Author Note: It was pointed out (thank you!) that Ch 1 contained typos on the suspect name. He was introduced as Farther, but somehow, later, this switched to Farmer. The correct name is Farther and I've made sure it is correct in subsequent chapters. My apologies. Enjoy.


Holding open the door for Bobby, Sue and Levi to precede him out of the restaurant, Jack instinctively scanned the streets for any sign of something out of place. Seeing nothing in the dim light, he dropped in beside Sue and Levi. "I'm stuffed," he moaned. "I should have never let you talk me into getting that king size steak."

"Not my fault," Manning countered, holding up his hands in a defensive posture. "I can't help it you were trying to show off for Sue here."

"Oh no," Sue interjected. "Don't try to drag me into your little testosterone game of who can eat more. I had nothing to do with it. If you ask me, you both should be miserable and I don't feel sorry for either of you."

"See how she is," Jack teased, pretending to talk like Sue wasn't there. "No pity what so ever."

A yip from Levi seemed to object to Jack's characterization of his master.

"You tell him boy," Sue said, leaning down to scratch the golden's ears. "You know…." Her words turned into a yelp of surprise as Bobby shoved her into Jack and they both went to the ground.

Once down, Jack scrambled to place himself between her and the street and at the same time pull Levi out of danger. "Shots fired," he mouthed, trying to give her some indication of what was going on.

Trying to get a look at the vehicle speeding away, Bobby pulled his phone from his pocket hitting 911 as he put it to his face. "Special Agent Manning, shots fired at F.B.I. Agents, on 17th near K. Be advised the shooter left in a dark color pick up; no plates." Flipping the phone off, he turned to the others. "You two okay?" he asked, taking one of Sue's arms to help her up while Jack took the other.

"Yeah," she said, running a hand over Levi to make sure he was unharmed. "I think I scraped my elbow when I went down, that's all." Looking over at Jack, she became alarmed. "You're bleeding," she gasped, instinctively reaching for his neck.

"It's just a knick," Jack assured her, gingerly pressing his finders to the gash. "Piece of brick must have chipped off and caught me. It's not bad," he assured her, looking at Bobby as he dialed his phone again. "Special Agent Manning again. Send a medic to this location also."


Wincing as the medic applied pressure to the wound on the side of his neck, Hudson saw Dimitrius and Leland wind their way towards the back of the ambulance. "You okay?" D asked, leaning in to look at Jack's neck.

"Scratch," Jack assured him, waiving it off. "Sue's arm lost more skin than I did," he said, thrusting his chin toward her as the medic applied a four by four dressing to her elbow.

"Did you see anything?" Myles asked as Bobby joined them.

"Nope. They must have been waiting for us to come out of the restaurant," Bobby said. "We walked down here towards the car, shots came from over there," pointing to the opposite side of the street. "Heard the first one hit the building, we went down. By the time I got my gun out, they took off."

"I don't suppose it was merely some random act of violence?" Myles offered.

"Not likely," Jack breathed, nodding his thanks to the medic and helping Sue to stand up. "You okay there?" he asked, watching her flex her leg and grimace.

"Just a cramp, that's all," Sue said, giving him a reassuring smile. "Must have landed on it wrong."

"Well, I don't think there's much doubt that one of you was the target," D said pensively.

"My monies on Jack here," Bobby said. "You know what a poor tipper he is."

"Ha, ha," Hudson replied. "If we're done here, how about we get Sue home before something else happens." Taking her arm, he helped her to his car.

"I'm putting a unit outside of Jack's place tonight," D said softly to Bobby after they'd walked away.

"Might not be a bad idea to put one on Thomas' also. As a precaution," Myles added in. "Whoever shot at him might still be watching and if he follows you to her place…."

"Lovely thought," Bobby said tightly. "Call Tara?" he suggested.

"Already on her way to Sue's. Lucy's expecting both of them and knows there's been trouble," D said, a small smile pulling on his features.

"Right. I'll call you if anything else happens," Manning said before heading toward the car.


Watching as Bobby, D, and Myles talked, Jack had very little doubt that he was the subject of their conversation. "Do I want to know?" he asked turning towards Sue.

"Nothing that would surprise you. Units being posted at both of our places and Lucy and I will be getting another roommate," she told him. "Jack," she said glancing over at him, "Do you think it might be a good idea to leave town? Farther sounds like a bad guy, and he doesn't seem to be wasting any time in coming after you. I hear that Santa Fe is nice this time of year."

Smiling at her, Jack shook his head. "Like I said earlier, if I leave town, he's just going to go underground to wait for me. Besides, I have no intention of spending an extended period of time in New Mexico or any place for that matter knowing that you and others will still be here in his line of sight."

Seeing her about to object, he took her hand. "I'll be careful," he assured her. "I'm more worried about putting you in danger by being around me," he added, looking at the bandage on her arm.

"I'm tough," she assured him, squeezing his hand. "And besides, Levi would never forgive me if I let you go after this guy on your own." Hearing his name, the golden put his head over the seat and whimpered.

Bobby opening the door forestalled any further conversation on the matter. "Okay Levi, you've gotta share the seat boy," he said, nudging the dog to one side of the car. "Home, James," Bobby quipped, shutting the door.

"As you wish sir," Jack threw back sarcastically, donning an imaginary chauffeur hat.

His action brought a chuckle from Sue. "It looks good on you."

The banter lightened the mood for the trip to Sue's. Reaching it, Jack shut off the ignition and reached for the door. He was stopped by Bobby's hand on his shoulder.

"Tara," Manning said into his phone. "We're here. Right. Tara's going to meet her at the door," he announced, disconnecting the call. Peering through the windshield, he spotted what he was looking for. "I'm going to see who's sitting outside tonight," he added, getting out of the car. "Good night," he said to Sue before trotting across the street to a waiting sedan.

Walking with Sue, Jack paused outside of the door. "Well, not exactly how I thought the evening would end," Jack threw out. Looking back, he ran his eyes over her features. "You going to be okay tonight?"

Nodding, Sue reached out to squeeze his arm. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Silently, Jack signed, "The same for you." Movement behind Sue drew his attention and told her that Tara had arrived. "Tara," he acknowledged the female agent as she opened the door.

"Jack," Williams acknowledged him looking between the two, unsure if she had interrupted something.

"Well…. Good night," Jack said and signed, nodding to both women.

Returning the sign, Sue turned and went into the building, glancing back to see Jack moving towards the car where Bobby was waiting for him.

Starting the engine, Jack nodded toward the surveillance car. "Who's babysitting?"

"Peters and Martinez," Bobby said. "They've got both our numbers if something happens."

Pulling out and heading to his place, Jack thought back to the events of the night. Silently he kicked himself for not seeing the pickup before the shots had been fired. Unconsciously he reached up and touched the bandage on his neck.

"So," Bobby said, catching the movement. Pursing his lips, he decided he had better take the opportunity provided. "How long you going to stick by that story you told Sue?"

The sound of Bobby's voice startled him. "What story?" Jack asked flatly, glancing quickly at Manning and frowning.

Pinning him with a stare, Bobby smirked knowingly. "I saw your neck, mate, and that," pointing to the bandage, "was not made by a piece of brick. You got lucky, and you know it."


"Morning," Jack called out as Sue came across the bullpen.

"Good morning," Sue answered back, sending him a smile to reinforce the greeting. Spotting the bandage, she sobered. "How's your neck?"

The ringing of the phone on his desk stopped any further verbal conversation on the topic. Signing that his neck was fine, he answered the phone. "Hudson."

Watching Jack, Sue could tell that the news he was hearing was not good. Coming around her desk, she moved to stand beside him. When he looked at her, she could read the seriousness of the conversation in his brown eyes.

"We'll be there as soon as we can," Jack said, lowering the phone and deliberately setting it down.

"Jack?"

Blowing out a breath, Jack gave her a tight smile before turning his attention back to the room. "A convenience shop in Georgetown was held up two hours ago. The clerk and three customers were killed. Video feed from the store confirms that the shooter was Daniel Farther."

The words caused the team to share concerned looks. At least now they were sure who they were after. The realization sent the team scrambling for their coats.


Trailing back into the bullpen hours later, fatigue was evident in their bodies. Watching them, Dimitrius sighed. Their demeanor told them it had not been an easy crime scene. Moving over to Jack's desk, he gave the man an encouraging smile. "Any luck?" he asked more out of formality than anything else.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Jack shook his head. "Not much. We brought back copies of the store videotape. Maybe we can get lucky and Tara can pull something from the background or something."

"You get any rest last night?" D asked, lowering his voice.

Glancing up from his desk, Jack gave him a small, knowing smile. "You know," he shrugged.

Acknowledging the truth of Jack's statement, D added, "Upstairs is still rumbling about shipping you out."

"D," Jack hissed, "no," he stressed.

"I know," D countered, holding up his hand to stop Jack. "But I don't know how long I can put it off. I'm just telling you."

Realizing that D was on his side, Jack deflated. "I… appreciate it," he murmured. Pausing for a moment, he conceded. "Look, if Farther gets too close again, I'll go, okay?"

Raising an eyebrow, D grimaced. "Let's just hope if that happens, you're alive to go," he threw out before heading back towards his office.

"D," Tara called to stop Dimitrius from leaving. "You might want to hear this." Catching Sue's attention, she pointed towards the big screen. "Someone came to the door. It's hard to see because of the glare, but Farther says something. Can you see what it is?"

Moving closer to the screen, Sue concentrated on the man's lips. "Did you get a hold of…." she cited, pausing. Shaking her head, she glanced back. "Tara?"

"Got it," Tara called back, rewinding the video and focusing in tighter on the man's face. "Here you go," she murmured pressing the play.

"Morrow?" Sue said hesitantly, watching it again. "Good… Tell him we'll meet him in an hour," she read. "By tomorrow, that… pig Hudson… will be mine," she finished, turning concerned eyes toward Jack. She watched as he tried unsuccessfully to assure her he wasn't concerned by the news of the threat.

"This drongo's starting to get on my nerves," Bobby said, irritated by the audacity of the man's claims.

"Tara, any chance to get a look at who he was talking to?" D asked.

"Maybe," Tara answered, her fingers already flying over the keyboard to manipulate the picture.

"Myles, run the name Morrow and see if you find anyone who has any connection to Farther, or Dell for that matter," Jack ordered.

"It's not perfect," Tara called, "but, I've got it cleaned up enough, we might be able to run facial recognition on the second guy." Putting the image up, she nodded to the screen.

"It's Dell," Jack stated flatly, looking at the screen.

"Well, that confirms both of them are in play," Dimitrius murmured. Turning towards the other side of the room, he called out. "Any luck?"

"Three Morrows in the system from the tri-state area," Leland answered, not taking his eyes from the screen. "One serving a stint upstate for drug dealing; one in Tacoma Park; one in Fairfax," he read. "No obvious connections so far to either Farther or Dell but both have the same class of associates. I've sent them to the printer."

Taking the papers from the machine, Jack moved quickly back to the center of the room. "Tara, keep checking. Bobby, Myles, you take Tacoma Park," he said handing over the sheet. "Sue and I'll take Fairfax," he said nodding toward her before they moved simultaneously toward their coats.

"Hold on," D ordered, causing everyone to halt their progress. "These guys are not playing around. If you sense anything off or see Dell or Farther, call for backup. Jack, don't loose your tail."

"You stay with Lucy, Levi," Sue ordered. "Can you take him home and feed him?" she asked her roommate as she passed. "Thank you," she threw back as she followed Jack out the door.


"Darrell Morrow?" Myles asked as he and Bobby walked up to the middle-aged man pulling groceries from his car.

"Yeah," Morrow said hesitantly, turning to face them warily.

"FBI," Bobby said, flashing his badge. "Got a minute?"

"I suppose," Darrell said, putting the bags of groceries on the truck of his car. "What can I do for you?"

"We're looking for a friend of yours, Daniel Farther. Thought you might be able to tell us where we might find him," Manning threw out, watching carefully for any reaction.

"Farther?" Morrow shook his head. "I don't know any Farther."

"Sure you do," Leland countered briskly. "Mid-fifties, black hair, tall, scruffy, likes to randomly shoot people during robberies and kill them for the fun of it."

"Whoa," Morrow shot back, holding up his hands defensively. "I never robbed anybody and I sure don't hang around anybody who shoots other people for no reason. I've been clean for three years now."

"Really?" Bobby asked skeptically.

"Talk to my wife, my sponsor, hell, run me. I've been squeaky since I got out of rehab," the ex-con blurted out.

Sharing a look with Myles, Bobby pressed a little more. "Where have you been the past hour or so?" Manning asked, pulling out his notebook.

"Running errands," Darrell said. "Gas station, groceries, stuff like that."

"Don't suppose you can prove it?" Myles asked.

"I got groceries," Morrow said, pointing to the bags. "And here's," he added, digging into the bag and pulling out a ribbon of paper, "the receipt."

"Mind if we keep this?" Manning asked, slipping the paper into the notebook so they could go to the store and verify how long he was in the store on the video camera. "Where'd you buy gas?"

"Station about half mile away," he said pointing down the street. "I paid cash."

"Oh, one more thing. Do you own a cell phone?" Myles asked.

"Yeah."

"Mind if I see it?"

"What for?"

"Oh, you know," Leland replied, "last call received… made; that sort of thing."

"I'll have to get it from the house. It was dead so it's been charging for the last several hours," Morrow said, starting to gather up his groceries.

Reaching out to take a sack, Bobby smiled tightly. "Here, I'll go with you."


Having no luck in finding Jeffery Morrow, Jack had called S.O.G. to sit on the house until he came home. Now, heading back to the office, Sue watched as the familiar scenery moved past the window in the fading light. She hated that they had run into another dead end. She had no illusion that if they didn't find out something very soon, they'd be handed another dead body.

The thought drew a sigh from her. Turning her head, she looked over at Jack and immediately sat up straighter as she noticed the pensive furrow on his brow.

Reaching out, she laid a hand on his arm. The tension that radiated from it caused her even more concern. "Jack?"

Tearing his eyes off of the road for a moment, Jack glanced towards her. Seeing her questioning concern, he took his hand off the wheel and laid it on top of hers and gave her a weak smile. "I'm okay. Just thinking," he said.

"About Farther?" she hazarded a guess. "About where he might be?"

"Yeah," Jack breathed, forcing another brief smile to try to ease her concern before he sobered again. "And what he might do next." Squeezing her hand, he released it. She wasn't going to like what he was about to say. "I'm going to move you to a hotel."

"What?" Sue replied in disbelief shaking her head. "I'm not the one that Farther wants to hurt. You are. If anyone should be moving into a hotel, you should."

"You're right. Farther does want to hurt me, but I'm trained to handle him if he tries. You're not," he countered, throwing her another look. Seeing another objection beginning to erupt from Sue, he carried on while stopping for a red light.

"This is a game to him, one that I don't intend for him to win. But in order to do that, I can't be worried about him coming after someone I care about as a way to get to me." Jack reached out and gripped the clenched hands in her lap forcing his fingers into hers and pinning her with his gaze. "I can't loose you."

The raw emotions in Jack's eyes caused a lump to form in Sue's throat and her eyes to brighten with tears. Huskily, she forced the words out. "I can't loose you either."

Softening his features, Jack let go of her hand to brush his fingers across her cheek. "You couldn't if you tried," he whispered, his own throat tightening at the concern and fear in her eyes.

The blare of a horn told Jack that the light had turned green, forcing him to break the moment. Refocusing his attention back to driving, he took his foot off the brake and eased into the intersection. He barely glimpsed the grill of the truck bearing down on them before blackness over took him.