AN: Once again, I'd like to apologize for the delay in updating this story. A BIG thank you to all my readers globally for continuing to follow my story/stories regardless. That means a lot to me.

* Mounty Swiss - For reasons you will soon see, this chapter is really for you ;-)

To my guest reviewers:

* (aka Anja) - Thank you for leaving me a lovely review and yes, you are quite right about how I am portraying Kevin and Sylvia. They are not altogether evil but psychologically and emotionally damaged. While it doesn't excuse them for what they did, they are still capable of showing a degree of remorse and a conscience.

* Tony Robbertsen - Thank you and I'm glad you are enjoying this tale.

* kell129 - Thank you for your review. Honestly, the thought did cross my mind to have Steve shoot Kevin but I decided that it would do more harm to Steve than good if he went down that path. I felt his character would have wanted to save Kevin rather than kill him.

* Nans - For always being a patient reader, thank you. It's a pleasure hearing your thoughts on my stories.

Tanith

Chapter 20

A weak croak broke through the stand-off and all eyes turned to the source of the noise. "Kevin, don't do this son. Don't make the same mistakes your father and I did when we were young. Pl-please, just…put…put that gun…." Walter pleaded for his nephew to end his vengeful quest peacefully. He tried to prop himself up on his elbows but Martha gently and firmly held him still. With a pain filled groan he lay back and could say no more.

Hearing his stoic uncle begging had had an effect on Kevin and the young man felt his finger loosen on the trigger.

Mike took the opportunity when Sylvia's attention was diverted by her uncle's voice. She had her head turned to one side for what she had intended to be a brief moment but that was all the time the detective needed to make his move. In one swift motion, Mike stepped forward and grappled the gun out of Sylvia's hand then twisted her arm behind her back. Taken by surprise, Sylvia yelped and struggled but Mike held her fast. "Sylvia Nolan, you're under arrest for murder and that's just starters, young lady!" Mike continued to read Sylvia her rights as he handcuffed her hands behind her back.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kevin saw his sister, defeated and restrained. He made no move to lower his gun but his determination was waning and his anger dissipating.

"What's it gonna be, Kevin? I know you never meant to hurt your uncle but he needs urgent medical attention and you're the only thing standing in the way of that. Your aunt and uncle may not be your parents but they sure care about you and your sister very much. Why don't you give them a chance to prove that for themselves?" Steve tried once more to get through to the young man.

For the first time since Walter took the bullet that was meant for the college girl, Martha looked up at her nephew through tear misted eyes. "Kevin, no matter what you and Sylvia have done, you're both family and nothing is going to change that. We'll get through this, together."

Keller held his breath as he kept his gun trained on the man in front of him. It wasn't until Kevin lowered his gun and dropped it on the floor that he exhaled heavily. Without taking his eyes off the suspect, Steve stepped around Walter and Martha. He kicked the gun over to his partner who picked it up and placed it into his coat pocket. Once he applied the cuffs around Kevin's wrists, Steve frisked his pockets and read him his rights then sat him down against the wall, a couple of feet away from his sister who had her head turned aside to hide the tears silently rolling down her face.

Mike made an attempt to call for an ambulance but the phone had been disconnected. He knelt down beside Walter and examined the wound, high up in the man's shoulder.

"Is he…?" Martha couldn't bring herself to speak but her eyes spoke volumes. Walter may be far from the perfect human being but he was and always will be the love of her life. He was her pillar of strength, the voice of reason and living proof that a man can change for the better no matter what the world threw at him. She didn't know what would become of her if she were to lose him.

Mike gave the distraught woman a weak but reassuring smile. "He's going to be just fine. Here, hold this," He pulled out his handkerchief and motioned for Martha to press it down over the wound in Walter's shoulder.

Kneeling down on one knee, Steve brushed is hand lightly over Jeannie's forehead, brushing loose strands of her hair aside. A painful looking bruise was starting to develop along with a sizable lump.

Jeannie's eyes fluttered open and the first thing she saw was a familiar and handsome face. "Steve? What…what's going…..what happened?" She tried to lift her head off the floor but the room spun and she thought she was going to be sick.

"Hey, easy there. Everything's going to be just fine," Steve soothed. He removed his jacket, rolled it up then placed it under Jeannie's head.

Mike's ears perked up at the sound of his daughter's voice. He would recognize it anywhere and right now it was music to his ears. He straightened up and hastily made his way to where his partner was leaning over a young woman.

"Jeannie!" Mike sobbed as he collapsed to his knees and placed his hands on either side of Jeannie's cheeks. "You're okay! Sweet heart, you're okay."

Steve decided this was his cue to find help. He raced outside to the car and radioed for back-up and medical assistance then he hurried back into the house to keep an eye on the two suspects as he await the cavalry.