Always

Lloyd took his glasses off, wiped them on his shirt before putting them straight back on. Siân raised an eyebrow; knowing it was a definite sign that her friend was agitated.

"How long since we last had a positive sighting of Mared?" He turned to her. Siân narrowed her eyes.

"You know this - we're into day three. He's killed both previous victims before now."

"She's not dead."

"Lloyd."

"Both of the other women had been found by now. Neither women were missing this long before their bodies were found." Lloyd stared across the street. "Cmon," He left the small car, jogging across the street to the small dress shop opposite the butchers shop. Siân cursed under her breath before following him.

Xxxxxx

Tom glared at the screen in front of him. The CCTV footage of the abduction imprinted on his mind for the rest of his life. A reminder of someone else he had loved but had let down.

"Sir?"

"Anwen." He looked up to see the young woman watching him.

"DS Owen called. Asked that you ring her immediately." The new recruit nodded towards his mobile.

"Battery dead. Diolch Anwen."

She smiled slightly before heading out of the CID office. He grabbed the now charged phone .

"Siân? What is it?" He closed his eyes listening for a moment. "And you and Lloyd are sure?"

"Yes." Siân stood on the corner of the street as she glared at the butcher's van. "We are."

"Do you believe life is in immediate and tangible danger?" He was already heading out the door.

"I do."

"The DS Owen you do not need a warrant to enter the van nor the premises. I'm on my way."

"Yes Sir." Siân ended the call. The crow bar she had acquired in one hand as she shoved her phone in her jacket pocket. She knew she should wait for Lloyd but if he was right there was no time. Seconds later she had forced the back door of the transit van from its hinges.

"Dear God."

Xxxxxxx

Mared lay on the cold floor, her hands tied. The blouse she had chosen now torn to shreds as what wasn't ripped was blood soaked. She blinked, knowing she had lost too much blood. Shock would set in, if hypothermia didn't kill her. She gasped as she felt the man's breath on her neck. He seemed intent on his task. His hands working on the button of her jeans. Anger flared in the pit of her stomach as she felt his hands on her skin.

"Get off me."

"Now you know that's not going to happen." He smirked. Mared raised one eyebrow as he smirked, with a strength she didn't know she had her right knee shot up, catching him in the groin. The yell of pain and surprise caused him to back away from her. Mared rolled onto her front, adrenaline coursing through what was left of her blood.

"I said, get off me." She kicked him again but he grabbed her ankle, pulling her over. She screamed, as loud as she could as she once more kicked out at him.

Xxxxxxx

"No time." Lloyd yelled as he ran through the butchers shop. Siân radioed for back up as she followed him. The click of her heels on the cold tile floor alerting anyone around that she was heading for them. Neither of them heard the breaks or sirens of police cars outside. Tom was barrelling past them in seconds.

"Sir!" Lloyd yelled.

"Where is she!"

"I was sure." Siân frowned. "Once I saw the van."

A scream pierced the air as Lloyd took off again, barrelling towards the steps down to the meat store in the basement of the shop. Tom and Siân hot on his heels as Siân almost fell the last few steps. Both men barrelled into the solid metal door. Lloyd stepped back, kicking it as Siân raised an eyebrow.

"Make things easier for us eh!" She snapped. "For once." She carefully pulled the door towards them. "Pull cariad." She watched Tom smirk slightly before following Lloyd through the door. A second later Lloyd had rugby tackled the broad set man to the floor, pining him down with his knee as Siân read him the arrest rights. Tom stepped away from them. The still body of Mared holding his attention.

"Tom?"

"Get that out of here and get the paramedics. I'll stay with her." His voice was low. Siân nodded, helping Lloyd manhandle the man they now knew as Evans out of the building. "Mared?" Tom touched her arm. She flinched.

"Mared?"

She began struggling as he lifted her in to his arms.

"No!"

"It's me. It's Tom. Your Tom." His heart broke as she blinked, finally realising who it was.

"Tom." She clung to him as he held her.

"Yeah. It's ok. It's over."

"My Tom." She sobbed, barely believing it was him. He held her tightly, kissing her hair.

"Always." He rocked her slightly. "Always yours."

Xxxxxx