When Dixie came to visit Johnny early the next morning, she found him staring at the ceiling. After she had finished checking him out, she looked at him with concern. He had been very quiet when she had checked on him before she went off shift last night.

"What's wrong, Johnny?"

He crossed his arms behind his head. "Just thinkin'."

"What about?"

Slowly he turned to look at her. "I had a nightmare. I woke up sweating, but I remember everything."

Dixie placed her hand gently on his arm. "I'm sorry, love."

John glanced up at her, startled by the unfamiliar endearment.

He pulled his arms back to his sides, and then hid his face with his arm, in a heartbreakingly familiar gesture. Dixie knew he was trying to block out the memories, even more than the light.

"What the hell is wrong with me, Dix? Why couldn't I walk away?" His words were muffled, but she could hear the pain. He moved his arm to stare helplessly at his friend.

This time, when Dixie brushed his hair away from his forehead, Johnny didn't flinch away. He simply shut his eyes, and let her comfort soak into his bruised soul.

Softly, she whispered, "I don't know, love. I don't know. But, I do know that there are lots of people who do love you. I love you. And I'm gonna be right here whenever you need me."

John said nothing, and finally, Dixie broke the silence. "Your horses are all safe and waiting for you at your ranch. Lt. Crockett can give you the details."

A ghost of a smile traced over John's lips, but he still said nothing. After a few minutes, Dixie realized he had fallen asleep. She left and went to find Kel Brackett…

~E!~

Lt. Crockett got the call. There was a report of a man with a gun holding hostages at a residence near Malibu. This was not in his jurisdiction, and it usually would not have even come across his desk. But it was the name of the perp that got it flagged. James "Finn" Finnegan. He ran for his car. They had just located Melinda. He would bet his life on it.

He got the particulars over the radio as he sped to the scene. Apparently, Finnegan had broken into the house where Melinda Evers was living with her boyfriend. He had a handgun, and was holding the two hostage. Crockett cursed under his breath. He should have known Finnegan would pull something like this!

He pulled up to the scene, where three police cars were already in place. He hustled up to the OIC. "I got the basics on the way here. Anything else I should know?"

"Yeah. The perp just let the boyfriend go. Not a scratch on him. Finnegan still has the girl inside. He won't talk to us. The boyfriend's name is Simmons, Jeff Simmons. We ran a check on him, he came back with a couple of priors, but nothing outstanding."

Crockett nodded. "Thanks. I'll go talk to him." He made his way over to the police car where the vic was seated in the back with the door open. The man sitting there looked angry and extremely shaken.

The first words out of Simmons's mouth were, "I figured she was crazy, but I had no clue others around her were nuts, too!"

Crockett nodded sympathetically. "I assume you weren't harmed physically?"

"No, I wasn't. Not by him, but I was getting ready to throw her out just before he showed up. We got into an argument, and you know what that crazy broad did?"

"She belted you?" Crockett guessed.

Simmons nodded ruefully. "You know what she did."

Crockett told him, "Not the first time. Believe me. She's wanted for assault, along with several other charges."

Simmons sighed. "I should've known better. I don't usually pick up chicks in bars, but.…" He shrugged.

Crockett smiled. "Just remember that next time."

Simmons nodded. "I will, believe me!"

Crockett turned to a nearby officer. "I want a complete statement from this man. Also, make sure he gets checked out by a doctor. I want to make sure he's okay. Also, I believe he is planning on pressing charges against Ms. Evers."

The young officer nodded grimly. "Yes, sir." He moved towards Simmons, notebook in hand.

~E!~

Ron Crockett moved up next to the OIC. The man had a bullhorn in hand, and Crockett gestured to it. "Been trying to talk him down?"

The man nodded. "No luck so far."

"Mind if I try?"

"Be my guest." The OIC handed over the bullhorn, and Lt. Crockett raised it to his lips.

"Finnegan, this is Lt. Crockett. You listening to me?"

There was silence for a short time, and then, "Yeah, I hear you, but it won't do you any good. I came here to stop her from hurting anybody else, and that's what I aim to do."

Crockett shook his head reflexively. "No, James, don't do it! If you do, then she wins! Don't you see that? She might be dead, but your life is ruined forever! She wins!"

There was a long silence, and Crockett was afraid he might have lost Finnegan.

"What guarantees do I have that she'll get convicted and actually serve time? That she won't just do this again?"

"No guarantees. But there is a very good chance she will be convicted, that she will serve time. Problem is, you're turning her into a victim if you do this. Is that how you want her remembered? As your victim?"

The silence was longer this time, and Crockett prayed Finnegan had truly heard what he said. The OIC shook his head and whispered, "I have a man lined up on the perp. We can take a kill shot if we need it."

Ron vehemently shook his head, and whispered back, "Give me a few more minutes. I think I can talk him out."

The OIC nodded doubtfully. "Okay, but there is too much at stake. I'll give you five minutes. That's it. Then I have to give the order."

Crockett nodded. "James, come on," he called. "It's time to come out now. Let me help you."

Nothing. Crockett was afraid Finnegan wasn't listening. Then, there was movement at the door as it slowly opened, just a crack. "Somebody come get this worthless piece of garbage! I won't shoot."

Cautiously, Crockett advanced until he was close enough to pull the terrified woman away from Finnegan. He handed her off to the nearest officer, who immediately arrested her, and took her to an ambulance to be checked out. Surprisingly, Melinda said not a word. Apparently, she was in shock.

Ron had not taken his eyes off James Finnegan, who now held the gun under his own chin.

"Come on, Finn. That's not the answer."

"My life ain't worth a plugged nickel, and you know it. Just make sure she gets what she deserves."

Crockett nodded. He wanted desperately to save this man's life. He was a good man at heart, and Crockett wanted nothing more than to see him realize it.

"She will. But don't give up. Don't let her win. She wants you dead. Don't do it."

Finnegan appeared to be considering his words, so Crockett pressed on. "Besides, that young paramedic? He's okay, but how do you think he's gonna feel when he finds out you did this? That you're dead, for no reason?"

Finn shook his head. "After what I did? He ain't gonna give a damn. He'll be happy I'm dead."

"No, Finn, you're wrong. He is upset you stole his horses, but he would never want you dead. I promise you that."

Suddenly, Finn's eyes showed his weariness and sorrow, and he lowered the gun and handed it to Crockett, who immediately handed it off to another officer, and cuffed Finnegan. He read him his rights as they walked. Crockett took him to a patrol car and helped him into the back seat. And James Finnegan began his journey back to prison.

Crockett shook his head in disgust. If only they had found her address sooner! If only…No, he was not traveling that road. Finnegan had made the wrong choices, just as Melinda had. And now he would pay for it. He watched as Melinda was loaded into another patrol car. They both would.

~TBC~