Disclaimer:

Anything that smells like, sounds like Rush, belongs to Channel Ten

Summary:

What should have happened in the events during and after episode 7 season 3 when Kronin found Shannon after she fell over on her bike...

The One where Kronin meets Shannon - Shannon's Story

Inspite of his best efforts, Kronin was not making the pain in my rib go away. In fact as we tried to dodge another camera, he accidentally rammed in one of the broken ones.

'Owwwww' i gasped in pain. He stopped and looked at me.

'Sorry... i didn't mean to do that' He said apologetically. He then released his hand and guided me a little gentler into the car park. 'I promise you I will get you to the hospital as soon as i can, i just need to do this...'

'Andy I know you are in here...' cried the voice of one of the guys. We moved deeper into the car park.

'Sure...' I said under my breath as i sat down next to the car we eventually stopped at. The throbbing pain was not going away, but at this point, I was more worried of what pain i would endure when Kronin realise who I was.

Suddenly the high pitch sound of a mobile phone went off. It belonged to one of the men.

'What? You think you saw them on level 3? Okay fine... Im coming... ' With that, the sound running started and eventually faded away. We were now alone.

He sat next to me and starred at me, then my ribs, then back at me. Suddenly, he didn't look like the man that was the basis of Lawsons wrath and daily obsession. He just looked like any other guy.

'Do you want me to see that?' He made a move toward me. I shrank back. I knew that I had my badge nearby and I didn't want him to see it.

'No, its okay.' I said quickly 'I think its best to just wait for the doctor'

He sighed. 'Im sorry to do this to you. Especially after you saved my life. I owe you one.'

'Well, no one deserves to be shot in the head' I said in an underlying sarcastic tone.

He sighed again and starred at his gun. 'I do.'

'Sorry?' I couldn't believe what he said.

'I do. I've done things... things that my son will not be proud of' he said in a slow voice.

I didn't know what to say. Andrew Kronin... displaying repentance?

'He loves me. But I know that if he knew what I did, he'll never forgive me.'

I relaxed a little and let out a breath. This causes my cracked rib to remind me that it was not in a good place. I grimaced which caused him to look at me with concern.

'Are you sure there is nothing I can do, uh... Oh god, I never even asked u for your name'

I looked at him and thought about it.

'Shannon' I said after a while. He nodded with appreciation.

'Shannon,' he said, whilst putting his gun down. 'is there anything I can do?'

I shook my head and leaned back.

'Whatever you have done... own up to it and show your son that you are willing to deal with any repercussions for your actions.' I said.

'This is my life. What I do. Its hard to do anything else.' He said defeatedly

'Then do it for your son. My dad left us when I was young.' I said, 'All he left behind was a note to say that he was sorry for what he did and that one day, I'd understand.'

'The truth is after all these years, I didn't care what he did. I just wanted him back. I missed him. He is a good dad.'

Kronin looked at me. 'So you never saw him again?'

'No, don't know where he is. He just disappeared.' I was struggling to fight back the tear in my eye. He reached over and patted my shoulder.

'He'll be proud of you today. You saved my life' Suddenly he moved right next to me to wipe the tear with his callus fingers. I shrank back.

'its okay, just wiping off...'

Kronin never finished his sentence as he suddenly heard voices. The men had returned..

Kronin's panic face returned, and as he reached over to grab his gun, he accidentally bumped mine. He turned around and looked at me. With a look of uncertainty, he reached into my jacket and pulled out my glock. Then he reached into my other jacket and pulled out my badge. The look on his face was marked with anger and betrayal.

He dumped my badge aside and placed his hand over my mouth.

'All those things you said... they were bullshit was it? Trying to get me to surrender?' I shook my head repeatedly. The fear that was lying beneath the calm since he carried me this morning was suddenly surfacing.

'Im going to take my hand off now. There is nothing you can do... I haven't done anything you can arrest me for.' I nod as he slowly moved his hand away. He then reaches into my jacket and pulls out my gun placing it next to the good side of my body.

'he comes at you, you use your gun.' And as he heads off in a direction I cant see, I grab my gun and held my breath.

The voices are different now. It is a combination of Lawson and the men. I got up and hobbled towards them.

... to be continued

Preview of Chapter 2 (The One where Kronin meets Shannon – Lawson's Story)

As we sped towards the shopping centre, my desire to catch Kronin was being overtaken by this niggling feeling. A feeling of worry over Shannon's life. That feeling had started ever since we finished the conversation with Christian about what had happened to Shannon and Leon's message over the comms.

After Leon gave us the location, I stepped on it.

'We need to intercept' Kerry states after I tell Leon to get footage of the accident.

'I know... but we need to find them first. Intercepting will be our first priority.'

Kerry stares at me. 'Really?'

I looked at her in between watching the road.

'what?' I said in a raised voice.

Kerry stares back at the road and shakes her head. 'Nothing... Lets get her back.'

Thats it for now... please read and review!

PS: Enjoy the holiday season wherever you are. :D