~ Completed with assistance from fellow writer Chris Cody~

Molly sat on her sofa, holding the phone to her ear as she cried. "Look, Jim, I don't wanna walk away from this. I really care about you, I really like you and I want to see what we can be too, I'm just,"

Street swallowed hard, waiting for Molly to tell him that she can't do it anymore or something.

"I think, I should maybe just sleep on it," she finished.

"Ok, well, can I see you tomorrow, so we can actually talk." Street asked nervously.

"Yeah" Molly said, "How about brunch downtown?"

"Ok, I'll see you at 10, and Molly," he said with so much fear and emotion in his voice, "I am so sorry, I never meant for any of this. You are amazing and I really hope you can still give me a chance."

"You know I think you are an amazing guy too. We just need to both sleep and we will talk in the morning." She replied.

"God, Molly, I wish I could just hug you and kiss you right now," he whispered. She heard him crying.

"Jim!" she said closing her eyes as her own tears fell. "I'm still here, we are still here. Breathe."

He sniffled. "I'm sorry, I just," he sucked in a breath and pulled himself together. "I'm sorry I am such a screw up."

"Hey, please. You have made some silly choices yes, but I'm not giving up on you just yet." She almost giggled.

He smiled a little. "I don't deserve you" he said.

"Jim Street! Stop that right now. Get yourself together, sleep and I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

He nodded and frowned. "Yeah, okay. Good Night Molly"

"Good Night Jim," she answered hanging up.

He sat for a while in the cool air, before he figured she was right. He should get some sleep. He wandered inside and flopped into bed. Closing his eyes and laying there. He tossed and turned for almost an hour. His mind racing with how to fix things with Molly. After a while he sighed. 'Might just go for a ride and clear my head' he muttered.

He tiptoed out, knowing Luca was sleeping and rode off towards the hills. There was a lookout about halfway up the range that looked back over the city lights. He often rode up there and sat on his bike when he needed time and space to think. He sat there alone, with just his thoughts for what would have been a few hours. Before finally returning home and getting some sleep.

The next morning, Luca was getting ready to leave for his shift when Street wandered out rubbing his face.

"Hey, did you not sleep very well or something?" Luca asked.

"Yeah or something" he muttered, "tossed and turned a bit,"

"I heard you ride off late, did you go see Miss Hicks?" Luca smirked like Street had been out for a booty call.

"No, I did not go see Miss Hicks," Street said sarcastically back. "I just needed to clear my head."

Luca smirked and then looked at Street more seriously. "Is everything ok man?"

"Yeah, I hope it will be" he answered, "I'm gunna take a shower".

"Okay, see you tonight." Luca called as he headed off.

A few hours later, Street wandered through the square towards the café where he had agreed to meet Molly. He was a little early, because he didn't want to turn up late and keep her waiting. He took a seat at a table in the corner out the front and watched people come and go. Molly had taken a break from work and walked across the road, she could see him sitting there, fiddling with the glass of water in front of him. She noticed how nervous and tense he looked. As she walked around the small fence and entered the café, she smiled at him.

"Hey"

"Hey there" he said standing and kissing her cheek with a hug.

She smiled as he drew back. "How are you?" she asked studying his face.

He exhaled in a nervous chuckle. "Ah, honestly, a bit better now you're here. You look beautiful" he added.

Her eyes smiled at him as she sat down. "Thank you, Jim, you look good yourself," she replied as he noticed her teeth slightly trace her lip. He wondered if she felt as nervous as he did. He slowly reached across the table and took both of her hands in his.

"Molly" he said looking into her eyes, "I am really sorry about how all of that played out. I know I should've been more honest and open about all of it, but I let my stupid head and crazy fears lead me to make the wrong choices that ultimately hurt you."

Molly nodded with a small sad smile. "I just wish you had felt like you could have trusted me more." She looked back up at him as his thumbs traced the back of her hands. "If I had known about all of that with Chris that you told me last night…. I." She paused and glanced away as if she was searching for the right words.

"You would never have started this?" Jim interjected sadly.

She shook her head with a slow exhale. "No, I, I think I would have understood more about what was going on with you and why things felt like they did" she answered. "I want you to trust me Jim, trust me to handle more than you think I can."

He nodded at her, not sure what to say as the waitress bought out their coffee's. Molly paused and waited for the waitress to leave.

"Yes, all of that that you told me about, upset me. But Jim, most of what you told me about with Chris, happened before you and I got together, and I do understand that she needs a friend at the moment. But what was I supposed to think when you were off with her and hiding it from me?"

"I'm sorry Molly, I was so scared if you knew about that stuff earlier that you would never have given me a second look." He paused and looked down. "I've always been damaged goods" he mumbled.

Molly swallowed and took her hands back. "Jim". She waited for him to look up at her. He slowly looked up,

"yeah?"

"If you want this to work with us you have to start being open and honest with me. All the time." She added. "I'm not saying you can't go see Chris or hang out with her sometimes, but just don't hide it from me for god's sake."

Street nodded, but still looked sad and scared. She sighed and reached out for his hands again. "Look, if we can just trust each other a bit more and communicate, I'm sure we can work this out. I want to work this out Jim, I…" as she spoke, he had a little panic attack. Was Molly going to say 'I love you'… oh god what if I don't say it back?

"I… I really like you". She smiled.

Jim swallowed and smiled back. "I like you too Molly".

Molly's phone began to ring, "I've um, gotta take this" she said standing up and walking out on the sidewalk. Jim watched her and felt his heart racing. Why was Molly saying I love you such a big deal?

Molly returned several minutes later and explained she needed to get back to the office. Street stood, wiping his hands nervously on his leg,

"Yes, of course, I got this" he said motioning to the bill. "Go" he said.

She reached out and hugged him. "Thanks Jim." She drew back and smiled. "See you maybe tomorrow night?"

"I'd like that," he smiled and kissed her cheek.

As Street arrived at HQ for shift a few hours later, he nervously glanced about as Hicks walked towards him.

"Morning Sir," he smiled.

"Street." Hicks said quickly, giving him a nod as he walked right past. Hicks looked distracted and maybe a little uptight. Street wondered a bit what was up as he made his way to the storeroom to begin gathering the supplies to refill Black Betty. He couldn't deny that he felt a little weird, maybe guilty even, for the latest things that had happened with Molly. He went about his usual tasks thinking, 'am I doing the right thing pushing Molly to work it out? what if I can't say 'I love you' to her? Is that a bad sign?'.

Rocker walked past and paused. "Hey, Leave that. Come on, Hicks wants to talk to us all, let's go".

Street put down the boxes and followed him to the situation room.

Hicks and Rocker leant on the desk at the front as the rest of 50 David milled around. Hicks began briefing them on some policy updates and new procedures that were being brought in. As they discussed a change to communication procedures Hicks smirked a little looking at Street,

"Well, we are all smart enough here to understand just how essential good, open and efficient communication is."

Street dropped his gaze to the floor. "Did he know about last night and this morning with Molly?"

The rest of their shift was pretty busy and by late afternoon as they headed back into HQ Street was a little excited with his plan to go and surprise Molly and really try to fix things.

After debriefing, he was first out. He stopped at home to shower, then picked up a bunch of Molly's favourite flowers. Walking up to her office building he inhaled and tried to calm his nerves. 'Here goes' he thought. As he reached out for the doors, he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey, Mr. Warner!"

Streets blood ran cold and the hairs on the back of his head stood up. He didn't recognise the voice, but that name. Wow, that name. He spun around and saw a man in a black bike helmet leaning on the nearest pillar. Streets brain and training were in overdrive, how was he going to get out of this situation? Where was the nearest cover? Who was this guy? What did he want?

Sefton Warner was one of Street's old undercover aliases. He had no way of knowing who was under that helmet and what they wanted.

"Do I know you?" Street answered.

The man laughed and stood upright. "No, you don't but Mr. Pullbrook remembers you!"

Street held his breath for a second. It had been almost 8 years since he had been Sefton Warner. A low-level member of Jayden Pullbrooks drug crew. Pullbrook was a big fish in the drug trafficking game in Long Beach and Street had helped the DEA taskforce bring him down.

"I have a message for you." The man said walking a little closer. "Pullbrook says you have a debt to settle. An enormous debt." Street fidgeted and replied.

"Look man… I'm out of that world, I'm clean. I did my time and I'm done with it all."

The stranger laughed a little. "Ok there, Officer Jim Street" he said squaring his shoulders and stepping a step closer. Street felt his heart skip a beat. Whoever this guy was, he knew he was a cop. "Pullbrook saw you and that pretty young commanders daughter today over in the square…... What does her daddy think of her dating a screw up like you? How's your mom by the way? You must have come up in the world, huh Metro SWAT and all?" He wandered around in a curve as Streets body turned to follow him. "Your mum in that Rehab centre or even Miss Hicks, they could be valuable leverage."

"Ok, stop. This is not real smart on your end, considering I'm a cop." Street said stiffening his posture and his jaw, making his dimples flair a fraction.

"We've done our homework and know exactly who you really are and what you did to our operation 8 years ago."

Street was contemplating taking him down, but what would happen when Pullbrook didn't have him return and report back in? Would they go after Molly or his mom? Should he just let him go back to Pullbrook with a message of his own?"

"We have a big shipment in the works. You will keep the LAPD off the scent and play your part or you will lose more than you know." And with that a motorcycle appeared at high speed from around the corner, he jumped on the back and was gone.

Street memorised every detail he could and immediately called it into command. As he hung up, he rushed inside and up the stairs to Molly's floor. He raced into her offices and swung around from the reception area, seeing her standing there near the desk, she smiled at him.

"Jim? What are you doing here?" she began to walk to him smiling, as she got closer, she saw the panicked expression on his face.

"Jim?"

"Molly," he panted a little. "Can we go in there?" he asked as he pointed to an office. She nodded and frowned, "Jim, you're scaring me, what's wrong?" she pleaded.

He held her hand and led her inside. "It's ok Molly, you are ok. I will explain." He said closing and locking the door as he took out his phone and rang Commander Hicks. Molly watched him and listened intently as he explained what just happened, he was quick to assure Hicks that he was right by Molly's side and that she was safe. As he hung up, Molly was staring at him. He could see the fear on her face.

"Hey, I'm sorry for scaring you. You are ok, you are safe." He stepped towards her and hugged her.

"Jim," she sighed. "What… how…. I mean what happens now?"

"Your dad is sending a unit to take us to HQ, and we will work this out from there." He tried his best to reassure her, but she was visibly shaken.

"This is why dad always said not to date a cop" she whispered shaking her head. Street smirked a little at her trying to lighten the mood and calm her, "You couldn't resist my charm and good looks" he mocked himself. She slowly let out a small laugh. "Yeah ok" she nodded at him. Before hugging him again.

Not long after, the patrol unit arrived and escorted them both safely to HQ. Hicks was waiting in the motor pool as they pulled in. "Oh, thank god!" He said hugging Molly as she climbed out of the car.

"I'm sorry Sir, I never meant for…"

"Relax Street. This happens from time to time. But, mark my words they will regret messing with my family." He added sternly before turning and walking in with Molly under his arm. Street followed them. He felt a little like a naughty school kid and couldn't help but blame himself for unknowingly putting Molly in danger.

Once they reached Hicks office Molly stood that the window and reached out for Streets hand. He took it and hugged her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head, feeling her hug him back and sigh.

"Ok," Hicks began, "I have sent a unit to guard your mom. But we need to get a head start and find out what they know and are planning."

Street nodded. "I want to help in any way I can."

"I appreciate that." Hicks said resting his hands on his belt and pacing, "but I do expect the two of you to stay here in HQ until this is handled."

"Thank you, Sir," Street said nodding.

"I have called in Benny to take your place on 50 David for now. You don't leave HQ, understood?" Hicks raised his eyebrows and pointed at Street.

"Yes Sir." He nodded.

"Rocker's on his way in and I already have our tech guys looking into Pullbrook. Let's go see what they have found." Hicks said motioning to Street. "Oh, and Molly… sit tight." He smiled fondly at her.

Molly nodded and turned up her mouth a bit. Street could see she was worried and scared. Before he followed Hicks out, he put his arm around Molly's waist and kissed her softly.

"Go," she said motioning for him to follow her father "just be safe," she added.

Street chuckled lightly. "I'm not leaving here remember".

She just shook her head a little and smiled. "Yeah, now go."

Within the hour, all of 50 David had returned to HQ and they were digging deep into the case. Street sat beside Stevens and Rocker explaining what had happened 8 years ago and identifying the members of Pullbrooks' crew that he remembered, when his phone buzzed. He frowned at the 'Private Number' and opened the message.

"Taking Miss Hicks to SWAT HQ was smart. Sending cops to your mom…clever…. but you better start playing along, or you won't like our next move"