"DROP IT," Sam yelled. "I SAID PUT IT DOWN N-,"

Rodger cocked the gun and pulled the trigger three times as Sam returned fire. Jules leapt in front of Ruby, protecting her from the spray of bullets. Rodger hit the ground with a loud thud as Sam yelped and quickly followed. Jules immediately sat up, grabbing her gun, but saw that Rodger was hit in the head, eyes still open. On her other side, Ruby laid unharmed.

"Subject down, victim is safe," Jules reported reflexively.

"Sam?" she called out. She looked over at her partner on the ground as he groaned.

"Sam, status." Sarge inquired hastily. The team held their breath, waiting for a reply.

"It's in the vest," Sam forced out of his stunned lungs. "I'm okay, it's in the vest,"

"Jesus Sam," Jules sighed, helping him to sit up.

"I'm good, I'm good." He replied while adjusting his gear and getting onto his knees.

Ruby blinked slowly a couple times and Jules and Sam were at her side once again. "Ruby? Can you hear me?" Jules asked as she placed a hand on her shoulder. Ruby finally seemed to respond as she looked around the room, becoming nervous. She panicked and rustled on the floor as she whined, trying to hit away the unfamiliar people above her.

Sam instantly took her frightened hands. "Whoaaa, okay, okay. You're alright," He soothed. Ruby slowly stopped resisting "Ruby, my name's Sam and this is my partner Jules. We're police officers and we're here to help you. You're okay," he said slowly. Ruby looked at the pair and gazed at their uniforms for a moment. The terror in her wild eyes gradually ceased as she realized who they were. Her breathing slowed and deepened and she finally felt like there was oxygen in the room. "You're safe now," Jules said. Ruby looked back up at Jules and nodded hazily. Ruby moved to sit up and Sam and Jules assisted her.

Ruby inhaled sharply. Sam caught her as she weakened and fell back a bit. "Ow, ow," she cried timidly. Jules crouched behind her to keep her upright, resting Ruby's back on her chest. She lightly wrapped one arm around Ruby's waist and placed the other hand on Ruby's shoulder. She left the medical assessment to Sam, who was fully trained in first aid from his time on the battlefield.

"Okay, what hurts?" he inquired gently while positioning himself in front of her. "My arm," she said as she cradled her right in her left. "You cut yourself pretty good-" He started. "No, no, it hurts," she repeated, and Sam understood now that she wasn't referring to wound, but to her wrist. "Can I see?" He asked, looking her in the eyes. Ruby lifted her arm and Sam greeted it, supporting her hand. "Tell me if this hurts, okay?" He asked. She nodded and he began to press lightly, moving down her arm. He looked up at her each time, examining her face for pain. On the fourth touch, she cried as her free hand instinctively grasped for the arm Jules had around her stomach.

"Alright, alright," Sam comforted as he guided the injured wrist back to her chest. He activated his headpiece. "Boss, tell EMS she has an arm fracture as well," he reported. "Got it." Spike replied. Ruby exhaled and hugged Jules a bit tighter. Jules responded by gathering Ruby closer as she whispered reassurance into Ruby's ear. Sam was caught for a moment by Jules' maternal instinct. She was so beautiful. One corner of his lips pulled into a smile at his own thought before softening back to its resting state.

"Is—is he really gone?" Ruby asked. "You're safe now, Ruby. He's gone. We got you." Sam reassured her. Ruby stared down at her knees, nodding slowly. Without looking up, she asked, "What did you say your names are?"

They each answered.

"Sam."

"Jules."

Ruby eyes brimmed with tears. She looked up at them. "Thank you—Sam. Jules." Her voice cracked, as she looked each of them in the eye. She finally released her sobs, shaking and crying. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," She repeated with her voice becoming smaller.

"You're welcome, Ruby." Sam replied tenderly.

"We got you. Let's get you out of here." Jules said with a soft smile.

"Nice work, you two. Nice work." Sarge commended.

Sam reached under her knees and scooped Ruby off the floor.

"We gotcha."

A/N: and there you have it, folks! I Hope you liked it. Don't forget to review :)