I was unfortunately offline for most of the month of August. A power surge at the beginning of the month took out my laptop so it took a few weeks before I had enough funds scraped together to buy a new one. Happily back online and piecing together current writing projects since I lost everything on my old laptop. So look for more frequent updates in the weeks to come. Thanks as always for the reviews and alerts. :)

Title: Jinx
author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Chloe/Dov, Andy/Nick, Steve/Traci
Notes and summary: see part one

Chloe fought the urge to slap the computer monitor on her desk and lost. It was picking today of all days to not work. They needed every officer; every piece of e quipment in the search and her computer was deciding to take the day off. She had hit the slim monitor a second time when a male hand grabbed it stopping the momentum. Barely biting back a curse she looked behind to find Sam as the computer rescuer.

"I'm no expert but shouldn't you call the techs?"Sam asked not bothering to hold back a grin.

Chloe wrestled her arm free. "I would if I thought they'd get here in a reasonable amount of time. "

"You can use mine."Sam offered.

Chloe shook her head as she slapped the monitor one more time. It dimmed but finally brightened enough for her to see the icons.

"Thanks, but what I need is on this one."Price replied distractedly as she set to work before the monitor stopped again.

"Okay, Oliver wants everybody available in Parade in ten for an update."Sam informed as he walked past Chloe's desk.

Excitement mixed with anxiety washed over Chloe as she glanced up. "News?"

"Maybe, maybe not."Sam responded. "Spread the word...parade in ten."

"Okay."Chloe acknowledged as she began to type then stopped.

Glancing down at her hands Chloe tried to figure out what had stopped her typing. It was only then that she noticed the first and second fingers of her right hand were crossed. She must've unconsciously did it when Sam mentioned the briefing. As if that little action could bring good news over bad. Sighing Chloe uncrossed her fingers and resumed typing. Hope was hope no matter what silly form it came now they needed every ounce of hope they could get. Nick needed it too.

Trying to hurry and watch one's footing was not as easy as it looked. Even if you had proper boots. Andy slipped on a hidden patch of ice on a small hill and would've fallen if it wasn't for Chris's quick reflexes. He caught and steadied Andy before putting her back on her feet.

"You okay?"Diaz asked as snow flurries stuck to his dark hair.

Andy nodded. "Thanks."

They continued on a few feet before Chris cleared his throat. "Andy?"

"Yeah?"McNally replied not looking away from the terrain in front of her.

"None of my business but are you sure you want to be a part of this search?"Chris asked."You and Collins were close...if we're too late..."

Andy stopped so suddenly Chris nearly slid into her. "We won't be too late."

"I'm just sayin' you don't have to put yourself..."Chris began but Andy cut him off.

"We'll find him."Andy replied firmly as she started walking again. "Knowing Nick he'll probably have a camp fire and dinner going waiting for us."

As Andy caught up to the others she tried to put the conversation with Chris out of her mind. She knew he had meant well but the mental images his line of thought had created were ones Andy wasn't ready to consider. This search had a lot going for it. Time to be realistic wasn't now. Now was for options, technology and speed. They had all three if only mother nature would cooperate.

Nick knew the fact that he was barely noticing the light snow that was clinging to his wet hair and skin was a bad sign. He was so cold at this point that his body was numb. Nick was forcing his fingers to move as he walked clenching and unclenching them. He knew keeping blood flowing to them was the only weapon he had against frost bite. Nick had thought he'd find some kind of shelter near the river but the farther he moved from the river all he saw were trees.

Wiping snow from his eyes Nick struggled forward. He tried to remember the weather forecast for the day. He usually checked it, part of his morning routine. There'd been a chance for snow but right now Nick couldn't remember how much or how bad the weather was going to turn. He knew in the end it really wouldn't matter how much snow there was. If he didn't find shelter and get dry Nick wouldn't stand a chance against any storm big or small.

The Parade room was standing room only by the time Chloe entered. She found a spot to stand along the middle of the back wall. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces mixed in with her friends. She recognized some from first shift and third but others were strangers. Pulled from other divisions to aide in the search.

"For those that don't know me I'm Staff sergeant Oliver Shaw."Oliver began as the room quieted. "To my right is Detective Sam Swarek and on the left is Detective Brian Schwartz from the 11th. The search team at the river is making progress but they have weather moving in that is closing that search window. On the more positive side the reason you're all here is we've had a lead on the robbery suspect more than one lead actually. Sam, if you please."

Sam cleared his throat and motioned to a picture pinned to a dry erase board. Chloe squinted at the picture and stepped forward for a better look. The photo was of a young man in his late teens, early twenties with short brown hair and green eyes. There was a tattoo down the right side of his neck..

"Meet Sean McGinnis age twenty-two."Sam stated tapping the picture with the finger of his right hand. "He's been in and out of jail since he was fourteen. Mostly minor B&E until recently when he graduated to robbing businesses along with homes. He also has a history of drug use mainly meth. A list of known associates has been supplied to you in the briefing material."

"Our other lead is that traffic got a hit on McGinnis's last known location."Oliver continued. "Traffic tracked him to the Alexandra Park area. There's a couple homeless shelters there we need to check out also one of the people on your list of associates a James McMillian was a high school friend and lives in the neighborhood. Assignments are on the board. And on a personal note I just wanted to thank those of you who came in on your day off and those of you from other divisions helping us. It is much appreciated. Get going, I want a good end to this."

The room emptied and Chloe made her way to the front and sat on the edge of one of the tables near Sam and Oliver. Both men nodded to her in acknowledgment and continued with their conversation.

"Had a report from the chopper."Oliver said quietly. "They're closing in on the area that Dov's phone ap data pinged as the most likely spot."

Sam glanced at one of the tv's in the front left corner of the room that was currently showing the twenty-four hour weather channel. The radar map of the city was becoming more and more covered with blue which indicated snow.

"They're going to have to call it, aren't they?"Sam asked solemnly.

Oliver followed his friend's gaze to the radar and then to his watch. "We've still got time."

"Will the ground team keep searching at night?"Chloe asked.

"Depends on how bad the storm gets."Oliver replied. "I won't pull anybody off the search unless there's no choice."

/Hang in there, Nick./Chloe thought as she watched the radar. /Help's coming./

Nick shivered and forced his feet to keep moving. He slid down a small hill his wet boots not getting a good grip. As he regained his footing Nick felt his hope soar. Just on the horizon was what appeared to be a cluster of boulders each about the size of a VW beetle. Nick picked up his pace and reached the rocks in approximately thirty minutes.

As he circled the snow covered boulders Nick spotted what he'd been hoping and praying to find. It wasn't anything close to what most people would call a cave. It was more an alcove barely five feet deep and maybe six feet high. But it was space enough for him to get dry and keep a fire going in the opening to ward off animals. That was if he could find any dry wood. Turning Nick began to hunt for firewood. During his walk from the river Nick had done inventory to see what useful items he had that had survived the crash and the river. Luckily there was one item that Nick hoped would be enough to help him start a fire. After a few minutes Nick had enough wood and returned to the tiny cave.