Written by: Gemma

Date first published online: 29TH October 2003

Archive: Just ask me

Authors notes: Thanks to sierra_oscar_33 on for help with sentencing! This is the final chapter of the current part - If anyone has any comments about what they've liked/haven't liked in this fic or what you would like to see in the sequel, leave a comment in a review.

Disclaimer: 'Heath Green fire station' is fictional and isn't really a part of London Fire and Rescue. Carole Webb and Jack Morgan are copyright to London's Burning and all other characters are copyright to the author and are not based on anyone.

Starring: Main Station Officer Carole Webb, Sub Officer Jack Morgan, Leading Fire fighter Darren Downing, Fire figher Marc Arun, Fire fighter Bryan Phillips, Fire fighter Andy Bacon, Fire fighter Gavin Austin and Fire fighter Bob McCallum. Guest Court room people, Martin Webb.

Summary: The court case continues and concludes. Will the sentence be in Martin's favour? And Carole makes a life changing decision. FINAL CHAPTER - PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! - SEQUEL COMING SOON!

The feeling of walking into a court room full of people, knowing that they were all going to listen to and remember what you were about to reveal, was an indescribable yet frightening.

The room was silent and all eyes were on Carole as she was lead towards the witness stand. As she took her place, she caught Martin's gaze from across the room. If the thought even crossed his mind that he could manipulate and scare her into keeping quiet - he didn't know her that well at all.

"Ms. Webb, can you please describe the day in, which the attack happened to the court?"

Carole glared in Martin's direction, before beginning, "My Watch were working the day shift and we were called out to a small restaurant , which was ablaze. That's when I first saw him... Martin, standing around near the scene, but I thought I might have been mistaken, but that didn't stop me thinking about it for the rest of the day. Then, later on that day, while my Watch were doing a drill out in the yard, I spotted Martin again at the gates."

"From your police interview, I believe that he didn't actually approach you until later?"

Carole nodded, "I wasn't in the best of moods. My Sub Officer had noticed something was on my mind and kept on trying to get me to talk about it. So I left work as quickly as I could. I then got stuck in traffic on the way home, then my phone rang, so I pulled over, then he forced himself into my car and made me drive home. He even knew where I lived! God knows how he found that out!"

"It doesn't take someone who earns thirty grand a year to work that one out!" Martin muttered out loud.

"Will you please remain quiet Mr. Webb?" The judge ordered, causing Martin to grin widely finding satisfaction from getting the attention.

Carole explained the events of the night further. The full blown argument, the attack and what she could remember of the fire... "I then spent weeks of work, staying with a friend while my house was getting sorted..."

Various different adjournments took place as different witnesses were called to the stand and Solicitors cross-referenced practically everything that was said. Members of Martin's family stood and spoke in his defense, blaming Carole for Martin's actions, stating that her working long and some unsociable hours made him unhappy.

But she did argue back, did it justify what she had to put up with? Did it justify the loutish drunken behaviour that she was forced to put up with. Did her supposedly making him feel worse justify for him hitting her after hours of downing alcohol? And did it justify him approaching her years after their divorce and attacking her and ruining her home?

After all witnesses had taken to the stand - Carole, certain members of Martin's family, as well as witnesses, Carole's neighbours and the woman he was with when he was arrested; all members were called to the court room as the jury reached their verdict.

"On the grounds of assault, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?"

Silence filled the room, so much that, the heavy breathing of the terrorfied Martin could almost be heard...

"Guilty."

That single word 'Guilty', it meant so much, yet the word was so small. A slight smile crept onto Carole's lips, although she tried to hide it until the final sentencing was the be read out.

Martin's facial expressions changed immediately, he had a gut feeling that his next sentence was also not going to work in his favour.

"On the grounds of arson, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?"

"Guilty."

A huge grin appeared on Carole's face and different reactions filled the room. Martin's family were furious as other members were delighted. Carole's old neighbours from years ago had heard Martin through the walls and her current neighbours had witnessed him fleeing the scene of the attack and fire.

As the noise of voices partly died down, the judge carried on. "Martin Webb, you are cruel and you are a bully. Nothing justifies for an assault and arson, especially when you were intentionally trying to endanger life. I am sentencing you to 16 years imprisonent."

"16 years?!" Martin screamed out loud, "16 years?! You bitch Carole, you bitch. I wish you nothing but unhappiness Carole. You may have your job, but you don't have a life!" Two prison officers took Martin by the arms and lead him away, as Carole watched him being leads away, ignoring his comments. He was the one going to jail and she was free, free to do whatever she wanted and she was finally free of the fear of him ever returning to ruin her life.

Things had changed with the Watch in the number of weeks that had passed. Bryan was now back at work after he and Miranda had returned from their honeymoon and Bob was also back at work after taking some leave after Peter's accident.

Peter had remained in a coma for three days, but he awoke and was lucky that there wasn't much damage. He had lost his job though, which was understandable. But things were now hard for Peter, he was trying to come to terms with his instant dismissal as well as a rehab program. Bob couldn't help but feel guilty and blamed himself for what happened to Peter.

Gavin continued working as a taxi driver on the side in order to pay Ellen, Craig's money and life went on as normal for Andy, Marc and Jack.

After making her way out court and then walking the two mile or so walk in the direction of Jack's house, Carole found herself standing on Jack's doorstep. She knocked lightly a couple of times, but there was no answer.

"He's not in," a voice spoke up from behind her.

Carole smiled and turned, noticing Jack standing behind her, his hands in his coat pockets. The late-October weather was getting colder now and they were all noticing it.

"So I can see," Carole replied, trying to keep a straight face. Things had been awkward between them for a while. After she had first revealed her plans to move away and after he had stuck up for her while arguing with the D.O., they had barely been on speaking terms since. "...Do you know when he'll be home?"

Jack lowered his head and grinned, before he walked forward and unlocked the door and pushed it opened, gesturing for her to enter first. As Jack walked in behind her, he closed the door and pulled off his jacket, before he wandered towards his kitchen. "How was court?" he asked casually, as if she had told him every single detail beforehand.

Carole shot him a glance, "How did you know I was in court?"

She had known him a long time now and also knew that he had a knack of finding out most things, but how, she really did not know.

"I noticed the reminder on your computer screen in your office," he confessed, as he looked across at her carefully, trying to see whether it was obvious or not that the case went well or not. But it turned out not to be obvious at all. "So... How did it go?"

A wide smile appeared on her face. She had contained her happiness for long enough now and needed to share it with someone. The relief and happiness inside made her feel like she almost needed to cry.

"Sixteen years," she began quietly, "Martin was sentenced to sixteen years!"

He chuckled slightly and smiled, "That's..."

"Bloody fantastic!" she cut him off, causing him to laugh again, as he glanced across at her. Carole was genuinely happy. No smile was faked or was just there for show. It was genuine. She need not worry anymore.

"Now I can finally move on with my life without having to look over my shoulder because he'll be locked up for a long time."

"You're still moving away aren't you?"

Carole nodded, "I have to."

Jack actually could understand that. He didn't know how long Carole had actually lived in London, but he was guessing at least thirteen years and if he had been through what she had, he would probably have left the city long before. But she was strong and could deal with an awful lot. When things had gone wrong for Jack - when he followed Linda to America and was turned down, he still decided to stay out there for a while, before making a new start again in London.

"I know," he answered softly, "Just take care of yourself 'eh?"

She smiled and nodded.

"...And keep in touch..."

"...And you keep the Watch running for me."

In a matter of weeks Carole's transfer came through and she moved up North to Liverpool, taking a job position at the Brigade's Headquarters while she awaited an operational position. Life went on relatively normal for the Green Watch. Jack took charge as Temporary Station Officer, as the Watch awaited a new Station Officer as the D.O. and other higher ranking officers went through the interview process.

Of Past Regrets and Future Fears - Chapter 11 - 29-Oct-03 - Gemma Lambourne©