Disclaimer I do not own Blue Murder. All belongs to ITV and the original writers. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

Breaking Inside. (Chapter 1)

Janine walked into the Murder Squad office and headed straight to her office. She was in no mood to deal with Kaz and the boys, it was too early. She had no idea what she was going to say to Hogg when the infuriating blonde walked in. All she could do was hope whatever came out of her mouth didn't get her the sack.

"Morning." Shapps stated as he walked into the office. "Any news?"

"No." She looked up. "You know Richard wont be in contact yet. Not until we can get him out."

"He can look after himself. You know that yeah?"

"Yeah." She looked up as she watched her junior officer and friend smile slightly. Her relationship with Richard had never really been an issue at work. Shapps had once even confided that Butchers had always assumed they were together. "Yeah, of course he can. He's a bloody good copper."

"Oh great." He turned as he heard a decidedly annoyed female voice behind him.

"Morning Ma'am." Janine stated with as much warmth as the office fridge. "Can we help you?"

"I want an update on the prison murder."

"So do I." Janine mumbled under her breath. "We are currently waiting to hear from Richard. Until then we are continuing to focus our attention on other lines of enquiry."

"I see."

"I have to get on." Janine got to her feet. Shapps nodded and left the office, aware Kat and Butchers were watching.

"I intended to speak to you before DI Maine went undercover." Hogg stated. Janine had a feeling she had no way of getting out of the conversation.

"Ma'am?"

"I am aware of your." She paused. "Personal relationship with DI Maine."

"Really?" Janine sighed. She was not going to deny it but hearing her boss refer to her and Richard's relationship made her blood boil.

"Yes. I just hope you are able to keep a clear head with him in the prison."

"I am able to do my job. So is Richard." Janine glared. The blonde woman nodded before turning and leaving the room. Janine waited until she had left the vicinity before bracing herself on the desk and hanging her head. She was terrified something would happen to Richard, she just knew she had to put the fear away and do her job. She was right, Richard could take care of himself.

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Richard lay on the bunk, staring at the greying ceiling. He had learned a little about the suspect but knew there was still a long way to go before he could call Janine with hard evidence. He closed his eyes, trying not to think about how much he missed her and the kids. All four of the kids had accepted him in their lives without much question, a fact he was grateful for. Now he just wanted to go home. It wasn't the first time he had been undercover in a prison but this time seemed so much worse than the first.

"You alright mate?" The heavily tattooed man in the bunk below asked. Richard nodded.

"Yeah."

"Missing the wife?"

"Yeah. Just thinking about her and the kids." He answered honestly. He and Janine weren't married but Lee wasn't to know that. "You got kids?"

"One. Jamie, she's in uni. Not seen her since I was sent down. Not fair bringing a kid 'ere."

"True." Richard agreed. "Mine would only worry. Especially my oldest."

"Aye."

"What with the murder in 'ere. He's convinced that we are all going to be murdered in our beds."

"Over active imagination." Lee scoffed.

"He's eight." Richard lied. Tom had turned ten a week earlier. "Kids eh? Aren't you worried though. A lad murdered in the showers and we are all just carrying on like normal. Coppers don't even seem to give a stuff."

"We live among robbers, murderers and the like." Lee shrugged. "No point in working yourself up. Filth put us in 'ere. They aint gonna worry about one or two of us getting knifed in the showers." Richard frowned slightly. He was bothered. He closed his eyes, desperate to find out who had killed Joe Warren and get home.

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A/N Worth going on?