Title: Payback
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one

Chris knew it was impulsive. Knew with everything they'd been through just in the last few weeks his idea might ruin everything. He couldn't shake the feeling that this would be the perfect cap to a perfect afternoon/evening. One they haven't had for a long time. They'd been walking for about half an hour and the sun had long since set. They were nearing a busier more touristy part of the waterfront. Chris pulled them toward the railing near a streetlamp. Merri looked at him quizzically as they stopped.

"Getting tired?"Merri asked.

"No, just had an idea."Chris replied with a smile.

Merri leaned her back against the railing. Chris saw her glance around trying to guess what his idea was. Not seeing anything obvious she looked back at him and Chris grinned. He kept her right hand tightly in his as he dropped to his left knee. Merri's eyes grew wide and he saw a few smiles from people who walked by them.

"Marry me."Chris said before he lost his nerve or Merri could interrupt him.

Merri opened her mouth to speak but Chris held up his free hand to stop her.

"I don't have a ring, hell I didn't plan on..."Chris faltered but cleared his throat and continued. "I love you Meredith Brody and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."


Merri could only stare at Chris. Moving in together had been a huge step for them. Especially with Chris leaving NCIS and going back to NOPD. They hadn't talked about marriage; they'd still been adjusting to being a couple. When she'd gotten the call that he'd been shot Merri had been more afraid than she'd ever been. It'd taken a lot for her to set down roots in New Orleans; to trust her heart to another. Chris was career law enforcement is was part of who he was. The events of the past couple weeks had made it clear to Merri how intertwined their lives had become. Made it clear how much she loved him. Could they really make it work?

"I love you."Chris repeated still on bended knee. "If you need time to think..."

Merri shook her head a wide smile on her face. Chris looked at her with hesitant hopeful eyes.

"No I don't need time."Merri said quietly. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Chris rose to his feet and gathered Merri in his arms lifting her off of her feet swinging her around. He kissed her a long deep kiss before resting his forehead against hers.

"You really think we can do this?"Merri asked once they broke apart.

"I know we can."Chris replied as he lightly caressed Merri's right cheek.

"I love you."Merri whispered as she rested her head on his chest.

"Love you too."Chris replied softly.

Merri wanted this night to go on forever. She and Chris had walked arm and arm for another six blocks or so before turning and making their way back towhere Chris had parked the truck. They had parked across from a small park. Merri barely noticed the park now as they walked through it. She was still processing the engagement. It was starting to sink in and she wasn't as scared as when he'd first proposed but now the happiness was winning and not letting go. Merri was more than content to envelope herself in that happiness and enjoy just being with Chris. All too soon the truck was in sight and Merri stepped away from Chris as they waited to cross the street. It was getting late the the crowd of tourists they'd been in all night was thinning to a trickle. They were now practically alone on the street a few blocks ahead a couple darted inside a bar. Chris gripped Merri's right hand and they stepped onto the street.

In the silence the screech of tires was loud. Merri and Chris both froze and looked in the direction of the sound as a black SUV screamed around the corner four blocks away. It picked up speed as it neared them and Merri felt Chris shove her towards his truck. She hit the ground just as the SUV flew past them and slammed to a stop. It spun around and revved it's engine coming back towards them. Merri scrambled to her feet looking to Chris only to find that he was almost to her. Merri reached for her weapon automatically only to remember she'd left it at home. Merri saw Chris pull his weapon from the back waistband of his pants and aim it at the SUV.

"I unlocked it; get in."Chris ordered grimly.

The SUV's tires squealed as it gained speed and slammed into the parked car in front of Chris's truck sending glass flying. Merri ducked and opened the passenger door of the truck and climbed in. Her eyes never left the SUV. Chris fired two shots before getting in the driver's side and slamming the door. He started the truck clicking on the headlights and throwing the truck into drive. Just as Chris was about to leave their parking spot the SUV hit the small compact car that was in front of the sedan it had hit earlier. The SUV used the small compact to barrel into the sedan and then into Chris's truck.

The impact was jarring throwing Merri back against her seat. She heard Chris curse and she reached over and grabbed his gun. She opened her window and fired at the SUV. The passenger side windshield exploded in a spiderweb of cracks. In response the SUV hit the cars once more pile driving them into Chris's truck. Merri fired once more but the SUV reversed and spun in a circle before leaving.

"You alright?"Chris asked worriedly as he put the truck in park and reached for Merri as people began exiting restaurants and bars filling the street and sidewalks.

"Yeah, you?"Merri replied a bit breathlessly.

"I'm okay but you're bleedin'."Chris said tensely as he found a kleenex and gently dabbed at a spot on Merri's left cheek.

"Must've been hit with glass."Merri said absently. "Think it was the militia?"

"Scene like this is their style."Chris said through gritted teeth. "Though I want to know how they knew we were here."

"Probably been following us."Merri theorized as she reached for her cell phone. "I'll call Pride."

"From the sound of the sirens somebody already called it in."Chris said with a grim shake of his head as he looked at the smashed cars in front of him. "Did you get any of the plate?"

"No it was moving too fast."Merri replied.

The first NOPD squad arrived on the scene and Chris got out of the truck to talk to the officer. Merri watched as Chris showed his own NOPD ID and began to explain what happened. As Merri told Dwayne what happened she could hear anger in her boss's voice. King promised he'd be there as soon as he could. As Merri ended the call and watched more police arrive she knew this was just the beginning. Tonight had been a warning. The Militia had a long memory and they weren't going anywhere until they had their revenge.