Chapter Fifteen: Solstice

Helen tossed herself at Polonium. She swung her whole body off the cliff, dragging Polonium down with her. Polonium screamed in surprise. Helen closed her eyes. The two of them began spiraling towards the rocks. Polonium ended up colliding head and back first into them. Her body fell into the water limply. Helen tumbled off her. She stared upwards as she let her body sink. Her vision blurred in and out of focus. She could see the blood floating towards the surface of the water from her stab wound. Dark spots grew in her vision. She blacked out just as a flash of orange disturbed the surface of the water.

Sam yanked Helen's body up out of the water. He laid her down on Neptune. He began to do CPR on her. "C'mon Helen. Wake up." he begged.

Helen coughed up water and blood. She gasped for air. She felt an oxygen mask being placed over her mouth. She could hear faint voices talking around her. She still couldn't see very well. Her vision focused just enough to see Sam holding her hand. "Sam.." she rasped quietly.

"Hang in there. We're nearly back to shore."

Helen shivered from the cold. Sam draped a blanket over her. He kept a firm hold of her hand. Helen could barely feel him. She knew that if she were to die, she at least wouldn't be alone. She'd be in the presence of somebody she cared about.

They arrived back on shore. Helen was loaded up into an ambulance. Sam climbed in with her. "it's going to be okay."

Helen closed her eyes. She exhaled softly. She blacked out again. Sam stroked her hair. He watched over her on the way to the hospital.

Malcolm headed out to the rocks on Juno. He searched the area for Polonium's body. He managed to find it wedged between the rocks. Her body was bent at an odd angle. Malcolm paled. "Jesus.." he muttered.

He unwedged her body. He checked her for a pulse. She didn't have one. Relief washed over him. It was finally over. Polonium was no more. He took her body back to shore. He laid her body down on the table inside of the Ocean Rescue Center. He picked up his notebook. "As of 08:42 pm, Professor Polonium is pronounced dead. Cause of death appears to be from the fall she took off the cliff."

Malcolm loaded Polonium into a body bag. He called for another ambulance to come and collect her. He sighed. Tonight had been rough on him. He placed his fingers to the bridge of his nose tiredly. He decided to head up to the hospital to check up on his family.

Sam was pacing back and forth by the time he arrived. He looked up at Malcolm. "any news?" asked Malcolm.

Sam shook his head. "No. Still no word on Helen. I'm not sure about Rose and Winter yet."

Malcolm sat down in one of the chairs. "I do have some good news. We won't have to worry about Polonium anymore. She's dead."

Sam looked conflicted. On one hand, he was relieved that his worse nightmare was gone. On the other, he didn't think that death was an option for her. "I see.."

"I'm glad the bitch is gone, to be honest. Don't think I could handle her behind bars either." muttered Malcolm.

"I just don't know how to feel right now. I want to be happy she's gone but at the same time, I don't think her dying a brutal death was right. It seems like she got too easy of a way out."

"What would you of done differently?"

"I don't know. Let her live with her life's mistakes? No one deserves death. No matter how horrible they are." argued Sam.

"Sam, she was horrible person. She would of kept going. Her mistakes lead to her death." countered Malcolm.

"Suppose so."

Malcolm placed a hand on his shoulder. "We can all go on a path of healing once we're out of the woods."

The two of them sat in silence for a while. One of the night doctors walked up to them. "Excuse me, are either of you related to Helen Flood?"

Malcolm held up his hand. He stood up. He went over to where the doctor was standing. Sam couldn't hear what either one of them were saying.

"Your very lucky that you were able to get her as quickly as you did. If you had waited an hour longer, she wouldn't of survived." murmured the doctor.

"That's good news." sighed Malcolm.

"She's being operated on as of right now. She'll need to be placed on antibiotics. No telling what was on that knife."

"Thank you, Doctor. I do have one more question. It's in regards to Officer Price and Sergent Ravani. Are they okay?" he asked.

"Both of them were burned badly. Ms. Ravani has a higher chance of living than Mr. Price. He's missing his entire right arm."

The color drained from Malcolm's face. "I see. Is he awake?"

"They both are. Loved ones have been notified."

Malcolm nodded. "Good. I just have to let my friend know then I'll follow you."

Malcolm walked back over to Sam. He filled him in on how the three of them were doing. "Go on. I'll wait for Helen."

"Thanks, Sam."

Malcolm followed the doctor to where Rose and Winter were being kept. Rose and Winter were on either side of the hall from each other. Malcolm looked into both rooms to see who was more awake. Rose happened to be up still. She chuckled. "having problems with figuring out who to visit first?"

"You could say that, yes." mused Malcolm. "It's the first time in ages that I've had three people in the hospital at the same time."

"Three? Did somebody else get hurt?"

"Yes. Helen. Her and Polonium got into a fight. Well..Polonium lost miserably. Found her body at the bottom of a cliff."

Rose let out a sigh of relief. "I hate to say it but the bitch had it coming. One less evil person in the world now."

"I'm personally very pleased and would celebrate it, but I've got to keep three people safe." laughed Malcolm.

"You don't worry about us. I may be old but I can hold my own. I am worried about Winter."

Malcolm dropped his gaze. "It should be me in that bed. Not him. I haven't really had a chance to grieve. I'm not ready to let him go. I should of done more to keep him safe. Maybe sent him home."

"We couldn't of predicted Polonium betraying us. It's not your fault. He's a strong boy. He's a Price after all. He'll pull through."

Malcolm nodded. He sat down close to Rose's bedside. "How's Sam taking the news?" she asked.

"He's indifferent. I think it's because one part of him feels that he's free but the other part of him didn't want her to die right away."

"Hmm. I'm sure he'll come to terms with it. Do we know where the child is now?"

"Bronwyn's." said Malcolm simply. "She wanted to watch the child. Figured it may give Sam a peace of mind while Helen is recovering."

"Good choice." Rose laid her head back against her pillow. She sighed. "I don't know whether to retire or keep going some days. PontyPandy was the last place that I wanted to have a crazy psycho loose in."

"Well I'm sure if another one comes to town, we'll know how to deal with them this time. No more mind games."

Rose smiled. "I like your enthusiasm, Constable. Wished I had your energy." Malcolm watched as Rose steadily began to relax. "For now, I'd like some time alone to rest."

"Of course, Sergent. I'll be by later."

"Give Price my condolences, Constable." muttered Rose as she fell asleep.

Malcolm quietly stepped out of her room. He headed across the hall to where his boyfriend laid. Winter was watching something on the TV. He giggled to himself quietly. "Hehe, funny bird."

"Winter."

Winter's head snapped up. He winced at the sharp headache he got suddenly. "Malcolm? Is that you? Are you an angel?"

Malcolm sat by his bedside. "No. I'm just your boyfriend."

Winter held onto his arm. "Oh thank goodness. I don't want to go. Not yet. I hadn't said goodbye to you yet."

Malcolm could hear how out of it Winter sounded. He gently ruffled his boyfriend's hair. "I heard differently from the doctor. Looks like your going to be just fine as long as you keep fighting."

Winter sniffed. "I can't be a police officer anymore..I've lost my arm. There's no way I can catch any bad guys now."

"I think you could."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You could be the best one armed police officer that's ever lived. Maybe we can get you hooked up with a prosthetic one?" suggested Malcolm.

He saw the hope come back in Winter's eyes. "so I won't be useless?"

"No. Winter, why on earth would you think that?"

Winter looked at the bandaged stump on his right shoulder. Malcolm held him close. "You aren't useless. Don't let the fact that your arm is gone keep you from doing what you love."

Winter nodded silently. He buried his face in Malcolm's chest. Malcolm tightened his hold on him.

Winter fell asleep in Malcolm's arms. Malcolm laid him down in bed before heading off to see his sister. His sister had just been wheeled into a room by the time he arrived. Helen was half-way between alert and asleep. Malcolm gently touched her cheek. "Just rest, Nee. I'm right here."

"Sam...is he safe?" she rasped. "Are him and Renee both safe?"

"Yes. Sam is out in the waiting room and Renee is with Bronwyn. It's over, Nee. It's finally over."

"Polonium...she's gone isn't she?"

"Yes. She didn't survive the drop. I think you landed on top of her."

Helen looked down. "Nee, her death was a freak accident. Please don't blame yourself."

"I know it's just..it's against my nature to kill. She was going to hurt Sam. I had to do something. I swear I didn't mean to push her off the cliff." stammered Helen.

"I'm not going to arrest you for it. Her death was just that, an accident. I have no sympathy for women who pick on my family."

Helen began to sob. Malcolm held his sister close. "She told me you had died. That your death was my fault."

Malcolm shook his head. "No. A little chemical fire isn't going to kill me. I was very lucky. Rose and Winter weren't. Both of them are recovering though."

Helen rested her head against her brother's chest. "I'm so glad the three of you are okay."

"Yep. Thanks to you."

Malcolm let go of his sister. "Now we have more time to recover and start fresh."

Helen nodded. "Right."

Malcolm smiled. "I should probably get Sam in here. He's been eager to see you ever since you arrived."

Malcolm sent Sam into Helen's room. Sam knocked on the door frame politely before walking in. "Hey."

"Hello Sam."

Sam had a relieved look on his face. He sat down at the edge of her bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll live. She missed a lot of the vital tissue back there. I don't even think she was putting effort into trying to kill me." joked Helen.

Sam chuckled quietly. "I owe you my life."

"You don't owe me anything. I'm thankful that your alive. I..I didn't want her to kill you. I think seeing her try to lion king you off a cliff is why I pushed her."

Sam held her hand. "I don't like the idea of having to kill either but you did it to keep me alive. You put aside your moral compass for the wellness of others. You aren't a bad person, Helen. You did what you could to protect a patient."

Helen squeezed his hand. She exhaled softly. She only hoped Sam and Malcolm were right.

A good long month had passed since Polonium was killed. The three of them had recovered enough to come home. Malcolm decided to host a cookout to celebrate. Malcolm stood at the grill. He was in the process of cooking food for the lot of them. Winter sat at the outdoor table. He gently rubbed at the spot where his arm was.

Sam bounced Renee on his thigh. She cooed happily. Helen smiled. She walked over to him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. Sam looked up at her. "Hey."

"Hey. I see tiny and mighty is enjoying herself."

Sam chuckled quietly. "Yep. It really doesn't take much to keep her entertained. She found a unique fascination with my watch yesterday."

"How's she getting along with Radar?"

"Quite well. The two of them sleep with each other now. How are you feeling?"

"So-so. Still wanting to get back to work but Mike is adamant about me resting my feet for a while." mused Helen.

"Helen, we've been over this. The doctor wants you to spend time recovering. You know Celeste is more than capable of watching over us whilst you rest." said Mike as he passed by with sausages.

Sam and Helen shook their heads in amusement.

Malcolm went over to Winter. Winter looked at him. He gasped when Malcolm got down on one knee. "Winter, there's something I have to tell you."

Winter watched as Malcolm took out a small blue box. "I've been meaning to do this ever since the attack. I want to thank you for helping my family and I. I want to further tether myself to you. Will you do me the absolute honor in becoming my Deputy?"

Winter got all choked up. He hugged Malcolm with his left arm. "Yes! A thousand times yes!"

The two of them heard clapping from around them. Helen walked over to her brother. She gently shouldered him. "Congratulations little brother. I'm very happy for the both of you."

"Just think, Helen, in 15 years they'll of officially driven each other crazy." teased Mike.

Helen laughed. "I don't know. Malcolm doesn't have somebody who is accident prone like you."

"I am not that bad!" retorted Mike.

"No but you have your bright and shining moments."

Malcolm ruffled the top of Winter's head. He went over to check on the food. "Food's nearly ready guys."

A police car pulled up into the driveway. Rose stepped out. "I'm here. Hopefully I'm not too late."

"Nope. Your right on time."

Rose went to join Winter at the table. "Any word on when repairs will be finished?" asked Winter.

"They said it could take a few more weeks. There was a lot of damage." replied Rose.

Winter frowned. "That's a really long time."

"Well that just means you get to recover longer. I'm working on making accommodations for you considering you've lost your arm."

Winter looked at his stump sadly. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize, Winter. You'll do well despite missing an arm."

Winter smiled weakly. Malcolm cleared his throat. "Food's ready!"

"Good! I'm starving!" whined Winter. Everybody chuckled quietly before tucking in. The group's bond was strong thanks to Polonium. With her death far from their minds, a sense of peace has washed over them. They could finally heal from the trauma that she left behind.

Meanwhile,

"Sir. I regret to inform you that Angela Polonium is dead."

A red haired male sighed. "Shame. She could of been of some use to me." He turned around in his chair. "What killed her?"

"Helen Flood, sir. She pushed her off a cliff."

The man crossed his legs. He leaned his head against his hand. "How interesting. I think it's time I paid this "Helen Flood" a visit."

The End