TAKING STOCK

Disclaimer - I don't own the rights; I just like to play with the characters.

Plot – Jenny is tired of coming second, where her husband's career is concerned and decides to do something about it.

This is the first story in a somewhat AU series of short stories, to see how it could have gone if Jenny didn't have her mental break down.

Some of the stories will focus mainly on Dennis and Jenny Merton, while others will include more of the characters and I'm hoping to make these seem like mini episodes. I don't know how many of these stories there will be but I do have 2 complete stories so far.

This is set immediately before PC Steve Crane's death in the last episode of season 13 - "Little Angel"

Chapter 1

The morning was cool and overcast, which matched Jenny's mood as she slowly walked along the cobbled footpath, carrying a large overnight bag, towards her brother's small cottage he rented. Her heart was heavy; it hadn't been an easy decision to make but she needed some time to herself, time away from her husband. She wasn't even sure if she still loved him or if he still loved her. Their arguments had become more numerous and always about the same thing; his work and how he seemed to put it ahead of her, ahead of their marriage.

It was the episode at the pub three nights ago, which had been the last straw for her. She had been trying to tell Dennis how she felt but his attention had been entirely focused on a recent burglary and he had been unable to let it go, even for an hour or so during their dinner. And when Liz and Ben showed up, they too began to talk about the same burglary, she was all but told to shut up by her husband, when she protested against the shop talk.

She was tired of being second best, tired of her husband ignoring her feelings. She didn't know how else to make it clear to Dennis, of how serious it had become, than to go away for a couple of days, to have some time apart.

She found her brother's cottage, opened the small gate and she walked up the path before she knocked on the front door. She wasn't sure if he would be home, for his job down at the docks meant he left home early to catch the morning tide but she knew if he wasn't, she could simply enter by the key he had hidden around the side of the cottage, under a pot plant.

But she was in luck when moments later the door opened.

Steve smiled warmly when he saw his older sister, "Jenny, what are you doing here in Whitby? Not checking up on me, I hope."

"Steve, I -" Jenny stopped as her throat constricted.

Steve frowned as he saw tears bubble up in her eyes, "What's wrong sis?" he asked and then he noticed the bag she was carrying, "Oh no, Jen, come inside." He said kindly as he gently ushered her inside and led her to the lounge room.

"Come, have a seat," he said as he guided to sit down and he sat beside her, his arm around her waist, "What's happened? Have you left Dennis?"

Jenny turned into her brother's gentle embrace and sobbed, letting go of all her worries, all her disappointments.

"Oh Jenny." he whispered as he held her, rocking her as she cried in his arms, "Let it out, let it all out." He needed to remain calm for his sister's sake; he had to put aside his growing anger. If Dennis had hurt her in anyway, then the older man will have him to deal with, copper or no copper.

Phil Bellamy leant back in his chair and slowly twisted his pen in his fingers. It had been a quiet morning at Ashfordly Police Station, with no calls for help from the public and with his paperwork up to date, he was feeling somewhat bored, "So Alf, what do you have for lunch, today?" he asked casually.

The older man half smiled, "Mrs Ventress packed me some boiled eggs and a cheese sandwich." he replied as he puffed on his cigarette.

"You're joking, right!" Phil said as he lurched forward in his chair, "Don't you remember the last time you had boiled eggs, Merton had a fit because you stank the station out."

Alf shrugged, "I can't help what Mrs Ventress packs for my lunch."

Steve grinned, "Then you better wait until Sarge is out of the office before you eat them, otherwise he'll come down on you like a tonne of bricks."

"He's welcome to try," Alf replied, "But as a civilian, I don't have to dance to his tunes -" he was interrupted by the phone ringing. He reached over and picked it up, while Phil and Steve exchanged knowing glances over Alf's head. They both knew that Alf still reported to Merton, even if it wasn't within the same police hierarchy as the serving officers.

"Ashfordly Police Station," Alf said, "Ah, good morning Doctor, how can I help you today?" he paused for a moment, "Yes, the sergeant is in, just let me check to see if he's free."

Dennis was reading over the latest memorandum from Division regarding a spate of car thefts in Leeds with the possibility of the thieves coming towards their patch, when there was a knock on the door.

He looked up as Alf opened the door and popped his head inside the office, "Sarge, Doctor Merrick is on the phone for you."

"Right, thanks Ventress," he replied as he reached for the phone, while Alf closed the door, "Doctor, what can I do for you?"

"Sorry to bother you, Dennis," Liz began, "But I was wondering if Jenny is all right. It's just that she hasn't shown up for work yet. I thought she might be ill." she replied.

He frowned slightly, "No, she was fine when I left for work," he replied, "Perhaps she's doing some shopping and just forgot the time."

"Not when I have surgery this morning," she replied, "I've tried calling your home but there's no answer. It's just not like her to not to call if there's something wrong."

"Right." he paused for a moment, remembering the last time Liz had called about Jenny not arriving for work. It was the most terrifying moment of his life, when he discovered she had been kidnapped by an armed man, bent on revenge. It was not something he want repeated, "I'll make a quick trip home and I'll let you know."

"Thanks Dennis," she replied, "It's probably nothing but it's best to be on the safe side."

"Aye it is," he said, "Thanks Liz."

Jenny blew her nose with her handkerchief as Steve returned to the living room, "Here you go," he said as he held out a steaming coffee mug to his sister.

"What's this?" she sniffled as she carefully took the mug and inhaled the sweet aroma.

He sat down next to her, "An original Steve Latimer warm milk toddy, with a secret ingredient," he replied with a smile, "And no, it's not that kind of ingredient."

She hiccuped, "I should hope not, not after what happened." she replied as she took a sip of the warm drink, "That's not bad."

"I'm glad you like it," he replied as he settled more comfortably on the lounge, "Feeling better?"

She shrugged, "A little."

"Want to talk about it?" he asked kindly, "Have you left him?"

She let out a long breath before she shook her head, "I don't know. I just need a couple of days away, to get some things straight. You don't mind if I stay here, do you?" she replied before she took another sip of the toddy.

He reached out and squeezed her arm, "Of course I don't mind," he reassured her, "Besides I owe you anyway, for the time I stayed with you," he paused for a moment, "Did you tell him?"

Jenny lowered her gazed to the floor, "I left him a note. I know it's the coward's way but if I had told him to his face, it would have ended up in another row," she paused and shook her head, "We've been arguing, more than usual."

"Let me guess, his work."

She nodded, "Aye, it's always about that."

Steve gazed at his sister, "Surely you knew what you were getting involved in," he replied, "He's a cop after all."

She narrowed her eyes, "So, you're taking his side in this," she fumed, "I had expected more loyalty from my own brother."

"Hey, I'm not taking anyone's side," he tried to soothe her, "Even I can see that being married to a copper would not be easy, for either of you. Not with the long hours he would have to work. Surely if you talk it over together, you'll be able to work it out."

She snorted, "That's the problem, Steve. Every time I want to talk, he's distraction by his work. I can't seem to get it through to him, of how I feel about it and we end up having a row."

"And so you thought that leaving him a note would make him see sense," he shook his head, "Probably not the best idea you've had."

She heard the reproach in his voice, "Perhaps not but I just couldn't face him."

He sighed, "You know what I think the problem is, you're both stubborn, that's what."

"You're probably right." she replied as she placed the mug on the coffee table.

"I know I'm right," he stated, "Why don't you go and lay down for awhile on the spare bed." he suggested.

She sighed, "I don't know..."

"The sheets are clean today, if that's worrying you." he teased her gently.

She gave him a tired smile, "It must have been your monthly clean up then, eh"

He was pleased she had recovered enough to tease him back, "I'll have you know that I clean more than once a month."

She chuckled tiredly, "What, every three weeks then."

"Very funny," he replied with a grin before he became serious, "Go and lay down, Jenny, it will do you good to get some rest," he suggested again, "I have to go down to the docks anyway and check up on The Whitby Witch. She's been laid up in dry dock since yesterday, with engine problems and I need to see if she's ready for tomorrow's fishing trip. I'll get some more food in at the same time otherwise what kind of host would I be, if I didn't feed you."

"Not a very good one." she replied with a small smile.

He chuckled, "No, and I do want to impress my big sister with my cooking." he said as he stood up "Do you want anything?"

She shook her head, "I can't think of anything," she replied as she tried to hide a yawn, "I think I will lie down for a while."

He nodded, gazed worriedly at her, her eyes still bloodshot from her tears, "I won't be long."

As he left the cottage and strode down the road, towards the phone box, his anger began to grow once more; he's going to give Dennis a piece of his mind.

Doctor Liz Merrick smiled reassuringly to her patient, "All you need is some rest, Mrs Johnson." she advised as she escorted the elderly lady out of her office.

"So, it's nothing serious then," Mrs Johnson replied, "I was just concerned it could develop into something worse."

"Well, it could but at this stage, it's only a cold. Just keep warm and drink plenty of fluids."

Mrs Johnson smiled, "Thank you doctor." she replied.

"You're welcome" Liz said as she showed her to the front door, "Goodbye Mrs Johnson."

"Goodbye doctor...Oh sorry, please excuse me." she muttered as she almost bumped into Sergeant Merton.

Dennis stepped back to allow the woman to leave the surgery before he moved inside.

Liz frowned as she saw how pale Dennis looked and she felt her stomach churn, "Jenny?"

"She's left me." he said as he sat down heavily on the nearest chair.

"What!" Liz said as she closed the door to the surgery.

"I found this on the mantelpiece," he asked as he held out a piece of paper, "Did you know about this?"

She sat down, took the paper from him and read it, "No, I didn't know anything about this."

"Oh really!" he said with growing anger, now that the initial shock had worn off, "You're her closest friend and you don't know. I find that hard to believe."

"Honesty, Dennis, I had no idea about this," she tried to calm him down, "Do you think I would call you to check on Jenny's whereabouts if I knew."

He let out a long breath, "Of course not but I just don't understand why she left," he replied, "I know we have our ups and downs but we've always worked it out. But not for her to leave me."

She reread the note, "It doesn't stay she's left you, only that she needs a couple of days to herself."

He leant forward and rested his arms on his knees, his cap in his hands, "That amounts to the same thing," he replied, "It's about my work isn't it? We do have...rows about it." he admitted reluctantly.

She sighed, "I'm sure you do. It's not so different from being a doctor, being on call, the long hours, so I do understand what you are going through. Ben isn't always happy with my work but he understands," she paused for a moment, "What I think, is for you both to have some time away from here, away everything and talk things over," she replied as she gently placed her hand on his arm, "You both need to discuss the good and bad things. And most importantly, you both need to listen to the other."

He snorted, "You mean I don't listen to her."

"To be honest, I don't think either of you are listening to the other," she replied, "If Jenny was here, I would be telling her the same thing. You both have your own viewpoints, both are valid. I know the police force is important to you -"

"Jenny's important to me too." he interrupted her.

"Have you told her that?" she asked.

"She knows how I feel about her." he replied somewhat defensively.

"But have you told her." she persisted, "It's nice to hear it from the man we love, once in a while," she paused for a moment to gather her thoughts, "What you both need to do, is try to see things from the other's perspective. Explain to her about your work, what made you become a policeman in the first place. Perhaps then she can come to understand how important it is to you."

He nodded thoughtfully, "So, I should go after her then?"

"What do you think?" she asked him, "Do you know where she could have gone?"

He sighed and nodded, "I thought at first, she came to you but now I think she may have gone to her brother's over in Whitby. It's the only place she would go, except maybe to her parents."

"Why not call him and see if she's there." she suggested.

He let out a long breath, "Aye," he replied as he stood up, "Thanks for...listening." he added with a small wry smile.

Liz stood up as well, "That's what doctors do," she replied with a smile of her own, "Don't worry too much Dennis, Jenny loves you. This is just another one of life's little hurdles to get over."

He shook his head, "I could do with less of them," he replied, "Goodbye Liz."

"Bye Dennis." she replied as he opened the door and walked out, looking somewhat more positive than when he first appeared in her surgery.

The rank smell of boiled eggs permeated the air of Ashfordly Police Station, making both Phil and Steve wrinkle their noses in disgust.

"Alf, that's disgusting." Phil complained as he placed his hand over his mouth and nose in an effort to stamp out the smell.

"What is?" Alf replied as he bit into the egg, with a gleam in his eyes. Admittedly the two eggs were somewhat stronger in aroma than usual but he loved nothing more than to tease his colleagues by pretending nothing was wrong.

"Your bloody eggs, that's what." Phil said in a muffled voice, "You better open the windows, Steve, before the Sarge gets back."

Steve shook his head, "You're closer, you open it." he replied as he tried to ignore the stench but not succeeding.

The telephone rang and Steve picked it up, rather eagerly, hoping that it would be a call out. He didn't care if it was only a cat stuck up a tree, as long as he got away from the smell, "Ashfordly Police," he paused as he listened, "When was this?...Right, I'll be there as soon as I can." he added before he replaced the phone down onto the receiver, "Someone has vandalised the post office at Aidensfield." he said as a way of explanation.

"Oh, do you need any help, Steve?" Phil said hopefully; he too, longed to leave the station.

Steve grinned and shook his head, "Sorry Phil, but it's just some kids I expect." he replied before he grabbed his helmet and quickly left the station.

Phil scowled while Alf smirked before he finished off the last of his hard boiled eggs just as Sergeant Merton entered the office.

"Hey Sarge." Phil greeted him as he sat up straighter in his seat, even as he noticed the strange expression on the older man's face.

Dennis frowned as he came around the front counter and into the duty room, "What's that smell?" he asked, as the telephone began ringing.

"Um...ah...just some eggs, Sarge, that Mrs Ventress packed for my lunch." Alf replied as he slowly closed the drawer which held the egg shells, while Phil answered the phone.

"What have I told you before about eating eggs in the duty room, Ventress," Dennis fumed, "The position of civilian administrator, isn't a lifetime posting and can easily be replaced. Don't eat eggs in here again. Understood." he barked.

Alf swallowed hard, "Yes, Sergeant."

"I hope you do," he replied as he strode towards his office, "And open the damn windows." he ordered.

"Aye, at once."

"Ah Sarge," Phil called out from his desk, "Steve Latimer is on the phone for you."

Dennis paused in mid-stride, "I'll take it in here." he replied before he continued to his office and closed the door behind him.

He took a deep breath before he picked up the phone, "Steve, is Jenny with you?" he asked.

"Aye, she is." Steve replied.

Dennis gave a small sigh of relief as he sat down in his chair. At least she was safe, "How is she?"

"Very upset, thanks to you," Steve replied as his anger grew, "She appeared at my door several hours ago -"

"Steve, I -"

"NO! You listen to me, Dennis," Steve interrupted him furiously, "You once told me to grow up, to accept responsibility for what I've done. Now it's your turn to grow up, to accept your responsibilities. It's your choice." he added as slammed down the phone.

Dennis sighed as he replaced the phone on the cradle before he leant back in his chair and closed his eyes against the anger he heard in his brother-in-law's voice; anger he could understand. The younger man had thrown back his own words to him, words Steve seemed to have accepted and he had indeed grown up and made something of his life. If a small time drug dealer like Steve could change his attitude, then perhaps an old man like himself could do the same.

He loved Jenny like no other woman before her and her leaving him, even if only for several days, had shaken him. He never saw it coming, he never realised how bad it had become between them. Sure, they had their problems but it never occurred to him that it was affecting their marriage to such a degree.

He opened his eyes, leant forward in his chair and picked up the phone once more; he knew what he had to do.

Steve emerged from the kitchen, with a cup of coffee in his hands and as he made his way to the living room, he heard a knock on the front door. He frowned slightly before he crossed to the door and opened it. He wasn't overly surprised by who it was, "Dennis." he greeted his brother-in-law.

"Can I come in?" Dennis asked as the two men stared at each other.

Steve stepped back, opening the door wider, "Sure," he replied, "I see you've taken my advice about growing up." he added with a faint sneer, as he showed the older man into the lounge room.

"Just as you once took mine," Dennis said as he turned to face the younger man, "Where's Jenny?"

"She's resting at the moment," Steve replied as he placed his coffee cup on the table before he turned to the other man, "Look Dennis, I think we both know that we'll never be best mates but I do know you love my sister and I respect that. But that doesn't mean you can hurt her."

Dennis sighed, "It was never my intention to hurt her. I would never do anything to hurt her," he replied, "And you're right, we'll never see eye to eye on many things, except for Jenny. I do love your sister, that hasn't changed -"

"Dennis," Jenny's voice came from behind them, "What are you doing here?"

Dennis turned to face his wife, noticed with a heavy heart, her paleness, the puffy eyes as though she had been crying for hours; which she probably had been, "I've come for you." he replied as he took a step closer to her, while Steve moved backwards, watching carefully.

She frowned, "You're not wearing your uniform." she said before silently cursing herself. Of all the things she could have said to him, all the things she had planned to say to him, she had commented about his choice of clothing.

He glanced down at his brown suit, "No, I'm not," he replied, "I rang Division a couple of hours ago and requested several days leave."

"Have you," she stared at her husband, "Just like that?"

He shrugged, "They weren't happy about the short notice but when I informed them that we don't have any large cases on at the moment, they granted the leave," he replied, "I've left Bellamy in charge for the next three days and he's to phone Division if he needs backup." He took another step closer to her, "I thought perhaps we could spend a couple of days in Scarborough or anywhere else you would like. Just the two of us."

She felt tears well in her eyes again, "I would like that." she replied softly.

Steve shook his head at the two of them, "Well, glad you got that settled," he said, "Because I don't have room for all three of us here." he added with a grin.

His words broke the tension between them.

"I'll go and get my bag." Jenny said before she turned and left the men alone once more.

They were silent for a moment, "So, how's your job down at the docks?" Dennis asked.

Steve shrugged, "It's going well. The boat is getting its engine fixed but we'll be going out again tomorrow." he replied as he turned to the other man, "Just take care of her, Dennis."

Dennis nodded, "I will lad. You have my word on it."