Title: The Good Son
Chapter 9 – Playing for Keeps
A/N:A special thank you to French Girl, Rosemary Mutch, Superjendean, Maryam, Amanda B. You guys Don't have personal fanfiction accounts so I can't thank most of you personally (some I can) but really do appreciate your continued support and hope to hear from you on this chapter as well. To everyone else, you know I love all your feedback and reply personally (if I ever miss anyone please tell me). Your feedback is so value and I do appreciate your time. So without further adieu I hope you like this chapter and thanks!
Clark stares at the picture of his father for what seems like an eternity before he feels Amber's fingers touching his arm and he looks over at her in sorrow. "I can't believe this."
"Does that jerk honestly expect you to come alone?"
"I am going alone."
"You are not," Amber argues back. "Your dads friend is on his way here right now right?"
"Amber…"
"Okay you're not thinking straight. You know what he did to Dean right?"
"And he has my father!" Clark shouts and then pulls back as he turns and storms away from Amber, rushing upstairs to his parents bedroom, Amber in tow.
"What are…what the hell is that?" Amber stops at the doorway as Clark hurries to his father's side of the closet and then pulls out a small box. "What is…Clark…no way a gun?" She asks in shock as Clark pulls out his fathers small extra sidearm.
"I won't allow him to…"
"Okay you are not thinking straight and um…don't point that at me," Amber demands in haste.
"Sorry," Clark lowers the gun and frowns.
"Do you know how to use…what the hell am I saying? You can't take that Clark. Wordy and your dads team have guns right? And they know how to shoot."
"I know how to shoot also."
"You can't…" Amber starts only to stop as they both hear a door slam downstairs. "Clark…"
Clark rushes toward Amber and then both of them enter the hallway in silence, hearing footsteps in the garage.
"Someone's here," Amber whispers.
"Stay here."
"No way."
"Amber..."
"Clark?" Wordy shouts as he rushes into the main living area and looks up with his own gun drawn.
"Wordy," Clark whispers with a sigh of relief.
"Don't shoot!" Amber states in fright as Clark quickly puts his fathers extra gun away before Wordy can see it.
"Clark…you guys okay," Wordy asks before he puts his own gun away.
"Yes, but Jeremy sent a picture of dad," Clark tells Wordy in remorse as he pulls his hoodie down over the gun and then heads down the stairs.
"Don't tell him Amber," Clark whispes in her ear.
"You better or I will."
"Fine," Clark begrudginly agrees as they reach Wordy. "He has dad," Clark shoves his phone into Wordy's fingers.
After hearing what Ed had told him that Jeremy did to Dean and then having seen the condition of Ed's car and the blood on the floor and now seeing his best friend and team leader a helpless prisoner, he can't help but curse.
"Did he send you an address?" Wordy asks as he dials Greg.
"No," Clark replies sadly. "Wordy…we have to…do something. Please...you have to save him."
"We will," Wordy nods just as Greg comes to life. "And I am glad you didn't go alone."
"Yeah no chance of that," Clark lightly grimaces.
"Wordy?"
"Boss we have confirmation of Ed's kidnapping. Jeremy Ryder sent Clark a picture and was told to wait for instructions. I guess that's why the detectives weren't able to get a hold of him."
"How bad Wordy?"
"He's roughed up and tied up but looks okay otherwise."
After having spent a few years around the two SRU team members and best friends he got to identify certain words and tones and with Clark right there anxious and scared for his father he knows Wordy is only downplaying Ed's condition. This was a 'hot call' indeed.
"What? Just okay?" Clark asks in shock. "He looks…" he stops as Wordy puts his hand up and offers a weak smile.
"Clark, he's alive and that's what counts the most right now. Where are you boss?"
"That's good Wordy, just keep him calm. I'm pulling up now. Spike is trying to trace Ed's phone but it seems to be off the grid. My guess is they destroyed it."
"We have to do something," Clark moans as he nervously paces between Wordy and Amber.
"Spike can't get a trace on your dad's phone so we have to wait for further instructions."
"He told me to come alone."
"Yeah well that's not gonna happen," Wordy assures the agitated teen as they all hear Greg's SUV pull up outside and him and Spike get out and rush for the front door. "Boss…"
"Hey Wordy thanks. Clark how you holdin' up?"
"They got dad Greg and um…and I said…things that..."
"Hey, he's gonna be fine okay? Obviously this guy Jeremy has a score to settle with your father but wants you there to see it. That's a good thing."
"What?" Clark asks in shock.
"Means they'll keep him alive until then."
"But he…" Clark's voice trails off as he chokes back a sob.
"Yeah it's probably pretty hard to see your dad like that right?" Greg asks softly, garnering a nod from Clark. "Your dad's a tough guy. He's gonna be fine. But I need something from you."
"What?"
"I need you to call Jeremy so that we can try to get a lock on his phone. Can you do that for me?"
"And say what?"
"Well ask about your dad and get a location for starters?"
"I um…Greg…"
"It's okay, I'm gonna be here every step of the way. Wordy get this picture to Spike and see if can get anything on the location. Okay Clark come with me. Let's make a call."
XXXXXXXX
Despite the fact that his head is pounding, Ed's only concern is what Clark will do with the picture. Surely he'll send it to Wordy or the boss and let them take over. He will right? What would you do? His brain retorts and Ed can only curse himself in futility. His chest strains against the ropes in a vain effort at freedom but slumps back in painful defeat as he feels the urge to cough. Not wanting to draw anymore attention to himself from his merciless captors Ed bites down the cough, praying his stomach stays put when a bit more of the coppery taste of blood is digested.
His fingers start to feel some give in the duct tape around his wrists as he continues to carefully work them loose. However, his actions quickly cease when Jeremy looks over at him with a narrowed gaze and then breaks away from the other two and walks over to him.
"Won't be much longer now officer," Jeremy smiles as he looks at Ed with an angry glare. "Your no good kid is soon gonna learn what it means to mess with the wrong side of the law."
Ed looks at him and just slightly shakes his head, reasoning with this idiot would now seem moot.
"See I'm pretty sure you've trained your kid to be like you, some goody goody law lover and I'm sure he'll bring your friends along. That's why I have a catch to ensure he's not followed. Clever right?"
Punk…Ed seethes inside his mind as he narrows his gaze, garnering a snicker from Jeremy. Jeremy leans forward and yanks the tape off Ed's mouth forcing Ed to spit bloody saliva to the floor.
"What are you doing?" Barry asks in haste.
"Shut up! I'm in charge and I'll gag him again," Jeremy growls. "I want to hear officer Lane beg for his life."
"What is this…really about Jeremy?" Ed asks a little out of breath.
"It's about you pissing me off!" Jeremy shouts.
"You were caught fair…and square."
"Yeah…by you! Others have looked the other way!" Jeremy seethes. "What the hell makes you so special?"
"I take my job seriously," Ed counters with a slight cough. "But if you do this…son I swear you'll…"
"I'm not your son!" Jeremy snaps, forcing Ed to slightly flinch when the gun is raised. "Now beg me!"
"I think you know I won't," Ed holds his ground.
"Damn you," Jeremy curses before adding a fouler one under his breath.
"Do you really want to go back to jail?" Ed asks pointedly.
Jeremy turns to him with a sharp glance and then sneers. "Better than going to hell, which is where you're going!" He finishes with a shout. "But not before you beg me to spare your life otherwise…"
But just as Jeremy is about to say another word to Ed, his phone rings and he looks at the display before showing Ed who is calling. "Gag him again."
"Aww he must miss you," Jeremy snickers as he answers his phone as Barry presses down a fresh piece of tape over Ed's mouth to keep him quiet. "Hello Clark. What? No you can't talk to dear old dad," Jeremy smiles as he pats Ed on the cheek and stands up and walks out of ear shot, leaving Ed to struggle in vain still bound to the beam.
Clark!
XXXXXXXX
"I want to speak to him," Clark insists again as he looks over at Greg who nods. It was a stall tactic that both Greg and Spike were praying would work.
"Well he doesn't feel like speaking right now…"
"Jeremy please let me talk to my dad," Clark tries once more; the rest of the team listening to the call.
"See why the hell will you beg me but your old man won't! Maybe he will when you're here."
"Jeremy..."
"No and just to show you that I'm serious…" Jeremy pauses as a gunshot is heard. He had looked over at Ed and fired a few feet to Ed's right, missing him on purpose but since Ed was gagged it was for Clark's benefit not to know the condition of his father.
Amber's hands quickly cover her mouth to stifle her audible gasp and Clark looks up at Greg in horror as Greg and Wordy exchange nervous glances.
"Jeremy!"
"The answer is no and don't ask again!" Jeremy yells. "I'll email instructions and you better get here alone, before he dies and you're to blame!"
"Did you…" is all Clark manages before the line goes dead and he utters an angry curse. "Greg…"
"Your dad is going to be just fine," Greg tries to assure Clark before he speaks into his headset.
"B-but...he...shot him," Clark whimpers. "And I'm to blame."
"You are not to blame okay. Besids, we don't know for sure that your father was actually shot. He could just be playing us. We don't panic just yet okay," Greg frowns, his voice trying to mask uncertainty. "Spike. Anything?"
"No he's using a pay as you go phone. I can get he's in the greater GTA but that's about it, sorry."
"Okay we'll wait for the instructions. Wordy get a vest from the truck," Greg instructs as only Spike, Sam and Jules had time to actually get in gear.
"What about us?"
"You'll ride with…." Greg pauses as Clark's phone comes to life.
Clark opens the text with the instructions on. "I hafta take the bus."
"Okay that buys us some time to get there first."
"And I'm going with him," Amber insists.
"Not into a gunfight, I'm sorry I can't let you," Greg states firmly.
"I know Jeremy."
"I'm sorry the answer is no. You can ride in the truck with me and Spike but Clark has to go alone."
"You said you'd get there first," Amber argues back.
"The answer is still no," Greg insists kindly, not wanting to add that something could still go wrong. Clark is scared enough as it is. Cool and clear heads now need to prevail. "I'll have one of my guys dressed in plain clothes..."
"Boss I'll go," Sam pipes up from the truck over the headset.
"Sam's gonna be with you..."
Clark looks up at Greg and suddenly feels his anxiety starting to seize him. What if I screw up and my father's dead because of me? What if I do something wrong? Or arrive too late? What if… "I can't do this," Clark whispers.
"Yes you can," Greg smiles. "I know who your father is and you have him inside you. You can do this."
"I'm scared…what if I do something wrong and something happens to him more and…"
"I know you're scared but we are going to be there before you get there okay? And Sam's gonna be with you just in case." Greg talks in a calm tone to Clark, his hand resting on his shoulder. "Spike is gonna give you a little undetectable tracking device in case they break your phone. But I can assure you that when you get there, we'll already be there and hopefully have this already wrapped up okay?" Greg tells him with a smile.
"Really?"
"Really," Greg nods.
"Okay then," Clark stammers as he looks at Amber who only shakes her head, her watery eyes begging his to let her come. She pulls Clark into her arms for a warm hug and sighs heavily. "Be safe okay?"
"I will."
"I'll see you later I guess."
Clark takes the small pin from Spike and puts it into his inner pants pocket where he knows Jeremy won't look and then grabs his jacket and heads for the door, his father spare gun still concealed under his hoodie. Sam, already redressed in casual clothes with a vest under his jacket and a gun hidden away heads out before Clark, just in case.
"We're with you every step of the way," Greg's voice is now heard inside the small earpiece in Clark's ear. "Just act as natural as you can."
Without saying much of another word, Clark heads for the bus stop, his heart racing at top speed. His mind swirls with questions he can't and doesn't want to answer. He looks at the picture on his phone of his father once more and feels his throat seize.
"Dad I'm sorry," Clark sighs as he shoves his phone back into his pocket as he nears the bus stop. He notices Sam at the busstop reading a paper and then looks away, trying to act casual but knowing inside he was failing. His eyes shift nervously around as he waits for the bus to arrive, his mind cursing himself for saying those horrible things to his father. He should have been more open in the first place, but in the end it came down to Jeremy being pissed at the arrest that put his future on hold or at least diverted it to a path he didn't want.
Clark watches as a small car pulls up to a stop and a guy he doesn't recognize gets out and walks over to him. "Hey Clark, can I talk to you a minute?"
"Guys…" Wordy's voice is heard over the head speaker.
"Sam, what's going on?"
"A guy's approaching him boss."
"Okay lets wait and see what he wants. We're still here with you Clark," Greg assures him. "Just see what he wants."
"Huh? Who are you?" Clark asks the stranger as the man comes and stands before him.
"I'm with the guy that has – him," the stranger holds out his phone with a new picture of his captive father on it. "Get in now and don't make a fuss."
"Guys we got a problem."
"Hang tight Sam, we're on our way to the location now. Clark just go with him."
"But…"
"Get in now," the man flashes a small gun as added incentive.
"A gun?" Clark hisses.
"Clark just go. We're tracking you," Greg's voice assures him.
"Move."
Clark gets into the car, thankful that he is still being heard by his father's team.
"And give me your phone."
Clark slowly hands his phone over and then watches as the stranger slams it hard against the dash, instantly breaking it.
"What the hell are you doing?" Clark asks in shock as he reaches for the broken bits and then looks at the stranger with an angry expression.
"We lost the phone," Spike's voice is heard but only to Greg.
"We're almost there. Sam, Jules is gonna pick you up. Wordy and Leah proceed to the location as planned."
"Copy that," both Jules and Wordy state at once.
"Making sure no one can follow that phone's GPS."
"You told me to come alone."
"And now you are," the stranger smiles as he pulls away from the curb.
Clark leans back in the seat, his heart about to give way. At least the SRU could follow his little tracking device but they had already told him they were well on their way to his father's location so is hoping that by the time he arrives he'll be reunited with his father and then work on making amends.
But a few minutes later Clark looks up and then over at the stranger as the car starts to slow; they were heading in the opposite direction of the instructions given and in a much shorter time frame.
"Boss we have a problem," Spike's anxious voice is heard over the head set.
"Where are we?"
"We're here…"
"But you said to go to…"
"That's right there's been a change of plans – surprise."
A/N: Okay so Alice had to throw a slight monkey wrench into the SRU's plan. Will they now get there in time to save both father and son? Will Clark's gun be discovered? What will happen during the time they have to wait to be rescued? Hope you are all still liking this and please review before you to and thanks so much in advance!
PS: Hope you also all liked my newest Ed centric one shot 'Letting Go' please read and review that also and thanks!
