May 10, 2006

"Why do you do that?" A tall man stood behind a dark haired woman, reaching behind her and carefully withdrew the knife from her hand. "You know that I can do that for you in case of flashbacks. You just had one and yet-"

"I know, John." Maria swiftly cut him off, "I know about that. I was just wanting to see if I can do this while at work. I really don't need the big bosses to know that I fear knives of any kind." She pushed her glasses back up her face, watching as he took the sharp utensil and cut the evidence box lid open. "I'm trying," She whispered as he looked to one side, giving her a concerned look. "I'm trying my best here."

Looking around to make sure that no one was around, John pulled Maria into a tight hug to reassure her. "Don't worry about it. I know that you're trying, but don't hurt yourself in the process. It's going to take time before you are able to this." He held her close before hearing a door open and quickly released his grasp. Shit, almost caught that time.

Maria took a few steps away from him and proceeded to remove the contents from the box before a familiar voice got her attention and she released a held breath. "Hey, you two. Casey got the warrant for Warren Micheals. Cragon wants all of us to get him, vests and all." Fin looked at the two, both looking over their shoulders and seem to relax at the sight of seeing him. "And, if you two are done being love birds and all, you might want to start moving your asses. Cragon's in the mood to kick one if Micheals isn't there."

"Even me? But, I don't have a partner...unless he wants a threesome." Maria cracked as she followed the dark skinned man out of the room to the main squad room. Fin just gave her a sideways glance as John snickered at her remark. "I mean really now."

"Maria, you're with Fin and John's going to be with me. No threesomes allowed here." Cragon pipped up from his office, watching as Maria winced, knowing she was heard by her own captain. "Now, let's get moving people. Time is short and I want this bastard's head on a platter, in my office tonight."

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Later that night-

In a daze of pain, she gasp for air as she shifted in the position that she was in. An overwhelming shot of pain in her back stopped her from lifting her head far.

As if it by a jolt, she realized that something was wrong. The sounds of people shouting and the flashes of ambulances brought reality crashing down. There was another body near her. Even with the back to her, she recognized the hair color and then it hit her. Some kind of liquid surrounded his upper torso and he wasn't moving.

A small gentle hand rested on Maria's, causing her head to snap back to look at Olivia as tears started to fall. "John? Why is no one helping him? He needs help." She gasped out as Olivia tried to calm her, but her own tears didn't help.

Through the heartbreak and severe pain in her back, Maria tried hard to focus on Olivia and John's still form before everything went dark.