Title: Desperate Measures
Chapter 3 – Changing the Game Plan?
A/N: Okay so no I am NOT an immigration specialist. I googled a lot but also made up some b/c well this is fiction! So I hope you'll still like this update and forgive if anything seems out in left field – hopefully it won't.
As soon as they step outside and Ed sees the truck, his stomach tightens and he offers Donna a small panicked look.
"I know I'm wondering what just happened also," she mentions quietly. "Did we really just get married?"
"Yeah…we did," Ed nods, offering her a mix of a frown and a smile that turns out looking more like a wince. "Okay so we'll go back to the barn, talk to the teams and just…finish up the day?" Ed slightly shrugs, his heart rate still elevated.
"And tomorrow? Ed you know I can't just sit around waiting for Spike to find something. I need to help fix this."
"Trust me I get it but Greg said your cases were on hold so I'm guessing…"
"What? Desk duty?"
"Hey I don't know okay? I don't…I'm sorry," Ed offers as they both get into the truck.
"Where too Mr. and Mrs. Lane?" Wordy smirks, drawing a quick glance from Ed. "What?" Wordy smirks.
"The barn for Ed and the shooting range for me," Donna lightly groans as she pulls her phone and calls Tom to give him a small update.
"Greg Parker said you married Ed Lane. Really?"
"I'll explain when I get there. Has there been any word on Ida?"
"None at all, but we think she left the country; either that or it's a clever rouse. Spike found a few tickets in Ida's name, one of them to Dublin."
"A few?"
"All to Europe but different places. In any event she's probably gone."
"Don't count on it. I know she has a long reach but this was too personal. She's still here; those are decoy's," Donna explains as they head toward SRU headquarters. "Talk to you soon."
"Well the team is buzzing over the news."
"Figured as much," Ed sighs as he looks out the window.
"We are all behind you in this Donna."
"Well Ed's the one with the bigger target on his back now," Donna quips in a lighter tone, her right hand reaching out and giving his shoulder a small squeeze before her fingers trail up to his ear and playfully tug the lobe, bringing a small smile to his and Wordy's face before Wordy turns back to the road, pretending not to have seen.
"It's gonna be fine. Spike will get the computer stuff reversed and then…" Ed's voice trails off as Wordy glances over.
A divorce...really? Donna's mind ponders as Wordy pulls into the SRU underground parking lot and the three of them get out and head for the elevator in silence. Once the doors open on the appropriate floor, Donna goes in search of her team and Ed and Wordy head for Greg in the team one briefing room.
"How's Donna?" Jules asks in concern.
"Angry and I don't blame her. Did Spike find anything?" Ed asks Greg as he sits down in the chair opposite him.
"Just one clever firewall after another. It's obvious that someone has been in there recently and tampered because they left behind a few date stamps, however, he said it didn't prove anything other than perhaps a file backup. He's digging deeper for actual physical evidence we can present."
"This is the worst kind of identity theft," Jules pipes up.
"Which is all the more reason Spike is going at this carefully," Greg explains before Ed can interject. "Holleran is in agreement and we have assigned Spike to give this his top priority unless a bomb threat comes in. But it won't happen overnight."
"So what happens now?" Sam inquires.
"Nothing," Ed shrugs as he looks down at the simple band of gold on his left hand and then back up, locking eyes with his friend and team member.
"Well nothing for you," Greg quickly corrects. "Until this is cleared up Donna might have amended duties but that's up to Holleran to work out with her."
"And Ida Logan?" Ed asks in haste.
"We'll all just hafta be a bit more diligent in the field and no going down dark alley's alone," he add the last part as he turns and looks directly at Ed. "At least until we have a confirmed sighting on her. Right?"
"I got it."
"Okay team, I know it's been a long day, so lets clean up the gear and take advantage of a few extra minutes to spare by leaving a bit early."
The rest of the team disperses after Greg finishes, Wordy hovering outside the room until Ed is finished talking to Greg; but not entering just yet.
"You sure there's no backlash to this?"
"Well I'll admit it's a bit unconventional but since you're not both on team one, the conflict is only in the circumstances not the fact that you two um…"
"Got married?" Ed arches his brows.
"Got married," Greg repeats slowly. "How'd she take it at first?"
"Don't know if I want to meet her in a dark alley," Ed smirks as his right hand nervously fidgets with the new object on his hand. "Still can't believe it."
"Somehow I think you do," Greg remarks, drawing Ed's gaze upward. "Okay fine I can sit here and say you did a really brave thing and it was all in the name of helping another professional colleague and nothing more, but I am willing to bet that it there was also some personal feelings behind it."
Ed's somewhat worried sapphire gaze remains locked with Greg's before he slowly nods a few seconds later. "Boss…we are…"
"Two mature adults who are on different teams and I get that. I guess Wordy isn't the only one that has seen something growing between you two. However, had you come to this decision over the natural course of time it would be different. Ida Logan will be out for revenge and…"
"And by me stepping in I might have put the whole team in danger without thinking about the bigger picture. Boss the bigger picture…"
"Is Donna's life and I do understand that. Just hafta remind you of some of the other facts."
"I couldn't let her get on that plane," Ed's tone softly states in misery as he purses his lips and looks back down at the ring on his finger. "I guess that other future is lost now."
"Ah I doubt that," Greg smiles as his hand gives Ed's forearm a squeeze. "You guys just rushed the natural progression."
"Didn't even have our first date yet," Ed groans as he leans back in his chair just as a courier knocks on the door.
"Well you're a man that likes to get right to the point," Greg teases.
"Funny."
"Can I help you?" Greg asks the stranger, making Ed twist around to see who was there.
"I'm from the Department of Immigration and have some time sensitive documents for Mrs. Lane?"
"I'll take those," Ed stands up, Wordy going in search of Donna.
"Who are you?"
"I'm uh…her husband," Ed replies, his lips automatically offering a half curl at the rather personal title, especially in front of Greg.
"Actually I need Mrs. Lane's signature."
"I'm Mrs. Lane," Donna's voice is heard as she looks at Ed's perplexed expression and then at the courier. "What are these?"
"They have to do with employment sanctions and…"
"Sanctions…damn it," Donna groans as Greg also stands up, taking the pen from the courier and handing it to Donna who mechanically signs, sending the courier on his way and leaving the three of them in the room alone. Donna wastes no time in ripping open the package and then staring at the contents in frustration, looking up at Ed and Greg, shaking her head and cursing softly.
"How bad is it?"
"I'm now labeled a sponsored spouse," she groans as she hands the contents to Greg, Wordy telling them he'll see them tomorrow and to Ed he'd talk to him later if needed.
Greg takes the documents and quickly scans them before looking at Donna with a heavy frown. "You knew your cases would be on hold right?"
"Is that all it says?"
"No. During the probationary time you are not allowed to carry a gun or…"
"How can I do my job without…wait probation period?"
"Donna, in the eyes of the law they are treating you like they would any other…."
"Criminal?" She tosses back angrily.
"Spike is gonna work his hardest at reversing all this and I can't see it lasting more than…"
"A few days. What do I do in the meantime? Sit around picking up shell casings or counting thumb tacks?" Donna argues back as she pushes herself up and then starts to slowly pace, heading for the window; Ed's concerned gaze on her for a few moments before he turns back to Greg and watches his facial expression morph into something else once again.
"What?"
"What um…what living arrangements are you two planning?" Greg asks gently, bringing Donna's eyes back to him.
"Figured nothing would change in that regard," Ed shrugs as he looks over at Donna who nods. "Why?"
"Says here, that an immigration officer will be stopping by tomorrow or the next day to see the living arrangements to ensure a proper living arrangement exists and that the sponsored spouse is well taken care of."
"Proper?" Ed questions.
"Guess they want to make sure you're not running a brothel," she teases lightly and his face frowns.
"Has been known to happen," Greg reminds them.
"I guess the government trusts no one these days," Donna adds offhandedly.
"Boss seriously?"
"Actually I think it would be safer this way," Greg shrugs before continuing. "And there's also a few forms for you to fill out here Ed."
"But…"
"You know what, I'm gonna call it a night and let you two work this out. Donna I'll talk to Holleran and Tom about the um…well the amended work duties and see you both tomorrow," Greg mentions before he extricates himself from the meeting room, leaving the newly married couple alone to contend with the new rules.
"This is unbelievable."
"Donna, I'm sorry, I had no idea they wanted…this," Ed frowns as he reads the rest of the conditions. "My apartment has a spare room that…that you can use until…"
"Until they come by and ask why you are your wife are sleeping separately?"
"Well they won't come at night," Ed retorts in sarcasm. "Look I don't know what else to do."
"I don't either," she lightly laments as she sits down next to him, her eyes looking at the fresh band of gold on his strong hand. "Kinda looks good on you," she offers softly, bringing a warm smile to his face. "And Greg's right, it will be safer."
"Guess I never thought about all this," Ed huffs as he looks at her in concern.
"Still regret this?" She treads carefully.
"No. Do you?"
"Knowing what she's capable of…no I don't either."
"Okay so why don't we go to your apartment, get a few things and then tomorrow you can…"
"Just take the day off and do nothing while you get to go to work like nothing's changed?" Donna asks sourly and Ed's throat painfully swallows before he nods but says nothing. "Fine."
"Trust me knowing you're just sitting and stewing won't be good for me either," Ed tries to justify. "Might be afraid to come home," he lightly teases.
"Trying to make me feel better?" She asks with a light smile.
"Is it working?"
"Not this time," she smiles a bit more and his face relaxes. "Okay I guess it'll hafta do right? A few days won't be that bad. But when I find Ida Logan you better believe I won't back down from giving her what's coming. That'll make me feel better."
"I'll be there to help," Ed assures her as his hand snakes out and holds hers. "Mrs. Lane. Kinda has a nice ring to it."
"Actually it does," she agrees as they both stand up, gather the documents after they had both signed their parts and then take their leave; Donna heading for the clerk's desk to get Winnie to courier out the signed papers and Ed going to the locker room to change; both of the meeting in the parking lot to head to Donna's place and then to his. It was going to be a very long night.
XXXXXXXX
They enter Donna's quiet apartment, Ed hanging back and allowing her some extra space and time to get what she needs for the strained night ahead. He watches her pause just before entering her bedroom and then turn back to him; his lips offering her a small tense smile before he watches her disappear. Ed leans back against her front door, unable to move from place, worried that this would more than damage their fledging relationship.
What about our date on Saturday…does that still happen? He can't help but wonder; his mind arguing back that he just killed any kind of date until all this was over. Sure they were working on growing a relationship but that was supposed to evolve naturally with both of them working at it together to build their happy future. Now that future seems in starts to build until Ed hears a soft gasp and then finally leaves his spot from the door, heading toward Donna's bedroom.
"Donna?" Ed knocks lightly.
"Just need…a minute," she answers softly, a tone holding a mix of torment and anger. Ed slowly pushes the door open, his heart breaking as he gazes upon her standing beside her dresser gently dabbing her eyes. "Yeah…I'll be just a…"
Unable to take the tormented scene, Ed hurries to her side and pulls her into his arms. "Donna, I'm sorry. I don't know exactly what to say but I know if it was me I'd be just as angry and…"
"Sad? You don't cry Mr. Lane," she lightly teases, her mind delighting in the comforting feeling his strong arms were providing.
"I do feel bad about this. I guess I didn't think about everything else that would come with it. Figured we'd get married and…"
"Go our separate ways," she sighs as she looks up with a small frown. His fingers brush away the last stray tear as he looks down at her with a frown of his own. "I won't be long."
"We're in no hurry," Ed answers in truth as she pulls away and heads for her closet, Ed lingering by the bed and peering into the large suitcase she was packing. "So do you even feel like eating tonight?"
"Something light and…" her voice trails off as she comes back out with a few items and then closes the suitcase. "I guess I can get the rest tomorrow."
"Sure," Ed nods and gives her a weak smile as they leave her bedroom. If things are this tense now we might not even make it to Saturday. The drive to his apartment was spent mostly with Donna discussing a few possibilities on Ida's whereabouts and Ed telling Wordy he'd need the spare key to his apartment and he'd get another one made, each of them having each other's spare key's just in case of emergency.
"So…here we are," Ed states nervously as they enter his quiet, small apartment. "It's not…much," he mentions in haste as he hurries to shove a few things in the closet, bringing a brief chuckle from his new wife's lips. "I didn't have time to…clean."
"Actually it's not that bad for a bachelor," Donna mildly praises as she follows Ed into his main bedroom.
"I don't have a dresser in the spare bedroom that…here you can have…" his voice trails off into a nervous stammer as he pulls two drawers open and then shoves the inner contents to one side. "Half?" He turns back to her in expectation and she can't help but smile at his boyish nervousness.
"Half is good," she nods as she watches him place her suitcase on the bed. "I don't want to disrupt too much okay? Tomorrow I can get…"
"What if they ask why you have your stuff in there and um…well mine in here?" Ed ponders.
"Right. Okay so how about we do that after they leave?" Donna suggests.
"Sure," Ed agrees in haste. "Okay so I'll let you get your things put away and uh…well I don't cook so well but I can order in pizza or something; a Canadian? You know you being new to our country and all," Ed suggests, trying to ease someo f the tension; her face relaxing instantly.
"Pizza sounds good," Donna puts his mind at ease.
Donna watches Ed leave and then turns back to his dresser and smiles; it was so simple with a few items and that was it. She looks at a small picture collection of him with his brother and Wordy and one of the whole team and smiles at the relaxed look on his face. Her fingers rest on his cologne before picking it up and then taking a small whiff, her senses instantly turned on by the rugged scent and her mind realizing just how tempting he'd be with that and nothing else on. Donna! Get a hold of yourself…this is business and nothing else.
"Business…right," she reminds herself as she pulls out a few of her own intimate items and puts them in the drawer next to his, her face slightly blushing at his black underwear and her mind scolding her imagination once more. Girl get a damn grip already, she commands herself as she quickly closes the door and heads for his closet, once again smiling at the modest offering very neatly arranged. Just business? You know you like him and want more…I do.
After that she heads into the kitchen and finds Ed putting a few other things away.
"I didn't have time to get many groceries," he confesses with a small sheepish expression as she opens the fridge and lightly gasps at its near empty state but then pulls open the freezer compartment to reveal a whole load of hungry man dinners. "Okay so I don't have much in the way of real food."
"It'll do for tonight," she assures him as she closes the door and then turns to him with a tight expression.
"Ed…"
"Donna…" both start at once and then stop. "I know this is kinda…"
"Awkward?" She interjects and he nods.
"And forced but um…well just yeah…make yourself at home," he finishes with a frown, not really knowing what to say to make her feel better. What can I say? I helped her out of a predicament only to have caused an even bigger one – way to go Ed. "I don't know what else to say right now."
"I don't want pity," Donna tells him firmly. "Just please tell me you don't pity me."
"You'd never allow it," Ed replies in truth. "But…well I don't…I wish I could make this better right now but I can't."
"Just don't stand there beating yourself up mentally."
"Am I that easy to read?" Ed groans as he hands her a beer.
"A little but its okay. This isn't exactly how I pictured us spending our first night together either."
"I made up the spare room," Ed rushes, bringing another small smile to her face. He was trying so hard to accommodate her, but in truth he wasn't to blame for anything, Ida Logan was; that's who Donna's real resentment was directed towards.
"I'm sorry if I sound bitter, I am, but not at you," Donna confesses. "Just hard to think that you work so hard for the better part of your adult life and then to have it all taken away from you one night just like that. I have made enemies before…on the job, we all have, but not like this. Ed this is too personal; she can't win."
"She will pay for this…Donna, you know Spike is one of the best and he'll find…"
"It's just the fact that she could and did like it was nothing. Hell hath no fury like a woman scored," Donna quips as she takes a sip of her beer.
"Wonder if she knows yet?" Ed asks, almost rhetorically.
"Sure she does, and you can believe that right now she's cursing both our names."
XXXXXXXX
"What do you mean Sargent Sabine was released and is now married? What is going on? Where is Judge Farnsworth? What do you mean he wasn't on today? Who was…" the anxious voice of Liam O'Malley, Ida's loyal right hand, is heard as he walks into a small private office and looks at Ida Logan's less than amused expression.
"What is it Liam?"
"Sargent Sabine is gone."
"Gone to Paris?"
"No she never got on the plane."
"Pardon? But I have men waiting there to end this once and for all. Why is she not on an escorted plane to France right now? What do I pay you for! What happened?"
"Apparently someone found a loophole," Liam informs his boss with a heavy frown.
"Someone? Which someone would dare cross me?"
"It was Judge Newsom, he was on duty today instead of Farnsworth. Bastard."
"Where was Farnsworth?"
"Family emergency."
"Fine out what and then make sure he has another; a final one. Now who found the loophole to go to Judge Newsom with in the first place? Who dared to cross me?" Ida presses in an annoyed tone.
"Who did Sargent Sabine marry?" Liam asks his man on the phone. "Constable Ed Lane of the SRU," Liam tells Ida as her fist lands hard on the table before she takes a deep breath and a small sip of her scotch. "What?"
"More bad news?"
"The marriage is legal and the paperwork was filed today and it overturns the deportation request…something about a sponsored spouse application. She's on probation but allowed to stay until all this is…"
"Worked out by the SRU and we are left without a chair to sit on when the music stops," Ida states slowly as she turns and looks at a file on her desk, her eyes narrowing as it rests upon Donna's picture from a newspaper clipping and then turns and glares at a picture of Ed taken from his personnel file. "I won't allow her to win," Ida warns. "So Constable Lane…you dare cross me. Now you will pay just as big the ultimate price."
"What do we do?"
"Patience Liam," Ida replies slowly as she pushes aside a piece of paper and then looks at another. "Constable Lane will learn that I am not an enemy to suffer lightly."
"Good. Just give me the word and they are both dead."
"Trust me my good man, when the time is right I will give you my full blessing and then you can lay Mrs. and Mr. Lane side by side in the shallow gravesite of your choice. But not just yet. Make sure the decoys are in place and then we get busy."
"What do you have in mind?"
XXXXXXXX
Ed and Donna sit in front of the TV with their pizza and beer's, just absently talking about the game that was on but not really saying anything more about Ida and the stressful situation she was forcing them to experience. As the evening comes to a close, Ed looks over at Donna and feels his anxiety starting to creep into his gut once again. All night she had put on a brave face and tried to pretend by her words and tone that this was just another everyday occurrence. It was killing him that he didn't have the right words or comforting gestures to offer, instead he merely complied with what she said and tried to keep his foot out of his mouth.
"You um…want to shower tonight? I usually shower in the morning," Ed mentions as Donna turns off the TV.
"Sure," Donna answers as she glances over at him, her anxiety almost on par as they both stand up, taking the dishes and the leftovers back to the kitchen, Ed turning and bumping into her as they both try to leave; a nervous chuckle ensues.
"I know this is hard but…"
"But we'll just hafta make it work right?"
"Right. Well…goodnight," Ed offers as they head into the hallway and stand by the bathroom. He looks at her and frowns but before he can turn away, her hand is on his side, stopping him.
"Goodnight. Ed...wait," she whispers as she gives him a small kiss and then quickly pulls back, both of them trading nervous smiles once again before Donna disappears into the bathroom and Ed heads for his bedroom to get changed for the night. He nears his dresser and then stops as he notices a few of her personal items beside his. A smile plays upon his face as he picks up the bottle of perfume and brings it to his nose, his smile instantly widening at the thought of her temping him with this. Ed…better get a grip and keep yourself in check, he commands, cursing the fact that women could more easily hide their public arousal – men not so lucky.
But as soon as he pulls open the top drawer to get a tee to sleep in and he moves something, his heart rate soars. "This um…" he mumbles as he slowly picks up the black lace bra and looks at it with interest.
"Would look better on me," Donna pipes up, having watched him in silence with an amused smile for a few seconds.
"Oh I right…of course," Ed stammers as he shoves the bra back into place and slams the drawer shut; feeling like a teenager just caught by his mother looking at something that was forbidden. "I just needed…I didn't mean…I swear I didn't…"
"You didn't break it, but if it makes you feel uncomfortable I can…"
"No it's okay…I just wasn't expecting that…I mean it's sexy but…" Ed lightly groans, mentally kicking himself for his oversight shut up now! His brain scolds. "Did you…need something?" He asks weakly and she nods; his mind racing as she nears him wearing only her robe. "You know I can sleep in the other room if…"
"Ed, its okay, I don't mind. I just forgot my things. I guess we both have a lot to get used to right now," she tells him as she pulls out a few other items and then quickly balls them up in her arms. "I was just as curious earlier," she confesses and his face relaxes. "I like black…on you," she adds and his face instantly warms.
"You do," he states more than inquires, his brain giving his forehead an invisible palm slap.
"I do. Okay, I'm leaving now."
Ed watches her go and then lets out a heavy exhale as he quickly changes into the clean tee and a pair of sweatpants; heading over to his bed and climbing in, his mind trying to do anything but picture her naked under the hot water. This is gonna be pure hell…pure hell, he silently acknowledges. His woes were confirmed the moment she opens the door to let the steam out and the warm aroma of vanilla and berries starts to waft into the bedroom, the scent invading the small apartment in no time. "Yep…pure hell," Ed groans as he flips off his light and turns onto his stomach, burying his head under the pillow.
Donna looks at Ed's darkened bedroom and offers it a strained smile before she heads for the spare bedroom and enters it, gazing at the bleak offerings and feeling her eyes instantly watering; not everything spent when she cried in the shower. All night she had held back most of her fluid emotion, not wanting to add to his guilt or play up the pity card; and not wanting to fall back into pure female emotion just to get some male attention and comfort. Appearing weak to him was something she had told herself the day they met she'd work very hard not to do; it wasn't an option. But it was always her that told her team that showing your fears and weaknesses to those that you trust and that care for you was a sign of trust and strength on your part; it was just that now she was having a hard time believing those words herself.
She numbly changes and then sits down on the edge of the bed, her fingers quickly brushing away angry tears. "Damn you Ida," Donna softly curses as she shakes her head and tries to stifle an anguished sob. She looks around the rather desolate surroundings, her mind flashing back to her own cozy apartment and her anger and sorrow surging, She hears a soft creaking and looks up to see Ed watching her in misery.
"I just can't…believe this," she confesses as he sits down beside her and wraps his arm around her; having heard her soft cries and knowing he was partially to blame for her world now being turned completely upside down; how could he not at least offer some kind of comfort right now?
"Donna I'm sorry," is all Ed can offer as his grasp around her tightens. The two of them sit side by side in the dimly lit room, until Donna's fatigue takes over and Ed gently lays her on her side, covers her with a blanket, kisses her forehead and then leaves, turning off the light and bathing her in darkness.
He slowly climbs back into bed, his mind too alert to really fall asleep and wondering what tomorrow would bring and what Ida was now planning - for both of them.
A/N: Okay so am sure we all know that women are bit more devious then men when it comes to revenge schemes lol at least I think so…so what does Ida have planned? And how will day two go for the new couple? All wine and roses or will resentment start to creep in and take its toll? A little bit of fluff this chappy before we get back to the danger and angst. As always I hope you are enjoying this fictional little tale and please do review before you go as feedback helps us to keep going for you all. Thanks so much!
