Golden Shields ( Katy1008 & CrimsonMaster )

"Robbery Homicide?" Evie said hurriedly, already questioning her own behaviour of answering the phone.

"Where's Reed?"

"He...he's busy. Can I help?" There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment as the man was clearly thinking what should come next.

"Tell Reed I have something important to him."

"Who s tis!"

"Tell him ... Tell him revenge belongs to the Lord and I'm here to collect." Evie stiffened as her suspicions about the phone call were confirmed. She looked over to the door hoping that Reed would walk back through but of course he was otherwise engaged.

"Who is this? Unless I get a name, Reed won't get any message and right now I'm the only chance you have and your making no sense."

"You tell him Simon Randall is going to collect on the promise he made him and Jack 8 years ago. And that's going to start today. If he wants to see his partner again, he might want to call in to East 24th and Harriet." There line then clicked and became silent. Evie scribbled down the address as her blood ran cold. Warehouse district. She knew Simon Randall. She knew the man was insane and dangerous. There wasn't time to find Reed, not in the chaos of the evacuation. He could catch up with her after everything was sorted out here but she couldn't wait while her Dad was in almost certainly in trouble.

She ran down the back stairs, headed to the garage and climbed into the Mustang. Five minutes later she was testing out the car's manoeuvrability in downtown traffic.

By the time Tom made it back to the Homicide squad room, everyone was gone. Tom didn't stop it his desk, he just looked around to make sure the room was clear, then he left the building. The five minute time limit came and went. Nothing happened, but still they waited for a few more minutes. As it turned out, Evie never called the bomb squad as Tom had asked her to do. While waiting outside of the Central Station, Tom asked around if anyone had seen Jack come in? Everyone replied no, they hadn't seen Jack all morning.

This great worried Tom that Jack wasn't around and it seemed the Evie was missing. Someone else called the bomb squad and when they arrived, they started to search the building. During this time, Tom tried calling Jack's phone which he didn't answer. He also tried to call Jack at his home, but again there was no answer. Tom had a feeling deep in his gut that something bad was going on. It seemed that this bomb threat was just a cover for something else. Add to that the fact that Jack seemed to have disappeared and Evie was no where to be found. Finally, a young uniformed officer said that he saw Evie driving her car out of the garage. It seemed to him that she was just getting her car to safety. Too Tom, that seemed like something she would do. Evie had just gotten that car a few days ago and wouldn't want it destroyed by a bomb.

Evie drove as quickly as she could through the downtown traffic, her heart pounding. Despite the squealing of breaks and the horns blaring form other cars as she weaved her way between the traffic, from lane to lane, heading as directly as she could for the warehouse district and East 24th.

Evie had been at college when she first heard the name Simon Randall. He had become the major topic of conversation for what seemed like months. A sociopath with a God complex. A vicious killer who gave no thought to taking a life who was on a steady run of killing. Until her father and Tom Reed had come along. The work that they had put into to trying to work out where he might strike... who... when... it payed off. After that was a long legal argument about his mental capacity and when he was declared to be sane, there was then the criminal trial itself. Another few months.

And now he was out. Was this what she had heard on the radio this morning? Simon Randall being broken out of a prison truck by deluded members of his family. And his first target was apparently her father. She pulled the car to a halt, tyres screeching a block short of Harriett. She climbed out of thecar and headed in search of the warehouse. Of her Dad.

The last thing Jack could remember was seeing his ex wife tied to a tree and a sharp pain in the back of his head. Jack slowing started to come around, he couldn't move his arms and legs. His eyes opened to find that he was sitting in a chair with his arms tied behind him. Jack's legs were tied to the front legs of the chair. He lifted his head up, his eyes opening a bit wider only too see Margret, his ex wife crucified right in front of him. Her arms stretched out and nailed down to a cross with rail road spikes through her wrists. Her legs had been crossed at the ankles and a single spike was driven down nailing them to the cross.

It was then that Jack noticed three men standing to his left near a table. Jack didn't know who the man was the long dirty blonde hair, nor did he know the long black haired man. The third man with short brown hair did look familiar, but Jack was sure that they hadn't met. " What's the meaning of this!?.....Who the hell are you!? " Jack's voice was weak, but still held some force. His questions, however went unanswered. He again asked what was going on here and why these men were doing this? Again no answers came, but the short brown haired man told his friends to stand ready at the door. He said something about another guest showing up. Jack began to struggle against the ropes which were holding his arms and legs tightly. " GOD DAMN IT!!....TELL ME THE MEANING OF ALL THIS!? " Jack screamed out as the two other men left. There was only one door which was unlocked and they were going to jump Tom when he came in, but it wasn't Tom who was on his way.

" It's all about revenge Jack!........Revenge for stopping my work all those years ago! " The voice that finally answered Jack's questions was a chilling reminder of the past. What color that was in Jack's face quickly disappeared as his head turned towards where the voice came from. A stack of crates too his right is where Jack's eyes fell upon. Then like demonic specter, Simon Randell appeared from behind these boxes. " I told you back then that I would return.........I would have my revenge on you and Tommy Boy for ending my life's goal. " Simon said with a smirk on his face, then another shocking sight appeared. Mary Cash came out from behind the same crates and joined Simon. " no.......this can't be happening. " Jack's voice had become low and filled with despair. " Our party will began once Tommy Boy shows his face......He should have gotten the message by now. " Simon added as he took Mary's hand then they walked closer to where Jack was sitting.

" You sick son of a bitch!.......I'll see you dead! " Jack spat out his words at Simon which only made Simon laugh. " Jack......You should know by now that I can't die........You and Tommy Boy shot me 12 times and here I stand. " Simon finished with a laugh then the long blonde haired man warned that a woman with a gun was approaching. He said that she must be a cop. Simon looked over nodding his head then asked if anyone else was around. The man said no, he and the other man hid ready to strike once Evie came inside. " Vincent.......Join Gunther and Richard......in case this is some kind of trick by Tommy Boy. " Simon said to his brother who quickly ran over and took up a spot near the door.

Evie walked purposefully to start with, covering the ground quickly. She wasn't being particularly careful to avoid being seen; truth be told, she didn't give it another thought. The only thoughts she had were about her father; whether he was okay; whether she would be quick enough; whether she was already too late. To the last question, she was pretty sure that the answer was no. Randall - or one of this associates - had called to speak to Reed. He gave the location of where they were. Evie was sure that Randall wanted Reed here... wanted him to see and to suffer along with his former partner. So she didn't think she was going to be too late. She couldn't possibly predict the scene she was going to see when she entered the warehouse.

As Evie got closer to warehouse, her training instinctively kicked in - at least in some respects. She looked around the streets, checking for vehicles or people. There were none. No-one. The streets were quiet. Evie could only assume that the majority of the warehouses here were empty. She slipped her hand into her jacket, her fingers wrapping around the grip of the Glock. She eased it out, sliding the safety off, and then let her arm hang relaxed at her right hand side, the grip around the weapon easy. She reached the door way. It was a heavy, partially rusted, metal doorway. There was no lock visible. A chain was loosely coiled up on the ground just to the side of the door. Evie lifted her weapon, eased the door open and peered into the gloom. The bright sunshine outside meant that she could see nothing inside. Tenatively she stepped inside, and let her eyes accustom to the darkness. Then she saw her Dad.

"DAD!!"

Evie's shock at seeing her father sitting about 75 feet away from her, caused her to stop. This gave Gunther and Richard the chance to pounce. Gunther came from Evie's left while Richard attacked from her right. Although the two men were bigger then Evie, they soon found out that she could be a wild cat.

At the academy, Evie had gotten high marks in hand to hand combat. She was able to handle men who were twice her size. Of course, Evie learned a lot from her father and from being the perp during her brothers games of cops & robbers. Fists & feet were flying and it certainly looked like Evie was going to win this fight even though her Glock had been knocked away when the fight started. Vincent was standing just a few feet away from where Gunther & Ricard were getting their asses kicked. He reached down and picked up Evie's weapon after it hit the floor then slid towards him. He tucked the pistol into the back of his jeans then pulled out a taser.

Jack really wasn't surprised too see his daughter, but he was also expecting Tom to be with her. Evie was out numbered, but she was holding her own against these two men. Jack knew that Evie could handle herself, but she didn't have eyes in the back of her head. " NO EVIE!!!......GET OUT OF HERE!! " Jack screamed out just as Vincent fired the taser. Two darts hit Evie in the middle of her back, that was followed by 1,200 volts. Vincent kept his finger tightly around the trigger of the taser keeping the electric current which was going into Evie's body at full power. After about 5 seconds, Vincent lowered the taser then moved over to Evie's body as she laid on the floor. " Grab her quickly!......Take over to join Jack. " Vincent ordered as he pulled the darts from Evie's back. Gunther & Richard grabbed Evie knowing that they only had a few seconds to perhaps a minute before she was able to full move again. They dragged Evie acrossed the floor then Richard held Evie in his arms while Gunther searched her body. His hand were rough, groping over and around Evie's body until he found her cuffs. Gunther placed one cuff around Evie's right wrist, then two men then held up both of her hands. The second cuff was hooked around her left wrist after the small chain had been placed over a low hanging pipe.

" EVIE!!......WHERE'S TOM!! " Jack yelled out at his daughter not understanding why Tom hadn't entered when she did. " Yes Evie?.......Where is Tommy Boy?........I did ask for the message to be delivered too him. " Simon said in a cool and very calm tone as he walked up to Evie. She soon found herself being roughly searched again. Simon's hands were just as rough on Evie's private areas as Gunther's had been. Simon found what he was looking for after getting a nice hand full of Evie's tits and ass. He was now standing there holding her badge and ID. A sick smile came over Simon's face when he opened Evie's ID. Simon slowly walked over to a nearby table and picked up Jack's badge and ID. He held the ID's up then started to laugh. " Daddy's little girl wants to play with the bad guys. " Simon voice grew colder as he looked at Evie with nothing but sin showing in his eyes.

Evie felt the blow hit her from the left, and then within only a few seconds, from the right. She lashed out. Her insinct taking over. She threw punches left and right all contacting with something... someone; she pushed out elbows backwards, aiming for jaws and guts; she kicked out aiming for groins. She wass conscious of the Glock skitting away on the concrete but there was nothing she could do about that at that precise moment. The gun would be there when she was done... she hoped.

And then she felt the huge thump in her back. She had been tasered before; at the Academy everyone was put through it... just to know what it was like, what the 'victim' would be feeling at the time. Taser, CS gas, pepper spray. She had been exposed to them all - and she had really wanted to get through the rest of her life without feeling any of them ever again. Somewhere deep in her memory, she knew what had hit her. She knew what had happened, but at the same time she struggled to understand why her limbs wouldn't work. As the electric current shot through her body, her mind couldn't seem to join up the distant memory with the present. She screamed out sharply in pain for a moment as every muscle in her body went into cramp and she collapsed in a heap on the floor. She curled her legs up a little whilst her shoulders pushed back and her back arched. She felt hands picking her upper body off the floor, dragging her and then lifting her completely. She watched the cuffs being clicked around her right wrist, but still her mind was fogged... struggling to comprehend what was happening. She looked up as she felt her arms being raised, felt the other cuff being secured around her left wrist and then she was left to hang... her feet just about on the floor. Then she heard her father's voice... and then Randall's. As the fog started to clear, as she began to get control back in her limbs, despite the restricted movement, she looked first at her father and then at Randall. And then behind him, she saw the body laid out... crucified... her mother. She was breathing hard, from the fight and then the shock, but her breath caught in her throat as she saw the scene.

Evie had long stopped feeling anything but dislike for her mother; she hadnt really seen her since she was 12. She had been old enough to see what Margret's leaving had done to her Dad. She knew how her brother's had felt at the time; and she remembered how she had felt. And over time, the initial pain of loss had turned to a hatred. That mellowed somewhat, but Evie didn't really see her mother lying there. It was just a woman she had once known. The shock wasnt the who... it was the what... what Randall had done. She drew her gaze back to Randall as she watched him approach her. She stiffened a little, flinched as his hands came onto her body and took their time finding the ID and badge. As he moved close to her, she felt his breath on her cheek and neck. She felt him ease the wallet with her ID and badge out of her pocket and then watched as he stepped back, watched as the smile appeared on his face.

"Reed got the message... but... he had other... more important things to do. He... he'll be along... don't worry." Evie tried to slowly pull down as forcefully as she could on the pipe, knowing that the cuffs would never break and so the only hope was that the pipe would. "Let me down from here though... and maybe... he won't need to bother."

Randall looked at Jack. "She has a smart mouth Jack... something learned from you no doubt." Then he walked to Gunther, took Evie's Glock from him and then walked slowly back to her, standing almost against her. He lifted the Glock, placed the muzzle against her cheek. She tried to pull her head away, but Randall simply moved with her. He drew the gun down her cheek, over her lower lip making her open her mouth, then down over her chin, down her neck, down between her tits.

"Leave her alone Randall" Jack called out. "This is nothing to do with her. You want me a dn you want Tom. She has nothing to do with it. Let her go."

Randall laughed.

"She put herself in the middle of all of this Jack. It was her choice.... but don't worry Jack. I'll deal with you and Tommy boy first and then she and I will get to know each other a little better... won't we... if you want to play with the bad guys... "

"In your fucking dreams you piece of shit. You twisted... sick... son of a bitch..." Evie yanked hard this time on the cuffs but nothing moved and the cuffs just dug a little deeper into her wrists. Randall just smiled for a few more moments and he began to slowly draw the muzzle of the weapon under her left tit, around the curve of it until the weapon was nestled just above it, and just under her collar bone. The smile disappeared. And he pulled the trigger.

The noise of the discharge echoed around the empty warehouse and Evie screamed, her head falling forward almost onto Randall's shoulder. The bullet seared through the soft flesh. Randall had picked the point carefully... it wasn't going to cause any desperately serious damage and the only real risk to life was blood loss.... but that would take time and meanwhile, it would hurt like hell.

"EVIE.... EVELYN..." Jack called out, unable to see exactly what had happened. All he knew was that his daughter had been shot.

"Now that's not very nice. Your Daddy should have taught you to be a lot more polite. But I'm sure I can teach you a few lessons, once I've finished teaching a very important lesson to your Daddy and Tommy boy." He smiled and stepped back. Evie lifted her head and looked to her dad. She saw the relief as he realized she was still alive. She nodded weakly at him as if to tell him she was okay. Randall when over to the desk and picked up a cell phone. He dialled a number, walked back to Evie and held the phone to her head.

"Now... tell Tommy boy to get his FUCKING ASS OVER HERE." He shouted the last few words, making Evie flinch again.

Four teams from the bomb squad made their way around and through the Central Station without finding anything. There was no bomb, Tom and the other officers reentered the building. While they were all outside, the CHP had set a fax warning that Simon Randell had escaped. Tom was still puzzled by Evie's disappearance and that of his former partner Jack. Tom reached his desk at the same time that Detective Webb grabbed the fax. He yelled out Tom's name then ran acrossed the room. Webb handed the all points bulletin to Tom who's face went pale. Simon Randell escaped, prison guards dead in attack. Tom became lost in his thoughts of the past when his phone started to ring.

Simon Randell wasn't known for his patience, so when Evie hesitated after being told what to do. Vincent looked at his brother who only nodded his head once. Then Vincent grabbed a solid metal bar about 1 inch thick and made of iron. Vincent slowly walked up to Jack who was sitting there still defiant and staring back at him. The bar was drawn back, then it flew towards Jack. Vincent's eyes light up when the iron bar made contact with Jack's right arm which was tied behind his back. The sicking sound of the bone in Jack's upper arm breaking filled the air. Jack let out a groan as the pain gripped his body. But, Jack wouldn't let these people hear him scream out in pain. Jack knew that they would love that and he wasn't going to let them have that enjoyment.

Simon held the phone to Evie's ear. " Your father is tough.........But how long will that toughness hold out? " Simon finished talking just at the moment that Tom pulled his cell phone from his pocket and answered it. " Evie?......Where are you? "

"NNOOOO! ... You son of a.. He has to pick up...the damn phone before I ...I can say anything," Evie spat the words out through gritted teeth. "I'll tell him... Just...just leave my dad alone." she closed her eyes, swallowed hard against the pain in her shoulder. She was sure the bullet was a through and through...which meant that it had hit nothing important...no bones...which was good, but the warm slowly expanding wetness she felt particularly on the back of her shoulder was not.

She heard the hone click hrough as it was picked up. .. Heard Reed's voice. He sounded a little pissed... She had left without saying anything to him and he obviously hadn't seen the note she'd left for him on the desk.

"Warehouse.... East 24th.... Harriet." she hesitated for a moment and stared at Randall. "I... I've just been... Introduced to some dickhead who says he knows you...Aaasrrrgghhhh." Randall smiled, lifted his hand, still holding the Glock and he pushed the muzzle into the shoulder wound. Evie felt a wave of nausea wash over her as her shoulder exploded again in pain. She lifted her head slowly and opened her eyes as Randall brought the phone back to her ear. Breathing hard, fighting the desire to throw up, she clenched her jaw for a moment.

"He has...some kind of reunion going on here... Wants you to join him... Dad's already here... Once you get here...then... Then the seven of you...can apparently get...reacquainted."

Randall took the phone away and closed it shut. Still smiling, he took hold of her chin,and gripped it tightly.

"Better. You're a fast learner, but once I'm done with Tommy and Jack, I will make you regret telling him how many of us are here."

Simon just stared at Evie after he spoke. His eyes showing no signs that he had a soul. Simon then did something very unexpected. He leaned in placing a hard kiss upon Evie's lips. This kiss was raw, animalistic and showed no signs of passion. " You and I are going to become so very close........We'll spend many hours together exploring your hidden secrets. " Simon said as he pulled away breaking the kiss. " YOU BASTARD!!!......LEAVE HER ALONE!! " Jack screamed out after watching his daughter locked in a kiss with Simon Randell. Mary Cash who had just been standing in the background watching came up to Jack. She pulled a straight razor from her jeans, opened it with a flip of her thumb then grabbed Jack by the hair and pushed his head back. Mary stood in front of Jack holding his head back while showing the sharp blade. " Simon is a God.......He can do whatever he wants......He can have anything he wants......You should be proud that he wants to spend time with that poor excuse of a woman. " Mary had the most evil grin on her face and a look in her eyes that said just how crazy she really was.

Tom's eyes moved down towards his desk when Evie was talking. He saw a short note the she quickly wrote which gave the same address that she had just spoken too him. Before Tom could say anything, Evie was gone, the phone was dead. Tom looked at Detective Webb as he closed his cell phone then placed it back into his coat. Memories came rushing back, memories of that gun battle which started at an old farm then ended in the city. Tom remembered thinking that Simon was dead after being hit so many times by him and Jack. He also remembered the shock that followed when Jack said that Simon was still alive. They should have blew his head off. They should have dumped his body into the ocean and let the sharks have him. These were all thoughts that ran through Tom's mind back then and once again returned. Many people always asked why Tom carried such a large and powerful pistol when other officers and detectives were happy with the Glock. Tom didn't want anyone as evil as Simon Randell to escape death again. He always believed in the rule of law, but to lock away a person like Simon Randell who could and did find away to escape was a crime in it's self. The Glock was a fine weapon, but the Desert Eagle became Tom's choice for his weapon. The firepower would make sure that another Simon Randell wouldn't get away from his or her rightful punishment. This was the only time that Tom & Jack ever argued over on a subject. Tom felt that they should just end Simon's life right then. Jack understood how his young partner felt, but couldn't bring himself to cross over the line of the law. Now Jack was silently cursing himself for not letting Tom shoot Simon in the head and dump his body. Jack didn't like the fact that he watched Simon kiss his daughter and it seemed that Simon was now wanting more.

Tom told Detective Webb to get some people, draw some heavy weapons from the stations armory then meet him outside. Webb left while Tom picked up the phone and called communications. Tom gave them the address of the warehouse then said that he wanted a SWAT team to meet him there. Once that call was made, Tom left the station meeting up with 12 detectives and uniformed officers all carrying M-16. Tom made sure they all knew what was going on then the group broke up heading for police cars. Tom led the way down the street, lights and sirens blaring as they drove.

Evie squirmed as Simon kissed her, but she couldn't break free of the hold he had on her chin and the end of the kiss came about when Simon decided it. Evie glared at him as he stepped back and let o of her but her attention was distracted by the woman walking over to her father.

"It's okay Dad... It's gonna okay... hey... Leave him be... You dont need to hurt him...Simon... I did what you wanted. Reed.... Reed will be on his way... You'll have him here... Just like you wanted."

Mary glared over at Evie when she spoke about leaving her father alone and telling Simon that she did what he wanted. Simon heard Evie, but didn't care what she said. He simply smiled at her still tasting Evie's lips upon his. Mary's eyes grew colder as her left hand reached of and grabbed the top of Jack's shirt. His under shirt was the other thing covering his chest, his white dress shirt had been removed long ago. Mary yanked down hard, ripping the white t-shirt from Jack's upper body. Her right hand which was holding the straight razor dropped down the dragged acrossed Jack's chest. The sharp blade left a trail of blood in it's wake. It wasn't a deep wound, but it still hurt like hell. Jack however still refused to cry out in pain. " Worthless cunt. " Mary growled out at Evie then she snapped her blade towards Evie which set some of her father's blood spraying acrossed her face.

A dead silence had fallen over the warehouse as the two women just glared at each other. That silence was only broken when the sounds of police sirens could be heard. Tom used his radio to set up how this operation would go down. The SWAT team from the Olympic Division was in place just acrossed the street from the warehouse. Tom arrived with unmarked and black & whites pulling up all over the area. Gunther went to a front window were he reported that the street was filled with cops. Simon had expected this and he was ready. He pulled a small black device from his pants pocket which had a single red button on it. " It seems that we'll have to wait to catch Tommy Boy.........But we can do Jack in right now. " Simon said as he held the device up so that both Jack & Evie could see it. He then pressed the red button which set off 8 incendiary devices which were setting around the warehouse in different areas. The fires started to grow bigger since there was plenty of garbage and rags laying around. " I would have enjoyed playing with you.......I never had a cop as a member of my family.........You would have been the first when you broke. " Simon said then he blow a kiss at Evie before yelling for those to come on. Time was waiting and the place was starting to fill with smoke. Tom saw this then radioed into dispatch that they needed fire and ems at the scene. He then jumped into his car, pulled it down in front of the warehouse. Tom wheeled his car around until the front end as pointed right at a large bay door. He jammed his foot down hard on the gas which made the tires cry out. Tom's car plowed it's way straight through the large door which was used to load and unload trucks.

Tom wasted no time as he leaped from the car pulling his pistol. SWAT team members came rushing into the open hole fanning out looking for Simon Randell, but there was no trace of Simon or his family. Tom dashed over to where Jack was sitting and Evie was hanging. He pulled a knife from his pocket then cut Jack's arms and legs free from the chair. Tom quickly went over to Evie, this wasn't the time nor the place to talk over her actions. He freed Evie using his handcuff key then Tom helped Evie outside while a couple of SWAT officers carried Jack outside. The warehouse was an inferno by now, it hardly seemed that anyone could make it out alive. The last members of Olympic SWAT made it out before the flames trapped them inside. They brought with them the body of Jack's ex wife, Margret. She was dead and had expired at some point during the time that Jack woke up and the building was set on fire.

Evie watched in horror as Mary scored the blade across her father's chest; she flinched as she watched him fighting not to cry out in pain. She didnt think she had ever been more proud to be Jack Taylor's daughter. When Mary threw her arm in her direction, for a moment she thought that she had actually thrown the switchblade at her. She turned her head quickly, instinctively, but she was never going to be able to move herself out of the way, and she braced herself for the impact of the blade. Instead she felt the warm spray of his blood as it hit and then slowly began to run down her cheek and chin.

Before she had the chance to say anything, she heard the approaching sirens and couldnt help feel the sense of relief wash over her and she was sure that just for a moment she smiled. But the smile didnt last long when she saw what Randall pulled out of his pocket and knew immediately what it was. She said nothing, but looked at her father meeting his gaze for a moment. She flinched as each one of the explosions went off and with each flinch, her shoulder jarred. As the last explosion reverberated around the building, she looked up to see Randall's last smirk and the kiss before he disappeared in the smoke.

"Dad... you hang on... you hear me... the calvery is here."

Seconds later, a car broke through a loading door spreading splintered wood and split metal careering across the concrete floor in all durections. Somehow Evie knew it would be Reed. She watched as he cut her father free and then waited while he made his way over to her. She started coughing, as the smoke started to catch in her throat and as her eyes started to sting. She let Reed help her out of the building and lead her over to a waiting ambulance. She looked around, seeing that her father was being taken to another one. Seeing that he was alive... that he was walking, albeit with his hand holding onto his chest, gave her cause for relief. She sat down onto the guerney and let the paramedic start to hook up an IV, open the front of her blouse and place a simple dressing on the gun shot wound to stem the flow of blood until they reached the hospital. Evie couldn't help suddenly starting to laugh...

"Ohhhhh yeah.... morphine!?"

The next thing Evie knew she was stuggling to open her eyes. Every time she tried, the blinding lights hurt... a lot. She groaned loudly as she tried to sit up and then groaned even louder.

"About time you woke up." It was Steve's voice she heard and felt a hand taking hold of hers.

"Where's Dad? How... is he?"

"Down the corridor. He's fine. Well enough to come in here and tear you an new one if it wasn't for James keeping him on his back."

"What? And you wouldnt have done the same?"

"We're not talking about what I would have done. And that argument is going to work about as well on Dad... and Tom... as it does on me." Evie closed her eyes and groaned again.

"When can i get out of here?"

"The morning... maybe."

"What about Randall?" When Steve didnt answer, Evie opened her eyes again. Steve shook his head.

In rear part of the warehouse was a water drain which ran out into the city's sewer system. This water drain was just big enough for a full sized adult to crawl through, or several in this case. Simon and his family had crawled through into the sewer then made their escape from the area. About 25 minutes later, Simon stood on the hills of Hollywood looking down towards the warehouse which was blazing. He slowly pulled Evie's Glock from his jacket pocket and pointed it at the city. Simon had kept Evie's weapon which he would use to commit more crimes against the city which laid before him. " BANG! " Simon said followed by a deep belly laugh. He was even now deep in thought plotting out his new wave of terror. There were so many good ideas to cause panic around the city. Simon then came up with the idea of compiling a list. A bus filled with kids or nuns always makes a good target. Simon looked to his left where he could see the giant cross from the Catholic Convent which was only a few miles away as the crow flies. Then there were city buses, so many city buses which could be attacked easily. So many buses filled with the so called innocent civilians. Such attacks would show the people how incapable the police are to protect them.

Simon looked too his right where the giant Hollywood sign was standing. Killing a few of those Hollywood social parasites would certainly cause panic. Yes, ending the lives of some of those Hollywood whores who parade around on tv and in movies like they were something special would show that the police were powerless. If the police couldn't protect those who rip off millions from the common people, how could they in turn protect those same common people? Simon's cold gaze returned to the city below him. There was so much to do and yet his plan for revenge wasn't finished, Simon still had a debt to settle with Tom Reed. He wasn't sure whether Jack & Evie had burned alive in the warehouse fire, but he could still hope. Still trapping Tom wouldn't be easy now. Perhaps Simon could get Tom to hand himself over willingly? That was always worth a try, but Simon's revenge had one other target. The man who led Jack & Tommy Boy straight to Simon Randell. A one time member of Simon's family who turned against the family. Hugo Morris who wasn't a core member, but had enough information on the group that Jack & Tom tracked them down. Hugo was caught by the police during a robbery of a grocery. He and a few others of the family were out getting food for the group when they got nabbed.

Hugo decided to jump sides and work with the police to bring down Simon Randell. He told Jack & Tom about the farm and where it was. This gave the police the break they needed to finally stop Simon Randell. Hugo Morris would have too die since it was his information that ended up putting Simon behind bars. Later, Hugo would testify in court against Simon Randell.

Tom who had been hanging around the hospital since his partner and former partner were brought in. Lesley left court once she heard what had happened. She rushed to the hospital wanting to make sure that Jack and Evie were going to be okay. After the word came down that both would make a full recovery after some rest, Lesley returned to the Central Station. Tom entered Evie's room while she was talking to her brother Steven. " How are you feeling Evie? " Tom asked as he walked up to the side of Evie's bed standing next too her brother. While it was true that Evie maybe allowed to leave the hospital tomorrow, she would still not be cleared for active duty for another few days. Most officers who get shot spend at least a week desk bound before they are cleared for a return to the streets.

Evie smiled as Reed walked in and she watched him has he moved in next to Steve. There was a dark smudge on his white shirt. Evie guessed it was from the smoke. And there was also a red smear... it was almost certainly Taylor blood although which particular Taylor was anyone's guess.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"She's fine because the old man hasn't managed to get in here yet."

"Steve... Get off my back will you? Please?"

"Oh I haven't even started. Reckless. Stupid. Not the first hint of compliance with procedure. You lost your badge. Your ID. Your gun. You got shot with your own gun, for God's sake."

"Okay! I know... Just.... I know." Evie picked up her free hand and drew it slowly over her face. She knew she had screwed up, but part f her knew she would probably do the same again, and part of er knew that both her brothers and probably her dad would have done the same. Okay...maybe not her Dad.

"Look. Just,,,get some rest." Steve leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her forehead. In truth he was truly relieved at the outcome of this morning. At one point it sounded like both hs father and his kid sister were going to die, and he was mad particularly with Evie, but more than anything else he was relieved. "I'll come and pick you up in the morning."

"I'll be fine." Steve glared at her and Evie couldnt help but smile. "Okay... You'll pick me up." Steve patted Reed on the shoulder and thanked him, holding out his hand... Shaking Reed's hand. He didn't need to be more specific. Reed simply shook his hand and nodded back. And then Steve headed out to see his father.

Evie looked at Reed.

"I'm okay really... Thanks to you.... Thank you."

Tom told Steve that he would be stop and see Jack before he headed home. He slowly turned back towards Evie, then sat down on the edge of her bed. " If I was to rate your field work so far as a new detective......I would say that your work up till today has been excellent.......But certainly showed a lack of respect for the chain of command. " Tom started to speak as he reached out taking Evie's hand into his. " You should have notified your immediate superior of the situation.......And requested backup before leaving the station.......Notes to them don't count by the way. " Tom continued in a tone the was calm and low. He wasn't yelling at Evie, nor was he going to. Tom was sure that Jack would take care of yelling at Evie for everyone involved. " With that being said........I want you too know that I would have done the same thing......I'm sure Lesley will be having a talk with you when you return to work.......But I wouldn't worry......You'll be keeping this for a long time. " Tom said as he pulled Evie's badge and ID from his coat pocket. He handed it too her explaining that when he was helping Evie out of the warehouse, he grabbed both Evie's and her fathers ID's. Tom gave Evie's hand a gently pat then he stood up. " I've gotta stop and see your dad.........Rib him a bit about losing his badge before I give it back too him. " Tom gave Evie a sly smile then he told her to get some rest. He left Evie's room then headed too see his former partner Jack. Tom wasn't a poster boy for following the rules and he had heard the same speech that Evie would get once she returned to work. He knew that her work would far out shadow any of the rules that Evie would break in her career as a police officer.

A late model black ford van with 2 gold colored crosses painted on each side of the rear end, drove slowly down Maple Ave in downtown L.A. This van belonged too Father Lincoln Drew who runs a mission in the downtown area of Los Angeles. Father Drew would take trips several times each month to visit prison's all over the state. It was during a visit that Father Drew met with Simon Randell. These men would continue meeting over the years, but Father Drew never expected too see Simon Randell outside of any prison walls. They had met again just 10 minutes after Simon and his family escaped from the warehouse. Simon wanted to thank Father Drew for his visits, then Simon killed the Priest and took his van. After Simon was done looking over the city, he and his family started their hunt for Hugo Morris. It took a few hours and a few murders, but they finally found out where Hugo was staying. They also found out that Hugo worked downtown as a janitor. Vincent was driving the van while Simon was watching Hugo walk down the street. Hugo had just left his job and was walking towards the bus stop where he would catch the bus which would take him home. Vincent stopped the van just long enough to drop Gunther & Richard off, then he drove down to the corner and cut Hugo off from crossing the street. " Hello Hugo......Long time no see. " Simon said as he leaned out of the passenger side window. Hugo stopped dead in his tracks, his face had lost every bit of color. " Si......Simon.......You're......out!? " Hugo stammered out in disbelief at seeing a man who he never expected too see again. " Why don't you join us Hugo?.......It will be like a reunion. " Simon's voice was cold as he spoke, he reached back then opened the sliding side door of the van. Hugo started to slowly back way while shaking his head. " Simon says........Get in. " Simon added which made Hugo turn to run and when he did, he ran straight into Gunther & Richard. Simon's goons had no trouble tossing Hugo into the back of the van. Unlike the trouble they had trying to subdue a trained police officer like Evie.

The van roared off down the street while Gunther & Richard tied Hugo up. Hugo knew all too well that nothing good happened when Simon started to play his game of Simon Says with people. Simon twisted this innocent child's game into a something more sinister. Those who ended up playing this game would find out that if you didn't do what Simon Says, then you died.

A few minutes after Reed left, James appeared, the two of them seemingly just swapping places. Evie watched him for a few moments, expectantly.

"What?" James asked as he saw her look

"Are you going to shout at me too?"

James laughed. "Why would I? I'm guessing Steve has already started...and we both know it's gonna take him a while to stop." Evie laughed; Steve took his role as 'big brother' very seriously. Both the younger siblings loved him for it, but it didnt stop both of them from taking the piss out of him when he did. "And Dad is winding himself up so much down the corridor that you should maybe consider the RCMP exchange programme for the next 5years." Evie's smile slipped a little at that point. That prospect wasn't quite so funny. "So I'm pretty sure that I don't have to say anything. Except..." Evie groaned. "Except... If you scare the crap out of any of us like that again, I'll shoot you myself. Clear?" the smile reappeared slowly on Evie's face. She nodded. "Clear"

For the next 15 minutes, the two of them talked about what had happened at the warehouse. Only when Evie gave a yawn, followed 10 seconds later by a second, did James use that as his cue to leave. Five minutes later she was asleep.

Evie didn't know how long she had slept, but she was suddenly aware of someone beside the bed. Initially still half asleep she assumed it was her father, but then even half asleep, she recognised that the chances of him sitting there quietly at the moment were slim. She forced open her eyes and was surprised to see Rick Reed sitting in a chair next to her bed. Through the window behind him, she could see that it was dark outside -she must have been asleep for quite a while.

Rick had heard the news report earlier of what went down at the warehouse. He wanted to make sure that Evie was alright and not just hear how she was doing. Rick had been sitting there for about an hour after paying a nurse to look the other way and let him stay longer passed visiting hours. " Well hello there......I was wondering if you'd wake up while I was here....I was beginning to think that I would have to wait too see you at your place tomorrow. " Rick said as he placed a huge flower bouquet made up of 24 long stem roses into Evie's lap.

" I heard that you and your father had a rough time of it.......I haven't seem Jack yet......But I'm planning on it.......Although it will probably cost me another c note. " Rick said with both concern in his voice for Evie's well being and a joking tone about seeing her father, plus what it would cost. He reached out and took a hold of Evie's hand. Rick moved from the chair he was sitting in to Evie's bed where he sat down. " I was worried about you......That Simon Randell is a nasty one......I do hope that you are more careful in the future. " Rick added as he brought Evie's hand to his mouth then kissed the back of it. " Speaking of the future.......And I know it's hardly the time.......But have you given the thought of a relationship between us any thought? " Rick asked once Evie replied to his remarks about Simon Randell and her staying safe.

Evie smiled and after a moment or two started to push herself up the bed a little more. She had practically fallen asleep sitting half up anyway.

"You should have woken me..." She looked down at the roses and felt her cheeks flush a little. "You shouldnt have done this...don't het me wrong, it's very nice... But you shouldn't have. ..." And then she realized what else Rick had said. She looked up at him, a quizzical look on her face. "You were going to come to my place tomorrow? Guess I better make sure that they discharge me in the morning then."

She shrugged a little at the suggestion that they had had a hard time of it. "I'm not sure it's possible to be careful around Simon Randall.. Or at least, being careful doesn't make a lot of difference."

When Rick mentioned his 'offer' Evie's smile reappeared. "I told you the other night... I'd like that... As long as you think your son is going to be okay with it."

Rick just smiled then told Evie not to worry about Tom. " I can handle Thomas......You just worry about getting better. " Rick spoke in a confident voice, then he leaned over and gently kissed Evie on her lips. He pulled back just slightly while looking deeply into her eyes. " You are my Yankee Whore.......Aren't you? " Rick said softly as his lips lightly brushed against Evie's. With Evie's answer, the kiss returned and grew deeper. However this wasn't the time for a sexual encounter. Evie & Rick continued to talk for another hour before he told Evie that she should get some rest. Rick was expecting too see his "Yankee Whore" at his place wearing nothing and begging to be fucked. He promised to fuck and cum in each of Evie's wanting holes. Rick also said that if she gotten in any more trouble, he was going to spank her for being such a bad girl. Rick finally left Evie to rest and from the sound of what he would be doing too her, she needed it.

Tom had returned to the Central Station without knowing that his father was there. The night shift was already hard at work, but some from the day shift were still around. Tom noticed that Lesley was still in her office and she wasn't alone. Captain MacDonald, Chief Beck and Police Commissioner Yvonne Fernandez were also sitting in Lesley's office. As Tom came closer to his desk, he saw Lesley waving for him to come into her office. Tom wasn't sure what was up, he did wonder if this had something to do with the unmarked car which burned up in the warehouse fire. He entered Lesley's office saying hello to everyone and in turn they all greeted him. Commissioner Fernandez spoke up explaining why they were here and having this meeting. It had been agreed upon that a police task force would be formed to track down and stop Simon Randell and his family at all costs. She then added that since Jack would be laid up for a while, Tom would head up this task force. Chief Beck said that Tom was free to pick whomever he wanted to be on the task force. Tom was free to go through all of the departments personnel files. He could pick any officer, any detective from anywhere in the city to make up this task force. Tom already had three good people in mind, Steve, James and Evie Taylor would make up the backbone of this force. Leaving Lesley's office, Tom knew that he had a ton of work ahead of him. There was no way in hell he could go home now. It would take the entire night just to look through the files of those who were already on his mind. Tom sat down at his desk then logged into the department's personnel files area. He would be up and down all night long. Getting coffee, going to the restroom or just taking a walk to clear the cobwebs from his mind. Hours ticked by and the morning finally came. The day shift was coming through the doors and Tom was just getting done with his task force. The hard part was over, now he had to call the superiors of some of these officers. They had to be told that certain officers and detectives were to be transferred over to his command at the Central Station.

Evie closed her eyes and kissed Rick back softly. "Yes Sir" she whispered back in response. The use of what seemed to have become her new nickname made her smile and memories of that night came flooding back and as Rick kissed her again, so she responded with her return kiss becoming ever more hungry. She wasn't entirely sure about turning up at his mansion wearing nothing; apart from everything else Rick's staff might get something of a surprise. but as Rick continued to tell her what he expected and then what he intended to do, she gave slight nods and felt her cheeks flush and giggled a little like a schoolgirl. In the end she was surprised by how glad she was that Rick had visited and when he finally said goodnight she was a little disappointed but very much looking forward to the following night.

Next morning she was discharged as planned. Steve and James had both turned up and both were seemingly very interested in where the roses had come from. Evie just smiled and had told them less than politely that it was none of their business. Steve was intending to take Evie home, let her get changed and then take her back into work for what was almost certainly going to be a week at her desk. As it happened, Steve got a phone call telling him about the task force and to say that, if Evie had been discharged and felt up to it, the three of them needed to get back to the station. Evie immediately said she was absolutely ready to go to work and Steve filled James and Evie in on the way with all the information he'd been given on the phone.

Tom remained at his desk as each of the officers and detectives who he had picked checked in. He sent them down the hall and to the first squad room on the left. This room had been used by the Cyber Crimes Division of the LAPD. It had been decided a few weeks ago that they needed more room. The Cyber Crime Detectives were given a new squad room on the third floor leaving this one empty. Each of the officers and detectives walked into the office, found a desk then sat down. They were told by Tom to wait here until everyone showed up. The only ones missing were Evie and her brothers.

Tom already had folders made up for his new task force. These folders would tell the officers & detectives everything that was known about Simon Randell and Mary Cash. Tom would fill everyone in on Vincent Randell, Gunther Muller and Richard Martin. He was still in the same clothes as he wore yesterday. Tom had spent all night working on picking his team and putting together the information folders for them. He never once stopped too think about changing his clothes. Tom did keep an extra set in his locker and would change sooner or later.

Steve, James and Evie walked from the garage up the stairs to the squad room, with Steve asking Evie at least twice if she was sure that she shouldn't really be at home, and twice Evie told him she was fine and more than capable of sitting at a desk. The three of them checked in with Tom who handed them a file and then the four of them made their way to the former cyber-crimes room.

Everyone turned their heads when Tom, Evie and her brothers walked through the door. Like the others had done before, Evie, Steve and James each took a new desk. This is where they would work until Simon and his family had been taken down. Tom moved to the center of the room where he could speak with everyone at the same time. Most of those here hadn't worked together before, but most everyone knew everyone else. Tom started by taking roll call which would give a chance for those who didn't know the others that well an idea who everyone was. He called out Evie's name, then Steve and James. Next came Patrol Officers Gil Whitman and Emma Sosa. Gil was the father of Zach who was a close friend of Evie's. Next on the list was Detective Sergeant Tony Ortiz and Detective Sergeant Tyra Walker of Vice. There were some new faces in this group, Officers Pete Manners & Duncan Mathews from the Rampart Station and Detective D.J. Cruz & Detective Sergeant Miles Kogan who worked out of the Van Nuys Division in the Special Investigation Section. Once the roll was taken, Tom announced that everyone now works out of this office and reports too him. He also said that a SWAT unit will be standing by 24/7 and will move upon request.

Tom asked everyone to open the folders which were on their desks. The first photo along with background info was of Simon Randell. Tom said that this man was beyond dangerous, he said that Simon was a cold blooded killer without a conscience. Simon Tom added that Simon surrounds himself with people who think the way he does, they are just as uncaring as Simon is. This led to the next photo and bio, Mary Cash. " The next profile is Mary Cash.......aka Bloody Mary. " Tom said as he slowly moved around the room. He explained that Mary is as brutal and dangerous as Simon. Tom pointed out that Mary always keeps a straight Razor on her at all times. Such a device his normally used for shaving, but Mary uses it for more sinister reasons. " Next we have Vincent Randell.......Simon's younger brother......He has no police record and had never been in trouble that we know of.......But he idolizes his older brother Simon.....And obviously will kill for him. " Tom continued on as he moved around.

The next photo and bio was of Richard Martin who was Vincent's best friend while growing up. Tom pointed out that Richard had been arrested for mostly petty crimes, but seemed willing to help Simon out. The last was Gunther Muller who Tom said was a former member of a German terrorist group called " The Revolutionary Guard. " Tom said that in a report received from Interpol, Gunther left this group after he felt that they had lost their way. He soon began selling himself as a gun for hire and it would seem that he was working for Simon now. Tom then handed out photos that were pulled from a security camera at the gas station were Simon was freed from the prison van. The camera showed each person who was in these folders and they showed them killing the prison guards then freeing Simon. " Everyone one of them is a killer now.......Don't make the mistake of believing that they can be reasoned with.......They killed to set Simon free......And they'll kill too keep him free. " Tom had just finished when the phone on Steve's desk rang. Steve picked it then started to write down on a note pad what was being said too him. Steve hung up the phone then handed Tom the note pad. " It seems that Simon and his brood have been busy. " Steven said while looking towards Evie still wondering if this would be too much too soon. Tom took the note pad and looked it over. " Okay people.......It looks like we've got a bunch of dead bodies scattered around town. " Tom handed out the address to each of his teams. He was sending Steve & James downtown too Father Drew's Last Hope Mission were a body had been found.

Tom waited until everyone had left then he walked over to Evie's desk. " You look like you could use some air......Let's take a drive......I want to pay a visit to a snitch of mine. " Tom said as he was sure that Evie didn't really want to be stuck behind a desk all day.

Evie was partly reading bits of each of the bios as Reed took them through the file, partly looking up at Reed. As Reed talked about each of them, Evie recalled the previous day; images jumping around from one moment to another, without any reall progression... No time order. Just random. Without thinking she lifted her right hand and tenderly drew it across the bullet wound, feeling the dressing just below her blouse.

When Steve's phone rang she looked across to him, saw him, starting to write, then looking up at her,then ack down at the page. She watched him, along with everyone else, as he ended the call and then took the message across to Reed. Both of them looked at her, and she knew something had happened. She looked back at them the questioning look on her face clear. But neither said anything. Steve walked back to his desk and Reed gave everyone the update and began allocating duties to everyone except her. She wasn't too surprised at no assignment...she would be on paperwork. When he suggested she get some air... She knew then there was something wrong. She stood up and started to follow him and then a thought struck her.

"He used my gun didn't he?"