Season Five Episode 02 - Plus One

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own the RUSH series. However, this creation of a fifth season after the aired finale on TEN does belong to me. I own any original characters.

Enjoy xx


Chapter One-

The first puzzle piece was complete...

He held her down against the bed, ripping her clothes...

Ripping away her humanity...

She begged him to stop as she once had before, but it never got through...

He'd been the first...

Shannon wondered if she somehow deserved this; it was the fourth time in her life she'd been raped...

Maybe she just asked for it...

He put a hand on her windpipe and leant heavily on her chest, forcing the little oxygen she had to leave. She gasped, trying to draw in a breath.

"Why did you leave me? I told you I loved you, swore that I'd changed! And you still left me! When I found out about this job, when I was asked to do it, I knew I had to do it, because I could see you again... And I needed to see you again..." Said Andrew, almost remorseful. Shannon could feel her world slipping away from her, and she coughed, struggling to take a breath...

"That's it Shannon, come on, breathe for us..."

She hurt...

She thought she'd never be loved again after Andrew...

Then there was Josh...

Lawson...

After Lawson left, she couldn't take another heartbreaking moment, and started to throw herself into work...

To hide the pain in her heart...

"Dammit Shannon, don't leave us now..."

She could have sworn she was hearing Lawson's voice...

Panic and fear took over as the memory faded...

Shannon coughed and spluttered, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her chest was heaving, not sure where she was or what was going on. She forced her eyes open, and found a paramedic poised above her, ready to jolt her again with the defibrillator. Lawson was holding the oxygen bag over face, and panic won the fight. Shannon pushed away the mask and threw up, unfortunately over Lawson. She cried harder, hiccuping as she sobbed.

"Shh, it's okay," whispered Lawson, trying to be comforting. He took her hand in his and gave it a quick squeeze. She hissed in pain and pulled away, cradling her bruising hand to her chest. He shook his head as he remembered those fingers were broken, and he realised he'd caused her more pain.

"Shannon, my name is Angela. The driver's name is Jemma; we're part of the assault response unit. We're taking you to the hospital to get you checked over, okay? Lawson's coming with you to make sure you're," said Angela gently. Shannon nodded, and tried to push herself up. Angela laid a hand on Shannon's chest, and Shannon gasped in pain.

"Just lie down for the moment and rest. We're going to take care of you, okay?" Shannon nodded and closed her eyes again, the tears still falling. She didn't trust herself to speak, and she glanced through tearfilled eyes towards Lawson. Her other hand snaked towards his hand and took it. He tried to make her let go, thinking it would cause her pain, and she gripped tighter.

"Just let her," said Angela gently, immobilising the fingers on Shannon's right hand.

"Why did you tell her who was here?" Asked Lawson.

"You should know better than anyone; victimology states she needs some control. She's had a lot happen to her, and if she knows exactly whom is in the vehicle, then she's more likely to relax," replied Angela quietly.

"She'll be okay, won't she?" Asked Lawson. Neither Angela nor Jemma answered, and he looked at both paramedics.

"Won't she?"


Stella and Josh drove back to Base together, Christian opting to take the other patrol.

"What on earth possesses someone to do that to another human being?" Asked Stella. She'd seen an image of Shannon she'd never really wanted to see, and instead, the remaining TR team escaped as soon as they were able.

"I don't know, but there has got to be something wrong with him. She told me she'd been raped again; how many times has she been raped?" Asked Josh angrily.

"Four," replied Leon, joining in on their conversation.

"How do you know?" Asked Stella.

"Her records aren't sealed Stel, and we all knew about Frank. We just though he was the only one. Including this, she was raped twice by Andrew Dixon, and once by his mate Henry Thomas. I don't know how someone survives that," commented Leon.

"You survive it because you're strong, and Shannon is the strongest person I know," retorted Stella.

"And she went completely off the rails with Riot; you think she's strong? I think the pain and hurt are driving her mad," replied Leon.

"Doesn't mean we can give up on her like we did Michael. She is one of us Leon, and we need to look out for her. We all do," said Stella decisively.

"That includes the new guy," said Leon offhandedly.

"There's a new guy?" Asked Josh.

"Yep. Sergeant Daniel De Luca, passed all entrance exams to the unit, and the Police Commissioner decided that he would be best for the team. We're short, and with everything that was happening with Anna and Shannon, Kerry just said yes. He'll be a probationary member, and..."

"You've said too much Leon. Stick to the job you're supposed to do and stop being a gossip," said Kerry, interrupting the conversation.

"Hi Kerry. We're on our way back to you now," said Josh.

"Well big boy, you might want to turn around, because Minka just called to say Tash is in labour," replied Kerry.

"What?" Asked Josh, his tone disbelieving.

"Tash is having the baby now Josh; get to the hospital!" Josh just coasted to the side of the road, stopped the car and climbed out. Stella hopped out as well.

"You okay Josh?" She asked, concerned. He responded by leaning over and throwing up.

"Is he okay Stel?" Asked Kerry.

"He'll be fine. I'll drive him over now, and I'll pick up Lawson as well before I come back. Hopefully his nose isn't broken," commented Stella.

"You broke Lawson's nose? Well done," praised Leon. Kerry slapped him over the back of the head.

"Don't praise her! Stell, just get Josh to the hospital; Minka sounded worried." Josh's face paled visibly, and he crossed in front of the patrol to climb into the passenger seat.

"We're heading there now Kerry. Keep us updated."

"You keep us updated too Stel." Stella hit the accelerator and sped towards the hospital.

"She's not due for another two weeks," worried Josh.

"Baby's come early sometimes Josh, and she'll be at the best place possible. Minka will stay with her until we get there. She's a good kid Josh, and Tash is strong. She'll be fine," replied Stella, concentrating on maneuvering through the late night traffic.

"What if things go wrong? I can't lose her Stel; we've been through too much for me to lose her now," said Josh.

"Brendan Joshua, if you think like that now, Tash is going to murder you in the delivery room with her bare hands. Be optimistic right now and encourage her as she delivers that beautiful baby of yours," said Kerry, interrupting over the comms.

"Has anyone called in anything yet Kerry?" Asked Stella, desperate for any information.

"Nothing Stel. Get there and get there fast, yell at Lawson for not telling me what's going on, and notify me of Shannon's condition."