A/N: It goes without saying I don't own S.W.A.T. or any of its characters. Quotes in italics are straight from the episode (or were paraphrased). Appreciate everyone's patience as I dealt with some writers block – while I know where the story is going and how it ends, it took some finagling to get the middle to to work to tie things together. This will be the last chapter that takes parts from the show; more excitement ahead! :)
***Street's POV - Nolan's Bar***
"Street, where should our friends be selling," Nolan asked, trying to impress a dealer.
"Crenshaw, they're underfunded right now, patrol's less saturated," I replied. At least that will be the case once I tell Hicks, Hondo, and Lynch.
"Thanks, police aren't our biggest problem. Forty Twos are getting trigger happy about us stepping on their territory,"said the dealer.
"Don't need those complications. Street, where should he sell?" Nolan asked.
I sighed and began rattling off possibilities, making a mental note to relay to the commander and the lieutenant later to show my usefulness while trying to mask my general irritation. My train of thought was interrupted when a scuffle broke out between Nate and the dealer's body guard. The dealer jumped up and reached for his gun. But I was faster.
"I will put two bullets in you and your boy before you even think about pulling that gun," I said. I never wanted to mortally wound anyone, but a bar fight was feeling cathartic about now.
"House train your new pet, Nolan, intel isn't worth the hassle," said the dealer as he walked out. I growled under my breath.
"We agreed on two weeks," I said, channeling every ounce of frustration into my statement.
"Once I close the deal with my new supplier, your debt is finished," Nolan deadpanned
"How long will that be?" I snapped.
"It'll go a lot faster of stop threatening my customers," said Nolan. I sighed and gritted my teeth. Two weeks. Just two weeks and I take down a drug ring and get Nate out safely.
***Jim's POV - Motel in Long Beach***
"Hey, sorry, I'm late," I said. "There was a … scuffle."
"Gave 'em, hell, I hope," Hondo said.
"Of course," I said. I took the tablet Lynch offered to me and began rattling off every bit of intel I'd gathered since the last time we spoke, and the bits of intel I needed to prove useful.
"This is really good work, Street. Two weeks in and you've uncovered Nolan's whole distribution network," said Hondo.
"Maybe it's time we move," said Hicks. "If we hit now we get 100 dealers off the street."
I didn't go unnoticed how anxious my father-in-law was about this long term undercover op. I wasn't sure how much if it was because this was unusual for S.W.A.T., or if it was because it was my life on the line.
"It won't mean anything unless we ID his new supplier," said Lynch.
"Nolan thinks he can become this supplier's main seller. The way he's talking about the shipment, it has to be any day now," I said.
"But we don't know where they're moving it in," said Lynch.
"If we got a pure sample of heroin, it would tell us where it originated and give us a starting point," said Hondo.
"The Aryans just restocked, hit them before they dilute," I said.
"The Aryans are just one step from you in the food chain. We can't risk them connecting a bust back to you," said Hicks.
"They're in the middle of a turf beef with the Forty Twos, they don't have to know it's S.W.A.T. robbing them," I said.
"Sir, we need to bring in the rest of the team, and pull a RIP," Hondo said.
"If S.W.A.T. can find out how the drugs are coming in, can you get us a when," Hicks asked me.
"Yeah, I'll do my best," I said. "I gotta get back to Nate's."
Hondo's gentle hand on my arm stopped me. He followed me the few steps to the door.
"Street, how you holding up?" He asked.
I shrugged.
"I miss Molly," I said. "Tan keeps texting me, checking in. Chris stopped after a few days. I know I can't respond. It's been the hardest part of the whole thing. I just hope they understand."
"He's your brother. They will," Hondo said. "And Molly's gonna be waiting for you when this is all over."
"Yeah," I nodded.
"See you tomorrow," Hondo said with a pat to my shoulder. I nodded and walked out the door.
***Hicks' POV***
"This is the longest we've ever had a S.W.A.T. officer undercover," I said.
"This type of work takes patience. And like I told the top brass. I bet my career on this op," said Lynch with her usual abrasiveness.
"And Jim's life," I said. The unusual use of his first name hanging heavy in the room.
*** Street's POV - Nolan's Bar ***
"Nate!" I hissed, before leaning over the bar and lowering my voice. "I heard Aryan's just got hit. I've got a few ideas about who might be behind it."
"It's one thing to give street tips to Nolan when he asked, but know you're going out and looking for them? What if something happens to you?" said Nate.
"The faster Nolan's product sells, the faster we get out of this," I said.
"And you really think he's gonna let us go as soon as the deal's done? Come on," Nate said.
I sighed.
"Maybe it's time you and I bail, go to another state," Nate said.
"I can't run; Nolan has me on video," I said. "And I have a wife."
"Had, a wife," he corrected.
"And if we leave, she's in danger," I said, ignoring his comment and the slight shake of my hand. "We're in too deep to run. I just need you to trust me."
"I need you both to clear out tonight, I have a meeting," said Nolan, cutting off our conversation. I silently hoped he hadn't overheard us.
"Why?" I asked, continuing to play my part.
"Because you're not invited and I don't need you making me look like a fool," said an annoyed Nolan.
"If you're trying so hard to impress this new supplier, my experience only adds to your value," I said, trying my best to give him a subtle charming smile.
"I said no. Your only job is to do what I say, so, get lost," he said. Guess that charming smile works better on Molly.
"Jim, just drop it," said Nate, jolting my mind away from my wife and back to reality.
***Street's POV - Motel Room in Long Beach***
I sighed in frustration after ten minutes of listening to Hicks, Hondo, and Lynch debate if I should show up uninvited to the meeting.
"I have to go tonight. Whoever this new supplier is, he's gonna be there!" I interjected.
"Absolutely not," Hicks said.
"If there's even a small chance of side-stepping this guy, to get to his boss, we need to take it," Lynch said.
"It's too dangerous. We could set up a surveillance, try to ID the supplier that way," Hicks said.
"Would you be arguing against this if it wasn't your son-in-law walking in the door?" Lynch said matter-o-factly. Hondo and I couldn't hide the look of surprises on our face that Lynch said that out loud.
"Excuse me?" Hicks growled.
"Nolan's paranoid, if he so much as sniffs anything funny, this whole op goes down the drain," I said, changing the subject. "Did we get anything from the RIP yet?
"They traced the heroin back to Southeast Asia, somewhere near Malaysia," Hicks said.
"So it's got to be coming though the Port of LA," I said.
"Even knowing where the drugs are coming rom there are still thousands of containers being brought in 24/7," said Lynch.
"Then that's it. I have to go to this meet and see if I can narrow down when it's coming in," I said.
"Street, are you sure about this?" asked Hicks.
"If we can end this, and get Nate out alive, we have to try," I said. And get me home to Molly, I added silently.
"We won't be able to bring back up or even give you a wire," said Hondo.
"I know," I said.
"What about Molly?" Hicks asked gently.
"It's the job," I said. Of course the prospect of making Molly a widow weighed on me. But it weighed on me every day. Hicks signed; as a cop with a family, he couldn't argue.
"All right," Hicks said.
"Ok, we're gonna do this right and give you a real reason to walk in," said Hondo, turning to Lynch. "Lieutenant, Can you get LBPD on the phone and get us something?"
"I'm on it," she said, pulling out her phone and walking away to make some calls.
"You're not going in there empty handed," Hondo said. I nodded.
"Can I talk to the commander, alone?" I asked.
Hondo and Lynch nodded and left, leaving me alone with my father-in-law.
"How's my girl?" I asked once we were alone.
"She's alright," he said. "Working a lot, trying to stay busy."
I nodded and averted by eyes, before pulling a folded piece of paper out of my back pocket.
"Do me a favor," I said. "If something happens to me, give her this."
"Son—"
"Robert," I cut him off. His rarely-used first time caught his attention. "Please."
Hicks sighed.
"Ok," he said, taking the paper from me and slipping it into his breast pocket.
"Thank you," I said.
"Listen, Jim," he said, resting his hands on the sides of my shoulder. "We will bring you home safe. To the team, and to Molly."
"I know," I said with a nod.
"Hey," he said. I looked up and was surprised, but pleasantly so, when he engulfed me in a hug, which I returned. This man had truly become the father I never had, alongside Buck.
"Take care of yourself," he said. "Molly needs you."
I nodded as he released me. "Tell her I love her," I said.
He smiled at me. "I always do."
***Street's POV - Nolan's Bar***
"What the hell are you doing here?" Nolan said when I barged in to his private meeting. I was radiating smugness from intimidating Barber, who trailed a few steps behind me, to get into the meeting.
Before I could answer, two guys grabbed me and pinned me face down over the bar. I resisted, but only enough to make it look real.
"When are you going to understand your place in all this," Nolan leaning down so we were eye-to-eye.
"Long Beach PD is on the way to the Jackel's stash house. How's it gonna look to your new supplier if your biggest dealer is facing 20 unless he gives you up?" I said, struggling to speak as the edge of the bar pressing against my lungs made breathing difficult. Nolan nodded at the men to release me. I jerked my arms away.
"Now you're sure about this?" Said Nolan, seething a little.
"I blew up my life to help Nate, and you've made it perfectly clear you own us. So why would I throw it all away now?"I said.
"Yeah, quite a life you imploded there," said Nolan, stepping into my personal space.I held my ground. "Decorated career, twice. Your team is your family. And you're,marriedto the boss's daughter, right?"
My hand started shaking. I balled my hands together in fists, my thumb rubbing my ring finger.
"Yeah I know all about her, very pretty. I've seen the pictures. You'd give her up just to help a foster brother?"
"I imploded that too," I growled, rubbing my thumb harder against where my wedding ring usually sat.
"You coulda fooled me with that look on your face," he sneered. "Pretty girl like that, can't say I blame you. Should I send Barber here to check on here?"
"Leave her out of this. This is between you and me," I said, trying to keep my voice level, my hand from shaking and resist punching Nolan in the face.
"Take it easy on him, Nolan. Isn't this what you have him around here for?" said the mystery dealer. "Call your customers and see how valuable the kid is."
*** Meanwhile… Hicks's POV - LAPD S.W.A.T Headquarters ***
"Nothing over 100 calories in this fridge," I complained when I heard Lynch walk into the break room.
"Stress eating won't make you feel any better," she said.
"Well actually, It usually does," I said.
"I wanted to apologize about earlier. I challenged your authority in front of Hondo and Street." Lynch said. "And I crossed a line when I asked about Street."
"It's your mission," I said.
"They're your team, it's not my place," she said.
"I'm just worried about Street," I said.
"I get it, but we'll go crazy if we spend every moment worrying about our asset," she (rightly) said.
"I know, and it doesn't help that this time the asset is my son-in-law," I said.
"Do you trust him?" Lynch asked.
"100%," I said without hesitation. "I gave him my daughter, after all."
"Dad?" I turned my head at Molly's voice.
"I'll see you later," Lynch said, nodding at Molly as she left.
"Hi honey," I said.
"Hi," she said.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I can't just come visit my dad?" She asked. "How is Jim? You came home late last night."
I sighed. If I was honest, I was avoiding her. I didn't want to give her false hope that if tonight went well, I could bring Street home in just a day or two. But likewise I didn't want to worry her with how dangerous his meeting would be.
"He's alright," I said, thinking about the letter he gave me locked safely away in my desk drawer.
"You're worried about him," she said.
"I worry about every officer under my command."
"Dad…"
I sighed again.
"Yes, I am worried about him," I said. "But he is a great cop and he'll be fine."
"Do you know how much longer he has to be undercover?" She asked. We were at day 17 of the original 14.
"I hope not much longer," I said. "Can I take you to lunch?"
"Sure," she said.
***Street's POV - Nolan's Bar***
"Well, the Jackel's didn't apprentice having to flush their stars, until the LBPD kicked in their door. Left empty handed," Nolan said.
"You saved us a big hassle," the dealer said. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Frank Ludlow."
"Jim Street, you must be Nolan's suppler," I said, my heart racing as for the first time in over two weeks, I saw the light at the end of this tunnel.
"You do good work. We were just about to go over tonight's shipment. Sit down," he said. I smiled and nodded, Nolan jealously looking at me not going unnoticed.
*** Street's POV - Nate's house***
After franticly relaying the dealer's name and the details of tonight's shipment to Hondo when he met me outside Nolan's bar, and sending Nate to a safe location, I went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I leaned on the edge of the sink and took a deep breath. If all went according to plan, Ludlow, Nolan and there crew would be behind bars, Nate would be safe and I would be home with Molly in a matter of hours. I was no stranger to undercover work, and the associated jitters. But the nausea and the pit in my stomach was a new feeling.
No matter, because I couldn't focus on that now. Time to end this.
***Street's POV - Port of LA***
When we got out of the car, I looked around, relaxing slightly when I saw just a glint of Chris' scope.
"What are you looking at?" Nolan interrupted my thoughts.
"Checking for anything that doesn't feel right, occupational hazard," I said, reaching out to inspect one of the boxes.
"Don't touch the boxes," snapped Nolan. I held my hands up in mock surrender.
"I see your game. You're making a play for my whole op," Nolan said.
"I don't want your job, I just want out," I said, barely able to contain my eye roll.
"Why don't I believe you," Nolan said.
"I don't know; that's your problem," I said.
"Just remember as long as I have that video tape your life, and Nate's, belong to me," Nolan said. "You cross me and I will finish you and every person you love. Starting with Nate and that pretty little wife of yours."
I didn't have time to process the pit in my stomach as I thought about Molly and Nate, knowing I was about to cross Nolan, when Ludlow rolled in.
"Any issues?" He asked.
"It's all here," Nolan said. I quickly slid my jacket off to signal the team to roll before following Nolan and Ludlow into the building, hand behind me resting on my gun. I've never been more relieved to see the wall blow followed by shouts of "LAPD!"
I couldn't keep the smug grin off my face when Nolan turned around and was greeted by my gun.
"The whole time?" he stated more than asked.
"Now you know where you can stick that video," I said.
"I keep my promises," Nolan sneered at me.
"You wanna tell us what's in the boxes," Hondo, suddenly at my side, asked Nolan and Ludlow.
"Just a bunch of pigs," said Nolan.
My stomach dropped when Hondo smashed the piggy banks and they were empty.
"They're all empty," said Deacon.
"You're not going to find anything here, I'm a legitimate businessman," said Ludlow. I smashed a few more. Partially because I couldn't believe my own eyes; partially because I was angry.
"Guess you've made a big mistake, Street," Nolan said.
*** Street's POV - LAPD SWAT Headquarters ***
It was now almost eight the next morning and I was still stewing as I sat in Hicks' office while him, Hondo and Lynch stood around the desk, debating what went wrong. I rubbed the tan line on my bare ring finger, missing the feel of my wedding ring.
"The drugs were suppose to be there, there's no way they were just playing us," Hondo said.
"Why not, we were playing them," I spat.
"Maybe they figured out street was undercover and set him up to flush us out," Lynch said.
"If that was true Street wouldn't be sitting here right now," said Hicks
"Can we keep Ludlow in custody until we figure this out?" asked Hondo
"No drugs, lawyer just got him and his crew releases," Hicks said.
"How is this happening!" I snapped, louder than intended.
"Everyone has a paper trail with the company, they're all legit" said Hicks
"Five armed guys guarding piggy banks, come on," said Hondo
"Without drugs he has all the deniability he needs legally," said Lynch
"Nolan told Ludlow, 'it's all here,'" I said.
"Then where are the drugs?!" said an exasperated Lynch
"I don't know, but we must have missed something!" I said.
"Warrant is good for 24 hours, let's roll back and look for anything we missed," said Hondo.
"Ok, I'll call narcotics. Try to grab us as many dealers as we can and get something out of this mess," Lynch said as she walked off. Hondo and I turned to follow.
"Hey, Street," Hicks said. I turned back to look at him. He tossed me my badge. "Welcome back. Go see Molly."
I smiled as Hondo gave my shoulder a friendly pat. "Yes sir."