When Terror Takes Its Toll
A/N: The Fanfiction Writer McMoni already wrote a fantastic WHN story for this particular episode in the early days of this fandom and for those of you who may not have read it I would highly recommend that you do. It is titled "After The Terror". Flags of Terror is one of my favorite episodes of all time and so I wanted to write my own take on what happened next after the screened epilogue. I am posting this with McMoni's kind permission having sent her an exclusive preview of this story out of courtesy. I hope you enjoy this different take on what could have transpired next. Thanks for reading.
As this is a WHN story, knowledge of the episode is perhaps necessary to understand the plot line fully and the first chapter starts off as the hostages are led to the sea plane so in order to keep the story true to canon there is some replica dialogue from the original episode. It goes without saying that any replication of the episode belongs to Quinn Martin Productions and is just borrowed by me to set up my story. Thank you.
Chapter 1
It had all happened so fast. Seconds where his heart had thumped so fast and loud that it had almost threatened to burst from his chest. The simple walk to the sea plane and the safe knowledge of Mike's presence along with the reassurance of his partner's efforts to secure their safe release behind the scenes had been momentarily thrown into chaos as the murdered girl's father had appeared from nowhere, grabbing Donna at gunpoint and causing the terrorists to panic. Steve watched in horror as she screamed at Dallam to press the button to detonate the bomb around his neck. Surely Mehlman hadn't had enough time to jam the signal yet! He searched for Mike in the distance hoping he was dealing with the current dire situation and then inhaled sharply as he waited for certain death, his mouth suddenly bone dry and his last thoughts a mixture of despair and regret. He glanced up a second time, hoping for one last, desperate sight of Mike but couldn't make out which position he was in as Dallam seemed to hesitate and then Steve braced himself as he watched in terror as the button was pressed and then pressed a second time ... but thankfully nothing happened.
Could he really be that fortunate? For several seconds, time seemed to stand still. His heart refused to beat normally and the oxygen seemed to rush from his lungs as a lightheadedness followed. He heard Mike yelling for the terrorists to put their guns down but instead all hell broke loose again. Donna overpowered Warren and picked up her gun, aiming it in his direction as he held his breath a second time but a sharp shooter's rifle rang out and Donna fell down onto the narrow jetty before she had time to pull the trigger. Steve watched as Dallam scrambled in a panicked fashion for the gun that was sticking from the waist band of his denim jeans and instinctively he rushed forward and kicked out his leg, over balancing Dallam efficiently and with a sideways bump successfully sent the terrorist flailing into the water. Steve then looked up quickly towards Murray who was still armed in time to see the overwhelmed terrorist drop his gun and raise his hands in surrender before the young Inspector finally allowed his shoulders to slump and relax as a deep sigh of relief left his lips involuntarily. His breathing was at this stage totally erratic and he could feel a slight shake develop that he couldn't seem to control as he stared down at the menacing mechanical device still hanging gravely around his neck.
Pulling himself together, as he felt beads of sweat form around his brow line, he approached the other hostages and kicked Murray's gun to a safe distance before inquiring urgently, in a shaky voice that sounded so unlike his own.
"You guys ok?"
"Yeah ... Yeah we're all ok Stevey ..." Tim replied in an equally shaky voice before asking a question of his own. "What about you? You alright?"
The question didn't seen to register with Steve at first as Tim watched the young Inspector turn his head at the sound of stampeding footsteps approaching them down the narrow jetties and they saw the police detectives coming to their rescue. As Steve saw help coming he turned back towards the tall sailor and seemed to remember the question.
"Ah yeah ... Yeah I'm fine ... It was a little close though ... Just ... just a little too close."
Tim nodded his understanding and then broke the gloom with an upbeat statement.
"Hey, at least we can go and have that beer now, eh Stevey?"
Steve forced a crooked smile.
"Yeah ... I guess we deserve a cold beer after all that, huh?"
Again Tim nodded just as the jetty they were on was overwhelmed by the arriving officers. Each hostage was attended to by a different Police Officer while others took the terrorists into custody. Dallam was hauled from the water and cuffed while Murray and Donna were escorted away, but not without one last vicious, seething, resentful look from Donna sent in Steve's direction as Bob Mehlman approached the young detective and smiled broadly, shaking his head in relief that his efforts to jam the signal had managed to save the well liked and popular young Inspector from Homicide.
Steve saw Bob approach and smiled gratefully back.
"Hey Bob ... Get this damn thing off me will ya?" he said indicating the bomb still dangling around his neck.
"Sure Steve ... "
Mehlman removed the camera from around Steve's neck and noticed a barely perceptible shudder from the young man as it left his person. Turning and handing the now safe and disarmed device carefully to a colleague for removal from the scene, Mehlman then reached into his trouser pocket for a handcuff key, before gently turning Steve around and attempting to free his hands from the restraints holding them bound.
"Let's get these off you too, huh?"
As Mehlman pulled up the handcuffs to access the lock, Steve hissed in pain and spoke in an agonized gasp catching Bob off guard.
"EASY BOB ... Easy ..."
It was only then that Mehlman noticed the red raw patches on both of Steve's wrists from the overly tight handcuffs and he hissed back in sympathy, as he freed Steve's hands and they dropped to his sides
"Dear God Steve ... You better get them looked at ..."
"Yeah ... yeah I will ... thanks "Steve said as he brought both his wrists together and rubbed them gently together trying to get the circulation flowing into his hands that were now stricken with pins and needles as the blood flow returned life to his fingers slowly.
Steve turned back around to Bob and spoke audibly from his heart.
"Listen Bob ... Thanks ... I ah ... I owe you my life ... That was pretty quick work out there ..."
Bob patted Steve's shoulder in a friendly manner and smiled wider.
"Forget it Steve ... You can buy me a beer sometime. I'm just glad you're alright. And it just so happens I know someone else who is fairly pleased about that outcome too." Bob stated humorously as he indicated over his shoulder to the pier where Steve could see Mike talking to other higher officials about the outcome of the hostage situation as he wrapped up the scene.
Steve smiled at Bob's words and watched as everyone was escorted one by one from the jetty and back onto dry land. Bob reached out and grabbed Steve's elbow and attempted to direct him to follow.
"After you Steve ..."
But Steve pulled back slightly and remained where he was standing still nursing his wrists and dealing with the returning annoying feeling now in both hands.
"Ah ... I just need to get my jacket, Bob ... It's in the boat. I'll ah ... follow you up in a minute, ok?"
"Ok ... Sure ... But ah ... I can get it for you, if you like?"
"No, no that's ok ... I got it ..."
"Ok ..."
Bob studied Steve closely for several uncomfortable seconds. There was something decidedly off with the young Inspector but he figured that almost getting blown to kingdom come was probably reason enough for the young man to be behaving erratically and decided that perhaps Steve just needed a moment or two to gather his wits about him before returning to the melee at the pier side.
"Don't be too long though Steve or you'll have Mike looking for you." he added, wagging his finger playfully at his young colleague.
"Don't worry. I'll just be a minute."
Steve watched as Bob headed off after the others and he was thankful to now be alone on the jetty. The uncontrollable shake had now manifested itself into his legs which were now making him doubt whether he could even walk properly for the time being. His knees were shaking and he felt decidedly weak. As the adrenaline rush from the previous ten minutes gradually began to wear off, the effects from Sonny's earlier beating had started to make themselves known. His lower back was aching from the numerous punches it had sustained and his chest was aching in patches too where a few blows had landed. He still felt dazed from the several vicious blows he had taken to the side of his head and while he was grateful that most of the blows hadn't hit where it showed, he figured that he must have a few bruises hidden under his hairline.
Shaking his head twice to clear the slowly developing fog, he was somewhat grateful to note that he was within a couple of steps of the boat, so he stumbled forward erratically flailing desperately for the handrail and relief flooded his aching body when he felt it beneath his weak grip and he knew he could now use it to keep himself steady. Mounting the few steps somewhat painfully he held onto the side as he staggered around and into the cabin where he stumbled forward and almost fell onto the low chair where his beige jacket lay.
Hissing with the pain that throbbed through his lower back now mercilessly, he allowed himself a few minutes of misery before righting himself uncomfortably to sit as normally as he could. He grabbed the jacket but another sharp pain made him drop it again as he took several deep breaths to gain the upper hand on the pain. The blood flow had almost fully been restored to his hands now and the tingling in them was lessening but Steve allowed himself a few minutes to massage them in an effort to make the pins and needles disappear completely. He knew he would only have a short time to compose himself before Mike and the higher ups would quiz him unbearably about his horrendous ordeal.
Back out on the pier, Mike had finished up his instructions for clearing up the scene and was currently trying to pry himself away from the man from the Mayor's Office so he could go and check on Steve. While he knew the young man had been rescued efficiently, he desperately needed to see for himself if the young man was alright and for his own sake he needed to talk to him face to face. The whole helpless feeling he had had about the situation had taken its grim toll on the more than efficient Lieutenant and now he just needed to talk to his partner to ease his own heartfelt concern that had built steadily throughout the hostage negotiation. Finally nodding and patting the other man, he made an excuse to leave and quickly headed for the jetty just as the other hostages were herded off to waiting ambulances for assessment and as Bob Mehlman stepped off onto the pier itself. Mike scanned the crowd for his partner but didn't see him anywhere.
"Bob ... Where's Steve? Is he alright?"
Bob smiled at the older man's concern and quickly rushed to reassure him.
"Relax Mike ... He's fine ... Maybe a little shook but I guess that's understandable under the circumstances, right? His jacket was still in the boat. He just went to get it. He should be just behind me ..." Bob began as he turned and saw no sign of Steve on the jetty yet. "That's funny ... I was sure he would have gotten it by now ... "
Bob looked momentarily concerned and turned to head back the way he came but Mike grabbed him as he turned.
"That's ok Bob, I'll go check on him. Make sure the other hostages are well looked after for me, will you? And arrange for someone to take them down to Bryant Street to give their statements, please?"
"Sure Mike ... " Bob muttered but Mike could see him staring with concern at the boat that had been the subject of all their concern for the whole afternoon and it mirrored the growing worry in his own heart at the non-appearance of his young partner and friend.
Without waiting another second, Mike hurried off down the jetty and straight towards the boat, his worry growing by the second. Mounting the small steps he hurried along the side of the cabin until he caught sight of Steve sitting on a low couch, massaging his wrists seemingly oblivious to his sudden arrival. Slowly and more cautiously, Mike made his way around to the open doorway, not wanting to startle the already shook young man and decided to call out softly for added forewarning as he went.
"Steve? You in here?"
"Yeah ... "
As he got to the doorway Steve smiled up at him but didn't move. A brief silent look of relief passed between them that almost answered the silent desperate look they had exchanged at their last meeting on the jetty as he had given the terrorists demands to him and the others. Steve looked down uncomfortably under the intense stare and Mike followed it up with a simple inquiry.
"You ok partner?"
"Yeah ... Yeah I am. It was pretty hairy there for a while though, huh?"
"I'll say ... Warren almost put the spanner in the works ... So ah ... What gives? You ah ... getting attached to this place?"
Steve chuckled at Mike's comment and shook his head.
"No ... I ah ...I just needed a minute."
Looking down at Steve's intense kneading of his hands, Mike frowned unseen by Steve and moved closer.
"What's the matter with your hands?"
"Oh ... It's nothing. The handcuffs were just a bit tight. I've got pins and needles in them."
Mike was now right beside him, towering over him so he hunched down and took Steve's hands gently in his, turning the wrists to reveal the red raw ridges on both of Steve's wrists as he scowled and whistled in shock.
"Ooh Buddy boy ... They look nasty ... We need to get someone to look at those."
Immediately Steve withdrew his hands from Mike's and flustered in true Keller style.
"No, no they're fine. The skin isn't cut. They're just rubbed that's all. A few days and they'll be fine."
Mike scowled some more at the expected stubbornness.
"What about you? Will you be fine in a few days?"
Steve hadn't anticipated the question and looked up sheepishly without answering.
The momentary tortured look on Steve's face and the lack of response spoke volumes and Mike decided to not push the young man any more for the moment after the ordeal he had been forced to endure. Instead he gently cajoled Steve.
"Come on. Let's get out of here, huh? You might need to put on your jacket. It's fairly breezy out there Buddy boy." Mike added noticing a slight tremble emanating from the younger man.
"Yeah ...yeah ok ..." Steve said rising a little too fast from his seat and instantly regretting the move as the cabin tilted violently in his field of vision and he lost his balance for a few seconds, careering to his left as he felt Mike's firm grip on his elbow steadying him and heard Mike's shocked exclamation.
"HEY! ... Hey, easy now. You sure you're ok?"
Steve had closed his eyes as the spinning started and now opening them he saw Mike studying him uncomfortably and quickly pulled himself together enough to answer this time.
"Yeah ... Yeah sorry about that. I just got up a little fast. My legs are a bit shaky. I ah ... guess having a live bomb around your neck will do that to you, huh?" he added humorously, hoping his valid excuse would deflect any more concern for the moment.
Mike didn't look convinced but seemed to go along with his excuse for now.
"Sure ... Sure, that would do it alright. Just take it easy, ok?"
Steve nodded gingerly and successfully bit back the hiss of pain as Mike then picked up his jacket and helped him into it. The first arm slid in smoothly to the left sleeve but as Mike brought the other side around his back and he was forced to stretch out his right arm to find the sleeve hole, his lower back on that side exploded in a fireball of pain and he could feel the sheen of sweat break out across his brow as he tried to keep his breathing as regular as possible as the pain peaked and then gradually abated. He stepped forward a little shakily and felt Mike grab his elbow again and felt his partner's other hand reach around his waist.
"Mike, it's ok ... I can walk on my own, honest ..."
"Sure you can ... But let's wait until you're on the dock, ok? The jetty is wobbly at best out there. Best not ask for trouble, ok Buddy Boy?"
Steve knew Mike's words made sense and so he didn't argue anymore as Mike guided him around and down the steps of the boat and then down the walkways towards the pier. The jetty bobbed up and down underfoot just as Mike had predicted and made his journey a little more precarious and at certain steps, he was glad of the firm hold Mike had on him. As they reached the hard and more steady surface of the pier, Mike let go carefully, standing at the ready in case the move proved premature. He watched as Steve righted himself and straightened up a little and seemed to remain upright satisfactorily just as Agent Dick Roth called him from a distance. Mike frowned and looked back at Steve, not liking having to leave the young man one little bit as there was something definitely off with the partner he had grown to know so well over the course of their working partnership. Steve seemed to sense his reluctance and forced a smile in his direction.
"It's ok Mike. Go see what he wants. I'm alright but ah ... Can we just head back to Bryant Street then please? I don't want to hang around here any longer than I have to."
"Sure Buddy boy. Just give me a minute. And don't go too far!"
Steve smiled at his partner's over protectiveness and shifted where he stood before looking around and seeing the familiar sight of Jim Carlson approaching him from his left. Jim and Steve were good friends and their shooting skills were on par from the Academy. They often went to the firing range together and where as Steve had ended up in Homicide, Jim had become one of the finest sharp shooters the police Department had ever seen and his services were in high demand especially for hostage situations such as this.
Steve smiled as he saw his good friend approach.
"I should have known you'd be here. The girl ... Was that your handiwork?"
"Yeah, well I couldn't have her taking out the only guy I can beat at pinochle, now could I?"
That made Steve laugh out loud.
"Well thanks ... I think ..."
Jim laughed back and grabbed Steve's left shoulder affectionately.
"You ok, Pal?"
"Yeah ... I'll live ... Thanks to you guys anyway. Say, have you got any water? I'm thirsty as hell ..."
"Sure, I'll get you some ... Hang on."
"Thanks ..."
Steve watched as Jim walked off towards the makeshift mobile command post and as his back ached, he walked a little unsteadily to a nearby patrol car and leaned up against it, to take away the strain of standing. Just then he caught sight of the murdered girl's father being attended to in the back of a nearby ambulance and he frowned. While the man had almost gotten him blown to kingdom come, he had also strangely saved his life earlier when Sonny had tried to take it after the beating. He was still staring at the grieving and injured man when Jim returned with a bottle of water. Handing it to Steve, Jim followed his friend's gaze and scoffed in frustration.
"Damn fool nearly blew the whole thing. I mean sure ... I know he lost his daughter and that sucks and all but that didn't give him the right to risk four more lives because of it ... He turned out to be a real wild card on this one Steve. He certainly didn't make our jobs any easier, that's for sure."
"What will happen to him now?" Steve asked in a downhearted tone that was not lost on Carlson.
"I'm not sure Steve ... but he did kill a man. It might have been a terrorist but still a man none the less. They might take his daughter's death into consideration. Grief can make a man do strange things, I guess."
"He was just trying to help bring his daughter's killers to justice."
"You're very forgiving seeing as he almost got you blown to hell and back Steve."
Steve's vacant stare looked sideways at Carlson as he took a long drink of welcome moisture from the bottle in his hand and decided to not mention for now how close he had come to not even making it that far in the first place.
"Thanks for the water, Jim ..."
"Sure thing ... You take it easy now, you hear me?"
"Yeah I will ... See ya ..." Steve called after the departing Officer and as Jim Carlson left Steve saw Mike return and stood back up to greet him.
This time both men just looked at each other, the relief that their ordeal had ended satisfactorily written all over their faces. Without a word, they turned and headed for their car, parked a little way off. Steve smiled at how different Mike looked wearing the baseball cap as opposed to his fedora but decided to not mention it. As they walked, Steve rather sluggishly, another man approached Steve and Mike heard the young man sigh heavily as he saw him.
"Inspector Keller? Ah ... my name is Leist, Inspector. Jack Leist. Radio, KB ..."
"No, I know who you are, yeah."
"I'd like to ask you a few questions ..."
"Not right now ..."
"Ah ... Well it must have been quite an ordeal ..."
Steve looked behind him and rolled his eyes at Mike at the reporter's persistence.
" ... But we only saw it from this side. What REALLY happened in there? "
When Steve continued walking and ignoring his questions, Leist persisted.
"Well what were they like? Did they tell you why they brought the bombs to San Francisco? Who or what their targets are? Well COME ON! They must have talked about it."
Frustrated at the constant bombardment of questions Steve stopped walking as they approached their car and faced his tormentor.
"Mr Leist, whatever THEY talked about, whatever YOU'RE talking about, there's only one thing that happened today. Three people got killed. So when we're done saving the world, NOTHING changes that fact."
Steve walked past the suddenly silent reporter and approached the driver's side of the car. Mike beamed proudly at him from across the roof of the car before they both sat in.
"You want me to drive, Steve?"
"No, no that's OK. I can drive ..." Steve mumbled as he quickly turned the key in the ignition and they drove off in silence, Steve wanting to put as much distance between him, the crime scene and the annoying reporter as he possibly could.
