Chapter Text
It had been a quiet (and boring) day. So much so, that Jackie, Robbie, and Stuart’s coffee break had gone on for longer than usual. Their conversation was far more interesting than what they had been doing.
Until Michael interrupted them.
“A body’s been found. It looks like a suicide, but they want someone out to investigate. Are you okay to go out there, Jackie?” asked Michael.
“Sure,” she answered before she drank the last of her coffee.
“I want you to join her, Robbie,” said Michael. At the annoyance on Robbie’s face, he added, “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” said Robbie.
“Good,” Michael said before he gave Stuart something to do.
Once Michael went back to his office, Robbie gulped the last of his coffee, squashed the disposable cup and threw it in the bin. “Right,” Robbie said, before he left the station with Jackie.
The first few minutes of the drive were silent, though Jackie regarded Robbie carefully. “Why the long face?” she asked.
“It’s a waste of time,” he answered, his eyes still on the road. “There’s likely not going to be any signs of foul play, and not much for us to do.”
“Except tell the next of kin,” she sighed.
Robbie stole a glance at her, “Just what I love about this job,” he said sarcastically.
“Yeah, it’s shit,” she said. “But at least when this is cleared up, I can treat you to a drink,” she suggested.
Robbie smiled, eyes still on the road, “I’ll hold you to that.”
“Good,” she said, returning the smile.
The rest of the drive passed in silence. In truth, getting called out to these could be worse than murders. Sometimes it left you feeling helpless, with only trying to bring comfort to the loved ones. Which wasn’t always accepted.
They arrived at the scene, and both were a little sorry that Stephen Andrews was on holiday. His sense of humour could be much needed at times.
The pathologist went over the details, he didn’t think it was murder, but a post-mortem would be carried out to confirm the cause of death. After they looked at the corpse, they went their separate ways to interview the two people who found the body.
Robbie’s interview had started normally. The woman seemed sad, but not particularly shaken up. She was older and more than likely had some experience with death. Judging by the fact she was in a wheelchair; she had faced some hardships.
Things started taking a strange turn when she looked past him and slowly smiled. A puzzled look crossed Robbie’s face as he turned and saw Jackie have a word with a uniformed officer. Seconds passed before Jackie left the officer and faced them.
Robbie’s puzzlement grew into confusion at the sight of Jackie’s big smile.
“Jean?” Jackie asked in amazement.
“Jackie!” beamed Jean.
“I didn’t know you were back in Glasgow,” Jackie said.
“I’ve been back around six months now. I was getting homesick and I wanted to be closer to Alison and my granddaughter.”
Neither of them had paid any attention to Robbie, who was growing more bewildered by the second.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” he cut in.
Jackie turned away from Jean to look at Robbie. “Sorry Robbie, this is Jean, she was married to Jim Taggart.”
From the understanding look on his face, Jean could tell that he had heard of Jim before.
“It’s good to meet you,” he said, feeling slightly awkward.
“You too,” Jean said sincerely. She then faced Jackie again, “How are you?”
“I’m good. Work keeps me busy, but I can’t complain,” Jackie said.
“And how’s Michael? Do you still work together?”
Jackie smiled, “He’s well. He made DCI last year.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Jean’s smile lit up her face.
“I’m sure he’d love to see you. Why don’t you come over?” Jackie suggested.
“I wouldn’t want to be a bother. I’m sure Michael’s got a lot on his plate,” Jean said.
“You’d hardly be a bother,” Jackie said.
Robbie took this moment to suggest his own idea, “I haven’t finished taking my statement, but we could do that later at the station, then you can have your little reunion with my boss,” he smiled.
Jean considered it for a moment, “I’d love to,” she finally said.
They arranged a time for Jean to visit the station.
“It’s really good to see you, Jean,” Jackie said.
“You too, Jackie. You too,” Jean smiled, which Jackie returned before she left with Robbie.
“So, she was the wife of your old boss?” Robbie asked after a couple of moments.
“Yes,” she replied.
“How did she end up in a wheelchair?” asked Robbie.
“Complications from giving birth,” she said simply. “Not that it held her back,” she added after a moment. “In fact, years before we met, she wrote a book on sex and the disabled.” That last piece of information resulted in a smirk from Robbie as he tried not to snicker.
Jackie let out a breath, “Look, Robbie…” Robbie shot her a questioning look before she continued, “Don’t make any wisecracks to Michael about this,” she warned.
“Alright,” Robbie said.
Jackie didn’t look quite convinced. “I’m serious. Taggart meant a lot to Michael, and I think Michael meant a lot to Taggart.”
“Okay,” Robbie agreed. “But I may have to ask you the odd question tonight,” he said light-heartedly.
Jackie thought about it for a few seconds, “I think I can permit that,” she smiled.
“Great,” Robbie returned the smile.
“But isn’t there something you want to ask me now?” she asked.
“What?” Robbie looked puzzled.
“Don’t you want to know about the statement I took?” she raised her eyebrows.
“I probably should be told about that,” he said.
Jackie smirked before she went on to tell him all about it.
They didn’t see Jean until a couple of hours later, and while Jackie had looked forward to it, she found herself cursing the staircases that the station had.
“I’m sorry this place isn’t more accessible for you,” Jackie said while she helped Jean up the stairs.
“I’m used to it, unfortunately,” said Jean.
Jackie found herself remembering a story Michael had told her years ago. Jean had briefly ventured into politics to gain more rights for disabled people. From what she’d heard, Jean hadn’t gotten many votes, but what had probably hurt more, was the fact that Taggart hadn’t voted, being too busy with a case.
Robbie, who had been helping Jackie get Jean up the stairs, noticed the nostalgic expression cross Jackie’s face. “Something on your mind, Jackie?”
“Nothing, just something Michael told me once,” she said, not wanting to bring back what could be a painful memory for Jean.
They reached the top of the stairs a moment later. “Right, I’ll just finish taking your statement and then I’ll hand you over to Jackie, okay?” Robbie said.
“Of course,” Jean said brightly.
The statement itself hadn’t taken long to be completed and soon enough Jean and Jackie made their way to Michael’s office. When they entered the bullpen, they passed by Stuart who was almost as puzzled as Robbie had been, but neither woman had paid any attention to him.
“I’ll just have a quick word with him, I still need to fill him in on the details about earlier,” Jackie said when they reached Michael’s office.
Jean gave a small smile in understanding before Jackie knocked on the door and entered upon Michael’s reply.
Jackie gave him a brief summary of what had happened earlier- mostly.
But Michael could always tell when she was hiding something.
“What are you not telling me?” he asked.
“One of the people who found the body is just outside. She wanted to see you personally,” Jackie said. She looked like she was trying not to smile.
“Please don’t tell me this is a complaint,” he said.
“No, but she was happy to hear you made DCI,” she said, now smiling.
A bemused look crossed Michael’s face, “I know her?”
“You could say that,” she said still smiling. “Should I send her in?” she asked.
Michael was almost tempted to refuse; he couldn’t imagine anyone that he’d actually want to see right now. But Jackie’s smile told him that this couldn’t be a bad thing, and maybe, it might even be a pleasant surprise.
“Alright,” he said, unsure of what to expect.
As soon as he saw Jean a smile lit up his face.
“Jean?” the surprise was evident in his voice.
“Hello Michael,” Jean said, returning the smile.
Jackie who was still smiling at the sight before her, cut in, “I’ll leave you both to it.”
Michael smiled at Jackie in thanks before she left his office. Afterwards, Michael got up from his chair and hugged Jean before he took a seat on the other side of the desk to be closer to Jean.
“It’s been a long time. How have you been?” he asked, beaming at her.
“I’m well,” she said before she gave him a brief recount of what she’d been up to. “I hear that congratulations are in order,” she smiled. “Jackie told me about your promotion.”
Michael smiled, “It was a little while ago now, but thanks.”
“Jim would have been proud of you,” she said.
A wistful look crossed his face, he certainly hoped so. Memories of a case from months ago entered his mind. A spiritualist had claimed to have received messages from Jim Taggart. He still wasn’t entirely sure if it had been real or not.
“It’s great to see you,” he said.
“You and Jackie should come over one night, we can have a proper catchup,” Jean suggested.
“That sounds great. I’m sure Jackie would love too as well,” he smiled.
“Wonderful, would tomorrow night be okay?”
“Sure, though you’ll probably have to double-check with Jackie,” he said.
“Of course,” she smiled. “I should probably get a move on; you must be busy. The last thing I want is to take up your time.”
Michael would have loved to have said otherwise, but unfortunately, he did have a lot to do. Jean who had spent so many years married to Jim Taggart, knew all too well how hectic things could be.
Seeing the reluctance on his face, Jean continued, “It’s okay. Hopefully, we’ll be able to catch up tomorrow.”
“Hopefully,” Michael said.
Jean got out a pen and paper before she jotted something down, “Here’s my new address and phone number.”
“Thanks,” he said.
Jean left a moment later, and Michael found himself getting hit with memories through most of the day. Which was just as well, he supposed. They’d probably spend a good portion of tomorrow’s dinner going through old times.
Michael was just about to call it a day when Jackie entered his office. They shared a smile before Jackie spoke, “That was unexpected.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I assume you’re free for tomorrow night,” he added.
Jackie nodded, “It should be good, and it’ll be nice to see Jean again.”
“It will,” he agreed.
Jackie regarded him for a moment before she spoke, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” he said with a small smile. “I was just about to leave. Do you… fancy a drink?” he asked, not wanting to go to his empty flat so soon.
“Actually, I’ve already arranged to have a drink with Robbie.”
“Ah,” he tried, and was not quite successful in hiding his disappointment.
“You’re free to join us, Stuart will probably be there anyway,” she said a little hastily, almost sensing that he didn’t want to be alone.
“If you’re sure…” he trailed off.
The look on Jackie’s face told him he was being silly. And maybe he was, but for the past few months, since what appeared to be a botched dinner between her and Robbie, Michael had half expected the two of them to get together.
Sure, something had gone wrong. But any future attempts might be more successful, and he didn’t want to be a third wheel to whatever was going on between them. He tried (and failed) to ignore the pang he felt.
Not that he was jealous.
Somehow, that didn’t sound convincing in his head.
“Alright,” he said. Jackie smiled in response before they left his office together.
Stuart did go along with them. When they entered the pub, Michael and Jackie went to the bar to order the drinks, and Robbie took his chance to see if Stuart had any valuable information.
“So, what do you know about Jackie and Mike’s old boss?” asked Robbie.
Stuart raised an eyebrow, “Jim Taggart? Not much, I joined around the time he died.”
“Yeah, but you must have heard stories,” said Robbie.
“A few…” Stuart trailed off. To be honest, most of the stories he remembered revolved around Jackie and Mike. He’d been warned by several people about their closeness, and he’d quickly seen what they meant. Even now, it could seem like the two of them were their own private team. And yet, it never took anything away from the job. It was just the way they were.
“Why don’t you ask Jackie?” Stuart continued.
“I would have, if Mike hadn’t gotten invited,” Robbie would have continued, but a look from Stuart indicated that Jackie and Mike were approaching.
“Are we missing anything?” Michael asked, who had also noticed the look on Stuart’s face.
Robbie and Stuart shook their heads, Michael wasn’t convinced but he let it go. He put the drinks on the table before he took a seat with Jackie.
They passed the time in conversation with each other. Somehow Jim Taggart managed to be brought up, a little awkwardly, but the topic changed quickly, but not before Michael noticed the strange look Jackie had given Robbie.
A little while later, Jackie had gone to the toilet, while Stuart had gone to the bar, leaving Michael and Robbie alone at the table.
“You know, I’m surprised,” Michael said nonchalantly.
“At what?” Robbie asked before he took some of his drink.
“At the lack of jokes from you tonight. I would have thought after today you would have made some sort of wisecrack by now,” said Michael.
“I’m not just a barrel of laughs you know,” Robbie said in mock seriousness, and Michael’s raised eyebrow told him he was not convinced. “Alright, I might have been tempted, but Jackie warned me.” At the mild surprise on Michael’s face, he added, “She’s quite something our Jackie.”
“Hmm,” Michael said.
“I’m going to see to Stuart,” Robbie said before he left the table, just as Jackie was leaving the toilets.
An affectionate smile crossed Michael’s face when Jackie approached the table.
“What?” she asked as she sat down.
“Nothing,” he said still smiling.
Not for the first time, Michael found himself grateful to have her in his life.
As she blushed at his gaze, she shook her head with a smile of her own. Seconds later, Robbie and Stuart appeared with more drinks ending the moment between them.
Jackie decided to call it a night when she finished her drink, and said goodnight to the others before she left the pub.
She didn’t expect Michael to go after her.
“Is everything alright?” she asked.
“I just wanted to thank you,” he said.
“For what?” she asked with a small smile on her face.
“Robbie let it slip about your warning earlier… it’s appreciated,” he said.
Jackie smiled in relief, “What are friends for?”
“Exactly,” he smiled.
“I think Robbie might be a bit miffed though, I think he was hoping for some gossip from years ago,” she said.
“That’s a shame,” he said sarcastically, and Jackie quietly laughed. Michael sobered, “Listen, while I have you. I was wondering if you wanted a lift for tomorrow night.”
“That would be great, thanks,” she said. They were silent for a moment, both knowing the conversation was reaching its natural conclusion. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Michael.”
“Sure, goodnight, Jackie,” he said.
She responded in kind before she walked away, and Michael didn’t take his eyes off her until she faded into the crowded street.