A/N: This chapter has a little action and some angst. This is an A/U story so I hope you don't mind and I hope you enjoy.

Warning: more spoilers from The Better Man.

"Phrases in quotes and italics" are thoughts.

"Phrases in quotes, italics and bold" are text messages.

"Phrases in quotes and bold" are directly from the episode.

Disclaimer: I own nothing Flashpoint related except some DVDs.


Knowing Where You Need to Be

Chapter 9

Previously:

Greg wanted to know what was going on with Naismith because he had heard shots fired, "Naismith, what's your status?"

"We've been ambushed... we've got an officer down!"

Spike's head snapped up in panic...his fear for Anisa's safety began to take control of his mind. He looked to Greg for direction or guidance. Greg just looked at him empathetically.


Anisa and Ryan rode with Naismith and were briefed on his tactical plan for their part of the raid. She had taken a sniper rifle in addition to her hand gun in case it was needed. Naismith's plan was simple. The place was supposed to have the subject, his girlfriend and very limited staff on the premises at that hour. He wanted Anisa to find a sniper perch in case the subject managed to sneak out while they were inside. She would be able to shoot out the tires on the vehicle slowing it down long enough for Naismith to apprehend him. She wasn't sure that was the best plan of attack, but this was his operation and it was not up to her to question him now.

When they arrived at the location, she spotted a nearby rooftop and decided to use that. She climbed to the top of the roof and set up the rifle and informed him that all was a go. She heard him start the count down and take role call of all the other teams. All teams checked in except Team One. He had to ask twice before he got a ready status from them. That was unusual she thought, but she couldn't dwell on that, she had to focus on her job at this moment.

Naismith called for a "go" and that was when all hell broke loose. Naismith and Lambert approached the building, but they didn't get far before two men exited the building and opened fire on them with automatic guns pushing them back. Before Anisa knew what was happening more gunfire erupted from an upper window. Naismith took cover behind his car before he realized that Lambert had been hit.

"Shit!" shouted Anisa as she lined up her shot. POP one subject down. She reloaded. POP second subject down. She reloaded and took aim at the window. It took her a minute to get a clear shot then, POP third subject down.

When Spike heard her expletive he finally exhaled with relief that she was unharmed.

"Hang on Naismith. I'm coming down." It was then that she realized that he had be screaming "officer down" into the headset. She had been in 'the zone' while she was taking her shots and did not realize that he had been talking to Greg Parker on the headset. She packed up the rifle in seconds and flew down to ground level. In 90 seconds she was by Naismith's side. Anisa saw Ryan's body lying on the ground about 25 yards in front of the car they were hiding behind. She heard Greg say they were on their way and Ed tell them to stay behind the engine block. She knew she had to get her partner to safety. Making her way to the front of the car, she assessed the situation and devised her strategy.

"Naismith, I am going to get my partner. You cover me. Copy?"

Ed's booming voice came over the headsets, "THAT IS A NEGATIVE, MCCONNELL. We are minutes away. Wait for SRU."

Anisa was not about to let her partner bleed to death and she knew she could get him to safety even if Ed didn't. "Ed, I am not taking a chance that you won't get here in time. Have EMS on route and he will be out of harms way when you get here. NOT ARGUING THIS WITH YOU." With that, she counted down with her fingers to Naismith. After she got to "1" she sprinted to Lambert and managed to roll him on top of her. She ran as quickly as she could in a crouch and carrying his weight. She was back behind the car in 60 seconds assessing his injuries. One bullet went into the vest, but another had lodged itself in his upper chest near his shoulder. This wound was bleeding profusely and he was no longer conscious.

"I need a cloth – a hanky or something. Do you have anything like that?" she asked Naismith. He was panicking and unable to think straight. "Hey, Naismith! Listen to me... do you have some thing I can stop the bleeding with?" Naismith's just shook his head looking dazed. Anisa placed her knee on Ryan's wound to maintain pressure. She removed her Kevlar vest and then her shirt (she was momentarily thankful that she had worn a sports bra that day) and then put the vest back on. She balled up her shirt and placed it over the would and continued applying pressure to it. She checked his pulse – it was steady, but weak.

"What is the ETA on EMS?" she asked calmly.

"Minutes away," came Winnie's voice over the headset. "Hang in there detective."

"Copy that," Anisa responded. Then talking to her partner, "C'mon, Ryan hang in there. You're gonna be OK. And then you owe me a new shirt...just saying." She continued to chatter to him in case he could hear her and, also in part, to keep her self calm and focused.

Soon she heard vehicles pulling up and saw the black SUVs of the SRU and behind them the red lights of the ambulance. Sam,Wordy and Spike exited their vehicles, grabbed some shields and ran to the car behind which Anisa, Naismith and Ryan were positioned. Spike saw Anisa working efficiently to save her partner's life.

When they reached their hiding place behind the car, Spike looked Anisa in the eye. His gaze asked the question "Are you OK." She nodded in understanding and indicating that she was fine. Wordy bent to help her lift Ryan and they carried him to the ambulance behind the cover of the shields held by Spike and Sam. They laid Ryan on the waiting gurney and Anisa told them what she had determined his status to be. Anisa stepped back to allow the paramedics to do their jobs.

Jules appeared out of nowhere and handed Anisa a shirt asking, "You OK?"

Taking the shirt she said, "Thanks. I'm good."

It took every ounce of control that Spike had to remain professional as he looked at her covered in blood. Before Spike could say anything, Ed joined his team and his piercing blue eyes narrowed on Anisa.

"McConnell...you disobeyed a direct order!" barked Ed angrily.

Calmly, but assertively Anisa, replied "I do not report to you. My partner's life was at risk and I took action. I would do it again to help any fellow officer, as I think you or anyone on your team would. If you feel compelled, feel free to take it up with my supervisor and we will follow normal disciplinary protocol." Ed glared at her then walked away. His team followed behind.

Spike lingered a moment, "You going to the hospital?" She nodded and for the first time he could see a twinge of emotion behind her stoic facade. "OK update me when you can."

Nodding she said, "Keep safe." Spike nodded back as he saw her climb into the ambulance.

Team One assessed the situation and determined that there were probably two or three gunmen left in the house and that Hudson had escaped. Ed looked at Wordy and handed him a gun as they prepared to enter. Once inside, they apprehended 2 subjects and scoured the house for clues. The team heard a ringing sound and found a throw-away phone. Wordy answered it and heard Naismith's voice, who hung-up immediately. The team regrouped to try to put all of the pieces together. They surmised that Naismith had been trying to reach out to Hudson's girlfriend because they had been involved. They also determined that he had decided to take on Hudson himself and rescue the girlfriend. Now it was up to Team One to find Naismith because he would lead them to Hudson.

After a very stressful showdown on a bridge, Team One managed to get the situation under control and Hudson into custody. They headed back to the barn for the debrief.


Anisa put on the shirt that Jules had given her as she rode to the hospital in the ambulance. When they arrived at the hospital Anisa listened to the doctor's initial assessment. While they took Ryan to x-ray, Anisa pulled out her phone and dialed his wife. As it rung, she reminded herself that she had to remain unemotional and strong. She had to separate herself from the personal relationship.

"Hello."

"Hello, Mel," said Anisa calmly.

"Oh no... what happened?" asked Melanie.

Taking a deep breath, Anisa answered, "Ryan has been hit. He is in x-ray now and will probably need surgery. You need to come to the hospital."

"Is he OK? 'Nis, tell me he is going to be OK!"

"I can tell you his heartbeat is steady, but he has lost a lot of blood. That is all I know now," she responded soberly.

"I'm on my way. Call if there is a change."

"I will."

Next Anisa dialed her sergeant to inform him of her partner's condition. As she was talking to Sgt. Duncan, she noticed the looks she was getting from others in the waiting room. Glancing at her hand, she noticed a smear of blood on it. As she hung up with Duncan, she entered the bathroom. Seeing her reflection in the mirror, she realized that she had blood all over her hands and up her arms. There was blood on her face,her shoulder and even some in her hair. She must have looked a frightening sight...she really needed a shower. She spent the next five minutes cleaning herself up and trying to maintain her composure, but she kept going through the events in her head.

"She hadn't been looking for an ambush and hadn't seen them coming. It was her job to protect her partner, but she had been nowhere near him. She should have been at ground level by his side. She had let him down. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if anything happened to him. He had a wife and three kids...They relied on her to keep him safe and now he was in the hospital with a bullet in his chest. She had let his family down, too. Drying her hands, she took a deep breath and put her game face back on."

She was standing in the corner of the waiting room looking out the window when Mel came through the doors with her three children in tow, her face awash with controlled anxiety. Anisa took control of the situation by crossing the distance between them. She picked up 3 year old Timmy, kissed him and led the two older children to a part of the waiting room where there was a television. Putting him down, she turned to Mina, the 9 year old and said, "You guys hang out here for a few minutes while I talk to your mom." Mina nodded knowing that something serious was going on so she took charge of her brothers.

Mel looked at Anisa as she came back. "How is he?"

"I am not sure, they are assessing his condition now. The vest stopped one shot, the other hit him here," responded Anisa clinically, pointing to spot near her right shoulder. She looked at Melanie's face as the extent of her husband's injuries registered.

Before anymore could be said, a nurse approached them and asked, "Family for Ryan Lambert?"

In a weak voice Melanie answered, "I am his wife."

The nurse continued, "Your husband sustained a gunshot wound to the upper chest. It missed all major organs, but is lodged near his shoulder cavity. Surgery is required to remove the bullet. He is on his way to the OR as we speak." The nurse finished speaking and looked a the taller woman, looking for an indication that she understood what had been explained to her.

"Is he stable?" asked Mel.

"Yes."

"How long will the operation be?"

"If all goes as planned, it should only be about 1-2 hours," answered the nurse.

"Pleadingly," Melanie asked, "is he going to be alright?"

The nurse smiled at Mel, "I can't promise anything, but he is healthy and strong. It looks like it should be a simple removal. Barring anything unexpected, he should make a full recovery."

Anisa saw a breath of tension release from Mel's shoulders. As the nurse left, Melanie turned to Anisa and pinching her nose asked, "What happened?"

Taking a deep breath, Anisa told her the story. "We arrived at our designated location and I went to a rooftop as a sniper perch. Ryan and the other officer were approaching the house when they were ambushed by men with assault rifles." Anisa couldn't look her in the eye as she continued, "By the time it registered what had happened he had been hit. I took down the three subjects and then came down to get him to safety."

"You were on a rooftop?" Mel asked in disbelief.

Anisa nodded her head stoicly. "Mel, I'm sorry. I should have been by his side." Melanie said nothing. "I should have stopped them." Pausing in the silence, Anisa put her head in her hands then muttered, "It should have been me."

"What?!" demanded Melanie.

Anisa's head snapped up and she looked Melanie in the eye. Sternly she said, "It should have been me. I don't have anybody depending on me. I wish it had been me." She had a feeling of being overcome by the guilt...of seeing someone she cared about hurt and not being able to do anything about it.

Mel's look became hard as she drew her hand back and slapped Anisa across the cheek. "This is not about YOU! Damn it! It is part of the job. Deal with it!" Melanie spat angrily and walked away to find her children. The slap was not hard and not really meant to cause pain, but rather the meant to jolt someone out of daze.

Anisa knew she was right but she couldn't help the guilt that overtook her. Slowly she followed behind her friend. She stood behind Melanie as she explained to the kids that their father had been hurt at work, but that the doctors were fixing him and that he was going to be OK. Now that the anger had dissipated she stood and turned to Anisa with a softer expression. She wrapped the smaller woman in a hug.

"I'm sorry. I love you, you know," Mel said softly. Hugging her friend back, Anisa nodded. "You OK?"

Releasing her friend, Anisa smiled, "It didn't even hurt. I'm tough, I can take it. Thanks."

"You look like crap. Why don't you take the kids and get something to eat," said Melanie. Smiling, Anisa nodded as Sergeant Duncan entered the waiting room and approached the two women. Anisa snatched up the children and headed to the cafeteria.


Spike was riding with Ed when his phone buzzed. He looked at the message:

"Ryan is in surgery. You OK?"

"Yeah. Hudson in custody. Keep me posted." Spike typed back.

Ed saw Spike reading the message then typing on his phone. He knew it was Anisa and was still pissed that she had defied him. "She disobeyed a direct order," he said sternly.

Spike nodded his head and then responded, "True, but she wasn't wrong. I probably would have done the same thing if it had been one of you guys out there."

Ed turned his steely gaze on Spike. "Are you saying I was wrong?"

"No. I'm saying that we make split second decisions all the time and that her decision was well calculated. She is not a rookie and has significant field experience. If she didn't think she could get him to safety she wouldn't have tried." Spike looked straight ahead. He knew Ed was fuming, so Spike thought he would let him calm down a little before continuing. To appease him a bit, Spike added, "Ed, tactically you were right. Our team is better suited to handling those types of situations." Spike glanced at his team leader and thought he saw smoke coming from his ears, figuratively speaking. "I am also saying that you are TL and if you think she was wrong then you do what you need to do." They rode the rest of the way in silence. Ed parked the truck and Spike turned to him and said, "Ed, we good?"

Ed looked at his teammate and gave him a crooked grin. "Yeah, we're good." He turned and got out of the vehicle throwing his arm around the younger man as they entered the building. "Thanks, buddy."

Spike had no idea what Ed was thanking him for, but he seemed to be less angry, so he just said, "Sure."

The team approached Winnie's desk and was informed that the operation had been a huge success and that there had been a record number of arrests made.

Winnie then announced, "Detective Lambert is in surgery, but they think he should be OK. I'll keep you posted." The team thanked her for the update and then Wordy asked to talk to them. Jules suggested the locker room.

They all gathered around and gave Wordy their full attention. He spoke emotionally yet with a gentle tone as he explained to the team that he had Parkinson's disease and would be leaving the team. Spike felt as though he had been kicked in the stomach. He couldn't believe Wordy had Parkinson's. He felt like he was losing more than a friend, like he was losing a big brother. At the conclusion of the announcement, the team as a group offered their love and support. They exited the locker room together, but soon broke apart. Ed and Wordy walked out together, as did Sam and Jules.

Spike was still in shock and lagged behind. He had his bag slung over his shoulder as he walked, zombie-like, to his car. This is one of those times when he really missed Lou. He was so deep in thought he hadn't heard the footsteps behind him. He was jarred from his thoughts by a hand slapping on his shoulder.

"Hey, buddy." Spike turned to see Greg's warm face looking at him with a hint of a smile. "You OK? You must have been deep in thought. I've been calling your name."

"Oh, sorry, Boss. I guess I was somewhere else..." he offered with a smile.

"How are doing? Tough day, huh?"

"Yeah... I'm good. But wow, I can't believe Wordy has Parkinson's. He's always been such a... rock, for the team... for his family." Spike paused looking to the face of his sergeant who was one of the best listeners around. "I guess I gotta let it sink in a bit before I can figure out what I can do to help."

Greg smiled at the young Italian. "Spike, there is nothing you can do. Just be his friend."

"I know, Boss, but I gotta do some research on this disease. I don't know much about it. Maybe there is something I can do to make his life easier as it progresses, but I gotta learn about it first."

Greg shook his head with a grin. It was so like Spike to try to fix the problem. "OK... well there is nothing you can do today. Are you heading home?" Spike hadn't really thought about where he was going. "Why don't we grab a coffee, huh?"

"OK... do you mind if I make a call first?" asked Spike.

"Sure, I'll meet you there."

Spike got in the car and checked his phone for messages but there were none. He decided to call Anisa.

She picked up on the second ring... "Hi."

"Hey. How is it going?" Spike asked. He thought he heard kids in the background.

"OK, I guess. He should be out of surgery soon. I'm with Mina and the boys. Did everything go OK?"

Spike let out a loud exhale, "Yeah, I guess. Tell you about it later. I'm gonna grab a coffee with the boss, then I will head to the hospital, OK?"

"Mike, you don't have to. You can go home and get some rest."

Spike decided to not respond to that and simply said, "I'll talk to you soon. Call me if there is a change."

"OK."


Spike approached the table at which Greg was seated. He had already ordered them coffee.

"Thanks, Boss," said Spike as he slid into the booth and poured some cream in to his coffee.

"So, Spike, it has been a while since we have chatted. How are things?"

"Things are good... until today and Wordy."

"Things with Anisa are good?"

Spike couldn't help but smile, "Yeah. Really good." Greg noticed the relaxed tone in his voice as he spoke of her.

"How is your dad?"

Sitting back in his seat, Spike responded, "The same. He is not going to get better." Greg nodded. Spike offered a hint of a smile, "But, he actually had dinner with me and spoke to me the other night, so I have to say things are looking up between us."

That elevated Greg's mood somewhat. It warmed his heart to hear that Spike and his dad were talking again. The bond between a father and son is very special. He knows what it is like to be estranged from his son and he hated the feeling. "That is great, Spike, really. What do you think brought the change on?"

"I don't really know, but if I had to guess... it might have been Anisa. He seemed to like her and it was after he met her that he talked to me," Spike explained.

Greg smiled at the young man sitting across from him. "Glad to hear it." The waitress came to the table and asked if they wanted anything to eat. Spike realized that he was very hungry.

"Can I have some eggs and toast, please?" he asked politely.

"Sure, sweetie," said the waitress flirtatiously.

Greg grinned at the fact that Spike had no idea that she was flirting with him. "I'll have the same."

"Coming right up!" She said winking at Spike, but he had glanced out the window without noticing. Greg chuckled at his oblivious techie.

Their meals came and the two men shared a relaxed conversation. As the waitress returned to remove their dishes, Spike ordered some donuts 'to go'.

"Going to the hospital?" asked Greg.

"Yeah. I'm going to check on Lambert and bring these for his kids. Anisa needs a ride home...and knowing her, she is wearing a lot of guilt about this right now, so I thought maybe I could help."

Greg looked at him with a mildly surprised look on his face. "Hmm, that is pretty intuitive of you, Spike."

Spike shrugged his head to the side and said, "I have my moments. Besides, I am really not as oblivious when it comes to women as everybody seems to think I am." Spike raised his eyebrows at the Sarge and gave him a knowing stare. After the waitress returned with the box of donuts, a wicked grin crossed Spike's lips as he looked at Greg. Pulling some money from his pocket, he put on the table and said, "Thanks for the talk, Boss. I'm gonna get going."

"See ya, Spike," said Greg with a smile. He had the feeling that Spike may have known the waitress was flirting with him the whole time.


When Spike entered the hospital, he saw a little boy on Anisa's lap, a young girl sitting next to her and a third child on Anisa's other side. He saw Ryan's wife, Mel, sitting next to the girl.

"Hey, there is Spike!" shouted the boy next to Anisa as he jumped up to greet Spike. Little Timmy climbed down from Anisa's lap. Anisa felt an air of calmness come over her when she saw Spike and she stood to greet him as well.

"Hi guys!" said Spike as he squatted down to be at their level. The boys each gave him a high five.

Jack said, "I'm glad you're here. I can't get past level 4." He lifted his handheld game to show Spike what he was talking about.

Spike nodded and said, "We'll have to see what we can do about that." Spike offered the boy a big grin as he stood up ruffling his hair.

Anisa reached him and wished she could melt into his arms, but this was not the place. Instead she gently touched his arm and said, "Hey, you didn't have to come." He kissed her cheek chastely and she added, "But I'm glad you did."

Mina's bright face came up behind her, "Hi, Spike! Nice to see you again."

"Thank you, Mina. It is very nice to see you again, too," Spike responded offering a broad dimple-revealing grin.

"Hi, Spike, thanks for coming," said Melanie offering him a gentle hug.

"Hi, Mel. How's it going?"

"OK, I guess." noticing the bag in his hand, Mel asked, "What ya got there?"

"Oh, yeah," answered Spike, "I brought some doughnuts for kids. If that is OK with you."

She smiled and nodded saying, "Sure."

Spike handed the bag to Mina who led her brothers over to a table and began divvying them out. The adults stepped away from the kids slightly to discuss Ryan's condition. Spike learned that they hadn't heard anything yet, but that he should be out of surgery any time now. As if on cue, the double doors at the end of the hall swung open and a surgeon emerged making a beeline for the three adults.

"Lambert?" he asked the group.

"Yes, I'm Melanie, his wife."

"Hello, I am Dr. Jensen. I performed the procedure to remove the bullet from your husband's shoulder. He is doing very well. The bullet missed all major organs. It grazed an artery and he lost a great deal of blood. He is very lucky...if he hadn't received treatment when he did we might be facing very different results." He glanced at Spike and asked, "Were you first on the scene?"

Before Spike could answer, Anisa interjected, "No, I was. I am his partner."

The doctor turned his attention to her, feeling a little embarrassed about his somewhat sexist assumption, "Oh, sorry about that. I just wanted you to know that the aid you provided to him in the field had a big impact on his recovery. Well done."

Anisa just nodded and quietly asked, "So he is going to be OK?"

"It looks that way. He is resting now. You can go back and see him in about an hour." The doctor informed them as he turned to leave.

The group sat down and ate some doughnuts, waiting for the chance to see Ryan. A little less than an hour later, a nurse came up to Mel and told her that they could visit with him for a few minutes two at a time. Mel took Timmy in with her and visited for a few minutes. Spike took Jack in with him and Anisa took Mina in with her. Ryan was groggy and very sedated, but he smiled at his visitors as the came in.

Spike and Anisa volunteered to take kids back to the Lambert's house so Mel could stay with Ryan for a few hours. Mel declined, saying that Ryan needed to sleep and that she needed to be home with the kids. Anisa and Spike drove home in comfortable silence, both were emotionally and physically exhausted.

When they arrived at Anisa's apartment, they put down their bags and drew each other into an long embrace. They relished the warmth and strength they gained from each other. Spike knew how she felt. She almost lost her partner and best friend. She was feeling guilty... that it was her fault...that it should have been her. He remembered feeling that way when Lou had died.

After what may have been one minute or ten, Spike bent down and placed a soft kiss on Anisa's lips and asked, "You OK?" He looked deeply into her eyes assessing her expression.

"I'm getting there," she answered honestly. She reached her hand and gently stroked his cheek. "How about you?"

"The same," he responded pulling her close and burying his face in her hair. "I'm getting there."

They parted and Anisa led him to the couch where he took a seat. She sat on the table facing him and looked into his eyes. She knew that something traumatic had happened, she could tell by his demeanor. Placing her hands on his thighs, she said, "Tell me what happened."

For a brief second he considered deflecting the question, but knew she would not let him slide. "Wordy is leaving the team. He has Parkinson's."

"Oh, Mike. I'm sorry." She took his face in her hands and gently kissed him. She didn't know what else to do or say. Anisa knew how much he looked up to Wordy. "What's he going to do?"

"He isn't sure, yet. Maybe work for Guns & Gangs. He's on medication, so his symptoms are at bay for the time being. I just can't believe it, you know. He's married and got three kids. It's just not fair..it's not right."

Anisa slid onto the couch next to him. "I know. This life isn't fair."

Spike put his legs on the couch and reclined. Anisa shifted so she was laying next to him. They hadn't realized how tired they were. In no time the two of them fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. When Anisa woke, she stretched glancing at her hands noticing dried blood and remembered that she hadn't showered yet. She carefully disentangled herself from Spike and made her way to the shower. She let the hot water pour over her to wash away the memory of the of the day. Anisa got lost in her in desire to cleanse away the images of Ryan's body lying motionless on the pavement and the feel of his blood on her hands. She was so deep in her own thoughts that she didn't hear the door to the bathroom open.

She was pulled from her thoughts by a husky voice asking, "Can I join you?" Without waiting for a response, Spike slid the shower door open and stepped into the shower. Anisa pulled him to her. She needed to feel his body against her, she need to feel his touch, she needed to …. feel.


A/N: I hope you liked it... Thanks for reading.