Kimberly's POV

today is cold. The world is numb. She was much to young. We all were much too young.

Beneath the passengers of the large plane in route from Florida to California laid a young woman. Chestnut hair laid delicately across a white pillow. Hands folded across her chest. Eyes closed in an eternal sleep. Enclosed in a casket of white and gold. Arianna hart had given her life to protect those who protect the innocent. The world would never know her name because she wasn't a hero. She was an innocent. Forever caught in the battle of good an evil. Never truly understanding but knowing right and wrong.

Kimberly hart Sat still as a statue in her seat as the airplane came to land. Every move she made taking extra conscious effort. "unbuckle... breathe in... stand up... breath out." the only thoughts going through her head kept her body in motion. The world was garbled. The only sounds that filled her ears was the blood rushing through her veins.

She vaguely felt the hand brushing arm while her feet took her to the loading area. It was as if she was in a dream. She got her luggage off the conveyor belt and headed to the luggage desk.

" my name is Kimberly hart, I was told to come here... to pick up my daughter" the words sounded far away. Was it really hear speaking those words. Robotic-ally she signed the paperwork at the woman's request and thanked her when she was wished well. All she had to do was wait for Jason. The hearse would be out front to take the casket to the funeral home.

"Kim... Kim... baby sis!" she hear the whisper it seemed so far away but when she looked up Jason was right in front of her " are you ready?" she nodded gently

"I just have to make sure Ari... make sure she is safe..." she whispered and stood moving to the front where the casket should have loaded.

"I'll take care of it Kim go get in the car so we can follow them" and with that Jason went to speak with the driver. When he came back him was seated in the front of his car her luggage in the back.

By the time angel grove was coming into view it felt as if my body was no longer in existence Time seemed to stand still. I know we had been driving for hours from LAX but I was still back on that day.

Florida October 9th. It had been a routine day. I had been just taken off shift when the call came in. a gunman had taken hostages at the local high school. Ari's school. Team two had just gone out to take care of the situation as I sat in the office waiting for some word. Hoping and praying that my cellphone would ring and my little girl would be safe. The scene kept playing on the TV. I knew that team two was good. I would trust them with my life. But being in this job for ten years had taught me that even if a team is good. There could still be some loss. After what seemed like hours the call was made. The gunman was shot where he stood. Preventing another life from being lost. That is when I got the call.

"Hart. You need to get down here. Bring someone you trust. Friend, family. Bring your partner if you need to." I heard my Sargent over the phone. He sounded stressed.

"Down where sarge?" It hadn't quite sunken in yet.

"Hart, to the school... we need you at the school. Its not looking good" his voice sounded on he verge of tears.

"Ari" I choked out "I'll be right there" I went to hang up the phone. Before it had time to turn off I was already on the phone again

"Jason Scott here" my big brothers familiar voice filled the line

"Jase... I need you... Ari... There was a shooting... at the school... I'm going now" it seemed rushed but I didn't know what else I could tell him.

"Kim? Is she okay? Are you okay?" his voice was calm but concerned

"i don't know yet. Sarge called... I need to be there. Can you come?"

"give me ten ill be there... She will be okay short stuff" he had hope in his voice but I couldn't quite believe it.

The phone went dead and the drive to the scene seemed to take forever. Once I arrived I saw the crews going over everything. Melody Briggs sat in the back of the car tears in her eyes. She was one of my best friends and I knew she was the one that made the shot today. Before I could go over the sarge found me.

"Kim this way." he started leading me to the ambulance I was confused. If she was injured why didn't they take her to the hospital yet.

"Sarge?" I asked confused

"this isn't protocol hart. But you're not any civey out there. Do you have someone with you?" we were at the back of the bus when I shook my head.

Jase... he is on his way but I don't know how long it will take." I said unsure. I could feel my insides threatening to coil and turn as the bile built in my throat. This wasn't good.

Just then a voice came over the com. "Detective Scott is here. He is mighty scary sarge. Do I send him back"

"yes send him back. Tell him bus 238." sarge spoke with a sigh. It was in that minute he looked aged and that fear inside me kept building. Just then Jason came around the corner.

"Sargent Mack." Jason gave greeting and then moved to stand next to me like a brick wall.

"Deceive Scott, I wish these were better terms." with that he turned to give two small knocks on the back doors of the bus. They opened the doors and all I could see was the gurney there. Covered. My heart stilled.

"Ari..." was all I could say as I moved into the back of the bus with one of the paramedics. He kept a hand on my arm to steady me as I felt the first prickle of tears struggling to break free. How could this happen to my little girl...

"Mack, what happened?" I vaguely heard Jason's voice as I pulled the sheet down ever so carefully. I was startled when here eyes were open. Glassed over. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I stepped back as much as the bus would allow. My hand hitting the back wall. I had seen dead bodies before. I had seen death many times. But it was in her eyes, My beautiful daughters eyes, that I could see the pleading and compassion of what happened. I knew she hadn't died in vein.

"She was a hero hart. Through and through just like her mother. Briggs saw it all. She tried pleading with the gun man to let everyone go. She was strong. She did everything by the book. She was getting through to him until he saw the unit. He started turning the gun at the other students and she wrestled his gun from him. It went off in the process that's when Briggs got the OK to shoot. I'm sorry hart. So very sorry." I heard everything he said. But that never stopped the tears from flowing silently down my cheeks. That never stopped the ice cold feeling that filled my core. My baby girl was dead. She saved her class mates but my baby girl was dead.

"what do I do now?" my voice sounded hoarse threatening to expose my emotions. That's when Jason pulled me into a hug

"what do you want to do Kim Do you want to bury her here?" it was a simple question that just infuriated me.

" No I don't want to bury her here Jason! I don't want to bury her period. I don't want her dead. I don't want her gone. She is all I have left!" I felt myself breaking as I pounded into his chest the tears forcing their way past my lids faster and faster. I felt Jason wrap his arms around me harder as the sobs finally broke me down. I felt my sarge's hand rubbing circles on my back and all I could do was scream until my voice broke.

"you don't have to make any decisions right now. She has to go down and be examined. It will take a couple of days before we can release the body." he was trying to be strong but I could hear his own emotions wavering. You will have full paid leave for two weeks. More if you need it hart. We are a family too" he patted me on the back before giving Jason and I some privacy with Ari. The paramedics left with him.

"i want her buried by the command center. Its where she belongs" I said with finality. Jason just nodded. She did belong there. She was the daughter of rangers. And a hero with out being one. As lost and confused, heartbroken and sad, angry and upset as I was. I was proud. She wasn't like her mommy, her mommy had weakness. She was like her daddy through and through.

" tonight we will go find a casket. Make some arrangements here. I will call a few old friends and make arrangements, don't worry about anything Kim. When they release the body you will get the first flight back and I will meet you there. Just hang in there" he kissed my forehead and I felt tears prickling again as I nodded my head.

"Kim.. earth to Kim" Jason shook me and I looked up from the window we were sitting in front of the funeral home "We have to go in and make sure everything is set up right for tomorrow." he tucked my hair behind my ear and made me focus "okay?"

"yea" I croaked out with a nod and moved to climb out of the car. The hearse had already driven in back to unload the casket to the viewing area.

They had decorated the viewing room with white lilys and pink roses. The scent was overwhelming and sickly sweet to cover up the scent of death. There was a podium set up off to the side of the casket where the final eulogy would be said. Her casket set against a curtained area carefully lit. I moved over and brushed my fingers over my little girls cheek once more. And felt a new rush of tears trying to break free. I pulled my hand back and clenched my fist tight enough that my fingernails bit into the flesh of my palm "its beautiful Jason Really." I looked up at him and nodded not ready for tomorrow but knowing I had no other choice.