The Nest

Chaos and shock. Those words couldn't begin to explain what was going on.

Jake and Carolyn, whoever she really was, were missing. Agent Bloom delivered the bad news. Security in the parking garage found Donovan's car abandoned. Sixty feet from the car, they found Donovan's body. Shot twice in the abdomen.

"No. That can't be true." Monica whispered in disbelief. This couldn't be happening again. They couldn't lose another member of their team.

They didn't, couldn't believe Donovan was dead. But he was. Agent Bloom showed them the photos from the crime scene. Donovan's lifeless body slumped against the wall.

"Any luck yet?" Monica asked Cody. Cody was calling around trying to locate Donovan's body. Agent Bloom said he was going to notify Donovan's family. "What happened to Jake?"

"Nothing yet," Cody replied, "Any word from Alex?"

"No, she's still searching the apartment. This is a nightmare," Monica said, tossing the photos on the desk. "Let's hope Jake's still alive."

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His head was throbbing. He opened his eyes, but quickly shut them. The light stung his eyes. He slowly opened his eyes again. He tried to take in his surroundings. "Want some aspirin?" A voice asked. Turning his head towards the voice, he tried to focus on the figure standing in front of him. After a few moments his eyes adjusted to the light.

"Jake," he asked, "what's going on?" He winced in pain. He attempted to sit up, but something was restraining him. Looking over to his wrist, he saw that it was cuffed to the bedpost. "Where are we?"

"Holy Cross," Jake replied, handing Donovan a glass of water and some aspirins. Donovan gladly accepted the pills, hoping the pain would go away soon. "It's the only place no one would look for you. I guess you want an explanation."

"That would be a start. First, uncuff me." Donovan growled. Jake was enjoying this. How he wanted to knock the grin off his face. "Where's Emma?"

"She's gone," Jake replied, tossing the key to him, "off to show proof you're dead."

"Proof I'm dead? The hit was out on you." Donovan stated.

"No, the hit was placed on you. Emma is the agent in charge of the case. An informant told them a hit was placed on you, but they didn't know by who or when it was going to happen. Emma was to be the hitter. After she did the job, she's to go show proof that you're dead. When she does that, she'll find out who placed the hit." Jake explained handing Donovan back his weapon. "You might want to take the snap cap out of the chamber."

"That's why my gun seemed like it jammed. What kind of proof did she need?" Donovan asked, ejecting the snap cap from his gun.

"You're badge and pictures of your dead body. It had to be believable. Neither one of us were happy lying to you." Jake stated. He wanted to make it clear for Emma's sake.

"Jake, you have no idea how glad we were to hear from Fr. Michael…." Alex started to say, walking in the room. The three of the stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Donovan punch Jake.

"Donovan? But?" Monica started to say.

"You're dead." Cody finished.

"Believe me, Jake, I wasn't happy about you lying to me either. I still owe you for shooting me." Donovan growled.

"You shot Donovan?" Cody asked, his eyes looked like they were going to fall out of their sockets.

"They were tranquilizer guns. I told you, it was too early to say nobody got shot." Jake smiled, taking Donovan's hand up, "We have to get to Emma. She's in over her head."

"Can someone please explain to us what's going on?" Alex yelled.

"I'll explain on the way to the pier." Jake said rubbing his face.