Chapter 6

"Get down," yelled Stottlemeyer, as he and Randy slid out of the booth, guns drawn.

Sharona and Monk scooted out of the booth and looked for a place to take cover. The restaurant erupted into a place of chaos. Patrons were screaming and running, trying to outrun the spray of bullets. The waiters and waitresses ran into the back room to avoid the confusion. Through it all, Stottlemeyer and Randy were the only ones who maintained their demeanor of calm.

"SFPD," yelled Stottlemeyer, "throw down your weapons and put your hands in the air!"

The reply was another round of bullets, shattering drinking glasses. Out of the corner of his eye, Randy saw Sharona and Monk crawling behind a booth, with Monk complaining the whole time about the dirty floor, just as one of the shooters saw them.

Randy screamed, "Sharona! Monk!" just as the gunman opened fire on the two of them. Running towards them, Randy flung himself over Sharona and Monk, shielding them with his body. The bullets came within inches of them, unfortunately one of them strayed and struck Randy in his right shoulder, causing him to fall on top of Sharona.

Turning over, Randy took aim at the gunman and released his own spray of bullets, several striking the gunman in the chest and upper torso. The gunman's body convulsed and slumped to the ground, as Randy faltered and fell.

Meanwhile, Stottlemeyer was trading gunfire with the other gunman. The gunman tried to take aim at Stottlemeyer, thinking that Stottlemeyer would be slow, because of his size. Stottlemeyer avoided the bullets with ease and returned fire. He aimed for the gunman's shooting hand, striking it and causing the gunman to loose grip on it.

"My hand!" screamed the shooter.

"On the ground," ordered Stottlemeyer, "just be glad it wasn't something else."

The shooter reluctantly complied, his hand bleeding profusely, as Stottlemeyer handcuffed him.

"Randy, get over here," said Stottlemeyer. There was no answer. "Randy? Randy?"

Stottlemeyer looked around to see where Randy should have been and found Sharona crying over his Lieutenant's prone form. Monk looked helplessly on.

Stifling a curse, Stottlemeyer ran over to Randy, to see how bad it was, fearing the worst. He could see blood seeping through his young protégé's jacket, the concern for Randy on his face.

Dialing his phone, Stottlemeyer said into it, "This is Captain Leland Stottlemeyer, I have an officer down and in need of medical assistance immediately at 6012 Vernon Avenue, The Finer Diner."

Turning his attention to Randy, he knelt over him and said, "Hold on, Lieutenant. Don't you dare give up."

The SFPD came and started questioning witnesses. Some of the officers wanted to question Stottlemeyer but avoided him. The look on his face would spell disaster to any cop who tried to dare approach him. The EMTs loaded up Randy and the first shooter. The Medical Examiner loaded up the other shooter's body.

Satisfied that things were under control, Stottlemeyer spoke to an officer, giving instructions to call his cell phone with any new developments and stormed out of the restaurant, as Sharona and Monk followed.

At the hospital, Randy was rushed into the ER. Dr. Johnson looked at the pale Lieutenant and ordered that Randy be taken to the OR. An hour later, Dr. Johnson came out to Stottlemeyer, Sharona and Monk.

Stottlemeyer was quickly pacing a hole in the carpet, much to the annoyance of Nurse Miller. Sharona jumped up and ran to Dr. Johnson as he came out.

"The bullet was lodged in his right shoulder and we had to be careful extracting it or else he would suffer permanent nerve damage but, he should have full use of his right arm again in a few weeks. I recommend that he be given time off for at least two weeks."

Stottlemeyer stopped his pacing and looked at the doctor. "Can we see him?" asked Stottlemeyer.

"Yes, but only for a short while," said Dr. Johnson, "he is on some heavy pain medication."

"Thank you," said Stottlemeyer, as Dr. Johnson led the way towards Randy's room.

Quietly walking in, Stottlemeyer, Sharona and Monk gathered around Randy's bed. In a dimly lit room, Randy looked very pale in the bed. Seeing him this way caused Sharona to start crying again. Stottlemeyer pulled her close to him to comfort her. Pulling herself together, Sharona gave Stottlemeyer a grateful smile, as she pulled out a tissue.

Stottlemeyer laid his hand gently on Randy's good shoulder and vowed, "I promise you I will make the one who did this pay, Partner." It was the first time that Stottlemeyer admitted, out loud, that Randy was his "partner" rather than a subordinate.

Monk walked over and hesistantly placed his hand on Randy's left shoulder and said, "Thank you for saving Sharona" and quickly walked away.

Sharona glanced at Randy's body and then at the other two men. "Do you mind if I talk to him alone?" asked Sharona.

Nodding in understanding, Stottlemeyer and Monk left the room. Left alone with Randy, Sharona sat beside his bed, tears starting to fall.

"You know, when I first met you, you were an arrogant, clumsy, brown-nosing, nerd. But today, for the first time, I saw what a great cop you really are," Sharona said, crying. "You were willing to die for me. That's something that I will never forget."

Sharona leaned over Randy's bed and gently kissed him. 'His lips are so soft and sweet to kiss,' thought Sharona, as she realized that he was responding to her. Opening his eyes, Randy stared up into Sharona's eyes.

"Am I dead?" asked Randy.

"No," came Sharona's soft reply.

Smiling shyly at him, Sharona leaned over and gave Randy another kiss, this one more passionate than the first. Randy's mind raced as she kissed him but his heart just told him to shut up.

Breaking from the kiss, Sharona felt empty. 'When did I start feeling this way from him?' she thought, wondering what he was thinking.

Before he could loose his nerve, Randy blurted out, "Sharona, would you go have dinner with me?"

"Yes, Randy. I would like that," said Sharona. "I'd like that very much."