Hey guys - I apologize for the delay. I'm busting through my final year as a college senior and the work can be a little overwhelming. And when I'm not - I have to say that it's the final year all my friends' and I will be together. We're parting after this year for a million different cities across the globe. And I wanted to spend as much time with the most important people in my life as possible. I love them to death. Anyway - that's the explanation. Thank you for the lovely reviews you have all left me - they really do motivate me. I love hearing back from you guys.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, that the new year treats you well and that you enjoy this chapter. I've got the next penned out and I'm working on the editing (... beta anyone?). It should be up shortly - so not another 3 month delay for sure!

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"Jules." Sarges' voice filled her communication piece.

"Yes Sarge?" She responded, striding back towards the mobile command unit.

"Smithson's wife just arrived on the scene. I'm having her brought to the truck. I think you should be here. You were at the home she shared with Anthony. You saw them. The life they made together. You've got a better picture of who they are." Sarge continued.

"On my way." She said, picking up her pace until she was jogging back to the black van. She yanked open the door and quickly mounted the step, pulling the sturdy door shut behind her. Taking a deep breath to calm herself she turned to survey Katie.

The woman who sat beside Sarge was beautiful. There was no other word to describe her. That was the first thing Jules noticed. She was tall and thin, her endlessly long legs showcased in a skinny black skirt. Her eyes were a golden brown, the colour of whiskey, smooth and rich, edged with thick lashes. Her cheekbones were high, curving down to perfect cupids-bow lips. Her hair, a fall of raven black, fell across her shoulders, framing her exotic features.

Jules had never been terribly comfortable with women. She'd had brothers, had worked alongside males her entire life. Tall, smart, beautiful, confidently female; Katie was the kind of she had resented and envied in her adolescent years and avoided as an adult.

But looking past that Jules saw shock and grief. The remorse and the guilt. She was a scared woman who needed her help, Jules reminded herself, stepping forward.

"Jules Callaghan" She said by way on introduction, noting with curiosity the way the other woman's eyes widened at the name, her mouth forming a small oh of surprise.

"I don't understand what's going on. The police came to my work today saying Tony was in trouble and that I should come. I don't know why he's doing this. Tony … Tony's a good man." Katie said. "I just can't see him doing the things you're saying. He wouldn't intentionally hurt somebody. He wouldn't. I know him. Please don't shoot him. Don't hurt him." She pleaded. Her hand, resting over her still-flat stomach in an innate sign of maternal protection. Long fingers, one marred by the pale outline of where a ring used to lie, were interlocked over her child.

"We're trying not to. We're trying to understand so we can help him." Greg reassured her, patting her knee paternally.

"He's been different since coming back. He wouldn't tell me anything. He couldn't sleep at night. Because of the nightmares. He'd always wake up screaming. He'd dream of losing his teammates. Of having to shoot children. Of ambushes. He started drinking. I couldn't talk to him anymore. He wouldn't take his medication. He stopped going to therapy. So I left. I didn't know what else to do. I wish I'd stayed. I could have helped him." Katie said, fresh tears beginning to form.

"It's okay. This isn't your fault." Jules insisted, stepping forward.

"I don't know why he'd take Sam hostage. He's one of his best friends. He didn't see much of him once Sam left the army for the military. But Tony didn't resent him for it. He understood. And he was glad. Because it meant that Sam would get to start a life away from his father. His father's a powerful man. Sam would finally get to escape his shadow. Tony and Sam are friends. I don't know why he'd do this." Katie said again, voice shaking.

"Were you aware that he was forcibly discharged from the military this month?" Jules' asked.

Katie dragged a shaky hand through her hair. "No. I can't… He must feel like he's lost everything."

"Does Anthony have any other family?" Greg prodded.

"No. It's just me – me and the baby. His mother abandoned him as a child. He doesn't know his father. That's how we met. We were in fostercare together. We got married young and he joined the military so we could afford my tuition; we only ever had each other."

"Does he know you're pregnant?" Jules asked gently.

Katie sucked in a deep breath. "No. I didn't tell him. I was going to. I was so excited when I found out. I took three tests. I was thrilled. We'd wanted this for so long. We'd always put it off though. Because I was in school or because he had another tour coming up. I had it all planned out in my head. I even had this stupid little speech prepared. But when he came home he was so angry. He wouldn't tell me what it was about. He poured himself a drink. It wasn't even noon. I lost it. My father was an alcoholic. He drank himself to death when I was 12. I watched him kill himself with vodka and rum and tequila. When we got married Tony promised me he'd never do that to me."

Her voice cracked, hand pressing painfully against her stomach. It pitched nauseatingly, like a raft in a storm. The memory hurt. The thought of losing Tony forever was somehow even worse.

"I was so angry I yanked the bottle out of his hands and smashed it on the ground. He raised his fist like he was going to hit me. He didn't – we were both so stunned, I think. Neither of us moved or said anything. He'd never done anything like that before. He turned around and walked out the front door. He was ashamed, I think. He felt guilty and angry with himself. But I couldn't take it anymore. I packed up a few of my things and left. I wrote him a note telling him I couldn't do it anymore. That I loved him and I said goodbye. I never told him about the baby."

The tears were coming faster now.

"Maybe if I'd told him he wouldn't have done this." She curled over, rocking herself, arms wrapped around herself like they were the only thing keeping her together at this point. Her voice was brittle, mouth pressed in a firm, paper thin line.

"Do you still love him?" Jules asked. Greg shot her a warning look over Katies' head.

"Yes. Of course. I could never stop loving him. As much as I wanted to." Katie admitted, angrily pushing away the tears. She needed to be strong. To be smart.

"We're doing everything we can to bring him back safely. Will you help us? If we need you? Can you help us keep Anthony safe?" Jules asked, crouching before Katie so that they were eye to eye. Woman to woman.

"Yes." Her response was immediate. "Yes."

"Good. We've got work to do, Sarge." Jules said, pushing to her feet.