Title: 24-7
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

"Are you alright?"Eddie asked as he took a step forward.

"Uh uh."Gonzalez warned. "Before we go further, Ralph take his weapon."

Eddie glared at Gonzalez's hired gun but allowed the search and pat down. They removed his gun and a backup he'd had in his left boot. He was relieved when they left his hat alone. The capcam was safe and still recording.

"Are you alright?"Eddie asked Sam a second time once the search was complete.

Sam still gagged nodded. Her brown eyes were full of fear and Eddie knew that he'd never forget that. He'd take that image to his grave.

"Money, please."Gonzalez prompted.

Eddie handed the briefcase to his former colleague. Gonzalez set the briefcase on a nearby dumpster and opened it. He took each bundle of cash out and inspected it.

"It's all there."Eddie growled. "Now let her go."


Sam had to warn Eddie but she didn't know how. Right before the goons had led her into the alley they'd strapped a belt with explosives to her waist. They'd placed a black leather jacket around her to conceal it. Sam was surprised Eddie hadn't noticed the jacket was new and that she hadn't been wearing it the last time he'd seen her. But then perhaps he thought Gonzalez was just protecting his captive against the elements. The jacket wasn't in the best of shape and it was dirty enough that it could've been on her during her captivity.

With her hands bound and the stupid gag around her mouth Sam had no conventional means to warn her partner. No hand signals nothing. She couldn't even use her foot to write something in the dirt since her feet were bound. Sam had never felt more helpless. On top of that she also had a feeling Eddie wasn't here alone. That his team was nearby. That meant people she cared about were about to be put in danger and there was nothing she could do. Then an idea hit. One she had used in an episode.


"Forgive me if I don't trust you."Gonzalez snapped back. "Considering I lost a lot of years because you had to be a boy scout."

"You were a crooked cop, Gonzalez."Eddie countered angrily. "It wasn't just one slip up. If I hadn't turned you in you would've eventually got caught. You can't have that many people involved in something illegal and not have it come to light."

"Maybe, but we had a..."Gonzalez began but was interrupted by a body falling against him.

Sam had collapsed and fallen against Gonzalez before hitting the ground. Her face was pale and her eyes closed.

"Sam!"Eddie exclaimed worriedly as he rushed forward kneeling next to his partner. "Gonzalez, what the hell did you do?"

"Nothing recently."The ex-cop replied as he shut the briefcase. "But there was a fashion addition to the princess's wardrobe."

"Sam."Eddie whispered as his hands searched her throat for a pulse.

A strong one answered back and Eddie let out a sigh of relief. It was only then that Gonzalez's last statement registered and he looked down at Sam's body. He froze when he saw the belt around her waist. One that was decked out in at least two mounds of C4.

"Did you really think I was only in this for the money?"Gonzalez asked as he walked to stand over Sam.

"You're a dead man."Eddie proclaimed his gaze still fixed on the explosives.

"Maybe, but I think the odds are a lot worse for you than me."Gonzalez said with a gleeful smile.

"Pretty sure I can disarm it."Zeus said over the radio earpiece in Eddie's left ear. "We just have to get her somewhere that I can work."

Eddie knew Zeus's background and experience. He knew that Zeus's 'pretty sure' was better than the older man was letting on. The problem now was Eddie had to endanger his friends more than he'd planned. Bring them into Gonzalez's line of fire so they could get Sam out. Eddie didn't like it one bit but they didn't have a choice.