Title: Choices
Chapter 1 – Surviving Paradise
Summary: AU SQL to Desperate Measures. Still coming to terms with newly married life, Ed and Donna now have to deal with a tense case, an unwelcomed surprise from the past and a deadly trap.
Disclaimer: Sadly I own nothing from the awesomeness that is Flashpoint if I did Ed Lane would be all mine *Sigh* the rest? Well you should know by now lol same thing with the names. Everyone associated with FP belongs to them the rest belong to a random name generator; any resemblance to anyone reading this is pure coincidence.
A/N: Okay so there will be a story dealing with Ida's return (the one to follow this one) but Alice came up with a few other ideas, not directly related to Ida, but that would fall along this timeline, their forced/surprised marriage and so instead of our original idea of a one shot, I added a bit more onto that idea and a ficlet was born. Not sure how long it will be (will depend on your interest my dear readers) but I hope you like this offering just as much as the last story and thanks in advance!
AND REMEMBER THIS IS AU (so like it says in my other AU Ed/Donna stories & on my profile no Sophie and no Hank = no cheating...I would never do that to my beloved Eddie or my fave female SRU Donna). So please don't flame. Now on with the story…
"Oh where is he?" Donna groans as she looks through her scope once more, Tom picking up the agitation in her voice of the mutter that was meant only for him. There were a few reasons she never liked to join forces with Team One; the main reason being now, her having to watch a black space before them wondering when her husband and his team would be emerging from the smoldering wreck that used to be a department store and in what condition.
A man had blown himself up, killing his ex-wife and another patron, but not before telling them all that there was another device. However as soon as team one had arrived they had come under fire inside, thus calling in team three for outside backup while they worked to contain inside whoever had taken advantage of the carnage.
"Greg? I don't see any of them. Status on the active shooter? It's all quiet out here."
"Donna…Sam still has eyes on Ed and…what? Sam…say again?"
"Greg?"
"Hold on…we're getting a new angle and…" Greg's voice dies out into a whispered curse and her heart skips a painful beat.
"Greg?"
"The gunman and Ed are locked in an armed standoff. Hold on."
The few seconds pause in Greg's voice was enough to tell her that not all was as it should be; but she also knows that she can't say anything, he was doing his job much as she would be doing hers with him watching. That was one of the biggest things they had to get used to in the first few weeks after they had gotten back from their honeymoon; it would sometimes serve to fuel tense arguments about each of them taking unnecessary risks that the other didn't agree with.
'You didn't have to go in there alone Ed.'
'Donna, you aren't Tom…don't do his job.'
'I'm team lead that is my job.'
'Don't tell me not to do something you'd do yourself.'
But then they'd both step back, take a few deep breaths, go for a run…spend a few minutes apart and then come back and just talk through their concerns and get back to where they were before the tension arose. The two of them were the same on a professional level; both risk takers and dedicated to the job sometimes a little too much, and learning to deal with that part of their married life was the biggest challenge for the two of them – the other domestic roles coming a bit easier; which in itself was surprising.
Donna's ears pick up the chatter once more, Spike telling Sam he had another angle, Jules telling Wordy she was going to the other side to back up Sam; Wordy assuring Ed that he wasn't leaving his side and Greg reminding the gunman that he was sorely out numbered. But it was always statements like the following from the hostile subjects that made her mind cringe.
"You might have me outgunned but not before I put a bullet right between one of your own."
"Sam…"
Thankfully Sam's reassuring whisper that he had the solution as the gun was about to be fired, quickly followed by Greg's call of 'Scorpio' meant that the suspect was neutralized and Ed's life was spared – again. Watching him fairly dragging the second accomplice out in handcuffs made her smile until she watches Sam emerge with his rifle, waiting for the SIU hearing; a small reminder that her beloved husband could have been taken from her just like that.
"Hey…told you he'd be okay," Tom gently nudges her as she calls back her team. "How many is that you owe me now?" He smirks.
"I've lost count," she tosses back as she heads for Greg, offering Ed a small smile; always mindful of their need to keep things on a professional level when out in the field or in the barn during working hours. But there were times when she wanted to march right up to him and either kiss him senseless or kick his ass for a near death heroic – thankfully common sense would win out and she'd save her emotions for the ride home, which by then would mostly dissipate. She talks with Greg a bit longer before her and Tom get another call of their own to handle; Ed watching her go with a developing frown of his own.
"Okay where too?" Donna asks Tom as all of team three pulls away.
"Actually…close to home for you," Tom mentions as he pulls up the address.
Home. Even in a tense situation like the one today or faced over the past few months, the simple word holds so much meaning for her and she can't help but feel a small smile play upon her lips. They had been married only for four months and had finally found their first new home together a month ago; an apartment that at first wasn't that easy to obtain. As they head for their next destination, she allows her mind to drift back to the weeks following their honeymoon.
'I like this one. It's close to downtown but not right in the thick of things. It has a few amenities and within walking distance of the park.'
'Okay let's go see it.'
But the landlord was out that day and then trying to reschedule to a time when both of them could be there proved to be a frustrating task.
'Mr. Lane where is your wife?'
'She'll be here. She's just caught in traffic.'
'We can't wait much longer.'
'Mrs. Lane is your husband going to be here?'
'He is…can we wait just a few more minutes?'
'We've waited half an hour. Does he really need to see it?'
'He's going to be living here also – maybe.'
A quick call to Ed only served to confirm that he had been detained and was sorry but they'd have to reschedule. And a few weeks later it happened again. However, this time...it would prove to be a successful outing.
'Seriously they didn't hold it for us?'
'Ed, you said you wanted to be there. Now we both need to…okay how about this Saturday? We both have it off and…'
'How about right now?'
'It's nine o'clock…yeah let's go right now.'
'Really?'
'Really.'
And they did just that; it was nine o'clock on a Thursday night; both had been up early and had tense calls but they were available and so was the apartment; it was done.
'Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Lane. So glad you both could make it. Okay here's the list you requested and…take your time. I'll be in the hall if you need me.'
The apartment really did sell itself; large bay window, gas fireplace, hardwood floors, two bedrooms, two bathrooms; in suite washer/dryer and a few other things they had on their list of must haves. Donna's mind flashes her back in time into empty apartment, her eyes watching her husband's back as he wanders to the window, peers into the darkened night sky and then turns back to her with a soft smile.
'We'll take it.'
'Yes,' her happy confirmation still rings in her ears and makes her smile; her mind recalling her hugging him and then signing the one year lease agreement. They had already given notice at their apartment so it was just the fun task packing up their stuff and then getting some of the team to help them move the smaller items; a team of moving professionals for the larger items. After that they had a small pizza party for their helpers and actually slept among the boxes in their new living room that night; the fireplace on to add some extra comfort. But they had been in only a month; the apartment was still getting moved into, routines still being ironed out.
"Hey," Tom's voice beckons her back to reality, making her blue eyes look at him before nodding. "Lost in wonderland?"
"Just remember trying to get that place; was almost two months before we found what we really wanted. I do sometimes feel sorry for our landlord."
"Trust me am sure he's glad to have you two there as extra protection."
"We aren't the building's bodyguards," she lightly groans as Tom brings the SUV to a stop and it's time for business.
"Here we go," Tom mutters as they head for the command truck.
"What do we know?" Donna asks in haste as the rest of her team, Gary, Rachel and Richard all gather for their assignments. "Okay…let's get this done."
XXXXXXXX
"Tom…where's Donna?" Ed asks at the end of their long day; Team One's call already in the books and his attention diverted to the TV where he was forced to watch the aftermath of his wife's team and their tense situation.
"Showers," Tom nods in truth.
"Tough call," Ed acknowledges as he turns to leave.
"She's gonna be okay."
"What do you mean?" Ed instantly stops in concern.
"Oh man…thought you two had connected. Hey I'll let her tell you the rest. But she is okay."
"Tom…" Ed calls out only to watch the team three team leader quickly dart away. "Damn it," Ed curses under his breath as he pulls away from the lingering members of team one and heads for the women's locker room. Knowing that Jules had already left and remembering seeing Rachel outside, Ed quietly slips into the locker room in search of his wife. For a split second, guilt forces him to pause in place, his mind telling him he could wait until he was home and then ambush her there. But as soon as he hears her curse, he finally pulls himself from his stupor and rounds the corner.
"This doesn't look that bad…" Donna groans, not realizing that she now has a silent audience.
"Want a second opinion?" Ed's soft voice pipes up, forcing her to look over at him with a small look of torment.
"Depends...that means no," she retorts as he nears. She was wearing only her jeans and bra, her eyes momentarily locked on his concerned gaze before darting back to her reflection in the mirror. His fingers dare to graze her skin with a hesitating touch, his frown growing.
"What um…happened?" He wonders before he pulls back, handing her her sweater to get dressed and go home.
"Tom had the guy we were after when suddenly this kid appears out of nowhere. Everyone else was covered. This kid charges the perp and…"
"The next thing you were charging the kid."
"Right down a flight of stairs," she huffs as she pulls the sweater over her head and then looks up with a small frown of her own and another heavy sigh. "Thankfully nothing's broken," she adds with a sour note.
"Thankfully," Ed adds softly as he holds he jacket before handing it to her; his brain fighting the urge to remind her that for the most part, Greg stays out of harm's way and so should she. But she quickly qualifies her thoughts; putting him in his place with her next words.
"And I'm glad that Sam got you out of that tight spot today."
"Yeah…me too," Ed resigns, knowing it was pointless to argue and not wanting to end the day on a tense note after all the stress they had faced a few hours earlier. "At least it was him facing SIU tonight and not me."
"Which means…an early night," she states with a small yawn as they head for the elevator to go down to the underground parking lot.
"And what does that mean?" Ed lightly teases as they head into traffic.
"It means I have something really fun in mind for us."
"Yeah?" Ed asks with a growing smile. "What's that?"
"Yeah…like unpacking the spare bedroom," she smirks, getting a small eye roll and head shake from him as they near their apartment's underground parking lot.
"Fun?" Ed counters mockingly.
"Well it hasta be done some time."
"It's only been…"
"A month," she reminds him with a shake of her head this time. "I know I keep putting it off as well," she admits as they get out of their car and head for the elevator, walking hand in hand toward the steel box that would take them ten fights up to their waiting apartment. "Just would be nice to get all those boxes into the recycling bin."
"Well if you're not busy this weekend," Ed suggests with a soft smile as they enter their apartment.
"Yeah? You thinking of renting yourself out to me?" She lightly teases.
"Sure," Ed answers with a grin just as he notices Donna wince as her shoulder connects with the door and tries to quickly erase his smile when she turns to ask him a question. Instead she looks at him in suspect, her eyes demanding an answer. "You winced."
"Your perp had a gun to your head."
"Donna..."
"Ed, we've been here before," she quickly reminds him. "Only this time it's not just one sided in my favor," she adds with a soft groan.
"I guess that's fair. So not every part of me is old fashioned…but my concern for you is," he admits, as they lock eyes a few seconds longer. "But I'm not gonna say anything more."
"And I love you for that," she replies as she leans in and kisses him on the cheek, her lips lingering near his face as her hand snakes behind his head and holds it in place. "I'm trying not to think of nearly losing you today."
"Like I said…"
"Smart man," Donna nods as she finally takes off her jacket. "But there is one thing you can tell me right now?"
"I love you?" Ed somewhat teases, making her finally smile.
"While I never tire of hearing that I had more of a one word answer in mind. The word is yes."
"What am I agreeing to?"
"Shower for two?"
"Yes," Ed utters eagerly as his smile grows.
The two of them head for the bathroom, quickly undressing and enjoying some muchly needed intimate time; as the few days preceding afforded them only time to sleep together and not much else in the way of intimate bonding. Wordy had told Ed that it would be important for the two of them to take any opportunity they could to keep their love for each other alive because the demands of the job and knowing how much both push themselves at work could drive them apart or keep them distant and if that happened both would be unhappy and could spell disaster. After their heated sexual romp it was time to make a light dinner and just unwind, usually sitting at the table and talking about the job, the team, their apartment and any other issues or concerns they couldn't talk about during the course of the day.
"You okay?" Ed asks in concern as Donna's body shifts with a small grunt as they try to get comfortable in bed.
"Damn stairs," Donna smirks in the dark as she rolls onto her other side, nestling against Ed's other shoulder and feeling relief off her injured limb. "Yeah fine. You?"
"Same."
She kisses the top of his neck and closes her eyes in contentment; her ears picking up the soft I love you before she rapidly drifts into darkness.
XXXXXXXX
Ed arises early the next morning to start the coffee as per his part of their morning routine; flipping on the switch and then heading into the bathroom to shave. They had made a pact the week after they were back from their honeymoon that since they both had hectic schedules to keep and had to be at the same place at the same time in the morning to share whatever they could. So he would make the coffee and toast and she would make the main part of the breakfast; on the times they had rare days off or different start times, the schedule was changed to accommodate the one leaving and the one staying.
Donna wanders past the bathroom and smiles as she listens to Ed humming to himself as he was shaving, her senses immediately awakened by the smell of the strong coffee. She looks out the window, frowning at the drizzly weather and knowing their early morning run was not gonna happen; the two of them opting for plan B which would be to work out in the gym at the barn.
"Morning," Ed greets her with a warm smile as he enters the kitchen dressed for the day.
"Morning," she greets him back with a happy smile, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before they finally start to discuss the dismantling of the wall of boxes in the spare bedroom. After the pact was made that they'd tackle it on the weekend for sure, they finish up their modest breakfast and head into the barn to really get their day started.
"Well just us…wanna spar?" Ed asks with a small wink.
"Is that what you call it?" Donna retorts before Wordy makes himself known.
"What do you call it, foreplay?"
"Hey those are your words not mine," she flirts back as he just smiles.
"Can you blame me?"
"Not at all."
"You two want to be alone?" Wordy teases them as he enters.
"Yeah can you come back in an hour?"
"An hour? It takes you that long?" Wordy playfully jabs Ed's arm, making his face slightly redden.
"Hey careful now," Donna warns with a small smirk of her own.
"Oh it takes you that long," Wordy tosses at them, making Ed chuckle as Donna tosses an empty punching glove at Wordy's head. Wordy steps back, allowing Ed and Donna to get a few sparring/practice fighting moves in before she heads for the bike and allows Ed and Wordy to work on a few of their own fighting moves; something she always enjoys watching. Soon the area is filled with a few other team members, the banter upping in its liveliness; the hour passes quickly and soon its time for the teams to disperse and get ready for the day.
However the day wasn't going to go as planned, for either one in the Lane household. It starts with series of ill-timed events as Greg is called away by Holleran on an issue that was both time sensitive and confidential; a few minutes later Spike being called to Greg's aid to help with a case that could impact a high ranking political official and then Richard from team three; leaving the active SRU teams down three key members.
"Okay we'll just have…" Donna starts as Winnie's voice is heard over the loud speaking with a hot call announcement. "Course," she mutters under her breath as the two teams quickly head for their trucks, racing toward the hostage taking scene. But as soon as she arrived it was one tense call after another with Ed being the senior SRU member in the field but her technically in charge and with her own team lead on hand as well. Tom told Ed that he would follow his lead, but Donna quickly learns that she and Ed have different styles when it comes to getting things done in the field; leading to a few tense discussions and curt replies.
"I have the solution," Ed tells the team into his headset.
"Ed…wait on my go," she quickly instructs when the gunman turns toward a small child.
Ed hears the order and bites his tongue; not wanting to say that her profiling experience was less than Greg's and Greg wouldn't hesitate to act.
"Ed…" Sam's whispered query is heard to his left.
"I know…I see," Ed huffs as he looks through his scope once more.
"What is she…"
"Donna…he's not yielding."
"Jules almost has…"
"Guys, we have another player," Riley, Spike's team three counterpart's excited voice is heard from the command post outside. "Wordy, he's coming up on your left. He can't see you."
"I got him."
"We can use the distraction to neutralize the subject," Sam recommends.
"Donna how much longer are we gonna wait?" Ed's tense voice is heard in her ear making her frown grown as she looks over at Jules.
"Subject is agitated but I don't think he wants to die," Jules implores. "Just one more minute."
"You have that minute," Donna nods to Jules, picking up a small but heated huff in her ear from her husband's lips. But the next few seconds happen so fast; that after the dust settles all that is heard is the tormented cry of a child with a small bit of blood splatter on his face and a heavy curse from the leader in charge.
"Damn it Ed," Donna curses as she quickly stands up and looks at the scene before her. Another gun man had charged into the area, firing off a shot, forcing Ed to take swift action as the man he was covering, the one they were trying to talk down, cocks his gun and prepares to fire, the innocent child in the way. But Ed's finger was faster, taking out the tormented soul; Gary was second taking out the other gunman that had cause carnage; the third already taken down by Wordy; Sam covering Ed incase a new player was to emerge; and Jules rushing for the child.
Donna watches both Gary and Ed emerge, their weapons being taken by SIU; her head giving them both a small shake as she turns and looks at Jules with a heavy frown, Rachel and Wordy walking to them; Sam now talking with the young boy.
"How'd it go running a big team like that?" Greg asks a few hours later after Donna finishes her report, Ed and Gary still with SIU.
"It went," she huffs as she closes the file and then looks up at him in concern. "It…nothing."
"Working with a combined team okay?"
"Yeah."
"Working with Ed okay?"
"Yeah…fine. We got the job done…"
"Just not in the way you expected," Greg comments as he eases himself down into the chair opposite her.
"We remained professional at all times but…it went. Goodnight."
"Donna…"
"Greg I'm okay. It was just different. I mean we have worked together before but today I was in charge and he…"
"Sometimes has a trouble with that. Trust me I know," Greg smirks. "It's not personal."
"You're not married to him," she smirks.
"Just don't let it become personal," Greg offers the friendly but firm advice. "Put it all back on the SRU if you have to, just not each other. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Donna takes her leave and heads for home, her mind still stewing about Ed's agitation in the field and the small comments she picked up between him and Sam about her and Greg's different styles of leadership and the ensuing gaps. But there was a reason Greg was in charge of the top team in the city and she was still two behind; she was learning…and today…today was just another tense learning curve – one she hopes she doesn't have to repeat for a long time to come. But Greg was right, in order for them to keep the peace in their own household, tense feelings would have to quickly subside. She enters their quiet apartment, looking at the clock and knowing that Ed must be on his way home from dealing with SIU; the routine now with them almost old hat.
Ed enters their apartment with a heavy sigh; his heart almost dreading the discussion he'll be met with after the tense call they both shared together – her being in charge and them butting heads at times. "I'm home," he calls out as he locks the door and then hangs his jacket, heading for the kitchen in search of his wife. "Hey," he greets her with a small smile, walking up to her as she prepares dinner and gives her a peck on the cheek.
"Hey…all done?" She asks, trying to keep the tension in her voice down, her heart always happy when he offers affection; no matter how small.
"Yeah. Routine you know. And um…your report?"
"All done," she looks at him as she hands him the bowl of pasta. "Hungry?"
"Sure," Ed replies as he takes the bowl and then looks at her with a frown. "Donna…"
"Ed, it's done," she replies in haste. "Wasn't the outcome I wanted but…"
"I wanted that guy to live also."
"Really?"
"You saying I didn't?" He sharply replies and then quickly backs down with an apologetic look; never wanting to raise his voice.
"Today…was an eye opener. Greg's a better leader…"
"You had that guy pegged…Jules was right but…"
"But the party crasher came and all hell broke loose. He caused his own death; forced your hand. He was to blame. That's what when into my report," she assures him. "I'm just glad it's over," she concludes not wanting to bring up the snippets he and Sam shared at her somewhat expense.
"Yeah…me too," he agrees as they head for the table to eat, the tension still simmering. But the conversation for the next thirty minutes is tight and tense; neither of them enjoying their down time.
"I don't like this tension," Donna mentions in a soft tone. "No one is to blame except the gunman."
"Okay," he leans in and squeezes her hand.
"Okay."
"I don't like the tension either; doesn't feel right."
"But I am glad we aren't on the same team. Would be hard to order you around all day."
"You do on the weekends," Ed lightly teases, brining an instant smirk to her face as she playfully swats his arm; and that was it the tension was broken.
"And you love that."
"Actually…I do," Ed retorts and the conversation finally turns from the tense day to the upcoming weekend events; the mood light as they head into the evening hours; falling asleep with exhausted minds but happy hearts.
XXXXXXXX
"Am hoping for a quieter day…what is it?" Ed asks as he rounds the corner into the kitchen to see Donna reading a text on her phone and then looking up at him with a somewhat strained expression. "Bad news?"
"Not sure," she looks up at him with a small frown. "It's a text from Jerome," she mentions the name of her former boss in Vice. "Just wants to meet before my shift today."
"He say what it's about?"
"No but am sure it's just something about an old case that's maybe resurfaced?" She shrugs as they get their coffee cups filled up.
"He texted you instead of called?" Ed looks up in surprise. "That's kinda odd."
"A bit odd but not really out of character. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," she adds as they sit down to their breakfast, taking turns speculating on what could be up; neither guessing exactly what lay in store that would once again test their relationship and put their very lives in danger.
A/N: Well? How did you like the start so far? What do you think will be the catalyst that will test their relationship and put their lives in danger? This will have all my trademark goodies, action, peril/danger, angst/tension and some fluff hehe . Would love your thoughts so please do review before you go and let me know what you thought and thanks so much!