Author's notes: I apologize to anyone who was reading this story. I have never abandoned a story for so long. I just couldn't find the time and when I did I was feeling like I was low on creative juices. Anyway. Here it is, one small chapter to go.

Flashpoint Flashpoint Flashpoint

Continuing to jog slowly and looking for a sign of either of the two men, Lou pulled out his phone and pushed the number that would connect him to Greg Parker. It rang twice before Greg's questioning voice was filling Lou's ear.

"Lou, we're on route. Do you still have a visual on Stephenopolous?"

"No. Spike's in pursuit but I don't see either. They are likely headed West off of Chelsea Boulevard."

"We'll spread out to the West to intercept."

"Copy that." Lou punched the number for Spike's phone but wasn't surprised when it went unanswered. "Damn it Spike, "thought Lou. "Where are you?"

He approached an intersection and at the end of the block he caught a glimpse of Spike rounding a corner. Putting on an extra burst of speed he hurried after his friend.

Flashpoint Flashpoint Flashpoint

Spike had not noticed the absence of Lou at his back and he had continued his foot pursuit of the larger man. The criminal in question took another turn down another street. Spike noted that he was pulling closer and he started to think about how he would take Stephenopolous down.

Another sharp turn and they were now in a narrow alley with very limited light. Spike knew that in a few more step he would be able to tackle the man and was preparing himself for that when the other man stopped and spun around.

Breathing heavily the large man smiled a wolfish leer at Spike. "This private enough for you Spike?" He drew the name out crudely. "You probably didn't want anyone to hear you beg for my dick again."

"I didn't want anything. You forced me." Spike spit out.

"At the start maybe, but you loved it so much you came all over yourself."

"Shut up. Put your hands behind your head."

Frank had noticed that Spike had not shown a weapon yet and decided to gamble a little. "And if I don't? You going to shoot me? How will that look? I'm sure your boss is just looking for a reason to get rid of you now that he knows you're queer."

Feeling his temper starting to boil, Spike moved in closer and was planning to wrestle the man to the ground when Frank pulled the gun from his waistband.

"Hold it right there constable. It looks like you didn't come prepared for this fight." Frank taunted him. "Oh I understand, you wanted it this way. You like me being in control. That's alright; I don't mind you being the bitch."

Spike threw himself at the other man with a sudden yell and the momentum carried them both to the ground. Quickly Spike used his position on top to force the upper body of his opponent to stay flat on the ground. Frank started to bring the gun up and Spike grabbed at his arm with both hands. Both men pressed hard, trying to gain possession. Seeing that his position was allowing him better leverage on the gun, Spike threw more of his weight downwards and when he saw the opening he removed his right arm and instead connected with Stephanopolous' face. The blow didn't seem to faze the man and if anything inflamed him more.

The older man twisted beneath Spike, trying to roll Spike off of him. Having made the mistake of moving too high up on the other man, Spike found himself being flung forward as the man below fought of regain control.

Spike's head smacked on the concrete and he felt is vision narrow momentarily. A crushing weight settled on top of him and effectively pinned him to the ground. Stephanopolous was now the one with the advantage and his gun was now pointed at Spike's head.

"I think this was enough foreplay. Are you ready piggy?"

"Drop the gun." Lou's voice sounded close by, but Spike's view was obstructed by the bulk of his attacker.

"I don't think you are in the position to tell me what to do. I'll tell you what. You put down your gun and I'll let little Spikey go after we finish."

"Not going to happen that way."

"I don't think there is much of an alternative here."

"I would agree."

The sound of the shot bounced off the narrow alleyway and a second shot rang out just seconds after. Spike felt the pressure ease off of his chest as the man on top crumbled to the side. Pushing against his captor, Spike slid backwards until he was free of the man. Stephanopolous was bleeding from a large chest wound; a look of surprise on his face. The gun that he had been holding had dropped from his hand and Lou moved over and kicked it out of the wounded man's reach.

"Spike, are you alright?" The worry was evident in Lou's voice.

A nod from the young man was the only answer. Lou could see that Spike's eyes were riveted to the puddle of blood forming around the down man.

"Hey, Spike, buddy. Look at me." Lou paused. "Look at me."

Spike tore his gaze away and looked at his friend.

"He isn't going to bother you again."

The sound of running feet caused both men to turn and look at the end of the alley way. The rest of team one and several additional officers were making their way towards the group; guns drawn and at the ready. As they surrounded the men, one of the uniformed officers knelt by the escaped convict and felt for a pulse. He looked at the others and shook his head indicating that the wounded man was dead.

Greg holstered his weapon and held out a hand to Spike. The young constable was still sitting on the ground, a look of shock upon his face. "Come on Spike; let's get you out of here."

Spike took the offered hand and stood up; his eyes pulling away from the blood. Suddenly a look of horror crossed his face. "He's dead! We don't know where the others are. Other people could die because of me."

"You have never been responsible for what this piece of shit and his friends have done. There is no reason for you to blame yourself for his actions. We will figure out where he and the others have been staying around here. Someone will talk, someone will notice something. These guys will pay one way or another." Greg spoke softly to his young co-worker.

As if on cue Sam spoke up. "Boss, we've got a key from a hotel. It's not too far from here."

Ed spoke up, "I think we should have team three meet us there." He looked at Greg for approval.

"Good plan. I'll stay here with Spike and Lou and we'll wait for the Inspector."

Ed nodded. "Alright, let's go. Lou, good shot."

"Thanks Ed. Get those guys, o.k."

The remainder of team one jogged back down the alley; Ed talking on his radio the entire time. A uniformed officer was starting to put crime scene tape up around the area.

"Let's go sit down." Greg steered Spike over to a doorway with a large concrete step. "Have a seat and let me hear what happened from the time you were in the vehicle on the way over."

Slowly both young men told their story. Spike shaking in anger as he spoke of the taunting by Stephanopolous. "I wanted to kill him boss and so help me if I had the gun I would have done it. At one point I thought I was going to get the gun from him and I knew that when I did I was going to kill him."

"It's easy to say that, but the guy I know wouldn't be able to kill someone in cold blood." Greg reassured.

"I guess we'll never know that now will we." Spike's tone was hard.

Greg continued, "So Stephanopolous had the gun aimed at Spike?"

"Yeah, I was facing him and when we were talking I noticed that he had shifted the gun's position. I felt Spike's life was in danger and so I shot. I fired a second shot immediately because the deceased was raising his gun towards me."

"Sounds like it was a justifiable shooting. Just tell the Inspector what you've told me and there shouldn't be any problems." Greg noticed the Inspector's car pull up to the entrance of the alley. "He's here. I'll go talk to him first. You two just stay here for now." Greg headed down to meet the older man.

"Spike?" Lou spoke quietly. "I know you; we've been good friends for the last three years. You're a good man and after a while you'll understand that you wouldn't have killed him. I shot because I knew he would kill you if I didn't. I guess I just wanted you to know that."

"Thanks."

"You realize that I might be looking at a couple of days off with pay while they review the shooting. I think that's going to be a great time for us to plan that vacation we've been talking about."

A ghost of a smile played across Spike's lips. "It might be good to get away for a while.