Wednesday 7:40
HQ:
The next morning, Street walks into the locker room. When he enters he sees all the guys there and they all look miserable
"Did she take a personal day?" He asks
"Listen Street, we all feel pretty bad about how we treated her and we want to get revenge on Cole. But when you attacked him yesterday, he was able to get Chris in trouble for it" Hondo says "she is not in a lot of trouble and she's here. I told her to get something while we deal with you and Luca" Street looks over at Luca
"I didn't attack him, I was about to, but I didn't hurt him" I say "I asked if he attacked her, then he said that Chris has a lot in the future waiting for her and that I better not make it worse"
"He's right Hondo. Now what kind of trouble is Chris in?" Luca asks
"Just inventory. Hicks had to give her something" Hondo replies "besides, Cole did his own damage. He spread rumors that Chris sent you to attack him and all of patrol seems to be determined to make Chris' life a living hell"
"You'll see" Deacon says and Chris enters. Her neck is more black than her skin color, her face is forming an even bigger bruise, her right arm is all scratched up, and her limp is becoming harder to hide.
"What's the agenda for today?" Chris asks
"Chris, you are going to Dr Wendy's and you ain't leaving that office until she says so" He replies
"You got to be joking" Chris says "I don't need a shrink. Guys, I've already had a bad morning, I don't need this"
"Chris, just go" Street says
"Because you know what is best for me. I had to face 30 patrol officers this morning because of you and Luca. Don't tell me what is best because all you did was add fuel to the fire" She says "I'll go but I'm on call" she leaves. Everyone looks at each other and then they turn to Street
"What?" He asks
"Street, lay off her" Hondo says "we all need to, Chris has a point, I admit it. Chris' life is being turned upside down. And all we've done is act like all those losers are right, we are doing the exact thing we promised we wouldn't do. Treat her differently"
"You just sent her to Dr. Wendy" Street points out
"That was an order from Hicks, I just took the blow. We need to try hard to treat her normally. That's the only thing she's asked of us" Hondo answers
Wednesday 8:50
HQ:
Chris is walking to the motor pool after meeting with Dr. Wendy. She knows the guys mean well, but they don't get it. Chris went to Hicks' earlier and he said that he knew what Cole did, and Chris could press charges on him. She turned down the offer and unlike the team, Hicks understood. But he reminded her to be careful. At Wendy's office they talked about normal things and, if Chris was being honest, it was nice. Chris feels she can't do that anymore, not with her team worrying too much and her not wanting to worry her family. Then her phone buzzes
Park shooting
Chris heads to Black Betty and gets in to see her team already there. The beginning of the ride was silent, and Chris decides to take the first step.
"Guys, I'm sorry for being a jerk lately. I shouldn't have snapped at you guys so much. But I want you guys to trust that I can fend for myself. I appreciate that you all care, but I need do this on my own" she says
"Chris, we're sorry for confronting Cole on our own without telling you" Luca says "we thought it would make it better but it didn't"
"What have the patrol guys done?" Street asks
"I've been tripped, shoved, got a rock thrown at my car, and snarky comments. Nothing I can't handle" Chris answers firmly
"Chris, we are sorry for acting like you can't hold your own. This situation though, isn't about the article anymore. This is about your safety in the field and someone is seriously looking for your head" Hondo says, Chris nods because she knows he is right. The team arrives and are able to get everyone, but 5, to safety. They go up to a little play structure and find the shooter all by himself
"Metro SWAT! Drop the gun" Hondo says, he laughs
"Why? I got nothing to lose" He answers, taking a shot at Chris, she tries to move, but she wasn't quick enough. The bullet hits her over her heart, causing her to fall off the structure and land on the ground. The wind is knocked out of her while Luca shoots the suspect in the arm
"Don't think this is the end Alonso!" He shouts as Hondo arrests him. Everyone else heads to Chris
"Chris?" Tan asks, helping her up
"In the vest" she says trying to catch her breath
"You sure?" Street asks
"Just need to catch my breath" she answers
"Sorry Chris, I might need to pull you out" Hondo says
"And that's going to stop me from getting shot at? Hondo, if you pull me out, that will make you all targets" Chris argues
"Chris, you aren't our human shield. We all get paid to get shot at" Deacon says
"No. No way" Chris says, shaking her head
"Here's the deal. You stay in the field, and at all times one of us is always with you, got it?" Hondo orders
"Ok" She says, not particularly happy about the new arrangement.
Wednesday 7:30
HQ:
The rest of the day was uneventful, Chris is doing inventory after shift and Deacon comes over to help. The two keep a peaceful silence until it's over
"Hey Chris? Want to have dinner at my place?" Deacon asks
"I can't Deac" Chris says
"Chris, this is just a friendly offer. I know you aren't busy because I'm with you" Deacon says
"I really can't Deacon" Chris answers
"What's going on? You can tell me, you know that" Deacon says
"Alright, I got a message attached to a rock thrown at my car and it said that I'm going to be attacked tonight" Chris admits "I can't be near you, or anyone. If something happened to you, Annie, or the kids. I wouldn't forgive myself. Thanks for helping with inventory" and she walks away
Wednesday 8:00
Road:
Driving home, Deacon feels anxious. Even though he knows Chris will be mad if he told anyone, Deacon was not going to just sit there and do nothing. So he dials Hondo
"Harrelson" Hondo answers
"It's Deacon" He says
"Deacon" Hondo says tiredly
"I got a problem. But I don't know what we can really do" Deacon says, trying to find the right words
"I know that Chris is going to be attacked tonight" Hondo says "Hicks told me. Deac, she was shot outside of HQ. It is just a graze, thankfully, but she's stuck at HQ until this problem is solved. I'm on my way over. I'll tell the team tomorrow" hearing Chris' situation reminds Deacon when his family was forced to be at HQ when those men were targeting his family.
"Ok, I'll head over to" he answers, hanging up before Hondo says otherwise. After that, Deacon dials Annie, and she picks up after one ring
"David, you ok? You still aren't home" She says anxiously
"I'm ok, about that, I'm heading back to work" Deacon answers
"Alright, at least tell me why" Annie says calmly. Deacon smiles thinking how understanding Annie is
"Chris was attacked outside of HQ" Deacon explains "someone is after her"
"Oh dear god" she says "you're right go be with her. David?"
"Yes?"
"I think you have a rat in the LAPD. Someone had to have known she was leaving" Annie says firmly "love you"
"Love you more" Deacon says, and Annie ends the call
Wednesday 8:45
HQ:
Hondo walks into Command and there's Chris. She holds an ice pack to her head while the EMT leaves. When she sees him, she gives Hondo a small and forced smile
"Hey Chris, how you doing?" He asks
"Not great, not awful. You didn't need to come here" she says "I told Hicks not to call you"
"Well I'm glad he did" Hondo says
"Besides, we are a family and this is what we do" Deacon says coming from behind them
"You didn't need to come either, go be with Annie" Chris says dismissively
"Chris, Annie wants me here. So here I am" he says smiling
"Chris? Did you get any idea on who the shooter was?" Hondo asks
"Too dark" Chris answers "who else did you tell?"
"Just us, Hicks, and Wendy" Hondo answers "we will alert the team tomorrow"
"Do you really have to?" Chris asks
"Yes" Hondo "Chris, we trust you, now you need to trust us" she sighs and walks away. Hondo turns to Deacon
"What are we going to do Deac?" Hondo asks
"Annie told me that we might have a rat in SWAT" he says "I agree with her, someone knew that Chris was leaving" Taking this in, the two decide to go to Hicks.
Wednesdays 8:50
Hicks' Office:
They walk into Hicks' office and he's pacing the floor.
"Sir?" Hondo asks "could we have a moment"
"Sure, but don't bring anymore bad news" Hicks says tiredly "I don't need anymore"
"We think someone at SWAT is giving out information about Chris. These attacks only happen when we respond to the call, someone had to alert the suspects that 20-David would be there. Also, Annie brought it to my attention that someone also had to have told the shooter that Chris was leaving" Deacon says
"I was just getting to that conclusion myself. There were 15 patrol Officers, Chris, and you Deacon. Now I'm assuming that is wasn't you" Hicks says "but all those officers are giving her a lot of trouble"
"Is there any way we can narrow down the field?" Hondo asks
"We could probably figure it out tonight. But Chris probably won't press charges" Hicks says "I know Alonso is facing a lot right now and she doesn't want any help. But you all need to convince her should press charges"
"Yes sir" they both say turning to leave
"Good luck" Hicks calls backs