Title: Hatred is the Strongest Poison
Chapter 6 – Taken!

"Okay thanks…" Greg sighs as he hangs up his phone and then looks at Ed with a deep frown.

"What did they find?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary; whoever this guy was knew what he was doing and didn't leave anything behind," Greg explains with a heavy sigh.

"And the description Winnie gave? Anything on that yet?"

"Nothing confirmed. Could be anyone. I mean the mustache and goatee could have been fake as well as the glasses and blue eyes," Greg answers with a tight jaw. "Anything out of the ordinary out there?" Greg motions with his head to the crime scene behind them; Spike now walking up to them from behind the command truck.

"Nothing worth mentioning," Ed answers in truth. "Maybe this guy just wanted you suspended and then gave up when he saw it didn't work?"

"Or maybe he's just waiting," Greg replies as Spike stops by them. "Did you notice anything out of the ordinary?"

"Nope," Spike tells them both. "That's good right?"

"Yeah…" Greg pauses as he looks over at Ed who merely nods and then turns back to Spike, "that's good. Alright the case is over, the suspect is in jail and it's time to head back, debrief and then head for home and just enjoy the weekend."

"Copy that," Ed smiles as he turns and heads toward Sam and Jules.

"Any plans?" Greg asks Spike as they head back to the truck.

"I was gonna see what Sam's sister was up to tomorrow night but other than that I think just restin' or um you know do laundry," Spike finishes with a smirk.

"Laundry?" Greg smiles over at Spike. "Doesn't your mother have that under lock and key?"

"She…sure does," Spike agrees with a long exhale that concludes with a small laugh. "What about you? You…still going to Marina's son's baseball game after the um…well the stuff with the locker and all?"

"I don't know Spike. I don't want to involve anyone else if I can help it until we know for sure what we are dealing with. If it had just been the substitute janitor that was murdered and that was it, I'd tell her and be done with it. But this…"

"She doesn't know about your past?"

"She knows I don't drink because she asked the night of our first official date," Greg answers as his mind recalls the happy event and he can't help but smile. "She's a strong woman and I admire that about her but…but if this is a grudge against the team and there is the possibility that it could extend to…"

"But what if this person already knows about our…families?" Spike frowns.

"And I know and don't tell her and then something happens," Greg huffs. "I'd never forgive myself and I have enough to contend with right now. We'll see. I'll stop by later and see how she is and then…go from there," Greg finishes.

"Can't believe he'd just walk right into SRU headquarters…you know talk to Winnie and do all that," Spike ponders as he looks out the window. "It's um…kinda unnerving."

"That's what he wants. He wants his arrogance to rattle us all and wonder what he can do next."

"But that'll keep us on guard right?"

"What's that line Ed always likes to hand out?"

"Another one?" Spike laughs. "Don't go down any dark alley's alone?"

"That's the one," Greg nods. "Just keep your wits about you and it'll be okay. I mean it's been a quiet day for you right?"

"Yeah nothing missing, no strange phone calls…maybe my car was just a mistaken identity," Spike shrugs as they head into the SRU building. "I pick it up tomorrow so am happy about that."

"You still trying to sell the mob story to your mom?" Greg asks with a slight smirk.

"I told her it was Al Capone's nephew," Spike retorts with a chuckle. "She said I need more sleep," he then concludes with a frown.

"You'll get that tonight," Greg pats Spike on the back.

"And what about you? I mean the anniversary you were talking about…Monty's death is coming next week."

"I am prepared for that," Greg assures Spike with a nod.

"Really?"

"You trying to negotiate me Spike?" Greg counters with a wink and Spike's face slightly warms.

"No um…"

"Spike, I'll be fine but thanks for the concern. Ten years…it's a big one but I do plan to keep myself busy that day. Unlike the past few years when I was alone for that day I won't be this time and that um…well that knowledge is actually making that day seem less daunting."

"She's good for you…Marina," Spike comments. "You smile just mentioning her name."

"Come on, let's finish up here and call it a day."

"Sounds good to me," Spike agrees as they both head into the team one meeting room to discuss the call and then head for home. Greg collects all the last comments, says goodbye to the team and then leans back in his chair in the quiet room, pondering the call and his actions as he has done with every single call since he's taken over Team One. Greg leans forward on the table, resting his head in his hands and allowing his mind to drift back to Monty's final moments and he feels his whole body starting to tense.

"Thinking about me?" A soft voice whispers into Greg's ear as delicate fingers cover his eyes.

"Actually…yes," Greg confesses as his hands cover Marina's and give them a warm squeeze.

"Good," she answers as she slowly sits down beside him. "Tough day?"

"Yeah. This is a nice surprise."

"Well figured you couldn't have all the fun coming to my place of work," Marina smiles in reply. But when she sees Greg offer her a tight lipped fake smile in return, she slightly cocks her head to the side and frowns. "But…you didn't want me to come?"

"No…no sorry if I gave off that impression," Greg huffs as he leans forward, his hands still holding hers, forcing warmth to surge between them. He looks at her for a few minutes before his heart rushes words without checking with his brain first. "Do you want to stay the night?"

Marina looks at Greg and slightly sits back, their hands still attached. "I would love to say yes but…I don't want to be your…"

"Comfort sex?" Greg's face slightly blushes as Marina nods in agreement. "Ok-ay. No...I don't want that either and I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. It's been a um…a rough few days."

"Sushi withdrawals?"

"I guess…" Greg pauses as he gives her a small frown. "I should be upfront so that when I say I might not be able to come tomorrow you'll know why."

"Ok-ay," Marina states as she slowly pulls back, forcing Greg to instantly regret his tone. "Greg what is it? If you want to pull back then...I'll under..."

"No…our substitute janitor was killed, the RCMP violent crimes unit is looking into it right now. His keys and supplies were stolen and a call was made to my boss saying that I was drinking on the job and someone planted a flask in my locker."

"What?" Marina asks in shock. "Greg…who…are you okay? What?" She lightly rambles in confusion, causing Greg to take a deep breath and then continue.

"We don't yet know if the two are related as no one saw the flask planted and there are no camera's in our locker rooms for well…obvious reasons. It could be a prank but…"

"After what you told me about um…well your personal history…"

"Marina…"

"Greg I'm not afraid of you," she tells him in kind.

"I am," Greg whispers in remorse.

"Don't be afraid. Wanting to get to someone…falling um…in love means taking the good with the bad…" she stops her nervous ramble and then looks up in uncertainty.

"What?" Greg asks with an instant smile. "Really?"

"I know it's soon…probably too soon to admit…that but..." is all she gets out before Greg leans in and plants a brief but warm kiss on her lips and then pulls back.

"Not too soon if we both feel the same way," he whispers tenderly and her face cracks into a warm grin. "But part of loving someone is wanting to keep them safe and I don't know what this will lead to if anything."

"Greg, I'm not afraid," Marina insists. "Of your past or this…whatever this might turn out to be."

"I am," Greg looks down and then slowly stands up and walks a few feet, making Marina swivel in her chair and watch him in interest. "I can't tell you to go to the park, check it out for anyone out of the ordinary while I wait in the truck in case I need to either make an arrest or just come and enjoy the day if no one shows up."

"Would Sophie do that for Ed?"

"Marina…" Greg turns back to her with a small smile.

"Would she?"

"She would but…"

"I'm not afraid Greg," Marina tries to explain as she stands up and heads over to Greg, standing inches apart. "I was the one standing before an obsessed employee with a gun to my head and you helped me…let me help you now okay? If that taught me anything it's time is too short too worry about what-if's. I'll get there…check it out. The same people come every game so spotting someone who doesn't belong should be easy…"

"Marina…"

"Shhh," Marina puts her finger to his lips and smiles. "I want to do this. I'm not afraid. I want you to believe that."

"How did I ever find you?" Greg lightly teases.

"Someone dialed 9-11," Marina winks and then smiles as well. "Please say yes."

"I think I already did," Greg confesses as he leans in and plants a discreet kiss on her cheek. "I gotta keep the phone handy but…but why don't we go to my place, you can help me burn dinner and then we'll talk about tomorrow."

"Dinner is going to be perfect," Marina insists as she loops her arm in Greg's as they head for the exit door. "Because I'm going to make it. I'll let you take care of dessert."

XXXXXXXX

"Yes ma I get the car back tomorrow," Spike huffs as he looks from his mother back down to his meal.

"If you had a normal job…"

"It's not the job...it's not the job," Spike answers in a calm tone before he picks up his plate and then heads into the living room to finish the rest of his meal – alone. He thinks about Greg and how happy he was in just mentioning Marina's name and finds himself wondering if he'd ever find that. Sure Natalie was beautiful and fun but she just lacked that 'thing' that made his whole core happy with anticipation. Would he ever find that? He glances over at his phone on the small table beside the couch and smiles; she was here now and was a friend. Maybe that was all he needed to take his mind off this present predicament?

He calls Natalie but learns that she's busy with a girlfriend, going to see a movie; but she did ask if he wants to go. Spike mulls over in his mind but after the trying week, the last thing he really wants is another person asking a bunch of questions he doesn't have the patience to answer, so he politely declines and asks about Saturday night?

"Yeah you know I have an apartment to look at tomorrow about dinner time. You um wanna come?"

"That would be great. I'll pick you up at say six?"

"It's a date," Natalie answers and Spike can only smile. The conversation continues for a big longer and by the time Spike hangs up, his mind is clearer and mode a bit better.

"Goodnight ma," Spike kisses his mother on the cheek as and then gives her a hug.

"That girl…she makes you happy," his mother's hand rests on his cheek. "Why didn't you go out with her?"

"I am tomorrow," Spike tells her with a smile before he heads up to his room. After a brief shower, Spike slumps down into his bed, willing his mind to try to shut off and get some sleep; but it's to no avail. All he can think about is who had cut the brake line in his car and gone through all the trouble to kill the substitute janitor and frame Greg with something so personal.

Greg had not told him all the things that Monty had done that he had uncovered but the more he thought about it, the faster he found himself at his computer and logging into the SRU personnel files.

"Monty…Glennon," Spike mumbles to himself as he starts his search for Greg's fallen nemesis. He finds a few files, but most are locked. It wasn't like there was an open case that he could reference or use to get the files unlocked so he had to make due with the few tidbits that he had on the screen before him.

"So he…wow…this guy's…hardcore...evil..." Spike's voice trails off as he reads one incident report that Greg had to sign off on. It was a report against Monty that he used excessive force in an arrest and when his partner made the complaint Monty went off on him as well. The other officer brought personal charges against Monty and then…

"What the hell?" Spike stops as he reads the next citation. There was nothing after that but there really needen't be in his mind. The next day the officer who had made the complaint was in a car accident where it was determined that his brake lines were cut and the officer was delayed for work. The officer said that he saw Monty stop and come to offer help, make a snide comment and then speed away.

"But that…" Spike thinks back to his own accident and frowns. "Spike, that's not possible," he chastises himself as he quickly closes the computer and leans back, rubbing his face and then looking at the clock with a frown – it was late and he was tired. So telling himself that Monty is dead, Spike heads back to his bed and tries to get some much needed sleep.

However, he would ask Greg on Monday if there perhaps were anyone they fingered as a copycat that might want to come back and keep Monty's memory alive? Despite the long week and stressful situations, Spike didn't have to wonder if he'd be able to fall asleep, he was quickly whisked away into dream world as soon as his eyes were closed; not giving another thought to the man that would soon be turn his life into a living nightmare.

XXXXXXXX

"Well Spike I'm sure it lacks some of the current comforts you are used to but I think you'll be able to make due," Monty grins at the home built contraption now sitting in the middle of the small cell like room that would soon be Spike's tormented prison.

"Now to see what else you've been up to," Monty turns off the light, leaving the device to bath in an eerie glow coming from a small window slit, his mind already filling with the helpless pleas of his soon to be captive. His lips twist with evil delight as he spies the small syringe beside the two lap top computers that he sits down at.

"Okay and…lets see who Spike calls…ah just last night," Monty looks at the number and traces it before he starts to search the calendar on Spike's phone.

"A date…aww how sweet," Monty snides angrily. "To look at an apartment? Gee Spike what a romantic," he groans as he prepares the text that he'll send to Natalie after he's kidnapped his target. "However, this works out better than I could have expected…a date. So your parents will think you're there and she'll think you're at home…loser."

After preparing a small message, Monty shuts down his two machines and then heads into the dingy kitchen, flipping open a frozen microwave dinner and popping it into the still working oven above the stove. He pours himself a glass of whisky and then raises a glass to a picture of Greg and Spike side by side on the wall.

"The end is near – for both of you," he grins before taking a hearty gulp.

XXXXXXXX

"What a wonderful way to wake up," Marina whispers as she opens her eyes and looks up at Greg with a warm smile; the two of them still in a semi-naked state under the covers mid-Saturday morning. "Good morning."

"Good morning to you," Greg smiles down at the woman in his arms, planting a warm kiss on her forehead as golden tresses spill around his bare skin, teasing it with some early morning shiver bumps. "About today…"

"I thought we had that planned."

"I still worry," Greg confesses with a frown. "Scott is only a kid and…" Greg pauses, referring to Marina's son.

"He won't know a thing. Besides maybe I'll tell him I'm on a secret spy mission, he'll get a kick outta that," she answers warmly. "Your team still goes out in public with their families and from what I hear, function quite normally."

"That…they do. Okay so how about since you made dinner, which by the way was amazing thank you," Greg warmly praises, "I'll make the best western style omelet you've ever had."

"Ah so you can do more than boil water."

"Shh don't tell anyone," Greg winks and Marina's smile grows. They linger together a bit longer before it was time to get up and then get breakfast done, both of them working in the kitchen together, talking about the news headlines, drinking their coffee, enjoying the sun coming in the windows and not realizing their lives were about to turn upside down only a few hours from now.

"Okay so you ready to go?" Greg asks Marina a few hours later, about an hour before lunch.

"Yes Sir, I am," she smiles walking up to him. "I'm glad you said yes."

"Me too."

XXXXXXXX

"Okay ma I'm going to get my car and then head to the mall to get a few things and then um…"

"You have a date?" Spike's mother asks with a knowing smile.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Mikey it's been a bit since a young woman has brought that smile to your face. Enjoy my son," she gives him a hug; an almost telltale parting embrace to her only son.

"I um…might not be home tonight."

"Give me the details tomorrow," she winks, forcing his face to slightly warm but his head to nod in agreement.

Spike heads outside, briskly walking toward the bus stop, smiling at the sun and wondering where he should take Natalie for dinner after they finish checking out her new apartment. As he gets onto the bus, his mind now wonders about what he had found out last night. Was there perhaps someone wanting to copy Monty's style inside the SRU? Or was it just a very odd coincidence? He tells himself the latter as the former would mean that maybe there were other things they really had to be wary of and that was worrisome.

But just as he was about to get to his mechanic's he gets a text from Natalie and quickly opens it; not realizing that it was a text from his would be kidnapper.

'Spike, I'm at the mall, can you meet me here. My dang car broke down. Am in the second level parking lot. 2G.'

Spike quickly texts back saying that he was about to pick up his own car and he would see her soon, hang tough and not to buy too much. With a smile Spike heads into his mechanic, his mind not even aware of his own impending doom.

"Hey Michelangelo," Spike's very Italian mechanic Tony greets him with a grin.

"Hey Tony," Spike answers back. "So um…what's the damage?"

"Just the brake line repair. You…found out who did this?"

"No and nothing's happened since, think it might be a case of mistaken identity."

"Well let's hope so. So any plans for today?"

"Got a date," Spike grins.

"With that blond hottie? Sam's sister right?"

"I tell you too much," Spike chuckles.

"Just don't do anything I wouldn't do," Tony winks as Spike signs the VISA slip.

"I'll try," Spike replies as he takes the keys and then heads for his car. As soon as he gets inside, his mind flashes images of himself stuck and the rude stranger walking up to him. Holleran had asked for the description from his run in but they were different men; no one aware it was the same man with two very clever disguises.

Spike waves at Tony as he heads out of the garage and then heads for Queen street and then to the mall; his mind too preoccupied to actually call Natalie to let her know he was on his way, the call that might have actually averted disaster. Spike pulls into the parking lot and then slowly drives around until he finds the area and then spies the lone car where Natalie said it would be.

Spike parks beside her car and gets out, peering inside and seeing some bags and then pulling back with a smile.

"Natalie?" He calls out softly as he sees a man approaching him. But just as the man gets closer he notices two things that immediately make his stomach tighten, the man is the same one that had left him at the scene a few days earlier and he has a gun, pointed right at him.

"Hello Spike," the stranger greets with a slick expression.

"You? What to do you want?"

"Turn around…"

"Look if this about my car…you can have it."

"Turn around please and don't make a fuss or I'll shoot you right here."

"But…"

"I said…do it now or I will shoot."

"What…do you want?" Spike asks with a deep frown, his hands not moving but his mind racing with fear and wonder.

"I said…" Monty hisses as he stands only a few feet away. "Turn around," he demands as he quickly cocks the trigger.

"Okay…okay just hold on. Do you want money?" Spike tries in haste as Monty shoves him up against Natalie's car, holding him trapped against it as he pushes the gun into Spike's cheek.

"No," Monty's whiskey laden breath forces Spike's nostrils to flare.

"I can give you money…whatever I have."

"I don't want your money or your damn car!"

"What um…do you want?"

"I want…you," Monty whispers, forcing Spike's panic to skyrocket. But before Spike can make even one countermove, Monty plunges the small needle into his neck and then slightly pulls back, shoving the gun into his jacket pocket while Spike's body starts to instantly feel the ill effects of the fast acting drugs.

"What…did…" is all he manages as his core enflames and the area around him starts to spin, small dark circles forming before his eyes. His vision blurs as he feels his wrists being pulled behind his back and then fastened with a plastic zip-tie.

"He…l...p," is all he manages before his whole frame goes limp in his captor's grasp.

"Oh I'm sorry Spike," Monty chides as he fastens a piece of tape over his lips and then drags him to his own waiting vehicle and stuffs him into the truck, closing the lid and laughing as he gets back inside. "Help…is - never coming."

A/N: well you knew it was coming right…so what do you think Monty's plan for Spike is and when will the team notice their other team member is missing? Will it be too late for Spike or Greg? I hope you are still liking it and please review before you go and thanks so much!