Title: Scars of the Past
Chapter 11 – Changing the Rules
Clark awakens very early the next morning to the door handle jiggling…his eyes looking at Ed who is still asleep beside him and thinking that it must be Wordy. But just as the door flies open, he utters a small gasp as Chuck appears with a gun in his hand, silencer on the end and plants a bullet between Ed's eyes and then look at him with a sneer.
"Told you he couldn't help you!"
"NO!" Clark shouts as his body is roughly ripped awake by the bullet…his body jolting upright in the small bed and instantly waking his father.
"Clark?" Ed asks in haste as he struggles to get himself untangled from Clark's thrashing frame and the blankets. He quickly reaches over and turns on the light, looking at his son's flushed and panic-filled expression in concern. "What's up?"
"I had…a nightmare…" he lightly gasps just as Wordy's hand gently pushes the door open and he peers inside to see what happened.
"Sorry I…heard a shout."
"Nightmare," Ed assures him with a small frown. "We're good."
"Sorry to…wake you up."
"We're light sleepers," Wordy quips with a warm smile. "Comes with the job. Goodnight."
"Night Wordy," Ed nods as he straightens up on the bed and yawns. "Didn't realize I fell asleep here," Ed comments softly as he rubs his face and then looks at Clark with a frown. "Want to talk about it?"
"Chuck killed you…he shot you."
"Yeah he's still fresh in your mind, sorry."
"How come you don't have nightmares? I mean he hurt you right?"
"I guess I have just…sometimes I do," Ed ponders. "I think I was just so tired I…I didn't," he concludes with a shrug.
"Lucky. I haven't slept well since I left Ottawa."
"That's understandable."
The two of them sit in silence a bit longer before Ed's hand gives Clark's back a small pat and he looks over at the clock; the display reading about 2AM. "I need some extra sleep. You um…you know if you wanna come and sleep with me…that bed is big enough."
"I'll be okay. How did you sleep on this small bed?" Clark asks with some amusement.
"I was really tired," Ed smirks as he gives Clark's shoulders a comforting squeeze and then slowly pushes himself up, offering a small wince as his body unfolds from the cramped position he had been in the past few hours. He looks back at Clark and whispers goodnight before he takes his leave and wanders into his own room, merely pulling off his jeans and sweater and climbing into bed in his boxers and undershirt; instantly succumbing to the realm of darkness until the morning.
XXXXXXXX
Ed awakens the next morning with a heavy sigh, squinting at the clock and then slumping back and looking up at the ceiling. He hears a soft knock at the door and then utters 'come in' softly in case it's Clark and Wordy's still asleep. But as a face appears, he quickly sits up and looks in surprise; a smile quickly spreading his lips apart.
"Morning," Donna greets him with a tender expression as she enters his room and quietly closes the door behind her; easing herself down on the bed. The door not closed all the way.
"Morning," Ed greets her with a warm kiss and hug and then pulls back with a small frown. "Not that I am complaining but…"
"But I am here to make breakfast."
"Really?"
"Really. How is he?"
"He's…he's scared and confused and frustrated and…and I have nothing to offer him," Ed resigns as he looks at her with a heavy frown.
"That's not true," she counters. "You have love, security, protection and…"
"I have no answers and a man out there that still wants to kill him. I want so much for him. I want to take away his pain and…and I don't know how to do any of it."
"Oh I think you don't give yourself enough credit," she assures him as her hand slips into his. "I think you're really afraid of what happens when this is over and Clark…"
"Can choose to go back to…Donna he has no one to go back to," Ed pauses as he shakes his head. "He's not of legal age to stay on his own and…"
"Do you want him to go back even if he did?"
"What?"
"Well he has friends there that I'm sure would take him in…if you didn't want him."
"I want him here…and I don't. I keep crazy hours. I work a dangerous job. I don't…"
"Sam and Jules are working on a family. Greg and Dean make it work. Greg was just as nervous as you when Dean came to live with him…remember you told me? And now…they make it work. Just means that you'd have to cut back a bit. But that's your call."
"I can't do this alone…you know raise him and…" he turns and looks back at her directly. "I can't bu…" is all he manages before she silences him with a soft kiss and then pulls back with a tender smile.
"I love you. I want to be with you and if that means adopting a son…so be it."
"Really?" Ed echoes again, looking at her in surprise.
"Really," she reconfirms as his arms shoot out and pull her onto his chest, her lips uttering a giggle as she tries to wrestle herself free. Ed gently flips her on her back, pinning her wrists over her head and his lips moving in. But before anything too serious can develop the door quickly opens all the way.
"Hey can I…oh wow…sorry…I'm uh sorry. I'll be out…yeah," Clark stammers as he pulls back behind the door; Ed and Donna looking at each other in surprise before both sit up; Donna calling Clark back to them.
"You can come in…we're both dressed," Donna invites Clark; her seated on top of the bed in her jeans and sweater and Ed's lower half covered with the blanket to hide just his underwear; his upper half in the tee.
"I'm sor…did you stay overnight?" Clark asks as he hovers nervously in the doorway.
"Nope just came to make breakfast for you two. Does that sound good?"
"Sure," Clark shrugs as Donna offers him a sympathetic smile.
"You can come in you know."
"I just needed some soap. Can I borrow yours?"
"Yeah…of course," Ed nods toward the bathroom just off his bedroom.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Donna looks at Clark in concern.
"Okay…still a bit tired but okay," he replies as he darts into the bathroom and grabs the soap reappearing a few seconds later. "I'll um…when's breakfast?"
"After the shower. You're good," she assures him with a friendly tone. Clark leaves, closing the door and allowing the two adults their alone time once again.
"Guess we'll need to set some ground rules when Wordy moves out," Ed mentions as he slumps back into the bed, Donna looking down at him with a small frown. "What?"
"You look tired," she comments in truth as her fingers rest upon the small bruise on his cheek and then lifts his cut hand and looks at the bandage. "At least it's dry. Were you serious about the ground rules?"
"I was."
"Ed…"
"I don't want to wait. I love you. I want you here…with me. Clark…he can take Wordy's room. I want us to be a family. I do."
"Are you sure that's you talking and not just emotional residue from last night at nearly losing him?"
"You think I'm rushing in?"
"I am asking if you are being practical."
"It's me and that's what I want. But at the same time…"
"You are still afraid of building something up that you want and he might not?" She treads lightly.
"That's it. I mean I can't force him…it'll make him miserable but then he has no parent to go back to and…I do want him here Donna I do. But I want you here also. I…what do you want?" Ed asks nervously.
"I want to marry you," Donna whispers as she leans in closer and kisses him firmly on the lips. She looks at the tender warmth in his sapphires, her hand resting on his face and cupping his cheek. "I want that too…us to be a family."
"You do?"
"I do," she repeats with another smile. "It's a bit of a different start than I had first pictured a few months back, but loving you and wanting you means…"
"Accepting him," Ed concludes.
"It scares me to Ed. I mean he's a teen…I've never had a brother…sure he only has two more years of high school but then he's…"
"A young adult and with that comes…"
"A whole new set of ground rules," she answers with a tender tone. "But if we both want this and work at it together…"
"We can make it work," Ed continues. "But no matter what Clark decides I want us to be together."
"Me to," she reconfirms as she kisses him once more. "Okay I'll get breakfast started. Wordy up yet?"
"He will be once you start the coffee," Ed quips as he pushes back the covers and slowly stands up; Donna lingering at the doorway and looking at his nearly naked frame with a hungry gaze. "What?"
"You…are very tempting like that," she winks before she ducks out of the room; picking up a soft chuckle from his lips as she heads for the kitchen; her mind still racing that she had actually mentioned marriage in the heat of the moment. But he assured her mind that her fears were the same as his but that he wanted their future together as much as hers. About ten minutes later she hears a shuffle and turns to see Clark enter the space. "Hey there…just in time…to help with…"
"About earlier," Clark starts nervously. "I didn't mean…I'm really sorry if I…"
"Trust me Clark…if it would have been serious I would have locked the door," she assures him with a friendly expression.
"Was he mad?"
"Hardly," she replies in haste. "We both thought it was cute. It's all good. We're gonna hafta get used to each other right?"
"Okay," Clark states somewhat stiffly; Donna noticing his body tense and deicing not to push the subject any further.
"Want to help with breakfast?"
"Sure…what can I do?"
"Here…you can take this…." Donna directs, as she hands him a small cutting board and a grapefruit, "and cut it up." As suspected, a few minutes later, Wordy's head pokes around the corner; his body following a few seconds later. "Ah you smelt the coffee right?"
"Eddie up yet?" Wordy nods as he pours himself a cup.
"Should be here in five," she grins.
"Hey Clark. Sleep okay?"
"Sure," Clark replies as Ed joins them a few moments later.
Soon the kitchen area is filled with light banter, a few laughs, some good natured teasing and four people sitting down to enjoy a modest breakfast. The three adults keep the banter light but not obtrusive to the young teen in their midst; asking him questions in casual conversation, but not wanting to seem like he was facing a panel of three interrogators. By way of conversation, Ed learns that his son's favorite color is blue, his least favorite outing was shoe shopping with Amanda and his favorite was both family's going down to Disney World last spring break. Ed studies Clark's facial expressions as he engages Wordy and then Donna and feels his heart settle a little; his mind desperately hoping they can conclude their business with Chuck Brandson today and focus on what really matters – building the future as a family. Donna wants this…now. I was worried but she's assured me she does, his mind ponders happily. I want this…but does Clark? Donna and I will be married but…but will it just be the two of us living here? Or three? Clark…my son…what does he want?
"Okay I better call Spike and see what's going on," Donna mentions as she pushes herself away from the table, taking her plate to the kitchen, depositing it into the dishwasher and then heading into the hallway to make a call.
"So plans for tonight?"
"Greg texted and said he'd like to have us over so Clark can meet Dean."
"Great plan," Wordy nods as he looks at Clark who offers a weak smile. "Dean's a great kid. I gotta call Shel…some wedding stuff tonight," he informs with a smile before he takes his leave to call Shelly. Ed watches Clark deftly pick up the remaining plates and carry them into the kitchen.
"Is that okay about tonight?"
"You're not gonna try to like make me become best friends with this kid right?" Clark looks back at Ed and states suddenly.
"No. I just thought it would be nice to meet someone your own age. This way if you do decide to go to school here…then you won't be alone. Clark if you don't want to."
"It's okay. I just wish this whole mess with Chuck was over."
"I know me too," Ed replies with a heavy frown, now wondering if he should just call Greg back and cancel. You are still his father…you are allowed to dictate a few things and make a few plans. "It will be a casual evening."
"Okay."
"Spike got a hit," Donna mentions as she enters the kitchen; Wordy listening from the entranceway.
"Where?"
"On what?" Both Wordy and Ed ask at once.
"A log in into the Royal Bank on Younge. Seems there is a safety deposit box there with the name Brandson on it," Donna explains.
"Okay first stop is the barn. Clark…"
"I want to come."
"Out of the question," Ed retorts in haste, making Clark look at him with a cross expression.
"Wordy and I will meet you at the barn," Donna looks at Wordy who nods and then heads for the front door; Donna casting Ed a small smile before she disappears into the hallway; leaving father and son alone.
"Clark you can't come," Ed insists as they head for the hallway to get their jackets on.
"But I want to see what's in there."
"Probably just some papers and…Clark if there is anything in there of use I will show you okay…I'll show it all to you, but you have to promise me you'll stay with Winnie at the barn. I can't do my job properly and watch over…"
"I'm not a baby."
"You are a live target to this guy and he'll stop at nothing to kill you and get what's in that box. The only way I can ensure you are safe and that box is seen by only us, is for you to stay in the fortress with a lot of other cops around."
"Fine," Clark pouts as they head into the hallway, Ed looking over at his son and feeling his anxiety surge. He could understand Clark's kickback about not being included in something that holds his very future at stake. But at the same time he now wonders what kind of tension would develop if it were an everyday problem? Staying out past curfew? Am I allowed to even set a curfew? Dating…drinking…sex…questions…real world situations…graduation…university…career…am I getting in over my head? I can't just push this all back on Donna, that isn't fair…he's my son, he inwardly laments as they get into the SRU SUV and head for the barn; silence starting to grow. Hold your ground on this, his brain urges. He'll come around.
"So about your r…"
"When I can I see Amanda?" Clark quickly interrupts Ed, making him look over at his son in question. "Just wondering."
"Well…I'm sure Spike can set up something secure for you to use when we are out."
"Is he going too?"
"Not unless it's a hot call. He'll need to monitor Chuck's activity if we get there and…"
"And it's all gone?"
"We'll find out everything Clark, trust me we will. Chuck won't leave a stone unturned and neither will we. This is what we do. You gotta trust the system."
Clark merely nods as he offers a glum expression; Ed pulling into the underground parking lot with the SRU SUV that Wordy had brought home the night before and catching up to him and Donna, the four of them riding up in the elevator together.
"I know you guys will be on Chuck's tail so my team is on deck today."
"We owe you," Ed states as Tom and Greg walk up to them.
"Yeah…you do. I wonder what I can make team one do…for…" Tom starts in a cheeky tone, drawing an arched-brow stare from both Donna and Greg. "Or…maybe not. Debriefing?" He asks weakly.
"He's been hanging around Sam too long," Donna quips as she pats her own team leader on the back and the two of them head for the briefing room.
"How's Clark today?" Greg asks with a friendly smile.
"Okay. So did Spike find Chuck?"
"Down to business I see…chip off the old block," Greg replies warmly, making both Ed and Clark look at him in mild surprise. "He has found…a few things. A confirmed location on his whereabouts isn't one of them yet. You can go and see him."
Ed watches Clark take his leave and then turns back and confronts Greg's wondering glance. "What?"
"How'd it go last night?"
"Tense as I expected. Clark…Chuck's really played this well. I just want him out of the way and then…"
"He still okay about dinner tonight?"
"He said I want to force him to make friends here or…" Ed groans as he rubs his face. "I don't know. I want him to make friends…part of me wants him to stay…part of me is nervous about if he does…I mean Greg what's he going back to? But what can I offer him here?"
"I can't have that discussion Eddie…that's between you two. You remember when Dean first came here."
"It was his choice…Clark was forced."
"Clark came and found you by his choice," Greg kindly reminds him. "He could have stayed right where he was and let the authorities handle it. I think he wanted to seek you out. He has no one…he's told by his mother to seek you out in case something happened and to get help. In getting that help he learns they are killed. He could have tucked tail and gone back to Ottawa and no one would have faulted him for that. But he chose to stay here…with you and work through all this mess – together. Course he's going to falter. Course its going to be strained. He's confused and scared and…and last night was probably a real wake up call for him. Wait until we have Chuck Brandson taken care of and then revisit the future stuff."
"Right."
"Trust me Eddie…you are going to be just fine," Greg assures him with a friendly pat. "And here is a little clue…"
"What's that?" Ed inquires.
"You aren't the first time father to be nervous, scared and uncertain," Greg smiles as Ed smiles back.
"Ah got it."
"Okay, what else did Chuck say?" Greg changes the subject.
"I think whatever we find in that box will show the hit itself. That means…"
"I know…someone else is on the inside…a friend to Clark and the family."
"But who? Boss who could it be? You said you saw all the files and…."
"It's someone smart enough to know to remain completely hidden until all this is over," Greg reminds him in truth. "Remain out of all the files. Stay one step ahead."
"We need what's in that box."
"I have the contents listed but…" Spike's voice interrupts as he appears in the doorway to the team one meeting room; with Wordy and Sam behind him, Jules in the background with Clark.
"But?" Greg presses.
"But it needs someone with the legal last name of 'Brandson' to access. We need Clark to come with us and bring his student ID."
"We need to get there before Chuck," Sam pipes up.
"Clark needs a vest."
"Boss…" Ed tries to protest.
"Eddie, I don't like it anymore than you but it makes sense that Howard Brandson would put that security feature into place. That's probably why the mystery person hasn't come forward yet. They can't present the evidence to the police to put Chuck away for good or nail Flannigan's coffin because…"
"They'd need the correct last name," Spike concludes.
"I'll get Clark a vest," Ed grumbles as he pushes past the rest of team one and heads for the locker – alone.
"Team, I don't like this anymore than Eddie does but it makes sense. Sam, I want you and Jules to leave now, set up with the Uni's and have everyone around that bank, watching…waiting for Chuck to show up. I don't want anyone near a doorway, alleyway…anything," Greg directs, Sam and Jules quickly leaving the room as requested.
"Wordy, you and Spike taking the inside of the bank. Spike set up with the security team inside, I want eyes on the entrance…all entrances. I don't want this guy getting in without us knowing. Wordy wait for us at the entrance."
"Copy."
"Eddie and I will ride with Clark. He'll expect a side entrance so we are going to walk right in through the front door. I'll call the manager and make sure he knows we need to be the first in there ahead of everyone else," Greg directs as he pulls his phone and calls Donna. "Donna…we have a new plan and might need some help."
"Just tell us where and when," she replies firmly.
"Are you mad?" Clark asks Ed as they stand in silence in the weapons locker as Ed outfits Clark with a vest, pulling one of the straps tight across his chest and then pausing before carrying on; looking at the uncertainty in his son's eyes.
"Not at you. I don't want you out there, but I have no choice. Chuck…he's a man on a mission and we don't know all that he has at his disposal here. So far it's just been him but I know the man who works for him. He's got means and is sitting in jail praying for this to end his way. Tossing out a few extra dollars to get this taken care of for good to him is money well spent," Ed explains with a heavy sigh.
"I heard Spike say there could be another guy. Is it another relative?"
"We doubt it, but at this rate…Clark I don't know," Ed confesses in truth. "Spike was able to see the date the box was commissioned. It was a month ago."
"Here in Toronto?" Clark asks in shock. "I don't know anyone here. I swear."
"I think Howard either did it himself or has someone he can trust with…"
"Me?"
"That and whatever else is in there. I'm guessing his will…inheritance papers and…and I don't know. But when you go in there it's all business okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the team will be there. We know Chuck will be…around but you hafta put that aside when you walk in there. I can come with you but only…Clark whatever you find you hafta bring out to me okay? All of it."
"What do I do?"
"We'll brief you on the way," Ed states firmly as he cinches up the second strap across Clark's chest. "You ready?"
"I am."
"Okay, let's go."
The two of them follow after Greg toward the elevator, the rest of Team One already deployed and setting up. Greg looks over at Ed and hopes that it all ends today and they'll have Chuck's shadow removed and then father and son can concentrate on working out a plan for the future that will be satisfying to both. Eddie…I hope things work out as you want them to…you need him and I know he needs you.
"Clark…you okay back there buddy?" Greg asks after a few seconds of silence.
"Yup," Clark nods as he looks at the time and then frowns. "So we can go in early?"
"For something like this…a bit earlier than normal," Greg replies. "But none of us think for one minute that Chuck won't be watching. He's come too far and risked too much to just give up."
"So he's watching the bank?"
"Probably slept overnight in it," Ed deadpans, making Clark look up in haste. "But that's why the team goes in first. Clark it's going to be okay."
"Okay," Clark mumbles as he settles back into his place.
"Spike…Sam…Wordy…talk to me," Greg speaks into his headset.
"Jules and I have both alley's blocked," Sam informs them. "If he's got a getaway vehicle parked in any of the underground area's and makes a run in either direction, he'll hafta come through one of us."
"Boss, am inside with the security team in their office. I have eyes on the front lobby, front entrance, back fire escape, vault, safety deposit box room and the bathrooms. If he goes near anywhere we don't want him we'll see," Spike replies next.
"I've got uni's physically stationed at each man door entrance and exit with pictures of Chuck Brandson on their PDA's. I'm inside and will meet you by the front entrance when you arrive," Wordy replies. "The building has been checked and cleared. We're good to go inside."
"And we're patrolling a few blocks away," Donna cuts in.
"We're all good then," Greg mutters to himself.
"So there's no way he can get the stuff in the box right?" Clark pipes up.
"We have our bases covered at the bank," Ed responds with a serious tone. "But that doesn't mean we let our guard down at all."
"We still have to find and arrest him," Greg adds. "But let's worry about getting into that box first and see what we are dealing with."
"Okay team, we're here," Ed tells everyone as the black SRU SUV they are riding in stops outside the entrance to the bank on the sidewalk and Ed turns around and looks at Clark with a small frown. "You ready?"
"Sure," Clark replies with some uncertainty; Ed hearing his tone and knowing that he's scared but not wanting to say it out loud in front of Greg.
"Okay let's go. I'm with you every step of the way."
The three of them slowly get out of the SUV and head toward the main door where Wordy and the bank manager are waiting. Ed's eyes dart nervously around; his brain knowing that Chuck wasn't going to just let them have the contents of the box without a fight – and when it comes it will be a fight to the death.
"Ah right on time," Chuck whispers as he narrows his gaze through the binoculars focusing first on Clark and then on Ed; offering a small scowl as Ed's back turns and he's left focusing in on the name 'Lane' on the back of Ed's vest.
"You think you have it all covered daddy Lane...hate to spoil the party," he snickers as he looks down at a small black box and then at a map beside it. He picks up the small black box and looks down at the little red button.
"Let's see how many lives you have left. I'm willing to count on…one!"
A/N: Okay so to be very honest Alice had another idea than I did for this chapter which as it turns out has prolonged the story one extra chapter! That's good right? Lol hope so…so what do you think Chuck has up his sleeve? How will he make his final stand? Who will get caught in the crossfire? And how will it end for father and son? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!