Title: What the heart wants
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
A heartbeat filled the air of the hospital exam room four weeks later. Sam gripped Eddie's right hand tighter. They were hearing their baby's heartbeat for the first time.
"It's beautiful."Sam said in a choked voice.
"Yes it is."Eddie agreed huskily.
Sam glanced at her partner and saw his dark gaze was fixed on the sonogram monitor. An expression of pure awe etched on his handsome face.
"Everything seems to be progressing normally. Baby looks healthy."The blonde thirtysomething obgyn proclaimed."Do you wish to know the sex of the child?"
Sam met Eddie's gaze. They'd talked about it as this appointment came closer. He didn't want to know and until this moment Sam hadn't been sure.
"No."Sam responded."We'll keep it a surprise."
"Are you sure?"Eddie asked.
"Yes."Sam replied as she squeezed his hand.
"Okay."Dr Gibson acknowledged as she stood turning off the monitor."I printed two pictures of the sonogram. They won't reveal anything and you'll have something for the baby book."
"Thank you Dr Gibson."Sam said as she sat up.
"Thanks Doc."Eddie added.
"You're welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day. The pictures will be at reception when you're ready."
"That was so amazing."Sam said excitedly as she stood.
"Incredible."Eddie agreed as he placed a hand on Sam's now showing baby bump.
Sam leaned up and kissed her partner.
"I love you."Sam said as they broke apart.
"Love you too."Eddie replied."Ready to go?"
Sam nodded as she stood and gathered her things.
"Yes."Sam acknowledged with a smile.
They left the exam room hand in hand. They stopped by the reception desk and picked up the waiting envelope that contained the sonogram reprints. As they stepped into the elevator Sam had never been more hopeful about the future than she was now.
Eddie had seen they'd picked up a tail two minutes after leaving the hospital. He'd done a few subtle techniques to lose them without alarming Sam. The late model black tinted glass SUV had stayed with them. He cursed silently. Eddie racked his brain to figure out who could be following them. They weren't currently working on anything heavy. With the doctors wanting Sam to avoid stress Eddie had tried to keep the case load to mundane things. A potentially cheating spouse was the highest threat potential on the docket. Eddie made one more sharp turn and cursed out loud as the SUV behind picked up speed.
"Eddie?"Sam asked anxiously as she glanced around to figure out what had caused the swearing.
"SUV late model been following us since we left the hospital."Eddie explained tightly as he took another sudden right. "Call Chris."
Sam pulled out her cell phone from her purse and started to make the call. Eddie had accelerated trying to reach the interstate onramp that was a few blocks away. He almost made it. Twenty feet from the onramp the SUV slammed into the back bumper; ramming them. Sam screamed and dropped the cell phone. Eddie could hear Chris's alarmed voice even without the phone being on speaker. Sam tried to reach the phone but the SUV had pulled alongside colliding once more.
The last thing Eddie wanted to do was put Sam and his unborn child anywhere near gunfire. He didn't have a choice now. He pulled his gun from the center compartment and rested it on his lap. One desperate move Eddie swerved and gunned the gas pedal. His SUV leaped forward almost outreaching their attacker. Eddie could hear Chris now as Sam managed to lift the phone off the floor where it'd fallen.
"Eddie? Sam? What the hell is going on?"The LAPD detective demanded. "Where are you?"
"Near the San Diego freeway onramp!"Eddie shouted praying Chris could hear him over the crunch of metal as the SUV rammed them again. "Santa Monica boulevard!"
"We were at Cedars!"Sam interjected. "They're running us off the road!"
Suddenly another late model SUV appeared on the road ahead blocking them. Eddie slammed on the brakes but not in time to avoid a collision. Sam screamed once more as they hit. It was hard enough that both airbags deployed. Eddie scrambled for his gun grateful it hadn't fallen. He glanced over at Sam and felt his own face drain of color. She was slumped against the passenger side blood dripping from a cut on her forehead. Oh God...how was he getting them out of this?
"Sam?"Eddie called as he reached for her.
Before Eddie could touch Sam the driver's side door was violently pulled open. Eddie had time to unbuckle his seatbelt, throw the SUV in park and draw his weapon. He was faced with four men wearing black ski masks and holding automatic weapons.
"You can take my SUV, my wallet."Eddie offered surprised his voice was steady. "Just let us go."
"Not a robbery, Mr. Valetik."One of the masked men informed.
Eddie held tight to his gun but he didn't dare risk firing a shot. With the automatic weapons aimed at him any stray shot would and could hit Sam. He thought he heard sirens in the distance but wasn't sure if that was his hopeful imagination. If they were real Eddie knew they wouldn't get here in time. Maybe not for him; but maybe just maybe he could stall long enough to save Sam and the baby. His hesitation caused the men to grab Eddie by the arms and yank him out of the SUV and to the ground. Eddie landed painfully on his knees. He held out one hand as he lowered his gun to the ground. It was immediately kicked away.
"Do whatever you want with me."Eddie pleaded his voice catching as he gestured to Sam's still form. "Leave her here, please."
"She is not the target."The same masked man stated.
Eddie nearly collapsed in relief. His family would be safe.
"What do you want?"Eddie demanded.
The masked men didn't answer as they hauled Eddie to his feet. He struggled but he was outnumbered. Something hard smashed against the back of Eddie's skull and darkness closed in fast. Eddie's last thoughts were of Sam as he slid unconscious.