Author's notes: Sorry about the really long delay. If you want the detail I can give them to you, but believe me when I say….I was really busy!!! Plus my creative spark was on low, even though I knew what I was planning for my favorite guy.

By the way, I've watched the first few episodes of season 3(?) on line, since we poor Americans can get it until that stupid doctor show tanks. I did go out and buy season 1 on DVD last night!! Anyway, there is a slight touch of foreshadowing for Season 3 ep 1, but nothing major.

Flashpoint Flashpoint Flashpoint

Greg had remained at Spike's for several hours. The younger man had spent the time alternating between anger and tears. He raged at the men who had attacked him; spoke about the guilt he felt when he thought about his perceived lack of skills that allowed for his capture and his frustration with feeling alienated from the team. He also talked to Greg about seeing the video footage of the home invasion and recognizing Baldy.

With a possible lead, Greg excused himself long enough to place a call to headquarters. The idea of a possible lead on the case was the first break they had. After hanging up, Greg returned his attention to his young team member.

"Spike, I'm not going to lie to you. I want you back on the team and so do the others. We trust you." Greg could see the anguish in Spike's eyes. "Every day that we go out there, we have each other's back. Sometimes even that isn't enough and things happen. SRU has lost good men before. There are times that even the best isn't enough and the bad guys win. But we keep going. Why? There are times I can't answer that question. There have been times when I've been ready to call it quits."

A moment passed and Spike questioned, "What brought you back?"

"Because I know if I did, I would question myself every time something bad happened and I would wonder if I could have been the one to make a difference." Pausing Greg let the meaning sink in. "Think of all the times you've been part of something good with the team. We have made this little part of the world safer for the people who live here. You've made that difference."

"I don't know if I can go back and face the team." Spike's voice was hesitant. "If I were them, I'd hate me."

"Do you hate them?"

"No. There was a part of me that was angry because of what happened, but I know that everyone was doing their job."

"So why do you thing they should hate you?" Greg pressed.

"Because I let them down. I didn't stay strong enough to keep things from happening. Now there are four guys out there killing people, because I let them get away."

"Hold on. You can't take the blame for that. The hostage situation and breakout happened; regardless of what you think you did or didn't do." A part of Greg wanted to reach out and shake some sense into Spike. The idea that he felt responsible for the actions of the escapees was irrational. "I'd feel the same way." Greg's inner voice chimed in. "I can understand why you might feel this way. It's wrong and we both know that, but if you want to do something about it the best way is to come back to work and help us catch these guys before they strike again."

"How?" Spike questioned. "We're not the investigators."

"There is nothing that says we can't try to run down what we know and see if we can determine where they might strike next." Greg encouraged. "We get in touch with the constables working on the case and offer our assistance."

"I don't know Boss." Spike ran a weary hand over his face. "Can I sleep on it tonight and get back to you?"

"Sure Spike." Greg stood and placed a hand on Spike's shoulder. "Lou was pretty worried about you. He wanted to come with me but I thought we should talk first. Why don't you call him and let him know how you're doing."

Spike nodded. "Will do Boss. Thanks for listening today. I know Dr. Luria wanted me to resolve things with the team. I screwed that up royally."

"Everyone on that team understands where you're coming from. Just trust them." Greg squeezed Spike's shoulder reassuringly. "Trust me."

Spike stood, the hand falling from his shoulder. "I do Boss."

Greg, knowing what the young man needed, pulled him into a hug. "Thanks Spike."

The two men broke the embrace and Greg moved to the door. "See you at 7:30 tomorrow?"

"I'll sleep on it," Spike acknowledged. "I want to be back."

"Good. See you in the morning." Greg smiled and closed the door. He stood for a moment on the step and took a deep breath. "I really hope you're there in the morning."

Inside, Spike sat down and turned the television on. He kicked off his shoes and lay down. The emotions that he had dealt with that day had made him feel exhausted. With in moments he was asleep.

Flashpoint Flashpoint Flashpoint

"I tell you we need to get the hell out of here."

"If we hit a few more houses we should be able to get enough that we can get some new names and the correct papers. Then we can cross the boarder and find something better." Petar Jovanović, better known to Spike as "Baldy', crossed to one of the beds in the room and sat down. "Living in this place is no better than being back in prison."

"With your picture out there we are going to have to be even more careful." Frank was blindly rolling through the limited television channels available.

"Whose fault is that?" Petar turned threateningly towards Frank. "Your job was to make sure that any such devices were disabled!"

"They must have had a back-up battery. I cut the power." Frank seemed unconcerned over the other man's anger. "Besides, that picture was so bad only your mother would recognize you."

"Of that I'm not to sure of. Someone will make the connection."

"So wear a hat, grow a mustache."

"After I've been out walking around in this neighborhood? Someone will see the picture and turn me in for the reward."

"You said yourself, several more jobs and we are done for here. Maybe we should just speed up the schedule and blow town?" Frank groused.

The sound of a key in the door caused both men to pause. Petar pulled out a gun and moved to a position that would hide him from the view of the person at the door.

The door opened slowly and John entered the room. Turning to shut the door he saw Petar standing behind the door. "You're not going to shoot me are you? The cops wouldn't use a key."

"You can never be sure." Petar moved away from the wall and over to a chair. "So what did you find out?"

"My friend confirmed that his boss always brings the deposit home with him on Saturdays and doesn't take it to the bank until Monday." John sat on the far bed, careful not to put himself too close to Frank. "He doesn't want to know any plans, that way if he's questioned about it he can answer truthfully."

"So how does he know that this is the boss's routine?" Frank turned his attention away from the television.

"He's been at this place for over a year and when he works the closing the boss takes the cash bag."

"So we watch on Saturday and if he goes straight home we will hit it." Petar's tone was final.

"Perhaps this one will be enough." John was tentative.

"If we get enough." Petar was noncommittal; he wanted to leave Canada with enough cash in his pocket to allow him to arrive in the States with a bankroll.

"Paulie was smart." Frank looked at Petar. "He got the hell out of the city right away."

"His girlfriend was more than happy to help him. Too bad you didn't have someone waiting for you on the outside; a boyfriend perhaps?" The reply to Frank's comment was heavy with disgust.

"Maybe I should have looked for my little friend the constable. I told him I would visit him." Frank grabbed himself suggestively. "I'm feeling a little lonely."

"Contact anyone and I'll kill you myself. The last thing we need is more attention."

"Calm down Petar, I was only joking." Frank turned his attention back to the screen, but the kernel of an idea was starting to grow. "I'm hungry, does anyone else want something?"

"Sure, I could eat." John looked up from the paper he was reading.

"Get something better than the shit you picked last night." Petar picked up the remote that Frank had abandoned. "It was almost as bad as the food in the East."

"I'll get Thai. How does chicken pad thai sound." Frank appeared to be more cheerful than normal.

"What ever. Hurry back and be god damned careful."

"I will." Frank opened the door and headed out.

Flashpoint Flashpoint Flashpoint

The ringing of the phone finally penetrated the thick fog of sleep that had engulfed Spike. Rolling over on the couch, he reached out for the phone. Putting it to his ear he answered, his voice gravely. "Hello."

"Hey buddy, I'm just calling to see if you want to get together for supper tonight." Lou's voice was upbeat.

Swinging his legs around and sitting up, Spike rubbed his face trying to wake up. "Umm, I don't know."

"Knowing you there probably isn't a decent meal in the house. I'll pick up a pizza and come over." Lou didn't give Spike a chance to back out. "I should be there by 7pm."

"Sure Lou." Spike paused a moment. "Thanks buddy."

"No problem. We can start planning our vacation. What do you say to Jamaica?"

Spike laughed and Lou could hear the man his friend had been before. "What?" Lou tried to sound indignant. "I suppose you have a better idea?"

"No man. It's just all I can think of is that you'll probably end up with a better tan than I would." Spike teased his friend.

"I can't help it you didn't get the Scarlatti genes that included the ability to tan." Lou shot back. "Think about it though. A guy I know from school went there and said it was amazing. Warm water and blue skies."

"That sounds great. Hey don't you need to get going and grab that pizza? A man can starve to death waiting for his friend to bring food."

"Ok, see you soon Spike." Lou hung up.

Spike pushed himself up from the couch. Having spoken to Lou he felt a little more on an even keel. It was almost like everything was like it was before. The phone started ringing again and he picked it up. Leave it to Lou to forget something. "Hey, did you forget what I like?"

"No I didn't Constable Scarlatti."

"Who is this?" Spike's stomach clenched. He knew who it was, but he was frozen with the phone to his ear.

"You remember me. I told you I was going to visit you when I was out. I couldn't get enough of your sweet ass last time. Maybe this time we'll do it at your place."