure that Martha was okay. As she got closer, she saw the almost lifeless body that Martha was frantically shaking, and she ran as fast as she could to them.

“What happened?” she said rushing to their aid.

“I don’t know,” Martha said worried. “I was walking along the beach and I just found him like this…”

Nina checked his pulse and then gently held his eyelids open to check his pupils. “I’m calling an ambulance,” she said pulling out her phone.

“Nooo, don’t,” Rocco wheezed slowly coming round. ‘Don’t call an ambulance…”

“Rocco…” Martha said wrapping her arms around him. “Rocco, you need to see a doctor.”

She helped him to sit up and he coughed violently, splattering blood all over the sand.

“I’m fine,” he croaked. “I don’t need anything…”

“At least let us help you get cleaned up,” Martha said. He tried to sit up on his own, but he held the side of his ribs as if he were trying to stop them from collapsing. Nina put a comforting hand on his shoulder, but he shook her off. She gulped, realising how angry he was with her.

“Let me help you Roc…” she said softly.

He looked at her and saw that pain in her eyes, before he lay his head against the sand nodded.

“There’s no one home,” Martha said searching the van park house. “Rocco are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital? Maybe we can call Rachel to do a house call.”

“No I’m fine really,” Rocco said sitting down at the table, still clutching his side. “Don’t worry about me.” He looked at the two of them, both covered in his blood. He didn’t want to even think about looking in the mirror. Nina pulled out a chair and sat down next to him.

“We better get you cleaned up before Sally or anyone comes back…” she said quietly.

He clenched his jaw, hoping tears wouldn’t filter out of his eyes. He knew if he looked at her, they would.

“I think there’s a first aid kit around somewhere,” Martha said thinking. “I’ll be back in a sec…”

Nina got up and rummaged around in the kitchen. She came back with hand towels and water, and a pair of scissors.

Rocco hung his head down, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Just let me take a look Rocco,” she said sadly. “If you’re not going to go to the hospital, at least let me and Martha help you…”

She dampened the towels and gently wiped the blood off his face. As he slowly raised his eyes, he could see what it was about her that Johnny was drawn to; the intense gaze, the soft and delicate touch… she weakened both of the Cooper boys.

He flinched as the towel rubbed some of his raw skin, but she quickly grabbed the side of his face with her other hand and held him steady.

“I’m sorry,” she said apologising for everything.

Martha returned and placed the first aid kit on the table. She watched as the girl tended to Rocco’s wounds as if she had done it a million times before. Martha saw the tenderness in the way that she did it and wondered if what Jack had said about her violent nature was true.

It wasn’t long before his face was clean again, and there were only a few minor scratches and bruises prevalent on his face.

“Do you need me to do anything?” Martha asked her.

She stood up and handed Martha the scissors. “If you could cut off his T-shirt…”

Rocco said nothing and let Martha cut away, glad that he wasn’t wearing his favourite shirt, while Nina rummaged through her school bag and brought out a jar of ointment.

Martha gasped as she pulled Rocco’s bloodied t-shirt off his body. She had never seen such violently inflicted bruises on anyone before and the fact that he had walked from the beach to the van park like that sent shivers up her spine. Nina grabbed another towel and wiped away the blood that dampened his skin. He blushed shyly as he sat there with his shirt off in front of the two girls.

“It doesn’t look like there’s any internal injuries,” Nina said as she pressed her fingers on the bruises. But don’t take my word on that… you should go and see a doc…” She gently rubbed the balm onto his wounds, being careful not to cause him any more pain.

“I can call Jack?” Martha said trying to help. ‘Or Rachel…? Do you think that would help?”

Rocco shook his head. “I’m fine, it’s nothing really.” He said trying to smile. “Do you think you could call Maddie for me though?”

Martha clasped his hand into hers. “Of course, I’ll go and do that now…”

“So who did this to you?” Nina whispered as Martha talked in the kitchen.

“No one…” Rocco whimpered.

“Was it Johnny?”

He shook his head, wincing with pain. “I’m in so much trouble Nina. I’ve really screwed up.”

“What’s happened? Rocco you can tell me anything. Whatever it is, I’ll try and help you…”

He sighed and took a deep breath. “There’s a guy in the gang. I owe him some money…”

“How much?” she asked.

“At first it was $500. But now he’s upped it. When I told him that I couldn’t get that kind of money he gave me the bash. I was trying to stand up for myself today. I couldn’t stand up to Johnny and I couldn’t even stand up to Karl. I’m such a loser.”

“You’re not a loser Rocco,” she told him.

“He told me, you know… that you’re the reason he left me alone…”

She remembered how conflicted she was about her feelings for Johnny, but that she’d used it to keep Rocco safe from him. She wasn’t sure exactly why she did that at the time, but now she realised how innocent Rocco was in all of this. He didn’t deserve to be punished.

“How much does Karl want now?” she said getting back to the subject.

“Five grand…” he croaked.

“Five grand?” she said shocked. “And if you don’t get it?”

Rocco looked over at Martha. There was silence before Nina gasped.

“Matilda?” She thought frantically for a solution. “Okay listen, I’ve got some savings… I’ll get all of it together and give him the cash okay. Leave it with me…”

[sazcaz89]

Love it! I hope Rocco get the money because Matilda should not have to be hurt!!

Please update soon!

[I love music]

“The guys call him Chopper,” Macca said quietly. “Some of his crew got busted about a month ago and he’s short on cooks. He heard you were pretty good, and at the moment, he can’t meet demand… I mean… if you need the extra cash…”

I really liked the streetwise dialogue.

the wind gently swirled around her, bringing with it a sad and lonely song that rang lightly in her ears

That was a beautiful description, but this next bit kind of takes the poetry out of it

The more she concentrated on it, the more she realised that it wasn’t just the wind.

It might have read better as: the wind gently swirled around her, bringing with it a sad and lonely song that rang lightly in her ears. And as she listened another sound rose above the sea’s lonely voice. Someone sobbing.

he could see what it was about her that Johnny was drawn to; the intense gaze, the soft and delicate touch… she weakened both of the Cooper boys.

Great description. And great chapters! You’ve created a very believable character in Nina. Hope you don't mind the criticism, it's just people are always asking for constructive comments. This is a really good story with great pace.

[xsianx]

The last two chapters have been brilliant!

I should be doing coursework, but I got bored and was just gona have a nose but then I saw you had updated and had to comment.

I loved it! absolutly loved it. the way you set the scenes and I agree with I love music, you have made Nina into such a believable character.

Can't wait to read what happens next

[Roccoluver]

Yay an update

Yay Rocco's okay

Evil Karl raising it ti $5000

Update soon

[Tasha]

Oh noz, poor Mattie. Nothing better happen to her Nice to see Martha with other people other than the usuals Jack's still a jerk. I hope Rocco is alright GReat lots of chapters

More please

[Adia]

Thanks guys! Thanks for your comments. Love them all!

ILM, I don't mind the criticims, it's always good to hear them! In fact after I wrote that line, I sat there for ages thinking, "God how do I write the next bit" so I just winged it... lol

And sorry Sian for distracting you from your course work!

Here's a bit of a filler chapter... kinda boring really...

ChapterOneHundredSix:

“From what we can gather, somebody’s taken the car for a joy ride and ditched it here,” Nathan said firmly to Beth and Tony. “We’ll have the team gather up the forensic evidence, but other than that, there’s not really a lot to go on.”

They stood looking at the burnt out car as the firemen leafed through the wreckage to make sure everything was safe. The car had been completely stripped of the tyres and any other useful parts, and Beth stood there feeling like she was identifying a skeleton. Tony held her around her waist as Jack and Ash stood listening to Nathan.

“We’ve put a call out about the parts,’ Nathan continued, “Maybe something will turn up.”

“You think it might’ve been Johnny Cooper’s gang that did this?” Jack asked him.

Nathan drew in a deep breath and looked at Jack and Ash hesitantly. “That’s pure speculation,” he sighed. “But they have been causing a bit of trouble round here. I’ll get Lara to check that out for me…”

As he started to walk away Ash quickly grabbed his arm. Nathan flashed him an annoyed glare, and Ash quickly took his hand off the Detective’s arm.

“Sorry, but with all due respect Sir, I’d like to take on the case.” Ash said flustered.

“Well you’ll have to talk with Harper about that,” Nathan said turning away.

‘Actually Detective, you have the authority to put me on the case if you wanted to…” Ash told him.

Nathan stood still and crossed him arms. “I told you…” he snapped. “talk to Harper…” He gave Ash one last sneer before walking over to the forensics team.

“Listen Dad, Beth,” Jack said turning to them. “You guys can head off. I’ll stay here with Ash and we’ll see if we can find out anything else. You have all the details for the insurance company?”

Tony nodded and put a comforting hand on Jack’s arm. “Thanks mate,” he said quietly. “Give us a call later eh?”

Jack nodded as another Constable escorted Tony and Beth to one of the police cars.

“Owens is dodgy,” Ash whispered. “I think he knows something about the car…”

“What makes you think that?” Jack asked. “You have to be careful Ash. You accuse Senior Officers of something like corruption and you could end up in trouble. God knows I did when I went to McGrath about Peter Baker.”

“I heard some things in the city about Owens,” Ash whispered again. “Plus, he’s the one that’s been giving Beth all those tickets. Don’t you think it might have something to do with Jake and Nina Rogers? Beth hasn’t crossed them has she?”

Jack groaned as Ash’s theories started to make some sense. “She’s had a go at Nina a couple of times…”

“So they send in the big bad Detective to make her pay…”

“Look let’s talk about this more at the station…” Jack said worried. “Harper will be there and we can see what he thinks…”

“Don’t you think it’s weird that Detective Owens was giving out parking tickets?” Jack asked Harper as he explained the whole situation to him. Ken Harper shook his head and grabbed a folder off the top of the large pile on his desk.

“He’s a police officer, it’s his duty to write out tickets if someone is breaking the law.” He said firmly.

“Yeah, but shouldn’t the guy be out there catching murderers and drug dealers?” Jack argued. “Come on boss… it is kinda suss.”

“Besides, I’m convinced that he knows something about Beth Hunter’s car,’ Ash interrupted. “The guy is up to something dodgy.”

“Nathan Owens is a very well respected officer,” Harper snapped. “He just got promoted to DSS. You really think he’s corrupt?”

“We know for a fact that he’s involved with Jake and Nina…” said Jack. “So he could be on side with Johnny Cooper and god knows who else…”

Harper thought pensively for a moment before picking up the phone. “Hi Lara, it’s Ken. Is Nathan out there? Could you send him in please?”

The guys waited anxiously for Nathan to enter. Jack could feel the sweat starting to trickle from his brow, and Ash tried desperately to keep his leg from shaking. Nathan finally entered and dropped a file into Harper’s hands. “What’s up?” he asked casually.

“Nato, Constable Holden and Constable Nader here would like to ask you a few questions…”

Nathan raised his eyebrow and rolled his eyes at the sight of Jack and Ash. “Well make it quick then…”

Jack opened his mouth to start, but Ash quickly jumped in to steal the limelight.

“Detective, we understand that you were the one who spotted Beth Hunter’s car on the highway?”

“Yeah? And?”

“Well that area is a little bit out of your jurisdiction isn’t it?” Ash asked him.

“Actually Constable, I was driving back from the city when I got the call on the radio to look out for the car.” Nathan snapped. “I had to pick up something from CID. Is that alright with you?”

He turned and looked at Harper. “What the hell is this all about?”

“Jack and Ash seem to think that you have something to do with all the trouble that’s been happening around here. Like your in on some sort of scam…”

“You think I’m corrupt?”

“Well are you?” Jack asked.

“Put it this way, I’m not stupid…” he said angrily. “I have a great career, why would I ruin that?”

“Detective, I did a little digging on you over at CID,” Ash said smugly. He pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it slowly as he continued. “There was an internal investigation against you a few years ago… you were cleared, but your partner ended up going to jail…”

Harper slammed his fist down on the desk. “That’s quite enough from you Nader. You’re stepping on a lot of toes here…”

“You haven’t had a partner since then?” Ash inquired. “Why would that be?”

“Ash, were you gonna tell me about this?” Jack said harshly.

Nathan grabbed Ash by his collar and filleted him around like a little rag doll.

“Don’t you dare accuse me of anything Constable…” he threatened. “You might want to go and take Police College 101 again before you start accusing senior officers. I have a right mind to give internal a call and get them to investigate you…”

Lara opened the door and broke some of the tension that was going down between the men. “Ken, it’s the Police Commissioner’s office on line one. It must be serious… They said that he’s on his way here…”

[Roccoluver]

Awesome chapter

more soon