Title: The Good Son
Chapter 10 – Fight for the Future

"Talk to me Spike."

"Boss they've taken him in the opposite direction and stopped."

"Damn it! That kid set us up," Wordy's fist hits the dash in anger.

"Sam, Jules…you're closest. Get there, give us a lay of the place but wait for Wordy and Leah."

"Copy that," Sam replies as he reads out the new location. "We'll give you a rundown as soon as we're there."

"Clark, buddy, we're on our way," Greg talks into the small hidden earpiece. "Just remain calm and all will be fine. You'll both be fine, I promise you."

XXXXXXXX

Ed hears a car stop outside and feels his anxiety skyrocket as his wrists continue to pull in vain at the tape keeping them bound behind his back. There was some give in them but not enough to make himself useful in helping defend Clark from the terror he knows could be coming if the team didn't get there in time.

You came with the team right Clark?

"Well bring in the boy wonder," Jeremy snickers as he looks over at Ed with a wide grin.

Clark's eyes nervously dart around the area as his mind races. He had told Amber he knew how to shoot a gun which wasn't the truth in its entirety. His father had wanted him to follow in his footsteps and while he always admires his father's line of work it just wasn't something he wanted to do long term; it wasn't his future professional goal. They were at the shooting ranger one afternoon and Clark had asked his father what it felt like to shoot a gun. After a few more minutes of incessant begging, his father finally caved and let him try a few times. It felt odd and wasn't anything like he saw on TV.

Clark eyes immediately look for his father and finally sees him in the middle of the floor, still bound to the beam and gagged but he wasn't shot; at least he didn't look shot. He's okay! His mind states in elation. But that joy is short lived as Jeremy walks up to him with an angry glare.

"He's alive," Clark whispers with a sigh of relief; the same sigh of relief that is felt by the entire Team One.

Thank god, Wordy's mind offers in haste. Hold on Ed…I'm on my way.

"The shot was for effect. But it won't be next time," Jeremy winks. "Scared you right?" Jeremy taunts, looking at Clark's faltering expression. "Well I can tell you're scared now. Are you? ARE YOU!"

"Just try to act as natural as you can Clark. I know it's gonna be hard," Greg's calm tone resonates in his head. "But you hafta try. Just try to stall him by talking as long as you can until we get there."

"What do you want Jeremy?" Clark asks with a heavy frown.

"I want you to see me make your father suffer and I want him to know that he was helpless to stop me from making you suffer and I want to see you both die. See a win win all around."

"Clark, that won't happen. We're almost there buddy," Greg's voice talks to the scared teen upon hearing the threat.

"Did you kill Dean?" Clark asks with a shaky tone.

"I did. And I enjoyed it but not as much as I'm gonna enjoy killing the both of you," Jeremy laughs, not realizing that Team One was indeed listening and recording his confession.

"Why?"

"Seriously how the hell is it that you are so naïve!" Jeremy shouts as he stands before Clark and then gives him a good shove backwards making Clark slightly stumble but catches himself before he falls to the ground.

Get away from him you asshole! Ed's mind curses as he thrashes against his bonds.

"Aww seems like dear old dad didn't like that," Jeremy scoffs as he glares at Clark meanly. "You might want to tell him that this is all his fault and worse is gonna happen to you both! You know…make him understand."

"Understand what?"

"All he has to do is beg me to spare your life…"

Clark looks over at his father and feels his stomach do a flip flop and his eyes want to water. How could Jeremy treat his father this way? His father only did his job! But showing fear to this jerk was the last thing he wants to – at least voluntarily. But it wasn't going to be easy. Greg's words were right, it was hard to see him so vulnerable and helpless; he'd always seen his father as the man in charge, tough, seemingly indestructible. He is bleeding…he's human afterall. This can't be happening.

"Just don't hurt him anymore okay?" Clark sadly pleads.

Jeremy looks at him and just shakes his head. "You seriously don't get it do you? He's gonna die and so are you!"

"He never…"

"Hmm maybe you need a better demonstration. Bring him."

Ed watches helplessly as his beloved son is grabbed by each arm and meanly dragged toward him. Stop this! Ed shakes his head as he watches his son being treated so roughly.

"Here we come officer Lane…ready for some more fun?"

"Jeremy, stop this!" Clark shouts as Jeremy walks ahead of him with the police baton casually swinging in his right hand. "Don't do this. Please…" Clark's voice dies out as they near Ed still tied to the beam in the middle of the room. Clark sees the black eye and dried blood on his father's face and can't help but stop his eyes from watering. Dad…I'm sorry I said those things.

"Oh come on Clark…I'm sure you always thought your father was invincible. I'm going to prove to you he's NOT!"

Oh no Ed…Wordy's mind races with panic as he tries to picture his helpless best friend forced to endure a painful display at his son's viewing expense.

"Boss!"

"We're almost there Wordy."

"What um…" Clark asks in haste as Jeremy turns to him with the bloody baton now beating against his thick palm.

"What am I gonna do with this? Oh I'm gonna make him bleed more than he is now."

"But…no Jeremy don't…please don't do this."

"But this is what your dad does Clark. He hurts the innocent."

"You were guilty!" Clark shouts and then pulls back as Jeremy sharply turns to him.

"He's gonna pay for that remark," Jeremy seethes as his fists tighten around the baton. "And you get to watch."

"Boss we hafta hurry," Wordy's voice is heard followed by a small curse. Ed buddy…just hang on. Damn it! Wordy looks over at Leah who merely offers a small frown. "We'll make it," she tries to assure him, just as uncertain as him.

"Boss, Jules and I are here. We see two guys outside, both armed."

"Okay, take them out quietly and then see if you can get eyes in. Time is of the essence here. We're almost there."

"Copy that."

"Well officer Lane, you ready to beg me for your son's life?" Jeremy snickers as he looms over Ed's captive frame with the baton swinging in his hand.

Clark…look away, Ed's mind begs where his lips can't.

"Please let him talk…"

"You want to hear his screams? Why not…I'm sure we'd all like to hear that."

"Jeremy don't…" Clark begs once more as he tries in vain to yank himself free of his captors. He watches as Jeremy rips the tape from his father's lips and then tosses it aside. Ed looks up at Clark and sees the sheer terror in his son's eyes and feels his heart sink.

"Clark…its gonna…" is all Ed manages before Jeremy hits him in the stomach with the baton and then pulls back.

"Jeremy, stop it!" Clark shouts as he tries to pull free.

"Sam…" Wordy's anxious voice is heard.

"Working on it."

"Please…" Clark laments as he looks at his father's painful expression, his eyes watering. "No more."

"That's funny officer Lane, my name isn't Clark…" Jeremy looks over at Clark with a sneer. "Care to try again?"

"Just stop hitting him," Clark begs as Jeremy looks over at him with a heavy frown.

Jeremy walks around to the back of Ed and then kneels down beside him. "Why can't you beg me like he does?" Jeremy whispers in his ear as he looks up at Clark with a wink.

"Go…to hell," Ed utters with a soft grunt.

"I will be…but not alone. Think your son is enjoying the show right now? You know…he's next. How do you think you'll feel then when you see me extending the same courtesy to him as I did to Dean?"

"You still have…a chance to…" is all Ed manages before Jeremy puts the baton on his neck and holds it until Ed starts to cough.

"Jeremy!" Clark shouts. "Stop it he can't breathe!"

"Damn it Sam."

"Wordy…"

"Sorry boss."

"Workin' on it now guys one more minute."

"Make it half Sam."

"You still want to play me for a fool officer Lane?" Jeremy hisses in Ed's ear, still holding the baton to his neck and making Ed squirm against the beam and his bonds.

"My team…"

"Will find you dead!" Jeremy shouts, making Ed slightly cringe and Clark struggle harder. "Both of you and I'll walk away laughing like I did with Dean's worthless, double crossing corpse."

"Now beg me."

"Go t…"

"BEG ME!"

"NO!" Ed shouts back. But he can only watch in horror as Jeremy nods and Barry, one of the thugs punches Clark in the stomach. "Jeremy!" Ed shouts as he struggles in Jeremy's grasp, coughing against the baton and his bonds.

"You settle down or I swear I'll use this on him right now!" Jeremy warns and Ed instantly ceases in his struggles.

"Ah much better," he snickers as he looks up at Clark and then back at Ed. "See you just don't get it do you? I'm in control here, not you! Don't go anywhere officer Lane," he laughs as he heads for Clark.

"What do you want?" Clark asks in sorrow, unable to see his father in such a state.

"Just this. I'll give you two minutes alone with him and if you can talk some sense into him, I'll not do him more harm," Jeremy boldly lies. "If you fail…you'll be next. Let him go."

"What do you want him to do?" Clark moans.

"He knows what I want from him. You have just under two minutes. Make it count."

Clark feels both arms letting go of his and he rushes to his father's side and kneels down beside him and starts pulling at the ropes holding his father captive. He had a small pocket knife that he had pulled out and pushed into his father's hands before Jeremy could see.

"If you untie him I'll just shoot you both right now!" Jeremy bellows and Clark's hands retreat from the ropes around Ed's firm chest; but he was able to loosen them enough that if Ed's hands were free he'd be able to pull himself loose. Clark looks at his father in uncertainty remorse and shakes his head. "Dad…"

"Clark, just let it go, I'm okay."

"Boss, Leah and I are pulling up now."

"Wordy, I know you are anxious but we gotta play this safe."

"He won't negotiate boss you know that," Wordy states gruffly. "And we can't bargain with Ed or Clark like that."

"Work on getting us eyes in there."

"Copy that," Wordy huffs knowing he had to listen and just wait as much as it hurt to hear his best fried enduring so much.

Greg looks over at Amber, who was quietly crying in the back and frowns. He could say 'everything will be okay' but he knows not to lie and at this point that's all those words would be. He could only imagine the tension and anxiety that Ed was feeling in being so helpless to stop them from hurting his son and the fear and terror that Clark was experiencing in watching something to terrible happening to his dad. Hold on Eddie…

"Jules and are about to make our move on the two outside guys," Sam's voice is heard.

"I'm almost there," Greg assures them.

"Dad I'm so sorry…"

"Clark, it's okay," Ed manages with a small wince. "Now son you have to do me a favor. I doubt these guys are dead shots and…"

"The team is coming."

"They might not make it here in time and you have to get away," Ed replies as he offers up a tight swallow.

"Are you okay?" Clark asks sadly.

"I'm fine," Ed lies in part.

"What I said…"

"Clark we'll talk about that later. Now listen to me…"

"I have your spare gun," Clark confesses in haste.

"What?" Ed asks in a low hiss.

"I thought it might help."

"Boss did he just say…"

"A gun?" Wordy groans. "This could change things."

"Yeah for the worse," Spike mumbles.

"Let's stick to the plan guys."

"We took the two outside guys out," Sam tells the team. "Jules and I will take the front."

"Leah and I are heading for the back," Wordy informs them. Hold on Ed…we're here now…

"Clark you have to escape. There is a back door…"

"I can't leave you…like this," Clark slightly whimpers.

"Clark where are you?" Greg's voice is heard over the heads set, making Clark stop and look at his father.

"What?" Ed asks, noticing his son's facial expression instantly change.

"Greg," he whispers. "I'm in the middle of the room and dad's um…"

"Where are the doors?"

"There's one at the back that front. The back door is not guarded, two at the front plus Jeremy."

"Clark, go for that back door," Ed insists.

"Tell your father you'll listen," Greg instructs. "He has to know you'll be safe when we come in."

"I can't leave him," Clark talks to Greg.

"You have to…you can't free me in time," Ed explains.

"I can use the…g…"

"No…Clark, listen to me," Ed begs softly, his tormented blue eyes looking at his son with remorse.

"Dad I'm sorry."

"I know you are…son I know you are and it's okay," Ed replies with a soft fake smile; pushing past the pain coursing through his entire frame. "I'm gonna be okay."

"But your eye and…and he hit you…I'm sorry," Clark whispers in a tone that forces all of Team One to wince over the emotional and physical plight of their captive team leader.

"I'm gonna be fine, you hafta go now. Is that what Greg's telling you?" Ed wonders and Clark nods in confirmation.

"Boss, Leah and I are at the back door and can go in," Wordy tells the team.

"Wordy wait on my go. Clark…where are they? And how many?"

"Three…at the front."

"Clark, stop stalling and just go!" Ed lightly growls as his hands continue to work the tape free.

"Clark, buddy we're right outside. If your father says it's okay for you to go then you go," Greg states firmly. "We need you out of there before we can come in."

"Come on Clark, I'm at the back door here," Wordy pipes up, Leah waiting to escort him to safety.

"Go before it's too lat…" Ed starts just as Jeremy turns to them with a mean glare. "Clark my hands are free, tug the rope as you go and then run son and don't stop."

"But…"

"Do it," Ed demands as Clark's hands rest on his chest and start to tug on the ropes.

"Times up officer Lane. Hope you're no good son has talked some sense into your thick skull before he pays the ultimate price. I think you'll like this Clark. Come on guys lets have some fun. Time for you both to die."

"Boss times up…we hafta move now."

"Wordy, Sam….go in now!" Greg instructs in haste after giving them a few more details.

"Clark…go now!" Ed shouts. He pulls against his bonds finally feeling the tape breaking free. Clark starts to turn and run for the door when the turns back to see his father finally break free of his bonds and charge Jeremy; Sam and Jules coming in the front door, busy with the other two men, while Wordy and Leah rush in the back.

Despite every single muscle in his body yelling at him to stay put, Ed knows that he has to give Clark as much time to get away as possible. But just before Clark can reach a safe distance he turns and watches as Jeremy pulls out a gun at the same time he hits Ed on the back with the baton, sending the weary team leader to his knees. Jeremy aims the gun at Ed just as Clark pulls his and aims it at them with his shaky hands.

Dad…no Clark's mind whispers in silent torment.

"Time to die," Jeremy's angry voice is heard over the commotion as he puts the gun to Ed's head and cocks the trigger.

Wordy rushes toward Clark who shakes his head as his eyes really start to water and his finger starts to ease back on the trigger.

But then time slows for all of them instantly; holding them all in place until something shatters the silence.

*bang*

A/N: okay um sorry? Lol so who do you think did the shooting and who do you think got shot? Lots of father/son angst in this but some hurt/comfort for both father and son up next. So hope you are all still liking this and please remember to review before you go and thanks so much as always :D