~~~ As I Am Ch. 2

I disclaim

*** Silly me, I just notice that I had her being called Kate, when it's actually just Kat. Sorry. Also Fallen is on it's way, but I misplaced the pages of the next chapter, so it should be up some time tomorrow night.

"EVERYBODY FREEZE THIS IS A ROBBERY."

The words froze the crowd, the shotgun shot that followed, had them screaming, all except Kat who watched the scene with grim acceptance. She was going to be late for her 'date', miss her flight, and probably get fired. If it wasn't for bad luck, she'd have none at all.

"NOW I DON'T WANT TO HURT ANYBODY, SO LET GET MY MONEY AND I CAN GO."

It was every bad movie she had ever seen, she saw Mr. Chamber's signal Ms. Corey, to hit the silent alarm, she heard the 'supposed silent  alarm' start giving off an low pitch moan, that could clearly be heard throughout the bank, before the gunman eyes went wide, and he turned toward Mr. Chambers.

"STOP."  It wasn't until all eyes where on her that she realized that she had spoken. Noting the stunned look on her families face" Okay you don't want to heard anyone, but you're about to shot an unarmed guard, that'll get you the chair, where you headed for anyway, the way you're going."

"Kay?" Ethan was the first to regain his composure; he took a step, toward her, but the gunman hastily pointed the gun at him, stopping his approach.

"Kat, what are you doing?" Jo looked at her friend, with wide anxious eyes, from her spot cowering on the floor.

"Kat, Kay, what's going on here, who are you?"

Kat took the minute to really look at gunman, yes he was badly dressed, but he was also young and probably scared witless, he would have to be rob this bank, easily located directly next door to the Harmony Police Department Headquarters. Stupid, scared, and armed where never a good combination. In situations like these sensitivity and patience were required, unfortunately she never had patience, and her sensitive had been sod to her current employer. "Hi, I'm Kathleen Bennett, also known as Kat, and once upon a time as Kay, and I believe I'm about to be your guardian angel.

"Chief."  Sanderson ran into his boss's office breathless, and looking worried. "The silent alarm just went off at the property on 2344 Main Street, Sir"

Luis looked at the young office, and shook his head, the enthusiasm was of the rookie was both refreshing and annoying, most times landing on the latter of the two. "The bank next door."

"Sir Yes, Sir."

Luis stood, and grabbed his jacket. "Call the commissioner, and get the Alistair Crane on the phone."

"Alistair Crane, Sir?"

"Yeah, it's his bank; I think my father-in-law would like to know its being robbed." Luis paused and took the time to smile, Alistair would hate this, he only wished he could call himself, but just picturing  the look on Old Man Crane's face was enough to make up for the nightmare he knew he was about to endure. He stepped into cop mode, and began walking briskly through the station house, noticing how his offices were already hustling about. The short distance if anything seemed longer, as he strode the few feet across the parking lot, checking his watch and cursed.

1:15 pm, the bank wouldn't be packed, but he knew they had to be people in there, after all it Friday. This now made a simple bank robbery a possible hostage situation. "Dammit, and it's only my second week on the job."

"How are you my guardian angel?"

"Well, if you'll allow me to pace, I can explain to you, you see I think better when I have room to move." She gave him her sweetest smile, this smile had once gotten her diamond bracelet, and then later the matching earrings, and it was what Big Joe called her money smile, 'guaranteed to separate a man from his money', and the old man was right , because the fumbling robber, just nodded, and shifted the gun to focus on her. "Well you see, I know how this whole thing is going to turn, or at least I know I know several likely possibilities for how this can end, and I know the sure way to ensure the best scenario for you."

"What are you a lawyer?"

Kat laughed loudly causing the gunman's eyes to go wide. " Sorry, it's  just that I don't think I've ever of a lawyer being likened to a guardian angel, no I'm not a lawyer, I'm much better well at least for some one in your position."

"Then what are you?"

"I'm lead Reporter for Joe Tyler Media, have you heard of them? They own the Washington Post, The New York Times, CNN, basically anything that can be read, watched or consumed by a the public, and like I said earlier your guardian angel."

"And how do you figure you can save me?"

"Here's how it works……" She looks at him expectantly, and when he merely stares back at her, she shakes her had." That would have been where you told me your name, but I digress." " Try to understand that only part of what happens here, actually has to do with the law, true you're 'committing' a crime, but only if it's seen that way by a jury of your peers or the general public, so what this really is about is public opinion, and I can change public opinion, plus I know the guys on this force so I know how they're going to handle this, I think given what I've told you you'll have to agree that I'm your best bet."  She ended her spiel with a wink, that she knew would get to him, after all how could not have faith in a woman that winks at you when you're holding a shogun on her.

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because we something in common."

The gunmen lowered the shotgun, and looked at her closely, her outfit was khakis, and a silk button down blouse, but he can could tell that the whole thing was worth more then his car; he looked down at himself and shook his head. He was wearing clothes he had stolen from his neighbors clothesline; he looked back at her with her skepticism. He doubted then had anything in common other then breathing air and he had a feeling she even did that differently." Like what?"

"KAY!" Both turned to look at Ethan who seemed exasperated beyond belief. "Could you stop talking to the robber, and start explaining what's going on?"

"Dunce." Fox said as he rolled his eyes. "Obviously we're in the middle of a bank robbery; I think anything else could wait."

"Exactly." Kat gave a brief nod in Fox's direction, before turning back to the gunmen." Now like I was saying we're very similar, for instance you want out of town and so do I, the only difference is that I want out by 10:00 pm on Flight 468, so I'm suggesting we work together to accomplish this goal."

He looked down at the hand that she stuck out, the watch just about tripled the worth of her outfit, and the ring could probably buy his way out the trouble he was in, the thing that made him take her outstretched palm was the look in her eye, it was determination, and confidence, this was a woman that could get things done." Okay, so how does this work?"

"Let's start small, what's your name?"

"Billie."

"Well WILLIAM, first things first, I suggest you tie up the guys, and release at least one of the tellers, get on the phone with the chief, and get us some food, cause we'll be here for a while, and I haven't yet." She let go of his hand, and looked at the floor, toward her friend." Jo I need you to get your sister on the phone."

The woman looked up startled, and shook her head furiously, gesturing toward the gunmen." No I'd rather let Billie, shoot me."

"Do it Jo, I still have a date to keep."

"What's the situation Chief Lopez-Fitzgerald?"

Luis looked back at his longtime friend and mentor, and gave a bitter smile." We've a hostage situation happening in the bank, about ten minutes ago the silent alarm was tripped, we've checked our cameras, and seen several people going in right before the alarm went off." He took a step closer, to his friend, and laid a hand on his shoulder." Sam, Grace and the girls are in there, along with Ethan."

Sam felt his heart drop, and he could remember the exact moment he had felt something like this before, the last time it was Miguel, telling him that he daughter was gone, but the feeling was the same, dread. Fortunately this time, he had some control over the situation, pushing his insecurities away; he gave a grave nod, before looking ahead at the bank that house his family. "Any word from the gunmen?"

"Not yet, but…." Just as he was about to finish he saw Sanderson, running toward with a phone. "But I think this maybe him." The rookie, stopped in front of both men, and handed the phone to Luis, and mouthed the 'bank robber'.

"This is the Chief Lopez-Fitzgerald, whom I'm talking to?"

"Billie." Kat shook her head, and mouthed 'William', but he ignored and motioned for her to be quiet. "Yeah it's Billie."

"Well Billie what can I do get some closure on this?"

"I want to let one of the hostages go, but in return I need a …." Billie tried to read Kat's lips but she was moving them to fast and noting seemed to make sense." Luge?" Kat rolled her eyes, and began making small shoveling motions with her hand. "Shovel?"

Luis took the phone from his ear, and stared at it, before he covered the mouth piece." I think we may have a mental patient on our hands."

Kat held back the groan and snatched the phone from his hand." Food, he wants foods in exchange for one teller."

Luis felt the air leave his lungs, as he heard the voice on the other bed, for a moment he thought it was Jessica, or Grace, but there was an attitude in the voice, that he had remembered that could only come from one source." Kay?"

Kat released a sigh and 'so it begins.' "Hello Luis, congratulations on the promotion, now like I said food for a hostage?"

Luis looked quickly at Sam who gave him a questioning look." Uh…hold on." He handed the phone to the other man, and stepped back to lean against the squad car parked behind him." It's for you?"