Note: Sorry I took so long with getting this out! And I just wanted to let
you all know for future reference, I'm defiantly finishing this story, but
there could be times where it may be a little while before I update again
because with me going to college and working everyday it's sometimes hard
to find time to update soon, but I promise I will try not to make you wait
long. There also may be some times I can get the next chapter out very
quickly, it just depends on how busy I am. So despite that, I hope you'll
still continue to read, and I will defiantly not try to make you wait a
lot! Thanks and Enjoy!!:-)
**
Mark's heart dropped to his knees as he tried to process what Lacey had just told him. It couldn't be... Not Steve... However, he had to be sure, for he wasn't about to take any chances. Especially where it concerned his son.
Lacey stood there for a moment carefully watching the expression on Mark's face, as she cursed herself for saying anything at all. It was just a dream. It couldn't be real... She didn't want it to be real. "You know, Dr. Sloan, I'm sure your son's going to be allright... I mean, I don't even know for sure if it was him. You know, I saw the face very quickly; it probably was just someone who looked similar to him. It can happen you know."
Mark shook his head. "No, I need to make sure. I-"
"But the dream probably wasn't even real. I was stupid to think it was."
"Hey guys," Jesse stated walking in the room. "Has either one of you been watching the news lately?"
"Uh, Jesse, not now," Mark replied.
"No, you don't understand," he continued. "There's a hostage situation going on down on 2nd Street at a mini mart. And Chief Masters was just on the news saying that Cheryl and.. and Steve were in there."
Mark and Lacey looked at each other with horror and shock on their faces, both of them secretly hoping that Lacey's dream had a different ending. **
"Steve, Steve! I think we should wait until we have a clearer shot of him, before you move any closer!" Cheryl shouted in a quiet tone.
"Normally I'd agree but this guy looks like he could kill before he runs off. Plus I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach for some reason. I'm not taking chances with this guy..." **
"Chief!"
"Mark, what are you doing here?"
"Listen Chief, I don't want you to ask any questions, I just need you to put your complete trust in me."
"Okay... Mark what's this all about?"
"Look, you need to get Steve out of there. Cheryl, too."
"Wh- Mark, what on earth are you talking about? They're trying to stop a hostage situation in there!"
"Well isn't there anything else you can do?"
"Look, Mark, I don't know what brought this on, but I think I know how to handle this. I have complete faith in Lt. Banks and your son. I thought you did, too."
Mark nodded. "I do. I just- please, I don't have time to explain, I just need you to trust me. Please, I'm begging you, get them out of there!"
The Chief looked Mark in the eye, and slowly let out a long sigh. "Look, I'm completely lost here, and I do trust you, but I don't know how I'm going to get them out of there without the perp knowing they're in there. I'm sorry Mark, but you're just going to have to trust your son for now, until we can intervene."
"So why can't you intervene now?"
"Well in case you haven't noticed Mark, a young woman is being held hostage in there, and I don't want to risk her life, and I'm sure you don't, either."
Mark sighed and shook his head. "No, you're right. I don't. I just wish there was someway I could warn Steve..."
"Warn him about what?"
"Something that could very well kill him, Chief."
The Chief's eyes grew wide as he suddenly found himself very interested in what Mark had to say. "I'm listening, Mark." **
"Is that all the money you have?! Look, I need all of it! NOW!! You have two minutes, or her brains are going to be all over your jacket!!"
The young girl screamed. "No, please! I'm a single mother, my children need me, please don't kill me!!"
"Shut up!! You have no say in the matter!!!! And you have one-minute remaining, bub!! It's on all on you whether she gets to live or not!!"
"Allright, that's it, I'm getting closer," Steve responded.
Cheryl groaned. "Steve, I- Steve! Steve come back!"
Steve ignored her as he moved from shelf to shelf, keeping himself hidden, and his gun ready at his side. As he moved closer, he could see the gunman and the young girl a lot clearer, and the guy getting the money not moving fast enough for the gunman's liking.
"You have ten seconds, asshole," he said, as he turned off the safety to the gun, pressing it firmly against the girl's head. "Nine, eight, seven, six,..."
Steve moved quickly as he tried to push a shelf over on him, only to find that the shelves were bolted down. "Damn it! Allright, time to take matters into my own hands..."
"... Three, two, one- bye, bye, sweet cheeks."
Suddenly Steve bolted out from behind the shelf, gun aimed at the perp. "Freeze! Drop the gun!! NOW!!"
The gunman smiled a bone-chilling smile towards Steve's way. "You first, pig. Or I shoot everyone in here without hesitation."
Steve didn't move, holding a tighter grip on the gun as he turned the safety off. "Fine. Then I'll shoot you dead right after."
"You think I'm bluffing? Try me. You have five seconds to put down the gun or I'll do it. And keep in mind that everyone includes you and your partner over there, who by the way, would loose a great deal in hide and seek. I always win in that game. And I'm going to win this little game as well. So why don't you come out and drop your gun little girl. Play time is over."
Cheryl slowly got out from where she was until she was next to Steve, soon her and Steve dropping both of their guns. "Is this something you really want to do?" Steve replied. "As soon as you kill us, then what? There are cops surrounding the place."
"That's why I would wait and kill you until last," he replied, throwing the girl on the ground and grabbing Steve. "They won't shoot me if I have one of their own as a hostage."
"My, my what a glorious day, today!"
The gunman and Steve suddenly turned only to find Mark casually strolling in, acting as if he had no idea what was going on. "Oh my, you know, you should be careful with those things, you could end up hurting someone."
Steve silently groaned to himself, making a mental note to have a long lecture to his father if they ever got out of the whole thing. "Uh, sir, look why don't you just leave, I mean we-"
"Oh, don't be silly! I need to get my prunes. I ran out. Do you know I've had prunes every day for an afternoon snack for the past ten years? And that I always come here to get some more. Only place I trust! Why here they are! Here, take a look!"
Mark suddenly threw the container towards the gunman, hitting him square in the face. Steve suddenly elbowed him getting out of his grasp, and spun around punching him and sending him unconscious to the ground.
"Nice work, son!"
Steve carefully picked up the gun with a rag, and glared at Mark. "Dad, if you know what's good for you, you'd better get out of here now."
"I uh, take it he's a little upset," Mark whispered to Cheryl.
"Upset?! Well, that would be one word. And why do you suppose that is, dad? Could it be that you put yourself right in the middle of a very dangerous situation?! Do you think I want to see you in a morgue so soon?!"
"Uh, well, you know, the Chief was backing me up. He said he would made sure that nothing would happen to me."
"Oh, well, that makes me feel a whole lot better! Remind me to personally thank him later on!"
"Well, it worked, didn't it?"
Steve gave another glare his father's way. "Yeah, it did. Not only did you put yourself in danger, but now I have to deal with the whole department giving me a hard time about my father saving my behind. But it's no big deal. I should be used to this by now."
Steve then put his gun firmly in his pocket and started to walk off, soon slipping on the container Mark had thrown, and falling hard to the ground. Mark cringed and ran over to him, hoping he would let him check him over. "Steve? Are you allright?"
"Ahh, no! I think I did something to my ankle!" **
"He'll be fine, Mark. He just sprained it real bad. He's going to need to be on crutches for a few days, which means only when you have to get somewhere. Otherwise, it will be on top of a pillow resting for the next few days," Jesse said, giving a look Steve's way.
"Great, I'll bring one to work," Steve replied.
"Uh, no, I don't think you understand. I mean one of your lovely pillows on your couch at home, which will stay at your couch at home at least for about four days."
"Excuse me, Dr. Sloan?"
Mark turned and suddenly found himself face to face with Lacey. "Lacey, you're not going to get any better if you don't get back in bed."
"I know, but I need to talk to you."
Mark nodded. "Allright, I'll walk you back to your room."
"That's probably the third time she's been out of bed. She's not by chance your long-lost daughter or anything is she?"
Steve glared at Jesse as Jesse swallowed hard. "Uh, right, you've had a long day. I'll just go get your crutches." **
"I can't believe I was right about this," Lacey stated later on as she climbed into her bed.
"I can't either," Mark replied. "But I'm glad you did or else my son might not be here right now. I owe you a huge thanks."
"Yeah, I just... I don't know."
"Lacey, you can talk to me. Now what's wrong?"
"I'm kind of scared. I mean, I don't want to be- you know, psychic. I want to be a normal twelve-year-old girl. Not one with a pneumonia and psychic powers."
"Look, how about I have someone come in and talk to you. Maybe they can figure out what's going on."
"You mean a shrink? Look, I'm not crazy, Dr. Sloan."
"And I'm not saying you are. I just think this woman can help you figure out why you're having these dreams. Maybe they're caused by something. Just at least give her a chance. Then if you don't like her, I promise you, I won't make you see her anymore."
Lacey hesitated a moment, and nodded. "Okay. I guess I'll give her a try."
"Good girl. Now please, get some rest."
"Okay. Good night Dr. Sloan."
"Good night, honey." **
Lacey shivered as a needle finished draining into her iv, later on that night, soon hearing a woman's voice, filling the room. "You disappointed me today, Lacey. You warned them. You weren't supposed to tell anyone. You were supposed to call the police and let them and only them handle it. Especially Lieutenant Sloan. So we're going to try something else, and this time listen to me. Do you understand?"
Lacey was half unconscious, but slightly nodded. "Yes."
"Good. Now, there's going to be a bomb planted in the mall tomorrow on twelve avenue at about four p.m. I want you to call Lt. Sloan and tell him. But ONLY him."
"But he's on medical leave for a few days."
"Then convince him to go. And if I know him like I think I do, he's not going to let a little injury stop him."
"But what about Dr. Sloan?"
"I'll take care of him. You just make sure that Steve Sloan gets to that mall. I don't care how you do it, but you will do it, understood?"
"Yes."
"Good, girl."
TBC...
Mark's heart dropped to his knees as he tried to process what Lacey had just told him. It couldn't be... Not Steve... However, he had to be sure, for he wasn't about to take any chances. Especially where it concerned his son.
Lacey stood there for a moment carefully watching the expression on Mark's face, as she cursed herself for saying anything at all. It was just a dream. It couldn't be real... She didn't want it to be real. "You know, Dr. Sloan, I'm sure your son's going to be allright... I mean, I don't even know for sure if it was him. You know, I saw the face very quickly; it probably was just someone who looked similar to him. It can happen you know."
Mark shook his head. "No, I need to make sure. I-"
"But the dream probably wasn't even real. I was stupid to think it was."
"Hey guys," Jesse stated walking in the room. "Has either one of you been watching the news lately?"
"Uh, Jesse, not now," Mark replied.
"No, you don't understand," he continued. "There's a hostage situation going on down on 2nd Street at a mini mart. And Chief Masters was just on the news saying that Cheryl and.. and Steve were in there."
Mark and Lacey looked at each other with horror and shock on their faces, both of them secretly hoping that Lacey's dream had a different ending. **
"Steve, Steve! I think we should wait until we have a clearer shot of him, before you move any closer!" Cheryl shouted in a quiet tone.
"Normally I'd agree but this guy looks like he could kill before he runs off. Plus I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach for some reason. I'm not taking chances with this guy..." **
"Chief!"
"Mark, what are you doing here?"
"Listen Chief, I don't want you to ask any questions, I just need you to put your complete trust in me."
"Okay... Mark what's this all about?"
"Look, you need to get Steve out of there. Cheryl, too."
"Wh- Mark, what on earth are you talking about? They're trying to stop a hostage situation in there!"
"Well isn't there anything else you can do?"
"Look, Mark, I don't know what brought this on, but I think I know how to handle this. I have complete faith in Lt. Banks and your son. I thought you did, too."
Mark nodded. "I do. I just- please, I don't have time to explain, I just need you to trust me. Please, I'm begging you, get them out of there!"
The Chief looked Mark in the eye, and slowly let out a long sigh. "Look, I'm completely lost here, and I do trust you, but I don't know how I'm going to get them out of there without the perp knowing they're in there. I'm sorry Mark, but you're just going to have to trust your son for now, until we can intervene."
"So why can't you intervene now?"
"Well in case you haven't noticed Mark, a young woman is being held hostage in there, and I don't want to risk her life, and I'm sure you don't, either."
Mark sighed and shook his head. "No, you're right. I don't. I just wish there was someway I could warn Steve..."
"Warn him about what?"
"Something that could very well kill him, Chief."
The Chief's eyes grew wide as he suddenly found himself very interested in what Mark had to say. "I'm listening, Mark." **
"Is that all the money you have?! Look, I need all of it! NOW!! You have two minutes, or her brains are going to be all over your jacket!!"
The young girl screamed. "No, please! I'm a single mother, my children need me, please don't kill me!!"
"Shut up!! You have no say in the matter!!!! And you have one-minute remaining, bub!! It's on all on you whether she gets to live or not!!"
"Allright, that's it, I'm getting closer," Steve responded.
Cheryl groaned. "Steve, I- Steve! Steve come back!"
Steve ignored her as he moved from shelf to shelf, keeping himself hidden, and his gun ready at his side. As he moved closer, he could see the gunman and the young girl a lot clearer, and the guy getting the money not moving fast enough for the gunman's liking.
"You have ten seconds, asshole," he said, as he turned off the safety to the gun, pressing it firmly against the girl's head. "Nine, eight, seven, six,..."
Steve moved quickly as he tried to push a shelf over on him, only to find that the shelves were bolted down. "Damn it! Allright, time to take matters into my own hands..."
"... Three, two, one- bye, bye, sweet cheeks."
Suddenly Steve bolted out from behind the shelf, gun aimed at the perp. "Freeze! Drop the gun!! NOW!!"
The gunman smiled a bone-chilling smile towards Steve's way. "You first, pig. Or I shoot everyone in here without hesitation."
Steve didn't move, holding a tighter grip on the gun as he turned the safety off. "Fine. Then I'll shoot you dead right after."
"You think I'm bluffing? Try me. You have five seconds to put down the gun or I'll do it. And keep in mind that everyone includes you and your partner over there, who by the way, would loose a great deal in hide and seek. I always win in that game. And I'm going to win this little game as well. So why don't you come out and drop your gun little girl. Play time is over."
Cheryl slowly got out from where she was until she was next to Steve, soon her and Steve dropping both of their guns. "Is this something you really want to do?" Steve replied. "As soon as you kill us, then what? There are cops surrounding the place."
"That's why I would wait and kill you until last," he replied, throwing the girl on the ground and grabbing Steve. "They won't shoot me if I have one of their own as a hostage."
"My, my what a glorious day, today!"
The gunman and Steve suddenly turned only to find Mark casually strolling in, acting as if he had no idea what was going on. "Oh my, you know, you should be careful with those things, you could end up hurting someone."
Steve silently groaned to himself, making a mental note to have a long lecture to his father if they ever got out of the whole thing. "Uh, sir, look why don't you just leave, I mean we-"
"Oh, don't be silly! I need to get my prunes. I ran out. Do you know I've had prunes every day for an afternoon snack for the past ten years? And that I always come here to get some more. Only place I trust! Why here they are! Here, take a look!"
Mark suddenly threw the container towards the gunman, hitting him square in the face. Steve suddenly elbowed him getting out of his grasp, and spun around punching him and sending him unconscious to the ground.
"Nice work, son!"
Steve carefully picked up the gun with a rag, and glared at Mark. "Dad, if you know what's good for you, you'd better get out of here now."
"I uh, take it he's a little upset," Mark whispered to Cheryl.
"Upset?! Well, that would be one word. And why do you suppose that is, dad? Could it be that you put yourself right in the middle of a very dangerous situation?! Do you think I want to see you in a morgue so soon?!"
"Uh, well, you know, the Chief was backing me up. He said he would made sure that nothing would happen to me."
"Oh, well, that makes me feel a whole lot better! Remind me to personally thank him later on!"
"Well, it worked, didn't it?"
Steve gave another glare his father's way. "Yeah, it did. Not only did you put yourself in danger, but now I have to deal with the whole department giving me a hard time about my father saving my behind. But it's no big deal. I should be used to this by now."
Steve then put his gun firmly in his pocket and started to walk off, soon slipping on the container Mark had thrown, and falling hard to the ground. Mark cringed and ran over to him, hoping he would let him check him over. "Steve? Are you allright?"
"Ahh, no! I think I did something to my ankle!" **
"He'll be fine, Mark. He just sprained it real bad. He's going to need to be on crutches for a few days, which means only when you have to get somewhere. Otherwise, it will be on top of a pillow resting for the next few days," Jesse said, giving a look Steve's way.
"Great, I'll bring one to work," Steve replied.
"Uh, no, I don't think you understand. I mean one of your lovely pillows on your couch at home, which will stay at your couch at home at least for about four days."
"Excuse me, Dr. Sloan?"
Mark turned and suddenly found himself face to face with Lacey. "Lacey, you're not going to get any better if you don't get back in bed."
"I know, but I need to talk to you."
Mark nodded. "Allright, I'll walk you back to your room."
"That's probably the third time she's been out of bed. She's not by chance your long-lost daughter or anything is she?"
Steve glared at Jesse as Jesse swallowed hard. "Uh, right, you've had a long day. I'll just go get your crutches." **
"I can't believe I was right about this," Lacey stated later on as she climbed into her bed.
"I can't either," Mark replied. "But I'm glad you did or else my son might not be here right now. I owe you a huge thanks."
"Yeah, I just... I don't know."
"Lacey, you can talk to me. Now what's wrong?"
"I'm kind of scared. I mean, I don't want to be- you know, psychic. I want to be a normal twelve-year-old girl. Not one with a pneumonia and psychic powers."
"Look, how about I have someone come in and talk to you. Maybe they can figure out what's going on."
"You mean a shrink? Look, I'm not crazy, Dr. Sloan."
"And I'm not saying you are. I just think this woman can help you figure out why you're having these dreams. Maybe they're caused by something. Just at least give her a chance. Then if you don't like her, I promise you, I won't make you see her anymore."
Lacey hesitated a moment, and nodded. "Okay. I guess I'll give her a try."
"Good girl. Now please, get some rest."
"Okay. Good night Dr. Sloan."
"Good night, honey." **
Lacey shivered as a needle finished draining into her iv, later on that night, soon hearing a woman's voice, filling the room. "You disappointed me today, Lacey. You warned them. You weren't supposed to tell anyone. You were supposed to call the police and let them and only them handle it. Especially Lieutenant Sloan. So we're going to try something else, and this time listen to me. Do you understand?"
Lacey was half unconscious, but slightly nodded. "Yes."
"Good. Now, there's going to be a bomb planted in the mall tomorrow on twelve avenue at about four p.m. I want you to call Lt. Sloan and tell him. But ONLY him."
"But he's on medical leave for a few days."
"Then convince him to go. And if I know him like I think I do, he's not going to let a little injury stop him."
"But what about Dr. Sloan?"
"I'll take care of him. You just make sure that Steve Sloan gets to that mall. I don't care how you do it, but you will do it, understood?"
"Yes."
"Good, girl."
TBC...