Title: The Hardest Task
Author: lucy_roman
Rating: Teen and up
Summary/Warnings: George is about to do one of the hardest things he has ever done. Death fic.
Word Count: 260


George has always hated people who use the term late as a euphemism for dead. His view is that no skirting around the issue will bring the dead back to life. When breaking bad news it is always best to be direct and to the point. His thesis is borne out by experience. George has been a policeman for a long time now and in his time he has told a lot of people that their loved ones have died.

This time is different. This time the dead man is his sergeant. George was with him when he died. He heard John's last breath. He felt the warmth leach from his body and he mourns the loss of the man he loved.

George rubs a hand across his face and breathes in the fresh morning air. He has to do this. For John.

"What do you want?" The voice is gruff, suspicious.

"I'm Chief Inspector George Gently---"

"Aye, I know who you are. When I see him John never shuts up about you."

Those words almost make George smile.

"Can I come in?"

"Why?" But John's father already knows. George can see that as clear as day.

"Please."

Suddenly the man backs away from the door. "Aye, alright."

Before he goes into the small house George closes his eyes so he can picture John in his mind. Then he opens them and steps across the threshold on his way to do the hardest thing he has ever had to do.