Title: The Business of Revenge
Chapter 1 – Your Place or Mine?

Summary: SQL to Vengeance – Harvey Micks is not a man to suffer lightly as both Ed and Sam come to realize when Micks puts out a hit on both and revenge soon become the main business of the day.

Disclaimer: If I owned anything to do with FP Ed would be all mine! Hehe *alas* I own only my DVD's that fuel my imaginative muse Alice.

A/N: Well I promised a sequel and here it is! Okay so this is gonna take place about a month after 'Slow Burn' in the series – not sure how long after 'Wild Card' that was but this way Sam and Jules relationship is established and in the open; hope that's okay and you enjoy this little action packed (ie. Whump/peril/tension packed) ficlet hehe

Harvey Micks…it was a name that Ed wasn't going to easily forget if ever. His eyes narrow as he watches the news in the team one meeting room early Monday morning. There had been a murder speculated to be tied to the notorious gangster but as of yet nothing solid to get a real arrest warrant or find and keep a witness alive long enough to actually make him contemplate real jail time.

"Micks again?" Sam asks as he walks up to Ed, coffee in hand and watches the tail end of the news update.

"Someone needs to get something solid on that guy and really make it stick."

"Wordy have any dealings with him?" Sam wonders.

"A few in the past month but this wasn't his team. And for that I am glad," Ed mutters somewhat under his breath, drawing a small smile from his team mates face. Ed's comments about concern for his best friend weren't really surprising to anyone on the team; Ed more than open about the fact that Wordy was still on top of his game and that if he ever wanted to come back to the SRU, team one would welcome him open arms.

"And how have you two been balancing everything?" Ed turns to Sam and gently questions. Sam and Jules had both been given the okay to stay on team one as their track record of open professionalism had attested to the fact they could be romantically involved and still the uphold priority of life mandate. But deep inside Ed also knows that Sam wants to lead a team of his own; he's a born leader that even a blind person could sense. That thought makes Ed proud and morose at the same time; Sam would be a valuable leader to any team but also a valuable asset to lose. However that suggestion hadn't been put forth yet by Sam, so for the time being Ed was going to focus on the continued growth of his team and cross that gap when he came to it.

"It's a work in progress," Sam replies candidly. "At least Sophie can't pick apart a mistake made on a call."

"You sure about that?" Ed retorts with arched brows. "Women have a way of seeing the best and worst when we only want to see the best."

"Yeah…that's true," Sam sighs with as another picture of Micks flashes on the screen. "So they ID'd his business partner? Who'd go into business with Harvey Micks and then openly double cross him?"

"A fool," Ed nods as they both watch the live coverage a body being pulled out of the river and then quickly covered with a tarp. "The less calls of his we hafta handle the better," Ed sighs as he finishes his coffee.

"Sophie ever talk about you going up against Micks or guys like him?"

"When I tell her?" Ed slightly smirks. "Course she worries…I do too," Ed states candidly as he tosses his cup into the garbage and then looks at Sam with a serious expression. "Wordy told me all the chatter after we busted up that casino. We took out a real money maker for him."

"Yeah and we…as in us…not just any police team," Sam frowns. "A real reason to watch our backs still."

"And that's changed since?" Ed asks rhetorically as Sam replies with a knowing nod. "Come on…we have about half hour to wear that coffee off."

The two of them head for the gym, however, their good intentions for working out are short lived as Greg calls Ed for something and Spike asks Sam for his help with something else. The rest of the team soon arrives and it's time to get their week started with a team briefing and then into the field for a day of routine patrolling. By the end of the first day, Ed heads into the locker room, wanting nothing more than to head home and just relax and enjoy a home cooked meal; his brain begging for a bit extra sleep as well.

He eyes Sam in the corner, looking at something on his phone and then grinning from ear to ear. "Good news I take it?"

"I just got a text that there still some tickets available for this indie rock group this weekend; we both like the music and I was hoping there was tickets left."

"Indie rock?"

"Blame Jules…it's her thing," Sam smirks as he texts back to his friend that he'll take two tickets. "You?"

"Classic rock all the way."

"Sinatra?" Sam teases, earning a small head shake from Ed as he grabs his coat and mutters under his breath about young people before tossing a wadded up ball-cap at him, Sam easily ducking and laughing as well. The two of them say their goodnights, Sam going in search of Jules to tell her the good news about the concert and Ed heading for the parking lot and then home. The new blurbs just before the traffic updates were all focused on the latest Micks happenings and Ed can't help but wonder just what kind of revenge the sinister crime lord would be plotting in the way of retribution against the associates of the man that double crossed him; the man?…the corpse…they pulled out of the river earlier in the day.

As Ed turns down another street to head for home, his anxiety starts to build as he glances into the rear view mirror to change lanes and notices the same car that had so far stuck with him for several turns. Deciding against turning down a road that would take him closer to home, Ed opts to head a few more blocks up, wondering if the person was indeed a tail or if it was just his tired mind working harder than it should. The latter turns out to be right as the car turns off and heads into another street, a dead end cul-de-sac; allowing Ed to turn two blocks up and then meander back to his original course.

Ed enters his home and heads for the kitchen, greeting his family and then taking his baby girl into his arms and holding her as he fills in his wife about his rather boring day; happy to be away from the frantic pace of the downtown core. Sophie of course asks him about the body being found and if there had been any backlash against the police; his honest answer appeasing her worried mind, but never her heart. It was something she worried about on a daily basis.

In truth he can't blame his wife, Ed knows inside he worries to about what Harvey Micks is up to and who outside of his own kind was a target. After the run in him and Sam had a month ago with Micks men for the incident at the casino he had come to watch his back a bit more closely, not to park his car near the opening of a dark alley or take extra liberties with himself or the team on or off the job. Micks wasn't a fool to suffer lightly and cops were even bigger targets at times than his own kind. After supper is over, Ed flips off the TV and goes in search of his son, wanting to fill his mind with happier thoughts than Harvey Micks before calling it a day.

XXXXXXXX

Ed enters the SRU the next morning, feeling not as well rested as he had wanted; Izzy was starting to teethe and she was voicing her displeasure to all around her.

"Eddie," Greg greets Ed with a concerned gaze. "I know you said no more early morning workouts but you look…"

"Half asleep," Ed groans as he rubs his weary face. "Izzy's teething. Damn…and nothing worked last night."

"Ah fun times," Greg lightly slaps Ed on the back, earning a small growl in return from his team lead and chucking as Ed pulls open his locker door. "Sam here yet? He asked me to run some extra leadership scenarios with him."

"Just got a text…apparently Jules Jeep had a flat this morning. They're on their way in now."

"A flat. That sucks," Raf pipes up as Ed looks at Greg with a growing frown.

"What?" Greg asks in haste.

"Nothin'…" Ed turns back to his locker. A flat. Everyone got them. Jules had said her neighbours were doing some construction on their new garage extension so she had probably run over a nail the night before and it had the duration of the entire night to run its course and expel its air; resulting in them being late.

Still feeling somewhat irritable, Ed takes advantage of Sam and Jules tardiness to quickly change into a pair of shorts and a tee and climb onto the bike, giving himself an early morning adrenaline jolt and expel any lingering anxiety, before changing into his SRU gear and heading for the team one meeting room where Sam and Jules had just entered.

"So what was the cause?"

"Nail," Sam huffs. "Although I don't remember taking that path the night before. Unless one got into our driveway…" he shrugs. "But the spare was…" he stops and looks at Jules who gives him a small warning glare. "It's fixed now," he smirks as Greg enters.

"Ah all of team one has finally joined us," Greg looks at his team before sitting down. "Now we all know the heat coming down from the death to one of Harvey Micks top associates yesterday."

"Word on the street is he tried to double cross Micks and in turn was also betrayed by his own right hand who was a guns and gangs insider," Raf informs them.

"That'll keep Wordy busy," Ed sighs, drawing a small look from the rest of the team. "Boss does this mean…"

"Just a heads up Eddie," Greg quickly assures the rest of them. "Micks doesn't want a public shootout with the police that'll land his head in a noose. His problems are internal and he'll want to keep them that way. Okay so ba…" is all Greg manages before Winnie's voice comes over the loud speaker with all too familiar 'team one hot call' announcement; sending team one hurrying for their gear and straight into the field.

"Spike do we have an address?" Ed asks as they approach their intended destination.

"Yeah and we better be careful."

"It's Harvey Micks?" Sam inquires with a groan. "Do we call for back up now?"

"Let's see what we are dealing with first. But that just means we gotta keep on extra alert," Greg tells the team before he looks over at Ed at the wheel, noticing his fingers tighten around the black steering wheel. "Eddie?"

"Micks will be breathing retribution after yesterday morning boss. If one of his guys doubled crossed him and now another has gotten himself in a showdown with the cops…" Ed's voice trails off as they near their destination and he brings the SUV to a sudden halt. "He's gonna want blood."

"Cops blood?" Greg counters.

"Blood is blood. Harvey Micks is in the business of revenge. I'm just sayin…"

"I hear what your sayin'. Okay team, extra vigilant on this one."

"Eddie, according to Spike there are two tactical sierra vantage points. Ed you'll be sierra one but if you can't take the shot Sam will be sierra one. Take the elevator and let us know when you are both in position. Here and here."

"Copy that. Sam…"

"Jules, Raf, I want…" Greg starts as Ed and Sam grab their gear and head for the elevator of the older high rise position to scout out their sierra positions and wait for further orders.

"Damn Micks again," Sam lightly grumbles as they near the tenth floor.

"Yeah but this time we come prepared," Ed nods as he holds up his sniper gear. "'sides I doubt Micks is here right now. More like watching on a TV somewhere, angrily pacing and cursing the fact that in his world good help is hard to find."

"Still don't like going up against him."

"Yeah but at least we were called in to resolve this one," Ed explains. "He can't fault us for one of his goons not using their brain and making a discreet kill."

"Was that rhetorical?" Sam retorts.

"Yeah," Ed lightly grumbles as Sam nods in agreement.

"I mean after the whole casino thing…"

"Sam…I know," Ed interrupts in haste, the tension in his gut starting to mount; a feeling he hated more than anything. But just before another word can be spoken, the steel box they are in comes to a sudden jerking halt, forcing both of them to slightly shift position and grab the rails to keep from stumbling.

"What the hell?" Ed huffs as he looks down at the security panel.

"Ed? What's going on?" Greg asks in haste.

"Elevator just stopped on the…"

"Thirteenth floor."

"There is no thirteenth floor in there," Spike adds in haste.

"Okay well then we are between the twelfth and fourteenth floors," Sam replies with a small sarcastic huff. "Spike just get us…"

"Whoa!" Ed exclaims as the steel box suddenly jerks and then drops. "Spike…"

"Guys I have no…wait…we've got a lurker."

"Whatever the hell that is get ri…" is all Sam manages before the elevator suddenly starts to plummet toward the lower basement floors.

"FREEFALL!" Ed shouts as he and Sam both crouch on the ground, grabbing onto the rails and bracing for sudden and predictably painful impact.

"Eddie!" Greg's voice shouts over headset as a shot is fired toward them, forcing Greg to stay put and Jules and Raf to also remain in cover; Ed and Sam on their own.

"Sam…HOLD…ON!" Ed shouts as they near the bottom. But just before they can crash into the guardrails below, the box jerks upward, flattening both SRU team members to the floor, sending their sniper gear flying to the other side and ensuring their landing garnered them some very visible bruises.

"Eddie! Talk to me…" Greg starts.

"Guys! The elevator stopped. Are you okay?" Spike asks at the same time.

Silence for a few seconds, gives the rest of Team One pause for concern.

"Boss…" Ed starts with a soft grunt as he opens his eyes and tries to get them to focus. "Sam…"

"Are you hurt?" Jules asks in immediate concern.

"Sam talk to me…"

"I hate…elevators," Sam huffs as he slowly rolls onto his back and looks over at Ed. "Ed…your lip…"

"Yeah…I know," Ed frowns as he wipes away the smattering of fresh blood, his fingers gingerly inspecting a tender spot on his cheek before rubbing his jaw. "Check your left eye," Ed nods with his head as he uses his right hand to grip one of the side bars and pull himself to a seated position. "Spike…can you open these damn doors?"

"No…I have no control. Someone has overridden the system. I can see their IP signature and am…"

"Save the techno babble Spike," Sam lightly growls. "Can you just…get us out?"

"Hang tight."

"Careful Eddie we don't know who we're up against," Greg warns as Ed's right hand pulls his gun.

As both were going to take sierra positions, the MP5's were left back in the SUV's; the sniper rifles of course working best if mounted on their perch. Sam pulls his gun also as he uprights himself and then slowly stands up. He helps Ed get up, noticing a small gasp of pain as Ed tries to put some pressure on his left leg.

"It's nothing," Ed utters in haste as he watches Sam push the open door button. "Just get us outta here."

"I can try the roof hatch," Sam looks up.

"Go," Ed encourages.

But just as Sam climbs onto the side rail and grips the small overhead box, the whole steel box slightly jerks upward, tossing Sam back to the floor and causing both men inside scrambling to hold onto the sides in case the joy ride wasn't over.

"Sam!"

"Ed...what's going on?"

"Boss I think someone can hear us," Ed growls angrily as the box settles back down. "WHO THE HELL IS THIS!" Ed shouts as he bangs the doors with the butt end of his gun, earning a small huff from Greg on the other end.

"Eddie, Spike's working to override whoever has you guys trapped in there but we're pinned up here."

Ed pulls his phone, gesturing for Sam to move in as he texts Greg instead.

'Diversion?'

"Yeah that's what it seems to be. Doesn't make sense. If it is Micks then why not just take out the team when we weren't together? Why all the call and the standoff?"

'He wants me and Sam for the casino thing?' Ed texts.

"After all this time?" Sam counters out loud, earning a small warning look from Ed.

"It's only a theory. Just watch yourselves until we get control of the box once more."

"I guess we wait," Ed shrugs as he tries to pry the door open once more. A few moments later the doors make a small hissing noise, drawing both glances toward it instantaneously. Sam's hand shoots out in hopes of wedging his fingers between and prying it open but just before the door can slam shut on his fingers, Ed's hand grabs a handful of Sam's black shirt and pulls his hand back just as the doors hiss shut.

"What the hell!" Sam curses as he looks at Ed with a scowl.

"Sam?" Jules voice is heard seconds later.

"What's going on guys?" Greg wonders in concern.

"Boss these guys are toying with us. Spike…"

'Working on it,' Spike's text comes across Ed's phone screen.

"I hate this," Sam states in anger as he slams his fist on the closed steel door, the temperature starting to rise as the oxygen was slowly dissipating; the person toying with them wanting to make them sluggish and not as alert or ready to fight back. They both lean against the wall at the back of the elevator waiting for Spike to come to their rescue; the standoff at the surface above seeming to take longer than expected.

"Sam I think that…" Ed starts a few minutes later only to instantly stop as the doors once again tease them with an opening motion. "Watch it."

"Eddie?"

"Door's opening again boss. Is that you Spike?"

"Not yet."

"Then we're not falling for it," Ed replies as he pulls his gun and readies it, Sam instantly following suit. The doors slowly open a bit more, offering them a full one foot viewing space before them.

"Ed!" Sam hisses as they both stare a head in shock.

"What the hell is going on?" Ed growls.

"What's going on Eddie?" Greg's anxious voice is heard.

"Hold on…" Ed answers as he takes a picture of the one word scrawled in red on the wall before them.

"Scorpio," Greg reads the word on the text Ed just sent him, Ed's ears picking up another curse from both Raf and Jules.

"What's going on? Who's doing this?"

"Harvey Micks," Spike answers in haste.

"Spike you sure about that?"

"Yeah. I traced the signature back to where I think the signal is coming from. Sending uni's there now, but I doubt they'll find anything. More than likely this guy is using a router. It's another Micks safe house."

"Eddie, what's your plan?"

Ed looks at the word Scorpio and then at Sam before he takes a step forward and the door starts to close. "Damn bastard is toying with us," Ed growls as his fist hits the side of the elevator box. The opening was just enough to tease them with escape but not enough to dart through without making some effort and if the doors started to close and they couldn't pry them open, one of them would be crushed while the other helplessly watches.

"I can make it," Sam whispers to Ed as the door remains ajar about a foot.

"No."

"Ed…"

"No," Ed shakes his head before his hits the side of the elevator again; not wanting to have Sam risk his life if Spike was close to giving them their walking papers unhindered.

"Spike…"

"Okay hold on guys."

"No Spike did you hear that?" Greg wonders.

"Boss? What's going on?"

"I heard that just now. A clicking sound," Raf mentions.

"I think someone's on this channel also. Radio silence now," Spike orders and in seconds the headsets are quiet; the elevator doors instantly slamming shut.

'Almost there guys. Spike'

Ed starts to slowly pace for a few moments, pausing to look at Sam and gesturing to the fresh smattering of blood that was once again starting to seep from the wound above his eye. "You okay?"

"Yeah it's getting stuffier in here," Sam notes as they both look up to see the steel box has no vents, only the four corners of the overhead hatch box.

"I know. Sniper breathing."

"Copy."

Finally after what seems like the longest wait in history Ed's phone buzzes to life, his fingers instantly reaching for it and both him and Sam breathing a much needed sigh of relief.

'Guys I got it. Freedom in 60 seconds. Spike.'

XXXXXXXX

"Raf do you have a visual?" Greg asks after they had switched to another channel only the four of them could talk on; Ed and Sam having to wait to be told via text that real help was on the way.

"Yeah boss I do. There's one guy but…damn you are not gonna believe this," Raf groans.

"Try me," Greg huffs as he glances back to the command truck were Spike was working away to get Ed and Sam free; rescue was imminent.

"The other two in there with him…are dummies."

"You've got to be kidding me," Greg growls as he shakes his head. "Jules."

"I'm gonna go in through a small door on the north. Raf I should come up on your right. Distract him long enough…"

"And you'll take him out. Copy that," Raf's smooth tone is heard before the plan is put into motion.

"Boss I think I have blocked out the hacker and regained control of the elevator. Ed and Sam should be on their way up on about one minute."

"Copy that Spike. Raf, Jules…"

"Almost there boss," Jules soft whisper is heard. "Raf…"

"Anytime come on out."

Greg hears the shouting as he hurries toward them, a single shot being fired, a few more loud shots followed by some heavy cursing and then another single shot followed by an angry curse. He rounds the corner to see Raf standing over the body, Jules a few feet away and the lone gunman's body on the ground just after the self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

"After all that…he merely grabbed the gun, fired at Jules and then…killed himself," Raf informs Greg with a heavy frown. "None of this made sense."

"Where are Sam and Ed?" Jules asks in haste.

"Spike's bringing them up now."

"Why keep them outta the game for a suicide?" Raf inquires as Greg merely shrugs.

"Let's regroup and figure out what just happened here."

"Boss the elevator should be at the top now. I'll meet you there."

"Well that guy is going nowhere," Raf comments as they leave the dead body in the place it had fallen and head for the elevator where Ed and Sam should be emerging anytime soon.

"Eyes open guys. Someone could still be watching and we don't know what the real game is here," Greg reminds his team as they near the elevator just as it reaches the main floor and stops. The doors slowly hiss open, revealing what's inside.

Nothing.

"What the hell?" Raf looks at Greg in shock.

"Boss…where are they?" Spike asks in dread as Jules carefully retrieves a single folded up piece of paper and slowly opens it for the four of them to read.

"Oh no," Jules whispers in horror.

'scorpio.'

A/N: duh duh duhhhhhhhhhhhhh okay oops! So how did you all like this start? Wanna know where our boys are? Hope you do and if so please review before you go and thanks so much!