Shift in the Winds

Jack and family pulled into their garage just before nine on New Year's day. All occupants of the SUV, including the dogs were asleep. The time spent with the whole family had been wonderful, but also exhausting. Especially for Elizabeth. Jack had heard about how pregnancy could suck all the energy out of a person, but now he was seeing it with his own eyes. His "wonder woman" of a wife, still perfect to him in many ways, couldn't get through the day without a nap and 8 pm felt more like midnight to her.

First thing Jack did at home was release the dogs from the middle section of the SUV. The two basset hounds had spent the whole drive laying at the kids feet. With a little help, the plump hounds waddled out of the car and into the house, thankfully not waking the rest of the family.

Once the dogs were inside and fed, Jack went back to the garage. One at a time he carried his little sleepers up to their rooms. Elizabeth had thought ahead, having a feeling that both children would be asleep before they reached home. Asher was already in his new PJ Masks pjs while Mya, of course, had on pink Troll Princess Poppy pjs with her long, light brown curls in a french braid down her back.

"Goodnight, my angel," Jack whispered as he kissed Mya's warm cheek. "Sweet dreams."

Jack checked on Asher one more time before heading back down to Elizabeth. To his surprise and amusement, Elizabeth had awoken, walked herself into the house and was now sound asleep as she leaned against the archway into the living room. Her hand resting on her slightly plump midsection as she snored lightly.

"Come here, sleeping beauty. Time for bed," Jack said as he hoisted her up in his arms.

"I need to unload the car," she mumbled at him without opening her eyes.

"Let me take care of that, okay, babe?"

"If you say so." A lioness sized yawn took over her gentle face. All Jack could do was stare and marvel at his wife.

The next morning, Jack was in the middle of a chocolate chip pancake breakfast with his family when he received a call from an unknown number. Figuring it was just someone trying to talk to him about the extended warranty he didn't actually have, he disregarded it, and went back to listening as Asher retold the whole plot of the movie Big Hero 6. The movie was a Christmas present, and he'd already watched it four times since.

Fifteen minutes later, his cell received another call from the same unknown number. Then again after another fifteen minutes and then after five.

"Jack, is everything alright?" Elizabeth asked. Jack was staring at his phone like it was about to bite him.

"Probably." There was a cold, prickling feeling rising up his neck as he thought about what this could mean. If his gut feeling was correct, it needed to be handled now. "Babe, do you have the kids if I go for a short drive?"

Elizabeth looked at the kids sprawled out on the living room floor playing with their Christmas treasures. The tv was playing the movie Mya had gotten for Christmas, finally giving them a break from Baymax and the rest of the Big Hero team.

"Of course. I don't think they are going anywhere for awhile." She smiled, but the serious look on his face shifted her expression. "Jack, love, what's wrong?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I think it could have something to do with the case I've been working on in Boston."

"Oh…" With worry in her voice she said, "Be safe, okay?"

"Always." He pulled her into his arms giving her a kiss he knew she'd be thinking about all day. Then after his goodbyes to the kids, he walked out the door.

….

It took a few minutes for Jack to scrape off the snow and ice that had accumulated on his car while they'd gone to the lake house. He hurried, hoping to create some distance between him and his family before the next call came in. He was only five minutes down the road when it did.

"Hello?" Jack answered.

"Hey, man, it's me." The worn out voice of Jack's inside man, Nate Tolliver, came through the phone. "We need to talk. Can you meet me at the place?"

"Sorry, I think you have the wrong number." Before the man could reply, Jack hung up and turned off his phone. "Idiot!" he yelled to no one. What was that man thinking calling his real phone while he knew he wasn't in the city? Though unlikely, he could have done something to lead the whole mafia right to Jack's door. To his family.

He knew where Tolliver wanted to meet. Keeping his personal cell off, he drove to the police station in town. Shane was working today. When he saw Jack storm in and down the hall to his office, Shane followed.

"What the heck, Jack? Everything alright?"

"No. Everything is not alright."

While Jack grabbed the duffle from his closet, filled with things he used while undercover, and the keys for the vehicle he used as Conner, he explained the situation to Shane.

"So let me get this straight, this guy called your personal cell? How does he even have that number?"

"As far as I know, he's the only one in the group that knows my real name, so I guess with that information he found it."

Jack grabbed his office phone to call the Boston precinct. Shane paced the room anxiously till the call was done.

"What'd they say?"

"I need to get there, fast. They suspect something is up. So do I. While I'm on route they're going to try and pick up our informant and bring him into the station for questioning. We'll figure out the next step from there."

"What can I do to help?"

"How much longer is your shift?"

"I can be done right now if needed."

"Go to my house and get Elizabeth and the kids. Take them to your place until you hear from me."

"Elizabeth and the kids aren't safe at the house?"

"I don't know, but I'm not risking their safety. Elizabeth is pregnant, so I'll call her from here and explain. I don't want her to be in distress if I can help it."

"Okay, I'll head there now. Tell her I'm on my way. I'll keep her safe."

"I know you will. Look, I don't want the kids knowing and being scared. So I'm going to make up some story about the hot water heater or whatever being broken."

"Good plan. Don't worry, Jack, I've got them."

"I know, thank you."

Once Shane left the office Jack took a seat at his desk. With his eyes staring at the picture of his beautiful wife from their wedding day, he made the call.

"When will you be back?" Elizabeth asked after he'd done his best to explain the situation. She was struggling yet trying to keep her voice as normal as possible and failing.

"As soon as I can, babe. This could be the end of it. The push our superiors need to let us close this case. Then I promise, no more cases like this one ever again."

"What do I tell the kids? How do I explain why we're going to the Cantrell's?"

"Tell them the hot water heater is broken. Or the heat."

"Hot water makes sense. Oh, Jack, I'm scared!"

"It's going to be okay. I'll call again as soon as I can. I love you, Elizabeth. With all I am."

"I love you too, Jack. I hate this, but I'm proud of you. Now go get those bad guys and come home."

"You can count on that. I love you."

"I love you, more."

….

Elizabeth had a bag for each of them packed and waiting by the door when Shane arrived. He entered the house to find her rushing around the laundry room as she put a bag together for the dogs. She didn't even look up as he entered.

"Elizabeth?"

"Almost ready."

"It's okay," he gently touched her arm. "It's going to be okay."

With a trembling sigh Elizabeth lowered herself to the floor, leaning her back against the cupboards.

"Would I be a horrible wife if I said I hate his job right now?"

Shane's concerned frown gave way to a soft smile. "Nah, pretty sure that just makes you a police officer's wife. The job is hard on everyone. In fact…"

He lowered himself so he was now sitting shoulder to shoulder with her.

"Firefighters, military, doctors and nurses and their families would be lying if they didn't say they hated their spouses' work from time to time. Serving and sacrificing for others is hard, but good work."

"I wouldn't have Jack any other way, this is just…" she sighed. "Scary."

"I get that. I need you to remember something. Jack is good at what he does. Like, scary good. Stuff happens but he's strong and smart."

Elizabeth rested her head against Shane's shoulder. It had been a while since they'd spent time together, but they had been good friends back when they were two single parents. Everyone at church tried to pair them off, but it never would have worked. He was meant to be with Faith, and she was meant to be with Jack.

"Alright," Elizabeth said exasperated. Shane gave her his hand and they both stood. "Let's do this."

…..

Dale sat quietly on the sofa waiting for Charlotte to join him for their morning coffee date. As he waited, he looked over accounts and notes from the ranch. With all his late hours, Charlotte had been spending more and more at the ranch house and less at her own. Being a more traditional woman, she still chose to spend most of her nights there. Though there had been a few nights where the weather was so dismal she did stay. Those nights left Dale praying for a storm everytime she was with him. He hated being away from her. Valentine's day, their wedding, couldn't come soon enough.

The door opened and Dale's two Australian Shepherd dogs jumped from their slumber by the woodstove and rushed to the kitchen door. Charlotte giggled with amusement as the dogs jumped and licked her hands.

"Alright, alright! May I come in now?" She said with a laugh.

"Statler! Waldorf!" Dale said as he came into the kitchen. "Leave the lovely lady alone." The two shepherd dogs obeyed immediately.

"Remind me again, who's idea was it to name these precious dogs after the grumpy old puppets from the Muppets?"

"That would be Vince." Dale smiled. "I don't mind it and they certainly don't care. I think it suits them."

"In a weird way, I would have to agree."

"Here you go, dear," he said, handing her a steaming cup of coffee.

"Thank you. I brought muffins. Would you like one now or later?"

"How about now, and later."

Charlotte laughed. "You are certainly easy to please."

"Only for you, I'd imagine. Come on, let's go sit in the den. I got the wood stove roaring just the way you like it."

They curled up next to each other on the worn, yet comfy sofa and smiled at one another in companionable silence as they sipped their coffee. Dale loved their mornings like this. He couldn't wait to share them as husband and wife. His love for Charlotte made him feel like a young man again.

"Do you realize we have only seven weeks until the wedding?" he asked.

"Mmhm," she told him, sipping her drink.

"You ready?"

"To be your wife? Yes, without a doubt."

He studied her expression. "Something on your mind? How's your home coming along?"

"It's a process, you know that."

Dale put his mug down and turned toward her. "Char, are you thinking you may not be happy here? In this house?"

"No, I will be happy here. I'll be with you."

"Then what's wrong?" He gently reached over to move a wayward tendril of hair from her eyes. "You can tell me, you know?"

"I mean…." she stalled, clearly trying to think of something to say. "I love this old farm house. Could use a little sprucing so it feels like I live here but yes. It's plenty big enough for us. Now with another grandchild on the way, we will need the room."

Even though he knew there was much more to the story, he played along. She'd tell him when she was ready. "Alright. What would you like to spruce up?"

"Maybe, the carpet. Wood floors make more sense. And the bathroom down here on the first floor is yellow. Nothing against yellow itself but when the walls match the tub, sink and toilet...and then the appliances in the kitchen don't match each other and there's a big crack in the ceiling," she said, nodding towards the corner.

"Wow. Might as well knock the whole house down," he teased.

"I'm sorry. Forget what I said. It's a perfect old farm house."

"Char, it's okay. This whole place is an old farm. With so many things needing tending to I just let the house be what it was. My mentality was if it functions, why change it?"

"And there's nothing wrong with that. We don't have to change a thing, hon. I was just thinking out loud. The house is just fine."

Dale looked around. He had never considered changing anything. The house, cranks and all, felt like home to him. But, he wanted it to feel like home to Charlotte too. He didn't want her to be uncomfortable or embarrassed to have people over. The bathroom was an awful shade of yellow. In the morning it was like you were walking into the sun.

"You can change it however you want, under one condition."

"What's that?"

"You leave the porch swing and the barns. I want those to stay the same."

"Deal. Wouldn't dream of going near the barns, love. And besides, I really like that swing."

He leaned toward her and kissed her lips. "I love you. To the moon and back, Charlotte Thornton."

"I love you too."

An hour later while Dale was out on his horse checking the fences and Charlotte in the barn, Dale decided to make a call. First he tried Jack, but there was no answer. So he left a message and called Tom.

"Good morning, Mcclintock." Tom was always a wise guy.

"I still don't understand why you call me that," Dale laughed.

"Come on, Mcclintock, played by John Wayne. You wear a cowboy hat and boots, man."

"Alright, wise guy," Dale said laughing again. "You got a sec? A serious sec?"

"I do now. What's up?"

"Your mom seems to be struggling with some of the changes we have coming our way."

"Are you sure? From all I can see she can't wait to be married to you."

"It's not the marriage, I don't think. I believe its the house. Her house."

"Oh…" Tom sighed. "Okay. Leave it to the Thornton boys. We'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Tom. Whatever you do, don't push her, okay? If she can't sell the home yet, I understand. Just get her to talk to me."

"Oh, trust me, I know how to tread lightly when necessary."

"Alright, son," he chuckled. "Thanks!"

…..

Instead of heading directly into the Boston PD precinct, Jack got off the interstate two exits later and headed to the apartment the department had for him as part of his undercover work. He wanted to grab a few things in case he was ordered to pay Loretta and his goons a visit as Conner James.

He parked his car in the allotted spot and hopped out. No more than a few seconds passed before Jack regretted his decision. An old model beater of a car came speeding down the parking garage ramp, coming to a halt a mere inch away from where Jack stood. With one fist balled at his side and another reaching for his gun, he saw the cold eyes of Nate Tolliver staring at him.

"Get in the car," Nate demanded as he stepped out of the car, gun drawn. "I'll only ask once."

"Nate..." Jack lifted his hands up slightly. He spoke with his undercover accent just in case they weren't alone. "What's going on?"

"Loretta knows something's up. I don't know how, but he knows."

"Does he think you've done something?" Jack asked calmly.

"Are you kidding me? If he did I'd be dead like the others!"

"Others?"

"Yeah, the guys he thought were the rats. There's been three. I know I'm running out of time and I'm done. Unless…. Unless I hand you over to him."

"What have you told him?"

"Nothing yet. Now let's go!"

Jack took a step forward, as if to comply. He studied the man's movements closely. He was sweating, and shaky. Clearly high on something. His red, bloodshot eyes showing the desperation he must have felt.

"Hurry up!" Nate yelled and lunged for Jack, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket before punching him hard in the gut. Jack recovered easily and swept Tolliver's legs out from under him. The gun knocked out of his grasp. Jack tried to kick it away but Tolliver was up and wailing on him in seconds.

Jack rose to his feet, bringing the enraged man with him. Unfortunately for Jack, the drugs in Tolliver's system, most likely meth, gave him superhuman strength. Jack found himself backed up against the man's vehicle, with hands around his neck.

Just as he was feeling the garage begin to spin, there was a pop and Tolliver jolted away from Jack, turning his anger on someone else. Tolliver had been tased, and was now getting his butt handed to him by someone half his size. A knee to the groin and an uppercut to the face later, he fell.

"What the…" Jack hunched over, but very much in awe. "Shortie?"

Sarah gave him a stiff nod, her knee in Tolliver's back as she handcuffed him. "Help me get him in your car so we can take him in."

"Uh huh." Stunned, Jack did as told.

"I don't know about you," she said. "But I'm really over this case."