Title: Payback
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Four long hours later the streets around the NCIS office were back to normal. The bomb squad had cleared the building of any explosive devices and deemed it habitable again. NOPD had left a couple officers on patrol for the remainder of the week. In one of the upstairs conference rooms sat Pride, Hardy, Merri, Chris, Patton and Sebastian. On the table were several laptops, tablets, file folders and pitchers of coffee. Mugs of various sizes were in front of the team members and a box of pastries sat in the center of the table.
"There's been no chatter on official channels claiming responsibility for the bomb threat."Karen reported as she stood and began to rub the back of her neck with her right hand.
"What about unofficial?"Pride asked from the head of the table glancing at Patton.
"You're still very popular on the DarkWeb."Patton replied putting up various websites on the main view screen. "Militia's upped the price on your head by five thousand."
"Only five?"Pride quipped earning a glare from Hardy. "Thought I was worth at least ten."
"Not funny, Pride."Hardy admonished.
"Wasn't tryin' to be just releasing a little tension."Pride explained as he stood and leaned against the back of his chair. "Anything else, Double P?"
"No mention of the bomb threat yet."The tech reported with a shake of his head.
"We're still going through the financials of the militia we brought into custody from Merri's kidnapping."Chris stated putting up another set of images of mug shots on the main view screen. "Lots of information to sift through as us usual."
"Keep at it Christopher."Pride ordered.
"Can I talk to you privately for a minute?"Merri asked her boss.
"Sure, let's go down to the courtyard."Dwayne replied and the two left the conference room.
Now that she had her boss's full attention Merri was second guessing herself. On the way to the NCIS office she'd come up with this plan; a way to hopefully end this mess and get everyone's lives back to normal. However now that she stood in front of Dwayne Pride Merri knew convincing people that it was a good idea would be difficult. Finally Merri took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Dwayne was sitting on the edge of the table waiting for Merri to say whatever was on her mind.
"I have an idea that we can lure the Militia out and take them down without anybody else being hurt."Merri began.
"Let's hear it."Pride said as he leaned forward.
"Use me as bait."Merri offered meeting Dwayne's gaze.
"Too risky."Pride responded with a shake of his head.
"They've gone after me twice already."Merri argued.
"Merri..."Pride began.
"We'll set it up so we have all the bases covered."Merri continued."This could work."
"What could?"Chris asked stepped out of the small kitchen into the courtyard.
Pride looked from one to the other and shook his head as he slid off the table.
"I appreciate it, Merri but we'll find another way."Dwayne stated firmly.
"They'll keep coming after you, Pride."Merri said quietly ignoring her fiance's questioning gaze.
"My neck to risk."Pride replied bluntly.
"Doesn't have to be that way. This will work."Merri insisted.
"What will?"Chris asked.
"She wants to be bait."Pride explained with a resigned sigh.
"Like hell."Chris protested loudly. "They shot me, kidnapped you and tried to run us over and you want to go into the lion's den?!"
"That's my point, Chris!"Merri said. "They've gone after me twice let me use that to our advantage."
"Merri you know first hand what these people are capable of."Pride reasoned quietly. "We can't cover all the possibilities even with the added man power of the NOPD."
"But we can cover ninety-nine point nine of them."Merri countered. "Between Patton and Sebastian you know we can."
"The nature of that organization is even if you cut one head of the snake off there's always another waitin'."Pride said softly. "Even if we do this..."
"You're considerin' this?!"Chris asked incredulously.
Dwayne placed his right hand on Chris's left shoulder to calm him.
"If we go with your plan."Dwayne continued. "We won't get everybody. There'll still be somebody to start them up again."
"But we'll get the ones who've put the price on your head."Merri countered. "Then we can deal with the rest; it'll be a smaller group."
"She has a point."Dwayne admitted reluctantly.
"King."Chris protested.
"I'll let you two talk."Pride said as he left the courtyard and stepped back inside.
"Pride."Merri called.
"I'll talk to Hardy about it; see if we can come up with a 99.9 percent option."Dwayne replied as he left.
Chris paced the length of the table and back as he ran a hand through his short dark hair.
"Chris..."Merri began walking towards him.
"I just got you back."Chris responded softly as he stopped and took Merri in his arms.
"I'll be careful."Merri promised as she leaned up and kissed him.
Chris sighed once they broke apart and he leaned his forehead against Merri's.
"I can't believe after everything you want to put a target on your back."Chris whispered.
"I want us to go back to normal. I want Laurel to have her life back."Merri replied softly. "I want Dwayne at our wedding."
"I won't be able to talk you out of this, will I?"Chris asked quietly.
"You know it's our best chance."Merri responded as she buried her face in Chris's chest.
Chris sighed and wrapped his arms tighter around Merri.
"It'll work, Chris."Merri commented quietly hoping against hope that she was right.