Title: Flashburn
Chapter 1 – See no Evil
Summary: AU Ed is caught in an explosion and suffers a temporary setback. But with him sidelined and the killer still on the loose can Donna keep him safe and help Wordy and team one track the killer before the killer takes Ed out for good?
Disclaimer: Ah you know write? If not…hmmm go read more AiP ficx!
A/N: Hey everyone! Yup Alice and I are back with a new AU ficlet. This one follows the story timeline of the AU date series (hope you have read them all as it could touch on snippets from them). I know haven't been as inspired to write FP since the show ended on such a low note to me (sorry I really didn't like the ending *sigh*) but I hope you all like this little angsty ficlet (am gonna toss in some of everything in here) and thanks! Remember same AU disclaimer applies in these AU stories of mine for our couple (there is no Sophie and no Hank = no cheating b/c well that is lame!)
flashburn: a corneal burn caused by being near sudden strong heat, for example during an explosion (can last 24-72 hours depending on severity)
"Wow coming up on one year…and yet you seemed to have survived," Wordy snickers as he pats Ed on the back as he walks past his best friends locker on the way to his own.
"Apparently," Ed retorts as he looks up with a small, tight lipped smile as he looks away.
"Ok-ay. Rough night?"
"Been a tough week," Ed huffs as he rubs his face and then peers out at Wordy from behind his locker door.
"Won't ask," Wordy offers a sympathetic expression. "First year is always the toughest right?"
"Thought you said it was the first two. Hey at least when we argue the guns are out of reach," Ed smirks as Wordy's face reward him with a small smile. "You know if she wasn't so stubborn on…" Ed starts and then stops as Wordy arches his brows at him.
"Right because you're never stubborn on anything" Wordy counters as Ed looks at him with pursed lips but says nothing. "Do you guys even argue?"
"Usually about work…at home. Personal stuff…we kinda take turns giving in," Ed confesses in truth as he closes the door to his locker and starts to button his black SRU shirt. "Like I said…if she wasn't so stubborn…" Ed sighs as Wordy slaps him on the back.
"And the day you relegate yourself to the truck willingly I'll believe you actually have a leg to stand on."
"Always the voice of reason aren't you," Ed lightly growls as Wordy chuckles.
"I've been married longer. So…anything special planned?"
"Was talking to Jake at the Phillips Square and thought I'd surprise her with a nice dinner there overlooking the pond. He'd help with the lights and such…what I can't cook okay," Ed stammers as Wordy offers him a smile.
"Cooking for Dummies not helping you?" Wordy teases.
"Think I tossed that book out after I burned my first attempt at a roast."
"At least I know what I can tell Spike to get you guys for an anniversary present," Wordy grins. "He's always asking. But I think it's a great idea and she'll love it," Wordy assures him as they enter the Team One meeting room. "And what's your backup plan?"
"I need a backup plan?" Ed retorts with a small groan as he slumps down in one of the team one meeting room chairs. "Does getting through the next week count?"
"Hey maybe you'll get lucky and today will be routine."
Yeah for both of us, Ed's mind inwardly sighs as he thinks about his wife and the strained week they had survived so far. I hope today is routine.
XXXXXXXX
"Who has the solution? Tom?" Donna's voice asks anxiously.
"Negative…the first shooter is still in the way."
"Damn it. Anyone?"
"I have him…"
"Riley? Rachel can you confirm?"
"I'm on the upper ledge to Riley's right. He has the shot."
"Okay…on my go. Let me see if I can get the second shooter to reveal himself. Gary you ready?"
"Copy. He comes out from behind that alcove and I'll have the solution. He has nowhere to go and has to reveal himself to take the shot."
Donna moves herself a few steps closer, her heart racing a bit faster and her mind trying to push past the agitation at the fact that the main shooter's name happens to have the same as her husband.
"Now Ed…" she starts in a stern tone; Tom's voice reminding her to put aside personal feelings and talk to the person as a subject not her husband.
'You had a tough week…don't take it out on this guy just because he happens to have the same name. He's got enough troubles.'
"We all want this to end…"
"None of you are listening to me!" The irate man before her shouts angrily as he waves his gun at his hip.
"I understand you are agitated. We've been in this hot, stuffy room for longer than any of us want but Ed…if that gun comes up again, my guy upstairs is going to have to end this. And ending this means Scott won't be seeing his father ever again. Do you want that?"
The expression on the face of the man before her starts to soften; the face of the one hidden, however, remains hardened, his plan still intact.
"No."
"No. And if we do this the right way you will see him sooner. That's it Ed…just put that gun down."
"I don't want to die. I just wanted to help my boy."
"And I understand that. You haven't hurt anyone yet so the charges won't be as extreme. But I have to remind you…if that gun comes up, you will die."
"Please…help him."
"I will. I promise. Just put the gun down," Donna states in a soft tone as she takes a step closer. But in doing so, puts herself right into the line of fire of the second, hidden gunman. "That's it…all the way down."
But all it takes is mere seconds before the mounting silence is shattered by a snipers bullet.
"Donna…the second gunman has…" Tom's panicked voice is heard over the team three headsets. "I don't have…"
"He's going to fire…" Rachel offers in haste.
"I have the solution."
"Scorpio."
*bang*
The shot rings out; Donna rushing toward the first gunman, Ed, kicking the gun away to make sure that in the confusion he didn't ruin things for himself by firing a shot. Both Rachel and Tom watch the body of the second gunman fall from the first floor balcony; Donna looking up in shock as her Spike-escque counterpart, Riley steps out with his gun raised and a wide-eyed look on his face.
"Subject neutralized," Riley manages as Rachel reaches his side.
"Well done. Riley I know it's your first time with SIU but Tom and I will be with you every step of the way," Donna assures her tech expert as Rachel makes sure he doesn't put the gun away out of habit. "Rachel I want you and Richard to take Ed down for booking, make sure he can see his son and tell him what's going to happen; Gary will close the scene."
"Copy that," is heard from all team three team members as Donna watches her team leader walking toward her with a small frown.
"Is he okay?" She asks; their headsets turned off.
"He will be. I've just texted Spike to let him know…Spike had his first kill shot a few months back so who better to help him than his other geeky friend right?" Tom ends with a small smile. "He'll be fine."
"Okay let's get down to SIU and get this over with…I need to get home to deal with another Ed."
"Poor guy," Tom teases as Donna looks at him sharply. "What? I heard you out there…"
"I tried to keep…okay fine at least he didn't look like my Ed," she groans, Tom smiling at the affectionate use of my in relation to team one's, team leader and her husband Ed Lane. One of the things he appreciated about his superior was the fact that she tried to keep anything that was at odds between her and Ed in the privacy of their apartment. Sure sometimes things would spill out into the field; usually Ed would be on the receiving end of a well-earned tongue scold after he had risked his life – sometimes needlessly to get the call completed, much to Donna's chagrin. Or it was her complaining about the fact that Ed called her on a move that was just as risky. The rest of the time they'd paste on tight-lipped smiles, showing the world there was tension but never coming down on the other without them being there to defend themselves. And while he knows he and Donna do have a close working friendship and partnership, he could listen to a few small complaints but still respect Ed more than most men, to him that was important and spoke a lot about her and their marriage.
XXXXXXXX
Thankful for a rather uneventful day, Ed heads back to the barn; having heard about team three's ordeal from Spike and how Riley had taken his first kill shot and that both Donna and Tom had gone along to SIU just to make sure that he got the procedure right and of course to talk to him about taking a life – even one of a hardened killer about to gun down one of their own.
"See you tomorrow," Wordy calls out as he leaves the quiet locker room, Ed giving his partner a small wave goodnight before he grabs his jacket and goes in search of his wife; having gotten a text from Donna saying she had to make one small detour to Holleran and then be headed home. But upon seeing her dart into Holleran's office he heads for the quiet reception area and decides to wait. He pays the conversation no heed until he hears his name mentioned in a rather derogatory way.
"Ed wasn't listening to me. It took everything in my power…" Donna's voice raises and then drops as she mutters something in an undertone that he can't understand.
She's complaining to Holleran about me? Ed wonders with a heavy sigh as he rests his elbows on his knees and looks back up.
"He needs to understand. I know you offered but…." Holleran talks next before some shuffling is heard.
Help? Why would I need help? And what do I need to understand? Stop jumping to conclusions, his brain argues back as he leans back against the wall and then pulls his phone, reading a text from Jake; an old friend of Donna's who now manages the Nathan Phillips Square, the place he proposed.
'Ed. Everything's all set for next weekend. See you both at 7pm. She'll love it and early happy anniversary. Jake.'
Ed's lips offer a small smile as he recalls first seeing Jake hugging his fiancé at the time but then learning from Wordy who he was really was and then of course Donna filling him in; a man he had now also come to call friend over the course of a year.
"Ed?" A soft familiar voice breaks into his thoughts, pulling his warm blue gaze upward to lock with his wife's for a few seconds before he stands up and offers her a small smile. "Waiting long?"
"Just a few minutes. How'd it go with Riley?"
"He'll be okay. Much like Spike we know our tech guys have it in them and are trained to react like we do when the moment calls for it. Tom saw the seconder shoot step out and prepare to fire and called Scorpio. The first gunman was already about to surrender so am glad at least one of them lived," Donna finishes her explanation as they head outside into the late evening air and head for the car.
"That's it?" Ed gently presses.
"Well if we're peppered with calls from Riley tonight you'll know how this day will end," she replies with a small smile. "But Spike's gonna pick him up and I think they'll just order pizza and hunker down with the Wii until morning. Spike can help him more I think than I can."
"And Holleran? Everything okay there?" Ed dares to inquire as they near the underground parking lot to their apartment.
"Oh it was nothing really," Donna answers as she casts a tired gaze outside the window; Ed's lips pursing but his mind urging him not to push the issue. "You know about that extra course…it's not like you would haven't taken it if you'd had been in my place and it was offered to you."
Ed lightly shakes his head as he recalls their rather strained conversation from the night before…one more tense discussion to add to the week's agitation.
'Holleran offered it to you?'
'That surprises you? Just because I'm on team three doesn't mean I don't just as good of skills as you.'
'Donna I never said that.'
'You sure implied it.'
'I'm just reminding you of what you said about us working extra shifts when we hardly see each other as it is. Troy is just as qualified and he's single and…'
'Ed I'm doing this.'
"Did you even suggest Troy?" Ed implores as they head for the elevator to go up to their apartment; their bodies tense and not as close as they normally are when things are going according to plan.
"I want this extra recognition. I don't understand why you aren't as on board with this as I am?"
"It's not that I don't want this opportunity for you I thought we had talked about…"
"Right and you're working until ten three nights this week is evidence of you taking the lead in us spending more time together?" Donna counters as they stand in their entranceway and look at each other in tension.
"Oh and is that what you were complaining to Holleran about?"
"What?"
"I heard you talking about me…you think I need help understanding you wanting this recognition?"
"I was…oh damn…" Donna utters in exasperation as she turns away and heads into the living room; Ed following but pausing in the entranceway. "You absolutely SUCK at eavesdropping," Donna turns and looks at Ed in surprise. "Ed…you know I am very tempted to write into Webster's Dictionary and tell them to add stubborn and pig-headed to the definition of Ed Lane. Ed…the man who wasn't listening and needs help to understand that…"
"That what?"
"That Ed Barnston isn't the same as Ed Lane."
"Who?"
"Our gunman's name was Ed Barnston. Today…our call and I was a bit tenser talking to him because of the week and him having the same name as…"
"Your stubborn husband," Ed huffs as Donna nods.
"Holleran wanted to talk about the call and since the fact that Holleran knows him personally…I didn't mind giving him my honest feedback. If I hadn't brought it up would you have just sat and stewed all night?"
"I don't do stew."
"Pout?" Donna counters as she nears him. "I'll start supper after I have a shower."
"Right," Ed replies in a low tone as he lets her pass and then gives himself a silent, mental browbeating. Way to go…he groans as he puts his jacket into the closet and heads into the kitchen, pulling the fridge open but then quickly closing it before he goes in search of his wife; finding her in their bedroom with her robe on about to head into the bathroom to have a shower.
"You're right," Ed walks up to her and stands a few feet apart, "I suck at eavesdropping," he admits with a defeated expression. "I know things have been tense between us this week and I'm always the one saying that we need to spend more time together and I just…lost that. I got wrapped up in the calls and drinks with the team to unwind and not bring the tension home and my being away caused it and I'm sorry."
Donna looks at the tender expression on her husband's face and can't help but feel her own remorse starting to creep to the fore.
"You're right…you do suck at eavesdropping," she teases as his face offers a small smirk. "I will admit that part of me wanted to take the course this week to show you that I care about the job just as much as you, but it wouldn't be fair either. Troy would…"
"Donna I want you to take it…okay? You're right, Holleran came and asked you first and it's not fair for me to try to hold you back on that."
"I told Holleran I would tell him in a day or two but to know I have your backing if I do puts my mind at ease a little," Donna answers with a heavy sigh as she takes his hands and holds them firmly. "We lost track of what makes us so great…the fact that we had agreed to certain hours and we stuck by them. We just need to get back to that."
"I want that too," Ed confesses warmly as he pulls his wife into his embrace and holds her close. "Just two more days this week to get through and how about we take this weekend and do nothing."
"Nothing nothing?" Donna looks up with a hint of suspicion in her warm blue orbs.
"We can spent both days in bed if you want," he suggests with a wide grin to which she can't help but smile back.
"Okay you might suck as eavesdropping but you don't suck at apologizing," she lightly teases as his face finally fully relaxes as she brings his lips down to hers for a brief kiss. "For the record…no matter how mad I get or frustrated or just down right…ansty…I still love you more than anything. Always."
"Love you too," Ed whispers as he kisses her back; her body still tense in his grasp but their moods changing for the better and as they break apart, he takes solace in the fact that by the weekend they'd be back to where they were a week prior – two people in love and trying to make their marriage work.
Donna pulls away and heads for the bathroom to have their shower, Ed tossing his sweater onto the bed before he heads into the kitchen to help get dinner started; his mind replaying the events of the day and the past week and what things they could have done better to avoid the tension discussions that seemed to be the theme of the week. Donna rejoins Ed in the kitchen after her shower and the two of them, while carefully avoiding the topic of the extra assignment for Donna, talk more about their days and what other issues the other Ed had to deal with.
Later that night Ed lies awake in their darkened bedroom, his wife curled up at his side sleeping soundly but his mind still alert. He had to step back and admit that he had pushed her into taking that course to get back at him although she'd never openly admit it, even to him.
'Tonight was the third night in a row Ed. I love the job as much as you but…'
'But what? It was a tough call and Sam needed some support and…'
'Okay. Thought I'd tell you that Holleran told me about a special teaching assignment that would run the course of a few weeks…'
And it was downhill from there. Should have said no the second two times…his mind laments as he recalls teasing Wordy about being 'whipped' as he went home to his family but Ed showed his priorities to the team instead of his own family; something he had vowed never to do when they had gotten married. It was the look Wordy had given him that had plagued his mind the past week and Wordy of course never being the kind to say I told you so unless really warranted, allowed them to work out their differences or not; he just let them be. Wish he would have butted in, Ed inwardly groans as he finally rolls onto his side and forces his brain to get some sleep.
XXXXXXXX
Donna awakens about ten minutes before their early alarm goes off the morning and looks over at her husband's somewhat tense expression as he sleeps and frowns. She knows he had tried to take most of the blame for the past weeks tension, but in reality it was both of them. Instead of just talking to him about his late nights with the team, she tried to find her own work-wise excuse and had sought out Holleran to help – just telling him that she was available in case something extra had come up to which he mentioned there was something that would look good on her resume.
But after supper they had talked openly and frankly about the past week and had both put a new plan into place to keep work in its place and get back on track to being a couple and that enabled her to get some solid rest. But she had felt Ed tossing a bit beside her at the start of the night and couldn't help but wonder what he was still stewing about. 'I don't stew…' her lips slightly twist at his denial and her saying 'he pouts instead'.
"Did I keep you awake last night?" Ed murmurs as his eyes slowly open and finally focus on his wife's adoring expression.
"No. What kept you awake?" She wonders as her fingers gently rub his lightly stubble clad cheek.
"This past week," he replies in truth as his arms fold under his head, his eyes still cast upward. "And the coming one."
"Worried you won't make the one year mark?" She gives him a small smile and he shakes his head.
"No I just don't want this coming week to be as strained as the last…especially going into our one year anniversary."
"We talked like two mature adults last night and I think the plan we both came up with is right back where we were at the start…where things made sense and we put each other first instead of work."
"And at least Wordy hasn't said I told you so."
"You did tease him about being whipped," Donna remind him in truth.
"He told you?"
"Tom. You know you can't mention anything around Sam that won't get back to his partner in crime," she smirks as he just huffs and nods. "'sides…anyone ever said that to you I'd know your response."
"And what's that?" Ed counters.
"You actually like it," she leans in and gives him a quick peck on the lips before his hands capture her around the back and pull her back down to his firm chest, holding her close as their lips lock for a heated encounter. A few breathless minutes later, they pull apart as the alarm goes off; each of them offering a groan but making a definite plan to stop as soon as the clock did, come home and just rekindle what they had lost the past week. As soon as they enter the barn they go their separate ways, Donna offering a whispered 'I love you' and Ed playfully replying ditto.
"An actual smile this morning?" Wordy teases Ed with a warm grin of his own.
"That's right, we made up like two mature adults last night."
"And then some hot make up sex?"
"Is this the start of the hot sex talk?" Sam interrupts as he enters the room. "Come on now Mr. Lane don't be shy."
"I'm forbidden to talk about that in front of you," Ed tells Sam directly as Sam looks at Wordy who shrugs.
"Me? Why me?" Sam inquires.
"Since you told Tom about…the um…that Donna bought the…"
"I didn't know it was private," Sam chuckles. "You said it within earshot."
"And that's why you are cut off," Ed states matter-of-factly and Sam curses with a small laugh. Spike and Greg join them and soon the conversation turns to talk about their upcoming weekend plans and of course a few gift ideas for Ed's one year anniversary before all disbanding and heading into the team one meeting room to get the day started.
"Let's hope today is another repeat of yesterday," Ed tells Wordy as they leave the room to start their patrolling; Ed's mind wondering what kind of calls his wife would face and if she'd be delayed again to a professional procedure. But it's not long into their supposedly routine day that Winnie's voice is heard and plans are quickly changed.
"Team one...hot call. Stanford Welding International. Armed standoff. Two guards killed; killer trapped inside…no one has a name yet or motive…"
"So much for a quiet day."
"Thanks Winnie," Greg's voice is next heard. "Team we have a large space with lots of flammables, combustibles and things he can use as weapons. He's desperate, cornered and not afraid to kill. We need to stop him before the body count rises."
"Spike send me the layout asap!"
"Copy."
The three speeding SUV's come to a sudden halt outside the main entrance to the large industrial factory; the plant manager rushing up to Greg with some updated information.
"Okay team listen up…according to the plant manager he's holed up here," Greg shows them on the plant diagram on their phones.
"Sam I want you to cover this exit; Jules you cover here. Spike I want you and the boss at this main entrance. If he finally realizes he has no way out back here, maybe the boss can talk him down from the main entrance. Wordy and I will cover this entrance. Remember…make every shot count and no spray patterns. They can't clear out all the chemicals and instruments and we don't want an explosion."
"Okay let's go!" Ed shouts as he readies his MP5 and hurries off toward the back door with Wordy in tow. "Spike can you get the manager to open the back door with the code?"
"Twenty seconds…" Spike replies before they hear a 'click' and the back door springs open.
"We're in."
"Jules and I are in position. Any sign of him?"
"Negative," Greg replies with a heavy sigh. "Just stay alert team…we know he's not afraid to kill."
"Wordy…" Ed hisses as he points to a small overpass. "Take that and keep eyes open."
"Copy," Wordy replies in a soft tone as he gently makes his way up the stairs; his movements shadowing his partner below.
Ed's eyes dart nervously around as he slowly heads toward the middle of the warehouse and a few pieces of highly flammable chemicals and equipment. His heart rate starts to elevate as he slows his pace; Wordy watching and doing the same.
"Ed…what did you see?"
"Behind those bulkheads…what's there?" Ed inquires.
"Not sure…hold on…"
Not really waiting for Wordy to get back to him, Ed takes another step forward, his ears picking up some shuffling and his eyes darting around and up. "Wordy?"
"Nothing yet. But I think…wait hold on…"
"Wordy, talk to us," Greg instructs.
"Not sure but…"
Ed hears Wordy's words but presses on ahead, stepping around the corner into a rather darkened alcove with his weapon raised. At the last second he hears a noise and turns around, only be hit in the face with the butt end of a pipe, sending him backwards into one of the chemical bins, his lips uttering an angry grunt. "Wordy…." Ed manages before he raises his weapon and tries to fire off a shot.
"On my way! Boss Ed's engaged the suspect!"
"Sam and Spike are on their way; Jules and I will wait here and block the escape."
"You won't take me alive!" The suspect yells as he flings himself into Ed; Wordy finally making his way down the stairs to the ground level and rushing toward his partner.
"You are….surrounded," Ed grunts as he tosses a punch while at the same time pulling back and trying to keep the suspect from unclipping his powerful weapon.
The suspect elbows Ed in the jaw as they both hear Wordy bearing down upon them; Ed's head snapping back and the suspect pulling free and charging in the opposite direction. Ed wastes no time in pivoting on his heel and racing after the fleeing suspect, giving his location but charging after him full steam.
The suspect fires off a shot, forcing Ed to duck behind a bulkhead. But that idea is short lived as the container opens with the bullet and chemical residue sprays onto the side of his shirt and front of his vest; everyone bypassing the warnings 'corrosive' and 'flammable'. Despite the stinging on his neck and hand from the spray; Ed pushes on, desperate to bring the suspect to justice.
"Eddie where are you?"
"Follow the shots," Ed growls as he fires off a shot, the bullet missing anything explosive and embedding itself into a nearby beam as the suspect darts behind another bulkhead. Ed rounds the corner with his gun raised only to step back in haste as the suspect raises a welding torch with its heat flare on full.
Not wanting to negotiate the suspect pulls his gun and fires off a shot at the same time Ed raises his weapon to fire at the same time. But the glare forces Ed's eyes to squeeze shut as he pulls back and hides behind the second bulkhead just before the suspect fires once more.
"Wordy!"
"On your right!" Wordy calls back as the suspect hears and panic starts to set in.
"You're surrounded. Drop your weapon and turn off the welding torch and come out with your hands up!" Ed shouts as he crudely wipes the stinging substance off his face; rubbing a bit into his eyes but not caring as he rapidly blinks and cocks the trigger, ready to fire.
"You'll never take me alive!" The suspect shouts as he fires off a shot in the direction he thinks Wordy is and then bolts to Ed's left.
"In pursuit!" Ed shouts as he turns and races away from his partner, his brain trying to signal him to stop and wash away the stinging substance from off his face and out of his eyes. "Drop your weapon!" Ed shouts once more; seconds before ducking behind another bulkhead. The suspect's bullet however, hits one of the explosive tanks; causing an instant reaction and forcing Ed to his knees and Wordy to stumble backward.
"Ed! Talk to me…" Greg's frantic voice is heard.
The suspect takes the opportunity to pounce on Ed; the portable welding torch in his grasp, turned on and ready. Ed's lips utter a painful gasp as the flare from the torch comes near to his face; his eyes quickly squeezing shut but not before the flame reacts with the droplets of chemicals forcing his eyes to instantly water.
The suspect's free hand punches Ed in his left side; Ed quickly countering with his own elbow and forcing the suspect o falter backward and his hands to pull himself free. He pushes himself upright and tries to turn around to fire; the suspect countering with desperate anger as he kicks at Ed and then pulls the torch and extends the flare.
"Ahhh!" Ed pulls back with a hiss as his now stinging eyes squeeze shut for a few brief seconds. He feels the torch close to his face as he calls for Wordy to come and help; the heat from the flame mixing with the chemicals and lightly searing the outer layer of skin on a portion of his cheek and causing his eyes to sting further.
Ed fires off a shot, clipping the suspect in the shoulder and forcing him to pull back in vengeful anger. Ed opens his watery eyes, forcing his brain to get them to focus long enough for him to take the suspect out. He hears Wordy's voice mere seconds away but doesn't wait; charging for the suspect who fires off a shot in Wordy's direction; forcing him to duck for cover. Ed uses the diversion to attack – slamming his frame into the suspects and forcing them both to slam into the chemical barrel that had been hit earlier and was leaking explosive liquid.
"Ed?"
"Back…" is all Ed manages before the suspect hits him in the side; forcing Ed's frame to pull to the right and allowing the suspect to relight the welding torch full force and aim it at Ed…this time the distraction forces Ed to halt. Ed's hand comes up to his stinging eyes; his lips uttering a painful yelp as Wordy rounds the corner.
Ed's heart starts to pound loudly in his ears; the area around him starting to numb to the sound, his eyes slow to open and seemingly unable to focus. With the chemical irritant still clinging to the soft tissue of his eyes all he sees are shadows and some forms but the dark circles start to gain momentum. He hears an angry curse just as Wordy nears.
"Ed…look out!" Wordy shouts just as the suspect shines the torch at them; Ed unable to move out of the way fast enough; Wordy's bullet missing the suspect but opening up another hole into the leaking barrel beside them. Just as Sam fires, the suspect moves slightly, forcing the bullet to graze his leg. The next few actions happen within a few split seconds – everyone unable to react properly in time to avoid being caught in the blast.
The suspect eyes the vulnerable back exit.
Wordy and Sam prepare to fire.
The perp tosses the fully lit welding torch into the leaking chemicals before Ed and fires off a few shots before anyone else can fire.
The explosion lights up the area around them all; the suspect ducking into a nearby alcove, Wordy to the right – Ed in the middle. Wordy calls out to Ed just as Ed's body is hurled backward from the blast, slamming into one of the other barrels; his mind exploding with pain as his body lands on the ground in a painful thud.
"Ed!" Wordy shouts in horror.
"Eddie!" Greg shouts as all of team one races in the direction of their fallen team leader. "Wordy!"
"Hold on…boss…" Wordy grunts as he slowly picks himself up and hurries toward Ed's side; his gun raised and ready. "Anyone see the suspect? Do we have eyes on the suspect?"
"Negative. Wordy help Ed…Jules, Spike and I will search for the suspect."
"Copy," Wordy replies as he kneels down at Ed's side and feels for a pulse. "Thank god," he utters as he gently turns Ed over and gasps. "Damn…" he frowns down at the burn skin around Ed's eyes and cheek. "Ed…hey can you hear me?"
"Wordy, is Ed okay?"
Wordy…Ed's mind hears his best friend's voice calling his name; his mind swimming with pain from the explosion. He feels Wordy turning him over and his lungs trying to gasp for a breath. His mind does a quick check to see if anything major was broken and correctly surmises that he would come away without any broken bones. However, panic instantly sets in when he realizes that something is very wrong…
"Hold on boss. Ed…" Wordy pauses.
"Wordy…something's…wrong," Ed gasps as he tries to force his eyes open; his mind racing with instant terror and panic.
"Just lie still okay help's…"
"I can't see."
"What? No you just need…"
"Wordy…I can't see," Ed repeats just as Greg reaches them and then looks down in horror.
A/N: ah you knew we couldn't come back with just a fluff piece right? Hehe right into the angst. And yes I put the definition b/c I would never permanently blind my beloved Eddie (I like angst and whump but never perm damage). So what will the diagnosis be? What will Donna do? And where has the suspect gone? Will he try to come back and finish the job? So hope you all liked the start to this and would love your reviews (b/c am feeling a bit rusty already) so please let us know your thoughts and thanks so much!