The next day most of the team met back at the nest. Cody and Sab were both there. Alex was reading some files as Frank and Elaina come in with Maria. Monica was taking her turn at guarding Jake.
"Alex you did go home last night, didn't you?" Frank asked walking over to her.
"Yeah I just got here a few minutes ago. Hey Maria," Alex said greeting them.
Sab looked up at the mention of Maria's name. "Elaina, are we going to be working with her?"
"If I say yes, do you have a problem with that?"
"You know I do." Sab stared at Maria.
"Get over it," Elaina told her. "Maria is going to be here off and on. Frank and I have business to take care of about the fire, so she'll be helping in the investigation."
"I'm not cleared yet to come back to work. I was just helping, so I think I'll just go back home," Sab said, picking up her things.
"Be childish, I really don't care. You told me you could handle working with her professionally, I guess you lied."
"I didn't lie, I changed my mind. I do have that right," Sab insisted.
"I'm tired of all the crap you two go through to avoid one another. Maria has tried to be civil but you just ignore her. If you're leaving get out of here, now!" Elaina told her.
"Fine, I will. I'll see you at home, Cody." Sab walked out the door.
"You're running off our help. That isn't very smart," Maria said.
"I'm running out of patience, so don't start smarting off, Maria." Elaina went to sit down with Alex.
"Elaina what's eating you? I've never seen you treat Sabrina like that, Maria yes but not Sab, unless it was staged."
"It has been months, since what took place between them. I think it's time Sab gets over it. She has Cody now and knows the whole truth of what happened. I'll not keep putting up with her ignoring or not wanting to be around her," Elaina said as Cody got her attention.
"Here's the information on the mistress you wanted. Monica talked to her and feels that they're telling the truth. There was a nosy neighbor and he confirmed that they were together last night but he wasn't sure what time it was," Cody told them.
"Ok do we have anything from our files?" Frank asked.
"Not that I can find. The people we've taken down are pretty quiet from our prison sources," Alex said.
"Jake has no idea either. We talked about the some of the cases he worked but we couldn't think of anyone specific," Maria reported.
"I want everyone to be especially careful when you're out, be aware of your surroundings. We don't know who this person or persons are after," Elaina said as she went to the door. "Get in here." Elaina pulled Sab back in the building.
"How did you know I was out there?" Sabrina wondered.
"We have security cameras, remember. Cody showed me you were still there. Question is why?"
"I realized I didn't have my keys and I was hoping Maria would leave, so I could come back in to get them."
"Sabrina, sit down. Like Elaina, I'm getting tired of your attitude. You better learn to get along with Maria. We need all the help we can get on this investigation. Maria is a good agent, so are you. I want the personal feelings set aside and for you two to work together on this," Frank told her.
"Elaina said I'd probably never have to work with her and now you're going to force me to. I don't think so." Sab went to get back up.
"Sit down, Sabrina!" Frank ordered her. "Elaina isn't in charge I am. If you're going to be back here helping you'll be working with Maria or whoever else I say. If not leave and don't come back."
"Are you firing me?" Sab asked, starting to get angrier.
"It can be that." Frank crossed his arms in front of himself and stared at her.
"You're going to let him do that?" Sab turned to Elaina.
"You can either quit, be fired or be transferred. Or you can be here working trying to find out who shot Jake, with Maria. Which option do you take?"
"I want to be transferred. I'm not going to be forced into working with someone I despise." Sab surprised everyone with her answer.
"What?!" Cody was the most surprised. "You do realize what you're saying we'll know longer be working together."
"I realize that. We'll talk about this when you come home tonight," Sab said, leaving.
"Agent Kells, I'll have your transfer ready for you when your sick leave is up. Until then you'll no longer come here unless asked by a superior. Are you clear on that?"
"Perfectly clear, Agent Blakely." Sab turned and went out the door. "I never thought I'd do that, but I have to admit I feel better," Sab said to herself as she got in the Jeep.
Back inside all hell was breaking lose with Cody and Maria. "This is all your fault. Why can't you just stay away from us. You know how much Sab hates to be around you but you seem to be everywhere. Do me a favor and stay the hell away from me."
"Agent Forrester, that's enough out of you. Do you realize you're speaking to a superior? Maria is my co-director and she'll be treated with respect," Elaina told him.
"I'm leaving before you have a full fledge mutiny on your hands," Maria said, starting to leave.
"You aren't going anywhere. All of you listen and hear my words. I don't give a damn how you feel personally about a team member. You're all hired to do a job, if you can't do the job without personality conflicts, then find another one. I'll not stand for any more scenes like the ones we just had. Do you understand me?" Frank was livid at their behavior.
They all said they agreed, and went back to looking over files. "Now, Elaina and I have to leave. Maria is in charge until we get back. Try to accomplish something while we're gone," Frank said as he and Elaina went to the door.
"We certainly had a surprising morning," Elaina said as they drove off.
"I'd never have guessed Sabrina would to want transfer," Frank replied.
"I guess her losing the baby has changed her way of thinking about things," Elaina said as she watched the scenery.
"What did the two of you talk about yesterday that got her to come out of her depression?"
"Nothing specific we just talked about how I felt when I couldn't have anymore children and a few other topics. Nothing life changing to me."
"It must have been for her. Maybe you should have another heart to heart talk with her."
"Frank, we talked yesterday and today she wants a transfer. I get the feeling, if I talk to her anymore she'll want to change careers."
"You don't seem to be having a good week now, are you?"
"Well, let me think," Elaina said thinking. "No, I'm not having a good year."
"My Lady, we've all been through a lot. And still going through more," Frank said as they arrived at the ranch.
"When is Mr. Brannigan supposed to come by?" Elaina asked as they got out.
"He should be here in a few minutes. Where do you want to start looking through things?" Frank asked getting bags out of the trunk.
"See if there is anything in the living room we can save first, I guess," Elaina said, looking at the remains. "You know, I think we should have a bigger house when we rebuild."
"Why don't we just rebuild one to look like the Double D?"
"I like that idea. I'd make a few adjustments though."
"Like what?"
"I want a porch that goes all away around the house, and I'd make the kitchen a little bigger. I want our bedroom to face the east, so we can watch the sunrise and…."
"Lady, slow down. Why do I have the feeling you already have the plans drawn for the new house?"
"Damn, you're psychic. I've always played around with the idea of remodeling the Double D. Now I can just use the ideas here instead." Elaina smiled at him.
"I guess you'll have to show me these plans. I do get to have a little say about what gets changed."
"A little bit of course." Elaina laughed as a dark green truck pulled into the driveway. "Frank could that be the truck Derek saw?"
"Seems like we have one piece of our puzzle. I'm betting the only reason he didn't have a record, is that he has never been caught at doing anything, not that he doesn't do them," Frank said as he watched the man come from the truck.
"Mr. and Mrs. Donovan. I'm Mickey Brannigan," the man introduced himself, shaking Frank's hand.
"Thank you for coming here. We have a lot of work and have to schedule our meetings when we can," Elaina explained.
"I understand totally. You wanted to talk to me about my boy Todd. You said he's been harassing your son and his girlfriend."
"Yes, I guess you noticed that your son had been hurt recently in a fight. My son punched him when he was holding Becky against her will," Frank told him.
"He told me hurt it skateboarding with his buddies. I had no idea he had been in a fight with your son."
"Your son has been antagonizing our son for a long time now. We've told Derek to walk away but this time he found it necessary to use force. I think that has caused things to escalate between them," Elaina said.
"What do you mean by escalate? Do you know of something else he may've done?" Mickey asked.
"Does your son drive that truck?" Frank inquired.
"Yes, he does. It's his truck I borrowed it. I'm a freight hauler for a living; I just borrow his truck when I'm home. What does that have to do with anything?" Mickey wondered.
"Derek saw that truck or one exactly like it drive away from the fire we had hear yesterday," Frank told him.
"Are you saying that Todd started this fire? I don't believe that. Your son must've been mistaken."
"We'll find out soon enough. The fire marshal found part of the bottle used to start the fire and he's checking the prints on it," Frank replied.
"If my son had anything to do with this, I'll be the first one to apologize to you," Mr. Brannigan said.
"We don't want your apologies. It's your son that has to pay for this, if he did it. We will press charges," Elaina told him.
"I'll talk to him, if admits that he did it before you get the fire marshal's report, I'll personally see to it he turns himself in."
"With all due respect, I really don't see him confessing. If he never told you he was in a fight last week." Elaina said.
"I'll find out some way Mrs. Donovan. Was anyone hurt in the fire?" Mickey asked.
"No. Thankfully, my son got his baby sister and Becky out with out injury," Frank replied.
"You said baby, how old is she?"
"She is 2. If they had not gotten out of that fire, I assure you I would not be this kind and considerate Mr. Brannigan." Elaina stressed to him.
"I don't believe you have the right to be this kind and considerate now, either but I thank you for being so. I'll be in touch with you after I talk to my son," Mr. Brannigan said.
"Thank you again for coming here and talking to us," Frank said walking him to the truck.
Frank walked back in to help Elaina go through the house. "Do you think Todd will tell his father the truth?" Elaina asked.
"I hope so but I'm not holding my breath." Frank bent down to pick up a charred book. "Here's one of the photo albums."
"Toss it I don't want to see it. We have copies of all the pictures at the apartment and the Double D."
"Are
you sure some of these could be saved," Frank said, looking through it.
Elaina walked over and took it from him and threw it in the rubble. "I said
throw it away." Elaina was very angry.
"Why don't you go see the horses and I'll do this alone for a while? When you calm down you can come back and help."
"This is as calm as I'll be for the next few days so live with it," Elaina said picking up a set of candleholders. "Mom gave these to us after our first wedding."
Frank walked over to look at them. "I guess now you can say they were destroyed in the fire you never did care for them." Frank laughed.
Elaina started to laugh with him. "So far that's the only bright spot to this whole mess. Ok if we make little comments like that I think I can make it through this."
"If you want to take your mind off of what we're doing I can give you something to think about."
"What now? I don't like the way you said that."
"Did you know that Derek took the entrance exam for FBI training?"
"He what?" Elaina looked at his in disbelief. "When and how do you know? Did you give him permission behind my back?"
"No I wouldn't do that; he took it but just to see if he'd pass it. As to the guilty party you should ask Maria."
"She seems to be getting involved in our sons life more and more."
"He asked her to get the questions for him. He knows that he may not pass it when the time actually comes."
"There's another bright spot in my day. I guess we should talk to him about this."
"That's what I told him but we haven't had time to do it the past few days."
"Why don't we make a special effort to talk to him tonight?"
"Only if you work more here and talk less," Frank teased her. She picked up something and threw it at him.
********
Back at the hospital Alex was telling Jake and Monica about what took place at the nest that morning, as she was getting ready to relieve Monica as guard.
"You left Cody and Maria alone after that happened? That place may not be the same when I get back," Monica said.
"When I left, Maria was up in the office and Cody was at the computers. Cody promised to stay away from her," Alex replied.
"Nothing or no one to stop them from fighting, I'm with Monica I think there may be trouble."
"You don't seem to worried that Maria would try what she did a few months ago," Monica said to Jake.
"She'd never do that. She promised me she never would. She really regrets doing it in the first place," Jake told them, trusting Maria.
"She's a good liar, how can you be so sure that she wouldn't?" Alex asked.
"Because unlike most of you, I trust and believe she has changed," Jake said, getting a little angry.
"Ok, let's change the subject, all we're doing is speculating on her from her past actions. We shouldn't be doing that. Sorry, Jake." Alex apologized. "Where's your Mom at?"
"She went back to work. I told her she should be helping other people than sitting with me all the time watching me sleep."
"She was just being a typical mother, Jake. She's really worried about you," Monica stated.
"I know but she really needed to go back to work to get her mind off me for a little while."
"Speaking of work, I better go check on Cody and Maria. See if they have any idea as to who did this." Monica said, getting her things together.
"Donovan and Blakely, wants us to be very careful when we are alone, they wants us to know our surroundings and alert to others around us."
"I'll be careful. Take care, Jake I'll be back tomorrow," Monica said, before leaving.
"See ya then, Monica," Jake said as she left. "I'm going to take a nap, you can watch me sleep for a while."
"Go ahead. I brought a book to read," Alex said, digging in her bag for the book.
********
Cody went home to talk to Sab about what happened this morning. Sab was sitting watching music videos with Koby curled up beside her with his head in her lap. Cody went over and sat on the arm of the couch with them.
"How's your day been? Cody asked, trying to make conversation.
"Fine, thanks. How was yours?" Sab said, not looking at him.
Cody just stared at her for a moment. "You want to know how my day went? Let me tell you it was the most miserable day I have had in a few weeks." Cody started ranting, "You say you want transferred. Then I find out that Maria is left in charge of the team, while Frank is off doing whatever. Then you're going to love this, Alex leaves and Maria and I, are there alone, together. Would you like to know any more?"
Sab turned to look at him. "You look tired. Would you like for me to cook tonight?"
Cody stared at her stunned. "Have you been listening to a word I said?" He had not noticed that she had the sound off of the TV.
"Not really I'm listening to a CD while I watch the video, its sounds better on the CD than the TV speakers," Sab said, taking off the headset that her hair had been covering. "What exactly did you say?"
"I said that I was left alone with Maria today," Cody repeated to her.
"What did you talk about, old times?" Sab asked, laying the CD player and headset down on the table.
"I'm calling Allison you need more help than ever," Cody said, grabbing the phone.
"You don't have to call her, Cody. I'm fine. I'm just trying my anger management techniques. I made a promise to Elaina that I'd control my anger so, I have been trying the different techniques all day."
"So you're saying what? Deep down you want to choke the crap out of Maria but because of a pact you made with Elaina, you're just going to ignore what I told you about her?"
"No! What I'm saying is that, I realized after I said I wanted the transfer that you'd still be around her. I got mad as hell at myself, at Elaina, Frank and Maria. I want to pick up the phone and scream in it at each of them. I want to pick things up and throw them," Sab said, picking up a glass and throwing it. "I want things back to the way they were. I want it to be the morning of my wedding and I don't want Bea to be missing and I want my baby back," Sab started to cry.
Cody didn't know what to do. He gently put his arms around her. When she didn't fight him he held her tighter and closer to him. "I love you Angel. I wish I could give you that day back, but I can't. All I can do is tell you that I love you and need you. I want to help you in anyway I can, even if it's to just sit in silence with you or to hold you. I want you to tell me what you need me to do."
"You're doing it. I need your arms around me. I need you to tell me, you still want me as your wife, and that you forgive me for losing our baby."
"I do love you and want you as my wife. But I can't forgive you for something you didn't do."
"What do you mean? I did lose the baby," Sab said, slightly confused by what he said.
"It wasn't your fault. I don't want you blaming yourself for that. You and I will have children, as many as you want." Cody kissed her. "I wish you'd had let me do this before," he said still holding her. "I think it would've helped you."
"That's what Elaina told me. She said I needed your arms around me. I'm glad they are now. So what did you and Maria talk about while you where alone?"
"We didn't say a word to each other. She stayed in the office the whole time, until Monica showed up."
"Am I being wrong, about my feelings for her?" Sab wondered.
"You be how you want to be no one can tell you what to feel, if they've never had it happen to them," Cody told her.
******************
"I just know that I didn't want Elaina going through what I went through," Sab said, in a sorry tone.
"Too late Sabrina, been there, done that," Elaina got a furious look from Frank with her saying that.
"What do you mean?" Sab asked, in confusion.
"Nothing, forget I said anything," Elaina told her.
******************
Sab remembered something Elaina had told her once. "Cody, Elaina does know what I've been through, with Maria. I just remembered her talking about it briefly when she was in the hospital. She mentioned it again at the wedding.
"You think Maria tried to break her and Frank up?"
"I don't think it was Maria but there was someone, she promised Frank never to mention it."
"Interesting. Maybe you should talk to her, see if she'd explain how she forgave Frank and whoever it was, if she did forgive her. We know she forgave Frank or they wouldn't be married now."
"How could she forgive the woman? I know her love for Frank, let her forgive him the same as I did with you."
"All I know is that, she seems to think you should be over what happened," Cody said.
"Have you forgiven Maria for what happened?" Sab asked.
"Not totally, but I could at least hold a conversation with her if I had to. That is until today, when I blew up at her after you left. I blamed her for you wanting the transfer."
"I don't know if I really want the transfer or not. I really felt relieved to have said it though, so maybe I should transfer and work with other people. If I don't like it I can always try to come back."
"I don't think that'll be too easy," Cody said. I'll miss having you working beside me. You know, I've gotten very used to you being there."
"I'll miss you too but just think of how much we'll enjoy seeing each other when we come home to one another." Sab smiled at him.
"If, we're home at the same time. You maybe transferred away from here, ever thought of that?"
"I don't think Elaina would do that. I know she was mad at me today but I don't think she'd move me away from you."
"I think you need to talk to her," Cody said, seriously.
"I will. I promise," Sab said, giving him a kiss.
********
Maria went to see Jake after spending most of the day keeping away from Cody and reading endless files. They had yet to come up with a suspect in Jake's shooting. When Maria arrived Alex was sitting outside Jake's room.
"Hi, Alex. Is the doctor in with Jake?" Maria asked.
"No. Sonny Walker is visiting him. I'm just giving them some privacy," Alex said, closing the book she was reading.
"Well, I'll take over, you can go home and get some rest," Maria told her, opening the door to Jake's room.
"Changing the guard, Jake," Alex said, going in with Maria. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok, I'm not going anywhere." Jake grinned at her. Alex waved at Sonny and Maria as she left.
"Hello, Sonny," Maria greeted him.
"Hi, Maria, you're looking better than when we met," Sonny said thinking back to going to the hospital to see her and Jake, after her brain surgery.
"I'm much better thank you. Jake did you meet the therapist today?" Maria wondered.
"Yeah! Billy is going to do it. He worked with my legs for a few minutes today. Do you have a suspect yet?" Jake asked, hopefully.
"No and I'm starting to get frustrated. You'd think that they'd try again. It shouldn't be that hard to find out that you lived through it. None of our sources in prison or on the street have heard anything."
"I'd think shooting me would be talked about in prison, at least. Not to sound conceited or anything but I have put a lot of people in there."
"You kid, ever sound conceited never," Sonny chuckled.
"Well, it does sound a little conceited but I did think the same thing," Maria said.
"I hate to say it but this maybe one of your unsolved cases," Sonny told them.
"Please, don't let that be true. I'd hate for Jake to have to look over his shoulder the rest of his life," Maria said as she held Jake's hand.
They heard an explosion from outside. "What the hell was that?" Jake asked, wishing he could look for himself.
"Nothing out this direction. I'll go find out. Maria stay close to him," Sonny said to Maria as he left the room.
Sonny went out and saw the fire glow out the window of the room across the hall. He took the elevator down to the main floor. It was bustling with activity. Sonny saw Alex sitting with a nurse and orderly.
"Alex, what happened?" Sonny said, going over to her.
"I hit the remote start for my car and it blew up," Alex said, gesturing with her hands.
"Are you ok?" Sonny asked, very concerned.
"I'm rattled but not hurt. Looks like I was next on the list of the maniac doing all this."
"I'll sit here with you until you calm down, then we will go tell Maria and Jake what happened," Sonny told her.
"We can go now. I'm sure they're curious as to what happened," Alex said, getting up a little unsteady.
"Sure about that?" Sonny asked, taking her by the arm to steady her.
"I'm sure let's go," Alex told him.