The final chapter

"Right, Janet and Rachel I want you to go with the blues and twos. " said Gill. They nodded, grabbing their coats. It was pandemonium. Barry had just told Mitch that he had been keeping Kevin in an old lock-up belonging to his Grandad at the west side of Chadderton.

Rachel was glad that Janet was driving as her own legs were shaking uncontrollably. As the police car infront of them pulled up, Rachel looked at Janet, who returned her gaze. "What if he's?" She couldn't say it.

"Come on" said Janet, with a flick of her head as she opened the car door. Rachel followed suit and soon they were both hot on the heels of the uniformed officers who had broken down the door of the lock up, shouting as they entered.

"Over here" Rachel heard one of them shout, and she blinked, trying hard to see anything in the dim light. Suddenly she was blinded as a police officer found a light switch, and a bulb above her head was suddenly lighting the room with a bright yellow glow. As her eyes grew accustomed to the light, she saw a couple of uniformed lads scrabbling with a dark shape over in one corner. Her heart lurched as she instantly thought the worst, but as she fully focused on what she was looking at, she realised that the officers were untying the person's hands and mouth. As they pulled the rope away Rachel heart skipped several beats, and her face transformed into the biggest smile.

"KEVIN" She ran at him. He was still sitting on the floor, leaning against the side of the wall, but she didn't care. She pushed the two officers aside and pulled him up into her arms.
Kevin was completely taken aback. He felt weak from the low supplies of food and water he had been provided with in the last couple of days, and now he was being smothered by an over enthusiastic colleague.

"There's no point finding me alive if you then kill me with a hug" Kevin protested weakly and Rachel let go guiltily. She pulled away, and then grabbed hold of his head so that he was looking straight at her.

"Are you alright?" she said shakily, trying to hold back the sudden tears of joy. Janet had come up close behind her.

"I was..." said Kevin, his voice sounding stronger now. "But I think you've bust a couple of my ribs. Jesus!"

"Oh Kevin" laughed Janet, and she didn't even attempt not to cry.

XxXxX

"Ready?" said Rachel looking at Kevin. He had been fully checked out by the medical team, but had a few cuts on his face, along with a bruise where he's been knocked unconscious. He had been telling Rachel all about how he'd woken up in that dark lock-up, gagged and tied up. He hadn't clearly seen Barry's face until the final day, when the light had been on, and Barry had told him that he was coming back to kill him. Rachel had shivered at this thought, although, she thought by now she should have been quite used to the idea of a dead Kevin.

"Look who's baaaack!" said Rachel dramatically. The team were all assembled. There was a cheer as Rachel stepped aside, and Kevin walked sheepishly out into the open.

"Mr Rutterford sends his regards." Said Janet smiling, opening her arms to him.

"I've missed you Scotty" said Kevin smiling and she hugged him tight.

"Welcome back Kev."

There was a chorus of "Welcome back Kev" as all the lads stepped forward to clap him on the back. Pete looked slightly like he wanted to give him a hug as well.

"Welcome back Kevin." The lads parted and Kevin saw Julie Dodson walking towards him.

"Ma'am" he said shocked. Julie held out her hand out. He shook it. The smile slowly spreading back across his face.

"Don't worry, I didn't miss you. But then I just assumed you'd waltzed off on some exotic holiday." Kevin laughed nervously. "Although" she continued "I hope you are aware how much that stab proof vest will cost to replace!" her voice was very serious, but there was a twinkle in her brown eye. "Good to have you back DC Lumb. The paper clips haven't been sorted in days" and with that, she grinned at Gill, gave a small wave to everyone with a mutter of "good bye" and walked out of the door. Her red heels clacking as she walked along the corridor outside.

"So where were you Kev?" asked Mitch jokingly.

"Oh you know" said Kevin shrugging. "Hooked up with some chicks, ended up in Barcelona" he looked up pretending to look guilty and surprised, although he couldn't hide his grin. "Sorry. Were you lot worried about me?" Rachel gave him a friendly punch.

"I wouldn't go that far!" Gill had finally stepped forward. She walked up to him slowly, and he went red as she approached; looking at him straight in the face.

"You gave us all quite a scare" she said, quite seriously.

"Sorry Ma'am"

"Only you could be eaten by a dinosaur and still be alive"

"Well technically ma'am I wasn't..."

"Have we learned something about climbing into cars during surveillance operations?" She had ignored his previous comment as it had been about to ruin her witty comment.

"Yes Ma'am"

"And we won't do it again?"

"No Ma'am"

"Good" Gill nodded. She looked up at him. "The office hasn't been the same without you" He dared to give a small smirk. "Although" she said, and this time she couldn't hide her amusement. "There were more chocolate biscuits left at the briefing. And it was nice to have a full team that I could rely on not to fall asleep"

He looked down. "Yes Ma'am"

She smiled and patted his shoulder awkwardly. "It's good to have you back Kevin." His eyes widened in surprise as she turned, and began walking away.

"Oh and Kevin" she said, spinning back round to face him.

"Yes Ma'am?" he said eagerly

"You owe me a drink!"

"Do I Ma'am? Why?" He looked confused

"Call it compensation"

"Compensation for what?"

"Because there's still a bruise on my bloody toe!" And with that she walked away, leaving Kevin standing there; a look of pure disbelief on his face. Rachel and Janet smiled at one another. It had all turned out alright. Everything was back to normal!

"Sorry Kev" said Lee laughing, "I never did offer her any oinkment..."

THE END.

I know this fic didn't turn out QUITE the way it was first intended. This stemed from a potato called Kevin. I then informed everyone that Kevin had been eaten, and the idea that Kevin from Scott and Bailey had somehow been eaten suddenly got born. I took on the challenge of writing this fic, knowing I had to include Peppa pig, dinosaurs, Kevin being eaten, and a funeral. I included all of these things in some way, most of them metaphorically. I apologise to anyone who expected this to be a funny, light fic, as it turned into a majorly procedural piece. But I hope the overall storyline was ok, and I thank anyone who stuck with it! Amy x