As she regained consciousness, the pain crushed her. Her eyes flustered as she came to her senses. She was hanging. Her arms were tied above her head and she could barely touch the ground with her feet. She had no idea how long she had been out. She couldn't help but groan, feeling like every bone was broken. Jack was nowhere to be found and that was suspicious. He was probably very mad and would come back very soon to finish the job.

Her shoulder hurt particularly. That damn shoulder he had already damaged years ago. She had never fully recovered from her bad fall that terrible night. Sharon tried to pull on the rope with her good arm but the knot was too tight. She struggled to find some balance looking for the best position for the pain to be more bearable. She realized just now that she had a gag over her mouth. Her vision was still blurred. She was dehydrated. Or it was the hit on the floor that had earned her a concussion. She'd find out soon enough anyways. She was more worried about him coming back and having no plan to escape him. Speak of the devil…

- Glad to see you're awake… his voice was low.

She didn't greet him, keeping her head hanging.

- What the fuck did you do? he asked through his teeth.

As she took sight of him painfully raising her head, she realized he was bent forward pressing hard with his hands on his wounds. He was covered in blood and sweating but he did seem to still be able to walk. Jack was a little breathless. She lowered her head again.

- Answer me! he shouted walking towards Sharon. I said what did you do? he brutally grabbed her hair and pulled it backwards aligning her eyes to meet his.

He freed her mouth. Sharon didn't understand what he was expecting. She was feeling too weak and confused to respond. She simply moaned with pain her body reaching its limits.

- You won't tell me? Then I'll make you talk! he whispered in his ear still holding her hair back.

She was so thin that his punch felt like his fist had made a hole in her stomach. She couldn't hold a loud groan as she took in the pain.

- Stop! she finally shouted, giving away the energy she had left to protest. Please, stop! she cried out.

- Then tell me! What did you do? he yelled, impatient.

- What are you talking about? she kept crying knowing she wouldn't be able to answer him and that he would soon lose his temper.

- Patrol cars are everywhere in town! What are they doing here? he squeezed his arm hard shaking her whole body.

- I don't know, I swear! she begged for dear life.

He hit her over and over again. Muffled moans of pain echoed in dark cold basement. She didn't have much time left until her body would give up on her. She escaped into her thoughts, imaging him, seeing only him. He was smiling to her, one of these heart melting smiles that made her feel loved and protected. The best feeling ever. She might not be able to see him again in this life but she would look for him in the next one. She made herself that promise.

/

As Flynn and Provenza were approaching the poor-looking hangar, they split to increase their chances to save the Captain in time. There was no time to wait for reinforcement. Both agreed that they would take no risk in waiting any longer. It might already be too late. Provenza went to the back entrance, leaving Andy in front of the main door.

Andy deeply inhaled then exhaled, trying to control the adrenaline rushing through his veins. He was beyond anxious, hoping to find her alive. But he knew he had to be focused if he wanted to be efficient. He strongly kicked the door and pointed his gun out, being extra careful, his eyes vividly open. He took sight of the big empty space, his footsteps echoing. No living soul so far. He stopped in his tracks and just listened. He could hear a muffled noise from afar but hard to say what it was. It could be Provenza on the other side. He strained his ears and tiptoed to where he believed the noise was coming from. As Andy got closer, he identified it. The sound of flesh being fiercely punched. Alarmed he started running towards it, understanding it came from the underground. He raced down the stairs, having only one goal in mind. He had to stop him from hurting her. He loved her so much his heart could explode and all he wanted was for her to be safe and protected. He would do whatever it took to save her.

When he reached the basement, his shock was immense. It felt like a stab straight into the heart. Sharon. The love of his life. Blood. Jack. He was boiling. He just wanted to run to her and take her out of his grip. She looked so thin, hurt, bruised, mistreated to the chore he could see. She didn't deserve that. Andy felt almost like bursting out into tears, feeling powerful in front of such a horrific picture. She was barely breathing but he could see there was still hope.

- Oh! Look who's here, honey! Your lover! Right on time for the party to begin… Jack had a devilish smile.

Jack was holding Sharon from behind, holding his gun to her head. His arm was around her, pressed against her chest. Andy knew he would never be able to forget the look in her eyes.

- Jack… let her go… Andy started slow, trying to make him come to his senses. Look at her! She needs to see a doctor!

His gun was still pointed at Jack but he knew he wouldn't be able to shoot as long as Jack would be holding Sharon like that. He was behind her while she was hung onto some pipes. It was too dangerous to shoot. He wouldn't risk her life.

- Oh right! You wanna play the white knight, saving your princess! Sorry to disappoint you… This will be more like Romeo and Juliet! I hope you're ready for the role of your life!

- What are you talking about? I'm just doing my job…

- Come on! Don't tell me you'd be this sweaty if you were here for anyone else! Jack chuckled sardonically.

- Why don't we put our guns down and talk? If you don't hurt her we can still help you.

- That's a likely story! I'm a lawyer Flynn, I'm far from being stupid enough to believe your bullshit. I think it's just time for us to get it over with.

- Okay I understand. Before you get this over with, I was just wondering why you were doing all this… You see as a police officer I can't figure out your motive.

Andy was trying to gain some time, making him talk. Hopefully it wouldn't be long until Provenza would find them. Sharon kept looking at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. She had been very silent, trying to control herself.

- Oh right! You wanna make me believe that you don't know already… Jack was laughing, finding it very funny to beat around the bush.

- Well I'm sorry but I really don't. Wait, you seem hurt we should probably call the paramedics to get you into a hospital, what do you think? Why don't you lower your gun so that I can check your wounds?

- So you steal my wife and now you wanna play the nice guy to me? You're not getting away with it this time, his tone started rising.

- I never stole your wife, Jack.

- You think I don't know you both were together before she married me?! he suddenly shouted.

- Yes but that was over two decades ago. I married someone as well and nothing happened between us ever since. I'm telling you the truth.

- You liars! his deep voice echoed throughout the underground.

Jack was getting more and more upset. He pulled strongly on Sharon's hair and manhandled her. She moaned both scared and hurt, her body being probably very achy.

- No! Please, stop! Andy didn't feel ashamed to beg. If you have to blame someone, blame me! I'm the one you should be mistreating. Let's make a deal, okay? I can stay here and you can even kill me if you want to, but let her go, she didn't do anything wrong…

- She didn't do anything wrong?! She made me the drunk I am! Look at me now! She never wanted me and made me feel like crap every day. She played with me, used me, manipulated me. I was never good enough for the very demanding and needy Sharon! She always wanted to be better than me and now look who's in pretty bad shape? She deserves this!

He was unbelievable. After all Sharon had always done for him, he could openly claim the opposite and really believe his own lies.

- Don't you think that you shouldn't kill her just yet? Andy proposed.

- Oh you're scared for her! How sweet!

- I just think that you can only show her how smart you are if she's still alive to see it. Moreover, it would be so easy to die now. She wouldn't go through all you went through if she's gone… right?

Andy was trying his best, but he knew only too well Jack wouldn't buy his shit for much longer. He had to figure something out before he'd lose control of the situation. Sharon was desperate, her eyes dived into his lover's, begging for him to get her out of there and fast. She wouldn't last.

While Jack was once again exposing all the reasons why Sharon was the worst wife and how she was responsible for his behavior, Andy tried to communicate with her, giving her his instructions. He looked around and tried to catch sight of his partner who liked to play hard to get. He was never too punctual. As Andy observed the stairs he could see the sole of a shoe on the first steps. Provenza was waiting for the right moment and Sharon would have to act fast to hopefully handle this recue successfully.

Tension was at its highest for them three. It was their only chance. They had to succeed. None of them wanted to walk out of there without the others. Sharon breathed in and out, getting herself ready to expulse the strength that remained in her body, pulling out her guts. If she had to be killed today, she would die fighting for her life. She wouldn't have it any other way.

- Now! Andy finally shouted.

Sharon pulled herself up, using her tied hands to lift her legs. She kicked Jack away from her and grumbled warrior fashion, feeling her strength leaving her. Provenza tumbled down the stairs shouting for Jack to raise up his hands and drop his gun. Both lieutenants kept their gun pointed at the drunken creep, walking slowly towards him. Her kick had pushed him against the wall which he crashed into. The ex-lawyer dropped on his knees, moaning in pain, his gun hitting the ground as he let it go in his fall.

Andy couldn't help it, he approached him and kicked him hard several times in the stomach a big need for revenge. A little souvenir for all the pain he had caused to the love of his life.

- I should kill you! he angrily shouted like one possessed.

Provenza stopped him before his blows would kill the jerk. Not that he didn't deserve it but he didn't want his best pal to get in trouble.

- Come on, Flynn! Go help her!

Oh my god, with his outburst of anger he had almost forgotten. He finally turned his attention to her. He was scared to hurt her not even daring to touch her.

- Sharon honey… his eyes were filled with tears. It's over! Do you hear me? It's over honey, I'm here now… he delicately used two fingers pressed under her chin to make her eyes meet his.

- … Andy… was all she could mumble, still overwhelmed.

Poor Sharon was shaking, tears rolling down her cheeks. He wrapped one arm around her waist while he untied her hands with the other. As the rope was cut and her body released, he felt all her weight rely on him, hanging onto him for dear life. She weakly and painfully her arms around his neck tightening her embrace. He was there. It was real this time. She could finally feel him. Smell him. She was not dreaming. She was in his arms and it was all over.

- … Andy… you came for me… she managed to whisper while still feeling both shocked and shaky.

- Of course, my love! I'd walk through fire for you. I'm gonna take good care of you. It's over Sharon, it's finally over! his arms were tightly wrapped around her waist, soothing her.

Both crying heavy with emotion, they almost forgot Jack and Provenza were still in the room. Sirens could be heard from afar, reinforcement was there. At last. After giving her a chaste but deep kiss, Andy then scooped his love, sliding his arms under her knees. She was so thin that she felt way too light to be healthy. But she was breathing and it was what truly mattered after all. He would help her get better, finally being able to support her as a life partner. The future could only be brighter for the two of them. At last.

Still holding her in his arms, Andy turned his back to the scene, letting Provenza take care of the situation. What a surprise when he felt a bullet whistling, grazing his right shoulder. He lowered himself immediately protecting Sharon with his body. They were already on the ground when the second shot was fired. He remained in the same position still using is body as a human shield. He raised his head when he didn't hear where the second bullet had gone. Sharon was under him, her hands clutching his shirt tightly.

- Serves you right! Exclaimed Provenza. You asked for it!

- What happened? Andy asked, confused, still not understanding what had just happened.

- Karma finally caught up on him, I guess!

Provenza was pretty proud of his doing. His pal was finally free to be happy with his girl and Jack had finally gotten what he deserved.